Hand over the red-haired boy to Konoha? Sure, but not before taking advantage of the situation.
'If it can't be killed, it must be used.'
This cold, calculated thought crossed Li Shang's mind as he silently walked away from the battlefield. Every leap was measured, every breath controlled. He advanced at top speed, the Byakugan's blue eyes scanning the forest like a living radar.
No enemy was following him. Within a five-mile radius, there was absolute silence.
'Perfect.'
Within minutes, he found a cave hidden among the cliffs, covered by moss and roots. There, he threw the unconscious body ofGaaraon the ground. The jinchūriki was barely breathing.
Li Shang sat in the lotus position, his body erect and his mind on fire.
'Time to seize the opportunity to cultivate… and break through to the Body Refining Realm.'
Folding his hands in front of his chest, he muttered to himself:
"Heart of the Celestial Devourer."
The technique began to act.
The chakra around Gaara surged violently, as if reacting to the cultivator's presence. Translucent strands of energy escaped the boy's seal and were sucked into Li Shang's body. The essence of the one-tailed beast—a living condensation ofYuan Qi—moved towards the cultivator like a river of fire.
The redhead's body began to tremble, traces of sand and demonic chakra rising on his skin. Tiny horns tried to sprout from his forehead, veins bulging.
Li Shang maintained his focus, but his face remained cold. As the transformation intensified, he moved—and the dull sound of a blow echoed.
"Turn to sleep."
His fist hit Gaara's stomach with enough force to stop the bijuu's flow. Blood trickled from the corner of Gaara's mouth, and he passed out completely.
'Reckless? Maybe. But that's how limits are pushed.'
Li Shang's body began to change.Yuan QiRefined energy coursed through his meridians like liquid lightning. Every cell seemed to burn and be reborn. Bones crackled, muscles vibrated, and the remaining impurities were expelled through his pores, staining the ground with a thick, black liquid.
Outside, a thin mist formed, the air becoming heavy, almost tangible.
'This… Heart of the Heavenly Devourer… what a heaven-defying technique.'
The smile that formed on his face was serene, almost reverent.
'Now I understand why the Demon Clan was hunted. This art does not belong to common mortals.'
In his previous world, all empires and sects had united to eradicate theHeavenly Devourer Demonic SectLi Shang remembered the war—cultivators killing each other in the name of justice, when in reality, everyone was only seeking the power they feared.
'It was fear.'
He whispered in his mind, feeling the flow of energy increase, becoming denser, purer.
Meanwhile, in the distance, the battle within the purple dome was nearing its end.
TheThird Hokagegasped, a sword through his heart. TheMonkey King Enmaheld the blade, preventing it from advancing. Behind the old man, a faceless demonic being pulled, inch by inch, Orochimaru's soul.
"Give up, old man... your death has already been decided!" roared Orochimaru, his voice distorted by fear and anger.
Hiruzen coughed up blood, but smiled.
"Hehehe... I failed as Hokage... and as master. But this time, at least one of my mistakes I will correct."
Orochimaru looked around in terror. The invasion had failed. His subordinates had been defeated, the jinchūriki who were supposed to destroy Konoha was out of control, and his army was crumbling.
'It wasn't supposed to end like this!'
It was then that aenergy waveA colossal impact tore through the village. Even Orochimaru, not a natural sensor, could feel the impact. His entire body shook.
'What is this?' he thought, looking at the horizon, where a bluish light illuminated the distant forest.
In the cave, Li Shang screamed.
"THAT!"
The ground shook. His body was gripped by an explosive force, the air vibrating around him. A sphere of pure energy expanded, launchingGaaraagainst the wall, almost killing him.
The final impurities were expelled, and Li Shang's body glowed. His skin became clear, firm, and translucent, his blue eyes transformed into living crystals, and every fiber of his being pulsed in harmony with the universal flow.
The sound of energy condensing within his body was like the beating of a double heart.
'I did it... finally...'
The chakra and Yuan Qi merged in perfect balance.
The surrounding forest was engulfed in a wave ofPure Yuan Qi, which spread for miles, dissipating the natural chakra and imposing the presence of a new power.
Li Shang opened his eyes.
The crystal blue shone like two divine blades.
"Kingdom of the Core."
A calm smile spread across his face as he watched the world around him respond to his awakening.
'True cultivation... has finally begun.'
The village still smelled of smoke. The streets were strewn with debris, the tallest buildings bore black scars, and the air carried a heavy silence.Quadruple Barrier Sealhad disappeared, and with it, the last remnants of the battle that had devastated Konoha.
A invasionhad finished.
The Third Hokage was dead. His body, lying in silence, was still guarded by the ANBU. Even though he had sacrificed everything,Hiruzen Sarutobifailed to drag Orochimaru with him to his death. The sannin had escaped—maimed, his body weak, and his soul corroded—but still alive.
'Failure and victory are just two sides of the same destiny,' the ancients thought.
Meanwhile, theClã Yamanakaconducted his mental investigations in the field. The minds of the captured Sand and Sound ninjas were probed one by one, revealing a truth more disturbing than anyone had imagined. Orochimaru had assumed the identity ofFlavor, the Fourth Kazekage, and manipulated the entire Sand Village. Suna had been deceived—used as a puppet in a war she never wanted to fight.
Now, the political weight fell on Konoha's shoulders.
In the Hokage's room, the atmosphere was suffocating.
The smoke-stained stone walls reflected the flickering torchlight. On the main table lay scrolls of reports, documents, and a cracked ANBU mask—a symbol of the lost battle.
Danzou Shimura and theKonoha eldersHomura and Koharu silently watched the gathered jounins. Their expressions were somber, burdened by the responsibility of a village that had barely survived.
Before them,Kakashi, Subject, Asuma, an old man with white hairandNejiremained in a firm position.
'Why was I dragged into this?' Li Shang, who after handing over the red-haired boy, was dragged by Gai to make a report, stating that any information was valuable.
Neji heldGaarain his arms. The redhead, gravely injured, was breathing heavily, his body covered in seals and bandages. Even unconscious, the one-tailed beast's unstable chakra trembled beneath his skin, as if the seal might break at any moment.
[Author's Note:This story was originally written in Portuguese, so there may be some translation errors. If you notice any, please let me know so I can fix them. Thank you for reading!]