Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 107: Unfinished Business?

A cold, fierce wind whipped through the desolate landscape, sending sand and stones flying. The weather was dismal, fitting for the grim task ahead.

Hagoromo Gengetsu stomped his foot, and a coffin adorned with sealing symbols emerged from the ground. The lid opened, and Orochimaru stepped out, greeting Gengetsu with a smile, "We meet again, Lord Gengetsu."

Glancing around the unfamiliar surroundings, Orochimaru commented, "So, it’s time to begin, isn't it?"

Gengetsu nodded, not surprised by Orochimaru's insight. Over the past six months, they had engaged in extensive discussions on souls, ninjutsu, and chakra. Initially, Gengetsu had intended to extract useful information from Orochimaru's mind, but found that his secrets were too well-guarded. Physical torture would have been pointless, as Orochimaru was unfazed by pain.

However, instead of disposing of Orochimaru, Gengetsu had decided to leverage his expertise in soul-related matters, which had proven invaluable in refining the Reaper Death Seal technique. Despite Orochimaru's occasional antics, Gengetsu tolerated them for the sake of his research.

"Reaper Death Seal, huh? I'd love to see how you plan to resolve it, Lord Gengetsu," Orochimaru mused, licking his lips. He had been keenly interested in this technique, especially after losing his hands to it during his battle with the Third Hokage.

However, Gengetsu had not missed Orochimaru's subtle machinations. While seemingly passive, Orochimaru had been planning his escape. Recognizing this, Gengetsu addressed him with a smile that did not reach his eyes, "You've been quite patient these days, Orochimaru. But do you really think I'd overlook your small tricks?"

Orochimaru's expression shifted slightly but quickly returned to normal. "Even if you knew, Lord Gengetsu, would you really consider me a threat?"

"You underestimate yourself, Orochimaru," Gengetsu replied. "Even as a mere soul fragment, you've been plotting. Your suggested improvements to the Reaper Death Seal were meant to trick me into a fatal outcome."

Orochimaru sighed, acknowledging his defeat. "As expected, you saw through it, Lord Gengetsu. But if you’re going to refine the Reaper Death Seal by your method, have you considered how to deal with the Shinigami’s wrath?"

"The Shinigami’s wrath?" Gengetsu repeated, understanding the implication. "Let it come."

The original method for resolving the Reaper Death Seal involved using the Shinigami mask from the Uzumaki clan’s shrine. However, the shrine had been found in ruins, with no trace of the mask. Left with no other option, Gengetsu had chosen to forge his own path, curious whether the so-called Shinigami was an actual entity or merely a mindless force.

"Let's see if it truly has a will," he said, steeling himself for the potential consequences of his actions.