The living humans exist in the Ninja World, so it is only natural that deceased humans would have their own corresponding place.
They slumber in this realm, preserving their wisdom and consciousness after being reincarnated through Edo Tensei.
The Pure Land is where souls linger and find solace.
Similar to the spirit realm.
It is a realm of existence.
In theory, humans should not be able to enter the Pure Land, nor even survive within it.
But Naruto can feel the welcoming embrace of the Pure Land.
His fondness for the Pure Land.
Every cell in his body rejoices and celebrates.
As if...
He is a soul.
More accurately, he can be seen as a manifestation of a soul.
"If I create Shinigami and Hollows in the Pure Land, does that make me a god in a certain sense?"
Naruto's lips curve into a playful smile.
God.
What an enchanting word.
The discovery of the Pure Land aligns with Naruto's thoughts, even exceeding his expectations.
As he watches the flickering dots of light roaming in the Pure Land, Naruto starts contemplating the next steps in transforming the Pure Land.
Transforming all souls into Shinigami and Hollows is certainly necessary.
However, the efficiency of individually inputting Reiatsu is too low.
He needs the necessary tools.
Naruto strolls through the desert, and the clusters of light representing souls instinctively veer away from him. On the contrary, spiritual particles surge towards him.
This prompts him to wonder.
Do these souls possess consciousness and intelligence?
If these souls were to later transform into his own form, becoming Hollows or Shinigami, would they still be subject to Edo tensei?
There are too many things Naruto wants to know in his mind.
He withdraws his gaze and looks up at the azure, luminous sky.
He desires it.
Naruto realizes that spreading Reiatsu outward from a high point in a medium-like manner would be the most efficient way to transform all the souls.
Under the infusion of Reiatsu, Hollows and Shinigami continue to be born.
Hollows will grow through battle.
However, the drawbacks are apparent.
Newly born Shinigami are at a significant disadvantage, with a low survival rate.
Naruto furrows his brow as he manipulates the Reiatsu.
In the next moment, his body slowly ascends into the air.
From this high point, he overlooks the entire landscape.
The world has no boundaries.
He can construct his castle in the depths, dividing the Pure Land into Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.
Completing an internal cycle.
However, the difficulty is naturally extremely high.
Naruto withdraws his gaze, preparing to descend, but he notices a familiar black dot not far away.
As soon as Rock Lee steps into the Pure Land, he can feel a repelling force emanating from the world.
He can't quite describe the sensation.
But every cell in his body tells him that they dislike this place.
Moreover, the environment of this world begins to exert immense pressure on him.
Soon, a swirling black mist appears in the air, coalescing into eerie shadows before Lee.
These are ethereal shadows wielding scythes.
Obscure and incomprehensible voices emanate from the shadows, creating a profound sense of unease.
Rock Lee senses hostility from the shadows and immediately assumes a fighting stance.
"Konoha's Root: Great Whirlwind!" he shouts, launching the first attack.
His feet crush the shadow into black smoke, but in the next second, the shadow reverts to its original form.
Creatures in the Pure Land are not afraid of physical attacks.
"Tch." The regenerated shadow swings its scythe, and Rock Lee quickly leans backward to evade.
The swing brings forth a mournful howl, and faintly, countless malevolent spirits and demons manifest in the void.
Although the strike appears slow, it makes Lee's hair stand on end.
A fear emanating from his soul sends shivers down his spine.
He understands that if he is struck, his soul will be obliterated.
"This place is so dangerous. Damn it!" Rock Lee rapidly retreats, then forcefully propels himself forward, using the recoil to launch a kick that pierces through the shadow. His momentum carries him several meters past the shadow before coming to a stop.
"No sensation of impact... Could this guy be a soul?" Wiping his sweat, he sees the shadow restore itself once again.
"A Shinigami in the form of the Pure Land?" Naruto mutters, his words echoing in this realm. Then, a dazzling cold light flashes, bisecting the shadow.
这 time, the shadow doesn't regenerate but dissipates into black smoke.
Naruto watches the scene thoughtfully.
The appearance of this shadow is similar to the Shinigami in the mortal world.
Perhaps it is the guardian of the Pure Land.
To slay all beings that don't belong to the Pure Land.
Since Naruto is both human and Shinigami, he won't be targeted by the shadow.
However, Rock Lee isn't as fortunate.
Despite being proficient in taijutsu, he can't inflict any damage on the shadow.
If Naruto doesn't intervene, Rock Lee might be worn down and killed.
"Naruto!" Seeing Naruto, Rock Lee exclaims with joy.
A suspended heart finally finds relief.
"How did you come here?" Naruto looks at Rock Lee with a gentle expression.
He roughly guesses the reason in his heart and can't help but feel a bit touched.
"The priestess told me you came in, so I followed." Rock Lee scratches his head with a silly look.
At this moment, swirling black mist appears again in the distance.
"You should leave. You don't belong here, and they will continue to attack you." Naruto's tone is calm.
"Let's go, I'll leave with you."
"Wait." Just as Naruto takes a step forward, Rock Lee suddenly stops him.
"Naruto, they don't attack you?"
Naruto pauses his movement, turns around, and his expression carries an inexplicable meaning.
"They don't attack me. Because..."
"I belong here."
"This is the real me." A gentle breeze stirs up the yellow sand, obscuring Rock Lee's vision. Even so, the Naruto in his line of sight still wears a gentle smile while uttering words that Rock Lee can't comprehend.
Naruto draws out Kyōka Suigetsu and slashes horizontally, causing a shadow that approaches Rock Lee to disperse abruptly.
"Look." He infuses Reiatsu into a luminous mass.
Then, the luminous mass takes on a human form.
In Rock Lee's astonished gaze, the luminous mass transforms into a human shape and tilts its head, emitting a painful roar.
A black hole gradually appears in its chest, distorts, and transforms into a Hollow.
"This is..." Rock Lee takes a step back, his eyes filled with an incredulous expression.
Having experienced the previous destruction plan in Konoha, he naturally recognizes this Hollow, the monster that terrified countless people in Konoha.
"Naruto... You..." He is almost speechless.
The Naruto in his mind couldn't possibly be associated with this monster, the Hollow.
The scene of their first meeting flashes through his mind.
Back then, Naruto was so refined, wholeheartedly desiring to bring a better future to Konoha.
Wasn't he longing to become Hokage?
How could he create such a destructive monster that ravages Konoha?
Right!
There must be a misunderstanding!
Perhaps Naruto developed this power after coming to the Pure Land!!!
"As you have seen, the Hollows that appeared in Konoha before were created by me," Naruto says with a sneer, his face full of mockery.
Took a little over a week to rest and recover, and I started working overnight from early morning.