Chapter 455: Uchiha Madara: Revived, Ready to Dance
"Martial Artist… is that what it's calling me? Fair enough."
Zuoqianhu nodded slightly.
He was a general of the imperial court, tempered by countless battles against foreign tribes. His honed body and vigorous blood energy were indeed similar to those of martial warriors in the jianghu. Being classified as a [Martial Artist] was fitting.
[Martial Artist] skills
were all techniques he had trained himself—swordsmanship, battlefield tactics. Though there was one peculiar ability among them:
[Gallant Spirit Lv. Max]: Grants immunity to most mental control abilities. (The greater the level disparity, the lower the immunity chance and effectiveness.)
"There have always been tales about gallant spirit repelling evil…"
It could also be called vital essence. Those with overflowing spirit could frighten away ghosts and repel malevolent forces.
"I didn't expect this strange light screen to be capable of examining my flesh and blood down to the smallest detail… and presenting it so clearly."
Zuoqianhu continued investigating the interface. As he focused, more fragments of information about the Samsara Game began to emerge in his mind.
After a while,
The same court general who could face demons without flinching exhaled a heavy breath.
"So this is how it works?"
He licked his dry lips and drew the short sword he'd stolen while escaping the capital.
Thud.
Without hesitation, he plunged it into his left arm, the tip piercing flesh and emerging on the other side.
Blood dripped steadily to the ground.
Expressionless, he muttered, "Feels real enough. This isn't one of Pudu Cihang's illusions?"
Although [Gallant Spirit] granted him passive resistance to the soul-piercing chants...
In truth—
It was likely because Pudu Cihang hadn't taken him seriously, assuming he was just an ordinary mortal.
Later, even when dozens of centipede demons were sent after him, Zuoqianhu repeatedly fell into illusions.
And yet, each time, he snapped out of them quickly.
That's why his guard was so high now—enough to test the truth with self-inflicted pain.
"All this theorizing is useless. Time to test it head-on."
He'd originally planned to flee and find a wandering sorcerer. That plan was scrapped.
Leaping nimbly onto a treetop, he used the thick foliage for cover.
Soon,
Two human-disguised centipede demons followed his trail by scent.
Clad in crimson monk robes, their eyes cold and devoid of humanity despite the smiles on their faces.
Zuoqianhu would never mistake that inhuman presence.
"Kill!"
The centipede demons were still scanning the area when a furious roar erupted above them.
As they looked up, a short sword came cleaving down onto the skull of one.
Clang!
The blade struck the head with the sound of metal striking metal.
Despite its fine edge, the sword chipped and dulled on impact.
But the centipede demon's head cracked like a coconut, revealing a writhing black centipede inside.
"So Pudu Cihang really is the biggest of these bugs…"
Expressionless, Zuoqianhu reached into the shattered skull, grabbed the black centipede, and tore it out with brute force.
[Killed Low-Level Centipede Demon. Reward Points +21. EXP +23]
The second demon turned.
Though it looked human, its reptilian nature meant it showed no grief for its fallen companion.
Its jaw unhinged, black centipede fangs sprouting from its mouth as it lunged to bite.
Clang!
Zuoqianhu blocked with his sword, sparks flying as the insect's jaws snapped shut.
Next moment—
CRACK!
The short sword broke in two, shattered by the demon's metallic mandibles.
He quickly withdrew his hand to avoid injury, then snatched up a blade shard.
Ignoring the blood pouring from his torn palm, he reversed his grip and plunged the fragment into the demon's eye socket.
The centipede, hidden within the skull, lost its sight.
Taking advantage, Zuoqianhu launched a kick that sent the demon sprawling, then picked up the severed centipede from before and lashed it like a whip.
The full strength of an imperial general—
The demon's head flew off, rolling along the ground, followed by the centipede crawling free.
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 system's guide,
Zuoqianhu invested the points into [Strength] and [Constitution].
Feeling the sudden surge of power within him,
He let out a roaring laugh: "Pudu Cihang, I'll be coming back for you soon!"
...
Ninja World.
Wearing monkey fur, Shimura Danzo scowled darkly. "Those Navy Alliance bastards actually got the first kill on a dark-gold boss? Disgraceful!"
After assassinating Hiruzen and becoming Hokage,
His goal had been to surpass every Hokage before him—especially the weakling Hiruzen—so that even if exposed, he could rule unchallenged.
But fate had other plans.
Their attempt to hunt the world boss [Corpse Jiao] failed. It was taken by magic-armored warriors and archers from another world, plus a useless pink-haired girl.
And now, in the new season, the Navy snatched the first kill.
If this continued, they'd eventually see through his lies. That would be dangerous.
"Hokage-sama, the Navy Alliance is the strongest faction in the Samsara Game. It's not surprising they got the boss."
"Yes, please calm down."
The clan leaders evaded the subject with vague platitudes.
Asuma exhaled deeply. "With the Navy placing a bounty, and backing from the strongest faction, the Fire Empire is sure to fall."
Konoha was destroyed, and they had been exiled from the Land of Fire. None of them would ever forget.
This was the perfect chance to kill Orochimaru and annihilate the Fire Empire.
"I agree. Let's attack."
Danzo's hatred for Orochimaru was no less than anyone else's. Without hesitation, he finalized the plan to invade.
...
Elsewhere in the ninja world,
In a shadowed corner, a masked Uchiha with a swirling orange spiral tossed a genjutsu-entranced ninja into a ritual circle.
Clapping his hands together—
Impure World Reincarnation!
Ashen paper clung to the body, slowly reshaping it into someone else.
Ancient red armor. Black robe. Wild black hair.
And...
The slow rotation of black Sharingan tomoe.
"Normally, the reanimated can't act freely unless the caster releases control…"
Uchiha Obito scratched his head, awestruck. "I only just learned this jutsu, I'm not even good at it—and you already broke free. As expected of you, Lord Madara."
Sensing his control being severed, he took a cautious step back.
"Impure World Reincarnation?"
Madara frowned at his cracked, clay-like body. "Didn't I say I was to be revived with the Rinne Rebirth?"
To most people,
A reanimated body had major advantages: infinite chakra, self-regenerating paper flesh.
But Madara had long surpassed the limits of this form.
This imperfect vessel was a shackle—unable to contain his true might.
Obito looked flustered, though the act seemed intentional. "I wanted to use the Rinne Rebirth as promised, but… things have changed while you were gone."
"Hmph. Let me guess—Nagato betrayed us?"
Madara moved stiffly, but his confidence remained unshaken. "No matter. Even in this incomplete form, I can accomplish anything."
Hashirama was dead. There was no one left who could stop him.
"Well... you're probably not going to like this, but... in today's ninja world, your power only ranks mid-tier. If you go charging in, you might just get killed..."
"???"
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