Naruto: From Fake to Real, Deceiving the Ninja World.

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish speaking, Danzo Shimura interrupted him.

“It’s a 'vengeful spirit',” he said.

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Koharu Utatane showed expressions of astonishment, with the latter blurting out, "Is it a ninja codenamed 'Wraith'?"

“No.” Danzo exhaled and said in a deep voice, “It is ‘vengeful spirit’, literally, ‘vengeful spirit’.”

"According to the survivors of Kusagakure, that thing has no physical form, cannot be seen, and cannot be stopped, but wherever it goes, it will steal the soul and kill the person instantly."

“I couldn’t believe it, just like you, so I had the Root bring back a few bodies, but after several examinations and autopsies, I’m certain there were absolutely no injuries.”

"No external injuries, no internal injuries, no poison..."

"He really just died suddenly."

Danzo turned to look at the two people with surprised and suspicious expressions, and continued, "I sent the corpses to the mountain clan, and they said that the cause of death of these corpses was that their spiritual energy was drained."

"Spiritual energy is the soul."

A chill ran through Hiruzen Sarutobi and Koharu Utatane.

There are actually some ninjutsu in the ninja world that involve the soul, such as the secret techniques of the Yamanaka clan, and the "Spirit Transformation Technique" which is an S-rank forbidden technique...

However, all these techniques involve possessing and controlling others, then damaging their physical bodies to cause harm; even "spiritualization techniques" are no exception.

This ability to extract all spiritual energy, or soul, out of thin air is simply unheard of.

“No wonder outsiders call it a ‘vengeful spirit’,” Koharu Utatane murmured. “This is indeed something that only legendary ‘vengeful spirits’ can do.”

"Hiruzen."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, but Danzo Shimura suddenly spoke up: "Do you know who that 'vengeful spirit' is?"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, but quickly realized that since it was a 'vengeful spirit,' it must be someone who died with resentment in their heart...

“He is a member of the Uzumaki clan,” Danzo Shimura said coldly. “Because of his ‘physical healing’ ability, Kusagakure hid him and used him to treat his injuries.”

"I suspect that, out of resentment, she may have used some forbidden technique to destroy Kusagakure after her own death, at the cost of her own life."

With the terrifying foundation of the Uzumaki clan for nearly a thousand years, they can even summon the "Death God" with the "Dead Demon Seal," and it is not impossible for them to become "vengeful spirits" after death.

"The Uzumaki clan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his lips were dry and whispered, "How could this be..."

"That's the truth!"

Danzo interrupted him sharply, his tone becoming aggressive: "Hiruzen, the fate of Kusagakure is laid bare before our very eyes."

"Such a ninja village with military power can be destroyed from within in just one night, with just one vengeful spirit that harbors resentment and possesses forbidden techniques!"

As he spoke, he took a sudden step forward, his body leaning slightly forward, a dangerous glint in his single eye. His voice was extremely low, yet every word struck Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart like a heavy hammer:

"Hiruzen, tell me, is there such a group within our Konoha, right under our noses?"

"They've harbored resentment and discontent for decades!"

"They possess evil power capable of overthrowing the village!"

"They're becoming increasingly unstable, like a powder keg!"

"They are the Uchiha clan!"

Danzo's voice was like a viper's hiss, every word carrying a chilling edge.

"Once their resentment fully erupts, once someone discovers the true power of those eyes, once they use them against the village..."

Shimura Danzo stared into Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, pointed to the seemingly peaceful Konoha outside the window, and sneered, "Do you think Konoha will have a better fate than Kusagakure?"

"..."

A deathly silence fell over the office.

The only sounds were the faint crackling of tobacco burning in Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe, and even the occasional bird calls from outside the window sounded particularly jarring at that moment.

Koharu Utatane's face was also very pale. She looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, her lips moved but she couldn't say anything.

Although Danzo's words were extreme, the tragedy of Kusagakure served as a good example, making people subconsciously think in the worst possible light.

Danzo Shimura was indeed very good at this.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly closed his eyes, the pipe in his hand feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.

The Uchiha clan's problems are like a deep-seated, intractable disease.

The shadow of war, instead of dissipating, now feels even more painful.

At this moment, Danzo was like someone who had cut open a festering sore, presenting the bloody reality to him.

Finally, after a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke.

"The Uchiha clan, the Uchiha clan of Konoha, Konoha needs the power of the Uchiha."

He looked up at Shimura Danzo and said slowly, "Precautions and surveillance are acceptable, but avoid unnecessary actions..."

"Danzo, we are surrounded by external enemies, and the village cannot afford any internal problems. This is my bottom line, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Shimura Danzo's one eye narrowed involuntarily, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The statement "There can't be any problems within the village" wasn't just a warning against him causing trouble; it was also a direct message to the Uchiha clan, telling them not to cause any trouble either.

In any case, the stability of the village should be the top priority. Anyone who dares to cause trouble should be dealt with.

"Hmph." Danzo snorted coldly, mocking, "You're getting more and more indecisive."

Although he disliked Hiruzen Sarutobi's righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor, he managed to get the answer he wanted, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

Thinking of this, he turned to leave, but then, as if he suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right, Hiruzen."

"Hmm? What else do you want to do..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously looked up at him, but unexpectedly saw a very ugly smiling face. The impatient words he was about to say stuck in his throat, and he couldn't help but shiver.

"What's with that expression?" Hiruzen Sarutobi shrank back and frowned. "Let's talk this out. The way you're acting is making me a little nervous."

"..." Shimura Danzo's smile froze instantly, then returned to his usual cold indifference as he stated bluntly, "Send Hyuga Kumokawa to Root. I will train him to be the best..."

"and many more!"

Before he could finish speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand to interrupt him, a smile appearing on his face.

It wasn't a happy laugh, it was a laugh born of anger at him.

"Are you dreaming, Danzo?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile faded, turning cold. "He's a good kid. I'm warning you, don't touch him."

"I know what you did to him in the past, and I don't care. But if I find out you've done anything to him again, don't blame me for being heartless!"

When he said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was extremely cold, and neither Koharu Utatane nor Danzo Shimura doubted whether he was serious.

Even the usually audacious Danzo Shimura, faced with the cold and indifferent Hiruzen Sarutobi, couldn't help but have an uncertain expression and dared not argue.

After a long silence, Danzo finally spoke: "Then I want Itachi Uchiha. I know Fugaku Uchiha wants to send him to the Anbu."

"can."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded without hesitation, as if it was acceptable as long as it wasn't Hyuga Kumokawa.

This attitude made Danzo's face twitch. The joy he should have felt for getting a handy tool was nothing compared to losing Hyuga Kumokawa.

At most, Itachi Uchiha could become the blade that would later be used to stab the Uchiha clan, but Hyuga Kumokawa could push him to that coveted position.

It is already quite obvious which of the two is more important.

"Humph!"

Danzo snorted coldly, turned around and left without saying goodbye.

Amidst the swirling smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi cast his gaze out the window.

The attacks by Sunagakure and Kumogakure resulted in the annihilation of Kusagakure overnight. Meanwhile, news broke of the Uchiha clan's movements, including the fall of Hozuki Castle and the capture of its lord by an organization called 'Akatsuki'...

The ensuing chaos was like a tightening noose, making Hiruzen Sarutobi feel like his neck was being strangled and he couldn't breathe.

He had a feeling that a cold, venomous snake was lurking on the edge of the chaotic battle, making him increasingly uneasy.

At the same time, Hinata Kumokawa, the "good boy" being fought over by the two, had quietly arrived at the secret room in the basement of the mansion.

As Hyuga Kumokawa looked at the Chest of Elysium, which had shrunk to the size of a Rubik's Cube and was now covered in shadow, his eyes flickered.

"I've got the core of the virtual world I envisioned. Orochimaru, let me see how your progress is going," he thought to himself.

Don't let me down, Lord Orochimaru.

With this in mind, Hyuga Kumokawa attempted to link with the "Otsutsuki Scroll" in Orochimaru's possession.

The next moment, he heard a hoarse laugh that was both tired and wild.

"Hahaha! It's done! It's done! With this technique, I'll have everything I need for immortality!"

Chapter 123 Soul!

The dimly lit underground laboratory was filled with the lingering stench of disinfectant mixed with the stench of blood.

The only source of light came from the flickering candle on the workbench, casting Orochimaru's slender figure on the wall like a writhing snake.

"Devouring souls... an unknown power..."

Orochimaru's fingertips repeatedly caressed the ancient scroll containing secrets, his vertical pupils filled with fanaticism and focus, fixed on the few lines describing Hollows.

Undoubtedly, the new creature 'Void' depicted in the scroll, with its cruel picture of the survival of the fittest and souls devouring each other in pursuit of evolution, acted as a key to unlocking his understanding and thinking.

It offers an evolutionary path that differs from the existing rules of the ninja world, namely, achieving soul evolution by consuming the souls of one's own kind.

"These unique creatures called 'Hollows' must possess powers different from those of ninjas." Orochimaru licked his lips with his long, thin tongue. "What could they be?"

Hyuga Kumokawa knew Orochimaru far too well.

For Orochimaru, who yearns to grasp all truth, such a completely unfamiliar yet feasible path is an irresistible temptation.

Moreover, this new approach of devouring souls to strengthen one's own soul also happens to compensate for the soul-damaging defect of "reincarnation," giving him even less reason to hesitate.

During this period, Orochimaru seemed to be possessed, constantly trying to develop this unprecedented jutsu framework.

And now, he has finally made some progress!

Orochimaru carefully put away the scroll in his hand, turned around, and with a fanatical expression, twirled his snake tail as he walked into his laboratory.

On the restraint table in the center of the laboratory, a ninja was firmly bound by specially made metal shackles, the light shining on his lifeless face.

He was not unconscious, but had been injected with a powerful nerve suppressant and muscle relaxant, leaving him in a state of extreme wakefulness but unable to move even a finger—a state of "paralysis".

Only his eyes trembled and rolled with fear, and he made unintelligible gasps in his throat.

This is the "material" that Orochimaru carefully prepared.

A rogue ninja skilled in illusion techniques.

First, let's clarify one point: the so-called spiritual energy, when combined with chakra, becomes Yin Release chakra.

Yin Release is one of the seven chakra nature transformations. It is based on the spiritual energy that governs imagination and has the characteristic of "creating material forms from nothing".

The Nara clan's shadow techniques and the Yamanaka clan's mind techniques are essentially the use of so-called Yin Release chakra to achieve physical interference by materializing spiritual energy.

Therefore, whether one is skilled in illusion or has strong resistance, it to some extent represents the strength of one's spiritual energy and mastery of Yin Escape, which is the strength of one's own "soul".

Orochimaru himself was a ninja with extremely high mastery of genjutsu, so he naturally understood that the souls of genjutsu ninjas were best suited for devouring.

If Orochimaru hadn't used "Reanimation Jutsu" multiple times later, and hadn't used the cursed seal to split countless soul fragments, he wouldn't have been caught in a genjutsu by Itachi Uchiha at a glance.

Orochimaru has not yet undergone reincarnation, and his soul is still very powerful, which is why he is so confident.

"Don't be afraid."

Orochimaru looked down at the ninja on the restraint platform, a sickly smile on his face, and said softly, "You will witness the birth of truth, and you should feel honored for it."

After saying that, he raised his hands and formed a complex mudra.

The foundation of this technique is, without a doubt, the resurrection of the undead.

It involves the process of completely stripping one's soul and transferring it into a new physical vessel.

Therefore, Orochimaru has an unparalleled profound understanding of the process of soul separation, the connection between the soul and the body, and how to stabilize the soul in a new container.

This is the basis for his ability to "perceive" and "manipulate" souls.

"bring it on!"