bookbashuk Chapter 177 Shikkotsu Forest: Self-Reconciliation, Otsutsuki
Chapter 177 Shikkotsu Forest: Self-Reconciliation, Otsutsuki
Chapter 177 Shikkotsu Forest: Self-Reconciliation, Otsutsuki (Please Subscribe!)
Deep within the Damp Bone Forest, the cold, damp space was filled with a heavy, corrosive odor.
A gigantic, semi-transparent immortal could be vaguely seen slowly wriggling.
At this moment, the sage looked down at the quiet figure Kakashi before him.
Compared to Ryuchi Cave and Mt. Myoboku, Shikkotsu Forest does not have a complete and systematic lineage of Sage Arts.
For the Sage, Sage Techniques seemed to be merely an instinctive manifestation of his own talent. He did not know how to systematically teach Kakashi the true Sage Techniques, so he could only place him in the deepest and coldest pool in Shikkotsu Forest, letting him be tempered by natural energy on his own.
This pool is filled with rich natural energy, which constantly intertwines and merges with various chakra attributes, eventually transforming into an extremely concentrated acidic liquid.
If an ordinary person were to step into it, they would be completely corroded and devoured in an instant.
Kakashi, however, remained quietly immersed in the liquid, his expression indifferent and calm, as if he were completely unaware of the heat and corrosiveness of the surrounding liquid.
His gaze was lowered, and he stared quietly at his reflection rippling on the surface of the pool.
Suddenly, the natural energy here became excessively concentrated...
Kakashi's consciousness began to waver slightly.
He muttered to himself, "In this era of intense conflict, I've chosen to hide here and cultivate immortal arts. Isn't that a form of escapism?"
No matter how many times he claimed to be neutral and had a certain stance, deep down he always knew that he was intentionally avoiding many real conflicts.
Konoha's current tyranny and demonization are getting worse, yet he has chosen to escape and turn a blind eye under the pretext of dealing with the crisis of the doomsday planet.
Whenever he thought of this, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a deep sense of self-reproach and inner conflict.
Close your eyes and ask yourself...
Is this the right thing to do?
However, no one could answer this question for him.
Madara Uchiha, Hashirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the ever-increasing chaos in the ninja world gradually instilled in him a sense of inexplicable weariness and despair.
Within the Shikkotsu Forest, the corrosive aura grew increasingly intense, seemingly deepening with Kakashi's inner struggle.
The clone observing Kakashi's training gradually revealed obvious anxiety and worry.
"Mr. Kakashi doesn't seem to be in good shape..."
The clone, watching Kakashi soaking in the pool, could keenly sense that Kakashi was currently caught in a terrifying internal conflict and struggle.
This inner turmoil and contradiction could seriously hinder the final refinement of his immortal physique.
Compared to Ryūchi Cave and Mt. Myōboku...
As the purest stance...
I'd rather Kakashi deal with his own inner demons...
In his view, the Sage of Six Paths' request only increased Kakashi's pressure.
This won't alleviate any of it...
"Mr. Kakashi...you should try to accept it...otherwise your inner demons will only get worse."
accept.
"The power of Uchiha Abe?"
"Wouldn't that make me a madman like Obito, obsessed with destroying the ninja world?"
He appeared to remain calm and rational throughout, but in reality, he was simply suppressing his inner turmoil with a strong will, trying to rationally face and deal with everything.
However, as the demonization of Konoha deepens to an irreversible point, and as the conflicts between various forces in the ninja world escalate to an unmanageable level, the emotions and contradictions he has suppressed in his heart will inevitably erupt sooner or later.
The most clear-headed people are often the most tormented.
The more rationally one thinks, the clearer one will realize just how much despair the ninja world has become.
Kakashi kept his eyes tightly closed, a deep struggle appearing on his face.
His mind had entered a vortex of self-denial and inner conflict, as if no matter what choice he made, he would eventually fall into an abyss from which there was no escape.
"Maybe I really am just running away..."
His voice was low and weak, as if it might dissipate at any moment in the thick, corrosive aura.
Deep within the Shikkotsu Forest, the energy of the pool seemed to sense the intense fluctuations in Kakashi's heart, and began to tremble and surge violently.
"Oops...!"
Yu's clone hurriedly retreated, her eyes filled with worry.
It was very clear that if Kakashi could not get out of his self-doubt in time, he might be completely swallowed up by the raging natural energy in front of him.
But at this moment, Kakashi seemed to have fallen into a deep self-isolation, completely unaware of the changes in the outside world.
An inner voice echoed, filled with deep self-reproach and doubt:
"Am I really right? Can everything I've done truly save this ninja world?"
As if sensing his inner struggle, the corrosive liquid in the pool became even more violent, surging even more violently.
Endless natural energy surged wildly towards Kakashi, attempting to devour his body and consciousness, and drag him completely into the abyss of darkness.
The sage's voice was soft and lingering, drifting into Kakashi's ears like a gentle breeze.
"Kakashi-san, deep down, do you really wish for this world to be destroyed?"
This soft question struck Kakashi like a thunderbolt, causing him to tremble and abruptly open his eyes.
The sage's voice continued gently: "If that's not the case, then why are you so afraid, afraid that one day you'll become like Obito, the person you speak of?"
This sentence immediately plunged him into deep self-reflection.
The conversation he had with Uchiha Gen in the past, in the space of consciousness, was now vividly resurfacing in Kakashi's mind.
The memories and self-doubts that he had deliberately suppressed before surged up again like a tide!
"My true wish is that each of us can accept each other's fate and embrace all pain and contradictions with love."
He murmured to himself softly, savoring the words over and over.
Embrace everything with love...
Accept each other's fate...
"So..."
A familiar yet unfamiliar voice echoed once more deep within Kakashi's consciousness...
"Will you accept my love?"
Deep within his consciousness, the illusory yet real figure of Uchiha Gen reappeared, his voice still alluring...
"like.."
This statement plunged Kakashi into even deeper thought once again.
Does the so-called love of the Uchiha clan truly only represent destruction and suffering?
Does it really only mean loss of control and chaos?
"No.."
"It's not about destroying everything... but about accepting each other in a deeper and more intense way."
The moment the words fell, the dormant Dry Wood Release within Kakashi seemed to be summoned by some power, and began to automatically condense and emerge into a blurry human face.
Countless withered trees surged wildly from his body, rapidly converging and intertwining behind him, constantly condensing and gradually forming a completely new body outline.
At this moment, Kakashi's Demon Sprout Technique involuntarily activated, frantically merging and fusing with the unique natural energy of the surrounding Shikkotsu Forest.
Driven by intense natural energy, the ever-growing and solidifying body of the dead tree quickly became complete and clear.
This body is like a special clone technique created by the Immortal of the Wet Bone Forest, but it is not just a simple clone.
This is a new life form born from the fusion of various chakra nature energies, based on the Kira-ya technique.
Gradually, the withered tree's body finally took shape completely, and a familiar yet unfamiliar face gradually became clear—it was Uchiha Abyss's face!
At this moment, Kakashi showed no panic or fear.
I slowly closed my eyes, and an unprecedented sense of peace and acceptance rose in my heart.
As his eyes closed, the newly born withered tree clone slowly opened its eyes.
Unlike before, these eyes no longer contained the terrifying Sharingan, but rather a pair of pure and eerie snake eyes, one gold and one blue, carrying an indescribable mysterious aura.
These heterochromatic snake eyes were clear and calm, as if reflecting all the contradictions and pain of this world, yet also revealing a trace of compassion and gentleness.
At this very moment, outside the Wet Bone Forest, the immortal's enormous body slowly writhed, tilting its massive head slightly as it stared in astonishment at the mysterious and unfamiliar young man before it.
Filled with confusion and bewilderment, the immortal couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "May I ask whether you are Lord Uchiha Gen... or Mr. Kakashi?"
Upon hearing this question, the young man suddenly revealed a playful and slightly mischievous smile, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mystery: "Let's just call me Otsutsuki Genji for now."
"Otsutsuki Gen... I haven't heard that surname in a long time..."
The immortal gently repeated the ancient surname, without asking any further questions.
As soon as he finished speaking, the young man slowly lifted his foot and stepped out of the Wet Bone Forest.
In an instant, a gentle breeze swept through the forest, and the air in the entire Damp Bone Forest seemed to be refreshed. A brand new vitality slowly emerged, symbolizing a kind of rebirth and new life.
Gen Otsutsuki gently opened his arms, feeling the vibrant energy of all things around him, and a warm and contented smile appeared on his face.
The next second, he whispered, "Ghost Sprout Technique!"
With a soft utterance, several distinct fusion escape techniques surged within him, rapidly intertwining and converging, ultimately condensing into vibrant, colorful patterns that covered his entire body.
Although he did not possess the Sharingan unique to the Uchiha clan, his posture at this moment appeared extremely natural, as if he were carrying the purest natural power in the world.
"Kakashi, did you choose to release me this way to completely convert and control the power of the Sharingan?"
Upon hearing this, Kakashi replied in a neutral tone: "Since we can't eliminate it, let's choose to accept it and see who's faster, you or me."
Upon hearing this, Otsutsuki Gen smiled...
Previously, Obito Uchiha had attempted to use Yakumo Kurama's illusion-real transformation technique to purify and reshape Uchiha Gen's Sharingan.
This time, Kakashi chose to use the unique natural energy of Shikkotsu Forest and the Kira Bud Technique as a medium to successfully separate the chakra belonging to Uchiha Awakening from his body and give it an independent life in a completely new form.
At this moment, this newly born life has given itself a name that seems to be different from that of the Uchiha and Senju clans...
The mysterious surname Otsutsuki has no connection to anything.
Kakashi recorded this surname...
Kakashi, inside the Shikkotsu Forest, seemed oblivious to the conversation outside, remaining immersed in the deepest pool, continuing his focused refinement of his Sage Body.
He finally let go of his inner demons, chose to fully accept and embrace his own heart, and stepped out of the abyss that had long troubled him.
The young man known as Otsutsuki Genji stepped out of Shikkotsu Forest step by step.
The long-awaited sunshine warmly bathed him.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the fresh air of the outside ninja world, and a very pleasant and satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"I'm back for now..."
He looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, feeling the rare tranquility and peace in the air, and couldn't help but burst into laughter, laughing with immense joy and delight.
The smile at that moment was pure and warm, no longer carrying the coldness and pain unique to the Uchiha clan, nor the heavy responsibility and contradictions that Kakashi carried.
Simply enjoying the joy of this rebirth...
The immortal observing all this from afar silently watched Otsutsuki Gen's retreating figure...
It glanced at Kakashi, who was resting with his eyes closed, completely unconcerned...
The immortal yawned as well, and then, as the true form, went back to sleep.