Chapter 281: The Battle to End the Golden Age
Ran suddenly felt a chill all over his body. That Mercenary Tao's body began to emit increasingly terrifying Satsui no Hado fluctuations. Moreover, his expression was no longer smiling like before.
That terrifying face was completely relaxed, as if a super villain released from a cage was recklessly enjoying freedom.
Mercenary Tao's mission was completed?!
He suddenly looked at the weeping and begging woman, finally realizing that the last chain binding Mercenary Tao had disappeared. In other words, at this moment, Mercenary Tao no longer needed to bring him and other plot characters along to protect this woman.
This was an evil dragon that had broken free from its reins.
Kaito Shirogane cracked his neck, his muscles and bones making clicking sounds. He ignored the Uchiha duo who were still "debating scripture" and walked directly to the white snake meat roasting on the fire.
He tore a piece from the flames, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed.
Perhaps because this thousand-year-old white snake had absorbed enough natural energy, the meat wasn't tough at all. Instead, it was still tender and delicious, carrying a strange fragrance and full of meaty flavor.
Even without advanced cooking, just removing impurities with the [Garuda Knife], it was already quite good.
[You have consumed a piece of specially processed Spirit Snake Meat. Ingredient Grade: Upper-Middle. Delicacy Grade: Good.]
[Gourmet Cells obtained slight growth. Current: Lv1 (9/100)]
[Constitution +1. Current: 30 (Yellow Springs Erosion) (Satsui no Hado Infusion)]
[Strength +1. Current: 29]
[Agility +1. Current: 28]
[Milestone: Gourmet triggered. You have obtained Temporary Buff: Prolonged Qi and Stamina.]
[Prolonged Qi and Stamina: Your stamina and Qi consumption speed is significantly reduced. Lasts 15 minutes.]
This piece of White Snake Sage meat provided better buffs than the previously cooked Tailed Beast meat. Not only because of the biological level, but the deliciousness inherent in the meat itself naturally surpassed Tailed Beast meat. Therefore, the gourmet grade after cooking was also easily improved.
Kaito Shirogane ate the meat, not taking the restriction of [Kotoamatsukami] seriously.
In fact, he was already prepared when he deliberately lured Uchiha Shisui to use Kotoamatsukami on him to carry out the [Descent of the Golden Order] action.
One point that made him different from other plot characters in this world, or even the vast majority of people in the myriad worlds, was that inside his body, there was far more than just his own consciousness and soul.
Through the Space Panel, he could know that he was under the influence of [Kotoamatsukami], and that was enough. As long as at the critical moment, he used [Wraith Possession] to release figures like Gojo Satoru or Uchiha Madara, he could naturally evade the restriction of Kotoamatsukami on himself.
Even if Uchiha Shisui used both eyes' Kotoamatsukami on him repeatedly, he could still use this move to temporarily shake off the influence.
Although Kotoamatsukami was powerful, the more it wanted to control him to accomplish a precise purpose, the easier it was for other souls to break this behavior.
Therefore, he wasn't mystifying things right now. He wasn't deliberately waiting for Uchiha Shisui to use his last remaining Kotoamatsukami to release his support for the Golden Order when he couldn't withstand the pressure. He was still preparing to let one of those two come out and cause a ruckus at the right time under the guidance of the mission.
In addition, Kaito Shirogane discovered that the [Virtue] series cards were different from the [Sin] series. In the first stage of the trial, the Reincarnator's tendency would be finalized.
Judging from the current situation, it was very likely that within this so-called [Ultimate Benevolence] special trial, several routes were hidden that could be recognized by the Space as meeting the requirements of the [Ultimate Benevolence] trial.
Whether it was the most superficial benevolence represented by Minoru Hiranaka's[Golden Order], which could genuinely eliminate death and bring the entire Ninja World into the Age of the Erdtree, or the [Love and Mercy] based Merciful Release shown by Hana Hiranaka, an ordinary person, both were routes available for the Reincarnator to choose.
Moreover, if Kaito Shirogane wasn't mistaken, at least two other routes were hidden in this world. The Sage of Six Paths and the native supernatural power system of this world probably also met this requirement to some extent.
The "Benevolence" desired by each faction and their different thoughts about the world would eventually lead to completely different endings and routes.
And Virtue-type special Reincarnators needed to explore the plot lines in the mission world and interact deeply with various plot characters to ultimately trigger these routes.
Compared to the chaotic and disorderly [Sin]Reincarnators, [Virtue]Reincarnators had higher requirements for exploring the plot world.
This could also be glimpsed from the only Virtue-type ReincarnatorKaito Shirogane currently knew—Roland, who eventually fell to become a [God Hand].
That was obviously a guy who indulged excessively in various mission derivative worlds. Even because of his feelings for those plot characters, he eventually buried himself in the mission world.
And that Roland's Virtue Sequence was [Virtue Sequence III: Hope Morning Star], which was obviously a title with strong religious symbolism.
Kaito Shirogane previously thought that special changes would only occur after advancing. Now it seemed that the Virtue Sequence probably started route selection from Sequence I, then constantly corrected the route, ultimately forging one's own [Virtue].
Comparatively speaking, Kaito Shirogane wasn't good at digging up hidden plots. Except for having good compatibility with villain plot characters, he rarely dug deep into the internal clues of plot characters.
The Sage of Six Paths actively appearing in this world was probably an opportunity to cut into the Sage of Six Paths side, but Kaito Shirogane was more accustomed to dominating everything with power, dominating everything with his self.
Kaito Shirogane pondered while swallowing a large piece of snake meat. In his mind, he quickly finished analyzing and judging all the previous clues.
Madness and calmness were the underlying personality colors that always existed in Kaito Shirogane.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...
Sounds of breaking through the air rang out continuously. A large number of ninjas were moving at high speed, approaching the landing site of the Golden Star from the forests on both sides of the river channel below.
With his extremely strong vision, Kaito Shirogane clearly saw the Konoha ninja combat uniforms on that group of people. The corners of his mouth curled up, leaving only one sentence.
"Woman, roast the meat well, or else..."
He didn't leave any threatening words, but that killing intent truly made Hana Hiranaka's mind feel like it had fallen into an ice cellar. She clearly realized that this Mercenary Tao was not some guy who would develop special care for her just because he ate her cooking.
If she was of no use to him, he would probably kill her casually.
Her vision emptied. Mercenary Tao had already jumped into the high sky. Accompanied by special bang bang sounds, the opponent jumped twice in the sky and flew directly into the distance.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi's expressions also changed at this moment. Both were surprised by seeing Konoha ninjas and worried because Mercenary Tao hadn't been released from [Kotoamatsukami].
Although Mercenary Tao was fierce, after several twists and turns, having devoured the life energy of Tailed Beasts, the White Snake Sage, and numerous ninjas who died in the Great Ninja War, the Golden Erdtree and the Golden Order had become very powerful.
They worried that with Mercenary Tao joining in, this world might really be unable to resist.
Uchiha Shisui finally decided to use the other [Kotoamatsukami] to lift the influence of the previous one.
He wanted to use Mercenary Tao's power to end that era where there was no death but everyone was cold and ruthless.
The two shot out from the forest, then ran rapidly down from the cliff.
Ran instinctively wanted to follow immediately, but after glancing at the unattended Hana Hiranaka, he didn't move.
Hana Hiranaka wiped the tears and mucus from her face and shook her head at this kind-hearted person, probably the only one she had seen in recent days.
"Sir, don't worry about me. I'll just cook for Mr. Mercenary Tao here. Leave the rest to Providence..."
The woman's voice returned to calm, but Ran looked away. He found that occasionally he would be at a loss for words by what these weak plot characters said.
He began to have a clear understanding of the destruction caused by Reincarnators to the mission world.
It wasn't just about which powerful experts died, or how many people died in total. Beneath those numbers, countless people were crushed by the decisions of Reincarnators, losing everything without anyone ever knowing.
"Ran, come closer. We should prepare to retreat. That crazy woman has broken this world..."
Katherine's voice rang in his ears. He also knew very well that such a drastically changed mission world would produce various unexpected dangers. For Reincarnators of their strength, the best choice was to retreat at this time.
Ran took one last look at the woman squatting alone in front of the fire, constantly cutting meat from the huge white snake's neck, then turned and retreated into the forest, disappearing.
Kaito Shirogane kept jumping in the air and finally saw the massive Elden Beast in a huge crater several kilometers away.
The crater had been filled with water, gradually turning into a lake. The water vapor around it was unusually dense, forming a thin white mist. Because Kaito Shirogane was in the air, he could see clearly.
But the densely packed figures gathering below probably could only see vague traces at this moment.
Various ninjutsu were constantly fired into mid-air, blasting against each other from the camps on both sides.
The Fourth Raikage, who was almost killed by Kaito Shirogane previously, reappeared, seemingly standing side by side with the Tsuchikage Onoki, who was floating in the air.
A large number of Iwagakure ninjas, skilled in defense, raised huge rock walls over ten meters high in front of them, blocking various ninjutsu released by more and more ninjas behind the Elden Beast.
The forehead protectors worn by that group of ninjas were messy. They should be people from small ninja villages or towns who were absorbed into the Golden Order faction when the glow of the Golden Star fell.
The previous battle relied almost entirely on the Elden Beast's attacks, but as Konoha ninjas began to approach and join, the ninjutsu attacks from the Elden Beast's side became increasingly intense.
The Fourth Raikage looked into the lake. Although the Eight-Tails Gyūki revealed its huge form, it was still much "petite" in front of that massive monster flowing with golden luster.
Whoosh~
The monster with many wing-like limbs on its back suddenly opened its mouth, spewing a large amount of golden flame towards the lake. That flame was like flowing water, spreading towards the surroundings in the lake.
Seeing that Water Release couldn't counter this flame, Onoki immediately changed his approach.
"Release Earth Release to extinguish the fire!"
Kitsuchi quickly formed hand seals, and a group of elite ninjas around him finished forming seals simultaneously.
[Earth Release: Earth Flow River]!
The ground in front of the ninjas softened rapidly, turning into a swamp-like property, then rose violently, rushing towards the monster in the lake like a wave several meters high.
But although the Elden Beast seemed massive and bloated, its posture was completely unaffected by gravity. Amidst floating movements, it was already drifting into the air. On those arm-like limbs, golden light condensed into a huge longsword.
Watching this scene, Onoki immediately raised both hands.
[Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique]
A huge Dust Release light lit up, like a giant cannon annihilating everything, sweeping towards the Elden Beast in the air with a boom.
Below, Gyūki also raised its tentacles simultaneously, grabbing the Elden Beast's body.
Vmm!
The light of Dust Release pierced through the Elden Beast's body, and the Elden Beast disappeared as if transparent.
Onoki floated up from behind the position, but suddenly, a figure sped over from the water surface.
"Careful, it's Hyuga Hiashi!"
Hyuga Hiashi, with golden luster in his Byakugan, didn't have the scruples of the Hyuga main family. He directly led a large number of Hyuga clan ninjas to break through on the water while the firepower of both villages was aimed at the Elden Beast.
Once they got close, the ninja alliance army of both villages would inevitably suffer huge losses.
Onoki also heard the warning, his heart palpitating. Fortunately, the Fourth Raikage, wrapped in lightning, appeared below in an instant. He punched out. Hyuga Hiashi deployed [Kaiten] in mid-air but was still knocked down from the air by the huge force.
The Fourth Raikage was also pulled away several meters by the strong rotation of Kaiten.
He stomped on the water surface a few times to stop his body. Just as he was about to move, his whole body suddenly stiffened.
A turned his head with an ashen face. He indeed didn't see wrong. The glance he took when landing just now allowed him to see a figure that could be called a nightmare.
Standing with arms crossed in front of his chest, atop the crater.
Although that person's size had shrunk a lot, that purple aura and the killing intent that almost made one's skin hurt confirmed to him that this guy was undoubtedly that Mercenary Tao...
Mercenary Tao was standing at the edge of the crater at this moment, located exactly in the middle of the two opposing camps.
In the sky, accompanied by a booming explosion, amidst spatial distortion, a figure was thrown out. A huge golden magic circle completely encompassed an area of over four or five kilometers in radius.
Covering the ninja alliance army on both sides, along with Kaito Shirogane's group, completely inside.
In the sky, that Elden Beast reappeared, holding the longsword high in its hand. In Kaito Shirogane's perspective, countless golden lights began to smash down like meteors.
"Retreat!"
The ninjas issued terrified commands. This was a terrifying range attack beyond the cognition of ordinary ninjas.
Onoki also floated towards the rear at this moment. Only the Fourth Raikage and Kaito Shirogane stood in place.
His mind was tense, but Kaito Shirogane didn't look at him.
Kaito Shirogane was searching. That guy who could unite the ninja villages together. Finally, he saw that half-black, half-white special figure among the figures retreating with Onoki.
Black Zetsu. Sure enough, he hadn't given up on the plan to revive Otsutsuki Kaguya.
Kaito Shirogane's mouth curled up. He first looked back at the Elden Beast and that huge Gyūki, then took a step forward. The air tore apart abruptly.
Zzzzt!
[Lightning Release Chakra Mode] was activated subconsciously. A protected his chest with both hands but didn't receive the imagined attack.
He turned his head, only to see a blazing white ripple exploding in the air. At the end were the shattered corpses of Hyuga clan ninjas. The spraying blood, due to the terrifying speed and force, formed a channel-like trajectory according to inertia, disappearing in the direction of Onoki's retreat.
A's muscles spasmed for a moment. He suppressed his subconscious urge to support. That wasn't just fear of Mercenary Tao, but also because he knew very well that without his support, [B] and [Gyūki] probably couldn't defeat this monster at all.
Sizzle!
Thunder exploded. The Fourth Raikage turned the fear that instinctively rose in his heart just now into anger, slashing violently at the Golden Beast. Golden blood sprayed out.
(End of Chapter)