Chapter 61: Orochimaru Just Wants Immortality, What's Wrong With That?
Tsukasa Kaede freed one hand, pressed it down, and twisted the Sand ninja's neck, breaking it. He then carved various inexplicable technique formulas around the corpse, which left the Root ninja observing in awe, before sitting on the ground, seemingly putting effort into casting a jutsu.
Immediately after, a visible surge of Chakra burst from Tsukasa Kaede's body, making the onlookers' expressions even more solemn.
Five minutes later, the deceased Sand ninja suddenly opened its eyes under everyone's gaze. Its eyeballs had turned ghastly white, and its body twitched violently.
Then it slowly crawled up, emitting guttural whimpers, its mouth unconsciously opening and closing as if biting.
"This is the Corpse Release Secret Technique. A ninja who was already dead has actually come back to life. This is the first time I've witnessed such a sight," Terai remarked, his voice cold.
Danzo's Three-Tomoe Sharingan stared intently. He didn't understand the technique formulas on the ground, but for now, he could only try his best to memorize them.
He had an extremely high level of interest in the Corpse Release Secret Technique. If the events that followed proved true, the value of this Secret Technique would be ranked in his second tier of priorities.
As for the first tier, they were Hashirama's Cells, and various Dojutsu related to the Sharingan, such as the Three-Tomoe Izanagi, and Mangekyo Sharingan-level Special Dojutsu—these were all Danzo's favorites.
"A very impressive jutsu. My eyes have seen it all, and it hasn't exceeded my expectations."
Danzo's Sharingan could already vaguely discern some things. The reason he couldn't see them clearly was that his dōjutsu power ultimately hadn't reached a certain level, and his insight into the microscopic world was insufficient.
What came next was what truly concerned Danzo.
Tsukasa Kaede controlled the freshly animated zombie and began to form hand signs step by step.
"Rat-Boar-Dog-Rooster-Monkey-Goat? I've never seen that hand signs sequence before," Terai said.
"Kaedence it's a forbidden jutsu, it wouldn't be known to the world. There's no need to get caught up in such details." Danzo himself knew that it was impossible to learn this jutsu simply by watching.
Consequently, the zombie activated the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu. Its body visibly withered, and a green life force transferred to another Sand ninja.
Danzo's heart burned with excitement. The three tomoe in his eyes unconsciously spun once, allowing him to see everything even more clearly than others.
That substantially increased life force held immense appeal for Danzo.
"Sacrificing one ninja to become a mummified corpse, only to increase another's life force to this extent... however, corpses are plentiful. I will instruct Orochimaru to capture as many captives as possible on the front line."
Danzo opened the door to a new world, feeling his future was bright. With a forbidden jutsu that could maintain his physical condition and extend his lifespan, he no longer needed to be so impatient about many matters.
Of course, what needed to be done would still be done, especially when it involved the Uchiha Clan. But Danzo was no longer anxious about his own aging; instead, he was fully preoccupied with figuring out how to control Tsukasa Kaede.
"What is this jutsu called?"
"The Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu. In the entire Shinobi World, only I can truly unleash the full power of this forbidden jutsu. No matter who it is, no matter how proficient they become, they cannot compare to me. Even if members of the Senju Clan and Uzumaki Clan were to learn it, they wouldn't be worth mentioning compared to me," Tsukasa Kaede said.
Perhaps for the most vigorous clan members of these two physically adept clans, using the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu might not necessarily result in death, but compared to Tsukasa Kaede's method of using corpses to cast the jutsu on living humans, there was simply no comparison.
Furthermore, who knew how long it would take to even learn the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu.
"Excellent, Tsukasa Kaede. Your talent truly satisfies me. From now on, you will be an outstanding young ninja whom I will focus on cultivating. You are the future of the village!"
Danzo's eyelids slowly closed, concealing the blood-red glow. "Hiruzen Sarutobi is heavily promoting his grand-disciple, Minato Namikaze. I, on the other hand, choose to heavily promote you. With me as your protector, you will become the village's hero in the shortest possible time."
"A Konoha hero? Someone like me, who uses such a secret technique, never thought of vying for such a title," Tsukasa Kaede said, dumbfounded.
"That's because you have no connections in the village! Someone without backing isn't qualified to appear before the villagers as a hero, but with me, it will be different."
Danzo said, "As long as you cooperate with me, I can give you anything you desire."
"If it's about performing a jutsu for you, I have no problem. But I believe what you want is definitely more than that... I will absolutely not teach this forbidden jutsu to anyone. Only I can use it freely."
Tsukasa Kaede smiled. Even though he was completely surrounded and targeted by various secret techniques and sealing jutsu, he remained composed.
Handing the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu over to Danzo? That was impossible. Living humans could use this jutsu to trade one life for another. Danzo wouldn't use it himself, but he could have his subordinates use it.
Draining his subordinates' life force to maintain his own physical condition—Danzo would absolutely do something like that. Because he genuinely believed that his efforts to increase his power and secure his status and authority were for the good of the village.
Soon after, Tsukasa Kaede left the Root base.
No battle broke out; everything appeared calm and peaceful.
However, both Tsukasa Kaede and Danzo knew that their cooperation was only temporary. The best-case scenario for now was a long-term collaboration, until one side found a way to restrain the other.
Danzo and Orochimaru operated in the same way, always cooperating and always being wary of each other. As soon as one side showed a weakness, the other would not hesitate to act.
"What a troublesome young man. Even Orochimaru at his age might not have been as difficult to deal with as him."
Danzo sat down, carefully observing the dismembered Sand ninja. Several medical ninja were conducting research, analyzing and reporting on the body's reactions after receiving the additional life force replenishment.
Indeed, Danzo did not accept Tsukasa Kaede's jutsu. He wouldn't rashly do such a thing, but it was only a matter of time.
"While a forbidden jutsu that maintains a constant state can greatly extend my lifespan and increase my Chakra reserves and physical constitution before this life force runs out, it ultimately doesn't restore youth. The longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for me. He must be plotting something along those lines."
Danzo scoffed. For every year he aged, his strength and potential decreased. The later he acquired a life force replenishment, the more passive he would become, and the greater the long-term loss.
However, this was only temporary.
"Terai, contact Ryoma and have him negotiate with Orochimaru. Inform Orochimaru of what happened here."
Danzo was silent for a moment, then said, "Isn't Orochimaru currently researching the mechanisms of human aging? If he knew someone in the village had mastered a forbidden jutsu for immortality, he definitely wouldn't miss this opportunity. Tsukasa Kaede will become my bargaining chip in a deal with him."
If Orochimaru could perpetually remain in his prime and recklessly use extra life force to generate massive amounts of Chakra, he surely wouldn't be able to restrain himself.
"Imprison this corpse and this Sand ninja. They are valuable experiment subjects," Danzo commanded.
Immediately, two Root ninja stepped forward to touch them.
It was at this moment.
A sizzling sound emanated from inside the zombie that had turned into a dried corpse.
"No good!" Danzo's eyelid twitched.
Immediately afterward, a violent explosion occurred.
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