Chapter 456: Uchiha Madara: Mid-Tier? Me?
"Martial Artist... so that's what it's calling me. Fair enough."
Zuoqianhu gave a subtle nod.
He was a general of the imperial court, forged through countless battles against foreign invaders. His refined body and vigorous blood essence made him very much akin to a martial warrior from the jianghu. The title [Martial Artist] suited him just fine.
[Martial Artist] skills
were all techniques he had honed himself—bladework, battlefield tactics. There was only one odd skill among them:
[Gallant Spirit Lv. Max]: Immune to most mental control abilities. (The larger the level gap, the lower the immunity chance and effect.)
"There have always been rumors in the backstreets and alleyways about the power of gallant spirit…"
Gallant spirit, or jing, qi, shen, was said to repel ghosts and evil spirits when strong.
"I never imagined this bizarre interface could analyze the body so meticulously and display it so clearly."
Zuoqianhu continued his investigation, processing everything carefully. Fragments of knowledge about the Samsara Game began surfacing in his mind.
After a while,
The same court general who didn't flinch in the face of demons let out a deep breath.
"So this is what it is?"
Licking his chapped lips, he pulled out the short sword he'd snatched while fleeing the capital.
Stab.
He plunged it straight into his left arm without hesitation. The blade pierced through flesh and emerged on the other side.
Drip, drip. Blood beaded along the tip and fell to the ground.
Expressionless, he muttered, "That pain is very real. So it's not one of Pudu Cihang's illusions after all?"
Though [Gallant Spirit] granted passive immunity to most mental manipulation,
In truth,
Pudu Cihang hadn't initially used full strength, dismissing Zuoqianhu as a mere mortal.
Later, even without leaving the palace, he'd only dispatched dozens of centipede demons to hunt him down. Each time, Zuoqianhu was dragged into illusions.
But he broke free every time.
That was why he was now so cautious—testing reality with self-inflicted wounds.
"All this overthinking is pointless. Time to act."
Originally, he'd planned to keep running and find a sorcerer to help. That plan was gone now.
He leapt nimbly into the treetops, hiding among the thick branches.
Soon,
Two human-disguised centipede demons followed his scent.
Wearing crimson monk robes, they had smiles on their lips but ice in their eyes. Not a trace of humanity.
Zuoqianhu would never mistake that aura.
"Kill!"
The centipede demons sniffed the air in confusion—his scent was here, but they saw nothing.
From above, a shout.
As they looked up, a short sword came slicing down on the head of the one to the left.
Clang!
The blade struck with the sound of metal-on-metal.
Despite being a fine weapon, the blade nicked and dulled.
But the demon's head split like a coconut, revealing a writhing black centipede within.
"So Pudu Cihang really is the king of these bugs…"
Without emotion, Zuoqianhu reached in, grabbed the black centipede, and ripped it out.
[Killed Low-Level Centipede Demon. Reward Points +21. EXP +23]
The second demon turned.
Though its face was human, it was only a mask. Cold-blooded to the core, it showed no concern for its fallen comrade.
Its mouth gaped, black centipede fangs growing along the edges, snapping toward Zuoqianhu.
Clang!
He raised his sword to block, metal sparks flying from the centipede's glistening black fangs.
Next second—
Crack!
The short sword shattered. The centipede's jaws bit through it like a twig. Shards of metal flew everywhere.
Zuoqianhu pulled back fast, avoiding the bite that could snap iron.
He snatched up a shard of the broken sword.
Gripping it tight,
He stabbed it into the demon's eye socket, ignoring the blade slicing his own palm open.
The centipede, hiding inside, could no longer see.
Taking the opening, Zuoqianhu launched a kick,
Sending the demon tumbling. He picked up the severed centipede like a whip and lashed downward.
A full-force strike from a court general—
The demon's head flew off, bouncing along the ground. A black centipede squirmed out.
Smash.
One stomp.
[Killed Low-Level Centipede Demon. Reward Points +28. EXP +30]
Ding!
Player Level Up: Lv.2
Reward: +4 Free Attribute Points
Following the interface guide,
Zuoqianhu placed the points into [Strength] and [Constitution].
Feeling power surge through his body,
He burst out in laughter: "Pudu Cihang, I'll be coming back for you soon!"
…
Ninja World.
Wrapped in monkey fur, Shimura Danzo scowled. "Those damn Navy Alliance players snatched the first dark-gold boss kill? Shameful!"
After killing Hiruzen and claiming the title of Hokage,
His goal had been to surpass all previous Hokage, especially that cowardly Sarutobi, so he'd never fear exposure.
But things had gone poorly.
He'd failed to kill the world boss [Corpse Jiao], losing it to armored mages and archers from another world—and a useless pink-haired girl.
Now, in the new season, the Navy took the first clear again.
If this kept up, someone would start noticing the cracks in his façade. The consequences would be severe.
"Hokage-sama, the Navy is the strongest faction in the Samsara Game. It's not unexpected."
"Yes, please don't be angry."
The clan heads spoke evasively, unwilling to take sides.
Asuma inhaled deeply. "With the Navy's bounty and their backing, the Fire Empire is doomed."
Konoha had fallen. They'd been driven from the Land of Fire. None of them had forgotten.
This was their chance to kill Orochimaru and destroy the Fire Empire.
"I agree. Let's strike."
Danzo's hatred for Orochimaru was no less than theirs. He wasted no time finalizing the attack plan.
…
Somewhere in the ninja world,
Uchiha Obito, wearing his signature spiral mask, tossed a genjutsu-bound ninja into a ritual circle.
He clapped his hands together—
Impure World Reincarnation!
Ash-like paper wrapped the body, reshaping it into another man.
Old-style red armor from the Warring States era. A black robe. Long, wild black hair.
And—
Rotating black Sharingan tomoe.
"Normally, the reanimated can't act freely unless released by the caster…"
Obito scratched his head in awe. "I only just learned this technique—and you already broke free. As expected of you, Lord Madara."
Sensing his control unraveling, he stepped back.
"Impure World Reincarnation?"
Uchiha Madara frowned, seeing his body marred with fine cracks. "Didn't I say I was to be revived using the Rinne Rebirth?"
For others,
This form was powerful—endless chakra, self-repairing paper flesh.
But Madara had long surpassed this limit.
To him, this incomplete vessel was a shackle.
Obito feigned panic. "I wanted to, really—but things have changed while you were gone."
"Hmph. Nagato betrayed us, didn't he?"
Madara moved stiffly, but his voice brimmed with confidence. "Whatever. Even this body is enough. I can still do anything."
With Hashirama dead, no one could stop him.
"Well... you might not like this, but in today's ninja world, your strength is only mid-tier. If you charge in recklessly, you might get killed…"
"???"
…
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