Chapter 205: Let’s Edo Tensei Kushina First
The intensive care ward area of the Star Capital’s first hospital was filled with a clean aura mixed with the scent of disinfectant and faint herbs.
The corridor was spacious and bright, and through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, one could overlook the outline of most of the city revitalizing under the winter sun.
At the end, the door of the room marked “Intensive Care No. 3” was ajar, with faint whispers coming from inside.
Teacher Natsuhi gently pushed the door open and entered.
The light in the room was soft, and the heating dispelled the chill outside the window.
On the small hospital bed, Chiyo was sleeping deeply, her pale little face sunken into the soft pillow, breathing evenly, though her brows occasionally furrowed unconsciously, as if still experiencing the slaughter in the snow forest in her dream.
Her injured left leg was properly bandaged and fixed on a bracket.
By the bedside, three figures turned their heads upon hearing the sound.
Miyashiro En sat in the chair closest to his daughter, still wearing his signature diamond-shaped sunglasses, yet unable to hide the concern in his brows.
He was dressed in dark casual wear, his back straight, exuding the restrained demeanor unique to ninja clans.
His wife, a gentle woman whose features somewhat resembled Chiyo’s, was carefully wiping the fine sweat from Chiyo’s forehead with a moist cotton swab.
And standing by the window was a tall, upright young ninja with neat black short hair.
He wore the standard Star Ninja vest, his face resolute and eyes steady; it was Teacher Natsuhi’s husband, Hotaru.
He held a thermos bucket in his arms, clearly soup food that had just been delivered.
“Teacher Natsuhi.” The Miyashiro En couple greeted softly in unison, with respect.
“Mr. Miyashiro, ma’am.” Teacher Natsuhi walked to the bedside, her gaze falling on Chiyo’s bandaged leg; the glaring white bandages made her heart tighten.
She took a deep breath, bowed deeply to the Miyashiro En couple, her reddish-brown long hair falling to her shoulders, her voice heavy with apology: “I’m terribly sorry! It was my misjudgment in this mission that let Chiyo suffer such a severe injury and even overexert her power… As the guidance jonin, I cannot shirk my responsibility!”
The room fell silent for a moment, with only Chiyo’s steady breathing sound.
“Teacher Natsuhi,” Miyashiro En’s voice was low and calm, without any blame, but rather a thoroughness from having experienced vicissitudes.
“Please lift your head!”
Teacher Natsuhi straightened up as instructed.
Miyashiro En’s gaze from behind the sunglasses fell on Teacher Natsuhi’s face.
“The path of a ninja is inherently a thorny road accompanied by blood and pain. From the moment she chose to wear the headband, bleeding, injury, even… death, have already become the fate she must face and bear.”
“If she can’t even endure this bit of tempering, then she doesn’t deserve to be a true ninja! Flowers in a greenhouse can’t withstand real storms.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over his sleeping daughter, his tone softening, even carrying a faint, imperceptible pride: “On the contrary, this experience, though perilous, truly activated the power of the Blood Dragon Eye at the brink of life and death. This is a crucial transformation for her, and for our Blood Pond Clan. In a sense, I even have to thank you, Teacher Natsuhi. You gave her a battlefield to face death head-on and break through herself. It is Chiyo’s fortune to become your disciple.”
“Mr. Miyashiro…” Teacher Natsuhi felt a mix of emotions, both relief from lifting part of the burden and admiration for this father’s open-mindedness and depth.
Chiyo’s mother also walked over, gently taking Teacher Natsuhi’s arm, her gentle face showing understanding and gratitude: “Yes, Teacher Natsuhi, please don’t blame yourself too much. Our daughter is willful and insisted on graduating early to carry out the mission. This time, she could return safely thanks to your and her teammates’ protection. As parents, we only hope she can grow from every experience.”
Hotaru also walked to Teacher Natsuhi’s side, silently squeezing her hand, conveying silent support.
At that moment, the ward door was lightly knocked twice, then pushed open.
Shita Junhito and Murahashi Hazuki poked their heads in at the doorway.
Both had changed into clean casual wear. Shita Junhito’s left arm was wrapped in thick bandages and slung across his chest, his face bearing a few bruises; he seemed somewhat uncomfortable at his waist when walking, but his spirits were good.
Murahashi Hazuki had a small piece of gauze on her forehead, holding a large bouquet of blooming winter cherry blossoms, while Shita Junhito held a fruit basket full of fresh fruit in his other good hand.
Seeing so many people in the room, the two were obviously stunned for a moment, then stood straight somewhat awkwardly.
“Report! Teacher Natsuhi! Mr. Miyashiro! Ma’am!” The two shouted in unison, their voices loud, carrying the respect of genin facing superiors and seniors.
“It’s you two, come in quickly.” Teacher Natsuhi beckoned, a mild smile appearing on her face.
The two entered the ward and placed the flowers and fruit on the bedside table.
Murahashi Hazuki looked at the sleeping Chiyo and said softly, “Has Chiyo-chan not woken up yet?”
“She just fell asleep not long ago; let her rest more.” Chiyo’s mother answered softly.
Shita Junhito looked at Chiyo’s pale face with complex eyes, then quickly glanced at the bandages on her leg, his lips moving as if wanting to say something, but ultimately he awkwardly looked away and muttered, “This little brat… sure can sleep.”
Teacher Natsuhi timely introduced to the Miyashiro En couple: “Mr. Miyashiro, ma’am, these two are Chiyo’s teammates. Shita Junhito and Murahashi Hazuki. In this mission, they both performed exceptionally well, especially at the final moment, giving their all to protect Chiyo.”
Miyashiro En’s gaze fell on Shita Junhito’s slung arm and facial injuries, then on the gauze on Murahashi Hazuki’s forehead, and he nodded solemnly: “You’ve worked hard. It’s Chiyo’s luck to have companions like you. Thank you for taking care of her on the battlefield.”
His tone was sincere and solemn.
“Yes, children, thank you!” Chiyo’s mother also hurriedly expressed thanks.
Shita Junhito was made somewhat at a loss by this sudden solemn gratitude; a rare blush appeared on his dark face as he stammered, “N-no… it’s nothing, it was what we should do… and it was thanks to Chiyo that we repelled the enemies…”
His previous disdain and rejection of Chiyo now seemed particularly childish and glaring in the face of her parents’ sincere thanks.
Murahashi Hazuki smiled generously: “Auntie, you’re too polite; we’re teammates! Protecting each other is what we should do! Chiyo-chan was amazing at the end; without her, we might all…”
“Ahem!” Teacher Natsuhi coughed lightly, interrupting Hazuki’s words and changing the topic.
“By the way, regarding the follow-up of this mission. The military has reassessed the mission process, considering the sudden encounter with Land of Snow jonin and the intensity of the battle, the final mission rank has been upgraded to A-rank.”
She looked at Shita Junhito and Murahashi Hazuki: “Accordingly, the mission rewards and contribution points will be issued at A-rank standards. Additionally, Chiyo needs time to recuperate, and you two are also injured. For the next half month, the team will not be assigned fixed missions temporarily. You can arrange your time freely for recovery or basic training. If you want to take missions, you can take some D-rank or C-rank ones; with your current skills, one person can easily complete them.”
“Or, when the military has suitable team B-rank missions, I’ll notify you to participate.”
“A-rank?!” Shita Junhito’s eyes lit up, as if the pain from his injuries had lessened.
The rewards and contribution points from an A-rank mission were a huge fortune for genin like them!
“Great!” Murahashi Hazuki also smiled happily: “Thank you, Teacher Natsuhi!”
“Rest well and consolidate the gains from this actual combat.” Teacher Natsuhi instructed: “Especially you, Junhito, don’t get reckless just because you’re tough.”
“Got it, Teacher.” Shita Junhito scratched his head, uncharacteristically not retorting.
The atmosphere in the ward was warm and harmonious.
The Miyashiro En couple thanked Teacher Natsuhi and the two children again for their visit.
Teacher Natsuhi and Hotaru gave a few more instructions before leaving the ward with Shita Junhito and Murahashi Hazuki, letting Chiyo rest quietly.
Almost at the same moment Teacher Natsuhi stepped out of Shura’s office, in the top-floor office of the tallest building in the Star Capital Administrative District, the administration building.
In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, Menma removed his signature white three-eyed fox mask, revealing his handsome youthful face.
Under the black messy hair, his blue eyes were deep as the sea, reflecting the magnificent sight of the Star Capital’s winter dusk outside the window: the sunset’s afterglow plating the city with a layer of warm gold, cooking smoke rising faintly, ninjas returning from training like ants returning to the nest, and in the distance, the military zone faintly transmitting neat shouts.
He quietly watched this city that had risen under his hand for a while, then turned around.
On the wide modern desk was the ancient scroll presented by Uzumaki Kushina, with archaic map lines drawn on it, marked with unique secret symbols of the Uzumaki Clan.
His fingertip lightly traced over a prominently circled position on the map, the forest downstream of the Naka River.
The next moment, the youth’s figure instantly vanished from this office overlooking the entire city, as if he had never existed.
…
Land of Fire, outskirts of Konohagakure.
Deep in the Naka River Forest.
Towering ancient trees blocked most of the daylight, making the forest dim and gloomy even during the day.
The thick layer of fallen leaves emitted a damp, decaying aura, streams rushing between chaotic rocks, producing gurgling sounds.
This place, far from human habitation, was a natural barrier for beasts and ninjutsu experiments.
Menma’s figure shuttled through it, changed into dark casual wear convenient for movement, having restrained all the chilling aura belonging to “Shura,” like an ordinary Konoha boy.
“Kagura Shingan, activate.”
He closed his eyes, and invisible sensory power expanded explosively around him like the most precise radar waves!
Everything within a hundred kilometers— the veins of giant trees, the flow of streams, the wriggling of underground insects, even the faint chakra residues in the air—all information surged into his mind like a tide, constructing an incredibly clear holographic map.
Following the guidance of the scroll map, he went upstream along the turbulent, icy stream of the Naka River, shuttling between dense forest and strange rocks.
Kagura Shingan meticulously scanned every inch of land, searching for any traces matching ancient barriers or abnormal chakra fluctuations.
“Cheep~” A small, fluffy head poked out from his thick black hair.
The little Nine-Tails blinked her watery big eyes, curiously surveying the eerie surrounding woods.
Her tiny nose twitched, as if smelling something.
“Little Nine, feel it?” Menma didn’t stop walking, asking softly.
“Mm-hmm!” The little Nine-Tails nodded vigorously, her fluffy tail gently brushing Menma’s ear, her voice carrying childlike wonder and a hint of instinctive vigilance.
“Such a strange power… cool and sticky, with a bit of… deathly taste? Different from chakra! In that world, I never encountered it!”
Menma’s lips curved into a knowing smile: “That’s the aura of the ‘Shinigami.’ An ancient native god of the ninja world, an existence governing part of the rules of life and death boundaries. Our goal this trip is related to It.”
Deep in the forest, an extremely faint energy fluctuation carrying a unique “emptiness” and “death” aura transmitted, clashing with the surrounding vibrant nature energy.
Menma landed on the ground; before him was a dilapidated temple-like building.
The red crest pattern above was faintly discernible; it was the clan crest of the Uzumaki Clan.
After entering the Namen-do, the air inside was turbid, filled with heavy dust and moldy smells.
The runes on the building had long faded, but one could still feel the powerful sealing power they once contained.
And on the wall directly facing the entrance, masks with ferocious faces hung densely!
These masks varied in form, made of material like wood or bone, presenting an aged grayish-white.
Without exception, their expressions were savagely distorted, with pairs of horns of various shapes on their foreheads, hollow eye sockets and gaping mouths, as if silently mocking the insignificance of the living.
Yin cold, empty, carrying the energy fluctuations of death rules, emanated precisely from these countless masks!
The erosion of time had covered many masks in dust, but unlike the building, they were not dilapidated, even containing that heart-palpitating aura.
“Wow! So many ugly masks!” The little Nine-Tails poked half her body out from atop Menma’s head, looking curiously yet somewhat disdainfully at the masks on the wall, pointing with her little finger at one of them.
“That one! That one has the strongest aura!”
Menma’s gaze also fell on the mask pointed out by the little Nine-Tails.
It was located slightly above the center of the wall, its expression seeming “calmer” than the other masks, but that profound death aura was the most restrained and pure.
“The Uzumaki Clan’s ‘Namen-do’ enshrining the Shinigami… indeed lives up to its reputation.” Menma murmured.
He quickly took out a specially made storage scroll from his ninja tool pouch.
Hands forming hand seals, the scroll unfurled.
“Seal!”
With his soft shout, powerful chakra enveloped the entire mask wall.
The masks on the wall, as if pulled by invisible forces, detached one after another, turning into streams of grayish-white light, continuously sucked into the unfurled scroll!
Including the one with the strongest aura pointed out by the little Nine-Tails.
Moments later, the entire wall was bare, leaving only some rotten wooden pegs for hanging masks.
The yin-cold aura lingering in the stone room also dissipated by more than half.
The scroll automatically rolled up.
Menma stored it away, gave the stone room bearing the Uzumaki Clan’s ancient secret one last glance, and his figure vanished.
Star Capital, deep underground in the military zone’s advanced experiment zone.
The air here maintained a constant low temperature, filled with disinfectant and the faint hum of precision instruments operating.
Cold white lights illuminated the spotless alloy corridors and heavy isolation doors.
In the innermost core laboratory, Menma stood quietly before a wide alloy experiment bench.
In his hand, he toyed with the Shinigami mask brought back from the Naka River Namen-do, the one with the most unique aura.
The grayish-white mask felt icy to the touch, its material neither metal nor wood.
He tried injecting chakra into the mask, even using mental power to sense it, but the feedback was only deeper “emptiness” and a faint sense of rejection.
“The rules of native gods… indeed differ from the pure chakra system.” Menma’s brows furrowed slightly.
Directly communicating with the Shinigami through the mask, or locating and contacting the souls swallowed by the Shinigami, seemed more difficult than he had anticipated.
The Shinigami’s power rules seemed self-contained, with extremely strong isolation.
It seemed he could only use Orochimaru’s method from the Fourth War.
Use the Shinigami mask to sacrifice a fairly strong ninja to summon the Shinigami, then open the Shinigami’s stomach to release the sealed soul of Minato Namikaze.
Then use the Reanimation Jutsu, the forbidden jutsu created by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju and improved by Orochimaru, to reanimate Minato Namikaze.
Menma had many questions to ask Minato Namikaze and Kushina, such as why back then, with a child kidnapped, they chose to both die, why the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed unaware of the other child’s existence and never searched for that child.
But he hesitated somewhat, unsure how to communicate with Minato Namikaze.
In the “Limited Tsukuyomi World” where he had stayed for fifteen years, that Minato Namikaze valued family more.
But this world’s Minato Namikaze valued Konoha more.
Would this cheap dad try to stop what he was doing, what he was about to do?
Menma set down the Shinigami mask, pondered for a moment: “Looks like before releasing Minato Namikaze’s soul and reanimating this cheap dad, I should first reanimate Kushina and ask.”
After all, whether in that world or this one, Kushina’s personality was similar.
Menma no longer hesitated. First, through the engraved chakra network, he ordered the Anbu Minister Kisame Hoshigaki to go to the prison zone and bring a prisoner over.
Then he extended his right index finger, condensing highly concentrated dark red chakra at the tip, like the most precise engraving knife, and began carving on the ground.
Complex jutsu runes rapidly formed under the outlining of chakra flames, with smooth lines, emanating yin cold and ominous aura.
After finishing the carving, he took out a sealing scroll, retrieving a special test tube containing a tissue sample the size of a fingernail.
That was the small amount of cellular tissue belonging to Uzumaki Kushina obtained from the trade with Orochimaru back then.
Speaking of which, that guy Orochimaru had tissue cells from the First Hokage to the Fourth Hokage, and sure enough, he had also dug up Kushina’s tissue cells.
Menma placed this precious sample gently at the array eye in the center of the summoning array.
Click—
Soon, the door opened.
“Lord!” Kisame Hoshigaki, wearing the Anbu vest and carrying the great sword Samehada bestowed by Shura, dragged a bound black-haired ninja into the laboratory.
“This is the prisoner you wanted.” Kisame Hoshigaki threw ‘Shizang’ onto the ground.
This was one of the three rogue ninjas of Star Ninja Village back then, roughly special jonin strength, always imprisoned, now just right for use.
“Mm, you can withdraw first.” Menma said without turning his head.
“Yes!” Kisame Hoshigaki acted cleanly and decisively, never asking extra questions.
After Kisame Hoshigaki left and the door closed, Menma dragged Shizang to the center of the summoning array, covering that bit of cellular tissue.
“Lord! Spare me, Lord!” Shizang, imprisoned for over a year, barely clinging to life, was still begging bitterly.
Menma followed the Reanimation Jutsu provided by Orochimaru, hands beginning to form hand seals.
Tiger–Snake–Dog–Dragon!
He slammed his right hand onto the ground.
“Reanimation Jutsu!”
