Chapter 36: Kirigakure, Under My Protection

Kirigakure, a vast expanse of ruins stood at the heart of the village.

Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi, dressed in construction crew uniforms, were pushing a cart through the bustling wreckage.

They had infiltrated the village!

After trying countless plans and failing miserably, they finally managed to sneak into Kirigakure by relying on Choza's sheer strength to join the construction team and walk right through the village gates.

Not far away, the foreman's voice echoed, urging them to hurry up.

The three dared not slack off. Carrying pickaxes and shovels, they pushed their cart toward the next construction site.

Their task? Digging out the deeply buried roots underground.

Only those who've done it know—digging out tree roots is backbreaking work.

Without any chakra assistance, pure manual labor like this could utterly exhaust a person.

Arriving at the next site, the three began repeating their laborious routine.

"Inoichi, do you think all these roots might be traces of the First Hokage's Wood Release?" Shikaku asked in a low voice, frowning.

"Who knows? Have you ever seen Wood Release in action? Maybe it's just a piece of wood sprouting from someone's hand," replied Inoichi, drenched in sweat and too drained to care about the question. He just wanted to finish the job and collapse somewhere to rest.

Hearing his companion's words, Shikaku sighed and pushed the thought from his mind as well.

Who could blame them? After two or three months of relentless travel and high-stakes missions, coupled with intense mental strain, these three were utterly spent. They had no energy left to ponder such trivial matters.

As the trio struggled with the stubborn roots...

On the outskirts of Kirigakure, in the untouched territory of the Hozuki Clan.

Amidst the mist-shrouded Hozuki Clan cemetery, Rinjin and Gengetsu Hozuki crouched before an open grave.

Watching Rinjin carefully place his skeletal remains into a brand-new camellia wood coffin, Gengetsu's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

"Oi, you clumsy idiot! Be gentle! Be gentle!

Damn it! You've broken my ribs, haven't you? I told you to be careful, but you wouldn't listen!

Why are you staring at me? Hurry up and put them back together!"

Glancing at the grumbling Gengetsu, Rinjin rolled his eyes in exasperation. Whether intentionally or not, his hand gave a slight shake.

The next second, the smooth skull slipped from his grasp and rolled far away with a clattering sound.

Seeing this, Gengetsu let out a sharp scream, his face contorting with rage as he grabbed Rinjin's ear and roared.

"My head, you idiot!"

With that, he dove forward like a rabid dog, quickly retrieving his skull. Rolling up his sleeves, he gently wiped the dust off his skeletal head.

"Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have let you handle my burial."

Hearing this, Rinjin snatched the skull back, carefully placing it into the coffin before dusting off his hands and standing up. He looked at Gengetsu with a face full of disbelief.

"I suggested crafting a golden robe for you and placing your bones inside it, but you refused. You said gold was tacky and didn't suit your style.

Fine, I accepted that and went with a camellia wood coffin because it's your remains, after all.

Then I thought we could gather a few more people for a grand funeral—burn some paper offerings, make it lively.

But no, you had to complain endlessly, insisting that whoever dug you up should be the one to bury you again.

Fine, fine, I listened to you. I'm personally burying you now, but you're still complaining about me being clumsy!"

Looking at the furious Rinjin, Gengetsu shrank back slightly, muttering under his breath:

"It's not my fault. What do you expect me to do, watch myself being buried? Should I play a flute at my own funeral too?"

Hearing this, Rinjin froze for a moment.

Damn it, that actually makes sense!

After all, playing a flute at your own funeral does sound a bit… peculiar!

After a long silence, Rinjin finally adjusted his mood. He slowly raised his hand and patted Gengetsu on the shoulder.

"Alright, Brother Gengetsu, no need for sentimental words. If anything comes up, just visit me in a dream.

And if you ever run out of money, let me know. I'll burn some for you."

"There's no money in the Pure Land..."

"..."

Covering his face with his hand, Rinjin trembled with frustration.

You old geezer, can't you read the room?! I'm trying to say goodbye here! Could you stop ruining the mood?!

Letting out a long sigh, Rinjin clasped his hands together, preparing to release the Edo Tensei technique.

Just as he began, Gengetsu suddenly grabbed his wrist, staring intently at him.

"Remember, next year, pull me out of the Pure Land again. Oh, and bring that bastard Mu with you—I need to beat him up!"

Rinjin nodded, preparing to form the seals again, only to be stopped by Gengetsu once more.

"Also, when you summon me next year, prepare a decent vessel. That White Zetsu thing seems pretty good.

As for Mu, just find some trash for his vessel. Nothing fancy."

Hearing this, Rinjin nodded wordlessly.

Satisfied, Gengetsu finally let go of his hand, stepping back with a smile as he looked at Rinjin.

Watching Gengetsu's faintly smiling face and his distinctive mustache, Rinjin pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then began forming seals.

The sequence of hand signs felt both fleeting and endless.

The Edo Tensei technique was released, and Gengetsu Hozuki's body began to crumble and disintegrate.

As the scene unfolded, Rinjin's lips curled into a smirk. He raised an eyebrow at Gengetsu and quipped:

"Hey, old man, my name is Rinjin Shokuhō, not Obito. Got it?"

"Uh..." Gengetsu froze, then burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! You little bastard!"

As his body neared complete disintegration, Gengetsu's laughter ceased. He gave Rinjin one last serious look.

"Good kid, Rinjin Shokuhō, right? I'll remem—"

His voice faded into the mist...

Watching the spot where Gengetsu Hozuki had vanished, Rinjin's smirk slowly disappeared, his expression growing solemn.

No matter how many times you go through it, farewells always carry a hint of loneliness.

Farewell, Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki.

I'll remember our promise.

And Kirigakure… I'll watch over it for you!

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

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