"Ding Dong! Orochimaru's memory extraction is successful! Acquired: Impure World Reincarnation Technique!"
A crisp electronic notification echoed in his mind as Aoba gained access to Orochimaru's memories.
Impure World Reincarnation Technique!
Aoba was slightly startled.
He was all too familiar with this jutsu, a forbidden technique developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama.
The existence of the Impure World Reincarnation Technique significantly shaped the latter part of the Naruto series, allowing many past ninjas to reappear before the audience through its use.
The technique had also been a focus of Orochimaru's research, famously used to summon the former Hokages in a pivotal plotline.
Of course.
Kabuto also adapted the technique into the Dream Fulfillment Jutsu!
Under Kabuto's manipulation, many ninjas who had never met, some even harboring regrets, were ultimately brought to closure.
Now, Aoba also possessed the Impure World Reincarnation Technique!
However, Aoba intended to use this jutsu sparingly for several reasons: firstly, he needed more personal genetic material, or DNA, of those past ninjas; secondly, he saw no meaningful purpose in doing so.
After all.
With the power Aoba already possessed, he did not need to summon past powerful ninjas. And for those who had died, bringing them back via the Impure World Reincarnation could introduce unpredictable variables, like Uchiha Madara, who was able to break free from the jutsu's control.
Aoba had purposefully killed Uchiha Madara to prevent any continuation of his plans. However, the Impure World Reincarnation Technique could potentially allow those who had passed away to complete their unfinished agendas. Therefore, for Aoba, this technique was more about filling his arsenal of jutsu rather than having practical value.
"You no longer hold any value."
Aoba stared at Orochimaru, whose head he held in his grasp, each of his palms infused with a peculiar chakra capable of absorbing chakra, a specific ability of the Rinnegan.
Almost instantly after Aoba spoke...
Orochimaru felt an overwhelming weakness surge through him!
This round of absorption was quicker and more forceful than before.
If previously the absorption was performed by one hand, now five or six hands were involved, drastically increasing the efficiency.
It wasn't long before Orochimaru felt completely drained, even struggling to speak, his heavy eyelids tempting him to sleep.
This is bad!
Orochimaru was deeply alarmed!
He knew that if this continued, it would cause him catastrophic damage!
If he were to fall asleep now.
If he were to lose consciousness.
It would mean losing all ability to resist.
He would be utterly helpless at the mercy of his opponent.
At that point, his life would entirely be in the hands of this young Uchiha, a severely passive situation for him.
He must take control of his destiny!
Orochimaru was acutely aware of this; he knew he could not continue like this and had to find a way to escape the current predicament.
But many things are easier said than done, now with several powerful hands clamped onto him like steel traps, it seemed nearly impossible to break free.
Is this really it?
Orochimaru's mind raced with questions, unsure of what to make of the situation.
Many strategies were more complex than he had imagined!
Now, his weakened body could not fully escape, but he knew that if he didn't escape soon, he would face a very dangerous situation.
Buzz!
Just then, as if his head had been struck, Orochimaru's pupils contracted to pinpoints.
What is this?!
Orochimaru's vision revealed that behind the young Uchiha, a gigantic head had materialised, as large as a house, marked with a kanji for "king," its eyes also Rinnegan.
King of Hell!
A term spontaneously emerged in Orochimaru's mind!
His entire body bristled, feeling utterly eerie. He was experienced in the study of the soul, but the entity before him now seemed like something out of mythology.
This was the legendary King of Hell!
At this moment, Orochimaru sensed a whiff of death. He felt as though he had one foot in the gates of hell, a sensation he had never experienced before, causing him unimaginable fear.
Not Good!
Very bad!
This is really dangerous now!
Orochimaru was exceedingly vigilant!
"This is the Naraka Path."
Aoba's cold voice slowly rose, each word cutting into Orochimaru's soul like a sharp knife.
Behind the mask, his expression was utterly cold, unseen by Orochimaru, but still palpable, especially the scornful gaze emanating from the Rinnegan visible through the eye holes of the mask.
"This is the power of the Rinnegan!"
Aoba stated meaningfully as if explaining it to Orochimaru.
However...
Only Orochimaru understood the irony in this!
Because Aoba had already seen Orochimaru coveting his Rinnegan!
Orochimaru's greed for the Rinnegan had reached a level that even Aoba found hard to face, still scheming against it even in such dire circumstances, which indeed aligned with Orochimaru's character.
But...
This was somewhat unexpected for Aoba.
How dare you!
After introducing the Naraka Path to Orochimaru, Aoba did not use its powers; he merely showed the King of Hell to Orochimaru.
In fact, the Naraka Path holds significant strategic value for the Six Paths of Pain, serving as a vital means of gathering intelligence.
Because with the Rinnegan, the user can summon the King of Hell to judge whether the captured person is lying.
If they lie.
Their tongue would stretch out.
Then the King of Hell could open its vast mouth, forcibly pull out the opponent's tongue, and chew and swallow it.
This method helps determine whether the person is lying, ensuring the accuracy of the intelligence, which was crucial when Pain attacked Konoha to find Naruto's location.
Of course, for Aoba, this was unnecessary.
Whether it's the King of Hell summoned by the Naraka Path or the Rinnegan's ability to resurrect, Aoba would not casually use these redundant powers.
After all, Aoba can read memories.
He doesn't need to waste time and energy summoning the King of Hell to verify whether someone is telling the truth or not.
"Human Path!"
Aoba's indifferent voice again uttered a term unfamiliar to Orochimaru. His cold Rinnegan eyes still shimmered strikingly, and his presence was very imposing.
"This is also a power of the Rinnegan!"
"But..."
"This will be the last ability of the Rinnegan you'll feel!"
"Because..."
"You are about to die!"
Aoba's cold voice, sentence after sentence, rang out as he spoke, his right hand above Orochimaru's head radiating an incredibly strong chakra.
"Soul Extraction!"
Aoba's cold voice sounded again like a death sentence for Orochimaru. Then his right hand suddenly rose, and with it, Orochimaru's soul.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...