chsdbacks Chapter 453 Otsutsuki Shibaida's Redemption
Chapter 453 Otsutsuki Shibaida's Redemption
The river of time continues to flow slowly, creating a series of magnificent yet tragic scenes.
The shattered remnants of a planet rise and fall in time; the fading light of life flickers and disappears like fireflies; the distorted energy trajectories meander like venomous snakes; every scene silently tells of past destruction and desolation—this is the decaying aura of time.
Every word that Otsutsuki Shibaki had said was impacting his understanding.
"He saved his own soul from the void, and then orchestrated a storyline of redeeming the world?"
Uchiha Mitsunori's gaze returned to Otsutsuki Shibakai, his previous confusion gradually replaced by a clear-headed scrutiny.
"Are you so sure I'll create life and spread hope as you expect? What if I use the power you gave me to do evil, arbitrarily harming innocent people? Wouldn't your atonement become aiding and abetting evil? How will you clean up the mess then?"
Upon hearing this, Ōtsutsuki Shibaki chuckled softly, his laughter devoid of any panic: "The moment I retrieved your soul, I used the Ten Directions Divine Technique to see all your possible future paths. Regardless of which trajectory you take, the reverence for life and the obsession with protecting it deep within your soul have never faded."
"Only a soul like yours can remain whole in dire straits and get to where you are today."
With a wave of his hand, clear images reappeared in the river of time: the scene of Uchiha Sanfeng creating life-bearing planets in the universe. He stood on a barren planet, golden chakra showering down around him like spring rain. Countless new life forms thrived on the planet, flowers, grasses, and trees sprouted from the soil, and tender green buds swayed in the wind. The world was filled with vibrant life.
"Everything you did stemmed from your own choice, not from my coercion. I merely gave you an opportunity—a chance for you to realize your self-worth and for me to make amends for my mistakes. The system's power is only an aid to you; it cannot change your true nature."
Looking at himself focused on creating in the image, Uchiha Mitsunori's brows slowly relaxed, and most of the pent-up frustration in his heart dissipated.
He had to admit that what Ōtsutsuki Shibai said was true. From crossing over into the ninja world to obtaining the system, from improving his strength to creating life, every choice he made was a decision he made in accordance with his heart.
The system's power merely gave him the ability to achieve his goals; what truly drove him was his inner desire to protect and create.
"So, being trapped here, you can only rely on me to atone for your sins?"
Uchiha Mitsunori pressed on, his gaze sweeping over the dim aura surrounding Otsutsuki Shibaki, clearly sensing the heavy binding force deep within his soul.
"With your abilities, is there really no way for you to save yourself?"
Otsutsuki Shibaju's figure swayed slightly, filled with deep helplessness.
"I have destroyed too many lives, and the shackles formed by the power of life have long since become one with my soul, inseparable from it. Unless this universe can give birth to enough new life force to form a 'life torrent' strong enough to counteract the shackles, I will never be able to break free from the constraints of the river of time and will only be able to endure the pain of my soul being torn apart here day after day."
"The life-bearing planet you created is nurturing such a 'life torrent,' but it's not enough. There are other regions in this universe affected by my actions back then, still in a state of desolation. More importantly, in order to gain power, I forcibly twisted the will of the Divine Tree, causing it to have a strong will. Now this malice is growing stronger in the cracks of the river of time, and sooner or later it will break through its shackles and devour the entire universe. And you are the only one I foresaw who can end all of this."
Uchiha Mitsunaga's pupils suddenly contracted, and the golden light of his Divine Eyes surged: "The Divine Tree's primordial malice? What is that? Isn't the Divine Tree a life vessel of the universe? How can it possess primordial malice?"
He knew something about the divine tree, that it nourished all things, and never imagined that such a crisis could be hidden inside it.
"The divine tree was originally the life carrier of the universe, absorbing the energy of heaven and earth to nourish all things, and it was once pure and flawless."
Otsutsuki Shibaira's voice deepened, carrying a hint of solemnity and deep regret.
"But back then, in order to quickly increase my strength, I forcibly distorted the essence of the divine tree, using forbidden techniques to force it to plunder life energy. Over time, pure malice grew within the divine tree, taking pleasure in devouring life. It was no longer a nurturer, but a destroyer. After I was trapped here, I used my last strength to seal it in the cracks of the river of time. But as time goes by, my sealing power is getting weaker and weaker, and it may break free at any time."
"The key is that this malice has already infiltrated and spread. The Otsutsuki clan has long been eroded by this devouring malice, which has led to constant internal strife and brought them step by step to the brink of extinction. And you... are the only one I foresaw who can end all of this."
The moment the words fell, the River of Time seemed to sense the gravity in their words. The current became turbulent, and the once calm flow of light became chaotic, emitting a piercing howl, like the wailing of countless wronged souls.
In the chaotic space, a chilling malice emanated from within, like a ferocious beast lurking in the darkness, watching everything from the shadows, sending shivers down one's spine.
Uchiha Mitsunori took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock and fear in his heart.
He finally understood that Otsutsuki Shibai's plan for redemption was far more than just creating life; he also bore the mission of sealing the Divine Tree's malice and saving the entire universe. This mission was so heavy that he could hardly breathe, but he had no room to back down.
"You want me to help you seal it away?"
Uchiha Mitsunori's tone became firm, and the confusion in his eyes completely disappeared, replaced by a determination to protect.
Regardless of whether his initial intention was a gamble for redemption, he could not stand by and watch the entire universe be devoured by malice, nor could he allow the lives he created and the people he protected to fall into crisis.
"You must not only seal it away, but also completely purify it."
Ōtsutsuki Shibai's voice carried a hint of anticipation, as well as a resolute determination born of desperation: "Only with pure life force can the malice of the Divine Tree be completely eliminated, allowing it to return to its original nature. You now possess omnipotent divine magic and can create life; you are the only one in this universe capable of doing this."
He slowly raised his hand, and a silvery-white light spot separated from the halo around him. The light spot was as dazzling as a star and slowly drifted towards the three peaks.
"This is my last vestige of awareness of the Divine Tree's malevolence, and also the key to unlocking its seal. It can help you locate the Divine Tree's malevolence and, in a critical moment, shield you from one of its deadly attacks. Remember, the Divine Tree's malevolence is incredibly cunning; never let your guard down."
The light spot landed in Uchiha Mitsunori's palm and instantly merged into his body.
Uchiha Mitsunori could clearly feel an unfamiliar perception emerging in his mind. Following this perception, he could vaguely sense the dense malice in the cracks of the river of time, like a maggot clinging to his bone, making him nauseous. That malice was filled with the desire for destruction and devouring, making the hairs on his body stand on end.
"I see."
Uchiha Mitsunaga clenched his fists, his eyes filled with unwavering determination: "I will do it. But I have one condition."
"you say."
Otsutsuki Shibai's tone carried a hint of relief, as if he had already anticipated that Shibai would agree, and the aura around him softened slightly.
"If I successfully purify the evil of the divine tree and remove your shackles, you must promise me that you will no longer interfere in anything in this universe."
Uchiha Mitsunori's tone was firm and unwavering, his eyes fixed on Otsutsuki Shibai: "The lives of beings in this universe should control their own destiny, not become tools for anyone's atonement. Their future should be written by themselves."
Otsutsuki Shibaitaka paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a hint of guilt, approval, and relief.
"Alright, I promise you. If I can regain my freedom, I may leave this world and never set foot here again, nor interfere with the trajectory of any life. I will let the life here truly take control of its own destiny."
As the words fell, the flow of the river of time gradually calmed down, the chaotic light returned to order, and the chilling malice seemed to sense the agreement between the two, gradually disappearing into the gaps of the river of time, and the chaotic space returned to calm.
Otsutsuki Shibaju's figure began to blur, and the aura around him grew fainter and fainter, as if he would merge into the river of time at any moment.
"The time is almost up. Your consciousness cannot linger in the river of time for too long, or it will be eroded by the power of time and your soul will be damaged. Go, Uchiha Mitsurugi, the hope of this universe is entrusted to you."
A gentle push came from the direction of Otsutsuki Shibaju, without any coercion, yet with an irresistible force.
Uchiha Mitsunori felt the world spinning again before his eyes, and the River of Time, the Chaotic Space, and the figure of Otsutsuki Shibakai vanished instantly.
The howling wind of the Gobi Desert echoed in his ears again, and he felt the roughness of the sand on his cheeks once more. The white hair on his fingertips had long since disappeared. Only the familiar sensation in his palm and the clear memories in his mind reminded him that everything that had just happened was not an illusion.
Uchiha Mitsunori slowly opened his eyes. The golden divine eye gradually faded, returning to its original appearance, but with a hint of vicissitude and determination in his eyes.
He stood on the desolate Gobi Desert, his black trench coat fluttering in the wind, the hem covered with sand.
He raised his hand to touch the storage box in his arms, then felt the malevolent force within him that sensed the divine tree, before turning and walking towards the palace.