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Asuma Sarutobi, patrolling the front lines, stared at the abandoned territory ahead and said in disbelief, "Did they evacuate?"
Kurenai Yuhi, beside him, frowned. "It's possible."
Since the war with the Land of Waves began, Asuma had come to understand the true brutality of war. During the Third Great Ninja War, as a younger generation in Konoha, he hadn't been at the core of the conflict, often assigned to reconnaissance and supply missions. But now, as one of Konoha's pillars, he faced the front lines directly. Many familiar faces had already fallen to the fierce warriors from the Land of Waves.
The Twelve Kizuki, Muzan's most devoted followers, had shown unmatched ferocity in battle. If Pakura, the "Scorch Style" wielder, took the field, only the combined efforts of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio could stand a chance—and even then, survival wasn't guaranteed.
"Let's report back to the others," Kurenai suggested, still wary of the apparent retreat. "This could be a trap."
Unbeknownst to them, Muzan, observing the evacuated territory from a distance, had spent an entire night planting explosive tags throughout the area. At his command, the land could be turned into a sea of destruction.
"This reeks of Nara Shikaku's handiwork," Muzan muttered to himself, recognizing the strategy. "Always calculating, always several steps ahead."
Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted in the distance, followed by a massive mushroom cloud rising into the sky. The ground trembled with the force of the blast, and even from their vantage point, Muzan and his followers could hear the distant screams.
"Let's move. Even if they reclaim this land, it's worthless now," Muzan remarked coolly.
After the wave of detonations, the once fertile soil was scorched and barren, deprived of its nutrients and rendered useless for decades. The brief conflict between the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves had ended without a decisive victor.
However, this wasn't the end of the tension. The other ninja villages refrained from attacking Konoha, recognizing the high stakes. If Konoha fell, the Land of Waves wouldn't hesitate to turn its ambitions toward the other great nations. This shared understanding bought Konoha some time but left the village walking a tightrope.
Back at the Konoha camp, Nara Shikaku watched the distant explosion with a grim expression. Muzan's retreat brought no relief. Instead, it heightened his caution. Recalling a pivotal moment from the Third Great Ninja War, when an abandoned camp turned into a deadly trap that wiped out a third of Kumogakure's forces, he quickly issued an order.
"Everyone, maintain your positions! Stay vigilant for a counterattack!"
Meanwhile, Muzan and his forces retreated to Muchuan territory, a heavily fortified frontline base.
"Kaede," Muzan commanded, "double the perimeter patrols. If any Konoha shinobi are spotted, eliminate them. Haku, you're coming with me."
Despite the recent setback, Muzan remained undeterred. With the area sitting on key maritime trade routes, he only needed time to rebuild his forces.
Not long after, Muzan prepared for a rendezvous with Tsunade. Having gained knowledge of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, Muzan had captured two live captives and awaited the meeting in a desolate town.
"Master Muzan, are you certain she'll come?" Haku asked skeptically as they waited.
"She'll come," Muzan replied confidently, his piercing gaze fixed on the horizon. Whether Tsunade arrived to resurrect her loved ones or to attempt to capture him, he knew she wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
As expected, in the fading light of the sunset, Tsunade appeared, accompanied by Shizune.
"It seems you're willing to cooperate," Muzan noted, his tone calm but sharp as he scanned the area for reinforcements. Her arrival without backup spoke volumes.
"Muzan-sama, everything is prepared," Haku said coldly, stepping forward with two unconscious captives. Their pale faces betrayed their terror as they were tossed to the ground.
"The Impure World Reincarnation requires living sacrifices," Tsunade began, her voice steady despite the conflict within. "But I cannot desecrate the remains of my loved ones."
The jutsu had a glaring flaw—it demanded DNA samples of the deceased to summon their souls from the Pure Land. Torn between her longing to see her brother, Nawaki, and her lover, Dan Kato, again and the horror of defiling their bodies, Tsunade hesitated.
"Tsunade-sensei," Muzan's voice turned icy, "what exactly is your purpose here if not to fulfill our agreement?"
The tension thickened as Muzan's followers braced for conflict. Even Haku's breath frosted in the air, a testament to the rising hostility.
"Wait, Muzan," Tsunade interjected quickly, sensing the growing danger. "I didn't come to fight. There's no need for us to be enemies. My ties to Konoha aren't what they used to be."
Muzan's eyes narrowed, though his hand hovered near his weapon. "You mentioned alternative methods for resurrection. Are you still proposing a deal?"
Tsunade nodded. "You once claimed there were other ways—ones that wouldn't desecrate their bodies. That's the deal I'm here to finalize."
Muzan's expression softened slightly, though his wariness remained. "Next time, Tsunade-sensei, state your terms clearly from the start."
He added, "To my knowledge, there are only two genuine alternatives. The Rinne Rebirth Jutsu requires the Rinnegan, and Chiyo's One's Own Life Reincarnation technique demands a life in exchange for a life."
He paused, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "And then there's the legendary Box of Ultimate Bliss, said to grant any wish. Of course, legends often leave out the part where it might devour your soul instead."
Both Tsunade and Haku were taken aback by the depth of Muzan's knowledge. It was clear that Muzan's expertise extended far beyond what most shinobi could imagine.
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"Another factor is that both of these jutsu require a human body. With our current resources, the only feasible option is cloning," Muzan mused. The thought of cloning immediately brought Orochimaru to mind. Only Orochimaru might have perfected such a technique. It seemed Muzan would need to obtain this knowledge directly from him.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her suspicion growing. "How do you know so much, Muzan?" She was acutely aware that such secrets were closely guarded in the ninja world. Even the Third Hokage, known as Konoha's Professor, might not know the full extent of these forbidden techniques.
"You discover much when you delve into the darker corners of the world," Muzan replied cryptically. "But understand this—resurrection is not a trivial matter. The conditions for these methods are strict. If you truly wish to pursue this, the path is yours to take."
He knew it was unlikely. Nagato, with his Rinnegan and the Akatsuki's power, wouldn't use the Rinne Tensei for someone else's sake. Chiyo, of Sunagakure, was similarly out of reach. Despite Konoha's alliance with Suna, the wounds left by Hatake Sakumo's actions still ran deep. It would take extraordinary circumstances for Chiyo to sacrifice herself to bring Tsunade's loved ones back.
Even if Chiyo were willing, Sunagakure wouldn't allow her to take such a reckless step. And Konoha itself would never risk damaging the fragile alliance with Suna. If Suna betrayed Konoha to focus its forces on the Land of Waves, it would spell disaster.
"I've given you the methods of resurrection," Muzan said coldly. "I won't hold you accountable for healing Jiraiya, but I expect you to keep your word. If not, I'll make sure you understand what true suffering means."
Tsunade bristled at the veiled threat but kept her temper in check. Escalating the situation now would be unwise. "Don't worry. Konoha's conflict with the Land of Waves doesn't concern me anymore."
Still, the requirements for resurrection were daunting. She had no intention of using the grotesque Impure World Reincarnation, which desecrated the dead. If she were to pursue any option, it would require finding a Rinnegan user.
"One more thing," Muzan added with a sly smile. "If anyone could truly perform a resurrection beyond the methods I've mentioned, it would be Orochimaru-sensei. Don't underestimate him."
Tsunade's gaze hardened. The way Muzan spoke of Orochimaru hinted at a deep understanding of her former teammate. "Orochimaru... I didn't expect this to lead back to him."
Their tense exchange ended, but the deal between them was far from simple. Muzan now had what he needed. With Killer Bee still recovering from poisoning and the Akatsuki beginning to move against Kumogakure, the Five Kage Summit loomed on the horizon. Muzan would need to prepare. If Konoha proposed targeting the Twelve Kizuki—his organization—he couldn't afford to face the combined might of the Five Great Nations just yet.
For now, subtlety and manipulation were his tools. Open confrontation would come later.
From a distance, a yellow blur watched from the treetops. Namikaze Minato observed the interaction silently, his sharp eyes fixed on Tsunade and Muzan. Though too far to hear the conversation, he could sense the tension. Sending an ordinary Anbu to monitor Tsunade would have been unwise; her sharp instincts would have exposed them. This mission required the Fourth Hokage himself.
"What is she planning?" Minato wondered, his brow furrowed. After Tsunade refused to heal Killer Bee, the furious Raikage had demanded answers. As Hokage, Minato had worked hard to ease tensions, even suggesting sending Bee to Sunagakure to maintain alliances.
But Tsunade meeting secretly with Muzan made Minato uneasy. "At least she didn't desecrate their graves with Reanimation," he thought, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. If Tsunade had chosen that path, it might have led Konoha into another catastrophe.
Just as Minato prepared to retreat, a spear of ice shot toward him, striking the ground where he had stood moments ago.
"Secret Jutsu: Thousand Needles of Death!"
"Boom!"
Smoke erupted as the icy spear struck a substitution log. Muzan and Haku appeared nearby, their eyes scanning the area.
During his conversation with Tsunade, Muzan had sensed an unfamiliar presence. Once he confirmed it wasn't aligned with her, he activated Sage Mode, tracking the faint scent in the air to Minato.
"Does the Fourth Hokage rely on such underhanded tactics?" Muzan taunted, his voice laced with disdain.
Minato reappeared several meters away, calm but wary. "I'm only ensuring Tsunade isn't deceived by you," he replied. The Flying Thunder God Technique shimmered faintly around him, a reminder of his readiness to escape or attack.
Haku's gaze darkened, recognizing the danger of Minato's teleportation jutsu. "Time-space ninjutsu is always troublesome," he muttered.
"True," Muzan replied thoughtfully. "But every technique has a counter. Your Ice Release, for example, could potentially neutralize time-space ninjutsu. Lower the temperature enough, and even the fabric of space can slow."
Haku looked startled. "My Ice Release can do that?"
"Under absolute conditions, yes," Muzan explained. "At extreme temperatures, molecular activity slows, and even space itself can be affected. It's not easy, but with mastery, you could stand among the strongest."
Haku's mind raced as he pushed his Ice Release to its limit. The air grew colder, and falling leaves seemed to freeze mid-air, suspended as though time itself had slowed.
"I think I understand now," Haku murmured, his eyes gleaming with newfound determination.
"Good," Muzan said approvingly. "Time-space ninjutsu isn't invincible. Your Ice Release has untapped potential. Develop it further, and even legends will falter before you."
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