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Chapter 349: Kotoamatsukami
🕑 Added 2025-02-04 07:52:58 +0000 UTCChapter 349: Kotoamatsukami
After dealing with the Raikage, Bayakushi was in a good mood.
But the moment he returned to his laboratory, his subordinates delivered a heavy blow.
“What did you say? None of the clones can withstand her cells?”
“Y-Yes, Lord Bayakushi. The moment they received the cell transplant… they died instantly…”
The researcher, whom Bayakushi had forcibly recruited, spoke with a trembling voice.
Bayakushi’s face turned an alarming shade of green and white, like a scallion being flipped over.
After a long silence, he let out a sigh, finally accepting reality.
“So, I was being overly optimistic.”
The cells of an Ōtsutsuki deity were as unique as the Rinnegan itself. How could cloning possibly solve such a problem?
Ōtsutsuki Shizuka had been able to assimilate Shibai’s cells, but that was clearly a one-in-a-million exception. The issue wasn’t just cellular compatibility—her clones simply couldn’t bear the power of an Ōtsutsuki.
She truly was a naturally born Ōtsutsuki…
Does this mean I have no choice but to grant her the Divine Jutsu?
Bayakushi frowned in thought.
The “Omnipotence” ability was something Isshiki had once spoken of—a technique among the Divine Jutsu that was considered the most dangerous of all.
Even if he was confident in controlling Ōtsutsuki Shizuka now, there was no guarantee he could maintain that control once she obtained the Omnipotence ability.
Nagato’s method of creating the Six Paths of Pain was unreliable—after all, the Raikage’s will still existed; he simply couldn’t control his own body. But Omnipotence seemed to be activated through sheer willpower. If Shizuka were to turn against him… the consequences would be unimaginable.
Unless… he could alter her memory and will along with her body.
Bayakushi pondered this for a long time but couldn’t come to a decision.
If only Uchiha Nanashi hadn’t been captured. If he could steal his eyes, he could use Yachihiko to control her perfectly.
That ocular jutsu seemed capable of rewriting a person’s very will.
For several days, Bayakushi was troubled by this dilemma.
Then, during a gathering with the Akatsuki, he subtly brought up the issue. It was there that he received an answer from Black Zetsu No. 2.
“There are many techniques that control the human mind, but very few can alter both memories and will. Even Lord Madara never mastered one, which is why Obito was able to break free from his control. Among these rare techniques, several come from the Uchiha clan. Nanashi’s Yachihoko is one… and another is called Kotoamatsukami.”
Black Zetsu No. 2’s expression remained emotionless as he relayed the information, leaving both Bayakushi and Nagato deep in thought.
“The Uchiha sure have a vast array of ocular jutsu.”
After a brief silence, Bayakushi stroked his chin and smiled. “In what era did this technique appear?”
If it wasn’t too long ago, he could simply dig up the user’s remains and clone a batch of Mangekyō Sharingan.
“It exists in this era.”
Black Zetsu No. 2 paused before continuing, “The Mangekyō Sharingan of Uchiha Shisui possesses Kotoamatsukami.”
…
Konoha, Year 51. One Afternoon.
Though it was still early for dinner, the barbecue restaurant was already filling up.
Sitting at one of the outdoor tables were Uchiha Yakumaru, Might Guy, and Uchiha Shisui.
“Kakashi is always lazy, but does he have to be late for a gathering too? We were supposed to meet for lunch, and now it’s almost dinnertime!”
Yakumaru squeezed the empty bottle of his third drink, the plastic making a cracking sound under his grip.
“I’m not waiting forever. If he doesn’t show up by six, I’m leaving.”
The moment Yakumaru finished speaking, Guy cheerfully patted his shoulder.
“Come on, Yakumaru! Kakashi may seem laid-back, but when it counts, he’s reliable. Besides, it’s rare for us to have time to meet up. I’ve been looking forward to the barbecue here for ages—it’s worth the wait!”
Shisui nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Yakumaru-senpai. Kakashi-senpai was probably delayed by a mission. I’m getting a bit hungry too—why don’t we order some appetizers first? Otherwise, our stomachs will start protesting soon.”
Yakumaru let out a sigh, clearly just venting his frustration.
“Fine, we’ll wait a bit longer. But when he gets here, I’m going to ‘properly welcome’ him.”
Saying this, he created a shadow clone and sent it toward another part of the market.
At that moment, a server arrived at their table with a warm smile.
“Gentlemen, would you like to place your order? We’ve just received a fresh shipment of seafood from the Land of Waves—plump sea bass, sweet shrimp, and rare sea urchin, all freshly delivered today.”
“Seafood from the Land of Waves? Let me see… Hmm, this one, and this one. Oh, and add sugar to everything.”
Yakumaru picked out a few dishes he liked from the menu before passing it to Shisui.
Shisui smiled. “I’ll add a vegetable platter. We can order more meat when everyone arrives.”
Guy followed suit.
After noting their order, the server left to prepare the food.
Yakumaru watched the busy restaurant before suddenly saying, “It’s been a while since we last gathered like this, hasn’t it? Ever since our missions increased, these moments have become rare.”
“Yeah… Ever since that war, days like these have become fewer and fewer.”
Shisui sighed. “Just covering the entire Land of Fire to seal that ocular jutsu’s markings has taken up most of our time.”
There weren’t many ninja skilled in sealing techniques, while those affected by Yachihoko were scattered all across the Land of Fire. The workload was overwhelming.
For the past month, Shisui had been working from dawn till dusk, feeling like his bones were about to fall apart.
But then, he remembered a piece of good news and smiled.
“Luckily, the improved sealing tags are almost complete. Once we produce enough of them, we can distribute them to field operatives for deployment.”
“…And you don’t think they’ll rope you into producing them every day? Making sealing tags from morning till night?”
Yakumaru scoffed, “How is that any different from what you’re doing now?”
“…” Shisui’s smile stiffened.
That… really wouldn’t be much of a difference.
Yakumaru rested his chin on his hand, his voice carrying a hint of gloom.
“I swear, that bastard Fuji did this on purpose. He deliberately let the news leak that he had captured Akatsuki members, making sure we knew he held the upper hand in this jutsu. Now, to avoid being at his mercy, we’re running around exhausting ourselves, while he just waits to reap the benefits.”
At the mention of that name, the table fell silent.
Both Guy and Shisui’s expressions grew complicated, neither of them responding.
Seeing their reaction, Yakumaru rolled his eyes.
“Oh, come on. At this point, what is there to be in denial about?”
Guy scratched his head before smiling with his usual enthusiasm.
“I just… miss the old days, that’s all.”
Yakumaru snorted as he accepted the food the server had brought.
“Miss them? If that guy had even an ounce of sentimentality left, maybe I’d miss them too.”
Back then, he and Shisui had barely managed to escape the battlefield—it had taken every ounce of effort to get away alive.
Not even a single order for his subordinates to take them alive? How heartless.
Grumbling internally, Yakumaru let his gaze wander aimlessly—until he spotted a familiar figure walking down the street.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Oh? Finally decided to show up, huh?
His shadow clone reappeared beside him, handing him a small box before vanishing in a puff of white smoke.
Meanwhile, Kakashi strolled over with a lazy smile.
“Sorry, sorry. Work took longer than expected.”
(End of Chapter)
