Futsunomitama, the ocular technique that grants souls, activates in both eyes simultaneously. By focusing on an object, Naruto can directly bestow it with a soul—though this ability only works on objects devoid of souls.
Among the Six Paths Ninja Tools, the largest is the Amber Purifying Pot. Its function is simple yet brutal: call out someone's name, and if they respond, they are sucked into the pot. If they remain silent for too long, they are sucked in anyway.
Naruto's dual eyes locked onto the pot.
Futsunomitama!
Buzz!
The black diamond-shaped pattern on the front of the Amber Purifying Pot transformed into a face. The characters within the diamond rearranged themselves into facial features—eyes, nose, and mouth—while the two protrusions on the lid turned into ears. (Note: The description may seem abstract. You can search for images of the Amber Purifying Pot to better visualize this transformation.)
The pot blinked its newly-formed eyes a few times and affectionately called out to Naruto: "Daddy~~~!"
This...
The Hokage were stunned!
Tobirama was the first to notice a critical detail: "Naruto, what's the basis for granting an object a soul?"
Naruto asked, "Basis? I don't quite understand."
Tobirama elaborated: "Is that too abstract? Let me rephrase. Where does the personality template for the soul come from? Is it from you?"
This time, Naruto understood. He stroked his chin and tried to explain: "Well, souls have a spectrum that only Futsunomitama can perceive. This spectrum determines the soul's characteristics, such as personality and talents."
"Additionally, Futsunomitama includes a palette. When I use the ocular technique to grant an object a soul, I subjectively 'color' the soul's spectrum based on my impression of the object. That's roughly how it works. I can't describe it more precisely."
Such abstract concepts were not Naruto's strong suit, but people change over time.
Tobirama, ever meticulous, pondered aloud: "I see. So you could only perceive this soul spectrum after awakening your eyes. It sounds like an extremely skill-dependent ocular technique. The soul spectrum determines not just personality but also talents—and talents directly affect power. Did you randomly 'color' the soul spectrum for the Amber Purifying Pot?"
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly: "Uh, it's my first time using this technique, so I didn't think too much about it. I guess I did color it somewhat randomly. Should I erase its soul and recolor it?"
Upon hearing this, the Amber Purifying Pot shook its body and whimpered pitifully: "Daddy... Are you abandoning me? What did I do wrong? I'll be obedient and listen to you... Don't listen to that bad uncle..."
This...
A wave of guilt surged through Naruto.
A soul, once born, is an independent existence, regardless of its quality or merits.
Moreover, souls granted by Futsunomitama share one unchanging trait: absolute loyalty to their creator.
Hashirama reprimanded Tobirama: "Tobirama, how could you encourage Naruto to kill his own child?!"
Tobirama protested innocently: "Big brother, I didn't—"
"Don't deny it! Look how scared little Amber is. What an adorable pot! Come here, let uncle give you a hug!"
Hashirama scooped up the Amber Purifying Pot, cradling it with a doting expression: "Quick, call my name, and suck me into the pot!"
"Go away!" The pot's white hemp string, tied around its neck, transformed into a tiny hand and pushed against Hashirama's cheek.
Tobirama thought to himself: How is this bottle's behavior my fault?!
Breaking free from Hashirama's embrace, the Amber Purifying Pot hid behind Naruto.
Hashirama suggested: "Naruto, for the next object, handle the coloring more carefully."
Naruto stroked his chin thoughtfully: "The soul spectrum is incredibly complex, and I'm just a beginner. I don't know how to manage it properly."
Hashirama smiled: "If it's hard to manage, start with imitation. I heard you mention a palette—it sounds like a painter sketching. Before developing their own style, painters often begin by mimicking others. You should imitate first!"
Naruto seemed intrigued: "But I don't have anyone to imitate."
Hashirama patted his chest: "What about us? Can you see the soul spectrum of the four of us?"
Naruto raised his eyes and scanned the four Hokage.
Their soul spectrums appeared vividly in his vision.
Naruto said: "I can see them, but it's a technical task. I can't guarantee a perfect imitation."
Hashirama chuckled: "Every beginning is tough. Close enough will do!"
Tobirama interjected: "Big brother, are you suggesting he use our soul spectrums as references to color the souls of the remaining ninja tools?"
Hashirama nodded confidently: "Exactly!"
Tobirama: "Are you kidding?"
Hashirama: "Isn't it interesting?"
Tobirama: "This is absurd."
Hashirama: "The souls granted to ninja tools will become crucial allies. Using our soul spectrums as references ensures reliability, especially since we'll be facing formidable enemies that even Naruto acknowledges. We can't afford to be careless."
Tobirama: "Fine, you're the elder brother, you always win. But if anything bizarre happens, I'm not taking responsibility!"
Hashirama: "What could possibly go wrong? Naruto, proceed."
Naruto grinned: "Alright, I won't hold back."
Thus, Naruto used the soul spectrums of Hashirama, Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Minato as references to grant souls to the remaining ninja tools: the Banana Fan, Seven Stars Sword, Crimson Gourd, and Golden Rope.
Why these pairings? It was purely subjective.
The red-and-white Banana Fan resembled Hashirama's armor. Since Naruto no longer had Madara's Uchiha Fan, the Banana Fan, capable of unleashing five chakra nature transformations at will, served as a replacement. Who else could replace Madara but Hashirama?
The Seven Stars Sword, capable of severing word spirits, was entirely silver, matching Tobirama's hair color. Its sharpness mirrored Tobirama's incisive personality.
The Crimson Gourd, with its sturdy, rounded design, reflected Hiruzen's character. Its function—to absorb word spirits severed by the Seven Stars Sword—evoked Hiruzen's willingness to sacrifice himself for Konoha, as demonstrated by his use of the Reaper Death Seal.
As for the Golden Rope, it wrapped around the arm and pulled out word spirits when striking enemies with taijutsu. Its golden glow during attacks made it the perfect match for the Yellow Flash!
Thus, all five Six Paths Ninja Tools were imbued with souls.
Naruto and his companions returned to the surface.
Gazing at the drifting clouds above, Naruto had an idea and ascended into the sky.
When he returned, four clouds followed him, hovering nearby.
Naruto had granted souls to the clouds.
"These are Flying Nimbus clouds," Naruto said. "The four of you can ride them for aerial combat. Tobirama, Minato, you can mark the clouds with Flying Thunder God seals for greater mobility and support."
Tobirama remarked: "You truly have a knack for creativity."
Naruto's expression turned sharp: "Alright, everything is ready. It's time to lift the blockade on Amegakure!"
Boom!
The Four Red Yang Formation was lifted, and Amegakure, sealed for three months, was bathed in sunlight once more.
Konan asked: "How will you contact Uchiha Obito?"
Naruto replied: "I imagine he's been waiting impatiently for me to reach out."
With that, Naruto formed a hand seal.
Projection Technique!
This Rinnegan ability receives specific thought waves, amplifies them, and projects them as illusions in designated locations.
The user can project their own thought waves, along with received ones, to a specific location.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
At a temple outside Amegakure, before a wrathful Buddha statue, Naruto and Obito's projections appeared. Both were thought forms, not physical entities.
Naruto: "As expected, you've been emitting thought waves, waiting for me to contact you with this technique."
Obito: "Time and place."
Naruto: "One hour later, northwest of the Land of Rain, at the Immortal River."
Obito: "Rules."
Naruto: "No restrictions."
Obito: "So it's to the death."
Naruto: "There's an old saying: 'Once, twice, but not thrice.' Yet between us, this is the fourth time, isn't it?"
Obito:
Naruto: "It's time to end this. Bring your artificial Hashirama clone with you. This time, no oaths, no hidden tricks, no clean or dirty tactics—use everything you've got."
"As for the terrain changes, we'll deal with repairs afterward. Oh, if you win, fixing it is up to you. See you on the battlefield!"
Whoosh!
Naruto's projection vanished!
A hundred miles away, Uchiha Obito opened his eyes: "The Land of Rain, Immortal River. After tonight, either Naruto or I will fall forever."
Senju Tōma said: "We are invincible. So it will be him who falls."
Uchiha Obito stood: "I've seen him rise to power, and I'll see him crumble. Let's go. End this farce, reclaim the Nine-Tails and the Rinnegan, and let you become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki. With Infinite Tsukuyomi, we'll illuminate this world!"
Senju Tōma rose: "Everything will proceed as you've planned, Lord Obito!"
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