"Summoning Technique!!!!"
Souta Kazuki clasped his hands together, pouring chakra into the golden magic circle. The shimmering flames of soul energy erupted once more, illuminating the surroundings with their ethereal glow. The golden radiance reflected in his sharp eyes as he focused intently on the figure slowly taking shape within the summoning array.
This time… this time it must be Uchiha Mikoto, right?!
After all, the system had clear summoning rules. As long as a powerful individual was affiliated with Konoha and had perished within or near the village, they could be summoned. That was why figures like Senju Butsuma and Uchiha Tajima had emerged from the golden light despite having perished long ago.
Souta now understood the pattern. The Hokage-level powerhouses in Konoha's history were not limitless. Most had either perished too early or had not reached the peak of their potential. If Uchiha Kagami had lived longer, he might have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and ascended to the level of a Hokage. If Hyūga Hizashi had survived until now, he would likely have reached similar heights. However, both had met their end prematurely, leaving only a handful of truly powerful figures.
With each golden summoning consuming 100 million ryo, Souta was acutely aware of the staggering cost. But there was no turning back now. Seven attempts had already passed, and only seven remained.
The soul fire within the golden array swirled violently before slowly condensing into a humanoid shape. The figure was still blurry, but its general outline had begun to take form.
Slender frame. Fair skin. Long, flowing black hair cascading down like silk.
Uchiha Fugaku, who had been anxiously watching beside him, immediately lost all composure.
"Hahahahahaha!!! Finally!!! My wife has returned!!! Mikoto!!!"
Desperation, anxiety, hope—everything he had endured until now exploded in his voice. The agony of seeing countless people emerge from the summoning circle—yet not his beloved wife—had tormented him to no end. Seven hundred million ryo had already been spent. If Mikoto did not appear soon, he might have to rob Konoha's treasury with Minato again just to afford another attempt.
But now, his suffering had finally come to an end!
Look at this petite figure!
Look at this smooth, jet-black hair!
It could only be his Mikoto!
Fugaku's heart pounded wildly as he rushed forward at full speed, unable to contain himself any longer. The moment the figure fully materialized, he wrapped his arms around them in an eager embrace. His hands trembled as he gently held onto the delicate figure. His normally stoic face flushed with excitement.
"My wife… my dear Mikoto… it's really you…!"
His grip tightened as he gazed down at the beautiful figure before him. His expression softened, his lips curling into an affectionate smile. His eyes were closed, his lips slightly puckered—prepared to plant a deep, passionate kiss upon his wife the moment she opened her eyes.
But just a few steps away, Souta Kazuki's face contorted in sheer horror.
His heart nearly stopped as his eyes widened in absolute disbelief.
Who the hell was this?!
He had watched every episode of Naruto. He knew exactly who this person was. The moment the golden light fully dissipated, revealing the face of the "petite" figure… Souta nearly collapsed on the spot.
This wasn't Uchiha Mikoto.
This was—
Orochimaru.
No, not Uncle Snake.
AUNT SNAKE.
Souta's mind raced in confusion. How?! How could Orochimaru be here?!
Wasn't he alive during this time? Orochimaru was an infamous survival expert, a shinobi who had evaded death countless times. It made zero sense for him to be summoned from the dead.
Wait.
Could it be…?
"System!!! What the hell is going on?! Is this really Orochimaru?! But how?! Orochimaru shouldn't be dead at this point in the timeline!" Souta's voice cracked in disbelief.
The system promptly responded:
[Host, please do not question the integrity of this system. The golden summoning only extracts souls from the world of the dead. This individual meets all summoning criteria.]
"But—!!"
[The facts are clear. This person died and was therefore eligible for summoning. If you have any doubts, please investigate the matter yourself.]
Souta's mind went blank.
Could it be that I didn't transmigrate into the original Naruto world?!
Is this a parallel universe? A different timeline?
Or even worse… the world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi?!
He had no time to process it further.
At that moment, Orochimaru, still dazed from his resurrection, was adjusting to his surroundings. He had been moments away from death by his own hand, sacrificing his body to advance his cursed seal experiments. Yet now, he was inexplicably alive again.
The implications were staggering.
His experiment was a success.
If he had truly perished and returned, then he had confirmed the viability of his own immortality research. However… something was wrong.
Why wasn't the chakra he left in the cursed seal activating?
And why… did he feel someone holding onto him tightly?!
His golden snake-like eyes fluttered open.
And the first thing he saw…
An old, wrinkled face.
Eyes closed in sheer delight.
Thick lips puckered, inches away from his own.
Uchiha Fugaku, ready to give him the kiss of a lifetime.
Orochimaru's mind shattered.
A wave of pure horror washed over him.
What in the name of all things unholy was happening?!
He had experimented on human bodies. He had delved into the darkest aspects of science. He had practiced countless twisted jutsu.
But nothing—NOTHING—had prepared him for this moment.
Pure. Utter. Terror.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!!! SHADOW SNAKE HAND!!!"
A flurry of white serpents erupted from Orochimaru's hands, sinking their fangs into Fugaku's lips.
"AHHHHHH!!!! WIFE, WHY ARE YOU BITING ME?!!!"
"WHO THE HELL IS YOUR WIFE, YOU PERVERT?!!!"
Orochimaru forcefully shoved Fugaku away, retreating several steps. His body trembled, and his expression contorted in revulsion.
His mind was still in turmoil.
What kind of godforsaken nightmare had he awoken to?!