Chapter 133: The Great Transformation of Earth

While Earth was navigating toward the cosmic black market, its internal development never stalled; if anything, it accelerated even further.

The news that all living beings—humans, animals, and plants alike—had become sterile due to exposure to moonlight finally broke across the world. While mixed reactions of praise and condemnation rippled through society, it was undeniable that Orochimaru’s authority had become deeply entrenched. Whether the people liked it or not, he had forced a revolution upon the world. Such a heavy-handed approach by Orochimaru was undoubtedly tyrannical, but it certainly eliminated a great deal of trouble.

A craze for "Art Creation" emerged on Earth. With the integration of two life-bearing planets, the density of natural energy on Earth had increased. Under the macro-regulation of the War Fortress, cultivation serums became increasingly affordable. This led to a rapid surge in cultivation speeds; anyone with even a modest amount of wealth could afford a full set of serums. If they desired, they could instantly cultivate to the pinnacle—whether by acquiring the Rinnegan, the Tenseigan, Sage Mode, or becoming a Jinchuriki.

As these "mass-produced" ninjas became commonplace, people grew dissatisfied with such cookie-cutter abilities. When this frustration reached a tipping point, the "Art Creation" craze exploded. Some, while cultivating the Sharingan, deliberately ignored the prescribed dosage sequence and mixed in conflicting serums. Since they wouldn't die from it, they experimented recklessly, eventually losing the Sharingan but developing eyes capable of firing lasers. Others, cultivating as Jinchuriki, ignored the rules for using Tailed Beast replicas and the accompanying serums; by creating their own methods, they absorbed Tailed Beast power directly into their bodies, merging the two to become half-human, half-beast hybrids. This combination proved far stronger than that of a traditional Jinchuriki who merely acted as a vessel.

These were intentional modifications, but some changes were accidental, born from individual physiology. Some who loved spicy food accidentally cultivated a "Flame Sharingan," where the eye was no longer the scarlet color of the three-tomoe, but a golden-yellow, with the black pupil replaced by a burning red flame. Others, who loved to sleep, accidentally cultivated the "Dream Sharingan," an eye that could only manifest its power while sleeping, allowing the user to enter others' dreams. Examples like these were everywhere.

What was once the exception had now become the norm. The War Fortress began to proactively improve cultivation serums, moving away from directing people toward a single path and instead guiding them to unleash their own ideas to create their ideal powers. The era of "A Hundred Arts Contending" had arrived.

Beyond the initial three types, the War Fortress recently released three new power sets. The first was Divine Tree power, which required surgery to integrate the traits of the Divine Tree into one's cells. Practitioners of this path were randomly cast into the core of a planet to slumber. Their growth required immense energy, and a planetary core was the perfect fuel; once they grew to maturity after vast spans of time, the planet they slept within would inevitably shatter. The second was Undead power, derived from analyzing the Undead race, granting practitioners abilities such as soul-snatching, curses, and imprisonment. The third was Star Spirit power. Since Star Spirit Suiyue was on Earth, how could Orochimaru pass up her genetic data? After extracting it, he divided the experiment into tens of thousands of parts and, utilizing the world’s collective research power, decoded and replicated the Star Spirit race's abilities in just half a month. Like those practicing the Divine Tree path, practitioners of Star Spirit power were cast onto random planets. Those tossed into a sun would gain solar powers like Suiyue, while those cast onto frozen worlds would gain ice-manipulation abilities. The planet determined the power.

The higher-ups in the War Fortress were even more formidable. Shikamaru, for instance, had cultivated a portion of the Star Spirit power, spending his days basking in sunlight to harness its energy. Since there is shadow wherever there is light, Shikamaru could now coordinate sunlight with his shadows, allowing his shadows to move without restriction; he could manifest them wherever he pleased. He could now extend his shadow beyond Earth, controlling an entire planet with ease. Still, he preferred to sleep.

In the blink of an eye, a year passed. After several traversals through space gates opened by a group led by Uchiha Madara, Earth finally reached the cosmic black market. The market was situated within a honeycomb-shaped planet. Flying craft zipped in and out; at first glance, it didn't look large, but as Earth approached, it became clear that the planet was a super-giant, with Earth amounting to less than one-thousandth of its size.

Orochimaru and the others stood on the observation deck of the War Fortress, gazing at the honeycomb planet emerging on the horizon. They were to be greeted by the King of the Star Spirits and the leaders of other races. Or, perhaps, it was a test.

Yakushi Kabuto and Shikamaru stood behind the crowd, watching the honeycomb planet. Shikamaru whispered, "We’re finally here. The Earth of today, undergoing such massive transformations, grows stronger by the day. Surely it ranks among the top even in the cosmos now."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Don't you already know? Hasn't Star Spirit Suiyue been completely bled dry of all the information she had?"

Shikamaru remained expressionless, silently calculating. These people were truly reckless. Over the past year, he had tried to uncover why Orochimaru had willingly walked into this conspiracy. As his investigation deepened, he discovered it was tied to a game of chess between Orochimaru and the Sage of Six Paths. Orochimaru possessed immense strength, while the Sage of Six Paths possessed the ability to foresee the future; both had their advantages. However, Shikamaru still favored the Sage. Because, if one plans correctly, foresight outweighs raw power. He had realized this, and he was certain Orochimaru had as well. Shikamaru wondered: what exactly was Orochimaru's winning strategy? He had to know.

For the past year, he had tried to learn it from Uchiha Madara, Kimimaro, and Kabuto, but none of them knew—they simply had blind faith. If there was anyone who might know, it had to be Kabuto, but he had probed him many times, and Kabuto was genuinely ignorant. It was maddening for Shikamaru. To entrust everything to someone else like this—they were truly bold. Sometimes he thought about just trusting Orochimaru, too, but when he considered all the lives on Earth, he had to keep his guard up. He was responsible for every life on the planet.

Star Spirit Suiyue stood in the crowd, incredibly excited. She had finally reached the cosmic black market—would she be able to see Sasuke now? Staying on Earth for a year had been incredibly boring, and she had been terrified. What kind of planet was this? She had only been there for a year, and the genetic secrets of the Star Spirit race were already gone. Strictly speaking, they were gone in half a month. She had even considered urging her father to destroy Earth. Given time, it would surely be invincible!

Rumble!

The honeycomb planet suddenly emitted a sound—a peculiar resonance that traveled through the void to reach Earth. They could see a multitude of strange, misshapen creatures flying out from the honeycomb holes.