Chapter 71: I Knew Even the Dead Could Live
Tsunade still thought she had misheard.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm saying, if you're done talking, I'm going to perform a jutsu on Lord Kato Dan and bring him back to life, although this is my first time using this forbidden jutsu to resurrect the dead."
Tsukasa Kaede thought for a moment and added, "Actually, if you had spent less time on your sentimental goodbyes just now, he wouldn't have had to die, and I would have been more confident in saving him."
Tsunade's eyes widened, her golden hair spread out in the rain, her clothes completely soaked, looking exceptionally disheveled. "Are you serious? You can resurrect Dan Kato? Does such a jutsu truly exist in this world? Kid, you'd better not be lying to me!"
"Kid... I'm already seventeen, not a child. It's quite rude to call me that."
Tsukasa Kaede shook his head, not minding Tsunade's loss of composure. After all, anyone who knew such a jutsu existed would surely be horrified.
He squatted down, one hand reaching into Kato Dan's empty chest, while simultaneously performing hand signs with his other hand, casting the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu.
This solemn act truly stunned Tsunade. The proud princess struggled to keep her eyes open in the heavy rain, fearing she might miss a single detail.
The cold rainwater continuously washed over her body, but it couldn't compare to the chill in her heart. However, with Tsukasa Kaede's unusual actions, a glimmer of unrealistic hope sparked within the despondent Tsunade.
What if? What if... Tsukasa Kaede truly possessed a jutsu to resurrect Kato Dan? Reason told her it was impossible, but she had completely lost her rationality now, left only with endless despair and loneliness.
"Well? Can you do it? If I hadn't interfered just now, could you have healed him directly? You can do it, right? You're very good with... Wait! Do you mean to directly turn Dan Kato's corpse into your—"
"It's not like that. Lord Kato Dan is someone I deeply respect. He once helped me defeat Araki of the Sand, essentially saving my life. I wouldn't do something like that to him... I'm going to use a different jutsu."
Tsukasa Kaede completed the hand signs. "Forbidden Jutsu: Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu!"
A massive amount of life force surged wildly from Tsukasa Kaede. It was visible life force, like green vegetation in the desert, or a warm light in the dead of winter, continuously flowing into Kato Dan's long-deceased body.
Tsukasa Kaede's expression was solemn. Honestly, if it were anyone else, he wouldn't have needed to go this far.
He was attempting to resurrect Kato Dan for multiple reasons—Kato Dan was a person of good character and had been somewhat helpful to Tsukasa Kaede, which was certainly one important reason.
Kaedemilarly, the Spirit Transformation Secret Technique was one aspect, and performing an experiment of resurrecting the dead with the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu was another.
Of course, there was also the most important point...
Tsukasa Kaede looked down at Kato Dan, then up at Tsunade. He had an interesting idea, and the timing was right. If it worked out, it might create some interesting interference and influence on the direction of this Shinobi World.
Tsunade, after all, was a pure-blooded Senju.
"Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu... I've never heard of this jutsu."
Tsunade watched expectantly, horrified by the massive life force erupting from Tsukasa Kaede, yet in her heart, an "unrealistic" longing still bloomed. She hoped to see Kato Dan return from the dead; she hoped her lover could stand up and embrace her!
Just like before! A few more seconds passed, and Kato Dan remained a cold corpse.
"Did it work?" Tsunade knelt on the ground, asking anxiously.
"...Of course not. I'm just maintaining Lord Kato Dan's other body parts. His internal organs are gone. Before fully resurrecting him, I need to replace the missing organs."
Tsukasa Kaede pondered for a moment, freed one hand, and summoned the only remaining Explosion Release Zombie.
*Swoosh!* A large amount of chakra appeared on his palm. He used a chakra scalpel to cut open the Explosion Release Zombie's chest, pulled out its various internal organs, and forcibly placed them into Kato Dan's chest.
"It's an emergency, and I can't find more suitable fillers, so I'll use the organs of an Iwagakure Explosion Release Bloodline Limit ninja. If all goes well, Lord Kato Dan might even awaken the Explosion Release Bloodline Limit, which would give him an even stronger body." Tsukasa Kaede chuckled, as if under no pressure at all, even finding the mood to speculate in front of Tsunade.
"These organs are already starting to rot, this—"
"Don't worry, they will all regain life force. Just leave it to me."
Tsukasa Kaede smiled, "Although I don't have any special talents, and the secret techniques I use involve dealing with corpses, which might not be very popular, being able to do something for a ninja like Lord Kato Dan makes all my past efforts worthwhile."
At Tsukasa Kaede's instruction, Tsunade, holding back her tears, quickly arranged the pile of internal organs and watched Tsukasa Kaede perform the jutsu.
"Hmm, Lord Kato Dan's spine was also destroyed. I'll need to remove a section from this corpse and attach it."
As a large amount of life force surged in, Kato Dan's long-dormant body once again showed signs of life force. The coldness receded, and his body temperature returned.
Large amounts of flesh began to proliferate, and missing bones started to extend.
Finally, Tsukasa Kaede presented himself as completely exhausted, slumping to the ground, breathing heavily. His normally robust body was now emaciated once again.
Kato Dan's eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes, filled with bewilderment.
"Am I... already in the Pure Land? But why is there also torrential rain here..."
"Dan Kato!"
Tsunade fiercely embraced Kato Dan. This simple act drained all her strength, her brain went blank, and she felt as if this world was unreal.
It was actually real? It hurt, it wasn't a genjutsu... It was real. Tsukasa Kaede truly mastered a resurrection jutsu, resurrecting the deceased Kato Dan right before her eyes! This kind of thing... it was truly a miraculous forbidden art!
"I'm alive?" Kato Dan regained his consciousness, incredulously feeling the warmth from Tsunade's body. He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he vaguely felt that his physical condition was even better than before his fight with Roshi! Abundant stamina and energy; with just a slight thought, he could produce an endless supply of chakra. He had definitely surpassed his peak! However...
*Snap!*
"That hurts, Tsunade, you've broken several of my bones." Kato Dan instinctively cried out, his voice full of vigor, showing no signs of severe injury.
Tsukasa Kaede, in a weakened state, said, "Don't worry about that. I transferred my life force into your body, and the remaining power is enough to heal these injuries. However, some of the bones might be misaligned. It would be best to re-break and reset them, as things were done quite roughly due to the emergency."
(end of chapter)