Senju Yukika didn't respond to the question. He simply stared silently at the screen suspended in the sky.
All of this—these illusions and the strange trance—were caused by the effects of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. It was a powerful technique that stripped people of their consciousness, leaving behind emotionless shells that followed orders like machines.
But now that Yukika understood what was happening, there was no way he would let such horrors continue under his watch.
Coldly, he said, "Undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi—or die. You choose."
His emotionless tone struck terror into the heart of Otsutsuki Hoshikawa. He could clearly feel the suffocating killing intent coming off of Yukika. Without hesitation, he performed a hand seal, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi was immediately dispelled.
In that instant, the entire population of the Hidden Cloud Village began to wake up!
They looked around, bewildered and frightened, unsure of what had just happened.
"Wh-Where are we? Why are we kneeling here?"
"Look—it's the Raikage! Lord Raikage has left his mansion and come out here? What in the world is going on?!"
"I... I can't remember anything. It's like my memory has been wiped. What were we doing just now?"
Villager after villager was left stunned, unable to recall the events that had brought them to this place. What they could see was shocking—hundreds of them had gathered outside a shrine, all kneeling, bowing their heads as if in worship.
Even more shocking was that their own Raikage was among them, also kneeling respectfully!
The Raikage himself felt a storm surging in his heart. His pupils contracted as he stared at the young man in front of him—and at the bald man next to him. As the leader of the village, he quickly realized he must have fallen under a genjutsu.
But he hadn't even sensed it. He had been completely overtaken—his will, his thoughts, everything shackled by the illusion.
Then, a single word echoed in his mind:
Tsukuyomi.
Aside from this legendary technique, there was no other genjutsu powerful enough to seize total control over someone like him.
But even that thought felt absurd! Weren't such illusions said to be the exclusive domain of the Uchiha Clan, wielded through the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan?
Only the might of the Ten Tails could supposedly produce such overwhelming illusions. So how had these two—this mysterious young man and the bald one—managed to activate the Tsukuyomi without anyone even noticing their presence in the village?
The Raikage was filled with confusion and suspicion. A flicker of hostility crossed his face as he began to prepare for action.
But at that very moment, Yukika raised a hand and lightly waved it.
The ground trembled and split apart. A deep chasm tore through the earth, dividing him and the rest of the village with terrifying ease.
This one simple gesture was enough to shock the Raikage to his core!
While he himself could certainly carve a gash into the earth, creating a trench several hundred meters long with such casual ease was something entirely different.
This young man… what kind of strength did he possess?
Because Yukika was facing him directly, the Raikage had yet to recognize who he truly was.
On the other side of the chasm, the bald man swallowed hard. Trembling, he bowed before Yukika and pleaded, "My lord… are you from the stars beyond our world? I am a member of the Otsutsuki Clan. Please… have mercy!"
Now fully aware of the danger he faced, he immediately invoked the name of his clan, hoping to earn the mercy of this terrifying figure.
The Otsutsuki cared only for harvesting faith energy; they paid little attention to the affairs of the shinobi world. If they had cared even slightly, they might have already learned who Yukika was.
Yukika responded coldly, "Your people have already returned to your homeworld through the interstellar teleportation array. I'll give you half a day. Follow them—and leave."
"W-What?! No… this can't be…"
Otsutsuki Hoshikawa was in utter disbelief. Their deadline was supposed to be a full century—but now, at the critical moment, their entire operation had failed?
And all because this mysterious young man had sent their entire force back home.
Panicked and desperate, Hoshikawa stammered, "L-Lord… can't you give me a hundred years' grace? I'll leave the planet immediately, I swear! Just… allow me some time!"
Internally, he was convinced this alien figure must be coveting the planet for himself—perhaps for its resources or some ancient power. That had to be it.
But within the Otsutsuki tribe, the laws were strict: they were required to use Infinite Tsukuyomi to harvest all the faith energy from a planet before returning. To disobey meant severe punishment.
Still, Yukika had no patience left. His order was final: leave within half a day or be destroyed.
Hoshikawa didn't dare argue. He nodded furiously, fully aware that he was no match for this kind of power. In front of such a supreme being, all he could do was submit.
And so, this member of the Otsutsuki Clan left the Hidden Cloud Village. He took the strange statue with him, disappearing under the watchful eyes of the villagers—and their Raikage.
Only then did the Raikage begin to understand what had been going on.
This eerie statue had appeared in their village without warning, and the entire population had fallen into fanatical worship of it. That must have been when the trap was set.
Yukika turned around slowly. The Raikage finally caught a clear glimpse of his face—and instantly, his heart trembled violently.
"Master Yukika?!" he blurted out, stunned.
Yukika nodded and walked toward him.
The Raikage, thinking carefully, asked, "Those outsiders… they wanted to collect our faith so they could enhance their own unique powers, didn't they?"
As expected of a Kage—he had grasped the essence of the situation almost instantly.
Yukika nodded. "This planet is no longer safe. It's being targeted by outsiders. But don't worry—they've all been dealt with."
At that, the Raikage finally relaxed. He bowed respectfully and said, "Master Yukika's power truly knows no bounds."
Yukika turned to gaze at the statue that had just been uprooted. A thoughtful expression crossed his face.
Then, he said something unexpected: "I want to build statues of my own—place them throughout your village—and allow the people to worship them."
The Raikage's heart stirred. He understood what Yukika was implying. But this was not a request.
It was a declaration.
And no one had the authority to say no.