Chapter 156: Soul Devourer
The first battle had clearly displayed the strength rankings of each team.
The Akatsuki was undoubtedly the most powerful by a significant margin.
Next was the scientist duo—Tobirama and Orochimaru.
The Lightning-Earth alliance boasted two Kage-level fighters, three Jinchūriki, and an exceptional shinobi in Yellow Earth, whose ninjutsu far surpassed that of an average Jōnin.
The Kirigakure faction was also exceptionally strong.
As for White Fang's team, only Sakumo and Kakashi remained, making them essentially the "White-Haired Father and Son" duo.
Shisui, on the other hand, was currently in the best condition. Alone, he could still be considered a top-tier combatant.
Having lost both Rasa and Gaara, with Ebizō dead and Chiyo severely injured, Sunagakure was on the verge of collapse.
If not for their desperation to seize a qualifying spot and claim territory, Chiyo might have already chosen to withdraw.
She knew their chances were slim, but if they didn't persist, they'd have no chance at all.
She was a lone yet courageous elder, walking a path of uncertainty, with the threat of Moryō looming behind her.
…
Those confident in their own power either went hunting for Orochimaru or scattered across the battlefield, searching for the Dragon Vein crystals.
Uchiha Kagami retracted his perception over the Shikkotsu Forest, turning his full attention to the White Snake Sage.
Under the power of Crimson Demon, the soul of the White Snake Sage was completely suppressed.
Unless Kagami's ocular power was diminished to the point where he couldn't even sustain Crimson Demon, the White Snake Sage would forever remain his puppet.
It was almost akin to Sasori's Human Puppet Technique—except Kagami's technique didn't erase the target's growth potential.
"Minato, keep an eye on things for a moment. I have something to take care of."
Uchiha Kagami sat cross-legged atop the White Snake Sage's massive body, closing his eyes. A faint spiritual essence drifted out from him and sank into the White Snake's form.
—
Inside the White Snake Sage's Mindscape
A colossal white snake, bound by countless black chains, thrashed violently.
The moment Kagami's spirit entered, she let out a piercing screech.
"Uchiha Kagami!!"
"You promised to help me shed my snake form and become a dragon! What is the meaning of this?!"
"Release your illusion immediately! You can't hold me forever!"
The White Snake Sage's voice scraped like rusted blades grinding together, an awful sound to the ears.
Kagami flicked his ear, his expression relaxed as he chuckled.
"I did say I'd help you shed your snake form."
"But let's be honest… moving you while also fighting you would've been too much of a hassle."
His gaze swept the surroundings—noting the numerous human souls trapped within bloody cocoons, squirming like insects in a nest.
Much like what Sasuke once witnessed inside Orochimaru's dimension, Kagami's theory was confirmed.
"In the Shinobi World… even souls contain chakra."
The strongest spirits, such as the Sage of the Six Paths, were capable of persisting between life and death, observing the Shinobi World for years.
Even Ōtsutsuki Hamura, residing on the Moon, had not fully disappeared.
While Kagami couldn't fully explain the mechanics, he understood one thing—
"Spiritual energy is an invaluable source of power."
Even more refined than negative emotions, and far more complete.
…
Kagami wasn't sure if his previous world had a cycle of reincarnation, but in the Shinobi World, it was clear—
Only Indra and Ashura reincarnated.
All other powerful shinobi remained in the Pure Land, resting indefinitely.
Even in the Final Battle, the Sage of the Six Paths had summoned them through some form of summoning technique.
Several years ago, Kagami ceased sending Sakumo to exterminate demons.
Why?
Because it had become pointless.
The reason was simple—once a person reached a certain level, slaying low-level creatures granted no benefits.
Thus, he shifted his focus to a higher energy source—souls.
The Pure Land, he theorized, was likely created by the Sage of the Six Paths.
The legends claimed the Sage "created the world."
But it was impossible for him to have created the Shinobi World itself—
It was far more plausible that he had created the Pure Land instead.
That wasn't important.
What mattered was—if the Sage established the Pure Land to preserve souls, then clearly, souls held great power.
For years, while Sukuna devoured Isshiki, Kagami had been far from idle.
He discovered Shikkotsu Forest.
He subdued Katsuyu.
He saw her flaw immediately—
"Her physical energy is too overwhelming. It's crushing her spiritual energy."
Katsuyu couldn't leave the Shikkotsu Forest.
If she stayed there too long, her abundant natural energy would continue to expand unchecked—
Until her soul was completely crushed, leaving her nothing more than a mindless mass of flesh.
In simple terms—she was destined to die.
Her solution?
She healed others, trying to "give away" her excess physical energy.
But this wasn't sustainable—because not everyone could become her summoner.
She tried recruiting thousands of shinobi—but it didn't work.
All those who failed?
Their bones littered the Shikkotsu Forest.
To fix her condition, there were two solutions:
1. Increase her soul's power.
2. Reduce her physical energy.
Kagami could do both.
The simplest method was to regularly use Yin-Yang Transformation to balance her energy.
That alone could have saved her.
But…
Why should he?
He was not the Shinobi World's guardian.
He had no obligation to save them.
The most he was willing to do—was extend favor and patience to Shisui and a select few others.
…
Kagami contemplated his thoughts, then slowly raised his hand.
A black-red slash materialized before him.
The White Snake Sage's curses abruptly stopped.
She realized what was about to happen.
"W-Wait—!"
"Uchiha Kagami—no, Lord Kagami!"
"I swear fealty! I can serve just like Katsuyu!"
"I—I'm far more useful than her! There's no need to do this!"
"I know everything that happens on the continent! My hearing spans all of the Shinobi World!"
"I have value!"
…
Kagami smiled.
"I have no interest in the secrets of the Shinobi World."
"If you want to know why I'm killing you anyway..."
His eyes curved slightly, his tone casual.
"Your voice is annoying."
BOOM!
The black-red slash expanded infinitely, shredding everything—
The White Snake Sage, her human souls, her entire mindscape.
Glowing blue embers filled the void.
—
Outside
The White Snake Sage's body trembled—then stilled.
Kagami opened his eyes, holding a deep blue energy orb in his palm.
Without hesitation—
He swallowed it whole.
A refreshing sensation surged through his body.
His Mangekyō Sharingan activated on its own, trembling with power.
Kagami chuckled softly.
"Now I'm starting to really look like a soul-devouring monster."
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