Chapter 91: Reincarnation Once More
Nan had originally planned to strengthen his ties with Orochimaru, waiting for the right opportunity to pry information about the First Hokage's cells from him—and, if possible, steal a sample to cultivate on his own.
But after close observation these past months, Nan realized Orochimaru had no intention whatsoever of sharing anything about his experiments. The First's cells were clearly too valuable to him. Unless Nan earned Orochimaru's absolute trust, he would never learn a thing.
Since that was the case, Nan decided it wasn't worth wasting more effort on this front. The cells of the First could still be obtained through other means. Besides, being too closely associated with Orochimaru would damage his reputation. Gradually, he began to distance himself from the man.
Nan was ready to abandon this lead entirely—until Yakushi Kabuto appeared before him.
The moment Nan saw him, a new possibility revealed itself. If Nan stepped back, Orochimaru would inevitably search for a replacement. In the original course of events, that replacement was none other than Kabuto, who eventually became his most trusted assistant. Which meant Kabuto would likely still walk that path here.
And Nan had a plan.
Both of his Mangekyō Sharingan techniques had yet to be used. Over the past year, he hadn't found a suitable opportunity. He couldn't exactly unleash them on his comrades in Konoha, and none of the enemies he'd encountered on the battlefield were worthy of such power.
But Kabuto… Kabuto was different. If Nan used Formless Reincarnation to turn Kabuto into his avatar, he could take on Kabuto's identity and once again become Orochimaru's "disciple."
No one would ever suspect that Kabuto and Uchiha Nan were one and the same. In the light, Nan could remain the noble, upright, beloved "Lightning Flash of Konoha." In the shadows, Kabuto could act freely, accomplishing all the things Nan could never risk doing openly.
From the very beginning, Nan had been deliberate about the use of his Mangekyō techniques.
The first—Absorption—was overwhelming, allowing him to gain strength at a pace beyond reason. Such an ability could only be used against extraordinary opponents, those with unique power. Using it on Uchiha Han, who had already awakened the Mangekyō, had been a perfect choice. The next target would need to be someone of at least Kage-level, a shinobi with immense chakra reserves—someone who could fill the one weakness Nan still carried: his relatively shallow chakra pool.
The second ability—Implantation—was not as straightforward. It wouldn't directly strengthen him in the same dramatic way. But in truth, its value was just as great.
Nan's growth was too rapid. None of his peers could keep up with him, and so he walked the path of a lone wolf. The shinobi world had no perfect individuals—every ninja had flaws, gaps in their abilities. That was why they fought in squads, complementing one another.
Until now, Nan's overwhelming power had allowed him to face his enemies alone. But that would not always be the case. Greater battles awaited. Against foes lurking in the shadows—Uchiha Madara, Black Zetsu, the Ōtsutsuki clan, and even the yet-to-emerge Kara organization—there would come a day when Nan's strength alone might not be enough.
And the shinobi world was already littered with mysteries and terrors: Jashin's curse of immortality, the Shinigami's soul-sealing power, and the enigmatic "Eraser" from Boruto's era, capable of wiping away memories. All these forces were already here, hiding, waiting.
If Nan wished to uncover the shinobi world's secrets, to survive and even change its fate, he would need more than his own two hands. He could not trust others—those with brains always had ambitions, and those who were loyal lacked the strength or insight he demanded.
But Formless Reincarnation—this ability would allow Nan to create loyal, capable allies who were his in both body and soul.
And so, when he looked at Yakushi Kabuto, Nan saw more than a boy. He saw the shadow of an opportunity—a perfect vessel for his next step.
Nan never considered using his technique on already-famous shinobi. Turning them into his avatars might grant him strong allies quickly, but their potential was nearly exhausted. Once someone had reached their peak, there was little room left to grow.
No, the wiser path was to use his foresight to identify young talents—those with immense potential still untapped. If Nan implanted his will into them early, he could even guide them to surpass the achievements they were destined for in the original timeline.
Yakushi Kabuto was the perfect example. Though he lacked any special bloodline, by the age of twenty he would already become an elite jōnin, rivaling Kakashi in ability. Later, after mastering Sage Mode, he alone had the power to fight against two Mangekyō Sharingan wielders at once.
Had Itachi not sacrificed an eye to unleash Izanami, Kabuto's fate might have turned out very differently.
This alone proved Kabuto's potential was extraordinary. If Nan reincarnated into Kabuto, not only could he transfer part of his will into that body, but he could also embed abilities he no longer needed, giving Kabuto an even greater foundation.
With Kabuto's identity, Nan could freely study under Orochimaru while continuing to act as Uchiha Nan in the light. In this way, he could combine Orochimaru's forbidden knowledge with his own expertise from a past life. Then, using science, he could collect DNA from exceptional shinobi across the world and create stronger avatars without ever needing to risk his original body again.
It was true that such a plan seemed unfair to Kabuto. But when Nan recalled Kabuto's tragic fate—forced into espionage, manipulated into killing his adoptive mother, and finally deceived by Orochimaru until he no longer knew who he was—Nan almost felt he was doing the boy a kindness. By acting now, Nan could end that cycle of tragedy early. Kabuto's future sins would never be committed, and in a way, this was a great act of mercy.
Nan nodded to himself. Yes—this was worth doing.
That day, he and Nonō discussed medical cases as colleagues. Their talk was technical, full of diagnoses and treatments. Orochimaru, unable to follow, soon lost interest and left. During that time, Nan discreetly placed a Flying Thunder God seal on Kabuto.
When night fell, clouds smothered the moon, cloaking the camp in darkness. A moonless sky, a high wind… a night for reincarnation, Nan thought with a wry smile.
Earlier, he had already learned where Kabuto slept—inside Nonō's tent, alongside other orphans she had taken in. Activating his Mangekyō, Nan dispatched an avatar to slip inside silently.
Nonō and the children were fast asleep, oblivious to the presence that entered. Though Nonō was a skilled medic-nin and a capable spy, she was never a formidable fighter. In the original timeline, Kabuto killed her while still young. Against Nan's avatar, she posed no threat at all.
Even if she woke, a single genjutsu would put her down. And by morning, no one would know what had transpired.
Once the position was secure, Nan used the Flying Thunder God to teleport directly beside the sleeping Kabuto. The boy's breathing was steady; he remained completely unaware. None of the other children stirred.
This was Nan's first time attempting to use Implantation on a human. He wasn't sure what the process would feel like. Gently, he pried open Kabuto's eyelid with one hand, while his other hovered close, ready to stifle any cry.
His Mangekyō spun. "Formless Reincarnation: Implantation," he whispered.
The tomoe whirled faster and faster, and blood trickled from the corners of Nan's eyes. He felt his consciousness split cleanly in two. One half remained within his body, while the other surged down the channel of his gaze, pouring into Kabuto's mind.
To Nan's surprise, the process was almost silent. Perhaps because Kabuto had already lost his past memories, there was little resistance from his subconscious. The boy only frowned faintly, then relaxed again, sinking deeper into slumber.
Moments later, Kabuto's eyes fluttered open. Within them gleamed a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan, spinning faintly in the darkness.
(Well...that was a little unexpected.)