—Genjutsu Communication!
Deep within Kara's internal base, holographic light flickered as nine projections took shape. Layered blocks of light stacked and stabilized, forming nine lifelike human figures.
In a separate dimension, atop a platform surrounded by floating giant cubes, Jigen sat calmly upon his throne. Around him stood the other Inner members, all clad in gray robes that concealed their bodies completely.
Koji Kashin,
Delta,
Code,
Boro,
Victor,
Amado,
Deepa.
They stood in silence, yet the focus of this meeting was not Jigen.
Even Jigen himself was slightly curious as to why the perpetually busy Amado had called everyone together.
Once all Inner members had arrived, Amado adjusted his posture, organized his thoughts, and spoke slowly.
"Our organization has likely been exposed."
The moment the words fell, sharp gasps echoed throughout the empty dimension.
"What did you say?!"
Nearly half the group reacted at once, shock evident.
"It must be Victor's fault," Delta said coldly. "Your medical company is far too conspicuous. Someone must have traced it back to us."
"Watch your mouth, brat," Victor snapped back. "Without my company, our plans would still be stuck at square one."
"You think the equipment used to remodel your bodies grows on trees?"
His voice dripped with contempt.
"You are both the reason for our progress and our risk," Boro said calmly. "Merits don't cancel out danger, Victor."
"Enough with the blame," Victor retorted sharply. "We don't even know how we were exposed, and you're already targeting me?"
All eyes turned back to Amado.
"This is difficult to accept," Amado continued evenly, "but a newly emerging organization—called 'Moon'—has become aware of our existence."
He coughed lightly, then glanced toward Jigen. "The specific reason remains unknown."
"The exposure alone is a serious issue," Delta said. "Since Kara's founding, we've operated in secrecy. Outsiders were never meant to find us."
Boro crossed his arms. "How did this so-called Moon make contact with us?"
Jigen's expression remained calm, but his gaze sharpened slightly. The vessel cultivation plan was still ongoing—no errors could be tolerated.
"They're just a new organization," Victor said dismissively. "Why not send an Outer to erase them?"
"Or let me handle it," Boro grinned. "Do we even know where this 'Moon' is?"
"That's not your role," Delta shot back. "You're nothing but a musclehead."
"What did you say, kid?" Boro bristled, veins bulging.
"Enough," Koji spoke coldly. "We know almost nothing about Moon, yet they sensed us without direct contact. That alone proves caution—and strength."
"Heh," Boro scoffed. "Cautious, maybe. Strong? That's debatable."
Jigen finally spoke.
"Silence."
The effect was immediate. Everyone straightened, their expressions tightening as they faced Jigen and Amado.
"One intelligence unit was annihilated," Amado reported. "Based on the scene, they injected themselves with the Karma stimulant before death."
"An unofficial unit?" Boro sneered. "Even with drugs, they were still trash."
"Believe what you want," Amado replied. "What matters is whether Moon will come looking for us. After all, their goals align with ours."
The fruit of the Divine Tree.
Eternal life.
"They're ambitious," Delta said mockingly. "But just them?"
"Even if they find this place," Boro added, "they won't leave alive."
Most of the Inners were modified humans—warmongers with near-limitless regeneration and overwhelming strength.
In another timeline, they were monsters capable of overwhelming Naruto and Sasuke alike.
Amado frowned slightly and leaned toward Jigen, whispering:
[The device is still incomplete. It hasn't reached container standards. Exposure right now would be unwise.]
"I understand," Jigen replied quietly.
He rested his chin on the throne's armrest, gazing down at the group like tools awaiting command.
"Judging by your enthusiasm," Jigen said slowly, "who wishes to meet this so-called Moon?"
"Where are they?" Boro asked bluntly.
"I don't know," Amado admitted. "Moon is extremely new—less than a month since its first appearance."
"…So we're really worried about a clown troupe?" Code muttered.
"The issue," Amado continued, "is that Moon has been active since the moment it appeared. Their primary objective seems to be the tailed beasts."
"The Seven-Tails and Three-Tails are already under Moon's control. That means they're not acting alone."
"How do you know?" someone asked.
"Our unit targeting the Seven-Tails failed. The Three-Tails was captured in the waters of the Land of Water—deep sea."
"The deep sea?" Koji repeated.
"Over a thousand meters down," Amado said calmly. "Tell me—how many of you could fight under that pressure?"
The room fell quiet.
"…We could manage," Boro said uncertainly. "But it'd be troublesome."
"Which is why," Amado concluded, "our best option is surveillance. With the 'eyes' we've planted across the ninja world, traces will surface."
Deepa tilted his head. "Any details? Clothing? Appearance?"
"Our units were wiped out before gathering such data," Amado replied. "Subsequent teams found nothing."
Frowns deepened. Acting blind was unacceptable.
"Their last confirmed activity was in the Land of Water," Amado added. "Given the conditions, they may still be there—recovering."
"So we search the Land of Water," Victor said thoughtfully.
"We should send someone reliable," Koji said. "The Bloody Mist Village is not a place to act carelessly."
Jigen's gaze swept across them, sharp and predatory.
"So," he asked quietly, "does Kara truly lack anyone willing to act?"
"I'll go."
The silence broke.
Jigen nodded in approval.
"Very well. The investigation of Moon is yours."
"Yes," Deepa answered solemnly.
---
A/N: A New Fanfic Is Out "Bleach: Reborn As Ishida Uryuu"
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