During the earlier reversal of the Reaper Death Seal, Shin exhibited some unusual behavior. However, Aoba hadn't had the time to inquire about it in detail.
This matter was a high priority for him, even more so than the resurrection of the Hokage. That's why he waited until now to handle it privately.
Shin, however, seemed somewhat bewildered.
In the original storyline, Hidan was portrayed as a somewhat deranged individual. He worshipped a "Jashin" and delighted in senseless slaughter, he was a textbook psychopath.
But after being influenced by Kotoamatsukami, Shin's consciousness underwent a complete transformation. He became a diligent, earnest, and perfectly obedient "tool."
However, Shin's eyes now revealed a hint of unease.
"I don't know exactly what happened. When the Reaper appeared, my body froze… no, it wasn't just freezing. It felt like I lost control of myself."
"Lost control? Be specific."
"It's hard to describe. It felt like my body suddenly had another mind."
"Another mind? Are you saying Jashin interfered with you? Was it Jashin?"
The mention of "another mind" immediately made Aoba think of Jashin. While it might not seem as grand as the Reaper, it was possibly of the same nature—a similar type of entity.
Aoba had always been intrigued by the existence of Jashin.
"No, it wasn't interference from Jashin… Or maybe it was? I don't know how to describe it. For a moment, I felt as though… I was Jashin."
"!!!"
Aoba was taken aback, then fell into deep thought.
What exactly was the Jashin that Hidan worshipped? The original storyline never explained it. Aoba had long tried to uncover its true nature but had no clear leads.
Now, Shin presented a new possibility, he was Jashin?
"Why do you say that? Haven't you always worshipped and served Jashin?"
"Yes, that's true. The Jashin cult raised me. Since I was young, I've been able to sense Jashin's presence, though it's always been vague. Every time I killed and made sacrifices, I could feel its joy.
But I've never actually seen Jashin or communicated with it verbally.
Today, when the Reaper appeared, I felt its presence again, but this time, it was much closer. So close that I thought it was inside me.
But this feeling was different from possession. It was closer than that. So close… that I was it."
Shin's words were disorganized, but Aoba managed to extract the key information.
As unbelievable as Shin's claim sounded, it wasn't without merit upon closer examination.
First was his immortality. Hidan's immortality had always been absurd—being able to talk even after decapitation, reconnecting his head, and continuing as though nothing happened.
This level of immortality surpassed even the regenerative capabilities of Hashirama's Sage Body. It was excessively strong.
Then there was the matter of why only Hidan could sense this so-called Jashin. If he was Jashin, it would all make sense.
Aoba had researched the Jashin cult before. Its history was surprisingly short, spanning only a few decades.
This led Aoba to a hypothesis.... Hidan might truly be Jashin, though incomplete.
In the original storyline, Hidan was defeated by Shikamaru and buried alive. Yet Jashin never showed up, not even to help its most loyal follower.
Or perhaps, Jashin had been present all along, because Hidan's abilities were its abilities.
"Can you still recall that sensation?"
"No, I can't. It was incredibly subtle, like a part of my subconscious. I can sense its existence, but I can't consciously access or invoke it."
Aoba nodded, a theory forming in his mind. However, this was something that couldn't be tested for now. He made a mental note of it.
Aoba had always suspected that the Reaper and Jashin, briefly mentioned but shrouded in mystery, hinted at something deeply secretive and dangerous within the Naruto world. That's why he had been secretly researching them, a fact even Tsunade and Kakashi were unaware of.
But this time, Aoba had miscalculated.
Not long after his conversation with Shin, as he tidied up the lab and prepared to leave, something unexpected happened.
The door opened, and Tsunade walked in.
"I knew you'd be here."
Carrying a bottle of sake, she sat down directly in front of Aoba.
"Have a drink with me."
"...It's already past midnight, and you came to the lab to drink with me? Did something happen?"
"Explaining the current state of Konoha to my two grandfathers is exhausting. They're having a hard time adjusting to this world."
"Wasn't that expected? Don't stress over it."
"I didn't say I was stressed. But you, Aoba, are hiding something from me, aren't you?"
"...What makes you think that?"
"Heh, I just saw Shin. Are the two of you having a late-night rendezvous here? And about that reversal of the Reaper Death Seal—he didn't pay the usual price for that technique. Do you really think I wouldn't notice?"
Tsunade had come because she sensed Aoba was hiding something. But Aoba wasn't sure how to explain it. The theory he had in mind was too far-fetched, something that very few people in the entire ninja world could even begin to accept.
"I..." Aoba hesitated, trying to find the right words, but Tsunade cut him off.
"Forget it. It's rare to see you looking this conflicted. I won't press you. Since you've chosen to keep it hidden, I assume even you aren't certain yet?"
"That's right. For now, it's just a theory."
"Hmm, in that case, tell me when you've figured it out." Tsunade downed her glass of sake in one gulp, then stepped forward, straddling Aoba's lap.
"Now, let's talk about something a bit more relaxing. Are you well-rested?"
"....."
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