The garden was quiet.
Soft sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting gentle shadows across the ground. The air carried the faint scent of flowers, and everything felt calm… almost too calm.
Standing there, their father looked the same as always.
Peaceful.
Composed.
With a faint smile that made everything feel lighter.
That smile…
It eased the tension in their hearts.
"Father."
Hagoromo and Hamura stepped forward together and bowed respectfully.
The anxiety they had carried all the way back…
Seemed to fade, little by little.
"We came here today…"
Hagoromo raised his head, his expression turning serious.
"…because we have questions."
He paused.
Then said clearly—
"About the Divine Tree."
Minamikawa's eyes flickered slightly.
Just for a moment.
But it was enough.
He already understood what they wanted to ask.
---
"The Divine Tree…"
He repeated softly.
Then fell into brief thought.
---
"I do not know everything about its origin," he said at last.
"I only know that it descended together with your mother."
---
His tone was calm.
Honest.
He did not hide anything.
---
Because to him—
These were not strangers.
They were his sons.
---
And there was nothing he needed to conceal from them.
---
As they listened, the brothers felt their hearts ease slightly.
At least…
Their father was not avoiding the topic.
---
"The growth of the Divine Tree…"
Minamikawa continued,
"requires a massive amount of chakra and life force."
"That is why…"
"I must periodically collect chakra from the people… and offer it as sacrifice."
"If not…"
"The tree cannot grow."
His words were simple.
Direct.
Without emotion.
---
"As for life force…"
"That is also necessary."
---
Hagoromo's expression darkened.
---
"Father…"
He spoke slowly.
"Do you know how many people die every year because of this?"
---
Silence fell.
"Too many."
Hagoromo's voice was heavy.
"Countless people die… just to feed the Divine Tree."
"Some of them…"
"Should never have died."
"Some only committed small crimes."
"They could have changed."
"They could have lived."
"But instead…"
"They are sent to die."
---
His fists clenched slightly.
---
"This isn't justice."
The garden grew quiet again.
Minamikawa looked at him calmly.
Then spoke.
"Sacrifice is necessary."
His voice was gentle.
But firm.
"And it is only temporary."
The brothers froze slightly.
"Over the past two years…"
"The number of human sacrifices has already decreased."
"Most of the life force needed now…"
"Comes from livestock."
He looked at them.
"You both know this."
Hagoromo and Hamura fell silent.
Because it was true.
In recent years—
Animal husbandry had grown rapidly.
Large amounts of livestock were raised.
Not just for food—
But for sacrifice.
---
This had reduced human deaths significantly.
---
If things continued this way…
One day—
Human sacrifice might disappear completely.
---
The brothers' expressions softened slightly.
---
At least…
Their father had not ignored the problem.
---
But—
Hagoromo spoke again.
---
"Then what about Natural Energy?"
---
This time—
His voice was sharper.
---
"Chakra can be collected."
"Life force can be replaced."
---
"But Natural Energy…"
"Cannot be easily restored."
---
"If the Divine Tree keeps absorbing it…"
---
"This world will eventually be drained dry."
---
Silence.
---
Minamikawa Yuu closed his eyes briefly.
Then shook his head.
---
"That…"
"Is indeed a problem."
---
"But…"
He opened his eyes again.
---
"We have no other choice."
---
The words hit harder than anything before.
---
"Your mother's clan…"
He continued,
"Will eventually find this place."
---
"When that day comes…"
"We will have only two options."
---
"Fight them…"
"Or fulfill their mission."
---
"And in either case—"
---
"The fruit of the Divine Tree is essential."
---
Hagoromo fell silent.
---
Then, after a moment—
He spoke again.
---
"And after the fruit is created?"
---
His voice was quiet.
But filled with doubt.
---
"Will it end?"
---
The question lingered in the air.
---
"The human heart is greedy."
---
Hagoromo looked straight at his father.
---
"Some people… even more so."
---
"I understand your intentions."
"I understand why that fruit matters."
---
"But…"
He exhaled slowly.
---
"I'm worried."
---
"Will Mother really stop… once she gets what she wants?"
---
Hamura lowered his head.
---
He wanted to speak.
But in the end—
He said nothing.
---
Because deep down—
They both knew the answer.
---
Kaguya…
Was not someone who thought about others.
---
She was powerful.
Beautiful.
Untouchable.
---
But she did not care.
---
Not about people.
Not about the world.
---
Only about one thing—
---
Power.
---
And if she could gain more…
---
Why would she stop?
---
Even if one fruit was created—
Could she truly resist creating another?
---
And another?
---
And another?
---
The world might survive one harvest.
Maybe two.
---
But eventually—
---
It would be drained completely.
---
"Then…"
Hagoromo whispered.
---
"What happens after that?"
---
Minamikawa Yuu looked at them.
His expression calm.
Unshaken.
---
Then—
He spoke words that neither of them expected.
---
"When that time comes…"
---
"It will be your turn."
---
The brothers froze.
---
"Us?"
---
Their voices overlapped.
Filled with disbelief.
---
"You both understand your mother."
Minamikawa Yuu said quietly.
---
"If the future you fear… truly comes to pass…"
---
"Then the only ones who can stop her…"
---
"Will be you."
---
Silence.
---
The weight of those words…
Was overwhelming.
---
"The Toad Sage chose you for a reason."
---
"In this world…"
---
"Only her children… have the power to stand against her."
---
Hagoromo and Hamura stared at their father.
Shock filled their eyes.
---
"Father… you mean…"
---
Their voices trembled slightly.
---
Because what he was implying—
---
Was something they never expected.
---
From the beginning—
They had feared one thing.
That their father…
Would stand beside Kaguya.
That he would become their enemy.
But now—
That fear…
Was breaking apart.
Because the man before them—
Was not on Kaguya's side.
Not completely.
And maybe…
He never had been.
--------------------------------
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