[Inside the tank, a girl of about sixteen years old lay curled up, sleeping peacefully in the nutrient solution. Her long hair drifted through the fluid, shimmering with a dreamlike translucence.]
The sight of the Honkai Beasts and Zombies was one thing, but the sheer number of "Uchiha Hoshis"—varying in size and age—sent a shockwave through everyone watching.
Orochimaru: "I see. I initially thought they were just physical clones (Bunshin), but it seems they are true genetic clones. To think such a possibility existed! Fascinating... truly fascinating!"
Orochimaru was the most elated of them all. While others wondered why Uchiha Hoshi would create so many duplicates, he saw a potential solution to his own bodily instability. If this was viable, he would never have to worry about a host body again. This was an unexpected windfall.
At this moment, the word "Clone" was etched into the minds of everyone in the world. Though many didn't fully understand the underlying science, it wasn't hard to guess from the visuals that the bodies soaking in the tanks were artificial copies of the original.
["Main Body, the observation results are in. Following the clear upward trend of Honkai Energy three days ago, it has reached its peak today."
"In other words... the Second Honkai Impact is coming?" Uchiha Hoshi turned around, her golden eyes as calm as a deep well.
"I'm afraid so."
"This is too fast." Uchiha Hoshi looked back at the cultivation tanks—the culmination of her hard work over the years—with a hint of doubt on her face. "Normally, the Second Impact would require at least twenty years of accumulation before an eruption. Why has it only been five years..."
Facing Uchiha Hoshi's confusion, the older, sister-like version of herself—a-07—maintained an expressionless face.
"Regrettably, all my knowledge comes from you. If you do not know, then I certainly do not."
"Fair point." Uchiha Hoshi walked toward the tank.
As she approached, the nutrient solution began to drain. When the glass opened, steam billowed out, and Uchiha Hoshi's experimental subject hung suspended in the center by the tubes connected to her skintight suit.
Looking at the limp test subject, Hoshi slowly raised her hand, and a blue crystal rose from her palm. She grabbed the subject's waist, pulled her into an embrace, and pressed the crystal into the girl's chest.
"Time to wake up, c-01."
c-01 snapped her eyes open. The golden light in her pupils was identical to Hoshi's own.
"Main Body, c-01's physical state is still unstable. If we activate her now..." The voice came from behind, but Hoshi's lips merely curled into a slight smile.
"If she just soaks in a tank, you'll never know where the flaws are or how to fix them," c-01 spoke slowly. If not for the difference in their clothing, it would be impossible to tell her apart from the original. They were identical.
Psst—
The tubes disconnected one by one, and c-01's body drifted gently to the floor.
"Perfect. I'll use this body to travel to the epicenter of the Second Impact, observe the situation, and test this body's functions. Two birds with one stone. Don't you agree, a-07?"
a-07 naturally wouldn't question any of Hoshino Hitomi's decisions.
Uchiha Hoshi synchronized her consciousness with c-01's body and linked her Authority to the Pseudo-Herrscher Core inside the girl, allowing for maximum utilization of her powers as the Herrscher of Reason.
Click, clack, click...
Controlling this new body, Hoshi used her Authority to construct a set of clothes. Unlike her "Herrscher Form," which looked more like a formal gown, this outfit resembled a Battlesuit.
She wore a blue breastplate, gauntlets with a blue-to-purple gradient, and matching leg guards. On her feet were high-heeled long boots. A black garter was fastened around her pale left thigh, giving the leg a more defined, "fleshy" look. A skirt extended from her waist down to her calves, swaying as she walked.
"Phew... Compared to my original body, this form fused with Honkai Beast genes is truly powerful. It seems my efforts over the last few years weren't in vain."
Feeling the surge of endless power from within, Hoshi allowed herself a rare smile.
"Main Body, are you departing now? Is it perhaps too early? After all, the Second Herrscher shows no signs of birth yet."
"The concentration of Honkai Energy is already enough to gestate a Herrscher. The reason one hasn't appeared is simply the lack of a suitable Host. It's only a matter of time."
Hoshi paused for a moment. "Perhaps... I can give it a little nudge."
Controlling her new body, Hoshi stepped into the elevator, while her original self remained in the laboratory hundreds of meters underground.
"Without knowing the temperament of the Second Herrscher, it's safer to be cautious. The main body should avoid deployment unless necessary."
Exiting the elevator, Uchiha Hoshi brought her new body to the surface. There, a girl with winding dragon horns on her head and scale-covered hands resembling claws had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing Hoshi appear, the girl stepped forward, and her body rapidly expanded. In moments, she transformed into a titan hundreds of meters tall and nearly a kilometer long!
This was Hoshi's Companion Honkai Beast, Star Eater. After years of being fed Honkai Energy and being granted sapience via a Pseudo-Herrscher Core, she had gained the ability to shift freely between her beast and human forms.
Uchiha Hoshi flexed her legs and leaped onto Star Eater's head.
"Let's go, Star Eater."
At Hoshi's command, Star Eater lunged toward the Northwest. That was where the Eruption was happening!]
Onoki: "Wait! Which way did the Herrscher of Reason and her monster go?"
A: "Northwest. That could be your territory, or it could be mine."
Senju Hashirama: "By the way... was that monster always that big?"
Senju Tobirama: "Brother, it's obvious the monster has grown significantly over the past few years."
Orochimaru: "Interesting. If I understand correctly, these monsters are called 'Honkai Beasts,' the energy that births them—and the Herrscher—is 'Honkai Energy,' and now there is a place where that energy is dense enough to birth a second Herrscher?"
Jiraiya: "Damn it! Doesn't that mean another place is about to face a disaster? It might end up just like Konoha!"
Onoki: "..."
A: "..."
Rasa: "Fortunately, that 'ancestor' didn't come our way. It seems we are safe—for now."