Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

"The chakra of the Zero-Tails has disappeared."

Kakuzu bound a row of Sky Ninja tightly with the tentacles of his Earth Grudge Fear technique and dragged them toward the prison.

At this moment, they had already taken control of the main control room and locked up most of the Sky Ninja.

A living Sky Ninja fetched a bounty of 100,000 ryo, a Chunin earned 1,000,000 ryo, and the rare Jonin was worth 3,000,000 ryo. 

Although the money wasn't much, the job was conveniently close, the targets were numerous, and their strength was subpar. Kakuzu had already deducted 20 million ryo from his debts through this mission.

"Is it dead?"

Shisui also sensed the disappearance of that overwhelming pressure that could be felt even deep within Ancor Vantian. He instinctively looked toward Kagetsu.

"Don't worry about it."

Kagetsu was busy tallying Shinnō's assets. The fate of the Zero-Tails didn't concern him—or rather, it wasn't that he didn't care, but he knew the truth: the Zero-Tails, like the Tailed Beasts, was immortal!

As long as humanity harbored darkness in their hearts and strong emotions persisted, the Zero-Tails would revive, even if it was slain.

Indeed, even now, the Zero-Tails was still present on his status panel.

[Hōgyoku Series: Cursed Mark of the Void (Hollow) - Zero-Tails]

Quality: Purple

Name: Zero-Tails (Larvae Form)

Description: A unique lifeform created through the combination of soul, emotion, chakra, and the natural energy, modeled after the legendary Zero-Tails.

Details: A special energy-based lifeform, similar to the Tailed Beasts.

Traits:

Immortality

As long as there are humans alive, souls remain in existence, and the darkness within humanity exists, Zero-Tail cannot truly and completely die. Temporary death is merely a sleep followed by awakening.

Targeted Evolution

As long as the attack does not exceed Zero-Tail's defense and resistance, it will undergo targeted evolution in the following time, eventually achieving immunity, absorption, and even the ability to reflect the current attack.

Absorption and Devouring

Zero-Tail can feed on chakra, natural energy, dark emotions, and souls. Areas rich in chakra, dark emotions, or natural energy will naturally attract Zero-Tail.

Soul Corruption

Zero-Tail is highly corrosive to dead souls and can erode and severely pollute immortal or indestructible energy beings.

Soul Devourer

This skill allows Zero-Tail to absorb the abilities of consumed souls and special life forms. The prerequisite is targeted evolution. The abilities used are not mere imitations or disguises but the true power and soul essence of the devoured being. When necessary, it can disguise itself as the devoured entity, and no detection method can distinguish the truth.

Notes:

The devoured souls will continue to fight and devour each other within Zero-Tail's body until one strong individual emerges to become the consciousness of Zero-Tail!

With will and thought, Zero-Tail can view and remember all the secrets of the devoured beings.

As long as there is enough food, Zero-Tail can quickly grow, transitioning from an larva form to adulthood and acquiring more traits.

The first Hollow in this world, growing to its ultimate form, can become the cornerstone of Hollow power.

Recognition: 3700/5000

Physical Fitness +30, Chakra +3000

Conclusion: You have taken a firm step forward in creating Hollows. The power of Hollow has a high priority in causing damage to soul bodies!

Progress on the creation of the Hogyoku significantly increased.

Contrasting Zero-Tail is the panel of Ashisogi Jizō.

[Abilities of Ashisogi Jizō:

Name: Ashisogi Jizō

Quality: Purple (?)

Traits:

Exceptionally strong vitality with extreme adaptability and excellent modifiability.Devouring.

Skills:

Cocooning (Crawling)EatingSpinning SilkDoubling (Hidden)Needle Storm!

It can utilize five chakra natures: Yin, Yang, Lightning, Wind, and Earth. Additionally, it has devouring abilities.

Hollow Powers:

Steel SkinRapid Regeneration

Representative Aspect: Hunger

Evolution Path:

Consumes chakra, souls, and natural energy to evolve.

Ashisogi Jizō has a natural appetite, capable of digesting all it consumes. If it encounters indigestible substances or becomes overly bloated, it will split to create new individuals to bear the excess burden.

Evaluation: Its potential depends entirely on the skill and care of its handler.

Conclusion:

① It is now capable of undertaking significant responsibilities and possesses considerable combat power. However, it requires a controller to give orders; otherwise, its focus and energy will solely revolve around endless consumption.

② After devouring the Zero-Tails, a new power has emerged, granting it a rare sense of fullness. It is now seeking a safe and suitable place to enter a deep slumber, where it will shed its old shell.

"What about them? How do you plan to handle this?"

After suppressing the rebellion of the Sky-nin, the next issue facing Kagetsu and his team was dealing with the group of former prisoners now standing before them in a dense, uneasy crowd.

Many of them were wandering ninja, individuals from small shinobi villages, or mountain bandits and civilians with a degree of strength.

These people understood that their fate was about to be decided. At Kakuzu's question, they turned their fearful and uncertain gazes toward Kagetsu.

During the suppression of the Sky-nin, they had recognized who held true authority in this group. 

Now, as they stood before Kagetsu, the one who would decide their future, an overwhelming sense of dread kept them rooted in place, awaiting judgment.

Even the ninja among them had little will to resist.

It wasn't because they didn't want to; rather, their bodies were almost completely crippled from the prolonged and continuous extraction of their chakra. 

Even if they pushed themselves to the brink of death, their strength compared to Kakuzu's was like ants against a mountain.

"Let those who wish to leave go," Kagetsu said after briefly surveying the ragged, emaciated group.

"You don't need me to deal with them? Shouldn't what you're doing remain confidential?" Kakuzu asked, his face twisting into a smile that sent shivers through the crowd.

"No need. In the current shinobi world…" Kagetsu shook his head, standing firm in his decision.

With the ongoing war consuming the shinobi world, even the Five Great Nations couldn't escape unscathed. Smaller nations had become battlegrounds, and it was unlikely that these people could survive long after leaving.

Kakuzu said no more, clearly understanding Kagetsu's reasoning. These individuals, once outside Ancor Vantian, would most likely perish. Even if a few survived, they wouldn't possess the power to pose any threat to Kagetsu.

Nearby, Shisui let out a quiet sigh of relief. He understood that in the shinobi world, secrecy was often upheld through ruthless measures. 

For example, ANBU operatives might eliminate any possible leaks of sensitive information, even if it meant killing innocent witnesses. However, Kagetsu had chosen a different path today.

However, when it came to targeting civilians, Shisui would act for the sake of the mission and orders, but he preferred to resolve things without unnecessary killing if possible. It made him much happier.

****

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