" Futsunomitama? I never imagined that one of the Kusanagi Sword I've been searching for for so long would have already fallen into the hands of the Uzumaki Clan, and even developed such an interesting power... How fascinating."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his eerie golden snake eyes gleaming with desire. As the man who had mastered the most forbidden techniques, how could he possibly let go of a brand new forbidden technique with even more potential?
"As for Futsunomitama, Orochimaru, forget about it. But the Reaper Death Seal Scroll of Seals in Konoha, and this so-called ' Shinigami,' are all yours to handle."
Orochimaru curled his lips into a forced smile. When it comes to ruthlessness, no one can compare to Naoki Senju. Without the Kusanagi Sword Futsunomitama, the Reaper Death Seal would be almost completely useless.
" Naoki-kun, what a coincidence, this Kusanagi Sword... is exactly what I need~"
Naoki Senju and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, Kakkō seemingly flying between them. The tension was palpable, as if a fight was imminent.
When there are no conflicts of interest and they can cooperate for mutual benefit, Orochimaru and Naoki Senju are of course the best partners. However, when conflicts of interest arise between them, they can also draw their swords against each other without hesitation!
"It seems there are some things that have to be done..."
"Ah, that's true..."
Naoki Senju and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, simultaneously placing their right hands behind their backs. As the other's arm twitched slightly, they struck with lightning speed, almost at the same time...
Rock, paper, scissors!
Naoki Senju's clenched fist undoubtedly shattered Orochimaru's scissors. However, for powerhouses of their caliber, with their exceptional observation and reaction speed, the outcome of rock-paper-scissors was entirely controllable.
Rather than a game of rock-paper-scissors that tests luck and courage, it's more of a contest of determination. Whoever has the stronger resolve to obtain the Futsunomitama will be the ultimate winner.
"It seems the final owner of Futsunomitama has been decided. Lord Orochimaru, you flatter me~"
Naoki Senju smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. He had given up capturing the One-Tail Shukaku, which was within his grasp, all for the sake of the Kusanagi Sword, which was designed to sever souls. Now that his goal had been achieved, there was no need for any pretense.
"Hehe, Naoki-kun obtained this through his own abilities, so it's only right and proper. However, this Soul-Slaying Sword isn't easy to obtain. Do you need someone to help you?"
"That would be perfect, thank you for your hard work."
Of course, Naoki Senju wouldn't refuse a chance to get Orochimaru for free. However, this Futsunomitama is currently in an untouchable soul state, Naoki Senju can't get his hands on it.
"Then Naoki-kun, you'd better remember the steps carefully."
Orochimaru bit his finger, Hand Seals, and slammed his hand on the ground.
" Summoning Technique."
A huge, round snake appeared in the open space. Orochimaru used Kunai to cut open the snake's belly, and several weak ninjas rolled out from the steaming belly. There were ninjas from Kirigakure Ninja Sunagakure Ninja, and even some from Konoha.
Orochimaru wouldn't care about the identities of these ninjas, and the lowly snake would care even less; to them, these ninjas were simply referred to as 'two-legged beasts'.
"These are... offerings?" Naoki Senju asked, puzzled.
"That's right, these are all offerings to Futsunomitama. As a sword that slays souls, what could be more tempting than 'fresh' souls?"
Orochimaru dragged two dying ninjas and threw them in front of the suppressed phantom of the Shinigami. Ignoring the Shinigami's struggles, Orochimaru slit their throats with Kunai.
As blood gushed out, their life force gradually faded away, and illusory souls drifted out from their gradually cooling corpses. They seemed unaware that they were dead, constantly trying to crawl back into their bodies, but it was all in vain.
These tender yet 'delicious' souls deeply attract the phantom of Shinigami, as well as the katana in his hand— Futsunomitama.
Orochimaru followed suit, slitting the throats of the other ninjas one by one, but sparing the Konoha Ninja, which could be considered as giving face to Naoki Senju and Tsunade.
As more and more 'fresh' souls appeared, the phantom of Shinigami struggled more and more violently. He craved the souls of the dead, and only by constantly reaping souls could he feel a sense of satisfaction.
However, the Gate of the Great God suppressing it prevented it from moving even a single step. But the fact that the Shinigami's phantom couldn't move didn't mean that Futsunomitama couldn't move either...
As the allure of 'fresh' souls grows stronger, Futsunomitama, the most mysterious of the three Kusanagi Sword, breaks free from the shackles of the Shinigami's phantom and begins to frantically devour newly born undead.
Although he didn't quite understand why Kusanagi Sword could devour souls, that was why Naoki Senju had gone to such lengths to obtain it. With this Kusanagi Sword that could cause 'soul damage,' even if Kabuto Yakushi secretly caused trouble and created an Edo Madara, Naoki Senju was confident he could still challenge him.
Orochimaru's understanding of the Kusanagi Sword is indeed unparalleled; even the most mysterious Futsunomitama was subdued by Orochimaru.
While Futsunomitama was enjoying the 'fresh and sweet' soul, Orochimaru picked up the red hair knot and wrapped it around the hilt of his sword.
"Clang~"
The metal hilt fell to the ground, but the blade of Futsunomitama remained invisible to the naked eye. However, this did not harm Naoki Senju; instead, it gave him a new characteristic that would give his enemies a headache.
Orochimaru picked up the bronze hilt and handed it to Naoki Senju. Naoki Senju's first impression upon holding it was its lightness, a lightness that felt weightless, as if it were a Kusanagi Sword with no weight at all, yet it possessed the unique feel of bronze.
"Good knife, but I wonder how powerful it is..."
Naoki Senju turned his gaze to Orochimaru, whose eyes burned with desire and who was still unwilling to give up his pursuit of the Kusanagi Sword Orochimaru. This dangerous gaze forced Orochimaru to abandon his tempting plan.
"Hehe, this knotted rope made from the hair of the Uzumaki Clan can only seal Futsunomitama for a period of time, about two to four years. So, Naoki-kun, you still need to find more members of the Uzumaki Clan."
"We don't need too many, about three or four people will be enough. Each person can take a lock of hair and wrap it around the sword hilt, then they can use Futsunomitama freely."
Naoki Senju nodded. Although the condition was demanding, it wasn't impossible to fulfill. In the Land of Grass, there were still Karin and her daughter who survived. Naruto Uzumaki was also an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan, Nagato also carried the blood of the Uzumaki Clan. In such a vast Shinobi World, finding surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan wasn't an impossible task.
Once the spoils have been divided, Orochimaru will naturally need to consider how to leave Konoha. Tsunade, of course, will not allow Orochimaru to leave Konoha unscathed.
It's unacceptable both emotionally and logically!