Orochimaru and Tsunade stared at Naruto, who was now radiating a profound, almost sacred aura—as if a true Sage had descended upon the mortal world.
After an unknown amount of time, Naruto finally opened his eyes and spoke calmly:
"Hidan's cells contain an unknown power—something that keeps him immortal in a way I still can't fully understand."
Naruto had used Sage Mode and his spiritual perception to probe the essence within Hidan's cells. His goal was simple: uncover the source of the man's unnatural immortality.
Hidan's abilities originated from the Jashin cult—a fanatical organization worshipping a so-called 'Evil God.'
Anyone who could grant a follower immortality and earn the title of God naturally piqued Naruto's interest.
Even the Shinigami fascinated him.
The Shinobi World lacked a complete, functional system of Six Paths Reincarnation. So where did the Shinigami—summoned by the Reaper Death Seal—actually originate?
Logically, a being like that should dwell in the Pure Land…
But the Pure Land itself was created by the Sage of Six Paths.
Therefore:
Was the Shinigami something that existed outside the Shinobi World altogether?
Or was it simply the manifestation of a higher rule?
As Naruto exited Sage Mode, Orochimaru and Tsunade immediately asked together:
"Can this power be replicated?"
Naruto shook his head. They both exhaled in disappointment—but then Naruto continued:
"Replicating that kind of immortality is nearly impossible at this stage. But Hidan's healing ability? That can be researched."
"It's like the First Hokage's Wood Release—we still can't recreate it fully, but we can study weaker variants."
"Hidan's regeneration is very impressive. That alone is valuable."
Though still slightly disappointed, both Orochimaru and Tsunade nodded. A powerful healing system could save countless shinobi.
Naruto handed a sample of Hidan's cells to Orochimaru, who placed it under the microscope and fine-tuned the instrument.
Through the lenses, Orochimaru saw Hidan's abnormal cells clearly.
Aside from their aggressive division rate and unusual structure, he still couldn't identify the true mechanism behind Hidan's immortality.
"These cells are… astonishing."
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed. For a moment, he seemed like his old self—driven by the thrill of uncovering forbidden secrets.
Tsunade leaned in as well. After observing the cells, her brow furrowed slightly.
"The morphology is strange… brutal and chaotic. They don't feel like normal human cells at all."
Naruto glanced at her in mild surprise. He had used powerful spiritual energy, Sage Mode perception, and his own genetic knowledge to detect the abnormalities. The fact that Tsunade could see the same hints through structure alone—
Her understanding of human biology ran deeper than he thought.
Naruto also knew the truth behind it:
This was the "power" granted by the so-called Evil God.
Though immortal, Hidan's life level hadn't actually improved.
The mysterious power sustained his life…
but it also chained his mind to madness and blind devotion.
"Maybe that's why his body behaves this way," Tsunade muttered.
"Even if he's cut into pieces, he doesn't die."
"That's exactly what makes him interesting," Orochimaru said, his voice tinged with fascination.
"There's a mysterious factor inside him that mimics a Kekkei Genkai."
"No." Tsunade shook her head.
"A Kekkei Genkai alters cell behavior, yes, but the structure remains fundamentally human—and stable."
"Hidan's cells feel like they carry a will of their own."
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Excellent!" Naruto applauded, genuinely impressed.
He had noticed it too—Hidan's cells contained something akin to a will, constantly maintaining life.
And then—
an idea struck him like lightning.
Could immortality be achieved by imprinting one's will into their own cells?
Just like Indra and Asura, whose chakra contained their will and allowed them to reincarnate again and again.
Just like the Sage of Six Paths' body passing on its will through generations.
Suddenly—
[Comprehended the Will of Immortality. Super Speed Regeneration has evolved into: Beginner Immortal Divine Ability!]
[Immortal Divine Ability +0.05]
[Will Imprint +0.01]
A sudden voice rang out in Naruto's mind, making him freeze in place.
Naruto could clearly feel it—his Super Speed Regeneration had undergone a profound transformation.
Originally, the technique had reached its natural peak. After all, regeneration had limits. Even with immense healing ability, a sufficiently severe injury still meant death… just as it had for Senju Hashirama.
But now—
The ultimate form of Super Speed Regeneration was pointing toward true immortality.
[Immortal Divine Ability +0.1! Will Imprint +0.05!]
Naruto's thoughts became sharper and more fluid.
Heaven Rewards Diligence was amplifying his comprehension again—growing stronger alongside his insights.
To put it simply, Heaven Rewards Diligence allowed him to obtain results several times greater than ordinary people, while also removing almost all bottlenecks.
His rate of comprehension far surpassed any normal shinobi.
Even surpassing the limits of the Shinobi World.
Naruto's momentary trance did not escape Orochimaru and Tsunade.
"Naruto, did you realize something?"
Tsunade asked, her expression curious.
Naruto refocused and looked at the two of them.
"I did think of something."
"Don't forget Hidan's identity."
He hesitated slightly as he spoke.
Orochimaru and Tsunade exchanged a glance.
Hidan's identity… an Akatsuki member?
No—more importantly:
A follower of the Jashin cult.
"You're saying his power truly comes from this so-called Evil God?"
Orochimaru's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Does such a 'god' really exist?"
Tsunade frowned, visibly skeptical.
"Perhaps," Naruto replied calmly.
"For example—hasn't Orochimaru personally witnessed the existence of the Shinigami?"
"I have," Orochimaru admitted, his tone subdued.
"That existence is… unfathomable. Something capable of dragging a person's soul out of their body."
Even now, the memory carried a hint of dread.
Seeing Tsunade's tense expression, Naruto smiled faintly.
"You don't need to be too concerned. The so-called 'God' may simply be an extremely powerful being."
"After all, wasn't the First Hokage once called the 'God of Shinobi'?"
Tsunade froze at that.
Orochimaru, who held little reverence for any deity, simply narrowed his eyes.
"A god is… just a powerful creature?"
Tsunade murmured, stunned.
Naruto's statement shook the foundations of her worldview.
...
TN:
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