The Heart Demon stood up.
He stopped meditating and took the mask handed to him by the pale figure, inspecting it for a moment.
"Haha! Orochimaru, you did well! What exactly is this mask capable of this time? Can it use Fire Release? Or can it cause gigantic transformation?"
"Neither."
The pale figure shook his head, "It allows unlimited usage of Tailed Beast Balls, and can mass-produce them!"
"Oh?"
The Heart Demon became interested.
"Explain it to me properly."
"Yes!"
The figure bowed respectfully to the Heart Demon and then stepped forward, holding another mask, "This mask was created using the Jinchuriki from several ninja villages! It retains their ability to use Tailed Beast Balls while amplifying their inner darkness! As long as their power isn't drained, they won't stop using Tailed Beast Balls!
Though it's a one-time-use item, it's undeniably a powerful siege weapon—at least in the short run!"
"Oh! Is that so!"
The Heart Demon excitedly took the mask to examine it.
At that moment, Orochimaru was getting closer. While explaining the mask's functions, he had also gathered a chakra-infused hand blade behind his back!
Before the Heart Demon could react, it was already too late.
Orochimaru indeed made his move!
Taking advantage of the Heart Demon's momentary distraction, he immediately stabbed the chakra-charged tanto into the Heart Demon!
The chakra blade was suddenly caught mid-air!
"Orochimaru! You want to kill me!" The Heart Demon coldly glared at Orochimaru, crushing the tanto in his hand before sending the shattered remains flying into Orochimaru's chest!
"Urgh!"
Orochimaru spat out a mouthful of blood, staggering backward, "Damn it! How did you find out?"
"Haha!"
The Heart Demon let out a thunderous laugh, "Your movements were indeed subtle! But you forgot about my identity! I am the embodiment of the Zero-Tails. I can sense every shred of negativity in the human heart!
The moment your killing intent arose, I already knew your intentions!"
"Damn!"
Orochimaru angrily pulled out the broken blade embedded in his chest, "I thought you could help me take revenge on Konoha Village! I never expected you were planning to destroy the entire world!
Your methods are too cruel!"
"Destroy the entire world? Where did you hear such nonsense? I merely want to transform all humans into White Zetsu. After I defeat the Kaguya Clan, I will naturally use Rinnegan Rebirth to bring everyone back to life."
"Haha! A demon god helping others? You actually expect me to believe that?"
"What demon god?"
Orochimaru coldly stared at the Heart Demon, "Don't pretend anymore! He — Ye Liang — is the Creator God of Takamagahara, while you are an Evil Deity from another world!
He is saving the world, and you are destroying it!
Don't think you can fool me forever!"
"Tch... are you even listening to yourself..." the Heart Demon twitched his cheek. Even the Heart Demon could feel the sheer ridiculousness in Orochimaru's words.
Seeing the Heart Demon's denial, Orochimaru prepared to attack again with the broken blade in his hand.
[He hurled the broken blade toward the Heart Demon, and in the brief opening it created, he raised his hand and launched the [Hidden Shadow Snake Hands]!]
Several thick, snake-like tendrils—each as wide as a human arm—shot out from his sleeves toward the Heart Demon.
Suddenly, the air trembled. Before those snakes could fully approach the Heart Demon, they went limp midair.
Orochimaru suddenly stared at the Heart Demon in terror. He abruptly opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of black blood. His body then began swelling visibly at an alarming rate.
The Heart Demon sneered, "That broken blade I threw at you earlier was already infused with the Zero-Tails' essence. You've already lost control of your powers!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru's pores erupted with countless streams of blood, and then his body exploded, instantly collapsing into a pool of blood.
"Hmph! Since you've become a traitor, you should understand the fate of a traitor."
Finishing with a cold tone, the Heart Demon activated Water Release to clean the room.
Half a month later.
Several figures approached the outskirts of Kiri.
Ye Liang, Toneri, and the System, who had once again taken the form of a young girl.
"System, the Heart Demon's presence should be nearby," Ye Liang said, silently scanning the Mist Village, his eyes showing signs of displeasure. Everywhere was filled with the smell of blood, saturating the entire Mist Village.
"Mm! His injuries are severe, so he shouldn't have left yet," the System replied calmly.
Ye Liang nodded.
He walked straight in. Along the way, Mist ninja corpses lay everywhere—some familiar faces, like officers and Haruo, the son of Kumano Yagura.
"Host, there's still a faint presence! It seems to be a woman."
Upon hearing the System's words, Ye Liang hurriedly entered a house. Indeed, there was a woman inside. She lay on the ground, her body covered in wounds, already on the verge of death.
Ye Liang approached, but in the woman's eyes, he saw a flicker of hatred. "Terumi Mei, what exactly happened?"
The woman ignored him.
A flash of confusion crossed his eyes before she suddenly burst into tears.
"They're all dead... everyone... gone!
It's all my fault! I knew he was an impostor, yet I couldn't bring myself to act! I've doomed everyone! I've doomed everyone!" she wept bitterly.
A faint tremor stirred within Ye Liang's heart.
He couldn't recall any significant encounters with Mei, but seeing her in this state made him feel uneasy.
"I'm sorry! If I had been stronger-willed back then, none of this would have happened." He wiped away her tears, then performed the Mystical Palm Technique.
"You're not him either, Liang!"
Mei stared blankly at Ye Liang, a tinge of helplessness flashing in her heart. "Liang! Where did you go, Liang?"
Ye Liang simply waved his hand and bid farewell to Mei.
"Host! The woman loved that impostor, right?"
"Mm! Though it seems he's already been taken out by the Heart Demon!"
"That's actually great news! I was worried he'd be our biggest threat!"
Ye Liang shook his head.
"It might not be good news after all! Although the impostor is gone, I don't believe our crisis is over. You forgot—we still haven't found the one who made us lose our memories back then."
"Isn't it the Heart Demon?"
"Probably not!"
Ye Liang said plainly, "I've roughly deduced the power of the Heart Demon. If that imposter can't even defeat the Heart Demon, he definitely isn't the one who caused us to lose our memories!
I've recently recovered some of my strength. Judging by now, my former self was extremely powerful! So powerful it's almost horrifying! Far beyond what that imposter or the Heart Demon could ever match."
"Is that so."
The System nodded as though only half-understanding: "Then where are we going now?"
"Obviously, we're going after that Heart Demon! Since everything originated from him, we should naturally end it with him! Besides, if we don't eliminate him, these rampant White Zetsus will never be completely dealt with."
"Hmm." The System nodded in agreement.
Watching the two chat intermittently, the nearby Toneri seemed to have swallowed a mouthful of sour vinegar, as if he'd tasted jealousy itself.
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