RBCT Chapter 415: That Was Just a Clone?
Chapter 415: That Was Just a Clone?
The moment Hagoromo was captured, the tense battlefield finally relaxed.
Only Shun's expression remained unchanged. He knew Hagoromo's cunning methods and that he couldn't be defeated so easily.
He decided to search his memories to fully understand the complete resurrection plan and avoid any future troubles.
He activated his Golden Rinnegan's ocular power, but just as he was about to touch Hagoromo's soul, an anomaly suddenly occurred.
That soul suddenly twisted violently, as if being torn by an invisible force, then transformed into specks of shimmering white light, swirling in the air for a moment before completely vanishing without a trace.
"Hmm?"
Shun's brows furrowed abruptly, a subtle hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and his outstretched finger paused slightly.
He could clearly sense that the soul had not dissipated due to a backlash, but rather had some inherent flaw, more like a... deliberately left behind method.
"What happened?"
Madara, with his arms crossed, leaned against a nearby rock. "We clearly had him completely subdued just now, even his Chakra was sealed. How could he suddenly disappear?"
Minato's hanging heart had just half-relaxed, but witnessing Hagoromo's soul dissipate, his heart instantly leaped to his throat again.
He quickly stepped forward, his tone urgent. "Shun-sama, could it be that there was a flaw in the Fuinjutsu, allowing him to escape?"
Shun slowly shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the various expressions of the crowd, his tone calm yet undeniably firm. "It wasn't a problem with the seal, nor was it an escape. This wasn't his true body at all, but merely a special clone forged from fragments of his soul."
"A Clone?"
This statement exploded in everyone's ears like a clap of thunder.
"We went through all that trouble just to defeat a Clone? Then where is his true body hidden? Is he playing games with us?"
Madara's voice carried a hint of anger as he kicked the nearby rock, which instantly shattered into dust.
Just as everyone fell into disappointment and anxiety, and the battlefield atmosphere became heavy once more—
Shun laughed, saying with a relaxed expression, "Don't be too dejected. This isn't an ordinary Shadow Clone or Wood Clone, but a special physical Clone forged by Hagoromo using fragments of his core soul, combined with a massive amount of Chakra. This type of clone not only possesses independent consciousness but can also exert seventy to eighty percent of the original body's strength."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes instantly lit up, and their disappointment vanished.
Although a Clone with seventy to eighty percent of the original's strength was incredibly powerful, the four of them working together had successfully defeated it. If Hagoromo's true body appeared, their chances of victory would still be very high.
Thinking of this, the previously heavy atmosphere instantly lightened.
Naruto stood up, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "During the battle just now, I could feel that his control over this Clone wasn't perfect. Although the Clone's Chakra was immense, it lacked the depth that the true body should have. As long as we continue to work together and cooperate tacitly, we can definitely deal with his true body."
Shun nodded gently.
After reassuring everyone, a key figure suddenly flashed in his mind—Hamura.
During the chaotic battle, everyone was focused on dealing with Hagoromo's Clone, and the captured Hamura was temporarily imprisoned in a special cell on Ancestral Planet.
Due to the urgency of the war, there hadn't been time to properly interrogate him. Now that Hagoromo's true body was missing, Hamura might know the key details.
Immediately, Shun led everyone to Ancestral Planet's prison.
The prison was constructed from special Chakra alloy, covered with sealing runes, and filled with an energy field that suppressed Chakra.
Hamura was bound to a stone pillar in the center of the cell, his face pale, yet still retaining a hint of arrogance.
Shun slowly walked forward, his Golden Rinnegan slightly rotating, probing Hamura's soul and Chakra fluctuations.
A moment later, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"Hamura is not a Clone, he was truly resurrected by Hagoromo using a secret technique."
Everyone was startled, their faces filled with disbelief, not expecting that Hamura had actually been resurrected.
Shun no longer hesitated, his Golden Rinnegan's ocular power penetrating Hamura's mind, beginning to search his memories.
Countless memory fragments flowed through Shun's mind: from Hagoromo and Hamura jointly sealing Kaguya, to the two separating due to conflicting ideologies, Hagoromo remaining in the Ninja World to establish Ninshu, and Hamura guarding the seal on the moon.
Then to this time when Hagoromo, in order to regain control of the Ninja World, expended a great deal of power to resurrect him, and the two conspired to use Naruto's body to perfect the resurrection ritual.
All the details clearly emerged.
After a long while, Shun withdrew his Chakra and let out a deep sigh.
Hashirama quickly stepped forward, his tone urgent. "How is it, Shun? Have you found the whereabouts of the Sage of Six Paths's true body?"
The others behind him also cast expectant gazes, awaiting the crucial news.
Shun nodded, his expression becoming serious. "I found it. From Hamura's memories, Hagoromo's true body is still hidden in the Pure Land. Controlling his Clone to fight us wasn't for contention, but merely to test our true strength and simultaneously stall for time to perfect his final resurrection ritual."
A hint of curiosity and doubt flashed in Naruto's eyes. "Pure Land? Let's go now and completely deal with him before he completes the resurrection ritual."
After speaking, he was about to activate his Chakra, looking ready to depart at any moment.
Sasuke stepped forward, echoing, "That's right. Since we know his hiding place, we absolutely cannot give him another chance to scheme. We'll go with you and seal him together."
Madara and Hashirama also expressed their desire to go together.
Madara smiled, his eyes full of eagerness. "Perfect, I want to see just how capable this so-called Ninja World deity's true body really is."
Hashirama nodded. "More people mean more strength. Only by working together can we ensure foolproof success."
All four had determined fighting spirit in their eyes, ready to rush into danger at any moment.
But facing everyone's request to fight, Shun shook his head, firmly refusing, "No, you cannot go."
"Why?"
Everyone asked in unison, their eyes full of confusion.
They had finally found Hagoromo's whereabouts, but couldn't go together, which was hard for them to accept.
Shun patiently explained, "Because the Pure Land is not an independently existing space. It is deeply hidden in the core region of the Netherworld, enveloped by countless death energies. Moreover, the rules of the Netherworld are extremely peculiar. If living beings enter it, their bodies will be corroded by death energy, and their strength will be greatly diminished, able to exert at most thirty percent of their original power."
He paused, then continued, "The key is that the Netherworld is fraught with danger. Besides the countless vengeful spirits lurking in the Pure Land, there are many unknown Netherworld creatures that feed on the souls of living beings. If you go, you won't be able to help. Instead, you'll be in grave danger and become leverage for Hagoromo to restrain me."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces showed disappointment.
They understood that Shun's words were reasonable. Living beings' strength would be restricted in the Netherworld, and they would encounter various unknown dangers. Rushing in recklessly would indeed be too risky, yet giving up on going made them feel somewhat unwilling.
Hashirama said worriedly, his eyes full of concern, "Then won't it be too dangerous for you to go alone? The Sage of Six Paths's true body must be extremely powerful, and with the environment of the Netherworld enhancing him, you alone might suffer a disadvantage."
Shun smiled slightly, his gaze directed towards the space outside the prison.
The next second, a white figure slowly emerged—Kaguya.
She wore a long white dress, exuding a powerful and pure aura, and walked gracefully, saying softly, "I will accompany Shun."
"Kaguya-sama!"
Upon seeing her, everyone bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with reverence.
They hadn't expected Kaguya to voluntarily offer to go along. With her help, their chances of victory would undoubtedly increase greatly.
Kaguya nodded gently, walked to Shun's side, and said firmly, "Hagoromo and Hamura are my sons. The mistakes they made brought endless warfare to the Ninja World, and I naturally must resolve it myself. Moreover, I was sealed on the moon for a thousand years and have some understanding of the Netherworld's death energy and rules. United with Shun, we are sufficient to handle all crises in the Pure Land."
Shun looked at the crowd before him and instructed, "While Kaguya and I are in the Netherworld, the safety of the Ninja World will be entrusted to you."
"Minato, continue to oversee the overall situation, soothe the people's hearts, and handle various government affairs."
"Madara and Hashirama, you are responsible for suppressing any potential disturbances and guarding Ancestral Planet and the critical defense lines of the Ninja World."
"Naruto, Sasuke, you two rest well, consolidate your strength, and protect this hard-won peace."
"We understand!"
Everyone responded in unison, their voices firm and strong.
They deeply understood their responsibilities and would surely protect the peace of the Ninja World, awaiting Shun and Kaguya's triumphant return.
Subsequently, Shun clapped his hands, and golden Chakra surged from his body, forming a black and white Spatial Gate.
This was a spatial passage leading to the Netherworld. The interior of the passage was pitch black, and a strong aura of death could vaguely be felt, along with the howling of vengeful spirits, sending chills down one's spine.
Shun and Kaguya exchanged glances, both smiling at each other. Immediately after, the two stood side by side and quickly stepped into the spatial passage.
As their figures disappeared into the passage, the passage closed, leaving behind the solemn crowd, who silently prayed in their hearts for their safe return and the complete end of this millennium-long crisis.
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