—Death Release: Soul-Summoning Lock!
Whoosh! A streak of black light descended from the sky and landed at the center of the formula. It dissolved into drifting mist, revealing the very embodiment of darkness in the shinobi world—Shimura Danzō!
"Wh-what is this...!?"
As expected, this unforeseen situation left Danzo utterly stunned!
The black mist dispersed, and Danzo looked around in bewilderment.
He saw Kabuto Yakushi, an unfamiliar red-haired girl, Sasuke, who had only recently defected from Konoha, and even... Itachi, the man Sasuke had been so determined to kill that he had abandoned Konoha and joined Orochimaru!
This absurd sight defied all common sense, naturally leading him to suspect it was an illusion rather than reality!
Crunch!
Without hesitation, he drove a kunai into the back of his hand. The pain accompanying the blood made the illusion feel all the more real!
Shick!
He pulled out the kunai and lowered his arm, his gaze darkening.
"If this isn't a dream, then... is reality even more absurd than a dream?"
He examined the mysterious formula beneath his feet, something he had never seen before. Following its chainlike markings, he spotted a man outside the formation wearing a white haori that seemed both real and illusory, with two Horns growing from his head!
Though his appearance had changed, and his chakra felt like that of an entirely different person, Danzo still recognized him.
He recognized him at a glance!
Clenching his bleeding hand, he snarled, "Orochimaru, is this your doing?!"
Orochimaru slowly lowered his hands from their hand seals and returned to normal from Reaper Unsealing Mode.
"Danzo, you were far too cautious. I had no choice but to resort to this!"
Danzo forcibly suppressed his unease and demanded, "Why have you summoned me here?"
Orochimaru said, "Stop pretending you don't know. Hand