This resurrection...
Compared to the last time, there were more subtle differences.
Because Shigen had obtained the memories of Tobirama Senju, as well as the hidden secrets of the Impure World Reincarnation, he sensed the exact moment when Orochimaru intended to resurrect his body.
In the dim underground fortress.
Fragments of shattered crystal on the ground shimmered faintly under the flickering candlelight.
Shigen gazed at the crystals on the floor, a hint of relief appearing on his face, as if he had finally accepted his fate of being revived once again through the Impure World Reincarnation.
"The second crystal coffin was destroyed after all..."
"This is my fault."
"I also feel somewhat guilty for failing my friend's trust."
Orochimaru recounted how he had obtained the second crystal coffin, attempting to dispel Shigen's dissatisfaction. "Tsunade acquired this crystal coffin from the Shikkotsu Forest. Before setting off on her journey across the ninja world, she entrusted it to me, but I was unable to keep my promise to her..."
"Tsunade has grown up too, hasn't she?"
Shigen recalled the little girl he had once taught, somewhat surprised that she had been able to locate the Shikkotsu Forest. "I didn't expect her to find it..."
"Tsunade is a very determined person."
Orochimaru thought of his old friend and couldn't help but smile. "She and I are comrades who entrust our lives to each other. If she ever found out that I destroyed Lord Shigen's crystal coffin, no matter the reason, she might chase me down for the rest of my life—there's no telling."
Orochimaru believed he wasn't lying.
Though he had long defected from Konoha, he still thought of his bond with Tsunade as intact. He never wanted to harm her.
Compared to that fool Jiraiya…
Tsunade was someone who truly valued friendship.
In fact…
To Tsunade…
The lives of her comrades were more important than any mission.
If he were ever in danger, Orochimaru would rather have Tsunade at his side than Jiraiya, because he knew she would never abandon a friend.
Of course…
There was one exception.
Orochimaru understood Tsunade all too well.
If she found out he had stolen the crystal coffin she entrusted to him, destroyed it, and used the Impure World Reincarnation to revive Shigen, she would immediately abandon her travels and join Jiraiya in hunting him down.
"Let's set this topic aside for now."
Orochimaru uneasily diverted the conversation away from Tsunade and became serious. "The ninja world is facing a crisis that we of this era cannot resolve. That is why I had no choice but to place my final hope in you, Lord Shigen..."
"What crisis?"
Shigen instinctively furrowed his brows.
"A crisis capable of destroying the ninja world."
Orochimaru suppressed his grin, letting a concerned expression appear on his face. He knew that if he wanted to use Shigen, he had to exploit his kindness and sense of compassion.
It wasn't hard to gather information on him.
From his teacher Hiruzen Sarutobi, his ally Danzo Shimura, his friend Tsunade, and even his enemy Hanzo the Salamander—Orochimaru had learned about Shigen's character from all who had encountered him. These stories aligned with the farewell message on his crystal coffin.
He was a man with a heart full of love.
For someone like Shigen, whose value was unparalleled, Orochimaru held extraordinary respect and patience.
"Although Lord Shigen may not mind, I must explain why I had no choice but to disturb your soul's peace at this moment."
A faint smile curled Orochimaru's lips, and a glint of false sincerity flickered in his serpentine eyes. "This world is teetering on the edge of destruction..."
"To put it bluntly..."
"This may be unpleasant for you to hear, Lord Shigen."
"As of now, Konoha has existed for fifty-five years."
"It has been forty years since the passing of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and since you last left the ninja world."
"A lot has happened. You once quelled the First Great Ninja War, but since then, the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars have erupted..."
Orochimaru was pleased with how intently Shigen listened. He spoke earnestly, helping him understand the current state of the world. "The aftermath of the Third Great Ninja War only settled completely a few years ago..."
"A long time has passed..."
"There are still many people from your era left in this one."
"For example, my teacher, the current Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Konoha's current advisor, Danzo Shimura..."
"Forty years have gone by..."
A nostalgic look crossed Shigen's face, as if he was recalling the two boys who had once tricked him into giving them his cursed seal's power. "Hiruzen must be old by now, huh?"
"Indeed."
"Hiruzen-sensei had originally retired."
Orochimaru chuckled, though a trace of mockery lingered in his voice. He quickly concealed it. "Before retiring, he named a man called Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage. However, about seven or eight years ago, Konoha suffered a major disaster—the Nine-Tails Rampage. The Fourth Hokage died protecting the village, and Hiruzen had to take up the Hokage mantle once again."
Orochimaru had long stopped caring about the Hokage position, but that didn't mean he had no resentment. Hiruzen's rejection still irritated him.
"The Nine-Tails Rampage..."
Shigen's eyes gleamed slightly. He had no particular concern for Hiruzen and casually redirected the conversation while subtly prying for his true objective. "Who is Konoha's current Nine-Tails Jinchūriki? I recall that back when the Nine-Tails was sealed into Mito Uzumaki, it was rather obedient..."
"It should be..."
"A brat named Naruto Uzumaki?"
Orochimaru instinctively licked his lips, recalling the widespread rumors of the Nine-Tailed Fox. He had never met Naruto himself.
But...
Anyone who had held a high position in Konoha knew that the so-called demon fox was actually a child named Naruto Uzumaki. Orochimaru's guess was likely correct.
"So, a lot really has changed..."
Shigen let out a long sigh.
At that moment, the tension he had carried for a thousand years finally loosened. He exhaled, feeling more at ease than ever.
Naruto Uzumaki was already here...
Then, information about Sasuke Uchiha shouldn't be far behind.
Shigen felt even more relieved than when he had been resurrected. He could finally confirm that he had arrived in the right era—the era he had wanted to reach for a thousand years. The era where he could finally break free from his chains.
"..."
Standing beside him, Kabuto adjusted his glasses. He noticed that once Orochimaru and Shigen started discussing Konoha, they veered off into unnecessary details. He quickly whispered a reminder, "Lord Orochimaru, we don't have much time."
Now was not the time for idle chatter.
Orochimaru was still in a dangerous position!
"That guy!"
Orochimaru's expression darkened as he thought of his Akatsuki partner. Regaining his composure, he continued in a serious tone. "Forgive me, Lord Shigen. The ninja world needs your strength right now, so I was forced to use Tsunade's crystal coffin to bring you back..."
"During the Third Great Ninja War..."
"A group called Akatsuki emerged."
"This organization has been recruiting S-rank rogue ninja and causing numerous massacres. Konoha suspects they are plotting something sinister."
Orochimaru paused briefly before continuing. "I went undercover in Akatsuki after being ordered to defect from Konoha..."
Lies for the gullible.
Orochimaru assumed Shigen wasn't aware of the truth. He subtly wove a web of deception, pretending to still be loyal to Konoha—an agent sent to infiltrate Akatsuki.
But Shigen's expression remained unreadable.
Kabuto lowered his head slightly.
Shigen caught Kabuto's subtle reaction and glanced at Orochimaru's Akatsuki cloak. His expression grew even more unreadable.
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Powerstones?
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