Chapter 322: Hidan
Hidden Leaf Village.
After the darkened Shunhi retreated, the three agents from S.H.I.E.L.D., one from Hydra, and two from the Hidden Leaf stood in a triangle formation, each watching the others. The atmosphere was awkward for a moment.
"You just said the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director left—what exactly do you mean by that?"
Sasuke turned to SpongeBob and asked.
"That's something we just learned ourselves," SpongeBob replied with a serious expression. "Once all thirteen Peace Stars have granted their wishes, they lose their power and automatically head into space in search of Infinite Energy to replenish themselves. At that point, anyone following a Peace Star can locate the Infinite Energy. However, the truth about what Infinite Energy actually is—only the Director, the Deputy Director, and Orochimaru know. Currently, Red Wolf is already following Orochimaru to gather intel on it."
"Put simply, whoever possesses Infinite Energy would essentially have unlimited chakra. And it's not limited to chakra—it includes ocular powers and shadow energy too... Hydra once had records on Infinite Energy as well, but those documents vanished when Hydra broke apart."
Everyone turned toward the direction of the voice.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. Deputy Director... Husky!"
"Since the Director has left the ninja world, I'm free to move about for now too."
"Then if you knew this, why didn't you tell us sooner!"
Shikamaru glared at Husky and demanded.
"He probably figured that even if we knew, we wouldn't be able to intercept it in space anyway. And doing so might expose the Deputy Director's identity more easily," Sasuke interjected. "After all, only three people in S.H.I.E.L.D. know about Infinite Energy. It wouldn't be hard to trace if someone started digging."
"...That person just now—was that Uchiha Shunhi?"
Naruto asked, his emotions conflicted. One by one, the people he knew were dying. In his memories, aside from Iruka, the only other person who had taken care of him since childhood was Shunhi.
"That was Uchiha Shunhi, but not the one from this world," Husky replied. "When the Peace Stars head toward the Infinite Energy's location, they release immense energy that opens temporal wormholes, allowing people from other worlds to arrive here by accident."
"So even if we kill that Uchiha Shunhi, it won't affect the one from this world in any way, right?"
Sasuke asked.
"Correct."
"But why is the other world's Uchiha Shunhi so strong? And according to Naruto and Sasuke, he seems to be able to use Nuclear Release..."
Shikamaru rubbed his chin, frowning in thought.
---
Elsewhere
Dark Shunhi scanned his surroundings.
This was where Shikamaru had buried Hidan. The Nara clan also raised deer here, using them to monitor the grave site.
"It's been so long... I wonder if Hidan is truly dead by now... But it should be fine. He is immortal, after all... Though being stuck in a state of asphyxiated death for so long, I wonder if that immortality still holds up... It's like Schrödinger's cat... No, it should be Uchiha Shunhi's Hidan, I suppose..."
Dark Shunhi muttered to himself as he used chakra to sense Hidan's location. "Found you."
Using Universal Pull, he moved aside the stone debris, gradually revealing Hidan's body buried beneath the pit.
Eventually, Hidan's severed head floated before Dark Shunhi.
"Is he dead?"
Dark Shunhi frowned, staring at Hidan's closed eyes.
"Ah-hah! Lord Hidan is back, baby!"
Suddenly, Hidan's head sprang to life. He glanced around before locking eyes with Dark Shunhi. "Hey! You the one who saved me? And my body—hurry up and get that out too! I swear I'll pay you back big time!"
Dark Shunhi proceeded to retrieve the rest of Hidan's body from the pit.
Standing before Dark Shunhi, Hidan was reborn.
After more than a decade, his clothing had long since disintegrated, and he now took a moment to readjust to his body.
"I keep my promises! As thanks, let me send you straight to the Shinigami!"
He no longer had his scythe, but Hidan's basic taijutsu as a ninja remained.
"Looks like your time underground rotted your brain."
Just as Hidan lunged at Dark Shunhi, his body suddenly froze in place.
"What's going on?! What's going on?! Why can't I move?!"
"Immortality is a handy ability, but it's not invincible. Tossing you into a volcano would take care of it."
"A volcano? No—no, wait!"
"But I happen to be short on manpower right now."
"I—I'm in! I'm totally in! I'll be your loyal minion, do whatever you say!"
A panicked Hidan hurried to pledge his loyalty. Immediately, he regained control over his body. Looking up at Dark Shunhi, he asked, "So, boss, what's our mission?"
"Kill the Hidden Leaf leadership."
"Kill people from the Hidden Leaf? I love killing people from the Leaf! Hey boss, there's this guy named Nara Shikamaru—can you let me take him?"
"Nara Shikamaru is already among the Hidden Leaf's top leadership. And Uzumaki Naruto is now the Seventh Hokage."
"What?"
Hidan looked completely dumbfounded.
---
Land of Water
The zombies had completely vanished, and Orochimaru's clone Mitsuki—now in dragon form—had fallen into a slumber.
"That Orochimaru... who knew he could keep his mouth shut so tight. No matter what I said, he wouldn't spill anything about Infinite Energy..."
Red Wolf muttered while sitting on a chair outside. "Ugh, not a single person around. This is way too boring."
"Mom, someone's coming."
Just as Little Gray finished speaking, Dark Shunhi appeared before Red Wolf.
"Who are you!"
Red Wolf immediately stood, taking a combat stance.
"I'm looking for Orochimaru. I need his help with something."
Dark Shunhi spoke while walking toward her. "From the look of you, you probably know where he is."
Little Gray stepped in front of Red Wolf, forming a hand seal. "Wood Style—"
"Too slow."
Before he could finish, Dark Shunhi smacked Little Gray away.
"Little Gray!"
Red Wolf looked on in worry as Little Gray crashed to the ground, rolled twice, and lay there dazed.
Gray Wolf Clone No. 2—also the most unique among Orochimaru's clones—not only inherited exceptional scientific abilities thanks to awakening genetic memory, but also held deep emotional ties to Red Wolf (who was actually Jiraiya in this world). Little Gray had been his final gift to her before he died.
"I'm fine, Mom..."