Konoha, Underground Research Base.
A giant cultivation tank, emitting a faint green glow, stood in the center of the room, surrounded by circles of runes on the floor. Inside the tank, a shirtless teenager with long hair covering his face floated.
Several large bubbles rose from the bottom of the tank, pushing aside the body's hair and revealing its true face.
Naraku gazed at the "clone's" face, identical to his own, and swiftly formed hand seals, performing the Ninjutsu he bought from the system store—Soul Splitting Secret Transfer Jutsu.
This Ninjutsu could create another "himself."
By splitting off a portion of one's soul and merging it into another lifeless body, one could obtain an "outer body incarnation" that perfectly replicated one's abilities and could be freely controlled.
Compared to the Shadow Clone, this Jutsu not only had a real physical body and wouldn't dissipate from heavy blows like a Shadow Clone, but it also had no possibility of losing control.
Because the main body and the sub-body shared the same consciousness, sharing memories and emotions in real-time, it essentially allowed Naraku to possess two bodies simultaneously; the main body was him, and the clone was also him.
Of course, in the eyes of Black Zetsu, Madara, and even the animator, this body was a vessel he provided for the sub-personality to temporarily leave the main body and do things.
They would only believe that the second personality, "Jhin," resided within the vessel.
As for why he went to such great lengths to temporarily separate "Jhin"?
Firstly, it was convenient for the sub-body to continue the Eye of the Moon Plan in secret, without the immense risk of White Zetsu impersonating him.
Secondly, with two bodies, the main and sub-personalities could appear simultaneously in reality in the future, providing more material for the animator and making the audience completely believe that "Uchiha Naraku" and "Jhin" were two different people, thus pulling the wool over their eyes.
Thirdly, the interaction between the main and sub-personalities might even allow him to sell some CP and earn more popularity points... In the past year, he had burned through over a hundred thousand popularity points just on experiments, leaving his wallet half-empty.
The moment the Ninjutsu was completed, Naraku felt his soul split into two, with the larger part remaining in his current body and the smaller part transferring into the "clone."
Immediately after, the "clone" suddenly opened its eyes, leaned forward, almost pressing its face against the inner wall of the cultivation tank, revealing a mischievous and flamboyant smile, and mouthed, "Good morning~"
Naraku could clearly feel everything of the sub-body, and could even see his own front through its eyes.
Whether it was thoughts or emotions, it was undoubtedly him, yet miraculously, not entirely him.
If he had to describe it, the sub-body was more like a puppet with a part of his consciousness and a shared empathic link with him. With just a thought, it could perfectly execute any command he gave, and all sensations would be fed back to him.
Having two kinds of sensations from both the main body and the sub-body simultaneously in his mind felt a bit strange at first, but after a little getting used to, it was quite fascinating, like playing make-believe with himself.
While effortlessly controlling the clone to continue making movements and expressions, he took half a step back, signaling the clone that it could come out.
"Jhin" placed his hand on the glass, and Black Flame spread through the nutrient solution. In the blink of an eye, a large hole was torn in the tank. He stepped barefoot through the gushing nutrient solution, came before Naraku, and took the clothes to put them on.
After putting on his outer garment, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Naraku's neck, pinning him against the wall. He smiled, whispering intimately to the main personality, his tone soft and gentle, but his eyes gleamed with dangerous light.
"Let's be clear, this is only temporary."
If one ignored the fact that "Jhin's" thumb was caressing Naraku's carotid artery, this scene looked very much like two people who were on good terms.
"Of course, if the 'vessel' breaks, you'll come back."
Naraku showed no resistance. He raised his hand and pointed to his own chest, saying, "This Jutsu merely projects a part of your consciousness onto the vessel. You are actually still here. Jhin, you can feel it, right?"
"Hmph." With a cold snort, "Jhin" slowly released his hand and turned to look at the shadow in the corner: "Black Zetsu, you're peeking again."
"I don't think this counts as 'peeking,' Jhin."
Black Zetsu poked its head out from under the shadow, its small, beady yellow eyes fixed on the two teenagers, who looked identical, scrutinizing them repeatedly.
It was a little suspicious that this was Uchiha Naraku's method of stripping away the sub-personality, but then it reconsidered; if there was anything amiss, how could Jhin possibly agree to this plan?
Furthermore, Jhin had just agreed with Uchiha Naraku's statement—he wasn't actually transferred into the vessel, it was merely a consciousness projection.
So it urged, "Lord Madara has been waiting for you for many days. Let's go quickly."
"Alright, since Lord Madara is so eager, I will naturally grant his wish~"
Jhin agreed with a smile, then turned back to look at Naraku again, the smile on his lips deepening.
"You should be careful not to suddenly die of illness."
He raised his left hand, brushed past Naraku's ear, and pressed it against the wall, leaning closer. His right hand caressed the face he had seen countless times in the mirror, stroking it gently.
"After all, this body will be mine in the future."
"Mm." Naraku avoided his gaze and replied softly, "I know."
He had never had any objection to this matter.
Jhin and Black Zetsu left Konoha through the ground. Naraku cleaned up the mess in the laboratory, still able to control the sub-body's actions.
The environments and actions of both sides were too disparate. Fortunately, using the sub-body was very easy, otherwise, there would always be times when he neglected one for the other... Jhin soon arrived underground in the Mountain Prison and met Uchiha Madara, waving his arm to greet him as usual.
"Did you miss me, Lord Madara~?"
Uchiha Madara had already learned about the Soul Splitting Secret Transfer Jutsu through Black Zetsu and knew that only Jhin existed in the young body before him, while Uchiha Naraku remained in Konoha.
This meant that it would be difficult to see him again in the future.
Madara suddenly felt a sense of indescribable stuffy.
He said impatiently, "Shut up, you foolish brat! If you speak in that idiotic tone again, you can forget about keeping your tongue!"
Hearing this even stricter reprimand than before, Jhin blinked, feigning obedience as he draped himself over the wide armrest of the stone chair, complaining softly and aggrievedly, "Lord Madara doesn't seem to like me at all, even though I'm your supporter..."
His brows and eyes drooped and dimmed with disappointment, taking on a hint of Naraku's shadow. Madara looked at him, momentarily dazed, then suddenly jolted awake.
-- No, I shouldn't be disturbed by such a small matter.
-- Whether it's Uchiha Naraku or Jhin, they are merely tools to accomplish the plan. It doesn't matter which one I get to see.
Madara composed himself, making his tone as steady as possible: "If you have a usable body, get to work quickly."
Noticing the other party's softened attitude, Jhin immediately became much happier. He straightened up with a grin and asked curiously, "Alright~ So what does Lord Madara want his little slave to do this time?"