Chapter 361: Intelligence
"I am Otsutsuki Isshiki," the man spoke in a flat, emotionless voice. "A noble member of the main Otsutsuki family. A thousand years ago, I was tasked with planting a Divine Tree in a remote star system, accompanied by a branch family servant. Among our people, it is forbidden for Otsutsuki to harm each other; this is our iron law.
"However," Isshiki's voice faltered briefly, "I was betrayed and ambushed, my body nearly split in two, bringing me close to death. Yet, I managed to feign my death and survive because that servant's combat skills were lacking."
His tone hardened. "This shame cannot go unanswered. I refused to return to Takamagahara in disgrace; I have stayed here, determined to hunt down and destroy her Otsutsuki Kaguya!"
As he continued, his words unfolded secrets of his people and their methods. "The task of planting a Divine Tree requires activating the Ten Tails into its Tree form, a process demanding the sacrifice of one Otsutsuki body. This is why our clan usually sends two members on these missions one to activate the Tree, and the other to protect it in its vulnerable state.
"However, thanks to the Great Otsutsuki God, the Otsutsuki sacrificed to the Divine Tree does not perish but instead enters a state known as the 'Karma,' enabling their rebirth when a suitable host body is found. Unfortunately, this primitive star lacks hosts of suitable strength, so I have been unable to return to full power. Meanwhile, Kaguya, that traitorous servant, consumed the fruit of the Divine Tree, elevating her abilities beyond my own. Unable to act openly, I've been biding my time, using the natives to establish an organization, Kara, to further my goals. My techniques include..."
At this, Isshiki began to list his abilities and even the location of Takamagahara itself.
Beside Ye Wen, Zhu Zhuqing listened in reverent awe. The hypnotic technique Ye Wen employed was miraculous, far beyond her own mastery as the God of the Underworld. Though her talent in soul manipulation was considerable, she had yet to reach her master's skill.
Ye Wen, on the other hand, was completely engrossed. The knowledge Isshiki was revealing was as formidable as he had expected. Despite only possessing the power of a third tier god, Isshiki's skills and knowledge rivaled that of second and even first tier gods. The Otsutsuki clan's mastery of technology, the replicability of their methods, and their ability to mass produce powerful warriors this was the essence of technological civilization.
After taking in the information, Ye Wen's gaze lingered on the dark patterns across Isshiki's body. This was the "Karma," the key to the Otsutsuki's ability to reincarnate. Even though Ye Wen pressed Isshiki for details about the Karma's mechanics, Isshiki knew only enough to be a user, not the creator. Still, Ye Wen had gained enough insights to further his own ambitions.
Taking out a jade slip, Ye Wen inscribed the information he had just extracted and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing. "Take this back to Intelligence and instruct the staff to prepare for the coming conflict. I'll remain here to continue studying this one."
"Understood!" Zhu Zhuqing responded and vanished into the night as a streak of black light.
Left alone, Ye Wen turned his full attention to Isshiki. Isshiki was a combatant, not a researcher, and expecting him to reveal the Otsutsuki's scientific secrets was unrealistic. Ye Wen would have to take a more hands on approach to understand the true nature of Otsutsuki technology.
As he delved deeper into his examination, Ye Wen's expression grew serious. The Otsutsuki's technical prowess was undeniable. The core of Karma was a combination of high density chakra and special microscopic bio machines. Yet, it lacked the essential spark of true life: a soul. The method extracted chakra not only from the host's own reserves but by exhausting their potential as well.
"So, this is the ultimate secret of the Otsutsuki Clan digital life," Ye Wen muttered in realization. He had anticipated encountering silicon based lifeforms akin to cybernetic life one day, but to find such technology here, in the world he had once known as Naruto's world, was surprising.
Reflecting on the Otsutsuki introduced in Boruto, Ye Wen saw a pattern in their names: Isshiki, Momoshiki, Urashiki, Kinshiki. The more he considered it, the more these names sounded like designations, not true names. Could it be that the Otsutsuki main clan was a species of digital lifeforms, a race that had transcended traditional biological existence?
It seemed increasingly plausible.
As Isshiki's hypnosis faded, awareness returned to him, and he looked at Ye Wen with fear. He tried to flee, only to discover that his chakra had been fully restrained. At this moment, he was little more than a regular human with some enhanced durability. Ye Wen, however, regarded Isshiki with a cool detachment. This being showed no respect for life and destroyed it without hesitation.
After thoroughly draining Isshiki of all valuable knowledge, Ye Wen snapped his fingers, sealing him within a dimensional stasis.
"With the main clan's information gathered, it's time to visit the branch family," Ye Wen murmured, casting his gaze toward the night sky. A pristine moon hung in the heavens, cold and distant. He knew that at this power level, beings could reshape reality itself. Even this artificial moon was proof of how wide the gulf was between a Sixth Path level being and all those below.
The Moon Otsutsuki Clan Branch Land.
On the Moon resided a clan that carried the legacy of the Byakugan. Their lineage could be traced to the ancient deity of the Rabbit Goddess. Yet, even on this desolate rock, the Otsutsuki had established a hierarchy, dividing themselves into main and branch families. Where oppression existed, rebellion followed. Even those conditioned to obedience would retaliate if pushed too far.
And now, the main branch would face the fruits of their sins.
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