"You want to practice Edo Tensei and the Reaper Death Seal? What kind of trouble are you planning to cause this time?"
A few days later, early in the morning, inside the Hokage Office.
Tsunade was puzzled by Seiryū's request and frowned.
"There shouldn't be any reason for you to learn those two techniques, right?"
In the past, she had forbidden Seiryū from practicing such dangerous techniques.
However, after Seiryū became capable of opening the Eight Gates without dying, Tsunade stopped interfering with which techniques he chose to learn.
This brat was a freak.
Forbidden Jutsu that would kill anyone else always seemed to leave some room for survival when he used them.
She simply could not understand how Edo Tensei or the Reaper Death Seal could help Seiryū.
After all, Seiryū's strength was already terrifying. Even a member of the Ōtsutsuki Clan who had come from beyond the stars had been no match for him.
These two techniques seemed almost useless to him.
"Didn't I already tell you? I want to visit the Pure Land. These two techniques might allow me to make the trip."
Seiryū sprawled across the sofa as though the office were his own home.
He explained, "Orochimaru has been controlling Great-grandfather and Second Great-grandfather, which has forced us to hold back."
"I want to see whether I can help Great-grandfather and Second Great-grandfather break free from Orochimaru's control at the source."
"After all, I'm their future grandson-in-law. It must be difficult for them to be forced into fighting us!"
This was merely an excuse.
The real reason Seiryū wanted to enter the Pure Land was to complete the system's missions.
At present, Seiryū still had three unfinished missions.
One was [Investigate the Anomaly in Hell], another was [Develop and Perfect Quincy Powers], and the last was [Host, Please Eliminate the Threat Before You].
One was connected to the Pure Land, one was related to the Senjutsu of the Three Great Sage Regions, and the last was connected to Ryota.
The missions naturally had different priorities.
Seiryū wanted to complete the first and second missions before anything else.
He was extremely interested in both Hadō #99: Goryūtenmetsu and Quincy Vollständig.
He was especially curious about Quincy Vollständig.
Was it a manifestation of the Sage Body created by Yang Power?
Seiryū was also curious about the strength of Hadō #99: Goryūtenmetsu, the highest-level Kidō.
There was no such thing as having too many powerful techniques.
As for the third mission involving Ryota, it could only be set aside for now.
Ryota had been taken away by Orochimaru after his defeat, and no one knew where Orochimaru's base was located.
It certainly was not in the Land of Rain.
The Land of Rain was currently controlled by Akatsuki, while Yahiko served as the leader of Amegakure. They could be considered close allies of Konoha.
After considering his options, Seiryū decided to begin with the [Investigate the Anomaly in Hell] mission.
In his judgment, if he could fully understand the Spirit Transformation Technique, Edo Tensei, and the Reaper Death Seal, he might be able to enter the Pure Land.
Furthermore, he could research them from home without travelling anywhere distant.
It was naturally his first choice.
"You truly want to visit the Pure Land?"
Tsunade remembered that Seiryū had mentioned it before.
However, Seiryū often said strange and incomprehensible things, so she had not paid much attention at the time.
She had not expected him to remember it even after two years.
Of course, from Seiryū's perspective, two years had not passed. It had happened only recently.
Seiryū sighed.
"My obsessive-compulsive tendencies are acting up."
He continued, "Besides, this is also for Great-grandfather and Second Great-grandfather. Look at how devoted I am. Everything I do is for our future."
"I even want the two of them to officiate our wedding one day."
"You really think far ahead."
Tsunade glanced at Seiryū.
This brat truly dared to imagine anything.
She had not even thought that far ahead.
She curled her lips.
"If Great-grandfather and Second Great-grandfather learned that you planned to marry more than just me, do you think they would beat you to death?"
Seiryū shrugged.
"That depends on whether they can beat me."
Tsunade fell silent.
And he called himself devoted?
He was completely shameless!
Tsunade brought up another possibility.
"That isn't your only reason, is it? You also want to see whether the Sage of Six Paths is in the Pure Land."
Through Sasuke's account, a small number of people in Konoha had already learned about some of the events from his space-time.
They knew about the Fourth Shinobi World War and had gained a general understanding of the Sage of Six Paths.
Sasuke had awakened the Rinnegan after receiving Yin Power from the Sage of Six Paths.
Tsunade believed Seiryū also wanted to meet the Sage of Six Paths, who still existed in the Pure Land.
Hearing this, Seiryū went along with her assumption and chuckled.
"Hehe, I knew I couldn't hide it from you."
Since he intended to visit the Pure Land, there was a good chance he would encounter the Sage of Six Paths.
Seiryū was rather interested in the Sage's Yin and Yang Powers.
If those powers could be given to Naruto and Sasuke, why could they not be given to him?
Even if Seiryū could not use them himself, he could give them to someone else.
For example, Tsunade or Kurenai.
Tsunade, who was skilled in Senjutsu and Wood Style, was highly compatible with Yang Power. Kurenai, who specialized in Genjutsu, was compatible with Yin Power.
It would provide them with some additional protection.
Urashiki Ōtsutsuki had already appeared. Could Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who was hiding somewhere in the shinobi world, be far behind?
There was also Madara, who had awakened the Rinnegan and could very likely become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, allowing him to reach the Six Paths level.
If Madara reached the Six Paths level, Kaguya might also be resurrected.
The situation was becoming increasingly complicated, and it would not wait for Naruto and Sasuke to grow up.
Neither of them had even been born yet.
Facing such a situation, Seiryū might not be able to handle everything alone.
His side needed one or two powerful figures capable of holding the line.
He had to visit the Pure Land, not only for the system's reward but also to meet the Sage of Six Paths.
He wanted to see whether they could negotiate.
In any case, Seiryū was not afraid of the Sage of Six Paths.
Could an old man who existed only as a spirit truly cause much trouble?
Seiryū was a Shinigami, after all.
If the Sage dared to harm him, Seiryū would not mind performing a Soul Burial.
He would make it impossible for the other party to remain in the Pure Land.
Tsunade asked, "Are you after the Yin and Yang Powers held by the Sage of Six Paths?"
Seiryū nodded.
"If he expects me to protect the shinobi world, shouldn't I receive some compensation?"
"If he could give them to Sasuke and Naruto, he can naturally give them to us as well."
"The histories of the two space-times are different. Naruto and Sasuke haven't even been born here, and we can't wait that long."
"Will it be dangerous?"
"It shouldn't be. The Sage of Six Paths should be the lawful-good type, an old man who specializes in handing out miraculous powers."
"He shouldn't be hostile toward someone like me, who maintains peace in the shinobi world. Even if he is, it doesn't matter. He might not be able to defeat me!"
"You? Maintaining peace? Heh."
"Hmm? What is that supposed to mean? Is there something wrong with what I said? If I don't maintain peace in the shinobi world, who will? Madara?"
"A person who once considered destroying the shinobi world and forcing everyone to accept his ridiculous ideals just so he could legally practice polygamy is now claiming to maintain peace?"
Tsunade smiled mockingly.
"Fine. You successfully made me laugh."
Seiryū fell silent.
Seeing him unable to respond, Tsunade smiled.
"You know where the Scroll of Seals is. I won't accompany you."
"I've been extremely busy lately. Come to think of it, you should also begin fulfilling your duties as Hokage Assistant."
"Of course."
Seiryū glanced at the pale foot swaying beneath the desk and spoke meaningfully.
"But first, you need to give me the reward you promised."
Tsunade did not mind his gaze. She rested her chin on her right hand.
"I never said I wouldn't give it to you, but what exactly do you want me to do? Is that alone enough?"
Seiryū sighed.
"What a waste. An entire year has been lost."
Tsunade understood what he meant and snorted.
"I don't know where you learned these things. Are you hiding Jiraiya's Icha Icha Paradise somewhere in your house?"
"I'm not. Don't slander me."
Seiryū shook his head.
He had read it before, but he had not collected it.
The content of Icha Icha Paradise was far too tame to interest Seiryū.
The writing was poor, the scenes went straight to grunting and groaning, there were no illustrations, and there was barely any detail.
The people of this world were simply so starved for such material that they became obsessed with it.
Its only redeeming quality was the lack of NTR, which suited Seiryū's preference for straightforward romance.
Too lazy to continue discussing the matter, Tsunade waved her hand.
"If there's nothing else, get lost. Hurry up and assume your position as Hokage Assistant."
"I barely have any time to train anymore. If I had known it would be this troublesome, I wouldn't have become Hokage."
"Wait until I finish a few things."
Seiryū glanced sideways at her.
"I'm not in a hurry, so why are you? Could it be that you're eager for me to claim my reward? Aren't you being a little too desperate?"
"Get lost, get lost, get lost! Do you think I'm a pervert like you?"
"That's difficult to say. You're so possessive of me that you're practically a perverted shotacon!"
Tsunade fell silent.
"You return to your work. I'm leaving."
Seiryū took one final glance at her pale feet before disappearing in a flash.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair and muttered softly, "My reputation has been ruined because of you, you little bastard. Couldn't you have been a few years older?"
Being involved with a brat like Seiryū left her feeling helpless.
It was especially troubling because some people who knew about their relationship occasionally gave her strange looks.
Did she, Tsunade, the Fourth Hokage, no longer have any dignity?
Even Kushina had recently started teasing her.
Over the following days, Seiryū focused on practicing Edo Tensei and the Reaper Death Seal.
With the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and his exceptional talent, he quickly became proficient with both techniques.
Because Edo Tensei required sacrifices, Seiryū did not actually complete the technique out of humanitarian concern.
More accurately, every attempt failed because he had no sacrifice available.
The Reaper Death Seal, a sealing technique that traded one life for another, was also never fully activated.
As long as no agreement was made with the Shinigami, the technique would be considered a failure and would not affect the caster.
Furthermore, at Seiryū's current level, even if he truly used the Reaper Death Seal, the Shinigami would be unable to take his soul.
Even Orochimaru had managed to deceive the Shinigami, so Seiryū could certainly do the same.
The Reaper Death Seal appeared capable of sacrificing the caster to seal an enemy, but its actual level was not particularly high.
It would not work against certain powerful opponents.
For example, Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, could probably disperse the Shinigami with a single glance, rendering the Reaper Death Seal ineffective.
That was most likely why no one had used the Reaper Death Seal against Madara or Nagato in the original story.
It would have been useless.
What made matters worse was that Seiryū had originally believed a technique involving a Shinigami might trigger a system mission, but nothing happened.
In the end, Seiryū reached a conclusion.
"The stupid system really does seem to regard me as a Shinigami from the Kidō Corps. It hasn't triggered any missions related to a Zanpakutō."
"I originally thought the blade used by the Shinigami in the Reaper Death Seal might count as an Asauchi, but it was useless. I also touched the Kusanagi Sword, yet that didn't trigger any Zanpakutō-related missions either."
Seiryū had now abandoned any hope of obtaining his own Zanpakutō.
If he did not have one, then so be it.
The Soul King did not possess a Zanpakutō either.
Perhaps that was part of the reason.
Seiryū was the legitimate and complete Soul King recognized by the system, following the path toward becoming a perfect Soul King.
As for Kurosaki Ichigo, Yhwach, Aizen Sōsuke, Kūgo Ginjō, and the other Soul King candidates, they were more like potential linchpins used to stabilize the Three Realms.
They were not true, complete Soul Kings.
Where had the system come from?
Why was it trying to cultivate a perfect Soul King?
Seiryū was too lazy to think about it.
Was it not normal for a transmigrator to possess a system?
He did not intend to dwell on the issue.
Even if it was a conspiracy intended to turn him into a linchpin for stabilizing the Three Realms, he did not care.
This was not the world of Bleach.
Besides, there was no need to turn everything into a conspiracy theory. That kind of thinking was outdated.
The system might be somewhat stupid, but it was still his good little system, tirelessly helping him become the Soul King.
That was enough.
Seiryū pondered the matter.
"Now I only need to analyze the principles behind these three techniques and determine whether I can open the Gates of Hell."
"I first need to understand how to communicate with the Pure Land and how to open a passage leading there."
After deciding on the direction of his research, Seiryū began working.
"Edo Tensei communicates with the Pure Land and establishes a mysterious connection to it."
"Maintaining the Reaper Death Seal strengthens that connection."
"Finally, the Spirit Transformation Technique allows the soul to leave the body and follow that connection into the Pure Land."
Just as Seiryū had expected, analyzing the principles behind the three techniques gave him a reasonable chance of entering the Pure Land.
The only uncertainty was whether the method would actually succeed.
After all, Seiryū had never heard of a living person entering the Pure Land.
In the original story, the dying Kakashi had travelled part of the way, encountered his deceased father, and was then revived through the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
When Naruto and Sasuke entered near-death states, the Sage of Six Paths intervened before their souls truly entered the Pure Land.
Perhaps Seiryū would be the first.
A living person entering the Pure Land!
"I should try it. There shouldn't be too much danger. Although the Spirit Transformation Technique leaves me without a physical body, that won't prevent me from using certain techniques."
Seiryū considered the risks.
The Spirit Transformation Technique separated the soul from the body, making many techniques impossible to use.
For example, he could not use the Eight Inner Gates Formation because it required opening the Eight Gates inside the physical body.
However, Dragon Vein Hollowification would not be affected.
After all, Hollows were fallen souls by nature.
Under the system's influence, the fundamental nature of the Dragon Vein had changed to some extent.
"Still, to be safe, I should have that troublesome woman and the others guard my body."
Seiryū continued thinking.
"If something unexpected happens, they can respond. If I somehow die, Brother Nagato will have to suffer a little."
With Nagato serving as his safety net, dying would not matter too much.
He could simply be revived.
Of course, Seiryū believed the possibility of his death was extremely small.
This was merely a precaution.
"I should tell that troublesome woman first so she doesn't accuse me of doing something reckless again."
After making his decision, Seiryū locked onto Tsunade's location and disappeared in a flash.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)