Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 463 Corpse Demon Sealing

This is the only unrecorded underground cavity in Beichen. It is occupied by abnormally pale tree roots and an uncountable number of white cocoons. There is also a layer of normal-colored tree branches and vines wrapped around it, making it impossible to imagine how this plant grew.

Logically speaking, Orochimaru wasn't qualified to be here. It seemed inappropriate for the First Hokage to bring his White Zetsu clone across a thousand meters, blatantly passing through Hokushin's main street. Being seen by the "Radiance" members wouldn't be a problem, but if the Jinchuriki saw them and misunderstood, all their previous work would likely be wasted.

As soon as he entered, Orochimaru's eyes were glued to the strange, giant tree, but with the First Hokage beside him, he dared not entertain any other thoughts. Moreover, Sasuke was also there; the being within him was the one Orochimaru truly feared. He had already researched to the point of being able to split the soul, so he naturally understood that destroying the soul meant completely annihilating a life. His pursuit of immortality had only just begun to take a turn for the better; recklessly experimenting and courting death was not his style.

"These are masks we retrieved from the Uzumaki Shrine. We weren't sure which one it was, so we just packed them all up and brought them back." Hashirama pulled out an extended space scroll, and a whole row of masks appeared as he formed hand seals. They were all ugly and bizarre. Fortunately, Orochimaru was impressed by the Shinigami's face, and he quickly picked out the most useful one.

"Do I just need to break the seal? If you lack the genetic material of those ninjas, I can provide it, after all, I enjoy collecting them." Orochimaru held up the mask and gave a strange smile. He wanted to prove his unexpected value, and it would be even better if he could use this to resurrect something using the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

However, his idea was unlikely to be realized. The First Hokage gave him a bright smile and said, "We only need to summon the person we want. As for the Kage from other countries, it's too complicated to explain."

The First Hokage didn't seem intimidating at all, but Orochimaru broke out in a cold sweat beneath that smile. He'd been beaten countless times by Wood Release techniques these past few days; dealing with legendary ninjas like these was incredibly stressful. How on earth did Naruto manage to completely "tame" them?

"Let's begin, stop dawdling." Izuna, who was in charge of explaining using genjutsu this time, was already getting impatient. Sasuke took two days to wake up, and they didn't know when Tobirama would be exposed. These people really had no sense of crisis at all.

"Understood. Please step back a little and remember to prepare a 'container' for me as well." Normally, changing containers repeatedly is a very dangerous act, because each departure and invasion means the loss of the soul. However, the White Zetsu clone has no self-awareness at all, and there is almost no complete soul inside. Taking over such a body not only results in minimal loss, but also provides a fairly mild first-generation cell, making it a sure-fire deal.

The container and offerings were, of course, freshly cut from that strange tree, but Orochimaru dared not order the First Hokage to help pry open the container's mouth, so he had to use his own snake instead. With everything prepared, Orochimaru put on his mask, and a chilling sense of being watched immediately arose behind him; without turning around, he could tell that the Grim Reaper had already appeared.

With his body pierced and bound by a chilling power, Orochimaru was utterly powerless to resist. He could only convey his resolve to "cut open his abdomen" to the Grim Reaper through his very consciousness. Sure enough, the inhuman-looking "god" behind him raised his broken blade and slashed open a large gash in his abdomen.

Five streaks of light flew out from the Grim Reaper's belly, and at the same time, Orochimaru's abdomen split open, the rip so large that it almost couldn't contain his internal organs.

"Sasuke, we can begin." The only one present who could see the Grim Reaper was Orochimaru, who was wearing a mask. Although his miserable state clearly showed that the seal had been broken, Sasuke's eyes were still wrapped in thick gauze, and he didn't even have normal vision.

Sasuke hesitated slightly, but still formed the hand seals. He was still resentful of his previous failed Impure World Reincarnation attempt, so this time the hand seals were extremely slow compared to usual, almost as if he were confirming each seal one by one. The two clusters of soul fire swirling in the cave responded to the summons, quickly merging into the bodies of the two clones offered as sacrifices. These clones, covered by dust rising from the ground, rapidly lost their inhuman white color and transformed into colorful humanoid forms.

Soon, three people covered in cracks stood up in front of Sasuke and slowly opened their eyes.

"Well done, it was a success."

Hashirama quickly stood in front of Sasuke. He seemed to be completely focused on the three reanimated bodies in front of him, but in reality, he was keeping an eye on Orochimaru's resurrected state. The guy transformed into a strange snake with a human face and went straight into the clone's body. In no time, the lying white figure turned into a standing Orochimaru.

No wonder Naruto said this guy was very difficult to kill. Even if his body is completely destroyed, he can be resurrected by possessing another body. Even if his original body dies, he can be resurrected using the cursed seal. How could he not be difficult to kill?

"This is... Teacher?" The Third Hokage snapped back to reality very quickly. He recognized the person standing directly in front of him at a glance. His eyes were slightly moist, and he also felt a little awkward.

"Kushina?" Minato's way of observing what was in front of him was through perception. He immediately sensed the most familiar chakra beside him. Looking over, he met a pair of eyes that were completely black and white. Then, looking at the cracks on his wife's body, what else could he not understand? His guard immediately went up.

“Minato, is this the Pure Land? But you look like…” Kushina suddenly paused, her gaze passing over Minato and the First Hokage, fixed on the boy standing in the back row. As the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, she was even more sensitive to the Nine-Tails' chakra. Although the seal on Sasuke was tight enough, the power of a calamity could not be completely concealed.

Black hair? It's not Naruto. But why does he seem to be the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki? Are there Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in the Pure Land? If he is a Jinchuriki, then where is Naruto?

"Monkey, you're getting old." Hashirama readily said what he most wanted to say to his "good" students, then spread his hands and said, "Don't be nervous. You are still alive. In the name of the First Hokage, I assure you that you will not be bound by the Impure World Reincarnation and can continue your lives like living people."