Chapter 268: Reviving the Dead!

In the Land of Rivers, inside a cave surrounded by barriers—

The young Gaara's body fell lifelessly to the ground. Shukaku, the One-Tail, had been completely extracted, and his vitality was fading rapidly.

Nagato, leading the sealing ritual, immediately commanded, "Kakuzu, you and the others leave at once. Head to the second hideout and prepare to seal the Two-Tails."

"Shūichi has likely marked the Jinchūriki. The barrier may not be enough to stop him!"

Kakuzu nodded. "Understood!"

Kohai complained, "Can't the Ten-Tails deal with this problem? And this Jinchūriki isn't even fully dead yet. Can't you give me enough time to finish my ritual?"

Kakuzu snorted. "If you're eager to test whether Shūichi can kill you, feel free to stay behind."

Kohai shrugged. "Even the leader wasn't his match. I wouldn't dare face him head-on."

Nagato, uninterested in further conversation, deactivated the projection technique.

Kakuzu and Kohai promptly evacuated the hideout, leaving Gaara's body unattended.

Shortly after they left, Shūichi appeared beside Gaara.

"Just in time. I can still save him."

Shūichi immediately used Soul Binding, trapping Gaara's departing soul within his body.

To bring Gaara back to life, two methods came to mind.

One was to reintroduce the other half of Shukaku into Gaara's body. The other was to use Chiyo's Reanimation Jutsu.

Shūichi wasn't certain if Chiyo had already perfected her technique—perhaps she had—but there likely wasn't enough time.

"It might be too late..."

Looking at Gaara, Shūichi smiled faintly. "Let's give this a try. If it doesn't work, then it's fate."

With that, he performed a summoning technique, calling forth a White Zetsu.

This was one of the White Zetsu he had captured earlier.

The next moment, Shūichi entered Sage Mode, placing one hand on the White Zetsu. The Zetsu's body began to shrink as its cells were absorbed entirely by Shūichi.

Shūichi's body, in turn, expanded rapidly.

The technique, Regenerative Absorption, allowed him to assimilate others' flesh and cells, converting them into his own to heal and regenerate at extraordinary speeds.

This technique was developed from studies on Jūgo's cells combined with Sage Mode.

Shūichi recalled that Jūgo also possessed a similar ability. Paired with it was the technique Regenerative Transference, which allowed one to transfer chakra-infused cells to heal others. Due to the massive cell consumption, Jūgo would revert to a child after using it.

For Shūichi, absorbing the White Zetsu's cells wasn't strictly necessary—this was only a shadow clone.

Thus, what he was truly doing was converting the Zetsu's cells into a form suitable for Gaara.

Gaara's cells were already experiencing massive death, especially in his brain. Shūichi needed to replace them with cells infused with his powerful Yang Release chakra to restore Gaara's body.

This healing method was developed after Shūichi mastered Sage Mode.

In the original series, Jūgo required his target to have already adapted to his Curse Mark's power—essentially, Sage Energy—for this process to work.

But Shūichi had no such limitation. While he'd only tested it on animals so far, not humans, his Star Curse Mark was far more universally compatible than Orochimaru's versions. It allowed perfect synergy with natural energy without the risk of rampage.

Moreover, his chakra inherited unique properties from the Nine-Tails.

The Nine-Tails' chakra, closest to the Ten-Tails, could harmonize with almost anyone.

After absorbing the White Zetsu, Shūichi sliced open Gaara's chest, placed his hand over the wound, and began the Regenerative Transference process. He injected life-rich cells into Gaara's body, perfectly adapting them to Gaara to avoid rejection.

As the cells infused him, Gaara's lifeless body began to revive.

His heart started beating, blood circulated again, his breathing resumed, and his brain regained activity.

In no time, the once-dead Gaara opened his eyes, his vision clearing.

"You... Who are you?" he asked weakly.

Shūichi smiled. "Shūichi Hoshita. Shukaku must have mentioned me to you."

Gaara's eyes widened in recognition. "It's you!"

Shūichi nodded. "It's me."

Gaara's mind whirled as he pieced things together. "Shukaku was captured, and you saved me?"

"Thank you."

"Shukaku said you were incredibly strong. If he was ever taken, only you could save me. And he was right."

Looking hopeful, Gaara asked, "Can you bring Shukaku back?"

Shūichi chuckled. "Looks like you and Shukaku got along well."

"Don't worry, I'll bring him back."

"Come on, let's get you home. Your mother and sister must be very worried about you."

Gaara immediately stood up.

---

In Sunagakure, order had been restored under the leadership of Chiyo and Ebizō after a period of chaos. Teams of ninjas were dispatched to track the enemy, and a request for aid was sent to their ally, Konoha.

But no one expected Gaara to be rescued so quickly.

When Shūichi returned with Gaara, Chiyo and the others were utterly shocked.

Karura tightly embraced her son, while Temari, wide-eyed, tilted her head upward to gaze at the familiar yet awe-inspiring figure before her. Bathed in sunlight, Shūichi seemed even more towering and heroic than her father.

Shūichi, however, paid no mind to the young girl. He addressed Chiyo, saying, "The Akatsuki have already extracted the One-Tail."

"What?"

Chiyo was stunned and looked at Gaara, who appeared unharmed. "Then doesn't that mean Gaara should be..."

Shūichi calmly replied, "It's true that a Jinchūriki normally dies after losing their Tailed Beast. However, there are some techniques in this world capable of defying death."

As expected.

Chiyo's heart tightened. "No wonder Konoha is so formidable."

Shūichi continued, "I heard you've also developed such a technique?"

Chiyo nodded. "Indeed, but it wasn't originally intended for healing."

"Moreover, the cost is immense."

Shūichi nodded in understanding. It seemed Chiyo's Reanimation Jutsu was already perfected.

At that moment, a small figure approached and, in a crisp voice, said, "Thank you for saving Gaara!"

Shūichi lowered his gaze to see Temari looking up at him with a bright smile. He smiled back. "You remember me?"

Temari nodded vigorously. "Of course!"

"One day, I'll challenge you. But... can you take me as your student?"

Shūichi was taken aback, while Karura quickly stepped forward, apologizing, "Shūichi-kun, please forgive her impudence."

After apologizing, Karura sternly scolded Temari, "Temari, don't be so rude. You should address him as Lord Hoshita, and he cannot possibly become your teacher."

Temari obediently corrected herself. "Lord Hoshita..."

Shūichi smiled and said, "Lady Kazekage, I wouldn't entirely rule out taking Temari as my disciple."

Chiyo's expression grew serious, sensing a deeper meaning in Shūichi's words.

Temari's eyes sparkled with excitement. She thought, If I become his student, I can learn everything he knows and then challenge him!

Karura hesitated, feeling both surprised and uneasy. She replied awkwardly, "Shūichi-kun, I'm terribly sorry, but we'll need to wait for Rasa to return before making a decision."

Shūichi nodded slightly and smiled. "Very well. I'll take my leave for now. There are others who need saving."

With that, he vanished.

---

After sending Temari to take her brothers away, Karura turned to Chiyo and asked, "Grandmother, what does Shūichi-kun mean by this?"

"Even if our village and Konoha are allies, the idea of him taking a student here is astonishing."

Chiyo, however, thought of the events involving the Grass and Rain Villages.

The three great villages had jointly attacked the Hidden Rain, only for the Akatsuki to strike back. Now, Shūichi had saved Gaara—something significant must have occurred.

"This new 'God of Shinobi' has ambitions far greater than the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju," Chiyo murmured. "We'll likely need to wait for the Kazekage's return to understand the full picture. Let's hope the situation isn't too dire."

Her unease lingered.

---

In the Land of Hot Water—

Bound and helpless, Killer Bee watched as Yugito Nii had the Two-Tails forcibly extracted. With a heavy heart, he closed his eyes and spoke to Gyūki. "Eight-O, it looks like the worst-case scenario has happened. Yugito is doomed. Fool, ya fool!"

Gyūki's deep voice responded, "Remember what I told you. Take Yugito to Konoha. She might still be saved there."

"Shūichi still holds the other half of the Two-Tails."

Killer Bee nodded. "Got it. Let's hope they'll agree to my plan, fool, ya fool!"

Thud! Yugito's lifeless body hit the ground as Nagato canceled the summoning jutsu. He then grabbed Killer Bee and prepared to leave.

"This isn't good... They're planning to split the sealing process," Gyūki muttered gravely.

"They've likely guessed that Shūichi left his mark on us."

"Bee, big trouble is coming!"

"If Shūichi doesn't arrive in time, there'll be no escape for you."

Cold sweat ran down Killer Bee's face. "If that's the case, I'll have to fight to the death, fool, ya fool!"

After Nagato left with Killer Bee, Shūichi appeared alongside Hashirama Senju.

"Looks like we're too late," Shūichi muttered, frowning as he glanced at Yugito's body.

Hashirama looked at Yugito and then turned to Shūichi. "You think she can still be saved?"

Shūichi nodded slightly. "Should be possible."

Though Yugito's soul had already entered the Pure Land, Shūichi remained confident.

Hashirama marveled. "Your expertise in medical ninjutsu has completely surpassed mine!"

Shūichi smiled. "Standing on the shoulders of giants, after all. It's thanks to the invaluable knowledge left by the predecessors."

He performed a jutsu, and a complex seal spread across the ground. A soul appeared—Yugito's.

Hashirama praised, "Brilliant application of Edo Tensei. Tobirama's creation truly has its merits."

"Thank you," Shūichi replied with a nod, sealing Yugito's soul back into her body using Tobirama's Soul Binding Technique.

Next came Sage Transformation.

Shūichi's body suddenly expanded, swelling into a small giant over three meters tall.

Hashirama Senju watched in amazement once again. "Your chakra control is truly astounding. I never imagined Sage Arts could be utilized in this way."

Using one finger, Shūichi made an incision in Yugito Nii's chest while infusing cells into her body. "This is Sage Transformation," he explained. "It allows natural energy to directly alter one's cells within certain limits."

"You could call it a shortcut to becoming like the Sages of the Three Great Lands."

Hashirama nodded thoughtfully. "But if it spirals out of control, the consequences would be even harder to reverse than with regular Sage Mode."

"Achieving the level of a true Sage from the Three Great Lands takes an immense amount of time."

As Shūichi's body gradually returned to its normal size, he smiled. "My goal is to become like the Tailed Beasts, allowing my cells to naturally absorb energy from nature to replenish my stamina."

Hashirama looked at him with astonishment. "Your physique truly is unique. You might actually achieve that."

It was the first time Hashirama had encountered someone whose chakra and Yang Release powers could rival his own.

---

Before long, Shūichi's body returned to normal. Yugito's damaged cells had been replaced, her life was reignited, and her eyelids fluttered open before she slowly regained consciousness.

Hashirama couldn't help but marvel. "What an extraordinary idea—reviving someone in this way."

Shūichi smiled. "It only works on those who've died very recently."

Unfortunately, this was the result of multiple techniques used in tandem, not a single resurrection forbidden jutsu. As such, the Master Healer tag was not awarded by the system.

However, unlike Gaara, Yugito had been marked with the Kagutsuchi Mark by Shūichi when he saved her.

"You were right," Yugito said as soon as she awoke. "That Killer Bee was captured as well."

Shūichi reassured her, "Don't worry. The Eight-Tails is the best when it comes to survival tactics."

"Besides, the Tailed Beasts must be sealed in order, starting with the One-Tail. Since the Akatsuki don't have the Six-Tails, they can't immediately seal the Eight-Tails."

Yugito, however, grew more concerned. "In that case, won't Killer Bee end up being controlled?"

Shūichi nodded. "It's a possibility."

"Let's move. We'll go save the other Jinchūriki first."

With that, the three of them vanished from the cave.

---

Based on the current situation, Shūichi speculated that Nagato and the others would likely prioritize sealing the One-Tail through the Five-Tails first. The Seven-Tails and Eight-Tails might even be turned into one of the Six Paths of Pain by Nagato.

It all depended on whether the Akatsuki could maintain internal cohesion for now.

Meanwhile, as Shūichi saved Yugito, Uchiha Madara had already taken the Akatsuki's ring from White Zetsu and appeared to assist in sealing the Four-Tails.

With Madara's involvement, the sealing process significantly accelerated.

---

Elsewhere, one of Shūichi's shadow clones arrived beside Yagura.

This Jinchūriki had been dead for some time. Though his body appeared lifelike, it had long since been in a state of death. Shūichi discovered black chakra-conducting rods, created using Yin-Yang Release, embedded in Yagura's body.

Clearly, Nagato had previously turned Yagura into a puppet similar to the Paths of Pain.

---

Land of Birds, inside a cave.

Shūichi revived Kurotsuchi.

When Kurotsuchi opened her eyes and saw Shūichi, her face lit up with joy and surprise. "Big Brother!"

Shūichi chuckled softly. "We meet again."

Kurotsuchi scrambled to her feet and looked around. "Did you save me, Big Brother?"

"Where are Grandpa and Dad?"

"And Son Gokū... he seems to be gone."

Shūichi explained, "The Tsuchikage and Kitsuchi are a bit tied up, so they asked me to come rescue you."

"As for Son Gokū, you'll see him again soon."

Kurotsuchi nodded earnestly. "I knew it! Son Gokū told me earlier that you'd definitely come to save me."

Shūichi couldn't help but pat her on the head.

Although she was adorable, he didn't give her the other half of the Four-Tails sealed within him.

His primary reason for rescuing the Jinchūriki was to further earn the trust of the Tailed Beasts.

Even if absolute trust wasn't necessary, mutual understanding would simplify many matters, especially making it more convenient for him to utilize their chakra.

After all, having nine "power banks" in his body was incredibly advantageous.

(End of Chapter)

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