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Kaito blinked, staring at Enma Daiō with an indescribable expression—for the first time, he realized how irritating "himself" could be.
With a hint of annoyance, he spoke up, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I've already packed everything up, and now I have to put it all back?"
"This King intended to remind you of something important," Enma Daiō replied, mimicking Kaito's blinking. "Do you understand now? This is the drawback of not personally occupying a divine position. Although this King is also a part of you, as the main body, your level has been left behind. You cannot personally experience the perspective of a god or think with the mindset of one."
Kaito nodded calmly. "In other words, since you've already taken the position of a true god, you could very well reverse our roles—make me the subordinate and yourself the main entity."
"Precisely."
Enma Daiō leaned closer, his eyes shifting into an eerie violet hue. His right hand gripped Kaito's shoulder, and his words seemed to carry the chill of the underworld.
"This King could completely replace the identity of 'Kaito,'" he tightened his grip, "and reduce you to nothing more than a mere clone."
"Stop joking around."
Unfazed, Kaito raised his hand and pressed it against Enma Daiō's face, pushing him away.
Enma Daiō released his shoulder and took a few steps back, clicking his tongue in mock disappointment. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. No fun at all. Weren't you even slightly nervous?"
"I don't need to question whether you're lying," Kaito retorted with a roll of his eyes. "I just know myself too well."
"Fine." Enma Daiō chuckled.
"You know, the so-called 'King of the Yellow Spring Hell,' the seat of a true god of the underworld—none of it holds any temptation for me," Kaito said, smiling back at him. "Otherwise, I would've taken that role myself from the beginning."
"Understood."
Enma Daiō waved his sleeve again, opening a spatial gate.
"This gate will remain open for a day," he said with an undignified eye roll. "Hurry up and set up the teleportation array yourself."
"Yes, yes."
Kaito stepped through the gate without hesitation.
"See you."
Enma Daiō's body dissipated like smoke.
---
Land of Rice Fields.
In the dim underground passageways, a paper clone of Kaito walked alongside Orochimaru, with Kabuto silently trailing behind them.
"So, what do you think, Kaito-kun?"
Orochimaru's voice was thick with excitement.
"I'll handle the physical aspects, and you'll take care of the soul. This way, I can obtain the perfect body. Heh heh heh..."
"You're truly bold, Orochimaru."
Kaito sighed, then turned to study Orochimaru with a probing gaze.
"To place so much trust in me… As an onmyoji, I possess many techniques targeting the soul. If I were to tamper with it, you might not even realize it until it's too late."
"Keh keh keh keh..."
Orochimaru let out an eerie laugh.
"There's no need for such words, Kaito-kun," he replied, meeting Kaito's eyes. "The gap between you and me now isn't something mere caution can bridge. In that case, the only option is to gamble!"
"Gamble?"
Kaito repeated the word, then shook his head.
"That doesn't seem like your usual style, Orochimaru. It appears you've already prepared yourself for failure."
A sharp glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes before he laughed again. "Keh keh keh... As expected of you, Kaito-kun. You've seen right through me."
"Orochimaru."
Kaito suddenly stopped walking, staring at Orochimaru's back.
"If your safety net lies in the fragments of your soul that you've separated—like the one you left in Sasuke's cursed seal..."
Orochimaru also halted, turning around. He habitually licked his lips before responding in a hoarse voice after a long pause:
"So, you already knew, Kaito-kun."
Kaito remained unfazed as he finished his sentence:
"...Then I advise you not to rest too easy. The fragments of your soul still maintain a connection with your main body."
"In other words, Kaito-kun could easily sever all my escape routes?" Orochimaru grinned widely.
Kaito nodded. "Indeed. So, what will you do now?"
Instead of answering, Orochimaru countered, "Then why are you telling me this, Kaito-kun?"
"I simply believe you should be aware of it," Kaito replied.
"Heh heh heh... I see." Orochimaru's tone turned playful. "Are you trying to dissuade me from becoming an Ōtsutsuki?"
"What you choose to become is your own freedom, Orochimaru," Kaito said.
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru turned and continued walking forward.
"In that case, I'd still like to try. Even if I fail, it'll be a valuable experience."
"Then, as you wish."
Kaito followed.
"To be honest, I'm not overly concerned about my safety," Orochimaru added. "Given the difference in our strength now, Kaito-kun, you could do anything you want to me with ease, couldn't you?"
"Heh, you flatter me."
Kaito responded lightly.
'So that's it.'
Kaito observed Orochimaru's back.
'You're using that reasoning to convince yourself that I won't kill you, Orochimaru.'
He had grasped Orochimaru's thoughts.
Faced with the immense temptation of obtaining an Ōtsutsuki's body, this shinobi—who had spent his life evading death—was now willing to take the risk.
After all, no matter how bad the outcome, he wouldn't die, right?
'How cunning and greedy...'
Kaito mused.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru, this experiment has no possibility of success.
---
At the Same Time.
Another paper clone of Kaito stood inside the cavern of Shinya, the giant red serpent of Ryūchi Cave, coiled around a massive stone pillar.
"So, as promised, I've come to fulfill our agreement, Shinya."
"You've finally arrived, Kaito!"
Shinya's enormous head lowered from the pillar, his single remaining eye burning with urgency.
"Is there a way?" His voice echoed through the cavern. "A way for me to become a yōkai again!"
Kaito smiled gently. "Let me confirm once more—are you truly certain about this, Shinya?"
"I'm certain!" Shinya answered immediately. "At this rate, I don't have much time left!"
Kaito nodded in understanding. "Then you should know that to obtain something, you must pay the corresponding price."
"Price? Tell me, Kaito—what is the price?" Shinya demanded.
"Weakness!" Kaito emphasized. "After shedding chakra and returning to your yōkai form, your strength will diminish significantly."
He met Shinya's gaze. "Can you still accept that?"