The Fourth Raikage had lived for over forty years, and this was the first time he learned of a jutsu capable of reviving the dead.
He would have dismissed it as impossible if someone had told him about such a jutsu before. But now, Zhang Miao had demonstrated it before him, reviving the confirmed-dead Hyena Clan members. There was no denying it.
"I never imagined... that such a secret technique could exist. What's the name of this technique?"
"That's not for you to know!"
Hearing the Raikage's question, Zhang Miao waved his hand dismissively.
"It's not that I want to hide it, but knowing it won't help you. This isn't a technique just anyone can use. To be honest, there's no one else in the current shinobi world who can perform this technique besides me!"
Performing the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique required the Rinnegan, and only Nagato, besides Zhang Miao, had the Rinnegan in the entire shinobi world.
Nagato was busy rebuilding the Akatsuki organization and couldn't use his life to cast the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, so Zhang Miao's claim was practically the truth.
Though the Fourth Raikage didn't know the specifics of the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, he had spent years traveling with trusted subordinates, collecting various jutsu and secret techniques. He understood that every jutsu, whether ninjutsu, taijutsu, or secret techniques, required a specific price.
This price could be chakra, physical strength, or something else. Some secret techniques even required a specific bloodline called a "kekkei genkai."
Zhang Miao's technique, capable of reviving the dead, was beyond ordinary techniques and naturally wasn't a common secret technique. Understanding this, the Raikage nodded.
"I see. A technique that can revive the dead isn't something an ordinary person can use. Even if they could, it likely comes with a significant cost. I suppose it's some sort of kekkei genkai, right?"
"Ha ha, exactly!"
Hearing this, Zhang Miao laughed and nodded.
"The Raikage is indeed knowledgeable. The technique I used just now is my kekkei genkai. But I do have another resurrection technique. Although it can only revive one person at a time, it doesn't require any kekkei genkai. Are you interested, Raikage?"
Zhang Miao knew the Raikage highly valued secret techniques, evidenced by his near-death experience with the method from the Village Hidden in the Woods. Among all secret techniques, resurrection techniques were scarce. Other techniques paled in comparison to them, like sand to gold. Given this offer, the Raikage had no reason to refuse.
As Zhang Miao expected, the Raikage's eyes widened with interest.
"A resurrection technique that doesn't require a kekkei genkai? Does such a technique really exist?"
He glanced at Zhang Miao's smiling face again and quickly calmed down, nodding.
"Of course, I'm interested. But what will it cost me?"
Seeing the Raikage's mix of shock and eagerness, Zhang Miao's smile brightened, and he raised a finger.
"The price is just one thing: build a Hades Temple in Kumogakure and have all the villagers worship there. Is that acceptable?"
"Uh..."
The Raikage, despite his rough appearance, wasn't foolish. Raikage understood the complexities and potential political implications of Zhang Miao's request. It involved the village's power structure, necessitating caution.
Sensing the Raikage's hesitation, Zhang Miao smiled and spoke again.
"There's no need to worry, Raikage. You've been traveling extensively these years, so you should know that besides Kumogakure and Kirigakure, the other three Great Shinobi Villages have already established Hades Temples."
"Of course I know!"
Before Zhang Miao could finish, the Raikage nodded, frowning.
"You mean the Hades Temples in Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Konoha are all backed by you?"
"Mm-hmm!" Zhang Miao shrugged again. "Believe it or not, that's the truth. So you don't need to worry about me seeking power in your village."
Hearing this, the Raikage pondered deeply.
After a while, he realized Zhang Miao was right. Zhang Miao couldn't stay there forever, and if he ever ordered the villagers not to attend the temple, they would listen. At that point, the Hades Temple would be merely decorative, having no real impact on Kumogakure. In exchange, he would gain a resurrection technique, a deal worth making.
With this conclusion, he nodded at Zhang Miao.
"Alright, I agree. When will you give me the resurrection technique?"
"Right now!"
Seeing the Raikage's quick agreement, Zhang Miao smiled and tossed a scroll from his system space to the Raikage.
"This is the Reanimation Jutsu. It doesn't require any kekkei genkai to use and can revive someone whose body hasn't decayed yet. But the cost is the user's life."
The scroll Zhang Miao handed to the Raikage was the secret technique scroll Chiyo had given him when he left Sunagakure.
For Zhang Miao, who had the system, the scroll was useless. Giving it to the Raikage was just "waste utilization."
Upon hearing this, the Raikage frowned again as he received the scroll. "The cost is the user's life? Is this a forbidden technique?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Zhang Miao rolled his eyes at him. "A technique that revives the dead is bound to be forbidden. If you don't want it, give the scroll back!"
Despite Zhang Miao's unkind tone, the Raikage wasn't angry. Instead, he carefully put the scroll into his coat and nodded at Zhang Miao.
"Alright. Once I return to Kumogakure, I'll immediately designate an area to build the Hades Temple. I won't go back on my word. Let's go!"
With that, he turned and returned to the shack where Karui and the others were.
Seeing this, Zhang Miao smiled and followed with Shino Aburame and the Hyena Clan members.