Orochimaru's idea was theoretically feasible.
After all, Impure World Reincarnation was essentially a form of Summoning Jutsu, except that the target of the summoning was not a ninja beast but the souls of the dead. The premise, however, was that the so called Void Realm truly existed. That single question determined everything.
So, did Void Realm exist?
"When Orochimaru finds the Time Space Cave, the so called Void Realm will naturally exist as well."
In the Land of Rain, Ryuji Hyuga smiled faintly, already able to guess Orochimaru's reaction after reading the contents of the Scroll. To be precise, the Void Realm was fake, and the concept of emptiness was also fake. But the Time Space Cave that connected to another space was real, and the theory that souls could grow stronger by devouring other souls was also viable.
To make his lie more convincing, Ryuji Hyuga had frequently infiltrated the Hyuga Clan's Clan Ancestral Library during this period. He read through neglected ancient books and obscure legends that few people cared about. In those texts, he found records related to the Wandering People.
That ancient civilization, remnants of which appeared in old legends, had used the powerful Stone of Gelel to establish an empire. They also possessed a Time Space Cave that connected to an independent space. For Ryuji Hyuga, all he needed to do was seize that connected space when Orochimaru discovered the ruins, and then turn it into his own Void Realm.
As for Orochimaru's later research on souls devouring souls to grow stronger, Ryuji Hyuga would naturally convert those results into rules of the world through points. By then, souls that died with obsession and resentment would no longer enter the Pure Land. Instead, they would follow instinct, devour other souls, and be born into this world as emptiness.
There was also a line Orochimaru never saw. Once such emptiness was artificially cultivated and a passage opened, it would break away from the Void Realm and appear in the Ninja World. At that moment, the entire Ninja World would fall into fear and unrest, and his lie would become reality.
"Although the idea of manifesting abstract rules has existed for a long time, this is the first time it has truly been put into practice."
"The system's response back then was insufficient points, not impossible to manifest. That alone proves such rules can be made real."
Ryuji Hyuga's eyes flickered slightly as he thought to himself that although it would cost a huge number of points, the return would likely be beyond imagination. The targets of this lie were not just all the ninja of the Ninja World. It would also deceive the Sage of Six Paths and even Isshiki Otsutsuki hiding in the shadows.
In a sense, what he was deceiving was the entire world.
A notification rang out in his mind.
His lie was judged as layered deception, and Orochimaru experienced an extreme emotional shock that reached the level of doubting reality, granting 2000 Reality Points. The current Remaining Reality Points stood at 12194.
As expected.
Hearing the system prompt, Ryuji Hyuga once again confirmed his thoughts. Just Orochimaru alone had contributed two thousand points. Only by shattering their understanding of the world and rebuilding it with lies could such massive gains be achieved.
"I hope the esteemed Orochimaru can make progress quickly. With his talent, as long as he dares to act, developing a technique where souls devour souls to grow stronger should not be difficult."
Ryuji Hyuga offered silent blessings, once again appreciating how useful this tool truly was. If he had done all of this himself, the cost in points and effort would have been far greater. Letting Orochimaru handle it was far more efficient.
"Being pushed this far and still repaying harm with kindness, Orochimaru really is a good person."
With that thought, Ryuji Hyuga set it aside. Orochimaru would need time, and he himself needed to accumulate more points before manifesting the rules in one decisive move.
He sat on the bed and looked out the window.
From here, he could see the towering structure that symbolized the absolute authority of Amegakure, rising into the clouds like a massive stone pillar standing over the rain soaked land. The endless rain pressed down on the iron city below. Everything felt heavy and confined.
Kakashi Hatake had already sent word back to the village. Once they received approval from Hiruzen Sarutobi, they would go to Amegakure to meet Hanzo and formally propose an alliance. Given Hiruzen Sarutobi's temperament, there was no reason for refusal, and considering Hanzo's current situation, he likely would not reject it either.
Objectively speaking, it was a solution that benefited both sides.
Land of Rain would become a buffer for the Land of Fire against the Land of Wind and Land of Earth. In return, the Land of Fire would supply Land of Rain with food, weapons, and other resources. On paper, it was a fair exchange.
But then came the real question.
Would the people of Land of Rain and the ninja of Amegakure truly be willing to become expendable pawns for Konoha? Would Nagato and the Uchiha's Obito allow Land of Rain to become a subordinate and a sacrifice for the great nations? And most importantly, would he allow it?
Ryuji Hyuga smiled softly as shadows stirred beneath his feet. A black robe wrapped around his body, and his figure vanished from the room. Only a single Shadow Clone was left behind.
At the top of the high tower in Amegakure, Hanzo sat cross legged by the window. He silently watched the curtain of rain outside. The sound of water against stone filled the air.
Land of Rain was a nation soaked in cold rain, wedged between the great powers of fire, wind, and earth. Throughout history, it had been trampled by wars between those nations. Its land became battlefields, and its people were driven from their homes.
There was no bright sunlight and no fertile soil. There was only endless dampness, cold steel, and pain buried deep in the heart that the rain washed over again and again without erasing. It was a condensed reflection of the cruel reality of the Ninja World.
"Dreams?"
Hanzo recalled the young man named Yahiko and the words he once spoke about dreams and peace. Had the younger version of Hanzo truly lacked dreams of his own? Had he not longed for peace as well?
In youth, one always believes anything is possible. With time, one learns that human strength has limits. Now, as the leader of Amegakure and a hero of Land of Rain, he carried the lives of countless people on his shoulders.
He could not gamble, dared not gamble, and knew he would lose if he did. With that realization, the murkiness in Hanzo's eyes slowly turned firm.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Hanzo said calmly, his thoughts interrupted.
An Amegakure Ninja rushed inside, shouting that something terrible had happened. Hanzo's voice dropped sharply, telling him to calm down and speak properly, reminding him that the sky had not fallen yet.
Swallowing nervously, the ninja reported that people from Konoha had arrived and wished to meet him.
"Konoha?" Hanzo frowned deeply, unease rising in his chest. Had they really come this quickly?