Chapter 3: Reanimating Yourself
"I thought you'd choose another method to deal with the Caged Bird Seal, Fuji-kun."
The figure that had suddenly appeared spoke with a smile.
"Orochimaru-sama, neither you nor I have any interest in wasting time studying something as dull as the Caged Bird Seal. Isn't it better to leave it to others to break?"
Hyuga Fuji wasn't surprised by Orochimaru's arrival. Instead, he remained focused on extracting Hyuga Hisan's Byakugan.
This underground lab, built right near Konoha's main base, was certainly not something Fuji could have accomplished at his current level.
Its owner was none other than Orochimaru.
"I have no interest in breaking the Caged Bird Seal for others, but breaking yours, Fuji-kun, is something I find fascinating."
"So Orochimaru-sama still hasn't given up on extracting information directly from my mind, huh?"
"No one likes to obtain information passively."
Orochimaru walked to the operating table and stared at the two Byakugan that Fuji had placed in separate containers. He licked his lips.
"The main family's Byakugan—what an excellent research subject."
Hearing this, Fuji handed one of the containers to Orochimaru. The latter narrowed his eyes as he accepted it, then wordlessly pulled out a scroll in exchange.
"This is the technique for Edo Tensei. If you're planning to implement your strategy, you'll likely need it, no?"
Fuji accepted the scroll and added his own contribution to the trade.
"Like the Sharingan, the Byakugan can evolve too. The condition, however, is to fuse it with the Byakugan of the Otsutsuki clan on the moon. But… that's beyond our reach."
This intriguing piece of intelligence satisfied Orochimaru.
For someone like him, even the smallest hint, the tiniest clue, was enough to open doors to countless discoveries.
However, Fuji's comment that it was "beyond reach" made Orochimaru frown slightly.
"Beyond reach? This is the first time I've seen you display hesitation, Fuji-kun."
"Unless you possess the strength of the God of Shinobi himself, don't even consider it."
Ignoring Orochimaru's teasing, Fuji shook his head.
To evolve the Byakugan into the Tenseigan, according to Toneri's account, one needed the Otsutsuki bloodline from the moon.
But that was no easy feat.
The Otsutsuki on the moon were indeed powerful—not due to their individual strength, but because of the massive Tenseigan in their possession.
A reckless attack could trigger the Tenseigan to hurl the moon itself down upon the Shinobi world, resulting in its complete destruction. Such matters required careful planning.
"I'm really curious, Fuji-kun—where do you get your information?" Orochimaru said, feigning casual interest while examining the Byakugan.
"I once reanimated a Hyuga main family member, but all he knew was that the moon held distant relatives of the Hyuga clan, who sought the Byakugan. He didn't know anything about its evolution."
Orochimaru was deliberate in his words, his tone carrying a hint of probing.
The boy before him had approached him at the age of twelve, trading secrets about the Uchiha and Senju clans in exchange for his guidance.
At the time, Orochimaru had nearly abandoned his experiments on Wood Release, but Fuji's revelations reignited his pursuit.
The Uchiha and Senju were descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, their powers originating from the same source and complementing each other. This knowledge advanced Orochimaru's research significantly and even led to the creation of a monstrosity.
But more than the secrets Fuji had shared, Orochimaru found the boy's mysterious nature far more intriguing.
"You're strong enough now to protect yourself. There's no need to keep maintaining that self-destruct seal. It's far too dangerous," Orochimaru said gently.
At twelve, Fuji hadn't possessed the strength he had now. The gap between him and Orochimaru at the time had been immense.
The only reason Fuji had remained unscathed was due to a jutsu he had planted in his own mind: if foreign chakra invaded his brain, it would detonate his Byakugan, triggering the Caged Bird Seal and destroying his nerves and memories.
Orochimaru had considered controlling Fuji to read his mind, but that technique had deterred him.
As for simply killing Fuji and using Edo Tensei to extract the information… that would've been a waste.
After all, this boy was likely the most gifted Hyuga of his generation.
This was evident from Fuji's Byakugan, which had double the range of an average Hyuga's. He was the perfect subject for studying the Hyuga clan's powers.
"Being around you is pressure enough."
Fuji's face remained calm, but his hands slowed as he examined the Edo Tensei scroll, his body tensing slightly.
Orochimaru was far too unpredictable. Even if Fuji's knowledge and trump cards temporarily ensured his safety, vigilance was still necessary.
"I would never harm a comrade," Orochimaru said with an amused smile.
'Sure. You didn't lift a finger today either, right? Not to mention, you swapped defensive zones with Jiraiya just to get easier access to Sharingan users. You don't harm comrades? Who'd believe that?'
Fuji silently mocked Orochimaru but suddenly looked up and asked, "Orochimaru-sama, do you have a sacrifice for Edo Tensei?"
Orochimaru casually pulled out a scroll and summoned a captured Mist ninja, showing no concern for Fuji's intent to test the technique.
The Second Hokage's Edo Tensei was merely a prototype. The ninjas it reanimated were far weaker than their original selves and posed no threat to him.
As for improving the technique, Orochimaru already had ideas. Trading it as part of this deal didn't bother him in the slightest.
"Do you have the personal data of a ninja to summon, or are you planning to experiment on this Hyuga main family member?"
Fuji didn't respond. Under Orochimaru's curious gaze, he sketched the Edo Tensei formation onto a blank scroll, then sliced his own palm and pressed his blood onto the diagram as the offering.
"Summoning Jutsu: Edo Tensei!"
Fuji clasped his hands together, watching as the grayish paper gradually enveloped the Mist ninja, transforming it into a tiny, newborn-like figure.
'So it's true… from the moment we're born, we live by taking the names of others. Rebirth, reincarnation, merging with an original… it's all just self-deception.'
It had succeeded on the first try.
Orochimaru's previously intrigued expression turned serious.
Blood that summoned someone else? Was Fuji a reincarnator, similar to his own Living Corpse Reincarnation?
"You've really surprised me this time, Fuji-kun."
Fuji dispelled the Edo Tensei, allowing the newly formed soul to return to the Pure Land. He said softly:
"Orochimaru-sama, it seems our cooperation will last a long time. After all, if I die, Edo Tensei will be useless."
"Indeed, it seems that way."
Regaining his usual composure, Orochimaru asked with interest, "There are quite a few branch family Hyuga on this Mist battlefield. Who will you sacrifice? Need my help?"
"Let them choose for themselves."
Fuji's tone turned cold. "Some people have been kneeling for so long that they can't stand anymore. They might as well stay down forever."
As he had told Hyuga Hisan, he had no personal interest in seeking revenge on the main family. However, once the Caged Bird Seal was dismantled, the pain the main family would endure afterward was another matter entirely.
...
From the next day onward, several Hyuga ninjas began dying mysteriously in encounters with enemies. The rumor that the Mist had gained control of the Caged Bird Seal quickly spread throughout the camp.
Orochimaru, the commander of the Mist battlefield, immediately issued an order:
—All Hyuga ninjas were to retreat to Konoha immediately.
Naturally, this included Hyuga Fuji.
***
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