Chapter 168: Complete Onmyoton
"Eight Trigrams Palms: Air Palm!"
"Die!"
A series of rumbling and thudding sounds echoed along the steep mountain path.
A kimono-clad loli, just over 1.4 meters tall, was battling a group of ronin, clad in kimonos and wielding katanas.
With a casual flick of her slender hand, a distorted current of air roared forth.
Or, with a flash of her figure, a small pink fist would land on an enemy's stomach, and a shockwave formed by bursting chakra would erupt from their back.
Immediately, the enemy would turn into an afterimage, flying dozens of meters away, either smashing into the mountain wall and dying instantly.
In just a few rounds, the loli girl annihilated this bandit group of over a dozen ronin, making them pay the price for judging her by her appearance.
"Big Brother, how was my performance?"
Having effortlessly dealt with the obstructing enemies, Hanabi immediately approached Izayoi, asking for praise with a smile.
Izayoi patted Hanabi's head, praising her without hesitation, "You should be decisive when dealing with enemies. Hanabi, you did great."
"Hehe..."
Hanabi immediately giggled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
The client beside them also flattered, "As expected of Lord Izayoi, even your disciple is so outstanding."
The client felt as if they were dreaming.
They never expected that for a simple C-rank escort mission, the person accepting it would be widely recognized as the strongest in the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Paying C-rank mission fees to hire a super-tier combatant, stronger than the Five Kage, as a bodyguard gave them an overwhelming sense of security.
Unless Uchiha Madara, the Akatsuki leader, or Otsutsuki Toneri came as robbers, who could possibly kill them?
"You flatter me. Let's continue on our way."
"Yes!"
The convoy resumed its journey.
Hanabi created a Shadow Clone to use her Byakugan to observe the surroundings, while her main body entered one of the carriages.
As one of the four super-tier combatants, who, without needing to accumulate mission credits, had become an ace combatant based on his achievements, and was a potential successor to the Sixth Hokage at any moment, Izayoi naturally wouldn't act like a mere mercenary for the client as he used to.
If not for training his sister-in-law, Izayoi, who was rich enough to rival a nation, wouldn't even bother going out on missions.
Even if he did go on missions, he wouldn't inconvenience himself.
For strenuous escort missions like this, Izayoi would always prepare a carriage for himself.
He would enjoy himself inside the carriage, while Hanabi worked outside.
Naturally, the client had no complaints whatsoever about this.
To pay such a price to hire the strongest in the Five Great Ninja Villages was already a blessing beyond measure; how could they dare to make any demands?
Moreover, having the second young lady of the Hyuga clan's main family as their 'telescope' was like striking gold.
Not to mention Izayoi enjoying himself; even if Hanabi reported enemies ahead and Izayoi ordered them to proceed, letting Hanabi practice on the enemies, they wouldn't dare to object in the slightest.
The bandit group just now was the best example.
After witnessing Hanabi's strength, the client became completely at ease.
Even if Hanabi only sent a Shadow Clone to deal with them, the client felt no tension at all.
Inside the spacious, luxuriously decorated carriage, Izayoi lay on his side on a Simmons mattress created from Chakra Orbs, intently reading a diary.
This diary contained ancient texts translated into Cantonese, a complete Onmyoton left by Otsutsuki Hamura for his descendants, written in his own hand.
Not to mention people in this world, even in Izayoi's previous life, few could understand this diary.
It was much more effective than the ciphers and codes of this world.
This complete Onmyoton did not contain methods for creating Truth-Seeking Balls, nor for creating spatial portals, nor even for creating artificial suns.
It only contained more detailed Onmyoton fundamentals, as well as Otsutsuki Hamura's (and possibly Otsutsuki Hamura's and the Sage of Six Paths' shared) understanding and experimental results concerning Onmyoton.
Izayoi was completely engrossed.
This legacy, if given to Uchiha Madara who awakened the Rinnegan, with his development of Onmyoton, he might only understand a small portion.
However, for Izayoi, who possessed Chakra Orbs and had already mastered the power of creation, this was simply an alternative version of 'Gato's Treasure,' coming at the perfect time and providing immense help.
As long as he thoroughly understood this diary, Izayoi's mastery of Onmyoton would skyrocket, and the abilities of his Chakra Orbs would also receive a huge boost.
By then, he would be confident enough to create Truth-Seeking Balls and spatial portals, and even... Six Paths Sage Mode.
Izayoi already had inspiration at this moment.
Just then, a voice interrupted Izayoi's immersive reading.
"Big Brother, what are you looking at?"
A head popped out from under the blanket. Hanabi snuggled into Izayoi's embrace, looking at the diary with him.
Seeing the diary filled with text she somewhat understood but mostly didn't, and which made no sense when put together, Hanabi's Byakugan almost turned into spiral eyes. She couldn't help but cover her eyes, saying, "Big Brother, are you deciphering a code? Why are some of these words understandable, but I can't connect them at all?"
Izayoi didn't answer. Instead, he pinched Hanabi's cheek and chuckled, "Why did you run in here instead of protecting the client?"
"Hehe... a Shadow Clone is enough to protect the client, anyway, no one can escape my Byakugan," Hanabi said with a cheerful smile. "I was worried Big Brother would be lonely alone, so I came in specially to chat with you."
"No need."
Izayoi threw off the blanket and patted his sister-in-law's backside, scolding her, "Going out on missions is to train your vigilance and wilderness survival skills. If you don't experience it firsthand, how will you adapt to wilderness exams during the Chunin Exams? Go out and protect the client!"
"Big Brother is so annoying!" Hanabi pouted but obediently went outside.
The precocious sister-in-law knew well how to read faces.
Especially Izayoi, who usually pampered her. Once he became serious and stern, he was even more imposing than her father.
Although Izayoi had never scolded her, Hanabi could sense even a hint of reproach in his words.
Whenever this happened, his sister-in-law would obediently listen and never throw a tantrum or beg.
Even though Izayoi would eventually give in to her, Hanabi didn't want to disappoint him.
She was not only Izayoi's sister-in-law and his little sweetheart but also his only disciple.
She absolutely couldn't bring shame to Izayoi!
So, Hanabi dispelled her Shadow Clone and diligently performed the mission, though she mostly used her Byakugan to secretly observe Izayoi.
Hinata no longer had her peeping habit from the original story; instead, her sister-in-law had picked it up.
Two months later.
During these two months, the ninja world was calm, still in the strange state of peace brought about by the deterrence of the four super-tier combatants.
The most active organization was surprisingly the Akatsuki, which used to be incredibly low-key.
After shedding their mysterious masks, the Akatsuki had become the most famous organization in the ninja world. Backed by Uchiha Madara and Nagato, their status was no less than that of the Five Great Ninja Villages, and their deterrent power was even greater.
Even if someone with a bounty from their own village was killed by Kakuzu, the people of the Five Great Ninja Villages could only clench their teeth and endure it.
Even though they knew the Akatsuki's headquarters were in Amegakure, no one dared to attack.
Thus, the Five Kage could only issue orders that once the Akatsuki was encountered, missions could be abandoned, and there would be no punishment upon returning to the village.
All members of the Akatsuki enjoyed the same treatment as Minato Namikaze, their prestige unmatched for a time.
With the return of Nagato and Konan, the number of visitors to Amegakure gradually increased.
Many intelligent people realized that the ninja world was unlikely to erupt into a final war like before.
The previous conflict occurred because there were only two super-tier combatants in the ninja world: Otsutsuki Toneri and Nagato.
Now, Amegakure had two, while Otsutsuki Toneri and Izayoi were separated.
Otsutsuki Toneri could no longer take down Amegakure alone.
If he and Izayoi were to jointly attack Amegakure, then Konoha would definitely join in.
At that point, there would certainly be a huge commotion.
Unless something unexpected happened, this balance should be maintained for a long time.
Moreover, Amegakure's reconstruction required materials, and the vacant areas were prime locations.
Countless merchants risked coming to Amegakure to invest, then actively promoted it. Coupled with Amegakure being the safest place now and no innocent people dying in the last final battle, it quickly became one of the most prosperous and lively villages in the ninja world.
If the situation could continue like this, it would undoubtedly be Nagato's ideal peaceful world.
But whether it was him, the Akatsuki members, the Five Great Ninja Villages, or even the higher-ups of smaller nations, they all realized that this peace, like the period ruled by the God of Shinobi, would be very short-lived.
During the God of Shinobi's era, everyone had to wait until Hashirama Senju's death before daring to wage war.
Now, battles capable of reshaping the map could erupt at any moment.
After returning Amegakure to Nagato and Konan, Uchiha Madara and his Wood Clone began traversing the world, searching for ruins.
To this end, Uchiha Madara read the memories of many archaeologists, learned various ancient scripts, and excavated countless tombs.
Compared to him, Kabuto Yakushi in the original story was far more restrained.
Black Zetsu and the White Zetsu clones created by Infinite Tsukuyomi had no idea what Uchiha Madara was searching for.
But Black Zetsu's heart grew increasingly anxious.
Because he was being watched too closely by Uchiha Madara's Wood Clone.
Wood Clones were independent entities similar to White Zetsu clones; they could transmit information in real-time and didn't feed back fatigue to the main body. Their only drawback compared to White Zetsu clones was that they dispelled automatically when their chakra ran out.
However, if they found someone to absorb chakra from in time, this flaw vanished, and they even possessed combat power infinitely greater than White Zetsu clones.
Therefore, for these two months, Black Zetsu had been fused with Uchiha Madara, having no rest at all.
Moreover, when Uchiha Madara found a tomb or ruins with Black Zetsu, he wouldn't act himself. Instead, he would transmit information to his main body in real-time, allowing the main body to come excavate or conduct archaeological research.
As a result, Black Zetsu had no idea what Uchiha Madara had been doing for the past two months.
And he didn't dare to detach himself from Uchiha Madara's Wood Clone without permission.
Otherwise, as Uchiha Madara's will-incarnation, such an action would be seen as betrayal. Uchiha Madara would not only deepen his suspicion but might even attack him at any moment.
At this moment, Black Zetsu deeply regretted it.
If he had known, he wouldn't have used Onmyoton: Mental Possession to imply to Uchiha Madara that he was his will.
He should have set himself up as a mutated White Zetsu, like Obito.
That way, even if Uchiha Madara suspected him, he wouldn't be so passive.
In the Land of Demons, in a desolate, uninhabited suburban area.
For some unknown reason, the sky in this region was always overcast, with eerie winds blowing.
Much like the perennially rainy Land of Rain.
Beneath the rocky mountains, an ancient temple, bearing the marks of time and history, lay hidden.
In this rarely visited, eerie area, a group of soldiers, armed with cold weapons and bows, guarded the temple both inside and out.
Even though it was a desolate wilderness, these soldiers showed no laxity, their expressions solemn, indicating the extreme importance of the temple they guarded.
Just then, these professionally trained soldiers, whose martial prowess was top-notch among ordinary people, suddenly became dazed.
Immediately, their eyelids fluttered slightly, their brains grew incredibly heavy, and eventually, they all collapsed.
From the shadows in front of them, a figure emerged.
"Is this it?"
Uchiha Madara, with his Rinnegan open, gazed at the temple before him, murmuring, "What peculiar energy fluctuations and seals. It's different from those other temples."
After speaking, Uchiha Madara Shunshined into the temple's interior.
Before him was a white-glowing altar, its light resembling a barrier. Inside it, there was only a colossal shrine, sealed shut by a stone door covered in talismans.
In Uchiha Madara's Rinnegan, these talismans contained a special energy, a type of seal unknown even to him.
Through the information transmitted by his Wood Clone, Uchiha Madara knew that these talismans were seals left by the unique Miko (shrine maidens) of the Land of Demons, imbued with their power.
"It doesn't look like chakra, but it's somewhat similar to natural energy, yet it's neither natural energy nor Sage Art chakra..." Uchiha Madara marveled, "I never expected this obscure little country to possess such unique professions and energy. It seems this trip wasn't in vain!"
Placing his hand on the stone door, Uchiha Madara attempted to use the power of the Preta Path to absorb the Miko's power from the talismans.
The next second, Uchiha Madara's expression subtly changed.
It wasn't a failure; the Preta Path could absorb any energy-based power, even natural energy.
The reason for Uchiha Madara's change in expression was that the composition of this Miko's power felt somewhat familiar to him.
"A power similar to Onmyoton... It seems I've found the right place this time," Uchiha Madara's mouth curved slightly, then he used his gravimetric hand to pull.
The two leaves of the stone door immediately swung open automatically, revealing a dark purple energy body filling the space within.
This energy body seemed to possess self-awareness. It flew out of the shrine, rushing towards Uchiha Madara, as if to infiltrate his body and take control.
But the next second, this energy body paused, trembling slightly, as if in fear.
"It's a materialized energy body, somewhat similar to a Tailed Beast," Uchiha Madara instantly recognized the essence of this energy body, stating calmly, "Since it's a materialized energy body, you should be able to speak."
The energy body continued to tremble slightly, as if hesitating whether to gamble on taking over Uchiha Madara's body.
But soon, it abandoned the idea.
Then, a voice, as if echoing and full of apprehension, emanated from the energy body.
"Why do you have the Rinnegan?"
"You know about the Rinnegan too?" Uchiha Madara immediately became interested. "If the information I've gathered is correct, you were sealed by the previous Miko many years ago, weren't you? Can you also peer into the outside world during this time?"
"What peering into the outside world?"
The energy body emitted a bewildered sound. "Isn't the Rinnegan the eye of a Sage?"
"Have you seen the Sage of Six Paths?" A glint flashed in Uchiha Madara's eyes.
"Of course."
The energy body immediately responded with an arrogant voice. "I am Mōryō, an immortal existence that has existed since ancient times. If you are willing to merge with me, you will possess the power of immortality!"
Looking at Mōryō, who couldn't hide his greed in the second sentence, and was either simple or foolish, Uchiha Madara remained skeptical. He then asked, "Do you know Kaguya Otsutsuki?"
"Kaguya Otsutsuki, who is that?" Mōryō asked confused.
"The mother of the Sage of Six Paths."
"The Sage of Six Paths actually has a name?" Mōryō's voice was filled with surprise.
"..."
Uchiha Madara felt speechless, then rephrased, "Then do you know the Goddess of the Rabbit?"
"How do you know the Goddess of the Rabbit?!" Mōryō was even more surprised.
Uchiha Madara's eyes instantly narrowed. "In other words, the Goddess of the Rabbit truly exists?"
"Of course, the Goddess of the Rabbit, who pacified human warfare and shone upon the land like the morning sun, who in ancient times didn't know her?" Mōryō first showed off his knowledge, then added with a slight confusion, "However, that woman... in my memory, there's very little information about the Goddess of the Rabbit. I don't know how she disappeared, or how the ninja world entered the Sage of Six Paths' Ninshu era."
Uchiha Madara didn't notice anything amiss, because his face was extremely grim now.
The Goddess of the Rabbit truly existed!
In other words, even if the images Otsutsuki Toneri showed him were partly embellished, they were still half-truths.
Kaguya Otsutsuki was the true ancestor of chakra!
The Sage of Six Paths was Kaguya Otsutsuki's son.
Those ancient secrets were very likely true, and Otsutsuki Toneri disdained hiding them.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi was very likely a technique to create White Zetsu!
Then, didn't that mean Black Zetsu was truly Kaguya Otsutsuki's third child?
And he was merely a pawn of Black Zetsu?
Then why would Black Zetsu tamper with the stone tablet and guide him to awaken the Rinnegan?
What was his true purpose?
No... it's too early to jump to conclusions.
It's only confirmed that Kaguya Otsutsuki truly existed. There are still many logical flaws in the images Otsutsuki Toneri showed him.
So, Uchiha Madara looked at Mōryō and continued to ask, "Do you know where the Goddess of the Rabbit resided, or her country?"
"If I recall correctly, it was... a place called the Land of Ancestors?" Mōryō still didn't conceal anything, but wasn't entirely certain.
Uchiha Madara wasn't satisfied with Mōryō's answer. He raised his hand, releasing invisible gravitational force, pulling the dark purple energy body over and directly absorbing it into his body.
The next second, Uchiha Madara felt an incredibly astonishing negative energy, somewhat similar to the Nine-Tails' hatred and negative energy, truly living up to their nature as materialized energy bodies.
Uchiha Madara frowned slightly, not because he was affected by Mōryō's negative energy, but because he found that his Human Path ability couldn't read Mōryō's memories.
Just like he couldn't read a Tailed Beast's memories.
Releasing the energy body, Uchiha Madara looked at the trembling energy body, which seemed to be in fear, and asked, "Do you know the location of the Land of Ancestors?"
"N-no... I don't know," Mōryō's voice was filled with terror, but it still held a sliver of hope. "But if you merge with me and take me out, perhaps I can help you find that place."
Uchiha Madara didn't answer. Instead, he used his Onmyoton ability, raising his hand to create various texts, and continued to ask, "Among these texts, are there any ancient texts?"
"...These few are."
Mōryō quickly gave his answer, separating dark purple gas that swirled around several undecipherable, almost pattern-like characters.
Seeing Mōryō cooperate so well, Uchiha Madara nodded in satisfaction this time.
Immediately, he re-sealed the shrine's stone door, using Onmyoton to return the previously absorbed Miko power back onto the talismans.
Mōryō's pleading voice emanated from inside the shrine: "Please, let me out! I possess an immortal ghost army, and I can also grant you immortal power, helping you rule this world like the Goddess of the Rabbit!"
"No need, not interested," Uchiha Madara said coldly.
After restoring the seal, Uchiha Madara exited the temple, activated his Perfect Susanoo, and soared into the sky, searching for traces of the Land of Ancestors.
However, Uchiha Madara didn't notice.
As he flew over a mountain forest, several energy signatures below him, too weak to warrant his attention, were gazing at him.
Looking at the God of Destruction flying across the horizon, a young man in a white robe with white hair, his eyes immediately blazed with fervor. "That energy fluctuation was correct! It's the power Lord Yomi bestowed upon us. That place has been found! Quickly, go back and report to Lord Yomi."
Not long after, before the soldiers even woke up, five figures arrived inside the temple.
"Yes, these talismans. This is indeed the temple sealing Mōryō."
Because he possessed Mōryō's power within him, Yomi easily passed through the barrier. Standing before the shrine, which Uchiha Madara had re-sealed, his expression was fanatical. "Lord Mōryō, you've waited long enough."
After speaking, Yomi placed his hand on the stone door, chanting an incomprehensible incantation.
Soon, the talismans on the stone door automatically vanished.
The two leaves of the door swung open automatically, once again revealing the dark purple energy body within.
Mōryō, having broken free from the seal once more, showed no joy. Instead, it asked with an air of grandiosity, "Who are you? Why have you awakened me?"
Yomi didn't detect Mōryō's disappointment. Instead, he knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "Lord Mōryō, I am Yomi, a survivor who once borrowed Lord Mōryō's power to create a ghost army. I have awakened you this time so that we may once again join forces and continue the plan to build a kingdom that will last a thousand years."
"Your soul is too weak. If I possess your body, I will vanish moments after leaving the barrier," Mōryō said with regret. "Without regaining a 'physical body,' only that previous person's soul can contain my power."
"Please rest assured, Lord Mōryō. I have already modified my body and can barely withstand your possession," Yomi stood up, unbuttoned his top, and dissected his body, revealing the modifications within to Mōryō.
"Hahahaha... excellent! It seems today is destined to be my day of escape!"
"My ghost army, awaken with me!"
Mōryō's laughter reverberated, and then a massive surge of negative energy burst through the seal.
At this time, Uchiha Madara had already left the Land of Demons long ago.
Otherwise, he would have surely sensed this vast negative energy and returned to give Mōryō another 'lesson.'
Soon, the immortal, rock-like Ghost Army destroyed the temple, emerging in hordes from underground and quickly plunging the Land of Demons into chaos.