Chapter 45: I Became the Shinigami
Karin remained hidden behind Kanae, her heart fluttering with lingering fear as she stole occasional, nervous glances toward Yumesaki.
As for Kanae herself, after receiving treatment the previous day, her condition had improved significantly. Her complexion had regained a healthy rosy tint, and even the gruesome bite marks across her body had begun to fade. It was clear that after a few more sessions, she would fully recover her health.
"Thank you for your help, Yumesaki-sama."
Kanae understood better than anyone that her current safety and medical care were entirely thanks to Yumesaki. If it weren't for him, would the people of Konoha have spared a single thought for their survival?
Not a chance.
If Konoha truly cared about the fate of the Uzumaki clan, Uzushiogakure would never have fallen into ruin all those years ago.
Tobirama, standing nearby, realized this as well. Though he remained silent, he found his opinion of Hiruzen souring even further. It seemed his own judgment of character had been flawed from the start.
Back then, when Hiruzen had volunteered to act as a decoy for the rear guard, Tobirama saw in him the fire of a Hokage. He had decisively handed over the title, forgetting one crucial detail: a Hokage still needs to be raised and guided.
Just because Hiruzen possessed the will didn't mean he possessed the competence. To have the ideals but lack the ability to execute them is the ultimate tragedy.
After being brought back through the Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu), Tobirama had learned the grim details of the Uzumaki clan's downfall from Tsunade. If he had been in charge, he could have thought of nine different ways to assist the Uzumaki without draining Konoha's resources.
Nine ways!
He could have easily convinced the Uzumaki to integrate with Konoha, making the village even stronger. Instead, what did Hiruzen do? He did nothing. He watched with his own eyes as Uzushiogakure was destroyed and the Uzumaki survivors were scattered like dust across the shinobi world.
Oh, wait—that wasn't entirely true.
Hiruzen had done something. He brought back Uzumaki Kushina, only to turn her into the next Jinchuriki. Looking back at that move, Tobirama didn't even know where to begin his criticism. It was incompetent. Utterly incompetent.
Thinking about it now, Tobirama felt like slapping his past self. He had been too naive. Why did he choose Hiruzen? Even Akimichi Torifu would have been a better pick. If there were absolutely no other options, even letting Uchiha Kagami take the seat would have worked. With the Uchiha clan's support and Kagami's talent, the position of Hokage would have been stable.
But then again, the flaws of the Uchiha were too glaring. Their love and hate were too extreme, often producing individuals with... mental instability. Perhaps his decision to avoid the Uchiha had been right after all. If Kagami had taken the lead, Konoha might not even exist today.
Yumesaki, completely unaware of the whirlwind of thoughts inside Tobirama's head, finished his small talk with Kanae and sat down on the sofa, looking around the room.
Everyone was gathered.
"I know you're all curious about how I was able to swallow the Shinigami," Yumesaki began, breaking the silence. "And whether doing so has caused any side effects or strain on my body."
He paused, letting the tension settle. "I can tell you clearly: there are none. In fact, swallowing the Shinigami hasn't just been harmless—it's given me a massive advantage. But before I explain that, I want to ask you all something. What is your view on the Shinigami?"
"In your eyes... what exactly is a Shinigami?"
The question hung in the air, plunging everyone into deep thought.
Minato was the first to speak. "I feel like the Shinigami is essentially a god." Having spent years trapped within its stomach, he had more right than anyone to speak on the matter. "After the Yin-Kurama and I were swallowed, I discovered that the inside of the Shinigami is vast, almost like an enormous separate dimension. In that space, the Nine-Tails and I hated each other, fought, and eventually came to an understanding."
"In that dimension, we tried to break the seal more than once," Minato continued. "But that space is like the ultimate prison. Even as a Perfect Jinchuriki, I couldn't break out. Only a god could possess a cage that unbreakable."
Tobirama nodded in agreement. "I concur with the Fourth Hokage. The Shiki Fujin (Reaper Death Seal) is less of a high-level Sealing Jutsu and more of a Summoning Jutsu. Its effect is to call forth the Death God, command it to attack an enemy, and seal the deceased within its own body. In exchange, the caster's soul is also consumed."
The others nodded one by one, finding the logic of Minato and Tobirama sound.
Yumesaki tilted his head slightly. "Then have you ever wondered... if the Shinigami really is a god, why can it be summoned and controlled by mere humans? Does a god have no pride? Or do you think the Shinigami is simply desperate for a few souls?"
"Think of it like this," Yumesaki used a simple analogy. "If an ant came to you and said it would give you its soul if you helped it kill another ant, would you agree to that trade?"
Tsunade, Orochimaru, Tobirama, and the others shook their heads. Only a madman would agree to such a ridiculous deal. Why would they need the soul of an ant? It was useless to them.
But following that logic—if the Shinigami was truly a divine being, what right did humans have to move a god?
Tobirama's mind raced as he recalled the Shinigami's behavior. A realization struck him. "Could it be... that something happened to the Shinigami?"
Yumesaki gave him a look of approval. "You've hit the nail on the head. The Shinigami did have a problem. A thousand years ago, the Otsutsuki clan descended from the heavens, planted the God Tree, and drained the planet's energy to produce the Chakra Fruit. The entire planet was affected, and the Shinigami was no exception. After all, the Shinigami is a part of this world."
"Later, Otsutsuki Kaguya cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, turning massive numbers of humans into White Zetsu, which wounded the Shinigami further. It tried to fight back, but it was no match for Kaguya. She killed it."
A collective gasp filled the room.
"However," Yumesaki added, "the Shinigami is the God of Death. It cannot truly die. While Kaguya 'killed' it, what died was its soul, its intellect—its self-awareness. The body of the Shinigami remained behind as an empty shell. Eventually, the Uzumaki clan discovered this shell and developed the Shiki Fujin—a life-for-a-life exchange. Because the Shinigami has no mind of its own, it can be manipulated by humans."
Understanding dawned on them all.
Orochimaru licked his lips, his golden eyes narrow. "Then how does Lord Yumesaki know all of this?"
Yumesaki pointed to himself. "Because I swallowed the Shinigami and have thoroughly digested it. I've absorbed its memories. As for why I could swallow it in the first place... that's likely due to my unique ability. Honestly, I still don't fully understand why my power wanted to consume the Shinigami. But the benefit is clear."
"I... have become the Shinigami."
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