After calming herself, Tsunade frowned.
“So this Main God is basically an employer issuing missions, while those of us called Reincarnators are the shinobi who accept them?” Shu nodded.
“That’s one way to understand it.
But the rewards offered by the Main God are on a completely different level from the money you can earn in the shinobi world.” Meanwhile, the other three had finished absorbing the information in their minds.
Their expressions changed drastically as they stared anxiously at the watches on their wrists.
“You’ve got to be kidding!
Main God Space?
Countless worlds?!” One wandering shinobi slapped his own head.
“This has to be genjutsu!” The other gritted his teeth.
“Exactly!
With someone as important as Princess Tsunade here, using high-level genjutsu on us makes perfect sense.
We can’t stay here.
We need to get outside and find a chance to break free, or we’re all going to die!” The two exchanged a quick glance, spun around, and crashed through the wooden door before sprinting outside.
Shu remained where he was, making absolutely no attempt to stop them.
‘And there it is.
No matter which version of the Main God Space you’re in, there are always a few disposable idiots determined to get themselves killed at the start.
It’s practically a law of infinite-flow stories.’ Those two had no idea that the true horror of Uzumaki wasn’t some monster hiding in the shadows.
It was Kurouzu-cho itself.
Running outside blindly right now was basically volunteering to become cannon fodder for the town.
Once the two men disappeared into the distance, Tsunade finally managed to suppress her excitement.
She stared hard at Shu.
“Brat, the information in those memories…
is it really true?
This place can actually…
resurrect people?” “What else could it be, Tsunade-sama?” Shu spread his hands with a helpless smile.
“Do you know anyone in the shinobi world capable of abducting you without making a sound, then forcibly inserting memories into your head without you noticing?” “Or do you seriously think a mere Uchiha Genin like me could cast a genjutsu of this level on someone as powerful as you?” Tsunade fell silent.
Shu had a point.
Methods this unbelievable had already gone far beyond anything considered possible in the shinobi world.
“Tsunade-sama, the first thing we’re taught at the Ninja Academy is that in any unknown environment, information is always the most important resource,” Shu said calmly.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
“What are you trying to say?” “This mission world—Kurouzu-cho—I happen to possess some exclusive information about it.” Shu met her gaze.
“As for where that information came from, that’s my personal secret.
I’m afraid I can’t tell you.” He paused briefly.
“How about it, Tsunade-sama?
We’re both Konoha shinobi.
In a place this strange, why don’t we work together?” “I’ll provide information and help you avoid danger.
You provide the muscle, protect me, and follow my lead.
If we survive these five days, we both get Reward Points.
Everyone gets what they want.
Sound fair?” “Heh!
You’ve got some nerve, brat.” Tsunade raised her chin slightly.
“I may have resigned from my duties in Konoha years ago, but I still retain my status as a Jonin and one of the Sannin.
Are you sure you want me taking orders from you?” Shu shrugged.
“Tsunade-sama, does this place look like Konoha to you?” Tsunade stared at him for a few seconds before finally nodding.
“Fine, brat!
If you can prove your information is reliable, I’ll cooperate with you.” “But don’t think I’ve forgotten what happened earlier!
You’re still getting that beating.
I’m just putting it on your tab for now!” Shu’s mouth twitched.
‘So that’s the part you care about most?!
This woman really knows how to hold a grudge.’ Still, proving that his information was reliable?
For someone who knew the plot, that couldn’t be easier.
Shu straightened slightly.
“Tsunade-sama, since we’ll be working together, let me introduce myself properly.
I’m Uchiha Shu, a Genin of Konoha.” Tsunade looked him up and down.
“A Genin in your twenties?
Fine, got it.
Heh!
As expected of an Uchiha.” Shu was speechless.
‘Sorry for still being a Genin in my twenties, okay?!’ At that moment, the civilian woman cautiously approached them.
“U-Um…
hello…” she stammered.
“Could I…
stay with you?
I promise I won’t run around or cause any trouble…” Shu looked her over.
“What’s your name?
Where are you from?” “Takagi…
Miyuki.
I’m from Tetsukawa Village in the Land of Fire.” She tightly gripped the hem of her clothes, her voice trembling.
Shu frowned slightly.
‘The Land of Fire?’ Tsunade spent years wandering between gambling dens throughout the Land of Fire, so it made sense that she had been pulled in from there.
Now this civilian was from the Land of Fire too.
‘Were those two wandering shinobi also from the Land of Fire?’ ‘Does the Main God select people based on which country they’re currently in?’ But if that was the case, its recruitment method was clearly different from the classic giant ball of light.
It didn’t seem to specifically choose people who had lost hope in their original lives.
Shu temporarily pushed the question aside.
This was hardly the time to research the Main God’s recruitment system.
“Stay with us,” Shu said casually.
“But I’ll warn you first.
This place is nowhere near as simple as you think.” “You can follow us, and I’ll help you if it’s within my ability.
But if saving you ever puts my own life at risk, then…” “I understand!
Thank you…
Thank you so much!” Miyuki bowed repeatedly as if she had just been granted a pardon.
Shu turned around and walked out of the house first.
Tsunade glanced at his back.
‘Didn’t expect this brat to be such a softie.’ The moment they stepped outside, the surrounding scenery came into view.
An asphalt road stretched before them beneath a gloomy sky.
The air was heavy and oppressive, almost making it difficult to breathe.
A road sign stood ahead, its lettering strangely distorted.
Kurouzu-cho.
“Just as I thought.
This is definitely the place…” Shu murmured while staring at the sign.
Tsunade came out behind him, with Miyuki sticking closely to her side.
“Hey, brat.” Tsunade scanned their surroundings with a slight frown.
“The Main God’s mission is to survive in this town for five days, right?
But I assume it isn’t that simple.” “You said you knew something about this place.
So tell me.
What exactly is wrong with this town?” “Spirals,” Shu answered immediately.
“To put it simply, the town we’re standing in right now…
is cursed.” “Cursed?” Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
The concept wasn’t unfamiliar to her; the shinobi world had plenty of sinister techniques that worked in similar ways.
“What kind of curse?” “One that can’t be explained by normal logic.” Shu pointed toward the Kurouzu-cho sign.
“And at the center of that curse is one thing: spirals.” “Spirals?” Tsunade frowned in confusion.
“Exactly.
The longer you remain in this town, the deeper the spiral curse seeps into you.” “At first, it might only affect the environment.
But soon, people’s minds become uncontrollably obsessed with spirals until they’re twisted into madness.
And it doesn’t stop with the mind.
Their bodies begin changing too.” “Some people develop spirals on their bodies.
Those spirals grow like living things until they eventually swallow the person whole.” “Others grow enormous shells from their backs as their bodies slowly degenerate into human snails.” “And some have their bodies twisted together like rope until they resemble human snakes.
Basically, there are all kinds of bizarre ways to die here…” …