Chapter 56: Ido
As the spirit body infiltrated, Menma opened his eyes again, finding himself already within a boundless space.
This space resembled a canvas that had been repeatedly used countless times, then crumpled into a ball and carelessly discarded.
The pure white canvas was continuously smeared with paint, finally transforming into this distorted coloration.
The entire space was filled with a nauseating smell of paint.
"So this is Kurama Yakumo's mental space? Seems the mental distortion is already showing initial signs."
Menma scanned his surroundings, looking at the artworks floating all around, pondering.
Each artwork was imbued with varying degrees of the Power of Yin Release.
Some paintings with bright and sunny styles seemed normal, but those with dark, twisted styles gave Menma the feeling of 'turning illusion into reality'.
Kurama Yakumo might be the most talented Kekkei Genkai wielder in Kurama clan history.
Her bloodline ability had sublimated, possessing some of the Power of Yin Release which creates form from nothingness.
For example, things drawn on paper manifesting in reality – this was precisely a manifestation of the Power of Yin Release.
"However, it's precisely because of this ultimate Power of Yin Release that her physical constitution is so weak."
Her body couldn't bear this immense power. Instead, the Power of Yin Release would drain nutrients from her body, creating pressure.
Menma shifted his gaze towards the figure on the stone platform.
Kurama Yakumo seemed completely unaware of his arrival, this uninvited guest. Holding a paintbrush in her right hand, she aimlessly painted blue skies, white clouds, small streams, etc. – painting anything that could calm her mood.
But the more she painted, the stronger a destructive restlessness surged within Kurama Yakumo's heart.
"This painting is so ugly! Better destroy it with one stroke!"
A hoarse, deep voice seemed to echo beside her ear. Kurama Yakumo's hand holding the brush paused, hesitating.
One stroke... destroy...
Just as her breathing grew rapid, the brush poised to fall,
"Your heart is truly fragile and sensitive. Is it because you bear the expectations of too many people?"
A deep voice sounded, its lamenting tone instantly interrupting Yakumo's strange state.
"You..."
Kurama Yakumo startled, rising and turning around.
Just as she was about to question the person behind her, she suddenly found her body felt immensely heavy, pinning her down, completely immobile.
And those blue eyes, deep as the ocean, magnified endlessly in Kurama Yakumo's vision until they filled her entire sight.
"Such a pitiful child."
Just then, Yakumo felt a warm hand rest atop her head, an inexplicable scent dispelling the paint odor she had long grown accustomed to.
When Kurama Yakumo came back to her senses, there was only a stranger before her dressed in black with black hair, wearing a mask.
Only those deep blue eyes shimmered faintly in this dim space.
"Who are you?"
Kurama Yakumo slapped away the hand resting on her head, taking a step back, watching Menma warily.
"You wish to become a ninja?"
"...What?"
Yakumo froze upon hearing this, then shot Menma a resentful glare.
Undoubtedly, Menma's question had hit her sore spot.
The conversation between her parents and Yūhi Kurenai earlier – she had actually heard every word.
Naturally weak constitution, very likely unable to become a ninja...
Kurama Yakumo bit her lip tightly, fists clenched, sharp nails almost digging into her palms.
Anger, jealousy, resentment – various negative emotions churned within her heart.
"I can turn illusion into reality! Whatever you desire – whether a strong body, profound secret techniques, even this world – you can possess all of it!"
The gloomy, crazed voice appeared again. A sense of power she had never felt before filled her heart, her body becoming full of vitality and life.
This overly real feeling of power made Kurama Yakumo intoxicated. Her consciousness grew fuzzy under its influence, feeling only
something deep inside wanted to break its confinement.
Mist-like substance in the mental space continuously clung to her body.
Black hair gradually turned white, nails grew longer, her features became ferocious, and two demon horns were about to sprout from her head.
"Trying to snatch someone I've set my sights on, right in front of me?"
Menma extended his palm, resting it on Yakumo's head: "Can you manage that? Just you."
His eyes glowed faintly, meeting Yakumo's.
And when his gaze hardened,
Yakumo, in her bizarre state, was instantly struck as if by lightning. Her blood seemed to freeze, heart pounding wildly.
Before Menma's gaze, her everything seemed exposed, even her soul had nowhere to hide.
"Ah! Damn you!!"
The "monster" hidden deep within her heart screamed directly, its tone terrified.
Menma, probing Yakumo's mind with his spiritual power, naturally saw that ugly monster as well.
He said with some disgust: "Truly ugly."
"Merely a sub-personality that absorbed negative emotions and bloodline abilities, yet dares to boast of becoming master of the world?"
Yakumo's Kekkei Genkai was arguably the strongest in Kurama clan history, capable of transforming illusion into reality.
Yakumo, being at a sensitive age, heard Kurenai's 'words'. Filled with unwillingness and indignation, her imperfectly controlled Kekkei Genkai began to take effect, creating this mental monster out of thin air.
This was just one product of her bloodline ability, created in her subconscious, representing the other self she longed to be – unrestrained.
"The simplest solution now is to re-fuse the two personalities into one. But looking now, I'm afraid Yakumo would be devoured by this product of negative emotions."
This monster contained parts of what Yakumo desired to become and possess.
For example, power, and also courage.
Kurama Yakumo's hair flew wildly, appearing mad. A crazed roar escaped Yakumo's mouth, muffled and deep.
Yakumo's body also changed, sharp spikes extending from her head and limbs. That ferocious ghost-like face was revealed before Menma.
"Die!" Yakumo shrieked.
The entire space seemed to change, becoming blurry and misty. Strange claws extended, binding Menma.
Large numbers of kunai also appeared bizarrely, about to nail Menma.
"No one can kill me, Ido!!"
"Your name is Ido?"
A trace of interest showed in Menma's eyes. Simultaneously, he drastically increased the input of his spiritual power.
This power was enough to completely destroy both Yakumo and Ido.
Amidst utter terror, Ido instinctively chose to retreat back into Yakumo's heart.
Yakumo collapsed kneeling on the ground, fear still lingering on her face: "I saw it... the other me... Ido..."
She watched wide-eyed as Menma approached her.
"Very good. Seems the so-called monster also knows what fear is."
(End of Chapter)
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