It has been three days since I left Naruto.
Following the quest given to me by the system, I took the initiative to travel to the former land of the Uzumaki.
The natural whirlpool barrier, which once made this place difficult to access, couldn't stop me—I came by air. As for the seals, I simply teleported inside.
It took me only a moment to reach Uzushiogakure.
The village was no more. Vegetation had taken over everything. Animals had made their homes in places once occupied by humans.
It was difficult to recognize the area, and I avoided going too deep. The reason was simple: the Fūinjutsu traps left behind by the former residents.
I feared their effects on me.
Some of them were designed to neutralize their target's chakra. I don't have chakra, but if they could affect negative energy… it would be the end for me. That energy is what keeps me "alive."
So, with a better safe than sorry mindset, I avoided those areas.
Eventually, I came across a massive graveyard on the outskirts of the village.
I wandered through the many tombstones. Unsurprisingly, I didn't recognize any of the names—except for one: Ashina Uzumaki.
That gave me an idea.
After preparing a ritual to maximize the chances of success, I then cast:
Soul Summoning: Requiem Call.
As expected, it failed.
I wanted to see if I could convert Fūinjutsu for my own use. This art has always been transcendent in the world of Naruto. It even allows, to some extent, the bypassing of power levels.
But unlike in Overlord, the souls of this world have a place to go after death: the Pure Land.
I could reinforce the ritual and try again, but I feared attracting the attention of its guardian.
I also abandoned the idea of using Uzumaki corpses to create summons. I wanted to maintain at least some sense of morality in my actions.
I decided I would only use this method on my enemies—unless faced with a desperate situation.
I then made the decision to leave the Land of Whirlpools once again and head either toward the Land of Wind or the Land of Rain.
I went to the coast, where my summons were waiting:
Jack the Ripper
Timo, the Archer
Mortissar, my skeletal dragon
Mortissar wasn't a real skeletal dragon.
I hadn't encountered any dragons in this world. He was created from the bones of the bandits I had massacred. So, like the ones created by Kahjit, he was a fake skeletal dragon.
As for Timo, after studying him, I finally understood what kind of being he was.
Before his transformation into an undead ghoul, he had mastered a technique that allowed him to shoot arrows with absurd speed and power.
With his transformation into an undead, he now uses negative energy.
Normally, this transformation process would require a ritual, but the combination of Death Knight + Cursed Knight—a legacy I inherited from the Death Knight—allowed me to bypass that requirement.
As for the bear… I buried it again.
I climbed onto Mortissar's back with Jack and Timo, and he took off toward the east.
I would strengthen them with rituals if possible… without triggering another massacre.
Somewhere deep down, I felt that what I did at the mercenary village was a mistake.
Also, ever since they retrieved Naruto, any undead I send into the village that gets too close to him is immediately detected and eliminated by the ANBU.
It seems a Hyūga is permanently stationed for his protection… A measure that, honestly, should have been implemented from the start, and for every Jinchūriki still too weak to fend for themselves.
However, every now and then, an undead managed to slip through and catch a glimpse before being taken down… as if it was doing so on purpose. That bothered me a little, but I let it be.
I was tempted to go there myself, but I quickly abandoned that thought.
I wonder how Hiruzen will handle the people who regain their memories… but I suspect they will follow the path of the others and scorn me.
But this time, I am here. Let's see how long that lasts.
I had gathered a lot of information from the mercenaries I managed to capture.
Upon reaching a black market outpost, I cloaked Mortissar and stepped down.
Surrounded by Jack and Timo, I entered the black market.
Strangely, silence spread through the room as we advanced.
The receptionist at the counter, who was supposed to register us as mercenaries, was hesitant at first, but I simply introduced myself as Jack's spokesperson.
It was then that I noticed a wanted poster on the mission board.
It was quite accurate.
We were wanted… and the bounty was high.
Things took a turn when I saw the mercenaries begin to surround us.
-------------------P.O.V Courtier---------------------------------------
When the mercenaries started circling the newcomers, I backed away.
The black market's policies protected me, so I had no reason to get involved.
Normally, fighting is prohibited within the premises… but this wasn't a main building.
Mercenaries are hard to control without a strong enough guard.
These three ignored the signals I sent them to leave… Too bad for them.
What a shame for the child to die so young.
When the commotion of battle finally stopped, I emerged from my hiding spot under the desk to collect the heads of the fallen.
The outcome was not what I expected…
I was now certain that the girl was no mere interpreter.
Only three people remained standing.
The three I had expected to die.
The child turned her gaze toward me and spoke:
"May I collect the bounties of those who had one, please?"
Her polite tone, paired with her blood-covered state, sent a chill down my spine.
For a brief moment, her eyes seemed to glow red, but when I blinked… they didn't.
She then sold me all the weapons from the fallen mercenaries.
Throughout the entire process, none of her companions spoke.
That confirmed to me that she was not normal.
As she left the building, I saw the other mercenaries—those who hadn't joined the fight—step aside to clear her path.
Even after they were gone, they remained frozen in horror. Many had even fainted.
That convinced me not to ask questions I didn't want answers to.
I would leave all of this for the guards when they returned.
I hope never to see them again.
I then noticed that the last sword I had retrieved was so rusted that it was completely unusable.
How did she fight with such a weapon?