"What are you reading, sir?"
"Some ancient history. From the records, you can see information that was overlooked at the time—like the birth of gods."
Orochimaru answered in a hoarse voice, growing increasingly interested in the person before him. To an ordinary person, seeing his golden vertical pupils would inspire fear; even among ninjas, such reactions were not uncommon.
Only someone extraordinary could remain completely unfazed.
"About gods… the Buddha never explicitly spoke on this, but he did say that all living beings are equal. Perhaps that's a hint of something."
After speaking, the man bowed to Orochimaru and continued,
"My name is Jigen, a wandering monk. I don't yet know your name, sir."
"A monk, huh? A respectable vocation. I am Orochimaru. My goal is to know all truths of the world, and I am working toward that aim."
Orochimaru's smile grew brighter after saying this, as if he were genuinely delighted to share his dream. Jigen nodded slightly; for a native, having such an ambition was impressive.
Though it was a little nauseating—those insects in the mud, greedy and wanting to control everything, things no lowly reptile should even dream of.
Like Kaguya, a servant who dared to seek the Chakra Fruit—people like that deserved death. Still, this one had the potential to be nurtured into a "vessel." Unfortunately, he had arrived too late; otherwise, Jigen wouldn't be needed.
Orochimaru glanced at the nanotech terminal strap on his hand. Since his back was to Jigen and his expression remained unchanged, Jigen didn't notice the high-tech device.
'Orochimaru, Tsunade and I are searching for Otsutsuki Isshiki. If you hear anything, let us know.'
'Understood. I'll inform you if there's news about Otsutsuki Isshiki.'
After replying, Orochimaru smiled at Jigen again. A thousand years later, he had only seen Jigen in a "wedge" state; his eyes and demeanor now were entirely different, so Orochimaru hadn't recognized him before the introduction.
Let him play for a while. Judging by Mirai's tone, there's no rush, Orochimaru thought with a smile.
Tsunade, early in the morning, asked sharply, "Did you fall asleep last night?"
"Yeah, why?" Hyuga Mirai stretched. "It's the first time I've slept since ancient times. Feels good. Were you on watch? Thanks for your effort, Tsunade."
"Watch? Unlike you, I can't sleep in a strange place," Tsunade replied.
Mirai waved, then gestured to Hyuga Hinata. "Don't say that, Tsunade. Hinata also slept. Besides, with our strength, no one can approach us even if we're asleep."
"I wasn't sleeping, Lord Mirai," Hinata said, kneeling after tidying her futon. "I only used sleep to activate my precognition ability. Some can predict directly, but I cannot—for now."
"Precognition in dreams? That's Gamamaru's ability?"
Mirai became interested. "Hinata-san, when did you gain this ability? Can you feel changes in natural energy during it? Can it be controlled?"
Before Hinata could answer, Mirai continued, "Let's go to the lab later and check it out."
"I cannot predict matters concerning you, Lord Mirai. In fact, my predictions mostly cover trivial things—like, in three hours, the Lord of the Holy Nation will lead a team out."
Hinata's expression was calm. She had gradually learned to attempt precognition in sleep, but still couldn't foresee what she most wished. Mount Myoboku's precognition power was difficult to control; even entering Shion's body using a spiritual technique only allowed her to explore methods gradually.
"Three hours… I remember he said yesterday it would be in the afternoon—so it's earlier."
Before Mirai could finish, a Shinto priest from the Holy Nation knocked and reported that the departure had been moved forward by three hours.
Through this, Mirai confirmed Hinata's prediction. After sending off the priest, he looked at Hinata with a burning intensity.
"Can this method be taught to others? What do you need now?"
Hinata shook her head. "I'm the only one successful so far. Orochimaru is considering replicating it, but I don't know how to teach it. Perhaps the next generation can inherit it."
"The next generation? Since Orochimaru couldn't replicate it, he must have considered cloning or genetic methods. If both fail, artificial conception will be required for the next generation."
Mirai was cut off as a fist flew at him; he ducked.
Tsunade warned, "Don't say things like that in front of a child!"
Mirai retorted, "This is scientific spirit, Tsunade. I recall your ocular jutsu relates to time. Can you use it now?"
"Not yet. Such god-defying ocular powers can't be used in a short time." Tsunade turned her head, though she could have, she preferred not to.
With Hashirama Cells, even other deities' cooldowns could be shortened. Tsunade had Hashirama Cells, Rinnegan, Yang energy, and Six Paths Sage Techniques; her recovery was tens of times stronger than Hashirama Cells alone.
"Later, Tsunade, come to my lab as well," Mirai said. "It won't take long and won't interfere with your decoding of Otsutsuki Isshiki's life information."
Idiot. Who would go? Tsunade thought, but against Mirai's Yomi Birasaka space ability and ring terminal, she couldn't escape even to space. Talking back was pointless.
Hinata asked, "Lord Mirai, what are we doing next?"
"If all goes well, I'll record these people's abilities and observe how native natural energy interacts with the Otsutsuki."
In other words, watch these fools risk their lives, and maybe confront Otsutsuki Kaguya for information.
Hinata requested, "Then please send a clone with me to the Oda family. They are Mount Myoboku's contractors, with seven generations of lineage. Their Onmyo abilities are mysterious; I want to see for myself."
Mirai replied, "A clone would be too conspicuous. I'll lend you some of my power directly."
He touched Hinata's forehead. A magatama Rinnegan mark appeared, allowing her to temporarily use Six Paths Sage Techniques, and letting Mirai sense danger at any time.
"Thank you, Lord Mirai." Hinata bowed and prepared to head to the Oda family alone. Her detection of their Onmyo power during last night's meeting confirmed her plan.
The three separated, with Mirai still able to sense Hinata's external actions.
The Holy Nation's Lord, following divine guidance, led troops to the Land of Ancestors to slay the evil god from the heavens and eliminate the disruptive God Tree.
Civilians worshiping the God Tree would be punished, and the former ruler of the Land of Ancestors would be restored, along with peace.
Samurai, Onmyo priests, miko, and other divine roles possessed formidable abilities. Even a giant serpent like White Snake, absorbing only natural energy, had a body comparable to steel. Together, they approached the Goddess of the Rabbit with full confidence.
"Do we just watch?"
"Yes. Things destined to happen don't need interference."
Mirai nodded. After this battle, except for a few fleeing samurai, almost all divine personnel's lineages would be broken. When Otsutsuki Hagoromo appeared, Chakra would rise.
The natural energy users moved quickly. With generous support from the Holy Nation, dozens of ox and horse carts were used. In under two days, they reached the Land of Ancestors' border.
After overthrowing the Land of Ancestors' ruler, Otsutsuki Kaguya became the ruler as the Goddess of the Rabbit. She delegated governance to others, focusing only on her two children and the God Tree.
The children's energy from the Chakra Fruit was enormous. After using Isshiki as a sacrifice, the Ten-Tails grew faster than expected.
'The God Tree's growth is related to the sacrifice,' Kaguya thought, staring at the towering tree across the mountains.
Otsutsuki Isshiki's power exceeded Kaguya's. The God Tree's Chakra Fruit almost turned her into an uncontrolled Ten-Tails. Had she not split half into her two children, the planet might have been destroyed.
Kaguya could not yet handle all the Chakra. Half the Chakra Fruit's energy was her limit. She needed to wait until she became accustomed before reclaiming the Chakra from Hagoromo and Hagoromo's child.
If another Otsutsuki came, she'd be in danger. 'Train White Zetsu warriors,' she thought.
The White Zetsu, cultivated over time by the God Tree, could gain some of its power. Longer cultivation produced stronger White Zetsu, some potentially controlling part of the Ten-Tails. This gave Kaguya confidence against other Otsutsuki.
Kaguya cared little for anything beyond strengthening herself. Her sole order after overthrowing the ruler was that the people must worship the God Tree; worshippers would become White Zetsu warriors.
"Goddess!"
A Land of Ancestors guard knelt. "Enemies have invaded. They're almost here."
"Enemies?"
"Yes, Goddess. They come with ill intent. Some guards have already been captured."
After a long pause without reply, the guard looked up—she was gone.
Kaguya used her Byakugan to observe those entering the Land of Ancestors. Samurai and Onmyo priests wielded strong natural energy. If cultivated by the God Tree, many powerful White Zetsu warriors would arise.
As Kaguya flew out, the God Tree transformed from a towering tree to the Ten-Tails' true form, moving mountain-shaking steps toward the enemies.
The Ten-Tails, over a thousand meters tall, was unstoppable. Their survival and power came from natural energy, but the Ten-Tails consumed it to grow.
"What's that? A monster?"
The allied forces of the Holy Nation saw the Ten-Tails and felt the ground shake. Even kilometers away, its grotesque height was visible.
"Don't panic, keep attacking!"
Despite fear, the Holy Nation's Lord and senior Onmyo priests encouraged them. They thought they could handle the Goddess of the Rabbit—until they engaged her.
The Ten-Tails' tree roots, tens of meters long and incredibly resilient, resisted even the strongest samurai's attacks. Only powerful Onmyo techniques could sever them. Hundreds of such roots made the first wave of defense grueling.
After repelling the first attack, the Goddess of the Rabbit still sat atop the Ten-Tails, motionless, while the defenders were exhausted.
From a distance, Tsunade and Mirai watched from within a barrier. Mirai, using reconnaissance robots and Byakugan, recorded each Onmyo technique, planning to combine it with collected scriptures and have Unit 18 complete the analysis.
Tsunade observed the Ten-Tails' power. "This monster is too strong. If Nagato had stronger control, I'd be in danger. Why are you silent? What are you watching?"
"Opportunity. I'm capturing a god."
Mirai's eyes never left the battle. Samurai, Onmyo priests, and the Ten-Tails clashed violently, though it was only their perception of a stalemate. Kaguya didn't control the Ten-Tails; it acted on instinct.
Several god communicators had retreated, debating whether to summon a god immediately.
"Tsunade, if I capture a god, use the Rinnegan's Human Path on it immediately," Mirai instructed.
Tsunade nodded. Soon, the Holy Nation's Lord decided to summon a god. They dispersed, prepared a simple ritual, and channeled natural energy.
The energy concentration drew Kaguya's attention, but she largely ignored it, aware of the vast gap between them.
Several spirits emerged from spatial portals.
"Pure Land!" Mirai exclaimed.
A dazzling light appeared—Mirai's clone's illusion, even briefly affecting the Byakugan.
A summoned god was dragged into the portal and vanished, closing the connected Pure Land.
"Tsunade!"
"Understood. Human Path!"
Before the god could scream, Tsunade absorbed it with her Rinnegan, then searched its information. The other gods noticed one disappearing, assuming Kaguya was responsible, and attacked her, sparking Kaguya's interest.
After Kaguya's curiosity was piqued, the war quickly ended. The Ten-Tails gained more White Zetsu, and even the gods were not spared.
"Amazing discovery… Pure Land exists because of this," Mirai noted.
Tsunade smirked. "Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, you're asking me, right?"
Mirai calmly used the Seeking Path Sphere with his will to instantly seal Tsunade.
Tsunade panicked. "Wait! I'll talk—"
"Too late. Reflect. I'll speak with Kaguya."
Mirai suspended Tsunade from a tree, leaving her embarrassed. He stepped out, wearing a magatama sage robe and magatama Rinnegan, two horns appearing as he unleashed his full power.
Mirai now fully embodied an Otsutsuki, having consumed the Chakra Fruit. His Taijutsu surpassed Kaguya's, and with the Reincarnation Eye developed, his offensive techniques reached their peak.
Kaguya would likely refuse diplomacy—he'd have to strike first.
"Orochimaru, where do you intend to go next?"
Jigen sought to cultivate Orochimaru into his next "vessel," sharing secrets of Kiyomizu-dera and information only Isshiki knew. They had traveled together for a while. With Isshiki recently inside Jigen, it would take at least two years to implant the wedge into Orochimaru, so he needed to keep him close.
Orochimaru's goal was clear. He didn't expect Otsutsuki Isshiki to trust him completely, accepting water and food without hesitation.
Orochimaru thought he could wait until informing Mirai to collect Isshiki—he could handle him alone.
"Jigen, you decide. Following you has given me much useful insight," Orochimaru said with a hoarse laugh.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to travel with you a bit longer," he added.
Jigen smiled knowingly. "Of course, Orochimaru. You're welcome."
"Thank you. This water I prepared has some sugar. Please, Jigen."
The poison suppressing neurons had a slight taste, masked perfectly with sugar. Orochimaru handed the bamboo tube over with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
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