[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[Thank You For Your Support!]
====
A fierce, cold wind howled across the desolate land, kicking up sand and stones. The weather was not pleasant today.
But the gloomy sky suited what was about to happen.
Gensou thought for a moment, then stomped his foot. A coffin, covered in sealing symbols, rose from the ground.
The lid opened, and Orochimaru, grinning, stepped out and looked at Gensou, saying, "We meet again, Gensou-senpai."
After that, he glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings and said knowingly, "So, it's time to begin, isn't it?"
Gensou nodded, not surprised that Orochimaru had guessed correctly.
Over the past six months, he had interacted frequently with the most capable scientist in the current ninja world.
Initially, Gensou intended to forcibly search Orochimaru's mind for useful information, like the complete version of Edo Tensei.
However, when he attempted it, he found Orochimaru's memories were exceptionally well-guarded.
Although his soul was fragmented, making him vulnerable to powerful genjutsu, Orochimaru, as an expert on souls, had protected his secrets effectively.
Unable to explore his mind and finding torture pointless for someone as resilient as Orochimaru, Gensou considered killing him.
But he realized Orochimaru's expertise in souls might help solve his own issues with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. So, he asked a few questions, and surprisingly, Orochimaru was cooperative.
As long as Gensou didn't pry into his secrets, Orochimaru was happy to discuss soul science, ninjutsu, and chakra with a fellow genius whom he saw as a kindred spirit.
Seeing Orochimaru's willingness to share knowledge, Gensou set aside his intent to kill.
Over time, the two exchanged many insights on souls and chakra.
Gensou had to admit that Orochimaru's insights had provided significant inspiration, helping him refine the Dead Demon Consuming Seal within six months.
For this reason, Gensou overlooked some of Orochimaru's minor schemes during this period.
But now...
"The Dead Demon Consuming Seal... I really wanted to see how you'd resolve it, Gensou-senpai." Orochimaru habitually licked his lips as he looked at Gensou.
After Hiruzen had sealed his arms, Orochimaru had long desired to study the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to find a way to undo the seal on his arms.
Thus, upon learning that Gensou was researching the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, Orochimaru eagerly joined in, offering many useful ideas.
But it seemed he wouldn't get to see the results.
Orochimaru spread his hands in a mock-innocent gesture, saying, "Gensou-senpai, are you planning to kill the donkey after it's done its work? That's not like you."
Although Gensou showed no outward killing intent, Orochimaru, having taken countless lives, could easily sense Gensou's intent in summoning him here.
Seeing his plan uncovered, Gensou remained calm, responding casually, "You've already cracked the seals on your coffin, haven't you? Staying quiet inside all this time must have been difficult for you, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru's expression briefly changed before he resumed his smile, self-mockingly, "I couldn't hide it from you, could I? But even so, you wouldn't concern yourself with my little schemes, right?"
"You underestimate yourself, Orochimaru, even if it's just a fragment of your soul."
Gensou shook his head, then, with a knowing smile, mentioned key points in the modified Dead Demon Consuming Seal, and looked at Orochimaru, saying:
"According to your suggestions, I could indeed achieve my goal of restoring my soul. But you deliberately ignored—or should I say, concealed—a crucial point. The apparent resolution of the life-sacrifice aspect is temporary. Once I complete the soul restoration, I'd seem fine at first. But eventually, the Shinigami would come for me."
"Orochimaru, am I right?"
Orochimaru's fake smile disappeared.
He looked deeply at Gensou with his golden, snake-like eyes and sighed, shaking his head, "As expected of you, Gensou-senpai."
"And as expected of you, Orochimaru."
From the start, Gensou hadn't been deceived by Orochimaru's facade of a curious scientist.
He knew full well that the man before him, despite appearing human, was a cold and cunning snake.
If a snake didn't show its fangs, could it still be called a snake?
Orochimaru's overt minor actions seemed like preparations for an escape but were meant to mislead Gensou.
His true trap was hidden within the modified Dead Demon Consuming Seal, which he had helped develop.
Had Gensou used it, death would have been inevitable, without any need for Orochimaru's intervention.
A less knowledgeable or less meticulous person might have fallen for Orochimaru's deception.
But Gensou, knowing Orochimaru's nature, did not.
"Orochimaru, do you feel wronged?"
With the truly modified Dead Demon Consuming Seal complete, Orochimaru's soul fragment was no longer of use. Gensou saw no reason to keep this venomous snake around.
As a precaution, he intended to eliminate him before starting his plan.
Orochimaru shook his head calmly, "Having lost, I have no complaints."
"But... if you're not using my version, Gensou-senpai, have you considered how you'll face the Shinigami's wrath?"
The Shinigami's wrath?
Gensou understood the implication behind Orochimaru's words.
He responded calmly, "Let it come."
The traditional way to deal with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal involved using the Shinigami mask stored in the Uzumaki Clan's mask temple.
Although Gensou had sent people to find it, they discovered the temple in ruins, possibly due to the butterfly effect of his actions. There were no masks, not even a single intact tile.
With no clues to follow, Gensou chose to forge a new path.
As for whether this would provoke the so-called Shinigami's wrath, Gensou was curious to see if it would truly intervene or if it was just a mindless entity without emotions.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[Thank You For Your Support!]
====
With no clues to follow, Gensou chose to forge a new path.
As for whether this would provoke the so-called Shinigami's wrath, Gensou was curious to see if it would truly intervene or if it was just a mindless entity without emotions.
Knowing his fate, Orochimaru didn't mind his impending death, as this was merely a fragment of his soul.
The only regret was that the research conducted in the past few days would not reach his main body.
"May I do it myself?" Orochimaru made a final small request.
In response, Gensou gave the same answer Orochimaru had given him during the Chunin Exams: "Someone like you can never be taken lightly."
"Alright," Orochimaru smiled regretfully.
Without further ado, Gensou launched a scorching Fire Release ball at Orochimaru, burning all the moisture out of him, and then completely incinerating his body.
Having eliminated this hidden danger, Gensou clapped his hands together.
"Summoning Jutsu: Edo Tensei."
Another coffin rose from the ground.
Soon, another "Gensou" stepped out.
Gensou's eyes narrowed as he looked at the opposite version of himself, then quickly formed a series of hand seals.
Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram, Snake, Rat, Ox, Horse, Snake.
Finally, with a "clap," he brought his hands together.
"Sealing Technique: Dead Demon Consuming Seal!"
Instantly, a giant spectral Shinigami appeared behind Gensou.
Gensou turned to look, "So, this is the Shinigami?"
Only the caster of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal could fully see the Shinigami.
During the Chunin Exams, Gensou, who hadn't been the caster, hadn't seen it.
Seemingly noticing his gaze, the Shinigami, with a ninja blade in its mouth and long white hair with two horns, looked greedily at Gensou.
Once the Dead Demon Consuming Seal was cast, the caster's soul was irrevocably bound to the Shinigami.
Along with the enemy's soul.
The Shinigami, pleased with the double meal, was satisfied.
Gensou noticed the Shinigami's expression and snorted, then turned back to continue his plan.
With a squelching sound, the Shinigami's arm pierced through Gensou's chest, grabbing his soul while extending further to reach the Edo Tensei body.
Quickly, the soul fragment within the Edo Tensei body was yanked out.
The sound of fluttering paper filled the air.
The Edo Tensei body disappeared.
Once again, the Shinigami had snatched a soul from the underworld. But unlike Gensou's struggle to break free from the underworld's pull, the Shinigami faced no resistance.
As the Shinigami's arm, holding Gensou's soul fragment, retracted, it began to pull Gensou's soul along with it.
Gensou smirked and formed another series of hand seals.
This set of hand seals was similar to the Dead Demon Consuming Seal but in reverse, with a few additional seals.
"Dead Demon Consuming Seal: Release!"
With a final clap of his hands, Gensou shouted.
Upon his command, the sound of breaking chains echoed through the air.
Gensou could feel the contract with the Shinigami being forcibly torn apart.
The spectral Shinigami let out a silent roar of rage, cursing Gensou for breaking the pact.
Not only that, but its other arm began to reach for the ninja blade in its mouth.
Gensou intertwined his fingers and coldly said:
"It's not over yet."
"Edo Tensei: Release Slash!"
In an instant, a sharp blade seemed to slice through the air, cutting through Gensou's chest and the Shinigami's arm.
The Shinigami finally let out a tangible roar of anger.
For its arm had indeed been severed.
The timing was perfect.
As the Shinigami's arm was severed, it was just in the process of pulling out Gensou's soul fragment and main soul together.
With the arm cut off, Gensou's soul fragment and main soul were naturally released.
At that moment, with Gensou's proactive approach, his main soul and the newly freed soul fragment quickly merged into one.
A wave of overwhelming joy and satisfaction spread through Gensou's body and mind.
Finally!
After more than half a year, he had fully restored his peak state, eliminating any weaknesses.
But the surprises didn't end there.
Gensou soon discovered that the severed Shinigami arm turned into specks of light within him, merging with his soul instead of dispersing.
It felt like a significant boost.
With the light from the Shinigami's arm integrating, the minor soul fractures caused by the previous split were rapidly healing.
Once fully restored, the remaining light continued to merge into Gensou's soul, further enhancing it.
Gensou could feel his soul's power growing.
The benefits of a stronger soul were self-evident.
Additionally, it seemed a new technique had formed in his mind.
Unexpectedly delighted by this turn of events, Gensou felt even more satisfied.
But the Shinigami, now one arm short, was far from pleased.
Having always consumed souls, it had never imagined being consumed itself.
Especially now, seeing Gensou turn around with a greedy look, as if wanting more, the Shinigami's face darkened.
"So, you're not just an emotionless, fixed program," Gensou remarked, looking at the spectral Shinigami.
The Shinigami could feel greed and anger.
It was not just a mindless embodiment of death or a programmed will.
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal's creation likely stemmed from an Uzumaki ancestor discovering the powerful entity that was the Shinigami, a being with immense control over souls.
They had used the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques to form a pact, leading to the development of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
As long as the contract was honored, the Shinigami would appear as promised.
Even the face-off with the Shinigami's mask in the original story was likely part of the contract.
However, Gensou had not only torn the contract but also taken a piece of the Shinigami for himself.
Clearly, the Shinigami was furious.
As dark clouds covered the last bit of sunlight, the atmosphere grew more ominous.
Gensou and the Shinigami stared each other down in silence.
(End of Chapter)
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT