https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-17-Sealing-Jutsu-Reaper-Death-Seal/12553208/
Chapter 18: This Era Belongs to Me
Chapter 18: This Era Belongs to Me
"Sealing Jutsu: Reaper Death Seal!"
In the dark space, Hiruzen Sarutobi's resolute voice echoed.
"Here it comes!"
The real Hagoromo Otsutsuki's expression stirred, filled with anticipation.
Orochimaru glanced at Hagoromo's Impure World Reincarnation body, and not detecting anything amiss, he turned his attention to Hiruzen, having no time to spare.
Knowing that his master would not make baseless claims, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said, "A ninjutsu I'm unfamiliar with? Then let me witness its power."
Clang, clang, clang~~~
In the darkness, Hashirama Senju, along with the other two, launched another attack.
Unlike before, at this moment, with the Reaper's arm deeply embedded in his chest and his soul beyond escape, Hiruzen, guided by the Reaper, clearly saw the souls of everyone present in the darkness.
He and his three Shadow Clones moved instantaneously.
"I've got you now!"
Expending all his energy, Hiruzen Sarutobi moved with unprecedented speed, his eyes focused as he merged with his three Shadow Clones, grabbing the targets in the darkness.
"How is this possible?"
Orochimaru stared in disbelief at what was unfolding before him.
As the darkness dissipated, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Hagoromo Otsutsuki's Impure World Reincarnation bodies were revealed, restrained by Hiruzen Sarutobi's Shadow Clones.
Hiruzen's main body forcefully grabbed Orochimaru by the shoulders.
"It's over!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed up a mouthful of blood as his chest tore open, revealing a gaping hole.
In his vision, the only one he could see, the Reaper's arm that had pierced his body was now extending further, penetrating Orochimaru's body and the bodies of Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hagoromo, who were in front of the three Shadow Clones.
With a pull from the Reaper's arm, the souls of Orochimaru, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Hagoromo Otsutsuki were slowly extracted from their bodies.
"What is this feeling... It's terrible!"
Although Orochimaru couldn't see clearly what was happening, a strong sense of crisis emanating from his soul was sending him frantic warnings.
Knowing that the consequences would be dire if this continued, he struggled desperately.
However, in the face of the Reaper and Hiruzen Sarutobi's unwavering determination, his soul was slowly being pulled out, bit by bit.
Compared to Orochimaru's fierce resistance, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, who were having their souls extracted by the Reaper, were relatively calm.
With their consciousness restored, they did not resist, allowing the Reaper to completely pull their souls from their Impure World Reincarnation bodies, and they even apologized to Hiruzen:
"Sorry about this, Monkey."
"We've caused you trouble, Sarutobi."
Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes, also feeling apologetic.
Being devoured and permanently sealed by the Reaper was an unpleasant fate.
If he had a choice, he wouldn't wish this upon anyone.
But reality had left him with no other option, and he had to make this difficult decision.
"First Hokage! Second Hokage! Please forgive me..."
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish his sentence, an unexpected voice interrupted his apology.
"Hey now, this is truly heart-wrenching!"
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
At the same time, the soon-to-be-sealed Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, their faces filled with surprise, quickly turned their heads to look.
There stood Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the one who had just spoken, waving at them with a brilliant smile.
Unlike Hashirama and Tobirama's souls, which the Reaper had easily grasped, Hagoromo was still holding his own against the Reaper.
He was even faring better than Orochimaru, appearing relatively relaxed.
After all, the former was facing the true embodiment of the Reaper, while Hagoromo was only up against the power of a Shadow Clone.
"You! How is this possible...?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi exclaimed in shock, staring at Hagoromo Otsutsuki.
He had not anticipated that their plan, which should have proceeded smoothly, would encounter such a twist.
Orochimaru was also taken aback.
If there was one flaw in the Impure World Reincarnation technique, it was that those resurrected by it would be defenseless against sealing techniques and soul-related secret jutsu.
"Don't understand? Blame it on your inadequate control seals and the ample time you gave me."
Noticing Orochimaru's gaze, Yuyi Xuan Yue cheerfully explained, "I wasn't just sitting idly all this time. With my profound understanding of chakra, I was able to decipher the control seals within the Impure World Reincarnation body quite swiftly."
He continued, "And when the Reaper began tugging at your soul, your control over the Impure World Reincarnation technique was at its weakest."
With the sudden activation of his soul power due to the Reaper's attention, Yuyi Xuan Yue immediately seized the opportunity to erase the control seals within his body, achieving his goal of taking control of the Impure World Reincarnation body.
At this moment, if Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to give up and let go of Orochimaru, the latter, as the caster, might have been able to regain some control over Yuyi Xuan Yue through the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
But was that even a possibility?
Now that he had finally seized this one-in-a-million chance, there was no way Hiruzen Sarutobi would let Orochimaru go.
After all, Orochimaru had become a monster in his pursuit of immortality, devouring others' flesh.
As for Yuyi Xuan Yue, even if he had broken free from Orochimaru's control, he was still ultimately a dead man, a product of the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
It was clear who posed the greater threat.
As expected, after the unexpected awakening of Yuyi Xuan Yue, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not loosen his grip on Orochimaru's hands. In fact, he pulled even harder, trying to rip Orochimaru's soul out, despite the latter's frantic and angry gaze.
On the other side, Yuyi Xuan Yue's Shadow Clone in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi was also pulling the former's soul with all its might.
"Xuan Yue, we are both already dead. Let's not trouble the people of the later generations any further," pleaded Hashirama Senju, fully aware of Yuyi Xuan Yue's capabilities.
Yuyi Xuan Yue turned to his old friend, who was about to be consumed by the Reaper, and smiled faintly, "I have no interest in suffering in the belly of the Reaper."
"Besides, Hashirama, you've lived long enough. I, on the other hand, have not had nearly enough time. With this heaven-sent opportunity, if I don't seize it now, I'd be a fool."
"Xuan Yue, you..."
Before Hashirama Senju could finish his sentence, Tobirama Senju interrupted, "Big brother, it's no use."
Tobirama Senju then turned to Yuyi Xuan Yue, his expression devoid of emotion, and said, "You've had this plan in mind all along, haven't you? From the moment you were summoned by the Impure World Reincarnation technique, you started preparing for this?"
"Care to take a guess?" Yuyi Xuan Yue replied with a smile.
Tobirama Senju ignored him and, for the first time, spoke to Hiruzen Sarutobi with an unprecedented seriousness, "Hiruzen, finish off Yuyi Xuan Yue with all your might. Do not let him escape under any circumstances!"
Only those from the same era truly understood the extent of Yuyi Xuan Yue's strength and the threat he posed.
Even though he was currently an Impure World Reincarnation body, he was an anomaly who defied all conventional reasoning.
If given more time, the ninja world might undergo unprecedented changes.
In comparison, Orochimaru, who had caused lesser damage to Konoha, was not worth mentioning.
What a pity.
Having already been delivered to the Reaper's doorstep, Hashirama and Tobirama Senju were too late to take any action.
Yuyi Xuan Yue, you must have anticipated this as well.
With a deep sense of worry and gloom, Tobirama Senju did not wait for Hiruzen Sarutobi's response and, like Hashirama Senju, was completely devoured by the Reaper.
"Farewell, my old friends," Yuyi Xuan Yue bid as he watched the two figures from his era depart.
Finally, feeling reborn, he gazed upon the new era and boldly declared, his fingers curling into a fist, "This era belongs to me."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
