"You bastard… what exactly are you doing?!"
Iguro Obanai's pupils trembled. He could no longer tolerate it. He kicked Kaigaku hard, sending him sprawling face-first onto the ink-painted ground.
"You selfish piece of trash! Did you ever think about your master, Kuwajima Jigoro?!"
If Kaigaku became a demon, Kuwajima Jigoro would be forced to commit seppuku to atone for failing to guide his disciple.
"What does that have to do with me? Stop spouting nonsense!"
Kaigaku glared back, furious.
No one's life was more important than his own. As long as he survived, nothing else mattered.
"You…!"
For the first time in his life, Obanai found someone more disgusting than a demon.
Human selfishness could be far uglier than any monster.
Watching Kaigaku kneel at Ryuya's feet like a dog, Obanai trembled with rage—yet he was powerless.
At the same time, a thought surfaced in his heart.
If this Moon Demon truly spared such scum—
Then he would despise him just the same.
"Do you want to become a demon?"
Ryuya crouched down with a faint smile, looking at Kaigaku.
"Yes, my Lord! Please grant me your blood! I am willing to follow you!"
Kaigaku's face lit up with desperate excitement.
Dignity?
He would abandon it without hesitation.
To live was everything.
"Kaigaku… oh, Kaigaku."
Ryuya's smile vanished instantly.
"Do you think you're worthy?"
The cold mockery in his eyes struck like lightning.
Worthy?
Was he worthy?
Kaigaku froze, doubt flooding his mind.
Obanai let out a cold chuckle.
That scene alone gave him grim satisfaction.
At least this demon wasn't so desperate as to accept anyone.
"Alright," Ryuya said lightly. "I'll give one of you a chance to survive. You two can discuss it yourselves."
Kaigaku's eyes widened.
Before Obanai could even speak—
"Senior! Let me go! This place is close to Mount Momoyama. I'll bring reinforcements to save you!"
He spoke rapidly, afraid Obanai might seize the opportunity first.
Obanai stared at him as if looking at something foul.
Just like the people of his own clan.
Selfish. Disgusting.
"How can I trust someone who was just begging to become a demon?"
Obanai sneered.
"Senior, that was just an act! I was tricking him! You didn't take that seriously, did you?"
Kaigaku lowered his voice, terrified Ryuya might hear.
But Ryuya—who had already begun grasping the Transparent World—heard every word clearly.
He did nothing to stop it.
Everything was unfolding exactly as he planned.
Kaigaku never disappointed him.
After Kaigaku's elaborate performance, Obanai remained suspicious—but ultimately agreed.
One of them had to stay.
And the one who stayed would surely die.
Obanai had already accepted that fate.
He would not beg.
Being spared by a demon was humiliation.
"Thank you, Senior! I swear I'll bring reinforcements!"
Kaigaku declared solemnly.
Obanai didn't even look at him.
He had placed no hope in that promise.
"Since you've made your decision," Ryuya said calmly, "Qingshu, send Kaigaku and me out. I'll see him off properly."
"My Lord truly sees things through to the end. I'm flattered."
Kaigaku forced a grin, though in his heart he cursed Ryuya endlessly.
Just let me go!
Is it easy trying to survive?!
Before teleporting them, Ryuya casually picked up Obanai's fallen Nichirin Blade.
The scenery shifted.
They were back inside the wooden house.
"Kaigaku," Ryuya said softly, "take care of yourself."
"My Lord, you misunderstand! I would never bring reinforcements. Those were just words to deceive that guy. Even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn't dare!"
Kaigaku laughed nervously.
Ryuya shook his head.
"I'm not that narrow-minded. And I never go back on my word."
"You may leave. You may bring reinforcements. I will wait here with Iguro Obanai for three days and three nights."
His tone remained gentle.
"But if you do not return after three days… don't blame me. It will simply mean you broke your promise."
"Yes, yes, of course."
Kaigaku smiled on the surface while viciously cursing Ryuya in his heart.
Pretending to be magnanimous?
Shifting responsibility onto him?
Fine.
Whatever.
Even if he made it back to Mount Momoyama, he would never return.
He never wanted to see Ryuya again.
"Before you go," Ryuya added casually, "I should remind you of something."
Kaigaku stiffened.
"When I'm bored, I enjoy telling stories. No matter who I'm with."
Kaigaku blinked, confused.
"And I especially enjoy telling other people's stories."
Ryuya's eyes gleamed faintly.
"For example… after you leave, I might tell Iguro Obanai a few stories about you."
"My stories? What stories would I possibly have? My Lord must be joking."
Kaigaku forced a laugh, still unaware of the danger.
"Oh? Why so modest?"
Ryuya's voice grew almost playful.
"Let me tell you one."
"One day, a blind monk took you in and raised you alongside a group of orphans. At first, things were fine."
"But your nature—like a dog that can't stop eating shit—resurfaced."
"You stole money."
"You were caught."
"You were expelled."
Kaigaku's face drained of color.
"That night, you encountered a demon. To save your own life, you struck a deal."
"You extinguished the wisteria incense burner at the temple."
"You allowed the demon inside."
"The children were slaughtered."
"The monk was blamed and imprisoned."
"And you?"
Ryuya's smile deepened.
"You lived."
Silence.
Kaigaku's eyes widened violently.
How—
How did he know?
The memory he buried deepest in his heart resurfaced.
Shame.
Fear.
Guilt.
His conscience screamed again.
"And that's only the beginning," Ryuya continued softly.
"No… no…"
Kaigaku collapsed onto the floor, trembling.
He didn't want to hear it.
He didn't want those memories dragged into the light.
"What's wrong?" Ryuya tilted his head slightly.
"You don't want to listen?"
His smile widened coldly.
"That won't do."
"How can you not listen to your own story?"
...
Author's Update 18+ 📢
The fanfic Naruto: Raised by Kushina, Took His Brother's Wife – Part 1 is now officially fully completed!
It is now available on Patreon for all tiers, including the lowest Tier 1.
The complete Part 1 has been uploaded on Patreon.
📚 Category: Naruto 18+
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Thank you all for your continuous love, support, and patience for this story 💙