Chapter 383: Chapter 383: Resolving the Soul Issue
Ascension Island, underground laboratory.
Sora stood in front of the transparent observation window, his mind replaying the message Miyamoto Ichirō had just reported.
Uchiha Takumi was being suspected and isolated.
This was not unexpected by him.
As early as three years ago, when the political situation in Konoha drastically changed and Uchiha Fugaku rose to power, Sora had foreseen this day would come.
"Takumi... his eye power probably isn’t exhausted yet."
Sora muttered to himself.
He remembered very clearly that Takumi had not participated in the battle the night of the coup, and since earning the name "Shunshin Enma," he had deliberately reduced his engagements, so he should still have a considerable amount of eye power left.
However, this had nothing to do with him anymore.
Sora shook his head, turned, and walked toward the depths of the laboratory.
Three years ago, he had invited Takumi, saying that if he couldn’t stand it there, he could come to Ryūgakure.
At that time, Takumi hadn’t agreed, only remaining silent.
Now that internal conflicts within Konoha were intensifying, if Takumi truly wanted to come, he would naturally contact him.
If he didn’t come, then he had chosen his own path.
Sora would not force it.
...
In the core area of the laboratory, a complex formation was slowly operating.
The formation, approximately ten meters in diameter, was composed of countless silver runes, outlining spiral patterns on the ground. Pale blue chakra light currents flowed within the patterns, resonating with the natural energy permeating the air.
Kabuto stood before the control console at the edge of the formation, his fingers moving quickly.
"Sora, the formation has been debugged, and the natural energy concentration has reached the standard value."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and reported.
Sora nodded, his gaze sweeping across the center of the formation where three vague, ethereal lights of souls floated.
During these three years, Sora had already performed seventeen soul completions using the "Soul Devouring Refining Technique," all targeting individuals who deserved their fate; killing them brought Sora no psychological burden.
"Begin."
As Sora spoke, he walked to the edge of the formation and sat down cross-legged.
His soul slowly emerged from the Vermilion Bird clone, transforming into a semi-translucent phantom.
This was a crucial step of the "Soul Devouring Refining Technique"—the soul must detach from the body, enter the center of the formation, and personally guide the refining process.
"Be careful, Master~"
Tagitsuhime’s voice came from nearby.
She was currently maintaining a half-human, half-snake form, her lower body coiled in a corner of the laboratory, her hands forming hand signs, with senjutsu chakra swirling around her.
Under her control, natural energy flowed like a gentle stream into the formation.
Sora’s ethereal soul nodded to her, then drifted into the center of the formation.
Hum—
The formation instantly lit up.
The silver runes erupted with dazzling light, and the three ethereal soul lights began to tremble violently, emitting silent wails.
"Refine."
Sora’s ethereal soul raised its right hand, forming a complex hand sign.
The natural energy within the formation transformed into countless fine threads, piercing into the three ethereal soul lights, beginning to strip away the fragments of memories, emotions, and personality within...
This process was very cruel.
It was like thoroughly "cleansing" a person from the inside out, leaving only the purest origin of the soul.
But Sora’s gaze was calm.
Rather than letting these people’s souls drift off to the Pure Land to sleep with sealed consciousness, it was better to use them to complete his own soul’s weakness.
The pity was that the efficiency was a bit low.
Seventeen refinements, each time only able to absorb a tiny bit of soul origin.
Over the three years, Sora’s soul strength could only maintain a state of slow increase.
"Slow and steady wins the race. At least the consumption from each synchronization with the clones has been recovered."
Sora composed his thoughts and focused on controlling the formation.
Under the scouring of natural energy, the three ethereal soul lights gradually faded in color, transforming into three milky-white orbs the size of a thumb.
These were the pure soul origins.
"Merge."
Sora’s ethereal soul opened its mouth and gently inhaled.
The three orbs turned into flowing light, sinking into his soul.
Warmth.
Substance.
It was like parched land receiving the nourishment of rain.
Sora could clearly feel his own soul becoming tougher and more solid.
A moment later, the refinement was complete.
Sora’s ethereal soul drifted out from the formation and reintegrated into the Vermilion Bird clone.
Opening his eyes.
The world had become a bit clearer.
Not clearer in a visual sense, but an enhancement at the perceptual level—his sensitivity to chakra was keener, and his affinity for natural energy had also increased.
"Not bad."
Sora flexed his fingers, feeling the synchronization rate with the "Vermilion Bird" clone—around eighty percent.
As for the Yin Release "Hikage," it had already been fully synchronized a year and a half ago. The pity was that lacking a strong whetstone, it had taken a full two years to complete. This Fire Release "Vermilion Bird" was the same; it was estimated that another half a year was needed before it could be fully synchronized.
"Congratulations, Master~"
Tagitsuhime, having deactivated her Sage Mode, slithered over, twisting her snake body, trying to get close to "inhale" Sora’s essence again.
Sora raised his hand and pressed it against her head.
"Stop messing around."
"Hmph..."
Tagitsuhime pouted but obediently stopped.
Sora looked toward Kabuto.
"Record the data. This time, soul strength increased by approximately 2.1%, slightly higher than last time."
"Understood."
Kabuto quickly recorded on the console, then said, "Sora, at this rate, after another thirty to forty refinements, your soul will be completely restored, even stronger than before."
"Thirty times..."
Sora fell into thought. During these three years, he had long discovered his soul issue—that fundamentally, half of it was missing, as if it had been cut away.
He speculated it might have been worn away by spatial turbulence or something during his soul’s transmigration. He didn’t know if that was correct, but when he opened his eyes, he was already in the ninja world. With insufficient information, he could only speculate like this.
Sora calculated the time.
If he performed it once a month, it would take about three years. After that, his chakra weakness should be resolved.
"That’s acceptable."
He nodded, then thought of another matter.
"Tagitsuhime."
"I’m here, Master~"
Tagitsuhime immediately approached, eyes shining.
"Bring the Ryūchi Cave senjutsu scroll."
"The senjutsu scroll?"
Tagitsuhime was startled, then quickly realized: "Is Master going to practice senjutsu?"
"Mn."
Sora didn’t deny it.
During these three years, he had used the "Soul Devouring Refining Technique" many times, each time feeling the mystery of natural energy.
That power, originating from heaven and earth, vast and infinite, was more primal than chakra, and also more overbearing.
If he could master senjutsu, his strength would definitely reach another level.
"Okay~ I’ll go get it right now~"
Tagitsuhime happily twisted away and soon returned from her room with an ancient scroll.
Sora took the scroll and unrolled it.
The very first sentence made his heart tremble.
"The way of senjutsu lies in balance. Natural energy, spiritual energy, physical energy—unite these three to create senjutsu chakra."
"It’s the same as in the original..."
Sora continued reading.
The scroll detailed the practice methods for Ryūchi Cave senjutsu, precautions, and the施展 (execution) methods for several basic senjutsu techniques.
"Senpō: White Rage Technique," "Senpō: Inorganic Reincarnation," "Senpō: Snake Concealment"...
Besides these, there were also some records about "Sage Mode."
Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode differed from that of Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest, leaning more towards the characteristics of "snakes."
"But the scroll also says that practicing Ryūchi Cave senjutsu is extremely difficult, requiring a very high affinity for natural energy, as well as... bearing the risk of snake transformation."
Seeing this, Sora frowned slightly.
Snake transformation.
This was the biggest side effect of Ryūchi Cave senjutsu.
If the practitioner couldn’t control the natural energy, or had flaws in their heart, they would gradually undergo snake transformation, eventually becoming a half-human, half-snake monster, or even completely lose their sanity, becoming a true snake.
"In the original, both Orochimaru and Kabuto showed signs of snake transformation. It seems it wasn’t a coincidence."
Sora pondered.
"But since I have the Azure Dragon Fruit, I inherently possess the trait of a ’dragon.’ Dragons and snakes both belong to the reptilian class. Perhaps it could offset some of the side effects?"
He wasn’t certain, but it was worth a try.
"Master~"
Tagitsuhime leaned in, pointing at a certain part of the scroll.
"It says here that it’s best to practice Ryūchi Cave senjutsu within Ryūchi Cave itself, because the natural energy there is most abundant, and you can also get guidance from that old geezer, the White Snake~"
Hearing this, Sora fell into thought. As the "former ruler of Ryūchi Cave," the White Snake Sage undoubtedly had the deepest research on this; having her guidance would be best.
Tagitsuhime continued, "Besides, Ryūchi Cave has many auxiliary training facilities, like the ’Dragon Transformation Pool’ and the ’Enlightenment Stele,’ which we don’t have here on Ascension Island~"
Hearing this, Sora’s heart stirred.
Indeed.
Senjutsu training wasn’t something that could be achieved through closed-door efforts alone.
In the original, when Naruto learned senjutsu, he also had to go to Mount Myōboku and succeed under the guidance of the two sages, Fukasaku and Shima.
"Alright."
Sora closed the scroll and made a decision.
"Prepare. We’re going to Ryūchi Cave."
"Yay~!"
Tagitsuhime clapped her hands happily. "Finally, I can go back home and visit~ I haven’t been back for three years~"
*’You just haven’t been back for three years to show off~’*
Sora looked at Tagitsuhime and shook his head, then looked toward Kabuto.
"I’m leaving the lab to you. Continue cultivating Kimimaro’s body and the Water Release clone. If there’s an emergency, contact me using the Reverse Summoning Technique."
"Understood."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Sora, don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything."
Sora nodded, gave a few more instructions, then left the laboratory with the scroll and Tagitsuhime.
On the shore of Ascension Island.
Tagitsuhime formed hand signs, preparing to perform the Reverse Summoning Technique.
"Oh, by the way, Master~"
She suddenly remembered something and turned her head to ask, "Which body are you using to go to Ryūchi Cave? Your main body, or the Vermilion Bird clone?"
Sora thought for a moment.
"I’ll use this Vermilion Bird clone."
He rarely used his main body anymore, and besides, the Azure Dragon Fruit’s abilities might conflict with senjutsu. It would be safer to test the waters with the clone first.
"Okay~"
Tagitsuhime completed the hand signs and pressed them to the ground.
"Reverse Summoning Technique!"
Bam!
White smoke exploded.
The figures of the two vanished from Ascension Island.
