Chapter 82: Shadows Beneath the Moonlight

The following days in Lunaris passed like a tranquil dream. Shisui wandered its radiant streets, marveling at the crescent-arched bridges, floating lanterns, and misty sakura groves where wolf beastkin children played under the moonlight.

But peace never lasted long in a shinobi's world.

One evening, as Shisui strolled near the Moonblessed Garden with Irylia, he paused. His instincts twitched. Something… was wrong. A soundless tension filled the air. His Sharingan activated instinctively.

There—hidden chakra signatures in the shadows.

A kunai shot toward Irylia.

Shisui moved like lightning, deflecting it mid-air. "Get behind me," he said, calm but firm.

Masked assassins leaped from the trees. Their chakra bore the signature of someone elite—trained, disciplined, and undeniably of Lunaris.

"Traitors," Shisui muttered.

He engaged the first wave using Taijutsu, his form a blur of graceful destruction. With precise strikes, he shattered limbs and broke through chakra guards. Genjutsu flickered through his gaze — causing illusions of frost and disorientation. Then came Arch Energy-infused Ninjutsu, his hands weaving signs in graceful succession.

"Arch Style: Moonveil Fang Barrage!"

Waves of ethereal blue slashes danced through the garden, cutting through enemy defenses.

But more came — and stronger.

Irylia was cornered.

Shisui threw himself into their path, taking a deep stab to the side.

Blood splashed.

Pain radiated through him. But as he stared at Irylia's trembling, terrified form — memories surged: the feeling of being powerless to protect, the loneliness, the quiet anguish of watching innocents suffer.

Then…

A cold wind swept in.

His Arch Energy spiked unnaturally, his chakra turning sharp, frigid — divine.

Snow fell.

The garden's temperature plummeted.

A glowing six-pointed snowflake crest over a black crescent moon formed over his heart.

Cryo Sovereignty… awakened.