Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Anran-san, you even taught the Sage of Six Paths how to transmit the power of the Shinigami?"
This is an Actor: "Yes."
Book Artist: "You... it's one thing to hold back a little, but you're practically letting an entire ocean slide, aren't you?"
This is an Actor: "If I do not do this, there will be no confrontation at all; it will simply be a one-sided massacre. Such a flat narrative arc is far too dull."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "True."
Curly Hair: "That's absolute bullshit! Isn't it better to just secure an easy win? Why make unnecessary trouble for yourself?!"
This is an Actor: "To increase my role-playing proficiency."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Ah... I see."
Book Artist: "That's a completely unanswerable counter-argument. If it's for that reason, then there's really nothing more to say."
Maximizing his role-playing proficiency was indeed paramount, as it formed the absolute foundation of Aizen's existence. As long as he could advance his synchronization with the character, other minor complications were trivial by comparison.
This is an Actor: "Furthermore, in my calculations, the mass production of low-grade Shinigami is a vital component."
Shark-Faced Guy: "In large quantities?"
Hoshigaki Kisame naturally grasped the implications of the term "low-grade Shinigami." Without the means to forge a proper Zanpakutō, even Aizen could not manifest a true Shinigami. Yet, mass-producing even defective substitutes should have been a functional impossibility. Magnificent though the Sage of Six Paths was, his spiritual reserves were not infinite.
Aizen, anticipating Kisame's line of questioning, sent his explanation without the slightest hesitation.
This is an Actor: "Otsutsuki Hagoromo's individual spiritual power would indeed prove insufficient, but he is not working in isolation."
Book Artist: "Not in isolation?"
Amending her understanding, Eriri redirected her gaze to the live broadcast feed.
On screen, Otsutsuki Hagoromo had already guided Madara, Pain, the Five Kage, and the rest of the shinobi forces deep into a subterranean tunnel, whereupon the vista before them opened up dramatically once more. What met their eyes were verdant, lush forests, murmuring brooks, and jagged peaks piercing the distance under a canopy of silver moonlight.
"Where exactly are we?" Uchiha Madara demanded, his tone laced with astonishment.
It had been broad daylight back in the Hidden Rain Village, yet merely traversing a single cavernous passage had brought them into the dead of night. This jarring spatial discrepancy startled even someone of Madara's caliber.
"Welcome," Otsutsuki Hagoromo murmured. Seemingly quite gratified by the collective bewilderment of his audience, a subtle smile touched his lips. "This is the Pure Land—the realm of the departed."
What?!
Every shinobi present, Madara included, erupted into hushed murmurs. Even the members watching within the chat room found the revelation difficult to process.
Curly-Haired Boy: "The P-Pure Land? This place is the Pure Land? Are there multiple versions of it or something?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "There is only one Pure Land. The current layout is likely because the realm itself is vast. Even if you combined the entire shinobi world, it would comprise less than one percent of its total territory."
Swish! Swish!
Just as the messages cleared, several blurred figures materialized on screen, dropping directly in front of the assembled ninja.
"Hashirama?!"
"Great-grandfather! Second grandfather?!"
Madara and Tsunade cried out in quick succession.
Sure enough, the figures standing before them were none other than the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Flanking them were numerous other recognizable faces—all long-deceased Kage representing their respective villages.
"So this is the hidden stratagem you spoke of to counter Aizen," Jiraiya noted, casting his gaze over the crowd as a wave of comprehension washed over him. "Resurrecting the Kage who were meant to rest, transforming them into protectors of the shinobi world... Truly magnificent."
Yakushi Kabuto chimed in smoothly, "If Aizen were to witness this, he would undoubtedly be shaken to his core."
Though his words sounded perfectly aligned with the group, Kabuto was already calculating how best to relay this vital intelligence to Aizen. In his estimation, even the Arrancar forces under Lord Aizen's command might struggle against such an immense concentration of legendary entities. He could distinctly perceive the heavy spiritual pressure emanating from every single one of them, indicating that these former Kage had all been successfully invested with the power of the Shinigami.
These individuals had already been pinnacle combatants in life. With the addition of Shinigami abilities, there was no telling how high their battle prowess would soar. Kabuto chose not to jump to conclusions; the current reality far outstripped his initial projections.
"Hmph, shaken to his core is putting it lightly," Otsutsuki Hagoromo stated smoothly, entirely oblivious to the young man's duplicity. "The concept of mobilizing the deceased Kage was something I gleaned directly from Aizen Sosuke himself. Employing his own methodology against him should properly instruct that boy on the price of his own arrogance."
A distinct note of self-satisfaction colored his voice, as though he believed Aizen's defeat was already an absolute certainty. The sight of him with his long goatee tilted upward was captured perfectly for the group chat.
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Pfft."
Saten Ruiko burst into laughter on the spot. She found that the Sage of Six Paths was quite amusing, though perhaps not particularly bright.
Curly-Haired Boy: "Instruct Lord Aizen on the price of his arrogance, huh? What do you think of that, Anran-san?"
This is an Actor: "It is reassuring to see him maintain such high morale."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Unfortunately, that lesson is destined to remain untaught."
Book Artist: "Exactly. It will only make him realize that the clown in this scenario is actually himself."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I am actually quite curious, Anran-san—what manner of remote surveillance are you utilizing? To think it even supports live broadcasting."
This is an Actor: "Surveillance bacteria. You should be familiar with the concept."
Book Artist: "Ah! The ones created by Kurotsuchi Mayuri-sensei?"
This is an Actor: "Precisely. The bacteria integrate seamlessly into human cellular structures, transmitting visual data directly to the observer."
Shark-Faced Guy: "Then who is the host currently under surveillance?"
This is an Actor: "Yakushi Kabuto. You did not truly believe I would grant him my absolute trust, did you?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Does that imply Konan-san and Kisame-san might have them inside their bodies as well?"
This is an Actor: "I was aware from the very beginning that Konan-senpai was a fellow member of the group, so it was naturally out of the question to plant surveillance bacteria within her."
Shark-Faced Guy: "And what about me?"
This is an Actor: "That concludes today's broadcast. There is nothing of note remaining to observe. Everyone, rest well."
[System Message: 'This is an Actor' has closed the broadcast room. Total viewers: 6. Duration: 15 minutes. The host has been awarded 90 points.]
Shark-Faced Guy: "???"