MrBlackWing
patreon
⤫ Chapter 318 ⥤ Side Story 4: The One Who Destroys Worlds ⤬
🕑 Added 2025-05-13 17:29:13 +0000 UTCOn a spacious, quiet street, a figure walked steadily, observing the surrounding buildings in search of something familiar. Though the architectural styles shared some similarities, these were two entirely different worlds — not a hint of true familiarity remained.
Aizen discovered that the village seemed devoid of particularly powerful beings, perhaps due to the war. In terms of chakra levels, none could rival the Madara he had encountered on the battlefield earlier.
This suggested that Madara might represent the pinnacle of the shinobi world.
From spending considerable time with a certain individual, Aizen had developed an uncanny sixth sense. Combined with his observations in the cave and the "Edo Tensei" on the battlefield, he realized this world held more complexity than its surface suggested.
"Hmm, found the hidden place, have we?" Aizen glanced sideways toward Sasuke and the others' chakra fluctuations, a slight smile playing on his lips, "I'm starting to look forward to what happens next. Let's hope this world's 'Shinigami' can provide some surprises."
A faint Kidō light enveloped his body, and his figure vanished from the street without a trace.
At Konoha's outskirts, amid ruins of dust and scattered rocks, Orochimaru stood hidden beneath his cloak. He gazed at the scene before him with emotion and sighed:
"The Uchiha's Naka Shrine has completely disappeared."
Beside him, Sasuke calmly observed everything, showing no emotional response to revisiting his old haunts. Long ago, he had grown accustomed to all this.
"The outside doesn't matter; what's important is what's underground. Let's go."
The group passed through the ruins, entering the Uchiha clan's secret location.
As the bonfire was lit, light rose in the underground darkness. Before them stood an Uchiha Stone Tablet.
Orochimaru donned the Shinigami mask he had found in the Uzumaki ruins. As chakra flowed into it, his body began to twist unnaturally. His joints moved as if boneless, contorting into grotesque, terrifying poses.
In the darkness, Aizen watched with interest. Unlike what he had expected, Orochimaru seemed to be using the "Shinigami" mask as a medium to channel power foreign to the ninja world.
He had been following the group closely throughout their journey. Though maintaining a cautious distance, his abilities made it trivially simple to gather the content of their conversations.
"The scroll's contents took considerable time and effort to complete. First, retrieve the Shinigami mask from the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple, then use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to summon the Shinigami for possession. Once the Shinigami's stomach is cut open and the seal released, I can recover my sealed arms and perform the Edo Tensei..."
As Orochimaru spread his arms, his body became fixed to an invisible cross while a massive demonic apparition materialized behind him.
A cold chill permeated the air, as if the realm of the dead had breached the world of the living.
Looking at the grotesque Shinigami apparition, Aizen furrowed his brow — another unexpected sight. Despite his mental preparation, the hideous appearance of this so-called "Shinigami" startled him. Even more repulsive than an Arrancar, it was an affront to the very name of Shinigami.
Yet beyond its appearance, this Shinigami differed from those of Soul Society. Unlike the humanoid but unconscious beings he knew, this entity seemed more akin to the embodiment of a natural law.
Under Aizen's watchful gaze, the Shinigami drew its blade and sliced open its own stomach, releasing five ethereal soul forms. His keen senses detected immense power within four of them, while the fifth shared Orochimaru's essence.
"They're back! Jūgo, Sasuke, Suigetsu, prepare yourselves!" Orochimaru removed the mask, his strength depleted from the ritual.
Jūgo approached Sasuke and infused him with power. In an unsettling display, six pale figures emerged from Sasuke's body.
"Damn it, why..." White Zetsu cried out in dismay.
"You Hashirama cells — I've decoded all your secrets through my experiments, including your sensory pathways." Orochimaru extended his hand as white snakes slithered from his sleeve, restraining four White Zetsu, "Jūgo, Suigetsu, take the remaining two. I have the individual materials for all four of them."
A mocking smile crossed his face.
"I do so love collecting things..."
As Suigetsu forced open a White Zetsu's mouth, Orochimaru activated the Edo Tensei, expelling a white snake that slithered into the Zetsu's body.
Leaving behind a snake skin, he flawlessly executed the Shinigami seal exploit.
Following Orochimaru's second revival, Aizen watched from the darkness, impressed.
"The ability to replace one's physical body at will, with even the soul showing signs of modification... No world should be underestimated, especially those who master such advanced techniques. Though I know little of this Orochimaru, he must be quite renowned in the ninja world. Perhaps we could have an enlightening discussion someday..."
The reborn Orochimaru rose from the ground, his gaze fixed intently on the four figures at the formation's center.
"Those who know everything — the previous Hokage..."
As the accumulated ashes dispersed, four figures emanating powerful presences materialized before them.
"It's that ninja Orochimaru again?"
The Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, silver-haired and red-eyed, gazed impassively at his summoner. Once again, he faced a familiar presence.
The First Hokage Hashirama Senju, bearing the most straightforward countenance, tilted his head in confusion, "What's happening?"
The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, the shortest among them, furrowed his brow as he assessed his condition, "The Dead Demon Consuming Seal that bound us has been broken, and we've been reanimated once more..."
The Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze spoke with astonishment, "I never imagined the Dead Demon Consuming Seal could be broken. Lord Orochimaru, how did you accomplish this?"
Orochimaru's lips curved into a smile, "Minato, you underestimate me. This was originally an Uzumaki sealing technique. Since its loss, I've dedicated myself to gathering scattered documents and studying them extensively."
Minato's expression turned grave, "Lord First, it appears we have been brought back to this era."
Hashirama tilted his head, perplexed, "Huh?! Who are you?"
Minato turned around suddenly, revealing the writing on the back of his Hokage cloak, "I am the Fourth Hokage."
Hashirama's eyes lit up with delight, "Oh! So you're the Fourth!"
Watching the First Hokage derail the conversation so easily, Aizen furrowed his brow, the scene stirring unpleasant memories.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
The group continued their discussion as Sasuke posed long-held questions to the previous Hokage.
Until—
"You evil Uchiha brat!" Powerful chakra erupted around Tobirama, making the wooden floor groan beneath him, "I'll personally—"
As he raised his finger, cracking sounds emerged from below.
"Tobirama!"
Another chakra burst forth, even more terrifying — its overwhelming presence like a tidal wave engulfing the shrine, causing the walls to crack.
"Put your finger down."
Tobirama glanced at his brother, noting the unyielding expression on his face.
Accepting he couldn't sway Hashirama, he closed his eyes and dispersed the chakra surrounding him.
"I understand. Stop releasing chakra so recklessly, brother."
Crisis averted, Hashirama let out an apologetic laugh, "Ah, sorry, sorry! Let me answer this child's questions."
He sat cross-legged on the sunken floor, his cracked face growing contemplative.
"Where to begin... The village, the ninja... Now that the story is finished, Sasuke, what is your decision? Also..." Hashirama peered into the dark depths behind him, "You who hide in the shadows — what is your purpose?"
{T/N: He told the story, if you want to know the entire conversation, go watch Naruto.}
When he spoke these last words, his expression had become gravely serious — even more severe than when he learned of Madara's revival and plan to destroy the world.
Everyone's faces registered shock as they instinctively turned toward the blind spot in their vision, peering into the deep darkness.
"As expected of the God of Shinobi."
As the calm voice emerged, a veil like rippling air slowly tore apart, revealing a serene and composed face.
"I didn't expect you would discover me." Aizen's lips curved into a smile as he surveyed the group, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sōsuke Aizen, a curious explorer from foreign lands."
Despite his attempt to appear benevolent, everyone in the room watched him with vigilance.
Tobirama, the most cautious, had already begun gathering chakra in preparation for a jutsu.
"Your earlier discussion moved me deeply. My homeland is quite similar to here, but time and circumstance have made our social classes rigid and our order corrupt. Fortunately, someone outside of destiny appeared and changed all that."
Throughout, Aizen maintained an elegant smile, as if chatting with old friends.
Yet from the moment he appeared, everyone's sense of danger had grown increasingly acute, especially for Hashirama and Tobirama. The two kept their eyes fixed on him, never lowering their guard.
The threat this person posed exceeded even that of Madara.
"Before that child gives his answer." Aizen said with a smile, "Let us consider some other information. Someone else arrived here with me. Unlike myself, his soul brims with extreme violence and destructive urges. He will destroy everything in sight, including life itself. Before I followed you here, he was already fighting Madara Uchiha. The decrease in Madara's chakra that you noticed was likely his doing. You must do everything in your power to stop him. If you fail, the entire ninja world will fall to destruction."
As these words fell, Hashirama's pupils contracted.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
⤫ Katon: Gōka Messhitsu ⥤ Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction! ⤬
⤫ Katon: Bakufū Ranbu ⥤ Fire Release: Blast Wave Wild Dance! ⤬
Two massive flames erupted across the battlefield, surging toward the figure in the sky in an attempt to engulf him completely.
⤫ Bakudō #81: Dankū ⥤ Splitting Void! ⤬
Faced with their combined technique, Akira merely grinned and cast one of his least-used Kidō.
A massive transparent barrier materialized from the sky, crashing down onto the shattered ground and blocking the intense heat like an impenetrable fortress.
The futile ninja attacks filled not only the Allied Shinobi Forces with despair but left even Madara and Obito feeling utterly powerless.
How could this opponent be so absurdly strong?
They couldn't sense even a trace of chakra flow, yet his attacks, defense, and techniques defied all comprehension.
Akira stood atop the collapsed mountaintop, leaning forward as he regarded his two frustrated opponents with a smirk.
"How unsightly — you can't even put up a proper dance?"
He had deliberately allowed Madara and Obito to join forces, hoping their combined effort might provide some entertainment.
But the result was disappointing. Even working together, they still couldn't meet his expectations.
Perhaps he should hold back even further?
As Akira pondered this, several powerful chakra signatures materialized on the battlefield.
To the Allied Shinobi Forces' astonishment, these familiar figures appeared not beside them, but next to Madara, the war's instigator.
Meeting Madara's confused, bewildered gaze, Hashirama smiled and said:
"You look... rather pathetic, Madara."
