Kagami reverted from his true demon form, his eyes fixed on the ball of light that was the authority of the ninja world. He frowned, unsure how to deal with it. According to Mahoraga's analysis, integrating with the world's authority was equivalent to being bound to it. If the world was destroyed, he would die with it. For him, it was not a source of power but a weakness.
Just as he was contemplating his options, a voice, ancient and vast, echoed not in the air but in his mind. *"Savior of the Ninja World. Are you willing to merge with this authority?"*
"Who are you?" Kagami asked.
*"I am the consciousness of the ninja world,"* the voice responded.
"Then why are you speaking to me?" Kagami asked directly.
*"If you do not intend to merge with this authority,"* the consciousness said slowly, *"then I will return it to nature, and let the world begin to revive."*
"Revive?" Kagami asked. "What will be the consequences?"
*"When the authority of the ninja world returns to nature, there will be no more so-called gods. The places where life energy was once absorbed by the God Tree will also begin to heal."*
Kagami's eyes widened in surprise. The lands scarred by the God Tree would heal? Deserts would bloom? The world's natural energy would become more abundant, making it easier for everyone to practice their arts. This would be more conducive to building his powerful empire. And a world without gods meant no more beings like the Sage of Six Paths could rise.
"I do not intend to merge with it," Kagami said directly.
*"So be it,"* the consciousness replied. *"I will return the power to nature."* The ball of light in front of Kagami suddenly exploded into countless motes of light, which flew to every corner of the world. Wherever they passed, the dead lands began to recover with astonishing speed. Kagami watched, a satisfied smile on his face.
*"Human,"* the voice sounded again, *"as the one who solved this world's crisis, I will bless you and your descendants. You will become the destiny of the ninja world."* Kagami didn't feel anything special, but he didn't care. *"Now, I will fall into a deep sleep until the next crisis. Is there anything else you want?"*
"No," Kagami shook his head. He could get whatever he wanted by himself.
The consciousness fell silent. Kagami turned his attention to the souls that had emerged from the Sage's body—ninjas and civilians from all eras, including Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. An idea came to him. The world needed to be rebuilt, and he needed help to stabilize it.
He approached the souls of the two legendary shinobi. "Madara, Hashirama, do you two want to be resurrected?"
They looked at each other and smiled, then shook their heads. "I no longer have any obsessions," Madara said coldly. "I am not interested in resurrecting."
"I have no interest either," Hashirama agreed. Their obsessions in life had been resolved. The other souls expressed their desire to be resurrected, but Kagami ignored them. They were too weak to be of any use.
"It's fine if you don't want to be resurrected," Kagami said to the two founders of Konoha, "but are you willing to help me manage the reincarnation of the ninja world?"
"What do you mean?" Madara asked, frowning.
"Because of the Sage of Six Paths, all the natural gods of this world were killed," Kagami explained. "With the world's authority returned to nature, no more gods will be born. But the Six Paths of Reincarnation cannot be left unmanaged. Otherwise, souls will wander, and the world will fall into chaos. I don't trust anyone else. I hope you can help me manage it."
"If you are willing," he continued, "I can let you become Arrancars. It will be convenient for you to send souls into reincarnation."
Madara and Hashirama looked at each other, thought for a moment, and nodded. "Okay." They had fought all their lives and wanted to rest after death. Managing the world's reincarnation could be considered a form of rest.
"Since you have agreed, you will be Arrancars from now on," Kagami said with a smile. He injected the power of the Hōgyoku into their bodies. Under its influence, their spectral forms solidified, their souls taking on a physical substance as they were reborn.
__________________________
"Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider donating Power Stones and joining our patreon
[patreon.com /coolperry]
for early access to future chapters.