“The roots of the plants growing here are deeper than anywhere else, and their vitality is more tenacious than imagined!”
Hashirama squatted in the desert, observing the few plants on the ground with great interest.
He gently brushed his hand over the plants, and with the infusion of Chakra, they quickly began to grow, blossoming into strings of small purple flowers.
After doing all this, Hashirama stood up, chuckling happily.
Renye watched silently from the side, feeling helpless to complain.
“Uncle Hashirama, what’s so fun here?”
He looked around, and besides the sun in the sky, there was only yellow sand everywhere and occasionally appearing animals and plants.
With this kind of living environment, no wonder the Land of Wind is the poorest Village among the Five Great Nations.
Hashirama gazed at the distant sea of sand, not responding.
Tanuki Flower lay softly on his shoulder, sticking out his pink little tongue and letting out two weak meows, clearly suffering from the heat.
Seeing that Hashirama didn't respond, Renye irritably kicked away the sand at his feet, and the fine sand that rose obscured their vision.
He crossed his arms, his tone a bit impatient: “Uncle Hashirama, when are we going back to Konoha?”
Before he could finish, a gust of wind, carrying scorching heat, swept past, filling his mouth with sand.
“Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!” Renye kept spitting, trying to get rid of the sand in his mouth.
“Haha, little Renye, don’t talk against the wind!” Hashirama was immediately amused by this scene.
He cleverly turned his back to the wind, so the sand couldn't get into his eyes or mouth.
Renye rolled his eyes helplessly at Hashirama and continued, “Uncle Hashirama, when are we going back?”
They had been in the Land of Wind for three days.
Except for the first day spent in town, the remaining two days they had been trekking through the desert.
He didn't understand why there was nothing but desert all around; he really didn't know what was so good to see...
He might as well go back and train instead of wasting time here.
“Little Renye, do you want to go back?” Hashirama asked.
Renye nodded, “Uncle Hashirama, we’ve been out for a while; it’s time to go back.”
It had been almost three months since they left Konoha; it was indeed time to return.
Upon hearing this, a hint of reluctance flashed in Hashirama's eyes.
He looked at Renye and tentatively asked, “Can we play a few more days?”
“Uncle Hashirama, we’ve already explored the entire Ninja World,” Renye reminded him.
“Alright.” Hashirama understood the meaning behind Renye’s words and, with a disappointed expression, agreed, “I originally wanted to play a few more days…”
Renye snatched the map from Hashirama’s hand and started leading the way, saying without looking back:
“Uncle Hashirama, there will still be time to come out and play later.”
Hearing this, a trace of sadness flashed in Hashirama’s eyes, and he murmured softly, “But do I really still have time…?”
Saying that, he pulled up his sleeve, revealing a long, thin cut on his arm.
He had accidentally scratched himself with a plant two days ago, and it still hadn't improved at all.
These three months, he had traveled all over the Ninja World, just wanting to take one last look at the peaceful world he had created before he left.
“Meow~” Tanuki Flower licked Hashirama’s face.
“Haha, did I make you worry?”
Hashirama pulled his sleeve back down, his face returning to its cheerful expression, and he lifted his leg to follow Renye in the distance.
“Little Renye, let me lead the way; you might take the wrong path again.”
“Uncle Hashirama, trust me, this time we will definitely reach Konoha smoothly.”
“Alright, I’ll trust you one last time.”
— — — — — — — —
Konoha Village, Senju Tobirama’s laboratory.
Senju Tobirama stared expressionlessly at the Ninja struggling on the ground, bound, and said coldly:
“The value of your existence as spies is to become sacrifices for experiments.”
“With flesh and blood as the guide, and soul as the contract.” Senju Tobirama formed hand seals, “Edo Tensei Jutsu!”
He slammed one hand onto the ground, and complex array patterns spread towards the Ninja on the ground. The blindfolded Ninja was still struggling, letting out a chilling scream.
White dust emerged from the array patterns, covering the Ninja.
Before long, his body was completely covered by the dust, leaving only a white humanoid outline.
“Using a living person as a vessel for a dead person’s soul.” Senju Tobirama narrowed his eyes, “I seem to have succeeded.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the white dust on the Ninja’s body quickly receded.
Miraculously, as the dust disappeared, what was revealed was no longer the previous Ninja, but a Ninja wearing armor.
“Where am I?” The Ninja looked around in confusion.
When he saw Senju Tobirama, he was startled, his face showing shock:
“Lord Tobirama, is that you?”
Tobirama, who was usually stern, rarely showed a hint of a smile,
“Kaede, long time no see. I apologize for disturbing your rest…”
The person Tobirama summoned was his former subordinate, who had unfortunately died in battle.
“Lord Tobirama, what’s going on?” Senju Kaede looked down at his body, “Didn’t I die?”
“This is a Ninjutsu I researched…” Tobirama explained.
“As expected of Lord Tobirama, to be able to invent such an amazing Ninjutsu!”
Senju Kaede’s mouth dropped open in shock, and he couldn't help but praise:
“If Clan Leader knew, he would definitely be very happy!”
The Clan Leader he spoke of was Senju Hashirama.
Upon hearing this, Tobirama’s mouth twitched, and he didn't respond.
This kind of thing absolutely cannot be known by his elder brother!
Playing with the souls of the dead is a great disrespect…
Just as Senju Kaede was about to say more, he saw Tobirama form hand seals, and before he could react, the Edo Tensei was released.
He could only stare blankly as his Edo Tensei body slowly dissipated.
“Lord Tobirama, farewell…”
Senju Tobirama said irritably, “Can’t you say something more auspicious?”
“Haha, I’m sorry, Lord Tobirama.”
As Kaede’s body dissipated, the laboratory fell silent.
Senju Tobirama took out a scroll and began to record on it, then re-closed the scroll.
“Edo Tensei has been researched. Next, I can research Ninjutsu that can complement the Edo Tensei body…”
The Edo Tensei body is not subject to conventional life limitations, possesses infinite Chakra, does not feel fatigue, does not need to eat, and does not need to rest.
If it were deployed in war, it would be an undead army.
If they were also taught specialized Ninjutsu, the power they would display would only be stronger!
The more Senju Tobirama thought about it, the more excited he became, taking out paper and pen to draw and write on them.
Anyway, his elder brother wasn't home now; no one could stop him from researching Ninjutsu.
He wished his elder brother would play outside for a while longer, preferably until his research was complete before returning.
Just as he was engrossed in his experiment, he suddenly sensed a familiar Chakra.
Senju Tobirama stopped his movements, his mouth twitching.
“Why is elder brother back at this time?”