The dwelling place of Souls!
Orochimaru's heart trembled, and he seriously glanced at Nemu, as if checking whether she was playing a joke.
But clearly, Nemu was serious.
Orochimaru took a deep breath. Could it be true?
However, doubt lingered in his heart.
What kind of joke is this? The dwelling place of Souls?
Could all these living people in front of him be Souls?
Furthermore, if they became Souls, how could they still remain in the mortal world?
Although he had doubts and questions in his mind.
Orochimaru did not voice his doubts, but listened attentively with a calm expression.
After all, this was their territory. Even if they were deceiving him, he had to maintain a smile.
Otherwise, he might not be able to return.
Nemu didn't care whether he believed her or not; after all, she had only received Lord Soul King's command to temporarily act as a tour guide.
She only needed to do her job.
She continued her introduction: "When people in the Ninja World die, their complete Souls come to Rukongai to settle."
"They are assigned to eighty districts in the East, West, North, and South, according to the order of their death."
Eighty districts in the East, West, North, and South?
Aren't there too many buildings in the Uzushigakure?
Does it truly have such a large population?
Orochimaru harbored doubts.
Although this so-called dwelling place of Souls made him feel that the woman was joking with him.
But the information about these buildings should be true.
After all, Orochimaru had personally witnessed so many buildings along the way.
Nemu continued, "The security and living environment in Rukongai's First District are ideal, and food is abundant. The higher the district number, the worse the living conditions."
So that's how it is.
Orochimaru nodded lightly.
No wonder the outermost buildings were desolate, while the further inward they went, the more prosperous it became.
Orochimaru paid close attention to the information about these buildings.
As for the talk about Souls, he merely listened to it as a story.
Soon, Nemu brought Orochimaru to the gate of the Soul Society Court.
Since the Land of Fire was located to the west of the Uzushigakure.
The direction Orochimaru came from was the west side of the Uzushigakure, so what he saw was the West Gate of the Soul Society Court.
Orochimaru looked up at the towering wall, shock flashing in his eyes.
When did the Uzushigakure acquire such a magnificent structure?!
Moreover, this wall was curved. He tilted his head slightly, unable to even see where the wall ended!
Even the gate before him was incredibly grand!
At this moment, Nemu, embracing her role as a guide, introduced, "Past Rukongai is the Soul Society Court right in front of us."
Soul Society Court... Orochimaru's golden pupils flickered slightly as he recalled the information about the Uzushigakure recorded in the Konoha Intelligence Division.
So that's why those Shinigami call themselves the Gotei 13... It turns out they are guarding this Soul Society Court right here... Orochimaru's eyes flickered, deepening his understanding of the Uzushigakure.
Nemu continued, "The Soul Society Court has four main gates: West, East, North, and South. Our current location is the West Gate, Hakutō."
Nemu greeted Ikkantsaka Jidanbō, who was guarding the gate, and led Orochimaru inside. The moment he entered the Soul Society Court, Orochimaru immediately froze on the spot!
The streets stretched endlessly, and most of the buildings were plain, with light-colored walls and tiled roofs.
The environment inside was beautiful, featuring large expanses of grassland and low, rolling hills. What shocked him the most was the towering complex of buildings! They were several times taller than Konoha's Hokage Building! Was the Uzushigakure really only rebuilt in the last half-year? These prosperous structures, the ancient atmosphere, and the feeling of historical depth.
Everything spoke of its antiquity! Yet, they said the Uzushigakure was only rebuilt half a year ago? Even the First Hokage, who possessed Wood Release, couldn't have built infrastructure this ridiculously fast!
The Uzushigakure is truly extraordinary!
Orochimaru composed himself and offered an apologetic smile to Nemu, who was waiting for him to recover.
Nemu glanced at him and continued leading him inward, explaining, "The Soul Society Court is where the Shinigami operate, and the barracks of the Thirteen Divisions are all gathered here."
Along the way, they passed a place resembling a school. Nemu said, "That is the Soul Reaper Academy, a place for training Shinigami..."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the Soul Reaper Academy.
Training Shinigami... So it's similar to the Ninja Academy established by the Second Hokage... His gaze flashed, and he spotted an enrollment prospectus posted outside the Soul Reaper Academy gate.
Curriculum: Zankenshō (Swordsmanship, Hakuda, Kido, Shunpo), Discussion on Various Methods of Zanpakuto Shikai, Discussion on the Characteristics of Hollows, How to Properly Purify Hollows... Enrollment Benefit: One asauchi (which can be Cultivated and transformed into a Zanpakuto).
...Zankenshō?
Zan is swordsmanship. Ken? Hakuda?
It sounds like Taijutsu.
Kido... Could this be the Unmarked Ninjutsu recorded in the intelligence reports?
Hiss—
The students at their school are actually taught Unmarked Ninjutsu?
Zanpakuto... They must be those miraculous ninja swords, right... Shō, Shunpo?
Could it be those high-speed movement abilities?
Enrollment benefit... receiving a free asauchi... What? An asauchi can evolve into a Zanpakuto? Are those the magical ninja swords?!
Hiss— Orochimaru's pupils constricted repeatedly; he almost couldn't stop himself from enrolling right then and there.
The teaching conditions are simply too good!
Kenjutsu, Taijutsu, and even Unmarked Ninjutsu and Body Flicker Technique!
Furthermore, enrolling grants a free magical ninja sword!
This is far better than Konoha's Ninja Academy!
If it weren't for his talent being recognized by Teacher Sarutobi back then, he might not have learned a single decent Ninjutsu until graduation!
The difference is like heaven and earth!
And that sword called asauchi is actually given out for free!
This type of ninja sword, which is priceless and rare in the Ninja World, the Uzushigakure gives out for free!
No wonder everyone in the Uzushigakure has one!
This makes him want to enroll too.
As for the later courses targeting Hollows, Orochimaru also found them very reasonable.
Didn't the Uzushigakure say they are sworn enemies of the Hollows?
Look, even the school curriculum includes specialized classes on how to better kill Hollows.
This proves the Uzushigakure wasn't lying!
Seeing the Uzushigakure' vast educational resources, Orochimaru showed a look of envy for the first time.
After he calmed his emotions, they continued on their journey.
When passing a unique structure, Nemu introduced, "That is the Third Division barracks..."
Orochimaru turned his head slightly and looked over.
When a brown-haired youth with two prominent red cheek markings in the Third Division barracks came into view, Orochimaru froze instantly.
"Nawaki?!"
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