16-20

Fire Country Daimyō's Residence – Experimental Base

Shūichi and Pakura stood side by side, facing Sarutobi Asuma. Shūichi asked gravely, "Asuma, are you sure you want to take the final step?"

"Although you've managed to endure the malice of the Tailed Beast Chakra, mastering it still poses immense danger."

"Kakashi succeeded, yes, but he also faced the risk of severe physical mutations back then."

Sarutobi Asuma nodded seriously. "I've thought this through carefully."

"Besides, this is a direct mission from the Daimyō."

With a faint smile, he added, "And with you here, Shūichi, I believe even if I fail, I should still have a good chance of staying alive."

Shūichi chuckled wryly. "I figured you wouldn't give up."

"Alright then, go in and prepare."

Asuma nodded and entered the stone chamber, while Shūichi turned to Pakura and said, "Bring over the prepared Shukaku sample."

Pakura nodded and left to retrieve it.

A moment later, she returned with a tray and entered the stone chamber alongside Shūichi.

"Asuma, eat this Shukaku flesh."

Shūichi handed the tray to Asuma, warning him, "Once you eat it, you'll not only have to withstand the malice of the Tailed Beast but also endure the corrosive effect of its flesh."

"This will be a battle—a war."

"You must overcome the malice of the Tailed Beast and the erosion of its flesh to truly gain the power of the Shukaku."

Asuma nodded and began eating the Shukaku's flesh without hesitation.

It felt grainy, an odd texture.

But soon, Asuma had no time to worry about the taste. A searing heat surged through his body, followed immediately by intense pain.

Gritting his teeth, he finished the flesh in one go, then closed his eyes as scarlet Tailed Beast Chakra quickly enveloped him.

Shūichi and Pakura silently watched as Asuma's body began to mutate, his hands transforming into claws resembling Shukaku's.

Kakashi had gone through this same process, so Shūichi refrained from intervening immediately.

Asuma and the power of Shukaku began an intense tug-of-war.

Time ticked by.

Suddenly, Shūichi frowned, and Pakura couldn't help but speak. "It seems he's unable to suppress the Tailed Beast's power any longer."

Asuma's physical mutations worsened, showing no signs of recovery. His body seemed on the verge of collapse.

Whoosh!

A fiery spectral chain shot out from Shūichi's body, coiling around Asuma and extracting the Tailed Beast Chakra from him. The chain continued siphoning until every trace of the Shukaku's power was drained from Asuma's body, after which it dissipated.

Huff! Huff!

Asuma gasped for air, feeling as though he had narrowly escaped death.

"Sorry… I failed…"

He gave a bitter smile, disappointment evident in his eyes.

Shūichi shook his head. "If it were that easy to succeed, there wouldn't be so few who can master Tailed Beast powers."

"Keep in mind, even Jinchūriki have the advantage of sealing techniques."

Asuma nodded but knew these were words of consolation.

After all, Jinchūriki face complete Tailed Beasts, whereas he was only dealing with fragments of Tailed Beast flesh.

Even so, Asuma wasn't the type to wallow in failure. He quickly regained his spirits and said, "I'll work even harder moving forward."

Shūichi encouraged him, "We have plenty of time. Keep it up."

"Take a break, and we'll head back to the Daimyō's residence together. I have a meeting with the Daimyō anyway."

This time, Shūichi's main body had come personally due to the Daimyō's summons.

...

Half an Hour Later

Shūichi met with the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, who now appeared quite aged.

After a few pleasantries, the Daimyō asked directly, "Jōnin Shūichi, how did Asuma's experiment turn out?"

"It failed."

Shūichi explained, "Mastering the power of a Tailed Beast is incredibly difficult. All of Danzo's previous experiments ended in failure."

"To date, aside from me, only Kakashi has succeeded in Konoha."

The Daimyō frowned slightly. "Kakashi... I think I've heard that name before. Is he the son of the White Fang?"

Shūichi nodded. "Yes, and he's also my teacher—one of the Fourth Hokage's disciples."

The Daimyō nodded in understanding. "I see. It seems the Fourth Hokage has a keen eye for talent."

"Now then, Jōnin Shūichi, about the promise you made to me back then—can you fulfill it now?"

"Not only are you a Jōnin, but also the Fourth Hokage's disciple, head of Root, and responsible for training ANBU talent."

"Creating a personal ninja guard for me shouldn't be a problem, correct?"

So this is what it's about!

Shūichi had anticipated this.

After all, the Daimyō had been investing in him for nearly ten years, pouring billions into his efforts. It was only natural for him to seek returns now.

To have an investor who waited ten years before asking for results—where else could you find such a great backer?

Without hesitation, Shūichi confidently replied, "If the Daimyō wishes it, I can certainly deliver."

"But may I ask, does the Daimyō want me to train the ninja you've recruited, or should we start training from scratch, as Konoha does?"

The Daimyō frowned. "What's the difference between the two?"

Of course, he knew the difference.

Training existing recruits is faster.

Training from scratch takes years, and he might not live to see them mature.

But the Daimyō wanted to see how Shūichi would respond.

Shūichi replied earnestly, "The superficial difference is this:

"The first method is quick but has a lower ceiling, and the recruits may not be entirely loyal to you."

"The second method is slower—requiring at least six years—but has a higher ceiling and ensures absolute loyalty to the Daimyō-sama."

He then asked, "Surely the Daimyō knows the history of Konoha's founding?"

The Daimyō nodded. "Of course."

"Back then, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, united the Senju and Uchiha clans and collaborated with other ninja clans to establish the Hidden Leaf Village with my father's support."

"It was then that the chaotic Warring States era came to an end."

Shūichi smiled and continued, "After founding Konoha, the Second Hokage established the Konoha Ninja Academy."

The Daimyō seemed to be deep in thought.

Shūichi went on, "You can think of the ninja you recruit as being like the clans that supported Konoha's founding."

"And the ninjas trained from scratch as those who came from the Ninja Academy, part of the Second Hokage's vision to create a systematic training process."

"Of course," Shūichi added, "if I may be frank, the ninja you recruit won't compare to Konoha's shinobi."

"After all, they're merely hired hands and lack true loyalty."

"If the Daimyō truly wants to make a lasting impact, you must establish something akin to the Second Hokage's Ninja Academy—a place to train your own loyal forces."

The Daimyō furrowed his brow. "So, you're suggesting I choose the latter option."

Shūichi shook his head. "No, Daimyō-sama, you should choose both."

"Until the forces entirely under your control are fully trained, you'll need disposable assets to tide you over."

"Of course, to avoid interference from Konoha, you shouldn't openly establish a ninja academy."

"Instead, you should secretly build a ninja training base—something like…"

After a brief pause, Shūichi pretended to contemplate before saying, "Something like Danzo's Root during his era."

"While leading Root, Danzo ostensibly trained talent for the ANBU. But in reality, he was secretly gathering a significant number of forces for his own purposes."

The Daimyō smiled. "I see."

Then, shifting his tone, he said, "Shūichi, as the Fourth Hokage's disciple, and with your strength, I imagine you're in line to become the next Hokage."

Shūichi chuckled. "Without the Daimyō's support, Konoha cannot sustain itself. It would crumble and revert to the Warring States era of clan wars."

"Is the Hokage the most important figure in the Land of Fire?"

"No, it's the Daimyō!"

This struck a chord with the Daimyō, leaving him pleased and significantly reducing his suspicions about Shūichi.

Shūichi observed the Daimyō's expression, smiling inwardly before continuing, "If I were to simply become the Fifth Hokage, I'd be no different from the Hokage of the past. That wouldn't surpass the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, who ushered in a new era."

"Daimyō-sama, my ambition is far greater than just becoming the Fifth Hokage."

The Daimyō's heart skipped a beat as he fixed his gaze on Shūichi. "Then what is your ambition?"

Instead of answering, Shūichi asked, "And what about your ambition, Daimyō-sama?"

"Is it merely to gain control over Konoha?"

"If that's all, then there's no need to create your own ninja forces. It would be meaningless."

The Daimyō's voice turned solemn. "Then, Shūichi, what do you think would be meaningful?"

Shūichi's eyes gleamed with intensity. "It would be for Daimyō-sama to annex other nations—conquering the Five Great Nations and even the smaller ones—to become the supreme ruler of this world. At that point, you would no longer just be a Daimyō but the true master of this world. You should be called the Emperor!"

The Emperor?!

The Daimyō muttered the word to himself, his breathing quickening slightly.

As the ruler of a nation, who wouldn't harbor grander ambitions?

After all, the Land of Fire wasn't always this vast. Its territory expanded step by step during the Warring States period, until Senju Hashirama ended that chaotic era and the power of the Great Nations reached a balance.

After calming himself, the Daimyō regarded Shūichi with a serious expression. "Conquering other nations would be extremely difficult, wouldn't it?"

"Even if Senju Hashirama were resurrected, it might still be impossible."

Shūichi smiled confidently. "But I can surpass Senju Hashirama!"

The Daimyō hesitated upon hearing this.

Surpass Hashirama?

Is that even possible?

He's the God of Shinobi, recognized by the entire ninja world!

Shūichi chuckled. "Daimyō-sama, I'm currently 15 years old. A few years ago, I killed the Third Kazekage."

The Daimyō was shocked. "You killed the Third Kazekage?"

Shūichi nodded. "Indeed."

"I did it to avenge Konoha's White Fang. This was once a secret, but it no longer is. Even the Fourth Kazekage knows that I was the one who killed the Third Kazekage."

"At 15, I'm already far beyond what Senju Hashirama was at the same age."

"Daimyō-sama, if you fully support me, I will eliminate the other ninja villages for you."

"Then, annexing other nations would be unopposed."

"At that time, I will be the new God of Shinobi, and you will be the supreme Emperor!"

The Daimyō's heart raced with excitement.

The vision Shūichi painted was grand and tantalizing. Anyone with even a shred of ambition couldn't help but be moved.

But then, the Daimyō recalled his age and calmed himself. "How long will it take for you to achieve this ambition?"

Shūichi understood the Daimyō's concern and responded with unshakable confidence. "No more than twenty years!"

Twenty years!

The Daimyō's heart reignited with fervor.

That was a timeframe he could wait for!

Still, the Daimyō tempered his excitement, his tone cool. "Shūichi, prove yourself then!"

"If you can demonstrate that you can surpass Senju Hashirama, I will support you with everything I have!"

Shūichi accepted with a smile. "Then, Daimyō-sama, how about defeating the Third Mizukage?"

The Daimyō nodded. "That will do!"

On this rare day, Kushina Uzumaki came to the Hokage's office to accompany Minato Namikaze at work. It just so happened that Shūichi returned from his meeting with the Daimyō.

Hearing Shūichi's account, Kushina's eyes widened. "Shūichi, the Daimyō doesn't actually believe you, does he?"

Shūichi chuckled. "Such a tempting offer is hard to resist."

Kushina thoughtfully rubbed her chin. "But… if anyone really analyzes it, they'll see it's impossible to achieve, right?"

"Shūichi, you're incredibly strong, but even someone as powerful as the Third Raikage eventually died in battle."

"There's no way Konoha, even with Suna on our side, could defeat the other ninja villages. It's just not feasible."

Minato Namikaze, too, pondered the possibility.

Unlike Kushina, Minato had a clear understanding of Shūichi's strength. As his teacher, he knew that Shūichi far outclassed the Kage of the Five Great Nations.

It was reminiscent of the days when Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara stood leagues above the rest.

Whether Shūichi could rival Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, remained uncertain—but at just 15 years old, his potential was extraordinary.

After a moment of thought, Minato asked seriously, "Shūichi, are you just stalling the Daimyō, or do you genuinely intend to pursue this?"

Kushina blinked in surprise, turning to stare at her husband in shock.

Shūichi set aside his smile, his tone earnest. "Sensei, I genuinely have such aspirations."

"I want to eliminate the other ninja villages, unify all shinobi, and end the endless cycle of war in the ninja world."

"I graduated at six and went to the battlefield."

"Clan Leader Fugaku even brought his four-year-old son to the front lines."

"Shinobi wield power, and the villages are violent organizations, but this shouldn't be the way things are."

"The First Hokage founded the ninja villages to end the Warring States era and prevent children from dying on the battlefield."

"The Second Hokage established the ninja academy to systematically train shinobi from ages six to twelve, and that, too, wasn't meant to send young children to war."

"The power of shinobi should not only be for war or killing, not even for mere self-defense."

Minato and Kushina fell into a heavy silence.

As expectant parents, they couldn't bear the thought of their child stepping onto the battlefield during an age meant for joy and love, tainting their innocence with blood.

Shūichi continued, "Since the First Hokage's death, we've had three Great Ninja Wars."

"Each war has been larger and crueler than the clan conflicts of the Warring States era."

"These wars occur roughly a decade apart."

"So, when will the next war be? And the one after that?"

"Will my descendants die in these wars?"

"Even if one day they must give their lives to protect the village, I don't want them to die as children, before they've grown strong. That kind of death is far too cheap."

Kushina lowered her head, stroking her rounded belly, feeling the life growing within her. Memories of her own childhood came flooding back—the displacement and pain caused by war were all too vivid.

"Shūichi, I support you!" Kushina suddenly said, her eyes red with emotion.

Minato sighed and went to her side, wrapping her in his arms. He looked at Shūichi and said, "If you can end the wars and create a peaceful ninja world, that would truly be ideal."

"However, even with your strength, Shūichi, this won't be easy."

"No matter how strong you are, you can't take on tens of thousands of shinobi from the other villages simultaneously."

"And Konoha alone couldn't withstand such an all-out assault."

Minato's tone was sober. "If starting a war results in more of Konoha's children dying, it would go against your very ideals."

Shūichi nodded in agreement. "Sensei, you're absolutely right."

"That's why I'm not rushing things and told the Daimyō I need twenty years."

"Even twenty years from now, I'll only be 35. I have absolute confidence that I'll surpass the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara by then."

Minato nodded. "I have faith in you, Shūichi."

"But our most immediate enemy is Uchiha Madara and his plan for resurrection."

Shūichi smiled. "Of course, Sensei. I have no intention of letting Madara reap any benefits."

Minato let out a breath of relief, grateful that Shūichi wasn't acting recklessly.

After some thought, Minato suggested, "Perhaps we can leverage Madara's collection of the Tailed Beasts to unite the other ninja villages. This could bring them together without triggering a full-scale war."

Kushina's eyes lit up at the idea, and she nodded repeatedly.

But Shūichi shook his head. "Sensei, while having a common, powerful enemy might unite the villages temporarily, it would only be for their own interests."

"None of the great villages trust one another."

"The moment the enemy is defeated, the alliance would crumble."

"No village would willingly relinquish power or merge with another."

Minato and Kushina fell silent again.

They Are Not Naive !

Shūichi asked, "Sensei, if that day truly comes, would you dare to dissolve Konoha and fully merge it with Iwagakure?"

"Would you trust Ōnoki with your loyal subordinates?"

"Would he, fearing the possibility of Konoha's resurgence, suppress or even eliminate you, the Hokage who willingly gave up power?"

"By the same token, the other villages would harbor similar fears."

Minato smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Shūichi, you're right. I didn't think this through enough."

Shūichi quickly comforted him. "It's not that you didn't think enough, Sensei. You just don't want another large-scale war to break out."

Kushina frowned and asked, "So, Shūichi, are you saying that unifying all the shinobi must involve war?"

Shūichi nodded solemnly. "To change the structure of the world and alter the fate of the shinobi world, bloodshed is inevitable."

"We are bound to infringe upon some people's interests, and they will never willingly relinquish those interests."

"Therefore, we must sweep those destined to be left behind by history into its dustbin."

"Of course, large-scale war isn't the only means, but we must be prepared for it."

Minato nodded and then asked, "So, Shūichi, what's your plan?"

Shūichi replied, "I don't have a detailed plan yet, but two core principles are clear."

"One: strengthen ourselves. Two: weaken our enemies."

Kushina smiled at that. "Minato, it seems we don't need to think too much about your successor anymore."

Minato chuckled, then pondered aloud, "Shūichi, are you planning to use Uchiha Madara and Nagato to weaken the other villages?"

"However, that approach comes with risks."

"If Madara and his group grow too strong, we might not be able to stop them, and the losses could be catastrophic."

Shūichi nodded in agreement. "That's true."

"That's why it's essential to strike the right balance."

"We must ensure Nagato doesn't collect all the Tailed Beasts. At the very least, we should split them up beforehand."

Kushina asked, "Shūichi, you already have the Nine-Tails, Four-Tails, Three-Tails, and One-Tail. How do you plan to divide the other Tailed Beasts without provoking the other villages and triggering a war?"

Shūichi thought for a moment. "Since we're still at war with Kumo and Kiri, and I've already assured the Daimyō, my next stop will naturally be Kirigakure."

"The Six-Tails is there."

"If they sealed the Three-Tails into Rin's body, then finding and releasing the Six-Tails as retaliation would be entirely justified."

"And I can use this opportunity to pressure Kirigakure into ending the war."

Kushina looked worried. "Shūichi, wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to go alone?"

Shūichi smiled. "If I go alone, I can advance and retreat as I please. Even if I don't succeed, I can easily withdraw."

"The same applies to Kumo's Two-Tails and Eight-Tails."

"My infiltration skills are something they cannot counter."

Minato pondered for a moment before nodding. "That does seem feasible."

"Moreover, since you've already convinced the One-Tail, Three-Tails, and Four-Tails, you can leverage them to persuade the Two-Tails, Six-Tails, and Eight-Tails while concealing your true intentions about splitting the Tailed Beasts."

"As for the Five-Tails and Seven-Tails, we can look for other opportunities."

"Once the wars are over, we can recover and focus our attention on Uchiha Madara."

This was clearly an endorsement of Shūichi's plan.

Shūichi then added another suggestion. "As for Nagato's side, I believe we should send in a spy to monitor their every move."

Minato nodded slightly. "That's indeed an option, but infiltrating them will be challenging and will require the right timing."

"Let's keep this matter in mind."

"So, Shūichi, when do you plan to act against Kiri and Kumo?"

"The village needs to prepare as well."

Shūichi glanced at Kushina and smiled. "We'll wait until Kushina-san gives birth!"

"Then it's settled."

Minato returned to his desk and asked, "Regarding the Daimyō's plan to train shinobi, what are your thoughts, Shūichi?"

Shūichi grinned. "Borrowing strength to build our own."

"It's difficult to get the Daimyō to invest more in Konoha, but he'll spare no expense in training his own ninja."

"If they're entrusted to me for training, then it's only logical that they follow my orders, right?"

"After all, the Daimyō won't truly have the means to command those shinobi."

Of course, the details wouldn't be so straightforward.

The Daimyō wasn't foolish; even if he fully trusted Shūichi, he wouldn't hand over everything to him.

But Shūichi was confident he could control the forces the Daimyō aimed to train.

…

Shūichi stayed in the Hokage's office until evening before leaving.

Just as he returned home and was about to enter his study, the memories of one of his shadow clones surged back to him. His face lit up with joy as he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport directly to Shisui Uchiha's house.

"Shisui!"

Shūichi appeared beside Shisui, who was feeding his crows.

"Shūichi," Shisui greeted him warmly, turning with a gentle smile. "I can feel a powerful surge stirring within me. I sense it's about to awaken."

Shūichi's eyes lit up with excitement. "It seems that awakening and evolving the Sharingan doesn't necessarily require emotional trauma. The key lies in mental strength and spiritual resolve."

Shisui nodded in agreement.

Though his Mangekyō Sharingan hadn't awakened yet, the sensation was undeniable. The awakening of his eyes felt vivid and imminent.

After finishing with the crows, the two returned indoors and sat down.

Shūichi detailed the preliminary plan he had just discussed with Minato Namikaze.

As Shisui listened, his eyes gleamed brighter and brighter. Usually calm and composed, he couldn't help but grow increasingly enthusiastic.

Previously, Shūichi had shared his grand ambitions with him, but they had lacked a concrete plan. Now, there was a clear outline, and it even had the Fourth Hokage's support.

"Shūichi, I believe you can do it!" Shisui declared confidently.

Shūichi corrected him with a smile, "Not just me, Shisui—we can do it!"

Shisui nodded firmly and extended his hand.

Clap! 

Shūichi grasped Shisui's hand, and their chakras connected.

At that moment, Shūichi clearly felt Shisui's powerful spiritual energy. It surged through his mind, generating a unique Yin chakra that affected his optic nerves and eyes.

The next moment, Shūichi saw Shisui lower his gaze. When he raised his eyes again, blood trickled down his face, and the tomoe in his Sharingan spun rapidly before forming a new pattern.

The Mangekyō Sharingan had awakened!

Shūichi was genuinely happy for Shisui. "Shisui, congratulations! Not only did you awaken the Mangekyō, but you've also forged an unprecedented path for the Uchiha."

This made Shūichi ponder the origins of the Uchiha clan's eye evolution.

Was it all due to Black Zetsu?

Indra was born with the three-tomoe Sharingan, and Black Zetsu guided the awakening of the Mangekyō.

Even the Uchiha clan's stone tablet, which detailed the methods for evolving the Sharingan, had been altered by Black Zetsu.

Could it be that the current methods for awakening and evolving the Sharingan were a deliberate misdirection by Black Zetsu?

Shisui wiped away the blood and smiled. "It's all thanks to your theories, Shūichi. They gave me the confidence I needed."

"I only provided some speculative analysis," Shūichi said modestly, looking at Shisui with eager anticipation. "This is the Uchiha's third pair of Mangekyō. I've already experienced Obito's ocular powers. What's your Mangekyō ability, Shisui?"

"The Sharingan is said to reflect the heart, and its abilities often align with the wielder's deepest desires or strengths."

Could it still be Kotoamatsukami?

Shūichi was curious.

Shisui smiled knowingly. "Why don't you guess, Shūichi?"

Shūichi chuckled. "Shisui, you excel at genjutsu, so I'm guessing at least one of your abilities is genjutsu."

Shisui nodded and stopped teasing. "Both of my eyes are genjutsu-based."

As expected, it was Kotoamatsukami!

Shūichi silently confirmed his suspicion. "Obito's Mangekyō abilities are both related to space-time ninjutsu, though each eye has a different variation. What about yours?"

Shisui explained, "My Mangekyō Sharingan's ability is called Kotoamatsukami."

"My left eye can permanently and irreversibly alter a person's will in a single instance. My right eye, on the other hand, can silently infiltrate an enemy's mind, manipulating their thoughts and making them act according to my will without them realizing it."

"Moreover, my ocular powers bypass a major weakness of the Sharingan."

"As you know, using Sharingan-based genjutsu usually requires direct eye contact with the target. Kotoamatsukami doesn't."

Even though he had anticipated it, hearing Shisui's explanation left Shūichi in awe. "What an incredible genjutsu!"

"A technique like this far surpasses my own Palace of Memories."

Shisui chuckled. "Shūichi, you're selling yourself short."

"Besides, didn't you once say that no jutsu is perfect?"

"My Kotoamatsukami has its flaws, just as your Demonic Realm: Palace of Memories does."

"The left eye's ability, while instant and permanent, has its limits. Though I haven't tested it in battle, I can sense that the chakra consumption is enormous."

"The right eye's ability, if discovered, can be countered by the target, breaking free from the genjutsu."

"And besides, Kotoamatsukami probably wouldn't work on you, Shūichi."

Shūichi laughed. "Shisui, that's because you told me how it works."

If he hadn't known, and Shisui had launched a surprise attack, the silent infiltration might have gone unnoticed, leaving him unable to counter in time with his Spirit Clone Technique.

Standing up, Shūichi said, "Shisui, let's go test your Mangekyō abilities right now!"

Shisui quickly stood, confused. "Do you mean we're going to Kirigakure right now?"

"No."

Shūichi grinned. "We're going to test it on Uchiha Madara's 'First Hokage knockoff'!"

"You mean White Zetsu—Tobi?"

"Yes! His brain is packed with complex sealing techniques, making it nearly impossible for the interrogation squad to extract any intel. But Kotoamatsukami might bypass those seals."

Shisui readily agreed. "No problem."

Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Shūichi teleported himself and Shisui to the holding cell where White Zetsu Tobi was confined.

The moment White Zetsu saw Shūichi, he perked up. "So, you've finally figured out how to deal with me, huh?"

"Took you long enough! I've been so bored sitting here all by myself."

"Sure, I'm technically an artificial being, but I still have feelings, you know. Loneliness is a real thing!"

"Say, couldn't you at least lock me up with the other White Zetsu clones? At least then I'd have someone to chat with about what it feels like to poop."

Shisui was dumbfounded.

Shūichi, however, just smiled—he was used to this nonsense. "Actually, I have found a new way to deal with you."

Truth be told, Shūichi could simply extract White Zetsu Tobi's soul, bypassing the seals entirely. But Tobi, being one of the more unique Aloe-White Zetsu variants, had a certain value he wasn't eager to discard.

Not all White Zetsu were created equal.

The ten or so clones they'd captured before were merely offshoots of this specialized White Zetsu.

By gaining control of Tobi, not only could they acquire a powerful asset, but they could also infiltrate the Akatsuki organization.

...

"Is it him?"

White Zetsu-Tobi glanced at Uchiha Shisui.

He clearly recognized him, having monitored Shisui in the past.

"Are you planning to use the Sharingan?"

White Zetsu-Tobi spoke with confidence. "That won't be enough, even if it's a Mangekyō Sharingan…"

Then he paused, staring at Shisui. "You actually awakened the Mangekyō? Impressive—no wonder I had my eye on you as a genius!"

Shisui was taken aback. "You've been monitoring me?"

White Zetsu-Tobi chuckled. "Of course. I know a lot about the Uchiha clan."

Shisui's eyes narrowed. "So, you chose Obito?"

White Zetsu-Tobi smiled but didn't answer.

Shūichi stepped in, saying, "Shisui, use Kotoamatsukami on him."

"But first, activate your curse mark to reduce the strain."

Shisui's curse mark was a newly developed Star God Curse Mark, capable of amplifying both Yin and Yang Release.

"Understood!"

Shisui nodded, his Mangekyō Sharingan emerging.

White Zetsu-Tobi watched with interest. "So it's true—you've awakened the Mangekyō. Kotoamatsukami, is it? A genjutsu-type eye technique, perhaps?"

"Unfortunately, it won't work on me."

Shisui remained calm. "We'll see."

With that, he activated the curse mark. Lotus-like patterns spread across his face from his neck. Locking eyes with White Zetsu-Tobi, Shisui unleashed his Mangekyō's power.

Kotoamatsukami! 

White Zetsu-Tobi froze briefly before his expression shifted to shock. "Your eye technique… it bypassed the seal left by Madara Uchiha! And that was a Rinnegan-level seal!"

It worked?

Shūichi focused his gaze on Shisui, who was clutching his eye. "Shisui, how's your eye?"

Shisui lowered his hand, smiling. "Thanks to the curse mark, there's only a slight sting. The chakra expenditure wasn't too severe either.

"However, altering someone's will consumes a massive amount of chakra and ocular power. Even with the curse mark, my eyes will take two to three years to fully recover."

Two to three years.

Shūichi recalled that, in the original storyline, Shisui's left eye required over a decade to recover unless bolstered by Hashirama's cells.

Still, implanting Hashirama's cells required proper procedure and approval. He'd need to report this to Minato-sensei and also inform Tsunade out of respect.

With these thoughts in mind, Shūichi said, "Two or three years isn't too long. If you transplant Hashirama's cells, it could resolve the issue permanently. You'd also be free to use your Mangekyō abilities without worrying about going blind."

Shisui nodded. "Based on your earlier analysis, if my Yang Release—or physical strength—becomes strong enough, I could potentially evolve my Mangekyō into an Eternal Mangekyō on my own."

Shūichi agreed. "Exactly. Still, implanting Hashirama's cells won't hinder your exploration of Yang Release. I'll handle the arrangements with our teacher."

Turning to White Zetsu-Tobi, Shūichi asked, "Tobi, you mentioned earlier that the seal in your brain originates from the Rinnegan?"

Tobi immediately fawned, "As expected of you, Lord Shūichi, your insights are unparalleled."

"That's correct—it's a Rinnegan-based seal. After all, Nagato's Rinnegan originally belonged to my former master, Madara Uchiha!"

Shisui's expression shifted. "What? That's impossible!"

Tobi laughed. "Hard to believe, isn't it? But it's the truth. Since I've been compelled by your Mangekyō, lying is impossible for me—unless the information I have is incorrect to begin with."

Shūichi interjected thoughtfully, "It's likely true.

"From what we've deduced, during the battle at the Valley of the End, Madara used Izanagi to deceive Hashirama and Tobirama, obtaining Hashirama's flesh and gaining his power."

"Does this mean Madara's actions were premeditated?"

Tobi eagerly chimed in, "Precisely, Lord Shūichi! Madara will regret not valuing someone as brilliant as you earlier!"

"If my information is accurate, the battle at the Valley of the End was part of Madara's plan all along."

"The goal was to acquire Hashirama's flesh and gain his power. The Uchiha clan's tablet mentions a method to evolve the Eternal Mangekyō further: by combining the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan with the Senju clan's Sage Body, one can gain the power of All-Creation and awaken the Rinnegan!"

"The Mangekyō Sharingan combined with the Sage Body can awaken the Rinnegan…"

Uchiha Shisui was stunned by this revelation.

But he quickly responded, "Wait, Shūichi, didn't Obito also obtain the First Hokage's cells?"

Shūichi nodded, turning his gaze to White Zetsu, Tobi. "It's likely not just the Mangekyō Sharingan and Sage Body, right?"

White Zetsu Tobi, ever the sycophant, began to flatter: "As expected of Lord Shūichi—"

"Speak plainly!" Shūichi snapped.

White Zetsu Tobi immediately straightened up. "The key to awakening the Rinnegan isn't just the Mangekyō Sharingan and the Senju's power. It's the chakra of Indra and Ashura, the reincarnations of the Sage of Six Paths' sons."

"Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama just so happened to be the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura. When their powers combined, Madara awakened the Rinnegan."

"However, Madara was already quite old when he achieved this, so he transplanted his Rinnegan into Nagato, using Nagato's combined Senju and Uzumaki lineage to wield the eyes and gather the Tailed Beasts."

"And the ultimate goal, of course, was to resurrect Uchiha Madara, restore him to his prime, and acquire the power of the Ten-Tails, the fusion of the Nine Tailed Beasts with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."

"Lord Shūichi has already seen the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. That's the husk of the Ten-Tails."

White Zetsu Tobi spilled the information in one breath. "The method for awakening the Rinnegan is actually recorded on the Uchiha clan's stone tablet. Once someone achieves the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, they can read it."

"Of course, the contents of the tablet were altered by Madara with Black Zetsu's help."

Uchiha Shisui, though shaken, forced himself to remain calm and asked urgently, "So, what is Madara's ultimate goal?"

"Reviving himself should be achievable now, right? Does he need the Ten-Tails' power to accomplish it?"

White Zetsu Tobi chuckled. "Not at all."

"Madara has a plan called the Eye of the Moon Plan."

"After his resurrection, he intends to become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki and cast an ultimate genjutsu on all humanity in the Shinobi World—Infinite Tsukuyomi!"

"It's a genjutsu that traps everyone in a dream, thereby ending all wars and creating a world without conflict."

Hearing this, Uchiha Shisui was dumbfounded.

Infinite Tsukuyomi—a dream for all humanity? The thought sent shivers down his spine.

But Shūichi sneered. "Peace within a dream?"

"That's nothing more than a false peace."

"Madara can't even see through this illusion."

White Zetsu Tobi chuckled lightly. "Perhaps it's because the stone tablet was left behind by the Sage of Six Paths."

"Though it's not polite to criticize a former master, to be honest, Madara wasn't as smart as you, Lord Shūichi."

"This isn't flattery. At your current age, Madara wasn't as capable as you."

Uchiha Shisui had regained his composure and couldn't help but laugh. "I agree with Tobi on this point."

"While the Sage of Six Paths is a legendary ancestor of shinobi, his words shouldn't be taken as absolute."

"Moreover, since Madara had Black Zetsu alter the stone tablet, its contents can't be entirely trusted."

"After all, it's hard to imagine the Sage of Six Paths leaving behind something like that."

"And if the Sage of Six Paths had the Rinnegan, he should have created peace in the dream long ago. Are we already trapped in Infinite Tsukuyomi?"

Shūichi shuddered at the eerie thought.

At that moment, Shisui asked, "Shūichi, since we now know Madara's entire plan, shouldn't we devise a counter-strategy?"

"The key lies with the Ten-Tails. We must stop them from gathering the Nine Tailed Beasts."

Shūichi shook his head. "That's easier said than done."

"If we tried to gather the Tailed Beasts first, it would inevitably lead to war with the other villages. They wouldn't trust us easily."

"So, the best course of action is to divide the Tailed Beasts in advance, just like before."

"Divide the Tailed Beasts?" White Zetsu Tobi was surprised. "Could it be that Nohara Rin didn't actually die? And that the Nine-Tails' power Lord Shūichi obtained wasn't from its Jinchūriki, but from splitting the Nine-Tails?"

Shūichi ignored Tobi and addressed Shisui. "Shisui, after discussing with Sensei, we've decided to act under the guise of ending the war. We'll take this opportunity to target Kirigakure and Kumogakure, split the Two-Tails, Six-Tails, and Eight-Tails, and convince the Tailed Beasts to cooperate with us."

"Furthermore, since Madara used Nagato to collect the Tailed Beasts for his resurrection, we can use their actions as a pretext to weaken the other villages."

Shisui nodded but expressed his concern. "The real worry is if Madara resurrects and gains control of at least half of the Tailed Beasts. Can we defeat him?"

"After all, he has the Rinnegan."

Shūichi smiled. "Of the eight Tailed Beasts, we hold half, and we have full control over the Nine-Tails. That gives us an advantage."

"As for the Rinnegan… Shisui, trust me."

White Zetsu Tobi chimed in, "Lord Shūichi is right. In the previous battle, you already defeated Nagato, a Rinnegan wielder."

"Although Nagato couldn't fully harness the Rinnegan's power, Lord Shūichi didn't even use his full strength—he only opened seven gates of the Eight Gates Technique."

Uchiha Shisui ignored Tobi, but reassured by Shūichi's words, smiled.

"You're right, Shūichi. It's too early to judge the outcome without fighting first."

"Besides, we already have the upper hand in intelligence for now."

Shūichi nodded. "We'll stick to the plan Sensei and I discussed."

"Shisui, when the time comes, you'll act alongside me."

Shisui immediately nodded. "Understood!"

Shūichi turned to White Zetsu Tobi. "Do you have intelligence on the Jinchūriki?"

Tobi grinned. "Of course! That's my specialty."

"The Six-Tails' Jinchūriki in Kirigakure is a boy named Utakata, just ten years old. He's heavily guarded."

"The Two-Tails' Jinchūriki in Kumogakure is a girl named Nii Yugito. She's two or three years younger than you, Lord Shūichi, and also well-protected."

"But naturally, for someone like you, none of this will be a problem."

Shisui raised a question. "If you already have information on the Tailed Beasts, why haven't you acted yet?"

"Madara has also fought Shūichi before, and his strength is formidable."

Tobi explained, "That's because sealing the Tailed Beasts must be done in order of their tails—from the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails."

"Madara, who relies on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to sustain his life, doesn't have the strength to collect all nine beasts in one go. The strength of the Five Great Shinobi Villages cannot be underestimated."

Shisui pondered for a moment. "That does make sense. If the villages became alert, Madara would face their combined forces."

Shūichi then addressed Tobi. "Can your clones integrate into the existing intelligence network without being detected?"

Tobi responded in an exaggerated tone, "You want me to act as a spy, Lord Shūichi? What a brilliant idea! This is definitely feasible."

"However, I'll need chakra to produce clones."

"And to avoid detection, it's best to replace an existing member of the intelligence network."

Shūichi nodded, formulating a plan. He then turned to Shisui. "That's it for today, Shisui."

"I'll arrange for the transplantation of the First Hokage's cells as soon as possible."

Shisui nodded in agreement.

---

After escorting Shisui home, Shūichi returned to the experimental base. He introduced White Zetsu Tobi to Tsunade, appointing Tobi as the base's caretaker.

Later, after having dinner with Yakushi Nonō and others at home, Shūichi left Konoha with Tobi.

---

In a forest outside Konoha, Shūichi asked,

"Finding your former companions shouldn't be too hard, right?"

Tobi nodded confidently. "Of course. There should be White Zetsu hiding nearby. The Nine-Tails has always been a high priority."

Shūichi instructed, "In that case, find one you think is suitable and replace them."

"Start with one, then proceed step by step to replace more."

Tobi couldn't help but praise, "Lord Shūichi, I truly believe you have what it takes to defeat Uchiha Madara!"

Shūichi sighed at Tobi's endless flattery. "Just get to work!"

"Understood!" Tobi exclaimed enthusiastically.

He inserted his hand into the trunk of a large tree. Shortly after, he smiled. "Lord Shūichi, I've found the target."

Shūichi nodded. "Use the Spore Technique on me. I'll use my chakra to help them grow."

Tobi chuckled. "I never thought this technique could be used like this."

Activating Sage Mode, Shūichi sensed the presence of four White Zetsu spores growing inside him.

The spores quickly absorbed his chakra and grew rapidly, emerging from his body.

Tobi, accompanied by the four clones, burrowed underground and soon brought back another White Zetsu.

---

"Tobi! You've betrayed us?"

The captured White Zetsu was horrified upon seeing Shūichi. He couldn't comprehend why their leader, Tobi, would betray them.

Tobi shrugged with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. This isn't by choice. The Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities are irresistible."

Turning to Shūichi, he quickly added, "Of course, Lord Shūichi, I'm absolutely willing to follow you!"

Shūichi rolled his eyes. "Enough talk! Get to work!"

Tobi quickly got to business. The four clones swarmed the captured White Zetsu, devouring and assimilating him. One of the clones then submerged into the ground, replacing the devoured Zetsu and infiltrating the Akatsuki's intelligence network.

---

Shūichi and Tobi repeated this process, replacing three more White Zetsu before returning to the experimental base in Konoha.

Finding Tsunade absent, Shūichi headed to Konoha Hospital, but she wasn't there either.

When Shūichi arrived at the Senju Clan's ancestral home, he saw Tsunade deep in thought, surrounded by scattered scrolls.

Looking up and seeing Shūichi visiting so late at night, Tsunade frowned in confusion.

"What are you doing here?"

"Of course, I came to see our dear Lady Tsunade," Shūichi teased with a grin.

Tsunade's face immediately darkened, her fists clenching tightly.

Sensing her impending outburst, Shūichi quickly changed the subject.

"Shisui has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"What?"

Tsunade froze, then exclaimed in shock, "The Mangekyō Sharingan? How did that happen?"

Shūichi smiled. "It happened naturally—or you could say it was through the power of love. After a long accumulation of positive emotions, it reached a tipping point and awakened."

Tsunade was stunned. "That's possible?"

"I thought Uchiha awakening and advancing their Sharingan required intense negative emotional stimulation."

Shūichi shook his head. "You remember the theory I mentioned before about Yin-Yang Release and the balance between mental and physical energy, right?"

"The Sharingan is a Kekkei Genkai that combines Yin Release and Yang Release, with Yin Release as the primary component. Strong mental stimulation—essentially powerful spiritual energy—causes chakra to change, and this change is the essence of Yin Release."

Tsunade thought for a moment. "So, for the Uchiha clan, awakening and advancing the Sharingan can be achieved by accumulating sufficient mental energy alone."

Shūichi nodded. "Shisui has already proven this. Using negative emotional stimuli to awaken or advance the Sharingan is essentially a shortcut."

Tsunade nodded thoughtfully before asking, "So, you're here to request the transplantation of my grandfather's cells for Shisui?"

Shūichi nodded again. "That's right. Or, to be precise, White Zetsu cells."

Tsunade replied, "I have no objections, but you'll need to discuss this with the Fourth Hokage."

"Of course," Shūichi agreed, then glanced at the scattered scrolls. "What are you researching?"

Tsunade snorted lightly. "Techniques suited for medical ninjutsu practitioners."

"Have you made any progress?"

Shūichi smiled confidently. "Yes, I have."

"It's based on training with the Eight Gates technique."

"By enhancing cellular activity?" Tsunade frowned slightly. "Like the Lightning Release Chakra Mode's heightened activity?"

The Creation Rebirth technique also enhanced cellular activity, allowing cells to rapidly divide and regenerate for fast healing.

However, the Lightning Release method differed, focusing on physical strength and heightened reflexes.

Shūichi explained, "The essence of the Eight Gates is to release the body's natural restraints and push its potential to the limit, up to the eighth gate, where life force burns."

"However, this method produces uncontrollable power and requires extraordinary endurance and physical strength to handle. It lacks precision and isn't suitable for medical ninjutsu practitioners."

"So, I thought of a gentler approach…"

Taking a deep breath, Shūichi suddenly let out a resounding boom.

Green flames burst forth from his body, enveloping him entirely. He appeared as though he were on fire, consumed by an emerald blaze.

Tsunade's pupils constricted sharply as she stared in shock.

"This feeling... It's as if your very life is burning!"

"It truly is burning life!"

Shūichi explained, "Or rather, it's burning Yang Release chakra."

"Life thrives on motion, and burning is the most intense form of motion."

"In this state, the cells are highly activated, granting not only remarkable self-healing but also incredible reflexes and strength."

"Most importantly, while burning appears wild and destructive, it can still be precisely controlled, preserving the advantages of medical ninjutsu."

As he spoke, Shūichi extended his hand, and under Tsunade's watchful gaze, green flames converged in his palm, forming a blade of fire.

He stepped forward, and the flame blade brushed against Tsunade.

Hiss! A sizzle sounded as Tsunade's body ignited. She exclaimed in shock, "My cells are actually burning!"

Watching the green flames slowly consume Tsunade's body, Shūichi smiled.

"This is another characteristic of the Flame of Life—it can ignite the life force of any living being."

Tsunade frowned, then flared her chakra, causing the flames to explode and extinguish instantly. She smirked.

"Seems it's pretty easy to put out too!"

Shūichi chuckled, dispersing the flame blade in his hand. The green flames surrounding him vanished as well.

"The difficulty of mastering this technique is only C-rank. I think most medical ninja would find it manageable."

"And the larger their chakra reserves, the greater the boost in strength."

"The state I demonstrated just now is roughly equivalent to opening the third gate of the Eight Gates."

"From a close-combat perspective, with a bit of training, this would make a medical ninja stand out among Chūnin. For most medical ninja, that's more than sufficient."

Tsunade's eyes widened. "C-rank difficulty? Then it can indeed be taught to all medical ninja."

"Having Chūnin-level close combat abilities would be enough to save their lives in critical moments—and maybe even turn the tide of battle."

"What do you call this technique?"

Shūichi thought for a moment. "How about... Breath of Flame? What do you think?"

"I only just developed it, and this is still its most basic form."

"This technique was inspired by the Eight Gates and also incorporates my earlier work with the Fire Nether Chains."

The Fire Nether Chains, a sealing jutsu, could burn chakra, decompose it, and scorch the spirit.

The Breath of Flame, on the other hand, burns a person's life force—or more accurately, their physical energy.

It can ignite the opponent's chakra, thereby causing their cells to burn.

Tsunade smirked. "Your naming skills really do take after the Fourth Hokage."

She added sarcastically, "Why not call it Hymn of Life?"

Shūichi resisted the urge to roll his eyes and replied, "Alright, how about Breath of Flame: Hymn of Life? Best of both worlds."

Tsunade gave up on the naming debate, too tired to waste more time.

"Once I've mastered it, I'll introduce it to the medical unit. You should record the full details of the technique."

Shūichi nodded and quickly wrote down the training method on a blank scroll. Rising to leave, he grinned.

"Tsunade, looks like I'm one step ahead of you. Don't forget our bet!"

Tsunade's eyebrows twitched, her knuckles cracking ominously, but before she could explode, Shūichi had already disappeared.

"That little brat!" Tsunade gritted her teeth. "I'm not losing to you!"

---

Back home, Shūichi sat in his study, but his consciousness entered the sealed space within his abdomen.

"Kurama, you heard about the Rinnegan and the Eye of the Moon Plan, didn't you?" he said to Yin Kurama.

Yin Kurama remained silent.

The Four-Tails spoke up instead. "Shūichi, if Konoha launched a full-scale attack, wouldn't they be able to seize the Rinnegan?"

Shukaku agreed. "Destroying the Rinnegan would leave Uchiha Madara with no way to resurrect."

"And if the Gedo Statue is sealed, he won't be able to re-seal us either."

Yin Kurama scoffed. "You two idiots. The problem isn't just the Rinnegan."

"Even if those Rinnegan are destroyed, another pair could eventually appear."

"The key lies in Indra and Asura's reincarnated chakra. If you really want to solve the issue, you'd need to wipe out the Uchiha, Senju, and Uzumaki bloodlines entirely."

Shukaku sneered. "Stupid fox, do you think Indra and Asura's chakra is guaranteed to reincarnate only within those three clans?"

"Their bloodlines might not even be limited to them."

"Besides, aren't you still sealed right now?"

Kurama was left speechless, his pride forcing him into silence.

Shūichi, watching the exchange, decided to ignore Yin Kurama. Turning to Shukaku and the Four-Tails, he said,

"I'll be splitting the Two-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Six-Tails soon. When the time comes, I'll need your help to communicate with them."

Shukaku and the Four-Tails nodded in unison.

"No problem. For now, we share a common enemy."

Shukaku added, "By splitting the other tailed beasts and ensuring this dumb fox doesn't get captured, reviving the Ten-Tails will be almost impossible."

Yin Kurama glared at Shukaku, looking like he wanted nothing more than to pummel him.

---

The next morning, Shūichi arrived at the Hokage's office.

Before he could speak, Minato Namikaze said, "Shūichi, you came at the perfect time. Hayate and his team returned from the Land of Hot Water and brought back a peculiar individual."

"Apparently, even after being decapitated, the person could still talk. Unfortunately, they suddenly died on the way back."

Shūichi raised an eyebrow. "A forbidden jutsu of the Jashin cult?"

Minato nodded. "It seems so. The Anbu conducted examinations last night but found nothing unusual. The body appears no different from an ordinary corpse."

Shūichi's interest was piqued. "Send it to the research base. Let's see if we can uncover anything."

Minato agreed, then asked, "You're here so early—do you have something urgent to discuss?"

Shūichi nodded. "Shisui has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. I want to transplant cells from the First Hokage into him."

Minato was initially stunned but then delighted. "That's fantastic news! This will significantly enhance our strength against Uchiha Madara."

Shūichi smiled. "Indeed. Shisui's ocular abilities are extraordinary."

"He can silently and effortlessly alter a person's will without even direct eye contact. I call it the strongest genjutsu."

"We tested it yesterday by turning White Zetsu, who was using Obito's former eye, to our side. We've gathered some astonishing intel."

---

After hearing about the Rinnegan and the Eye of the Moon Plan, Minato's expression turned grave. "I didn't expect such a terrifying scheme to be in motion."

"If Madara completes this, the entire ninja world will be utterly destroyed."

Shūichi nodded, feigning worry. "Sensei, what concerns me more is the possibility that there's something even more dangerous hidden behind the Eye of the Moon Plan."

"Madara altered the Uchiha stone tablet to deceive Nagato, but even the original records of a technique like Infinite Tsukuyomi feel unsettling."

Minato pondered. "Our current intel is too limited for further speculation. For now, we should focus on stopping the Eye of the Moon Plan."

"As for Shisui's transplant, I approve."

Shūichi nodded, leaving the matter at that.

---

Leaving the Hokage building, Shūichi immediately sought out Shisui Uchiha and took him to the research base to proceed with the cell transplant.

With Hashirama's cells, Shisui's Kotoamatsukami could reach its full potential.

Otherwise, a years-long cooldown period for each use would render it far less practical.

While Shūichi's main body focused on the transplant, a clone worked alongside Tsunade to examine the corpse Hayate's team had brought back.

"It doesn't seem any different from a normal body," Tsunade remarked, frowning. "Did it really speak after being decapitated?"

Shūichi nodded. "It should be true. The Hidden Hot Water Village was built around the Jashin cult. Back when I was in the Anbu, I took part in missions to protect the cult's forbidden techniques. Even Kumo once attempted to seize them."

Carefully dissecting the corpse, Shūichi used various techniques to search for traces of a curse seal.

Unfortunately, there was nothing.

As Tsunade had noted, the body appeared completely ordinary.

Frowning, Shūichi said, "There's one more method we can try."

Tsunade was curious. "What method?"

"Edo Tensei."

Shūichi gazed at the corpse. "Summon this person's soul from the Pure Land and bind it to a vessel."

Tsunade's expression shifted slightly. "You're planning to use White Zetsu as the vessel?"

Shūichi nodded. "Tsunade, if you ever wanted to see Nawaki or Dan again…"

Tsunade froze, her head lowering slightly as a struggle played across her face.

Shūichi waited quietly, thinking to himself, The cautious side of me should've tested her earlier. 

After a long silence, Tsunade suddenly raised her head and said, "Forget it. Even if they were summoned, it wouldn't be true resurrection."

"If they're already in the Pure Land, let them rest in peace."

"Besides, there's no need to waste a high-quality research subject like White Zetsu."

Shūichi smiled. "It's your decision to make."

Tsunade shot him a sideways glance. "You're testing me, aren't you?"

Shūichi quickly denied it. "Of course not! It just happened to cross my mind."

He swiftly changed the subject. "This individual's sudden death suggests their forbidden technique was incomplete."

"Is Jashin truly divine power, or just a forbidden jutsu developed by ninja?"

Tsunade snorted. "It's definitely some twisted technique devised by the Jashin cult."

Shūichi shook his head. "Jutsu itself isn't inherently good or evil; it depends on how it's used."

"The Second Hokage only created Edo Tensei to complement the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique."

To rival the power of the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki—or even the likes of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—he knew he had to seize every opportunity.

Shūichi remarked that Hidan's immortal body was quite impressive.

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Do whatever you want!"

Hearing this, Shūichi immediately left the room and returned with a White Zetsu.

After preparing the seals and ensuring everything was in place, Shūichi stood under Tsunade's watchful gaze and formed a single hand seal.

"Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation!"

The White Zetsu, bound by the fire nether chains, was quickly covered in dust. Amid agonized screams, its body twisted and transformed, taking on the appearance of another person.

Watching this, Tsunade frowned deeply, silently grateful she had resisted the temptation earlier and hadn't agreed to revive Nawaki or Dan in such a manner.

The revived Jashin cult leader slowly opened his eyes and immediately burst into manic laughter.

"Ha ha ha! I've succeeded! Truly, Lord Jashin has chosen me and granted me immortality!"

His gaze fell on Shūichi, then shifted to Tsunade and the surrounding environment. Licking his lips, he sneered, "So, this is Konoha's corpse research facility?"

"Ha, I didn't expect that I'd be able to offer a sacrifice to Lord Jashin so soon after waking up!"

Before he could act, the Jashin cult leader's body suddenly froze, and his expression changed drastically.

"What's happening to my body?"

Shūichi chuckled. "If you think it was Jashin who brought you back, I'm afraid you're mistaken. In your eyes, I'm the so-called Lord Jashin, Kogami Kohai."

"You?"

The cult leader, Kogami Kohai, widened his eyes in disbelief as he stared at Shūichi.

"What did you do to me? Why can't I move?"

Shūichi replied calmly, "Because you're already dead. I've merely brought you back from the Pure Land."

"So, tell me—what exactly is this so-called Jashin's power?"

Although shocked, Kogami quickly sneered. "If you want immortality, you must first offer a sacrifice to Lord Jashin. Kill that woman, and I'll tell you everything."

Shūichi sighed and shook his head. "It seems you still don't understand your situation."

He formed a single hand seal, and Kogami's eyes went blank. Compelled by Shūichi's control, he spilled everything he knew.

After hearing the details, Tsunade scoffed coldly. "As expected, just another group of evil people conducting forbidden experiments at the cost of countless lives."

Shūichi nodded. "Jashin is nothing more than a fabricated deity used to manipulate people."

"Tsunade, could you bring me a scroll?"

Tsunade complied, retrieving a blank scroll and some ink from a nearby cabinet.

Under Shūichi's control, Kogami meticulously replicated the curse seal on the scroll.

Shūichi and Tsunade stood side by side, examining its contents.

"It's definitely a wicked jutsu!" Tsunade declared.

"This kind of technique must never be used!"

The scroll's contents detailed that the more people one killed, the stronger the curse power granted by the so-called Death God. This power conferred immortality, and by using blood as a medium, one could curse others.

However, Shūichi noticed that the scroll's contents were incomplete—or, perhaps, the technique itself was an unfinished and flawed forbidden jutsu.

Tsunade's stern voice interrupted his thoughts. "I mean it! Don't even think about using it!"

Shūichi smiled. "I'm not interested in the jutsu itself—I'm interested in its essence."

"This so-called curse power actually links the user's soul to the target's through their blood."

"And this immortality seems to be maintained by anchoring the soul."

Tsunade frowned. "Normally, once someone's head is cut off, they die, and their soul naturally enters the Pure Land."

Shūichi grinned. "Have you forgotten the Second Hokage's soul-binding jutsu?"

"It was the same technique I used to anchor Rin's soul to her body temporarily, allowing her to survive until the transplant of the First Hokage's cells."