(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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"Argh!"
Orochimaru grunted in pain, even he could not bear the agony of cutting open his abdomen.
Of course, he had countless ways to avoid this pain.
But to ensure that the Shinigami was truly affected, he could only endure it like a true shinobi.
Fortunately, the Shinigami behind him also suddenly cut open its stomach, and a few orbs of souls emerged from it.
One of them flew into Orochimaru's hands.
The part of his soul relating to his arms, which had been sealed for three years, finally returned to his body.
God knows how Orochimaru had survived without being able to use hand seals for three years.
The other group of souls belonged to the Hokages of past generations.
Minato being sealed in the Shinigami was self-explanatory, as for the others, they were sealed by Hiruzen during his fight against Orochimaru.
Time passed bit by bit, and the sealing ritual came to its final stage.
The Shinigami stretched out its hands to complete the deal with Orochimaru's soul.
"Kabuto!"
Yakushi Kabuto understood immediately and opened White Zetsu's mouth.
Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth as well, and his [White Snake Sage] form rushed out and flew into White Zetsu's mouth.
The Shinigami, having lost its target, slowly dissipated.
Orochimaru completed the [Living Corpse Reincarnation] and slowly got up from the ground.
Feeling the renewed power in his body, he could no longer restrain his inner joy.
He laughed wildly.
Yakushi Kabuto also looked at Orochimaru with amazement.
Being able to play the Shinigami like a puppet, was there anything Orochimaru-sama couldn't do?
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In Konoha.
Carrying a death row prisoner in his hand, Colt went to the depths of the forest, found an open space, and began to prepare the technique.
In the center lay the sacrifice for the [Impure World Reincarnation].
"[Impure World Reincarnation]!"
Countless ashes and debris enveloped the body of the sacrifice.
When everything was over, the body slowly changed into another person.
Uchiha Itachi!
Itachi slowly opened his eyes, a little dazed at first, but he quickly understood his situation and stared at Colt with a frown.
"The [Impure World Reincarnation]… and Kamiyo Colt!"
He couldn't understand Colt at all.
Before dying, Sasuke's words had shocked Itachi.
He didn't understand why Colt was so clear about his plans or how he knew everything.
"Alright, I'm too lazy to talk nonsense with you. Hand over Shisui's eye, or I'll destroy you with it. You can choose," Colt said, looking at the time and urging impatiently.
Ino had said that there was a party today, and he didn't have any time to waste.
Itachi's expression was almost uncontrollable.
How did he know everything?
"Although I don't know how you know these things, I will never give you Shisui's eye."
"It is going to be destroyed whether you like it or not, you just want to suffer as you see that… sigh, there was a smart choice, and a stupid choice, as expected, you chose the stupid one"
Colt didn't have much need for [Kotoamatsukami], and he didn't need to control anyone.
But he couldn't let this eye endanger the people around him.
Itachi was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"I can destroy it myself, but you have to answer a few questions for me."
Colt thought about it for a bit;
He then nodded.
"Ask away. I won't deceive a dead person."
Itachi's question was quick.
"What will you do to Sasuke in the future?"
Uchiha Itachi believed that even if the current Colt wasn't the strongest in the ninja world, he wouldn't be weaker than the leader of the Akatsuki organization.
It was necessary for him to figure out Colt's attitude towards Sasuke.
Colt shrugged.
"Ignoring the village's laws, he is one of my friends. Although he can be a bit rude, he's actually nice."
"However, he already knows the whole truth of the matter. If he wants to take revenge on Konoha, I won't give him that chance."
Itachi heard the words and secretly broke into a cold sweat for Sasuke.
He hoped Sasuke wouldn't do anything stupid.
Even if revenge was to come, he should first transplant his eyes and come back after achieving the Eternal Mangekyō Sharinga.
Perhaps then, he can at least not die…
Taking a deep breath, he then asked.
"Why are you so hostile to me, I can tell you were specifically targeting me…?"
Colt looked at Itachi as if he were an idiot.
"Usually, you're very smart. How could you ask such a stupid question at this moment?"
"I'm not targeting you; I just hate you, a scum who killed his own father and mother not to mention your clansmen."
"Why can't I do things according to my liking when I have the spare power and it doesn't affect my life?"
There was no falsehood in this statement.
Colt was true to himself.
His mentality had always been that of an ordinary person, with his own preferences, interests, and worldviews.
What was the normal state of mind for ordinary people?
In addition to their own stuff, there was the possibility that they could engage in different things if they gained an inkling of interest.
If not interested, then, they won't pay too much attention.
As for Itachi, Colt just couldn't stand him, that was all.
Uchiha Itachi took a deep look at Colt, who wore a contemptuous expression, with emotions flashing in his eyes.
"You are not suitable to be the Hokage, Kamiyo Colt. You're too concerned about your small circle of people around you and can ignore everyone else for your personal needs."
"Pfft!"
Colt laughed out loud, bowing back and forth as if he had heard some hilarious joke.
"I can't, Hahahaha"
He didn't give Uchiha Itachi a thumbs up until he had laughed enough.
"I understand why the Third Hokage said you had a Hokage mentality since you were a child."
"It's no wonder you would do something like a genocide."
"Unfortunately, I'm not your kind of 'saint', I'm just an ordinary person with great power."
Colt's expression became indifferent.
"Only in the case of protecting my small circle of people as you put it, does Konoha become a place worthy of my protection."
"Unlike you, who only protects an empty name... what is Konoha to you if you don't have someone in it…?"
Colt said the last words.
After all, if you have no relations with the people in it, then how can you function? how can you protect Konoha with your true heart's feelings?
He waved his hand impatiently.
"Last question, there will not be anymore."
Itachi sighed and shook his head slowly.
"No need to ask anymore, that's enough."
Perhaps, living like Kamiyo Colt was the easiest way…
With both hands forming a seal, Itachi summoned a crow whose right eye had been replaced by a Sharingan.
Colt vigilantly activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, preventing Itachi from trying to use [Kotoamatsukami] on him.
"Let Shisui's eye enter the Mangekyō state!"
After merging with the divine tree, Colt's Mangekyō had not evolved towards the Rinnegan but had greatly improved his ocular power.
And it was increasing every day.
If his Mangekyō's power was once as small as a pebble, then the Eternal Mangekyō at this moment was a collection of huge mountains.
This level of ocular power had absolutely no problem resisting [Kotoamatsukami].
Itachi controlled the crow, and the 3-tomoe Sharingan transformed into the Mangekyō state.
"Okay, destroy it."
Colt spoke bluntly.
Colt was too cautious; he had to understand every step.
Taking a last look at the eye of his best friend, Itachi summoned [Amaterasu's] black flames and destroyed it along with the crow.
Then he looked at Colt.
"My mission is complete. Can you release the [Impure World Reincarnation] now?"
Colt shook his head.
"I think you would be embarrassed when you arrive in the Pure Land. After all, your parents and so many of your clansmen are waiting for you there."
"To spare you that difficulty, I've decided to make it so that your soul will never be born again."
Itachi's eyes widened in shock.