Konoha Village.
Tsunade had brought back a crystal coffin.
Although she kept it in her private medical chamber, certain individuals quickly became aware of its presence—after all, too many people recognized the person inside the coffin.
Fortunately—
Konoha had already suffered the consequences of exploiting Emiya Shigen. The higher-ups, for the most part, dared not entertain any further ideas of using him again.
Of course—
There was always an exception.
For example, Shimura Danzo, now an advisor to the Hokage.
Having witnessed Konoha's overwhelming strength under the First Hokage's rule, Danzo had become increasingly convinced of the importance of power. He sought to obtain Emiya Shigen's cursed seals to enhance his own forces.
However—
Two major obstacles stood in his way.
First, he had not mastered the Edo Tensei technique. In fact, no one in Konoha had. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had strictly forbidden anyone from learning Edo Tensei, lest Konoha be shamed once more.
Second, Tsunade kept a close watch on the coffin. She spent every day studying beside it, and her status made Danzo wary.
After all—
Tsunade was the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
And she herself wielded Emiya Shigen's cursed seal powers.
However—
Tsunade could not keep her secret from everyone.
For instance, she could not hide it from her close friends.
Orochimaru, who had just returned from Ryuchi Cave, immediately sensed that something was amiss with her.
The young Orochimaru had grown more striking in appearance, his aura taking on an increasingly sinister edge. Holding a medical scroll in his hand, he curiously inquired about his teammate's condition.
"Tsunade, you seem distracted lately. Weren't you heading to Shikkotsu Forest to find the Sage's land? I've already obtained my summoning contract with Ryuchi Cave…"
Jiraiya's accidental reverse summoning to Mount Myoboku had sparked interest in Orochimaru and Tsunade, leading them to seek out the other two Sage Lands.
When Orochimaru's parents died during his childhood, he had acquired a discarded white-scaled snake skin, which eventually led him to Ryuchi Cave. There, he successfully secured a summoning contract.
"Sigh, don't even mention it."
Tsunade slumped onto the table, weakly nudging her teacup.
"I did find Shikkotsu Forest, and I passed the Slug's trial…"
"Isn't that something to be happy about?"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, refilling her cup as he spoke.
"I remember you've always liked slugs."
"But…"
Tsunade hesitated.
She wanted to mention the crystal coffin of Emiya Shigen and how she had been spending late nights studying beside it. However, remembering that his name was taboo in Konoha, she sighed and took a sip of tea instead.
"Forget it. It's not worth bringing up."
"Then let's talk about something cheerful."
Orochimaru shook his head and slid a small plate of tea cakes toward her.
"By the way, Jiraiya went off to train too, didn't he? Why haven't we heard anything from him?"
"Jiraiya, that idiot…"
Tsunade shook her head, unwilling to discuss their unreliable teammate.
"Miss me?"
Jiraiya's voice suddenly echoed through the room. A smug grin stretched across his face.
"While I was training at Mount Myoboku, I heard an amazing story! Tsunade, you're definitely going to love this! The Great Toad Sage once met someone incredible!"
"Not interested."
Tsunade waved him off dismissively.
"Let me guess—another story about the Sage of Six Paths and the origins of ninjutsu? I couldn't care less."
"No!"
Jiraiya dropped the act and got straight to the point. His expression turned serious as he recalled his shock upon first hearing the tale.
"Remember the name we're not supposed to mention in the village? Emiya Shigen!"
"…"
Tsunade's expression changed instantly.
"…"
Orochimaru, however, looked intrigued.
Although Konoha had forbidden any mention of Emiya Shigen's time in the village, it wasn't a secret to the three of them.
All they had to do was ask around the shinobi world to learn the truth.
During the First Shinobi World War, Konoha had exploited Emiya Shigen's abilities for battle, inciting widespread outrage. In the end, it was Emiya Shigen himself who put an end to the war.
"Guess what?!"
Jiraiya puffed up with pride, swiping the tea cakes from the plate and snatching Orochimaru's teapot to take a swig.
"Speak or get out."
Tsunade glared at him.
"Hehehehe…"
Jiraiya quickly stopped fooling around, his excitement barely contained.
"You'll never believe this—"
"Emiya Shigen hated the Sage of Six Paths! The Great Toad Sage once invited him to join the early Ninja Sect, and he refused!"
"And then?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Uh…"
Jiraiya scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"That's it. The Great Toad Sage wouldn't tell me anything else…"
"Throw him out."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.
"Heh."
Orochimaru smirked, grabbed Jiraiya by the collar, and unceremoniously tossed him toward the window.
"Hey, hey, HEY!"
Jiraiya yelped, catching the window ledge at the last second before pulling himself back up.
"Come on! I was just trying to share something interesting! You guys are always so curious about him!"
"…"
Orochimaru chuckled.
"That wasn't very interesting at all."
In truth—
What he had learned at Ryuchi Cave was far more compelling.
The White Snake Sage was not hesitant to speak of Emiya Shigen. If anything, there was a lingering sense of regret in its tone—something Orochimaru had quickly picked up on.
"He was not a man obsessed with power.
"Yet fate led him to acquire godlike abilities.
"And with those abilities, he saved those who should not have been saved…
"Ultimately leading to his own untimely death."
"Tch…"
Jiraiya huffed in dissatisfaction.
"That's not a good story at all!
"We need details! How exactly did he die while trying to save people?"
"That's enough."
Tsunade cut him off.
"I'm going to review medical cases. You two can keep chatting."
"I didn't learn much more either."
Orochimaru shook his head.
Instead, he brought up something more immediate.
"Lately, the village has been acting strangely, hasn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade hadn't noticed anything amiss.
"You…"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his slitted pupils gleaming like a snake's.
"You've been locked away in that medical chamber for too long, haven't you?"
"Nothing unusual."
Tsunade waved him off again.
"I go through a few scrolls each night before bed. It hasn't interfered with my training."
She saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Every day, she followed the same routine—wandering through the village before retreating to the chamber to study and train.
If she got thirsty, she drank glucose.
If she felt bored, she treated herself to a sugarcane juice.
It was a life…
Almost identical to her childhood.
Except—
Back then, someone had been there to talk to her.
And when she fell asleep, he would always pull the blanket over her.
"That's not what I mean."
Orochimaru's voice lowered.
"You haven't noticed that many shinobi have been sent on missions?
"This situation… feels off."
Meanwhile—
An old man, frail and hooded, sneaked into Konoha.
His purpose—
Was the Uchiha Clan's Naka Shrine.
Madara Uchiha had returned.
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Powerstones?
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