Chapter 175: End of the Fox Spirit Hero Arc, Parallel Shinobi World Comes to a Temporary Close
"Sasuke, are you okay?"
Ino sat beside Sasuke, asking cautiously.
Ever since Sasuke woke up, it was as if he had withdrawn into himself.
On the other side, Shikamaru, Tsunade, and Orochimaru had gathered to discuss the situation.
"Looks like Sasuke's condition isn't too good," Shikamaru said, glancing over at him.
"Not too good? It's actually very bad. From my examination, Sasuke's eyesight is nearly gone, and his body is showing early signs of hemotoxic disease," Tsunade said. "Sasuke likely can't summon Susanoo anymore. So what do we do next?"
"I have an idea."
"The pot-head freak?" Shikamaru turned toward the strange figure with a pot on his head, who was accompanied by Sarada Watson. "What's your idea?"
"Have you ever heard of the Sage's Eye?"
While Shikamaru and Tsunade both looked confused, Orochimaru's expression lit up with excitement. "You mean the Rinnegan?"
The pot-head nodded. "That's right. I know how to create the Rinnegan."
Simply put, the fusion of Asura's and Indra's chakra would awaken Hagoromo's power and open the Rinnegan.
"...Sarada Watson is the reincarnation of Indra, and the First Hokage just so happens to be the reincarnation of Ashura."
Although they weren't sure if Sarada, who had already received a transplant of Hashirama's cells, could awaken the Rinnegan, either way, getting their hands on Wood Style first couldn't hurt.
"Grandfather's cells…" Tsunade fell into deep thought.
"Orochimaru, you still have some of Hashirama's cells, don't you?" The pot-head suddenly turned to Orochimaru. "Given your personality, there's no way you didn't keep some for yourself when you helped Danzō with those transplants."
"You really do know me well…" Orochimaru nodded. "But how did you know I was the one helping Danzō with the First Hokage's cell transplants?"
"I'm the great Jarlock Holmes. Even Edogawa Conan is a fan of mine."
"...In that case, let's begin the transplant right away. I've always been intrigued by the legendary Sage's Eye. Besides, with Tsunade's help, the success rate should be much higher," Orochimaru said.
"If Orochimaru and Tsunade are both on board, then Sarada, it's your turn to decide."
No matter what, Jar still wanted to get the consent of the person involved.
"...Okay. I have to become strong enough to protect everyone," Sarada replied, nodding solemnly despite her lingering unease.
---
Sasuke could feel it all along—another version of himself, trapped inside his own body.
Locked in a cage, with sealing talismans covered in Mangekyō Sharingan patterns stuck to the bars.
"Only I can save the Hidden Leaf Village."
"But you'll drag the whole village into chaos, too."
This conversation between Sasuke and the Clown had gone back and forth many times already.
"Sasuke... Sasuke…" Ino's soft voice called him back to reality. Looking at him with concern, she said, "Are you okay, Sasuke? Oh, I have some good news—the Hokage has found a new way to deal with the Nine-Tails."
"What way?" Sasuke asked.
"Something about the Sage's Eye…" Ino scratched her head awkwardly. "I only heard part of it."
Thanks to Tsunade's expert medical ninjutsu, it only took a few days before the bandages around Sarada's eyes were removed.
"So this is the Rinnegan." Orochimaru leaned in close to examine her eye.
"I can't believe it actually worked. But why is there only one?" Tsunade, squeezed beside Orochimaru, asked.
"Probably due to her insufficient chakra. She could only evolve one Rinnegan," Orochimaru explained.
Tsunade nodded. "With the Sage's Eye, we'll definitely be able to defeat the Nine-Tails."
In the Hidden Leaf Village—
As Sarada's temporary guardian, Jarlock Holmes stood next to her and whispered, "Sarada, we can actually go home now. We don't have to worry about the Nine-Tails."
"But the Fox Spirit Hero turning out like this has something to do with us, doesn't it? Besides, I dream of becoming Hokage. I'm not just going to stand by and watch the Nine-Tails rampage through the village."
Jar sighed helplessly. "...Then let's start the operation as planned."
According to the plan, Sarada would use her Rinnegan to cast Chibaku Tensei and completely seal the Nine-Tails. But since her chakra reserves were limited, the others would assist in restraining the beast to ensure she succeeded in one try.
"Nara Clan shinobi, act with me!"
Shikamaru formed hand seals while shouting, and his fellow clan members followed his lead.
Multiple shadows latched onto the Nine-Tails' shadow.
"Damn it… Even with this many people, we still can't restrain the Nine-Tails…"
Activating the Strength of a Hundred Technique, Tsunade shattered the ground beneath her and leapt into the air. The seal on her forehead released as she smashed her fist into the Nine-Tails, who was struggling to break free of the shadow paralysis.
"Chibaku Tensei!"
Timing her moment, Sarada stretched out her right hand toward the downed Nine-Tails.
Cracks appeared in the ground around the Nine-Tails, and chunks of earth began floating upward.
It seemed Tsunade's monster-strength punch had actually hurt the beast, because the Nine-Tails suddenly roared in rage, releasing a shockwave of chakra that sent the surrounding shinobi flying. Tailed Beast Bombs launched in all directions.
"Everyone, get out of the way!"
Shikamaru had no choice but to end his Shadow Paralysis Technique, yelling for his clanmates to retreat.
"Chibaku Tensei has already begun! We can't give up now!" Tsunade shouted.
But at that moment, they had no other way to restrain the Nine-Tails.
"Sis, what are you doing?!"
Hanabi shouted as she saw Hinata running toward the beast. After Hyūga Hiashi's death on the night the Nine-Tails appeared, the position of clan head had passed to the talented young Hanabi.
Hinata rapidly approached the Nine-Tails.
Perhaps due to its massive size, the Nine-Tails didn't notice the tiny Hinata—or maybe its animal instincts didn't register any hostility from her. Either way, Hinata reached the creature and gently stroked its fur.
"That's enough, okay? Naruto… If you're scared, I'll always be with you…"
"…Hinata…"
Amazingly, the Nine-Tails quieted down under her soothing voice.
"Chibaku Tensei!"
The technique finally took effect. The earth split, and the floating rocks swarmed the Nine-Tails, enclosing it—and Hinata as well—within a growing sphere.
"Sis, come back!!"
In response to Hanabi's desperate cry, the sphere containing both the Nine-Tails and Hinata rose into the sky above the Hidden Leaf Village.
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