But I Insist

Manji traveled the mortal realm once again.

This time, he was no longer blindly observing the masses, but seeking greater power.

He specifically wanted to explore the "other powers" of the Naruto world.

In the original work, the King of Hell, the Death God of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, Hidan's faith, and the setting of the Pure Land were all present.

None of these were given reasonable explanations in the original Naruto series.

Now that he possessed formidable strength, he naturally had to investigate them.

However, it was quite difficult, as he had no leads.

At this point, even ninjutsu hand seals had not been invented, let alone the various ninjutsu themselves.

"Poof!"

Just then, a small monkey appeared beside Manji amidst a puff of smoke.

Manji raised an eyebrow; this was a messenger monkey from the White Ape King.

It can't be... could the White Ape King be failing too?

A bad premonition surged in Manji's heart.

White Eyebrow had only died a hundred years ago, and now the White Ape King was reaching his end too?

Manji was unconcerned about the White Snake Sage, as she lived all the way until Boruto.

But the White Ape King...

"Sigh, life and death are fated..."

Manji sighed softly and opened the envelope.

However, what met his eyes was not an obituary, but a short message.

"Manji, come quickly, discovered a mysterious farming spot!"

----Sexy White-Haired Big Monkey

"This guy..."

Manji's face stiffened.

He couldn't help but feel awkward; the White Ape King was still as childish as ever.

As for why the White Ape King knew so many memes, that was naturally due to the influence of his former self.

Before transmigrating, Manji had already been well-versed in a series of internet phenomena.

Classic, filial, anxious, stiff, happy, winning, run, numb, doomed, lying flat—he was proficient in all the "ten arts of a gentleman."

When he first arrived in this world, he had inadvertently let slip many "witty remarks."

After hearing them, the White Ape King immediately began to play with those memes fiercely, and he hadn't tired of them even after hundreds of years...

But Manji was no longer who he used to be...

The youth who once shouted about patience, optimism, and endurance had transformed into a steady sage.

Monkey Demon Clan

Manji arrived here with ease; the place was no different from a hundred years ago.

As soon as he entered the cave, he saw the White Ape King, who was acting like an old urchin.

"Wow! Manji, it really is you!"

The White Ape King leaped over and bounded in front of Manji.

Manji revealed a helpless smile: "White Ape King, you are older than me, why are you still so flighty?"

"Hehehe, you don't get it, Manji."

The White Ape King scratched his head.

"When I see an old friend, I automatically switch back to the age we were when we first met!"

"We all have a part of ourselves preserved in our old friends. The meaning of meeting an old friend is that when you are dejected, I still remember how you looked when you were in high spirits."

"Just like me—in my memory, you aren't that steady, legendary Sage of Six Paths, but the high-spirited, ambitious Manji who dared to challenge aliens!"

The White Ape King said with a look of nostalgia.

Hearing this, a flicker of emotion crossed Manji's eyes, and he nodded: "Makes sense."

Manji sat on a stone stool and asked slowly: "You called me here, for what reason? White Ape King..."

"Hehehe, it's been so many years, I missed you. Sometimes I dream of the scenes where we fought side by side against Isshiki..."

The White Ape King chuckled.

Hearing this, Manji smiled and nodded.

Speaking of which, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki should be thoroughly dead by now.

After all, there were no wandering monks passing by at the time, and Ōtsutsuki Isshiki was simply chewed up and swallowed by the Ten-Tails.

The man and the ape first spent some time catching up.

Soon, White Ape King got straight to the point.

"It's like this: when I went to the human world a few days ago, I discovered many crows. But that's not the main thing; the main thing is that I sensed a different kind of power within those crows!"

"It's a power similar to Senjutsu!"

White Ape King said.

Manji paused slightly. Senjutsu?

Could it be that Senjutsu didn't just exist within the three great sage regions and the Monkey Demon Clan? Were there other hidden places that held the legacy of Senjutsu?

"Oh? Take me to see it."

Manji said.

The figures of the man and the ape suddenly flickered...

When they reappeared, they were already standing in a deathly silent valley.

Not a blade of grass grew within the valley; the ground was cracked everywhere, littered with withered, broken trees.

As soon as the man and the ape landed, a faint ripple of Genjutsu quietly permeated the air, wrapping around the entire valley like a thin veil.

"This is Genjutsu..."

Manji possessed several types of Senjutsu, and his chakra reserves were as vast as the sea. To him, this level of Genjutsu was nothing more than a gentle breeze, failing to shake his mind in the slightest.

"Hmm, I fell for it several times. The opponent's Genjutsu ability is terrifyingly powerful."

Although White Ape King was affected by the Genjutsu and furrowed his brows, he felt completely at ease and fearless upon sensing Manji's steady, mountain-like aura beside him.

"It's right here, Manji."

"Those strange crows are hiding inside. I found this place sinister and didn't dare to venture too deep."

White Ape King pointed toward the forest of withered trees deep in the valley, his voice dropping a few decibels.

"Oh?"

Manji narrowed his eyes slightly. Pale blue Senjutsu chakra quietly overflowed, and his perception spread out like a tide, completely enveloping the entire withered forest.

The next instant, Manji tapped his chin with his fingertip, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

"So that's how it is..."

This withered forest was actually permeated with an aura and energy originating from the same source as the three great sage regions—mellow and unique.

"Interesting."

Manji muttered to himself.

He pondered inwardly: could there really be an unknown place of Senjutsu legacy in this world?

It suited his intentions perfectly. He had been searching everywhere for obscure powers in the Naruto world, and this power had come to him unbidden.

Speaking of crows, he couldn't help but think of Uchiha Itachi.

The original story never told everyone how Uchiha Itachi formed a contract with crows, nor how he obtained the Totsuka Blade and the Yata Mirror.

"White Ape King, you wait here. I'll go in and investigate."

Manji turned his head to instruct.

"Be extremely careful!"

"The aura in this place is very strange. It looks a bit like the gloom of Ryūchi Cave, but not entirely. There are many tricks hidden here."

White Ape King urged him quickly.

"Mn."

Manji nodded slightly, his figure darting toward the withered forest.

With his current strength, there were very few beings in this world who could truly threaten his life.

Even if something unexpected were to happen, he could simply restart his life; he already possessed the ability to resurrect, so why would he fear death?

In White Ape King's line of sight, the moment Manji's figure stepped into the withered forest, he vanished quietly as if he had merged into the void.

Inside the withered forest.

Manji looked at the scene that had suddenly changed around him, a hint of realization flashing in his eyes: "It's actually a barrier similar to Mount Myōboku; it works much like the Summoning Realm."

Manji walked slowly, having taken no more than two steps.

An ancient, weathered stone stele appeared before his eyes, inscribed with four vigorous, archaic characters—Land of the Yatagarasu.

Manji looked at the stele, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

At that very moment, a dense surge of Sage chakra erupted from ahead, its volume quite considerable.

"Caw, caw, caw—"

A series of hoarse crow cries suddenly rang out. Black feathers swirled as a streak of black light darted from the depths of the withered woods, landing slowly on a dead branch in front of Manji.

It was a Three-Legged Crow, its wings as black as ink, its pupils glowing with a scarlet light, and its body wreathed in faint Sage chakra.

"A human, finally a human has trespassed..."

"Ah!? Wait, why is it you?"

The Three-Legged Crow caught sight of Manji's appearance, its scarlet pupils shrinking abruptly as it let out a cry of shock.

"You know me?"

Manji raised his eyes, his gaze indifferent as he looked at the Three-Legged Crow.

The Three-Legged Crow hurriedly suppressed its surprise, flapping its wings and offering a fawning smile: "Hehe, naturally I do!"

"Aren't you the illustrious Sage of Six Paths? I never expected you to grace my humble abode with your presence. May I ask what brings you here?"

The crow laughed.

Manji did not mince words, getting straight to the point:

"This Land of the Yatagarasu of yours must hold a Sage Art legacy, right? I am quite interested in the Sage Art legacy here; you might as well tell me everything."

Upon hearing this, the Three-Legged Crow's expression changed instantly!

"Forgive me, Sage, but the Sage Art legacy of the Yatagarasu is only passed down to those fated to receive it. It cannot be taught to just anyone, so I ask that you do not force the issue, Sage."

"Otherwise, I fear it might tarnish your lifelong reputation, and you might perish here in the Land of the Yatagarasu. I implore you, Sage, do not force this, and do not bring trouble upon yourself."

The crow shook its head, speaking with a hint of a threat.

"And what if I insist on forcing it?"

Manji's voice remained indifferent, yet it carried a trace of overbearing authority that brooked no refusal.

With his current strength, he could simply seize the Yatagarasu Sage Art legacy by force; he was merely being polite before resorting to violence.

Besides, there was no one in this world who dared to threaten him.

Not even Hagoromo dared.

The Three-Legged Crow, upon hearing this, let out a strange laugh instead.

Its scarlet pupils were filled with arrogance: "Sage, if you wish to learn my Yatagarasu Sage Art, the first step is to drop all your defenses and willingly accept the Yatagarasu Illusion. If you, the Sage of Six Paths, drop your defenses and stop resisting, I fear that today, you shall meet your end under my Yatagarasu Illusion~~~"

The confidence in its tone was practically overflowing; it was clearly absolutely certain of its Yatagarasu Illusion, arrogant enough to believe it could kill the Sage of Six Paths.

Manji couldn't help but chuckle softly after hearing this.

Strong? In this world, what illusion could possibly be stronger than the Infinite Tsukuyomi?

Besides, the worst-case scenario was death, and he could simply fight again after being resurrected.

He let out a light laugh, and the Sage chakra and defenses surrounding his body were instantly withdrawn. He voluntarily stripped away all barriers, allowing that dense wave of illusion to envelop him.

The next second, Manji's consciousness was completely swallowed, plunging into a boundless ocean of illusion.

(Protagonist, deceased!)

(Hahaha, just kidding.)

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching for the author; perhaps it just changed its name!