The Reincarnation Technique was actually the Soul Seizing Secret Method from the Nine Nether Sect's legacy that Shiraishi had obtained. It was also what gave him the confidence to blow up his Golden Core.
When Shiraishi had first crossed over into the Naruto World, blowing up his Golden Core had destroyed his body and left him with less than a tenth of his strength. He'd also had to devote enormous effort to suppressing the thousands upon thousands of restless Ghost Spirits inside the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. His situation had been dire.
Even so, in just one year, he'd gained the upper hand through his probing and cooperation with Danzo.
He'd relied on two things: his knowledge of the Naruto World and the temptation of the so-called Reincarnation Technique.
How could any intelligent being, especially one growing old, resist the temptation of living another life?
Let alone when all it would take was one Reincarnation Technique for Danzo to fulfill his life's ambition and become Hokage of Konoha.
The temptation was simply too great for Danzo to refuse.
"I'll bring someone as soon as I can," Danzo replied after a moment of silence.
With that, Danzo turned to leave.
"Wait." Shiraishi, seated on the Altar, called out to him.
Danzo turned around and looked at Shiraishi.
"I need you to find me a suitable body first. I want to leave this chamber," Shiraishi demanded.
"No!" Danzo refused outright.
Shiraishi jumped down from the Altar. "I think you've misunderstood something. I've stayed here all this time not because I can't leave, but because I'm willing to."
As soon as Shiraishi finished speaking, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner behind him began to shake. Black Mist poured out from it, and countless eyes glimmering with a dark green light opened in the haze. The Ghost Spirits' howls sounded like demons crawling out of hell, ready to devour every living thing.
The temperature in the entire chamber plummeted. Frost even formed on the Altar as a terrifying force that shook the soul swept through the room.
Danzo swayed, his gaze toward Shiraishi growing more wary. He knew he was playing with fire, making a deal with a devil. But for the position of Hokage, and for Konoha's future, he had no choice.
"I'll bring someone as soon as I can," Danzo said, backing down.
The Black Mist instantly withdrew into the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, and Shiraishi burst into hearty laughter.
"Our previous collaborations went very well. I think this time will be an even better start. You'll become Konoha's finest Hokage, and I'll be your most trustworthy partner."
"Let's hope so." With those final words, Danzo left the chamber.
Danzo acted quickly. In less than an hour, he returned to the chamber with three subordinates.
"Take off your masks." Danzo had the three stand directly in front of the Altar while he stood to one side.
The three subordinates obediently removed their masks, revealing faces so young they still looked a little childish.
None of them showed the slightest change in expression. They stood motionless, like wooden dolls, staring blankly at the Altar.
Shiraishi emerged from the Ten Thousand Soul Banner again. His appearance did nothing to change their expressions. Like puppets in Danzo's hands, they remained standing in place without moving.
"They're all war orphans I took in. Their parents were civilians from the Land of Fire who died in the war. Their backgrounds are clean, and they won't cause any trouble," Danzo explained.
Shiraishi landed in front of the three and inspected them one by one. He gave a slight shake of his head. "They're too poor."
"All three were found according to your requirements: young and with clean backgrounds." Danzo put on a show of indignation.
"I meant their aptitude is too poor," Shiraishi replied.
There were costs and requirements to using the Soul Seizing Secret Method. Each use took a toll on the soul, and he also had to consider how well the soul would fit the body.
Not only did these three have poor cultivation aptitude, but their bodies were also a poor match for Shiraishi's soul. They weren't suitable vessels for possession.
"Any talented ninja either comes from a shinobi clan or has already caught Hiruzen's attention. I don't have enough time to find someone suitable for you without drawing notice," Danzo said coldly. He was pressed for time and had to complete the possession before the village formally signed a peace treaty with Iwagakure.
Otherwise, once the treaty was signed, even if he became Hokage, it would be difficult to start another war anytime soon.
"Fine. I'll make do with one for now."
As he spoke, Shiraishi rose into the air, transformed into a streak of light, and shot straight into the body of the man standing in the middle.
Once inside, Shiraishi found a soul that was practically in ruins. Without hesitation, he raised a hand and sent out a dark chain that appeared from thin air. It bound the soul and dragged it before him.
Shiraishi's soul transformed into a Yin Spirit Dharma Manifestation, taking the form of a gigantic, fearsome Ghost King. It opened its enormous mouth and swallowed the soul whole.
In moments, Shiraishi had devoured and refined the soul, gaining basic control over the body.
He opened his eyes and drew a deep breath, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
After a year, he finally had a real body again. It was a feeling he'd missed.
The sound of something cutting through the air rang out. Two Kunai flew forward and struck the throats of the remaining ninjas with pinpoint accuracy. Danzo glanced at the expendable bodies lying on the ground, confirmed they were dead, then said to Shiraishi, "Here are your identity documents. I've done what I promised. Don't disappoint me."
"What a waste." Shiraishi reached out with his right hand and grabbed at the air. The two dead men's souls entered his grasp, becoming two translucent, egg-sized blue Soul Orbs.
Shiraishi opened his mouth and gently inhaled. The two souls were drawn into his body.
Danzo remained composed at the sight, but inside, his wariness of Shiraishi grew. Even for a ninja with his wealth of combat experience, such an evil ninjutsu was enough to make his blood run cold.
Could such a being really be the spirit of a magical artifact left behind by the Sage of Six Paths?
This fellow was probably a demon spirit sealed away by the Sage of Six Paths!
"Let's go. Take me to see the shortsighted Third Hokage you mentioned, as well as that young genius, Minato Namikaze." After absorbing the souls, Shiraishi looked at Danzo with a satisfied smile.
"What are you planning to do?" Danzo asked cautiously.
"You ninjas understand techniques, but not the law. You may gain strength for a time, but you can't sustain it.
You're getting on in years. Your soul, just like your body, is growing old.
I want to see which of those two would be a better vessel for your reincarnation," Shiraishi explained with a smile.
Danzo's face showed his displeasure. "That's not what you said before."
Shiraishi continued, "There won't be any mishaps with my Reincarnation Technique. But your aging soul may not be able to withstand the other person's fierce resistance.
If your soul is injured in that clash, you'll have to spend a long time recovering after the Reincarnation Technique is complete."
At this, Shiraishi deliberately paused, then asked with an easy smile, "Elder Danzo, you wouldn't want to waste your precious time recovering from an injury, would you?"
After hearing this, Danzo agreed without hesitation. "Fine. I'll take you to see them, but you have to follow my orders."
"Of course! I told you I'm your most trustworthy partner." Shiraishi kept smiling, answering with an air of elegance.
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