Chapter 198: The "Chakra Parasitism" Theory
[Non-Human Chat Group]
[Group Member: Hope Giver · Despair Spreader · World Breaker · Cosmic Affinity · Kyubey has started a new livestream]
Tom Cat: [Ears_perked_up_poking_head_out_of_cat_bed_paw_on_paused_detective_game.gif]
Tom Cat: "Meow?"
SpongeBob SquarePants: "Wow! It's Kyubey! You're finally streaming again?! What kind of adventure will it be this time?"
Squidward: "[Tapping_clarinet_impatiently.jpg] Oh, great. That little white nuisance is broadcasting his 'art of despair' again. There goes my peace and quiet."
Monokuma: "Upupupu! Finally! Finally! Without the seasoning of despair, I was about to grow mold! Let me see, what kind of wonderful drama is this!"
Black Zetsu: "This looks…"
Hand Demon: "Shut up! You annoying voices again! Livestream? What is that? Can I eat it? Does it have strong arms inside?!"
Jogo: "Heh, humans killing each other again? Foolish, yet spectacular."
Tom Cat: [Startled_by_the_collision_of_Susanoo_and_Bloodline_Mecha_on_screen_grabbing_Ai_Haibara's_chips_and_stuffing_mouth.gif]
SpongeBob SquarePants: "Waaaah! Such a scary fight! What are those two big things?! Is Mr. Kyubey okay?"
Squidward: "[Throwing_clarinet_aside_covering_ears.jpg] This noise! It's worse than Patrick's snoring! Can't we have a quiet pantomime?!"
Monokuma: "Upupupupu! Yes, yes, yes! This is it! Destruction! Conflict! Where are the despairing wails of the people?!!"
Hand Demon: "[Staring_at_mecha's_bone_blade_and_Susanoo's_chakra_arms_laughing_menacingly.jpg] Arms… shadows of so many arms… powerful arms… I want… I want to attach them all to my body!"
Black Zetsu: "@Hope Giver · Despair Spreader · World Breaker · Cosmic Affinity · Kyubey, are you… perhaps… nearby?"
Tom Cat: [Peeking_at_Black_Zetsu's_message_looking_around_curiously.jpg]
SpongeBob SquarePants: "Eh? Is Mr. Kyubey near Mr. Black Zetsu? Then Mr. Black Zetsu can see the battle live! So cool!"
Squidward: "[Rolling_eyes.jpg] So what? Are we going to have an offline meet-up? Spare me."
Monokuma: "Upupupu! Oh my, oh my? Student Black Zetsu, if that's the case, I can only wish you good luck!"
Kyubey still hadn't posted any messages in the group.
Rooftop, inside the Six Red Yang Formation.
The crimson light barrier isolated the noise and tragedy outside but imprisoned a deeper despair within.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was tightly bound by thick trees and vines generated by Orochimaru's Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence, unable to move. The power of Wood Style tightened constantly, compressing his body, threatening to crush his bones.
But his eyes remained resolute, showing no sign of giving up. He was struggling, inch by inch, trying to move his right hand toward the ninja pouch on his chest. There lay his last hope—the summoning contract. If he could summon Enma… maybe…
Suddenly.
He sensed it. The chakra presences belonging to the Daimyo of various countries vanished, one after another. Completely.
"Orochimaru—"
"You didn't even spare the Daimyo—"
Anger. Sorrow.
Orochimaru stood opposite him, his specially made battle armor reflecting the red light of the barrier, looking cold and eerie. He opened his faceplate, revealing a face devoid of any emotion, only a sickly calmness. His golden snake eyes scrutinized his former teacher.
"Sarutobi-sensei, do you still not understand?"
"I am merely helping you… recognize the true structure of this world."
Hiruzen's heart sank.
True structure of the world?
He tried to find a trace of hatred-twisted emotion in Orochimaru's inhuman eyes. However, there was none. Only bottomless indifference and a paranoia for some kind of "truth."
"The essence of power… the root of ninja conflict… What is this 'truth' you speak of?" Hiruzen pressed.
A faint curve appeared on Orochimaru's lips.
"Chakra."
"Don't you find it strange, Sensei? Why does this power exist within humans?"
"My research has uncovered some interesting 'possibilities.'"
"For example, the 'Chakra Parasitism Theory,' or more accurately, the 'Exogenous Infection Hypothesis.'"
"Perhaps they never belonged to us originally, but were 'sown' into us by some… higher-dimensional existence, in a way we cannot comprehend."
Hiruzen's pupils contracted sharply. "Absurd!" he shouted. "Chakra is the combination of spiritual and physical energy! It is the fruit of training! The manifestation of will!"
Orochimaru let out a low laugh, full of disdain.
"Will? Training?"
"Sensei, what you call 'will' might just be the unconscious suppression of this 'exogenous instinct,' or—more tragically—a twisted utilization of it."
"As for Kekkei Genkai—"
"I conducted some experiments. They yearn to merge with each other, yearn to become 'complete,' more 'powerful.' This 'yearning' itself is full of instability, full of… aggression."
"Does this also involve spiritual erosion? Constantly pursuing power, constantly devouring and merging, until one loses oneself and becomes a slave to some obsession."
"You see, this looks more like a biological instinct than a noble pursuit."
Hiruzen murmured to himself, still confused. "Why…"
However, Orochimaru cut him off.
"I also wondered why, in a world developed to this point, ninjas possessing such powerful strength are subject to those unarmed 'mortal' Daimyo?"
"Perhaps it is the price of power?"
"The origin of chakra might necessitate constant destruction, constant devouring, constant plundering of life. This also makes those ninjas born with deep chakra infection more prone to bellicosity, paranoia, and the pursuit of absolute power to achieve their goals."
"This makes the ninja group as a whole more inclined to solve problems through force, making it difficult to form a stable internal order, let alone govern an entire society."
"And focusing on power inevitably leads to a narrow vision. Ninjas are strong because of chakra, but also because of chakra, they have an innate deficiency in social management and maintaining order in a large population."
"In the early days of the ninja world, they were probably also more accustomed to solving problems with power rather than choosing… compromise and construction."
"Until they discovered a major flaw in their own management…"
"Just imagine how badly ninjas managed things in the beginning to even consider handing over administrative power?"
"Not to mention the Warring States Period, even after the villages were founded, conflicts never ceased."
"Three Great Ninja Wars, and not a single true winner among ninjas. Don't you find that strange?"