Aftermath 7

Silver stood still, his expression cold as he processed the sight before him. The cracked skin, the lifeless eyes, the glowing sealing tags on their foreheads—he had seen this before. His memories from his past life flooded back, the fragments of knowledge about forbidden jutsus and the dark corners of Konoha's history. Edo Tensei, he thought, recognizing the signs instantly. So, Tobirama's experiments didn't stop with the wars...

He didn't react with shock, as others might have. The reincarnation of his former self had already given him knowledge of many forbidden jutsus, including this one. The fact that these shinobi were not truly alive, but rather puppets of chakra and death, didn't surprise him. His focus remained sharp, analyzing the situation as his mind worked quickly to piece together the puzzle.

The undead figures, their kunai held firmly at his team's throats, were an immediate threat. But Silver could tell they weren't operating on their own volition. Their movements were stiff, robotic, as if they were controlled by an outside force—likely Tobirama himself or someone else with knowledge of the jutsu.

His gaze shifted to Aiko, Ember, and Hiroshi. They seemed tense, their eyes wide with a mix of confusion and apprehension. He could sense the fear simmering beneath the surface, but they weren't as experienced as him when it came to encountering the darker, hidden sides of the shinobi world.

Silver didn't need to explain to them what was happening. They knew they were in danger, and that was enough. His mind was already working on a plan to break free of the undead squad's hold. But before he could make a move, he felt the shift in the air. His instincts screamed that something was happening.

And then, in a flash, Tobirama Senju appeared, his form materializing in front of them with the speed of a seasoned shinobi. Silver's eyes flicked to the Hokage, his presence commanding attention without a word spoken. He didn't flinch at the sudden appearance. His past life's knowledge gave him an understanding of how quickly Tobirama could move. And from the Hokage's calm demeanor, it was clear he wasn't threatened by the situation.

The undead shinobi froze momentarily, their bodies stiffening as Tobirama assessed the scene. Without a word, Tobirama's hands moved in swift, deliberate motions, sealing the undead figures in place, rendering them immobile.

Silver stood silently, his mind calculating. The situation had shifted. Tobirama's appearance had changed the dynamics of the encounter, but it didn't change the underlying reality. These were experiments—an extension of the Hokage's past actions, something Silver knew all too well.

Tobirama's gaze swept over Silver and his team, his expression as unreadable as ever. Without a word, he approached the immobilized undead shinobi, his chakra swirling around him as he sealed their movements, rendering them completely still. His sharp eyes flicked back to Silver, then to the others, before his voice cut through the tension.

"Keep everything here a secret," he ordered firmly, his voice laced with authority.

There was no hint of surprise or hesitation in Tobirama's demeanor. He wasn't concerned about how much Silver knew—he had long been aware that certain individuals might have knowledge of Konoha's darker, hidden secrets. Instead, his focus remained entirely on the task at hand.

Silver remained silent, his eyes narrowing slightly. His mind processed the Hokage's words, but he knew better than to argue. The situation was too delicate, and Tobirama, with his vast power and knowledge, had made his stance clear.

Without waiting for a response, Tobirama turned back to the sealed figures, his hand moving swiftly as he prepared to ensure that the undead shinobi would not be a further threat. His mind, however, was clearly elsewhere—an unsettling calm had taken over the Hokage, as though he had long known this day would come.

Silver didn't question it further. He simply nodded to his team, signaling for them to remain alert, but to follow the Hokage's directive. There was no room for debate when it came to Konoha's secrets.

Tobirama's warning hung in the air as the silence of the stone chamber enveloped them all. The weight of the moment settled in, but Silver kept his focus, the realization that the village's hidden past would remain just that—hidden—for now.