Chapter 22: A Weeping Mask

When the light screen suddenly lit up, everyone's gaze turned to the luminous panel above their heads.

Seeing the screen illuminate once more, Naruto eagerly hoped the Plague Doctor would appear again within it; at the very least, he could know that person was safe.

As people across the ninja world saw the light screen brighten again, they all began to discuss it fervently.

"Whoa, that fast this time?"

"Last time, there was nearly a seven-day gap between the new anomaly inventories, but this time it's only been a few hours."

Just as everyone fixed their eyes tightly on the screen, watching intently.

A white grimacing mask, looking extremely eerie, appeared on the light screen.

Immediately afterward, subtitles continuously appeared beside the mask.

"Anomalous Object—Possessing Mask."

"The Possessing Mask appears as a white comedy mask; nevertheless, at certain times it transforms into a tragedy mask."

"Research has confirmed its material to be white porcelain."

"Furthermore, all existing visible records regarding the Possessing Mask, whether text or illustrations, automatically reflect the mask's current appearance."

Within the Hidden Stone Village.

The instant they saw the mask appear along with its related descriptive data.

Inside the Chunin Exam venue, everyone was buzzing with discussion.

"A mask, another mask; could it be like the previous Plague Doctor?"

"No, no, it must be different; the Plague Doctor had a human form, whereas this is entirely the shape of a mask, vastly unlike a human."

"Say, couldn't this comedy mask be some kind of joke item with no harmful effects?"

"Dude, has your brain short-circuited? How could there be no harm? Look at the previous two; was either of them a good thing?"

Gazing at the mask on the light screen, Naruto's mind inevitably drifted back to the earlier Plague Doctor.

Could it be that the mask worn on the Plague Doctor's face was something similar?

At this moment, the information on the light screen updated once again.

"A highly corrosive and degenerative viscous liquid constantly seeps from the eye and mouth areas of the Possessing Mask."

"Any object coming into contact with this substance will gradually corrode over a period of time."

Seeing the introduction on the light screen, everyone felt somewhat perplexed.

Although the function of this Possessing Mask was extremely bizarre.

It seemed to differ greatly from the previous Plague Doctor and the Little Peanut Sculpture.

After all, this thing only stated that upon wearing it, one's face would be slowly corroded.

So if I encounter it, can't I just simply not wear it?

Not only will I not wear it, I'll sit on it and crush it to pieces!

As if it could truly force me to put it on!

Just then, the subtitles on the light screen changed again.

"According to research, when a human appears near the Possessing Mask or makes visual contact with it, they experience an overwhelming urge to don it."

"When the Possessing Mask is placed upon an individual's face, it rapidly suppresses the test subject's brainwaves, causing brain death."

"Thereafter, the victim's body becomes controlled."

"The controlled victim's body will undergo accelerated incubation, ultimately resembling a mummified corpse."

Watching the numerous images appearing on the light screen, all observers gasped in shock.

The Hidden Mist Village.

Viewing the introduction on the light screen, Yuan Shi frowned slightly.

Capable of controlling human thought and possessing the body.

Why does this maneuver resemble so closely the genjutsu used by Obito Uchiha when he controlled the Fourth Hokage back then?

However, this mask's ability is far more powerful and terrifying than Obito Uchiha's previous capabilities.

Somewhere in Konoha.

Orochimaru, looking at the mask on the light screen, felt his heart stir with agitation.

If I were to obtain this mask, wouldn't that mean I could control many people?

Recalling how those people from the anomalous containment facility so easily contained those anomalies last time.

Could I not also contain this anomaly myself?

Thinking thus, Orochimaru decided that no matter what, he must obtain this mask.

Subsequently, another row of new information appeared once more.

"It has been confirmed that the Possessing Mask knows much relevant intelligence and general history, simultaneously claiming to have participated in many major events."

"The Possessing Mask possesses high intelligence and a charismatic personality; when conversing with others, it often appears amiable and ingratiating."

"The Possessing Mask's memory is exceptionally high, achieving top rankings in all intelligence and aptitude tests."

Observing the data on the light screen, nearly everyone with ulterior motives developed a strong interest in this Possessing Mask.

Watching the introduction on the light screen, the Third Hokage kept muttering to himself:

"Knows much relevant intelligence and history, and participated in many major events?"

Does that not imply this mask knows everything about this mysterious Foundation, and also knows everything about those mysterious anomalies?

Moreover, perhaps it even knows everything concerning the entire ninja world.

Thinking thus, whether for the sake of obtaining intelligence on the Foundation and other ninja villages, or out of a desire to protect his own village's secrets.

The Third Hokage had already formed the intention to send someone to seize this anomalous object.

Simultaneously, new information appeared once again within the light screen.

"The Possession Mask possesses high operability, capable of forcing sudden and profound changes in a visitor's psychological state."

"The Possession Mask has been proven extremely cruel; it uses verbal coaxing and suggestion to induce suicide or transform people into nearly mindless slaves."

"The Possession Mask has been proven to possess knowledge regarding human cognitive processes and claims that, given enough time, it can alter everyone's thoughts."

Upon reading this, nearly everyone's breathing grew rapid.

Manipulating hearts and seizing bodies to turn them into mindless slaves—this is precisely the ideal harbored in the minds of those with ambition and intellect.

The Hidden Rain Village.

Nagato gazed at the subtitles on the light screen, and a sharp gleam erupted in his eyes.

With such an excellent item, if he did not seize it himself, was he to wait until others grabbed it and then turned their attacks against him?

Even if he could not obtain it himself, he would absolutely not allow anyone else to acquire this thing!

Immediately afterward, Nagato formed hand seals with both hands.

Just as Nagato formed his hand seals, Pain within the Hidden Rain Village instantly rose from his stool.

Somewhere in Konoha, Orochimaru's breathing accelerated continuously as he witnessed this scene.

Seizing bodies and controlling them to become slaves.