Naruto evolution system

Chapter 232: Turning Hostile

Hearing the shadow recount the ancient past, and combining it with his own understanding of the ninja world and the Ōtsutsuki clan, Baishi found the story mostly credible. However, one key point still required confirmation.

"I need to know—what exactly is your current state?"

The shadow paused briefly before responding honestly.

"As you see, I am merely a lingering spiritual will. My true body is trapped in a separate dimension."

It then added, its voice carrying a rare note of eagerness,

"If you help me escape, I will be forever grateful."

As it spoke, the shadow's emotions surged with unmistakable desperation.

But despite sensing its strong hope, Baishi's caution only deepened.

For one reason—

Throughout their entire conversation, the entity had deliberately avoided mentioning the so-called Evil God.

For another—

With his Mind Fortress ability now at Level III, his instincts were sharper than ever.

Though the shadow had shown no overt hostility, something felt off.

With these doubts in mind, Baishi naturally wouldn't be reckless.

But—

That didn't mean he wouldn't try to extract more information.

So, he played along.

"How can I help you?"

In that moment—

Baishi distinctly felt it.

A trace of greed flashed across the shadow's aura.

It disappeared almost instantly—but not before he caught it.

'I knew it… something's wrong.'

He kept his expression neutral.

"What you must do is simple..."

The shadow suppressed its excitement and explained the ritual Baishi needed to perform.

The process involved constructing a special formation to channel the entity's spiritual energy—allowing it to use Baishi as a beacon to escape from its prison.

Baishi's lips twitched.

'Does he take me for an idiot?'

Even a fool could tell—this was no ordinary ritual.

It was exactly the same thing the Jashin Cult had done to Hidan!

In other words—

The shadow was trying to turn him into its next "disciple."

His expression remained impassive, but inwardly, he felt nothing but disdain.

Seeing Baishi's lack of response, the shadow's form flickered with increasing instability.

A manic aura surged from within it, coiling like a storm ready to explode.

A voice, now thick with urgency and anticipation, pressed on—

"Well? Have you made your decision?"

But this time—

The voice wasn't just asking.

It carried a subtle compulsion, weaving into Baishi's thoughts, attempting to push him into submission.

Perhaps, this trick had worked on countless others before.

But—

Baishi was different.

His Mind Fortress was already at Level III.

With a simple thought, he shook off the mental influence like dust on his sleeve.

However—

Instead of growing frustrated, the shadow's madness escalated.

It cackled hoarsely—

"Haha… yes! I knew it! You're different! You're the perfect host!"

Its voice turned twisted and ecstatic.

"If I can just take control of you… I will finally escape that wretched prison!"

Baishi's eyes sharpened.

"Prison?"

But before he could press for more answers—

The shadow's form suddenly collapsed into a black mist, spreading throughout Hidan's entire mental space.

Baishi glanced around.

Everywhere—darkness.

His connection to his physical body grew faint, but not completely severed.

He calmly assessed the situation.

"I could force my way out if necessary."

Reassured, he chose to wait—to see what the entity would try next.

Because—

If possible, he wanted to extract something useful.

Whether it be forbidden knowledge on curses, or its mysterious spiritual techniques, there was much he could potentially gain.

Then—

The mist converged into a tidal wave and rushed toward him.

Suddenly—

Chaotic whispers flooded his mind.

Visions of violence.

Whispers of insanity.

A flood of extreme emotions—anger, hatred, despair—poured into his soul.

Baishi gritted his teeth.

It felt like he was a lone boat in a storm, battered by the relentless waves of madness.

A voice echoed from the mist—low and insidious.

"Stop resisting."

"Struggle is meaningless."

"Give in, and you will know peace."

The voice was trying to tempt him, to lure him into surrender.

But Baishi ignored it completely.

Instead—

He did something unthinkable.

He reversed the invasion.

Yes.

While the entity was trying to consume him—

He was invading it.

Baishi had already noticed—

For this corruption ritual to work, it required both parties to intertwine their spirits.

And—

That meant the vulnerability went both ways.

So, while the shadow was trying to erode his mind, Baishi pushed back with his own mental force.

The battle was now a test of whose will was stronger.

And the shadow—

Did not know who it was dealing with.

Perhaps in its prime, this entity was powerful.

But now?

It was just a fragment—detached from its true body.

Meanwhile—

Baishi was a being constantly evolving, his mental defenses unnaturally fortified by the System's enhancements.

And most importantly—

It was alone.

Whereas Baishi still had his Mind Fortress at Level III.

In other words—

It could not win.

Time passed.

Then—

The shadow's rage boiled over.

"Why aren't you breaking?!"

Baishi smirked.

"Why do you think, 'senior'?"

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

The black mist shuddered violently—

Then it howled in frustration.

"Baishi! I will remember this!"

It tried to retreat.

But—

Baishi was done playing.

His eyes gleamed coldly.

"Leave? You're not going anywhere."

He clasped his hands together, forming a seal—

"Seal!"

A vast sealing formation materialized, engulfing the entire mental space.

The shadow's form flickered violently.

For the first time—

Baishi heard genuine fear in its voice.

"What… is this?!"

Baishi didn't bother explaining.

He merely pressed his fingers together, activating the full power of the seal.

The glowing sigil contracted, shrinking rapidly—

Until—

It compressed into a black snowflake-shaped mark.

And then—

It imprinted itself onto Baishi's forehead.

Baishi opened his eyes.

Back in reality.

The air around him trembled slightly, as if the very fabric of existence had shifted.

Baishi slowly lifted his hand, touching the mark.

Then, he smiled.

"Gotcha."

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