Wood chips flew, the scene utterly astonishing.
What kind of spectacle was it to see a hundred-meter-tall Buddha statue, with over a hundred arms, incessantly pounding its own head?
It was much like a girl’s reaction when a cockroach jumps onto her hair.
Let alone Xiao Nan, even Lin Nan felt his eyes had been opened in a way that was more shocking than a knife to the rear end.
Physical fire-fighting methods were nothing compared to this.
However, this act only managed to shatter itself into pieces, and the black flames grew even more intense.
Finally, the hundred-meter colossal Buddha statue collapsed with a roar, crashing onto the water’s surface and churning up a towering tsunami.
But it was precisely because of the water’s cushioning effect that there was no impact on the ground.
“So that’s how it is, after dying once, your brain has become sharper, Xiao Lin!” Xiao Nan’s voice was as calm as still water.
“I’ll take that as a compliment!” Lin Nan chuckled dryly.
Glancing at the cave in the distance, Lin Nan knew the battle inside was still ongoing.
“Ding! S-rank Immortal Art: White Stimulus Technique (Kabuto Yakushi) has been added to the skill library!”
“Ding! SSS-rank Immortal Art: Impure World Reincarnation (Kabuto Yakushi) has been added to the skill library!”
“Ding! SSS-rank Dojutsu: Genjutsu – Izanami (Itachi Uchiha) has been added to the skill library!”
The system’s announcements sounded one after another, filling Lin Nan with immense joy.
As expected of gods fighting gods.
Most of Kabuto Yakushi’s skills were not very useful, and even if they were, Lin Nan wouldn’t use them; they were too disgusting. However, this Impure World Reincarnation was undoubtedly the biggest gain.
Impure World Reincarnation could bestow life upon any inanimate object lacking life or chakra augmentation, enabling it to fight alongside oneself.
This technique’s maximum potential was somewhat limited in the cramped cave filled with stalactites.
Imagine if the battlefield were the scene of the Great Ninja War; the entire land would be one’s auxiliary army, and the terrain could be altered at will, as long as chakra sufficed.
Suddenly, Lin Nan’s body radiated white light, flying off the reanimated flesh to reveal his wooden skin.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Nan’s usually placid face showed a hint of panic.
Lin Nan wore a wry smile and then, with trembling hands, placed them on Xiao Nan’s head.
“I have to go, Xiao Nan…”
“No… Don’t!” Xiao Nan’s beautiful eyes widened, filled with sheer panic.
“The Impure World Reincarnation is about to be dispelled; there’s nothing I can do about it!” Lin Nan felt a pang of reluctance.
Xiao Nan extended a trembling hand and placed it on Lin Nan’s palm. Finally, as if making a resolute decision, she said, “I’ll come to you soon, to be with all of you!”
“No, live well, promise me!”
What kind of tragic drama was this? Lin Nan felt he shouldn’t pretend anymore, especially since as a wood clone, he could sense that his main body seemed to have already recovered.
The next moment, Xiao Nan seemed to finally make up her mind.
“I’m sorry, about her, I’m truly sorry, but she really died during a mission. I just, I just wanted, like Nagato, to let her at least still… I’m sorry!”
As if pouring out all her strength, Xiao Nan expressed her apology to Lin Nan.
This was the first time Lin Nan had heard her apologize since he had known her.
Lin Nan smiled: “It’s all in the past. Those who die do not meet again. Live well!”
Xiao Nan finally nodded, her face once again streaked with tears.
It felt like a dream. Lin Nan, the last person she knew in this world, had returned, and now he was leaving again.
This departure would be eternal.
Xiao Nan, however, suddenly made an effort to reveal a faint smile.
Lin Nan was stunned.
How should we say goodbye?
Just as we did when we first met.
“Sayonara (Goodbye)!” Xiao Nan parted her crimson lips. Though her face was tear-stained, she displayed a radiant, sun-like smile.
Just like that purple-haired girl.
The most beautiful moment was in that instant.
Lin Nan stared, mesmerized.
The reanimated flesh flew away, only to return to Lin Nan’s skin, and the light dispersed at that very moment.
Xiao Nan’s smile froze.
Lin Nan, feeling rather awkward, scratched his head: “It seems the Impure World Reincarnation hasn’t been dispelled after all!”
Xiao Nan withdrew her smile, saying nothing further, but the sorrow lingered.
Lin Nan, feeling unable to bear it, said, “Alright, if the Impure World Reincarnation isn’t dispelled this time, I should be fine!”
“What do you mean by fine?” Xiao Nan asked with anticipation.
Lin Nan smiled: “It means I might continue to exist in my current state indefinitely.”
Xiao Nan smiled, but then quickly suppressed it, turning her head away with a look of disdain.
Lin Nan scratched his head, wondering why he hadn’t noticed Xiao Nan’s tsundere nature before.
…
Meanwhile, inside the cave, Uchiha Itachi, at the cost of one Sharingan, had employed “Izanami,” an extremely high-level genjutsu that could trap a person within their obsessions, leading to their demise.
If the person’s obsession could not be resolved, they would be eternally trapped in an endless loop within the illusion.
However, if their obsession was resolved, it would signify that the person was no longer a threat, and the genjutsu would naturally release them.
Kabuto Yakushi’s obsession was, naturally, the pursuit of the truth of ninjutsu, for which he was willing to go to any lengths and pay any price.
Once Kabuto Yakushi became deeply engrossed in his obsession and unable to extricate himself, he was completely controlled by the genjutsu. With just a command from Uchiha Itachi, the hand seals for dispelling the Impure World Reincarnation would be performed.
Overall, this battle was not particularly difficult.
Apart from the fight with his brother Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi’s other battles were essentially within his grasp.
Of course, the reason his battle with his brother felt strenuous was his fear of accidentally killing his younger brother.
Therefore, although this battle began with back-and-forth exchanges, and Kabuto Yakushi frequently produced astonishing moves, it ultimately proceeded according to Uchiha Itachi’s plan.
In the end, with a decisive blow, Uchiha Itachi swiftly defeated Kabuto Yakushi.
Lin Nan’s wood clone had participated in this battle throughout and could not help but praise Kabuto Yakushi’s strength.
However, it was unfortunate that Kabuto Yakushi, or rather, Orochimaru’s lineage, was truly countered by Itachi.
The moment the Impure World Reincarnation was dispelled, Uchiha Itachi bid farewell to Sasuke and his soul ascended to heaven.
Uchiha Itachi’s final dance in this world concluded.
Lin Nan watched Uchiha Itachi’s ethereal soul drift upwards and let out a long sigh.
As for Sasuke, after being brainwashed by Uchiha Itachi, his mindset seemed to have been completely reshaped.
After all, he had previously been determined to destroy Konoha.
Driven by hatred for Itachi, he sought power and followed Orochimaru. Later, after killing his own brother, he joined the Akatsuki under Tobi’s manipulation, intending to destroy Konoha.
This Sasuke, with his extreme emotional instability, was precisely the hallmark of his reincarnated self, “Indra.”
“So, what are you thinking now?”
Lin Nan’s sudden question startled Sasuke, causing his Sharingan to flash out instantly.
A colossal skeletal arm swung in a wide arc.
“Clang!”
Another skeletal arm blocked the strike.
“Don’t get agitated!”