Dim light, freezing temperatures, and the distinct fragrance of earth filled the air.
This was the gap between the Underworld and reality.
Heh heh heh heh.
That was merely an offhand remark from the master who lived here.
In truth—
This place lay at the northern end of the Shinobi World continent.
Within the peninsula of the Land of Iron, it was a major burial ground for Samurai.
Its full name was the "Mountain Graveyard."
Large, cotton-like snowflakes drifted down from the gloomy sky.
Bit by bit, they covered this land with a fresh white blanket.
Come to think of it—
It was quite similar to the Tomb of the Everlasting World in Snow Country, Ringo's domain on Wano Island of the Sea Star Homeworld, except there were not nearly as many burial swords.
And the "gap between the Underworld and reality" mentioned earlier—
Was actually beneath the Mountain Graveyard.
A vast underground space existed here.
Within the sprawling network of tunnels—
One could occasionally see humanoid creatures with naked bodies, pale skin, and terrifying appearances.
Following one of the tunnels deeper in, as the distance from the surface grew greater and greater—
After a long while—
They finally arrived at a massive space nearly a hundred meters tall and close to ten thousand square meters in area.
Within this dark space—
A gigantic seventy-meter-tall statue with arms and legs sat cross-legged to the west.
Thick, branch-like tubes extended from its body.
They connected to the back of a figure seated in a broad-backed wooden chair.
The man had gray-white hair and looked extremely old.
His body was little more than skin and bones, and not a single tooth remained in his mouth.
Yet his upper body remained perfectly upright.
Especially those scarlet eyes, which shone brightly in the darkness.