Chapter 54

[AN: Since there is no known location in which Mito was buried, I will take some liberty.]

Kuro appears in front of a shrine dedicated to important and heroic people of the Hidden Leaf.

Walking in, he arrived in front of a stone adorned with flowers and relics left by those who remembered. And there, among names etched into time: Mito Uzumaki.

"I am only gone for a few years, and you are already gone," Kuro thought, his gaze locked on the engraved name.

He knelt, staring at the cool stone.

"Although we didn't know each other for long, I looked up to you. You were the vision I saw in the leadership of the Hidden Leaf… in what it could be."

His tone shifted, bitter and sharp.

"If Hiruzen was even a little like you, he might've been a great leader."

After pausing for a while, Kuro breathed out as if finally making up his mind. "I hope you will not get angry at me for doing this."

"ARISE!"

Kuro poured out all of his strength and concentration to successfully resurrect Mito.

Tti-ring!

[Shadow Extraction has failed.]

Kuro calms himself before deciding to take a different approach. This time, he used Shadow Reanimation instead of Shadow Extraction. His Shadow Reanimation was still limited and at level 1. He has revived the Goddess Elysia with it, and since she was gone, he was able to resurrect another.

***

[Skill: Shadow Reanimation (Limited) Lv. 1]

Class skill.

Chakra required to activate: None.

You can use the shadow to reconstruct a physical body for a chosen shadow. Only Commander Grade or higher Shadow Soldiers can be reanimated. Due to you being at the Lord rank, the skill has been limited. Reanimed Shadows: 0/1

***

"REBORN!"

The wind around the shrine stilled.

As Kuro's voice rang out—"REBORN!"—his shadow surged forward like a wave crashing against the earth, unfurling in spirals of black smoke that pulsed with raw, unfiltered chakra. The stone before Mito's name shivered, not from any tremor, but as if the veil between life and death had been nudged… even if just slightly.

The shadows began to rise, forming the outline of a figure.

A woman. Tall, regal, with hair that shimmered red at her prime, stood before Kuro.

Her eyes opened slowly.

"…Kuro?"

Tti-ring!

[Shadow Reanimation Successful.]

[New Marshal Grade Shadow Soldier Acquired: Mito Uzumaki]

[Remaining Reanimated Shadows: 0/1]

Kuro stared at the notifications, not registering Mito's voice.

'Marshal?' Kuro couldn't believe his eyes. 'Is it because she was Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki?'

"KURO!!!!" Mito yelled out and brought Kuro back from his thoughts.

Kuro look up and was able to finally see Mito in her full glory. Quickly reaching into his inventory, he brought out pieces of clothes and threw them at Mito with covering his eyes. But one could see there was a gap between the fingers.

Mito, finally registering what had happened, put the clothes on.

"You've grown," she said softly, trying to change the subject.

"And you have grown younger," Kuro replied. "No longer the old hag that I know."

BAM!

Kuro's world suddenly went black for a second before he registered the pain on his head.

'Damn she strong!' Kuro's mind echoed as he knew how strong his body had become. Mito's ability to cause him pain just shows how strong she is.

"So, Mind telling me what you did and how you were able to bring me back?" Mito looks at Kuro.

"So you're not mad that I brought you back?" Kuro asked while rubbing his aching head.

Mito crossed her arms, her sharp gaze never leaving Kuro.

"I didn't say that," she said, voice even, but with that unmistakable edge that only someone like her could carry.

Kuro winced slightly, both from the pain and the atmosphere. "Right… figured as much."

She arched an eyebrow. "Well? I'm waiting."

Kuro sat back, legs crossed, as he exhaled deeply, trying to collect his thoughts.

"I used a skill—Shadow Reanimation," he began. "It's a part of the power I've learn when traveling with my master." Since Kuro used the excuse of training with his 'master' when he left, he decided to stick with it.

Mito's gaze didn't soften. "Shadow Reanimation? Sounds like a twisted form of the Forbidden Reanimation Jutsu."

"It's not the same," Kuro said quickly, raising his hands. "There's no sacrifice, no talisman. The body is made from the world itself—it's you at your peak, but only if your spirit accepts the call. No chains. You're not bound to my will."

Mito stared at him, eyes narrowing just a touch. "And why would my spirit accept such a thing?"

He looked up at her, honest.

"Because there's still something worth fighting for."

The wind picked up again, brushing through the trees surrounding the shrine, as if nature itself was listening in.

Mito didn't respond immediately. Her eyes drifted toward the stone with her name carved into it. She approached it slowly, fingers grazing the surface. Flowers still fresh, placed likely just that morning.

"I had made peace with death, Kuro," she said quietly. "My life was one of burden, and I accepted it. I had no regrets when I passed."

Kuro didn't interrupt. He knew she wasn't done.

"But now I stand here," she continued, turning slightly to glance at him over her shoulder. "In a time that's no longer mine. Revived by a boy I once believed could be great… and still might be."

Kuro blinked. "So... you're not mad?"

She smirked faintly. "Oh, I'm furious. But if I'm back… then there must be a reason."

Kuro chuckled nervously. "So… you're staying?"

Mito walked toward him again, the old strength in her step returning now that the shock had worn off. She stood before him and gave him a sharp flick to the forehead.

"For now," she said. "But if I find out you brought me back just to call me an old hag again, I'll send you straight to the Afterlife myself."

Kuro looks her up and down. "But you are no longer old? The resurrection brought you back to your peak beauty."

Mito narrowed her eyes, her fingers twitching ever so slightly—as if considering whether to smack him again. "Flattery won't save you from divine punishment, brat."

Kuro grinned anyway, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Just stating facts."

She sighed, clearly unimpressed, but there was a faint flush in her cheeks that she tried to pass off as irritation.

"Your mouth hasn't matured one bit, I see."

Then, her expression shifted—just a little. Her eyes turned more thoughtful, almost... solemn. "You know this isn't without consequence, right? Bringing someone like me back."

Kuro's smile faded. "I know."

"The old ways… the old enemies… they never forget. If they learn I've returned—"

"Does not matter." Kuro cut in, his voice firm now. "They are not strong enough to challenge me."

Mito watched him, lips pressed into a thin line.

"You've become powerful," she admitted. "Stronger than I ever imagined… but you're still not invincible. If you were, you wouldn't need me."

That made Kuro pause.

He let out a small, dry chuckle. "You're right," he admitted, turning to glance at the old shrine gates. "I brought you back because power alone isn't enough. This village… this world... it needs something else."

Mito tilted her head. "And what's that?"

He turned back to her, eyes burning.

"It needs someone so powerful that he can create peace between all the nations. Just like Hashirama did with his strength."

For the first time, Mito was silent.

They stood there a moment longer, before Mito added, tone soft but sharp:

"But if you ever start acting like Madara, I will put you down myself."

Kuro laughed. "If I start quoting him, please do."