Chapter 82: Forge Your Own Path!

In his apartment, Shinji breathed heavily, his face still marked with fear.

He had just witnessed a world being devoured by the Overlord.

"The World-Eating Monster..."

Even the brief thought sent chills down his spine, and he worried if he had been tainted by its presence.

Almost on the verge of PTSD, it took him a while to calm down. Removing his mask and red cloud cloak, he realized his back was soaked in sweat.

After another shower, he lay on his bed, bathed in the tranquil moonlight filtering through the window like a delicate silver frost.

Only then did the shock and fear of the world's destruction begin to recede from his mind, replaced by a more active thought process.

Recalling the sturdy man's final words, he narrowed his eyes.

The reason the Lantern Bearer from the Demon Slayer world keeps invading the Ninja World, attempting to anchor it, must be because the Demon Slayer world has been targeted by the Overlord.

If that's the case, everything makes sense.

Upon discovering their world's targeting by the Overlord, the Demon Slayer's Lantern Bearer chose a path vastly different from the sturdy man's.

The sturdy man rallied the world's power to fight the Overlord to the bitter end.

But the Lantern Bearer of the Demon Slayer world opted to anchor other worlds.

Shinji couldn't yet determine if they intended to draw the Ninja World into a united front against the Overlord or if they sought to sacrifice the Ninja World to save their own.

Regardless, it was undeniable that the Lantern Bearer from Demon Slayer sought to bring the Overlord's calamity to the Ninja World.

"This bastard!"

Shinji seethed with shock and anger.

With the Demon Slayer world targeted, anchoring the Ninja World meant it was only a matter of time before the Overlord set its sights on them.

The prospect of the Ninja World succumbing to the Overlord filled him with despair.

"What should I do?"

His heart, just calmed, now raced with anxiety.

He had witnessed the Overlord's terror firsthand. Before it, he felt as insignificant as an ant. He couldn't fathom how to stand against such a force.

Suddenly, he recalled the legend the sturdy man had mentioned.

According to it, a powerful Lantern Bearer once defeated the Overlord.

While the sturdy man dismissed it as rumor, Shinji pondered its potential truth.

In his interactions with the sturdy man, he'd unconsciously gleaned much information. For instance, his instincts told him the sturdy man posed little threat.

Thus, when the sturdy man first engaged him, he maintained a secret guard but didn't refuse dialogue.

This indicated the disparity in Lantern Bearers' strengths across worlds.

As a newcomer, Shinji had limited experience. Yet with his control over two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, he might not be outmatched by more seasoned Lantern Bearers in combat.

It all depended on the world.

In worlds lacking supernatural powers or having minimal levels, a Lantern Bearer's power might peak at that world's limit. To grow further, they'd likely need to trade with Lantern Bearers from other worlds.

As a trading currency, "residue" not only fueled the "light" but safeguarded their world as a last resort.

For instance, Shinji's lamp contained only a fifth of its original "residue" capacity—a seemingly shallow reserve.

Thus, he couldn't exhaust too much "residual embers" trading with other Lantern Bearers.

The Ninja World was unique due to chakra and natural energy, offering a significantly higher power ceiling than mundane worlds.

If Shinji could reach its apex...

Not guaranteed victory against the Overlord, but at least a chance!

Once he reached the Six Paths level, he could traverse the universe physically, absorbing planetary energies—akin to the Overlord's capabilities.

This was his edge!

There must be other Lantern Bearers with innate advantages like his, suggesting the rumor of a powerful Lantern Bearer defeating the Overlord might hold truth.

"I can't give up. I still have time!"

Shinji's spirits lifted.

According to the sturdy man, a world targeted by the Overlord wouldn't perish immediately. As long as pollution wasn't actively spread, the world might endure for an extended period.

Even if the Demon Slayer's Lantern Bearer hastened the Overlord's detection of the Ninja World through some means, Shinji still possessed his "light"!

There remained some "residual smoke" in his lamp. He couldn't predict its longevity—decades, perhaps, but enough.

Such time was ample for his growth.

Once composed, he organized his thoughts.

He currently held four pairs of Mangekyō in varying conditions. Discounting the unusable, he could attempt to achieve the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

By restoring two half-damaged pairs and one fully damaged, he'd forge two Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan pairs.

Combining these through the power of the "Susanoo Lantern" would yield an ultimate Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, imbued with supreme ocular power.

Even without Otsutsuki Indra's chakra, this Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan might rival the Rinnegan. Coupled with the ultimate Yin Release Chakra, transplanting White Zetsu or First Generation cells would carry lesser risks.

From Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Obito, to Danzo—each demonstrated the Sharingan's ability to harmonize with First Generation cells, balancing Yin and Yang chakras.

Greater Yin Chakra enhanced survival odds for transplanted First Generation cells.

With the Rinnegan, he could replicate Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara's paths—collecting Tailed Beasts, reviving the Ten Tails—or devise a new approach.

Kekkei Mōra, no longer beyond his reach!

"Kekkei Mōra!"

Shinji's eyes glinted with determination.

The sturdy man chose to ignore pollution, rallying the world against the Overlord.

The Demon Slayer's Lantern Bearer opted to invade other worlds, potentially using them to evade the Overlord.

He'd forge his path!

He'd save the world in his way.

End of chapter