Chapter 27

"S-Rank secret technique, and it concerns the soul. If anything, Konoha's Book of Seals must have a record of it."

Gensou pondered.

Konoha's Book of Seals contained much more than the initial Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Given the large scroll used for its record, there were bound to be numerous forbidden techniques inside.

Tobirama had contributed a significant portion of it.

And other Konoha ninjas added their share as well.

"Breaking into the Hokage's office and stealing the Book of Seals?"

The thought crossed Gensou's mind but was quickly dismissed.

Despite Konoha's recent losses, its foundation as the top ninja village was still strong.

And he wasn't Naruto.

With his current strength, attempting to steal the Book of Seals would likely result in his capture.

Fortunately, there were other ways.

"The Kato clan, I've heard of them before. Although small and insignificant. Dan should have descendants. Is it... Shizune?"

Gensou thought of the black-haired woman who always accompanied the buxom Tsunade.

If he remembered correctly, Dan should be Shizune's uncle.

Shizune's parents were also Konoha ninjas who, like Dan, died in the war.

Orphaned, Shizune was taken in by Tsunade, who brought her along when leaving Konoha.

"It seems Shizune is the last of the Kato clan."

Otherwise, with Tsunade's aversion to trouble, she wouldn't have taken a young girl along when leaving the village if there were elders remaining in Shizune's family.

Although Shizune was the last, the family's legacy would still be preserved.

Dan's unique S-Rank Spirit Transformation Technique would be recorded by the village and likely inherited by his only surviving relative, Shizune.

As for why Shizune never demonstrated it in the original series, not all ninjas could master every jutsu.

Just like some excel in school, mastering textbooks effortlessly, while others struggle despite their best efforts.

Possessing a supreme technique didn't guarantee mastery. More often, one might get injured or die trying.

Shizune probably had the Spirit Transformation Technique.

Additionally, as Dan's former lover, Tsunade might also have it.

Like a poor boy giving his most precious technique to a princess to bridge their gap.

With double the chances, Gensou decided to approach Tsunade and Shizune, either forcefully or diplomatically.

Finding them wouldn't be hard.

Asking around casinos and loan sharks would soon yield information.

Restless, Gensou didn't waste time. In a flash, he disappeared from the Valley of the End.

The mountain wind howled, and under the moonlight, the two enormous statues continued their silent standoff, as they had for decades.

While Gensou sought Tsunade, others had similar intentions. "Let's go!"

At Konoha's gate, with a backpack and his cherished frog wallet, a spirited Naruto waved his hand, embarking on a journey with the pervy sage Jiraiya to find Tsunade.

He only knew they were seeking someone to heal Sasuke and Bushy Brows, unaware that they were actually searching for the village's next Hokage.

Their meeting would undoubtedly be dramatic.

...

Meanwhile, back at one of Orochimaru's secret bases, the pain from the Shinigami sealing his hands made him desperate for Tsunade's help.

Unable to perform Living Corpse Reincarnation immediately due to his plans for Sasuke, he set out with Kabuto to find the best medic in the ninja world.

"Tsunade-sama's medical skills are unrivaled," acknowledged Kabuto, himself a medical ninja.

"But..."

Adjusting his glasses, Kabuto asked Orochimaru, "How can you be sure Tsunade-sama will heal you?"

As a Konoha traitor who had just killed the Third Hokage, it was unlikely Tsunade would assist him.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a sinister smile, his voice raspy, "Because I'll offer her an irresistible deal. The chance to regain lost family and love, the two most beautiful emotions in the human world—who could refuse?"

"Understood."

Kabuto's eyes gleamed behind his glasses.

Thinking of himself acting as Orochimaru's hands and using the techniques learned from him, Kabuto couldn't help but smile, "Edo Tensei, what an unimaginable and magnificent jutsu!"

"Even the greatest jutsu requires careful handling," Orochimaru thought of the elusive Gensou, his eyes narrowing, "Any news on Gensou?"

Kabuto shook his head, "Nothing yet. But Konoha, the Cloud, and the Mist are all tracking him."

Orochimaru wasn't surprised.

Someone like Gensou, a wily veteran from the Warring States period, wouldn't be easily found once he decided to hide.

"Never mind. Finding Tsunade is our priority now."

Enduring the constant searing pain in his arms, Orochimaru cursed the old man in his heart and ordered, "To Tanzaku Town!"

"Tanzaku Town?"

In a back room of a casino, where outside was bustling with dice games and shouts, inside, it was filled with groans of pain.

Gensou, disguised as an ordinary middle-aged man, skillfully pocketed bundles of cash, looking down at the previously fierce but now terrified loan sharks with no pity, he asked, "You say the legendary big spender is currently in Tanzaku Town?"

"Yes, yes!"

Bruised and battered, the loan shark leader quickly nodded to appease Gensou, "The golden ponytail, green gambling coat, stunning figure, young and beautiful woman you're asking about is definitely the legendary big spender. She regularly borrows from us, still owing fifty million ryō. We know her well! She goes to Tanzaku Town every year around this time, without fail."

"You should know that place has the most and the most luxurious casinos in the entire Land of Fire and the ninja world! She won't leave until she's been there for a month!"

(End of Chapter)