Naruto Shadow Emperor - Chapter 5
“Yukigetsu? Yukigetsu?”
In the faint calling, consciousness slowly drew closer. His eyelids fluttered, and Yukigetsu slowly opened his eyes. The blinding sunlight made him raise his hand to shield his eyes.
Beside him, Kakashi looked on with a mix of concern. Yukigetsu forced a smile, “I’m fine… brother.”
Kakashi studied him intently, confirming there were no major issues. He then smiled, “You should rest well. I’ve already excused you from the Ninja Academy.”
He paused, then continued in a seemingly light-hearted manner, “And even if you don’t awaken your Kekkei Genkai or still can’t extract chakra, it doesn’t matter… As long as I’m alive, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Yukigetsu was taken aback, then squinted and smiled, teasing, “Come on, we don’t know who will protect whom in the future.”
At this, Kakashi finally seemed to relax, exhaling lightly. He laughed, “Alright, I’ll wait for the day when you, who isn’t even a Genin yet, protect me, an elite Jonin of Konoha.”
After Kakashi left the room, Yukigetsu’s bright smile gradually faded. He pulled off the covers, got out of bed, and stood by the window.
The morning light was faint, the breeze gently carried the scent of willow leaves and mysterious flowers.
Konoha’s mornings were always peaceful and beautiful. Long-time residents developed a strong sense of belonging, a unique charm of the village.
Yukigetsu’s expression grew distant. Tsunade was his mother. She endured twenty years of torment and pain to give birth to him. Rationality held back his impulsive emotions; he knew he couldn’t seek her out—not until he surpassed Danzo. Until he removed that threat, reuniting with Tsunade would bring uncontrollable changes.
Besides that, he was particularly concerned about the Spirit Release, a strange ability seemingly originating from an unknown entity. He desired power but didn’t want to become someone else. He was Yukigetsu, with a soul from Earth, an unacknowledged mother, and a brother who genuinely cared for him. He would be no one else.
Yukigetsu clenched his fists and sat cross-legged on the bed, recalling the Spirit Release seal that had appeared in his mind last night. He formed the seals, and in the next moment, his consciousness appeared by the Soul River.
Yukigetsu looked around and quickly noticed a cluster of moonlight-like energy floating quietly by the Soul River. He reached out, and the energy swiftly flew over, encircling his right hand.
Last night, during his emotional turmoil, he felt the appearance of this energy. Though he didn’t fully understand it, his intuition told him this was the Will of Reincarnation.
Feeling a sense of enlightenment, Yukigetsu formed seals with his hands, the strange seal patterns constantly changing. In the next moment, he focused and called out, “Spirit Release: Soul Purification Bridge!”
Hiss!
The flying Will of Reincarnation rapidly expanded. In moments, a moonlight bridge appeared over the Soul River, slowly moving with Yukigetsu’s right hand.
The Soul Bridge’s position kept changing, but Yukigetsu soon realized its length couldn’t reach the powerful Kekkei Genkai like Dust Release or Wood Release. It only connected to… Water Release.
Yukigetsu’s lips twitched. After several attempts, he had no choice but to give up. With a sigh, the Soul Bridge fell onto the Soul River, connecting him to the information flow of Water Release.
Cautiously, Yukigetsu’s consciousness moved along the Soul Bridge. This time, the soul hand didn’t appear. He soon reached the end of the bridge, extending his right hand to touch the flowing light.
Swish!
In an instant, the light enveloped his entire body.
Moments later, it felt like water was washing over him, cleansing away all impurities. It was as if countless soft hands massaged his muscles and bones, bringing endless comfort. Yukigetsu couldn’t help but moan.
After a long time.
He opened his eyes, carefully organizing the information in his mind. After a moment, he sighed, his lips twitching.
Initially, he thought the Soul River, like the systems in those transmigration stories, would instantly grant him mastery over ninjutsu. Instead, he obtained the Water Release attribute and records of all Water Release jutsus. He still needed to learn how to use water release, even a D-rank jutsu. For S-rank jutsus, such as Water Release: Water Severing Wave or Water Release: Hard Whirlpool Water Blade, he not only needed to understand the technique but also required sufficient chakra.
Buzz, buzz.
As Yukigetsu frowned and sighed, the Soul River suddenly rippled, countless soul lights rising to form giant words in the sky:
“Understand the Source of Power, Reach the Pinnacle!”
Yukigetsu thought for a moment, then realized that perhaps the Soul River could indeed instantly teach him all ninjutsu. But that would be superficial knowledge, knowing how without understanding why. That path wouldn’t last.
Anyone who reached the pinnacle in any field did so by pouring their heart and soul into it, relentlessly pursuing mastery until they succeeded.
And Yukigetsu had just begun his journey to seek power.
The boy understood, calming his mind, and sitting quietly. After filtering through the information in his mind, he began learning the basics of chakra flow and seal formation, starting with the simplest D-rank jutsus.
…
Deep within the Soul River.
The guardian deity Yukigetsu floated quietly in the void, bathed in soul light, his hair flying freely.
Before him, scenes flickered. If Yukigetsu had been here, he would have been astonished to see that these were his memories of Naruto!
“The Otsutsuki brothers have been expelled. My new reincarnation exists in the world, making the future unpredictable. What use are these so-called Naruto memories?” a cold voice echoed.
“I am the guardian deity, soulless by nature. Only with that soul from Earth did I become truly human. Kaguya… you often said I didn’t understand human emotions or love for living beings… Now, I willingly forsake eternity, falling into reincarnation. Even if I lose everything, even if I disappear forever, I have no regrets, no complaints…”
The once emotionless guardian, whose sole purpose was to protect the world, now felt a hint of sadness.
“The emotional experiences of life, the love and hatred of humanity, let me experience them fully.”
His gaze turned to the void as if seeing Yukigetsu’s future life, scene after scene, wonderfully vivid.
“When the reincarnated me fully integrates these memories, it will mark the end of my existence as a guardian deity. Then, the newly born me will go to meet you. At that time, all grievances will be settled.”
The Soul River seemed to reflect the image of a long-haired woman, as she had appeared under the Divine Tree years ago. Her perfect figure, enchanting face, standing quietly under the falling leaves, was as beautiful as a dream.
“I only hope that this new me can bring true peace to this world. This is my last wish as a guardian deity.”
“Yukigetsu, you are ultimately not me. You are, ultimately, just Yukigetsu.”
The majestic yet lonely figure finally closed his eyes. Simultaneously, Yukigetsu opened his eyes in the room as if heralding a certain future…
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