They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 182 Who says ninja disputes can only be resolved using ninja methods? (Two-in-one)

"Not only has the summoned power been greatly weakened, but it has also lost a lot of its memories..."

Hozuki Shingetsu looked at the blank, expressionless Cloud Ninja in front of him, and a solemn expression appeared on his face.

"Is there really such a big difference between the original Impure World Reincarnation technique and Orochimaru's modified version?"

If it were just that his strength was weakened too much, that would be one thing, but the key problem is that his memory is also missing, which is a big problem.

In the original work, the Impure World Reincarnation technique used by Kabuto Yakushi during the Fourth Shinobi World War was the effect that Hozuki Shingetsu ideally envisioned. As long as the sacrifice was suitable, one could achieve strength infinitely close to that of their previous life and retain all their memories.

After all, his initial purpose in wanting to obtain the Impure World Reincarnation technique was to summon the Second Raikage, learn the complete Lightning Release chakra pattern, and learn how to systematically use Lightning Release chakra to stimulate the cells in his body, thereby improving his physical activity.

However, even with the use of ninjas injected with White Zetsu cells as sacrifices, the current Impure World Reincarnation technique still results in the loss of some memories, which is quite different from what Hozuki Shingetsu had envisioned.

This internal process involves the delicate manipulation of chakra to stimulate cells. If any step is missing, not only will cell activity not be improved, but with a bit of bad luck, it might even cause irreparable damage to the body's internal systems.

"No wonder that before Orochimaru improved this ninjutsu, we hardly ever saw anyone from Konoha use it. Even in the life-or-death situation of the Third Shinobi World War, when it was almost a four-on-one fight, no one used it... The cost-effectiveness is too low."

Despite the various problems with the Impure World Reincarnation technique, Hozuki Shingetsu still activated the ninjutsu with a sliver of hope, summoning the Second Raikage back from the Pure Land.

Since the Second Raikage was at least a Kage-level fighter in his lifetime, Hozuki Shingetsu used White Zetsu's cells this time, watching the ninja who had been injected with White Zetsu's cells change his appearance little by little amidst his wails.

"Hmm...where am I?"

The Second Raikage, betrayed by his own subordinates and almost considered one of the Five Kage's shame, had barely opened his eyes and hadn't even finished his introductory remarks when Hozuki Shingetsu manipulated the control runes placed behind his head, cleanly erasing his consciousness.

"That's really true..."

After a brief inquiry, Hozuki Shingetsu reluctantly came to the conclusion that the Second Raikage was indeed missing his memories regarding the Lightning Release chakra mode.

Even because it was an impure body, Hozuki Shingetsu was unable to explore the subtle application of this ninjutsu by observing the internal structure of his body.

After all, a dead person's body doesn't even have blood, let alone cell activity.

"In that case, we can only resort to a backup plan and wait until Orochimaru develops this improved version of the Impure World Reincarnation before we can seize it."

Although a chakra research institute was also built in Kirigakure, and this chakra research institute has even made great progress in ninjutsu research, according to Hozuki Shingetsu's description, the first two active techniques of the Seven-Day Breathing Technique have already been developed.

However, Hozuki Shingetsu still didn't hold out much hope in asking these people to improve the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

After all, breakthroughs in this kind of cutting-edge knowledge still require the participation of geniuses.

Unfortunately, the chakra research institute in Kirigakure is now basically a bunch of plasterers.

They're fine with following the established procedures or developing a few sophisticated ninjutsu techniques, but they're not qualified to use knives on top-tier ninjutsu.

If we really want to rely on them, we'll have to wait until Hozuki Shingetsu's plans are completed, and then we'll have Kabuto Yakushi take charge after he's brought them in.

As for now...

Then we can only rely on Orochimaru.

According to the original timeline, Orochimaru should have completed the optimization and improvement of this ninjutsu after his defection, which would have taken until around the time of the Nine-Tails' attack. Hozuki Shingetsu certainly couldn't have waited that long.

Therefore, what is needed now is a little external stimulus to make Orochimaru change his research goals.

Hozuki Crescent looked westward, towards the location of the Fire Country's capital, Daimyo's residence, and sighed softly, "Then we'll have no choice but to resort to underhanded tactics..."

After all, who says that matters between ninjas can only be resolved in a ninja way?

-

A week later, guided by an unknown force, the topic of whether the Sage of Six Paths was dead suddenly became a hot topic throughout the ninja world.

People don't know much about the Sage of Six Paths, only that he founded the Ninja Cult and seemingly saved the ninja world. But more specific details are unknown.

The Sage of Six Paths lived a thousand years ago. Due to years of war, there are almost no records of the Sage of Six Paths' era. That era is now almost a mythical one in the eyes of people today.

Therefore, once this topic emerged, it attracted the attention of many busybodies.

Some people believe that the Sage of Six Paths is a mythical being and therefore immortal.

Others argue that the Sage of Six Paths was merely a more powerful ninja, and that even the "God of Shinobi," Hashirama Senju, was no match for birth, aging, sickness, and death.

Even if the Sage of Six Paths was stronger than Hashirama Senju, he would only live a little longer and would eventually die of old age. Otherwise, why would there be no records of the Sage of Six Paths for a thousand years?

Under the deliberate guidance of certain individuals, while the two groups were engaged in a heated debate, a topic quietly emerged before everyone in the ninja world.

Is it possible for humans to live forever?

Or, is there any way to bring someone back from the dead, or to prevent their soul from going to the Pure Land and instead keep it in the Ninja World after death?

Just as the topic of the Sage of Six Paths and immortality was becoming increasingly heated in the ninja world, a rumor quietly appeared around the daimyo's residence in various major countries.

"The Impure World Reincarnation technique of Konoha Village allows a person's soul to remain in the ninja world forever after death!"

-

The capital of the Land of Fire, the castle tower, is the entertainment venue for the daimyo.

Compared to a few years ago, the Fire Country Daimyo, Himi Saki, looks much older, with more wrinkles between his brows.

However, his physical aging did not affect his passion; at this moment, he and his maids were engaged in vigorous aerobic exercise around the palace.

"Daimyo, come and get me, Daimyo..."

Amidst the maid's giggles, a smile reminiscent of King Wu of Qin involuntarily appeared on the lips of the aged-looking Himami Saki.

With his eyes covered by a black veil, he waved his arms and wandered back and forth in the palace.

"My beauty, here I come... Hehe, I've got you!"

Sensing someone moving in front of him, Himi Saki grabbed the person in front of him.

But just as he was about to put it in his mouth, he heard a panicked voice:

"It's me, sir..."

Hearing that something was wrong, he yanked off the black veil covering his eyes, only to find his Left Minister looking at him with an embarrassed expression.

Himi Saki, disgusted by the other person's aged face, instantly lost interest in having fun and unhappily waved her sleeves, returning to her seat.

Knowing he had spoiled the other party's mood, the Left Minister quickly followed Himi Saki and told him the purpose of his visit.

"...That's how it is. Konoha's Impure World Reincarnation technique can bring a person's soul back from the Pure Land after death. Isn't that the legendary immortality? This kind of ninjutsu should be offered up by Konoha to you, Daimyo!"

Upon hearing this, Himi Saki's face immediately lit up with surprise and delight.

As the daimyo of the Land of Fire, the largest country in the ninja world, Himi Saki can be said to have enjoyed the ultimate bliss in the world, with fame and altruism almost reaching the pinnacle of the ninja world.

It can be said that apart from the Land of Fire unifying the ninja world, there is almost nothing else that could excite him so much.

And this immortality was precisely one of the few things that could move him.

There's no way around it, it's immortality!

Even the legendary Sage of Six Paths passed away not long after founding the Ninja Clan. If he could achieve this, wouldn't that prove that he surpassed the Sage of Six Paths in some way?

Moreover... once you've tasted the power, how can you easily give it up?

If he could live forever, wouldn't he be able to remain the daimyo of the Land of Fire forever, enjoying the pleasures of wine, women, and food, and controlling the lives of tens of millions of people in the Land of Fire forever?

Especially as the years passed, whenever he looked at his aged face in the mirror, or whenever he felt powerless in bed, a longing for immortality would rise in Himami Saki's heart.

But he hadn't had this opportunity before; his desires had always been suppressed by his reason. Now, with such an opportunity to realize his wish for immortality right in front of him, how could he possibly give it up?

Seeing the burning desire in Himi Saki's eyes, the Left Minister knew he had achieved his goal, and so he added:

"This ninjutsu is currently in Konoha. Why not have Konoha send someone to present it to us immediately?"

"Moreover, I have also heard that this ninjutsu has many shortcomings, such as the person whose soul is recalled having lost their memory and five senses... We not only need to get them to offer up this ninjutsu, but we also need to get them to hurry up and improve and perfect this ninjutsu to eliminate the shortcomings such as memory loss and loss of five senses."

"I've heard that the current Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has a disciple named Orochimaru. He's intelligent and specializes in researching these ninjutsu. His status as a Hokage disciple is also trustworthy. Why not let him take charge of improving this Impure World Reincarnation technique?"

With his mind completely consumed by the desire for immortality, where would Himi Saki find the ability to discern right from wrong?

Upon hearing what the Left Minister said, he immediately agreed and ordered Hiruzen Sarutobi to send up the Impure World Reincarnation technique first, and then simultaneously optimize and improve the ninjutsu in Konoha.

"The art of immortality... If this thing is actually developed, maybe I'll have a chance to get a piece of the pie!"

The Left Minister watched the departing figure of the messenger and couldn't help but ponder.

He didn't believe the rumors about Konoha's Impure World Reincarnation technique and immortality, but last night a mysterious person demonstrated the miraculous resurrection technique to him.

After seeing the servant who had died before his eyes suddenly spring back to life, he completely believed in this ninjutsu.

Although he didn't know why that guy wanted him to tell the daimyo about this, whether it was for the sake of ten million taels of silver or the chance to obtain immortality from the daimyo, he seemed to have no reason to refuse.

-

Konoha, Hokage Building, Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had just seen off Homura Uchiha, was now also in a state of trouble.

"That mysterious kaleidoscope, is it related to the Uchiha clan...?"

Now that the war is over and Konoha has survived the life-or-death crisis, it is time, according to tradition, to settle old scores.

They haven't forgotten the Wood Release and Mangekyou Sharingan that mysteriously appeared on the battlefield in the Land of Rain back then!

The matter of Wood Release couldn't be investigated effectively. After all, the Senju clan only had so many members, and after repeated sweeps and searches yielded no results, the village had no choice but to abandon its investigation into Wood Release.

But a kaleidoscope is a different story.

If you ask what's different... well, the Uchiha clan is now much larger and more powerful, and there's a precedent of them forcing a coup.

The Senju clan is now weak, and with their morale waning, they believe they could handle even a Wood Release user like Hiruzen Sarutobi. But the Uchiha clan is a different story.

The Uchiha clan is already the strongest in Konoha in terms of overall strength. If they were to add a Mangekyou Sharingan user, and considering their previous ambitions, who could possibly stop the Uchiha?

Therefore, after the war ended, Konoha began to conduct extensive probing and exploration of the Uchiha clan.

The person who just came was Uchiha Homura, who had come to express his dissatisfaction.

After all, this thing really has nothing to do with the Uchiha clan, and the Uchiha clan had just been responsible for the defense of the Kumogakure village during the Second Shinobi World War, fighting desperately for Konoha. Under such circumstances, who wouldn't be angry if the village targeted them?

In other words, they still cherish Hiruzen Sarutobi's promise and Fugaku Uchiha's position as Hokage; otherwise, the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan would probably have returned to what it was before.

"Hiruzen, I told you long ago that you can't be weak when dealing with the Uchiha. You have to be tougher than him."

Danzo Shimura emerged from the inner room and spoke to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Let's deal with the Uchiha clan the way I do! Give me three years, and I guarantee I'll have control over them!"

He, along with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, had been eavesdropping in the inner room and naturally overheard the conversation between Homura Uchiha and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, it was clear that his "advice" had no effect whatsoever on the distraught Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Enough, Danzo! I don't need you to teach me how to do things! Remember, I am the one who..."

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to utter his classic line, a knock came at the door, causing him to swallow his words.

"Lord Hokage, the Daimyo's messenger has arrived."

Soon, the daimyo's envoy, dressed in magnificent attire, appeared before the crowd and then arrogantly announced the daimyo's orders.

"...Order Konoha to present the Impure World Reincarnation technique to the castle tower within three days, and also order Orochimaru, a disciple of Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, to be in charge of optimizing and improving the Impure World Reincarnation technique!"

(End of this chapter)