NOVEL WEB Chapter 109: Strongest Hidden Mist Village [109]
Yoru's apprehension wasn't mere paranoia.
In the looming era of the Ōtsutsuki descent, ordinary shinobi power would be utterly meaningless. Even summoning mechas or unleashing the full Nine-Tails wouldn't significantly bridge that all-consuming gap.
Ultimately, those with ultimate dōjutsu couldn't triumph over those bearing Karma seals. Figures who, after seven hundred and twenty episodes, ascended to the very pinnacle of the shinobi world seemed nothing more than laughable clowns in the eyes of an Ōtsutsuki."
Aside from cases like Boruto—an Ōtsutsuki fighting an Ōtsutsuki—only Sage Techniques infused with Natural Energy can deal any damage to them at all. And even that damage is barely noticeable.
"Even setting aside the future threats of the next generation, the Six Paths-level combatants of the Fourth Great Ninja War had already reached a realm where ordinary chakra could no longer touch them."
What defeated Six Paths Obito was Naruto's Talk no Jutsu.
What brought down Six Paths Madara was Black Zetsu's treacherous backstab.
And what defeated Kaguya Ōtsutsuki? It was the Sage of Six Paths' own divine intervention!
Against Six Paths-level entities, against the Ōtsutsuki, chakra was utterly useless except to potentially recharge them.
Yoru understood this truth: if his ancestral Chimera Technique failed, what power could he possibly rely on?
There was only one answer:
Shinigami Power.
"Perhaps you think my current approach borders on persecution paranoia, after all, how could figures from deified legends possibly become our future enemies?"
"But the truth, I fear, is precisely that."
Yoru's voice was soft, yet it carried an unsettling resonance as he gazed at Kushimaru Kuriarare, who was slowly taking on form, little by little acquiring a true Shinigami body, undergoing complete Shinigami transformation.
"Do you know? The power I've created—this Shinigami Power—it can be controlled, monitored, and sensed by me. I am the master of this power, its sole source. I can clearly feel a 'Kushimaru Kuriarare' being created, piece by piece, as if he were my subject, my child."
"If Shinigami Power can be like this, then what about chakra?"
"Is the being who created chakra also observing us now from some distant world?"
The silence that followed was heavy. Hiromi stood frozen, the words chilling her to her core. If true, shinobi were no more than cosmic marionettes—or livestock.
Yoru's tone softened, but the undercurrent of power in his words was unmistakable.
"Of course, this is only speculation. We can't predict the future. But consider this: what I'm forging isn't just a weapon… it's our insurance."
Hiromi bowed her head in agreement—if legends truly became threats, she would stand by Yoru regardless.
Yoru turned fully to Kushimaru Kuriarare, who now stood before them in solid form.
"It's working."
Before their eyes, the soul fused with Natural Energy. Kushimaru inhaled deeply as flesh and spirit reclaimed form.
Kushimaru (awestruck): "What… is this?"
Yoru allowed a small, proud smile.
"This is Shinigami Transformation—my power granting you rebirth. Kushimaru, you are the first of your kind."
Kushimaru's gaze drifted to Yoru's Mizukage robe.
Kushimaru: "Soul experimentation… and you wear that robe—"
Yoru chuckled softly.
"Thanks to Kirigakure's support, I've risen to become the Fourth Mizukage."
His words hung in the air—Kushimaru realized Yoru had become something far greater than he'd ever imagined.
Kushimaru: "And…the war with Konoha?"
Yoru's expression turned solemn.
"Too much to describe now. Go witness it yourself—it will help us collect more data."
He continued, matter-of-fact:
"You no longer possess chakra. What flows through you now is Reiryoku—your soul power. Think of it as neutral energy. Your old jutsu won't work anymore, but I'll build a new combat system tailored to this power."
Kushimaru nodded, accepting this new reality.
For hours, they conducted tests—evaluating his Reiryoku levels, the stability of his Shinigami transformation, and his mastery over Reishi . All results came back perfect... except one: with no ambient Reishi in the Living World, his internal reserves remained sealed off, unable to replenish naturally.
Yoru considered offering him a chakra-reliant gigai, but Hiromi shook her head.
Hiromi: "If our enemies wield chakra, Shinigami must stand independently. We must solve the Reishi scarcity, not rely on comforts."
Yoru looked at her, respect shining in his eyes—it was exactly what he needed.
Yumi turned to him decisively:
"What if we anchor departed souls to a region—using Soul Imprisonment—to create a Reishi Sanctuary? Let them fade like fallen leaves, feeding the land. New Shinigami could draw strength from it."
Her plan was audacious—an artificial spiritual stronghold, forged from the energies of the departed.
Yoru's eyes widened as he whispered:
"This… this is the Will of Fire."
It wasn't chakra that defined them—it was legacy, spirit, and unyielding purpose.
As time flowed on, silently, three months had already passed.
The geopolitical landscape of the Five Great Nations grew increasingly peculiar.
Under Yoru's leadership, Kirigakure thrived. Industry rebounded. Population recovery soared—hundreds confirmed pregnant among civilians and shinobi alike. The village, once ravaged, blossomed again.
News rippled across the Five Great Nations.
Konoha, restored, unleashed full force on Iwagakure. Bruised but unbroken, they fought back under Minato, the Nine‑Tails, and Danzō. Ōnoki stood firm. Both sides battled fiercely.
Meanwhile:
Kumogakure quietly deployed its Eight-Tails jinchūriki along the borders, waiting for opportunity.
Sunagakure, led by Fourth Kazekage Rasa—now the One-Tails jinchūriki—adopted the Blood Sand Policy, mirroring Kirigakure's brutal refinement.
In dim chambers of Sunagakure's leadership, voices whispered in cold excitement:
"Only those who've felt pain forge true power…"
"Welcome to the Village of the Bloody Sand!"