The Adventurous Gamer Ninja - Daichi Hekima [Vol. 02]

Chapter 320 - Daichi's Inner Conflict & Obito's Greed

With Daichi. Approx. 2:30 am.

The young Genin felt like he was floating in air. His whole body felt weightless and the second he experienced this sensation he opened his eyes. Daichi found himself standing amidst the vast expanse of swirling galaxies and nebulous clusters.

A surreal reflection of the universe outside. The stars twinkled like countless eyes, watching Daichi as he silently encountered a figure identical to himself, yet distinct in essence.

"You've seen enough anime to know what this is don't you?" The voice came from his clone standing several feet in front of him.

"This is... inside my mind... or my soul?" Daichi deduced and replied after a few seconds of silence.

Doppelganger Daichi nodded. "Yes. A realm unbound by the physical world's limitations. This is the inner universe of your mind. A place where your true self and your deepest thoughts converge and where the essence of our being resides."

The Genin looked around, marveling and awestruck at the cosmic beauty surrounding them, the nebulae and stars creating a light show of profound beauty.

In the ethereal vastness that stretched endlessly, shimmering like a galaxy within his mind, Daichi stood face to face with a figure that mirrored him in every aspect—his doppelgänger, the embodiment of his consciousness. The atmosphere was serene and yet it vibrated with an energy that felt both alien and intimately familiar.

"This is the deepest sanctum of our mind. The Gamer's Mind skill has no effect here."

Daichi nodded as he heard the words of his clone. "So you're me?" The Genin looked at the figure with a keen gaze.

"Not quite. I am the embodiment of your innermost thoughts, your true self unclouded by doubt or fear." The figure replied and held a jovial gaze.

Daichi became silent as he looked at the doppelganger. "So, you're me, but... not fully me. Alright, I'll bite. But first I have two questions for you."

"Ask away." The other Daichi had his hands behind his back and stood in a regal manner as he replied.

"Ok. Question one. Why are you talking like that?"

"Like what?" The doppelganger smiled and slightly tilted his head in amusement.

Daichi crossed his arms and looked at his counterpart. "You know what I mean. You sound like a monk trying to give advice to a millennial. Speaking all formal and ancient like that."

Doppelganger Daichi chuckled lightly as he looked at the annoyance on his mirror image's face. "I believe that what I have to say will be more impactful if I spoke in this manner to you. It'll also make me seem more mystical and wise."

Daichi didn't miss the playful smile on the other's face and he groaned. "Argh. Fine. Whatever... Ok, second question. Why did my subconscious want to meet me today?"

Consciousness Daichi looked at his real life counterpart with a knowing smile. "You know why. It's time to address the elephant in the room, isn't it?"

The real Daichi was silent as he thought about the reasons for being here and after a while he seemed to guess what brought him here. All the while his counterpart continued to just stand there with his easy going smile.

After a while Daichi frowned and spoke. "You're talking about my power, aren't you?"

"Yes." Came the simple nod from the other side.

"Why exactly did you bring me here?" Daichi slightly narrowed his eyes.

"This is an issue of great importance. I brought you here to discuss your true strength and the reason you conceal it."