Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 223 You are the Savior of the Ninja World

jingle……

The ethereal, pure, and clear bell sound, seemingly capable of cleansing the soul, rang out once more.

This time, it was crystal clear.

If, when the bell rang last time, everyone was still immersed in the tense standoff, they failed to fully appreciate its effect.

So this time, at the most intense moment of emotion, everyone felt it very clearly.

An indescribable sense of peace and tranquility instantly dispelled the murderous intent and suspicion in my heart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger was extinguished and calmed down, the coldness in Rasa's eyes was also blown away by the wind, and Kakashi's trembling body slowly calmed down.

The other guards' tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and Onoki's playful smile froze slightly, a hint of barely perceptible surprise flashing in his eyes.

The tense atmosphere inside the shrine seemed to be gently smoothed out by a hand.

This bizarre change sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

What power is this?
Illusion?

The crowd's gazes, tinged with surprise and doubt, involuntarily drifted toward the back of the gauze curtain.

"Regardless of who the 'Espada' were in life, regardless of how they came to be..."

Behind the gauze curtain, Miroku's ethereal and calm voice rang out again: "At this moment, they are all enemies threatening the survival of the entire ninja world."

"Dwelling on their past is pointless; it will only shake our resolve and divide our strength."

"I think the reason we've gathered here isn't to argue about right and wrong."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a deep breath, and the muscles on his face that had been tense with anger slowly relaxed.

"What the priestess says is absolutely right."

His gaze swept over the four figures, and he said in a deep voice, "The past is gone, but the future can be pursued."

"The most urgent task is to find a solution, not to assign blame!"

He paused, as if explaining or enlightening, and said meaningfully, "Those 'empty' things, those 'ten blades,' they are not formed from a single soul."

"It is not so much a fusion of countless souls that have succumbed, become distorted, and alienated in intense negative emotions."

"They are now entirely new individuals, different from those they were in life!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the crimson curtain behind him and continued, "Even if their relatives stood in front of them, they wouldn't recognize them."

This statement, seemingly addressed to the other four Shadows, elucidates the essence of "illusion."

But it seems more like a message directed at the figure behind the curtain, whose heart is in turmoil.

Regardless of who "Espada No. 2: White Fang" was in his previous life, he could never be the man named Hatake Sakumo at this moment.

"..."

Kakashi Hatake's chest heaved violently, showing no sign of calm despite Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

If, if the White Fang among the Espada is really my father...

"I will not allow it!" Kakashi gritted his teeth and whispered, "I will not allow anyone to desecrate Father's soul!"

film! !

Just as his emotions were churning, a hand patted his shoulder.

Kakashi instinctively turned his head, and Hyuga Kumokawa smiled at him and said softly, "We will win."

Upon hearing this, Kakashi paused for a moment, then his mood inexplicably calmed down. He gave him a grateful look and slowly nodded.

[Your lie has been judged as [blank fabrication]. Kakashi Hatake's emotions fluctuate to the point of [complete belief], gaining 600 truth points...]

"I agree with the Hokage's point of view."

Inside the shrine, Yagura Karatachi suddenly spoke, his voice deep and serious: "The most important thing now is not to assign blame, but to think about what it means if this is true?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present froze, falling into a long silence.

What does it mean?
This means that everyone who dies in battle could be twisted and alienated into a 'Void,' turning from a comrade into their enemy!

This means that the souls of those once-powerful and now-deceased ninjas may have been distorted and alienated, and will become the very beings they will have to face in the future!

"Damn 'Virtual Realm'."

The Fourth Raikage couldn't help but curse, his face filled with undisguised disgust: "How dare you desecrate the spirits of the dead!"

At this point, as if remembering something, he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said coldly, "Hmph! Just like the Impure World Reincarnation technique developed by your Second Hokage!"

Reincarnation of dirty soil!

The other three figures present exchanged glances.

Of course they knew about this S-rank forbidden technique; it wasn't a secret in the ninja world. The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, Chiyo, and the Kinkaku and Ginkaku had all witnessed Tobirama Senju using the Impure World Reincarnation technique during their lifetimes.

The Impure World Reincarnation, invented by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, can summon the souls of the deceased back to the mortal world from the Pure Land.

However, Tobirama Senju used this forbidden technique in conjunction with another forbidden technique called "Mutual Explosion Tags," which involved covering the deceased with explosive tags to turn them into human bombs.

The cruelty and blasphemy are, in some ways, similar to the methods of the 'Virtual Realm'.

"Lord Raikage, please watch your words. The Impure World Reincarnation technique has long been sealed away as a forbidden jutsu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and retorted, "Moreover, although it also involves the souls of the dead, the Impure World Reincarnation does not distort the self-awareness of the dead."

"Furthermore, I would never turn the dead into monsters that have lost their minds and are filled with hatred and a desire for destruction." The Fourth Raikage simply snorted heavily, but did not continue to target Konoha. Instead, he turned to look at the figure behind the curtain.

"Your Highness, Priestess," he asked, "does your Land of Demons have a better way to eradicate 'Void,' creatures similar to demons?"

Everyone looked in Miroku's direction. The Fourth Raikage's question reflected the urgent needs in everyone's hearts.

While the weakness in combating "Hollows" has been identified, the key lies in how to completely eradicate its source and how to deal with the threat posed by Espada-level threats.

Behind the gauze curtain, Maitreya's figure moved slightly, as if he was about to speak and answer.

However, at this moment.

hum!hum!
A series of deep, loud sounds gradually came from beneath their feet.

The ground of the entire shrine began to shake slightly, the ancient murals on the walls rustled, and dust fell from the dome.

"what happened?"

The five figures present frowned immediately, but showed no sign of panic.

"Lord Maitreya!"

A guard dressed in the attire of the Land of Demons entered the shrine, his anxiety and solemnity barely concealed. He knelt on one knee and said, "I am terribly sorry to interrupt your meeting!"

"However, the Ghost Legion has breached our last line of defense and is approaching the shrine. They are expected to arrive here soon."

After saying that, the guard raised his head and said in a deep voice, "Please, Lord Maitreya and everyone else, evacuate with us. It is no longer safe here."

The Ghost Legion, those "undying" stone statues, have actually reached this place?

"Hmph, why are you leaving!"

The Fourth Raikage suddenly stood up from his seat, his body crackling with lightning, and said in a deep voice, "I want to see what's so great about these so-called 'Ten Espada'."

It's sizzling!

With a deafening crack of lightning, his figure instantly transformed into a streak of blue lightning, rushing out of the shrine at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.

"Lord Raikage!"

"BOSS!"

Darui and the two Yugito behind the curtain changed their expressions and transformed into two streaks of light, rushing out after them.

Inside the shrine, the remaining four shadows looked at each other, their expressions varied—some solemn, some calculating, and some suspicious.

They suspected that the witch might have manipulated the five of them.

Surprisingly, there was no fear or anger.

The five of them almost represent the strongest force in the ninja world on the surface, and they are not so afraid or timid as to be intimidated by a single 'Espada'.

"Lord Wind Shadow, Lord Water Shadow, Lord Earth Shadow..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up steadily, his gaze sweeping over Rasa, Yagura Karatachi, and Onoki, and said, "Mouryou's goal is to destroy the Five Great Nations and rule the entire ninja world."

"Therefore, he is not only an enemy of the Land of Demons, but also our common enemy."

"Moreover, this is an opportunity for us to verify just how powerful the 'Hollow' and 'Espada' truly are."

As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't hesitate any longer. In a flash, he also disappeared into the shrine.

"Hmph!" Luo Sha snorted coldly, his figure transforming into a sand shadow, following closely behind.

"Espada!" A cold glint flashed in Yagura's eyes as he quickly followed with Ao and Mei Terumi.

"Let's go, let's see what it's like." Onoki said slowly, his body floating up, with Koto and a strangely excited Deidara guarding him on either side, as they flew out of the shrine.

Kakashi and Hyuga Kumokawa exchanged a glance. The former disappeared from the spot, and the latter was about to leave when a soft and ethereal voice came from behind.

"Lord Hyuga Kumokawa, please wait."

Hinata Kumokawa stopped and turned to look in the direction of the gauze curtain, his eyes flickering slightly as he asked, "Your Highness, is there anything else?"

“Hyuga Kumokawa,” Miroku said bluntly, “I see your future.”

Upon hearing this, Hyuga Kumokawa subconsciously narrowed his eyes, a sense of apprehension rising in his heart.

But the words that Maitreya uttered the next moment made him pause slightly.

“I saw you use the power of witchcraft to kill the demon,” Miroku said softly. “This means that only you can save the Land of Demons and the Ninja World.”

"You are the savior of the ninja world."

[Your lie has been judged as a "deception," causing Maitreya to experience an emotional fluctuation, reaching the level of "complete belief," and granting you 5000 truth-provoking points.]

"..."

Hearing the notification in his mind and hearing Miroku's confident words, Hinata Kumokawa's eyes turned strange.

What's wrong with these guys who like to make prophecies and believe in fate?

Are those who believe in fate destined to be cursed and deceived by it?

"Your Highness, priestess," Hinata Kumokawa said, feigning a frown and speaking in a cryptic tone, "please don't say such nonsensical things."

Upon hearing this, Maitreya was not surprised; his current reaction was in line with common sense.

“I know you can’t believe it right now,” she said slowly, “but please accept my power.”

"I think that's what you need too."

(End of this chapter)