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Boom!
In front of the Waterfall, Kushina was once again sent flying by Dark Kushina. She had lost count of how many times she had been defeated by her dark self.
Since that incident in the tent, Kushina felt increasingly powerless when facing her dark side.
"Huff, huff~!"
After spending the entire morning challenging her dark self, Kushina was utterly exhausted. She had been unsuccessful recently; her dark self was extremely difficult to defeat.
However, the fact that she still retained control of her body was one of the few things keeping her going.
Ever since that day, Kushina would wash herself three or four times daily, but she could never forget the scenes from her dreams, which often replayed the events of that night.
Upon returning to the tent, Kushina's expression suddenly changed, and she said angrily, "What are you doing here?"
"Why are you so hostile? You agreed to it voluntarily that day, even reaffirming it multiple times. I also had to pay a significant price," Yoichi responded, not surprised by Kushina's reaction.
If the Red-Hot Habanero had submitted after just one night, he would have suspected a trap.
Hearing Yoichi's words, Kushina's anger surged, but she couldn't vent it. Dark Kushina was indeed a part of her, but she had changed her mind midway, yet this bastard had still pinned her down several times.
"Besides, I'm here to bring you some good news. The Akatsuki member who killed Minato has been captured. Do you want to guess who it is?"
Hearing this news, the anger on Kushina's face was momentarily replaced by another emotion. She caught the scroll that Yoichi threw at her and opened it.
"Uchiha Obito!? How, how could it be him?"
After reading the information, Kushina was shocked and in disbelief. The man who had supposedly died and whose name was engraved on the Memorial Stone turned out to be a member of the Akatsuki and the one who killed her husband.
And that person was also Minato's student...
Yoichi continued, "Obito is still in prison. He still has some value. If you return to the village, you'll be able to see him."
The scroll even explained why Obito had joined the Akatsuki, revealing his motives. However, Kushina couldn't understand why he would believe in something so illusory.
"...I don't want to see him. According to Konoha's rules, handle it however you see fit."
Previously, Kushina had wanted power to avenge Minato. But now that she knew the identity of the enemy, her desire for revenge dissipated in an instant.
She still glared at Yoichi with hatred and said, "Now that you've told me, you can leave!"
"Are you joking, Kushina-san? I didn't come here just for that."
Yoichi shook his head. After speaking, he prepared to leave.
"You… you're so shameless!"
Kushina was furious and spread her arms to block Yoichi's path. "You've already… already done that, and now you're shamelessly going back on your word. I, I..."
Kushina struggled to say something harsh but stuttered, unable to find the words.
"I'm not going back on anything. If you had carefully read the information, you'd know that Minato's body was turned into the Deva Path by Nagato. To resurrect him, we need to use the Edo Tensei, which requires his original flesh. I've already tasked Jiraiya with retrieving it."
Yoichi clicked his tongue and added, "I haven't abandoned the plan to resurrect Minato. It's you, Kushina, who is giving up. Besides, our agreement didn't limit the number of times. In theory, until Minato is resurrected, I can continue making demands of you!"
"You scoundrel! I misjudged you!" Kushina glared at Yoichi with pure hatred, but he nonchalantly replied, "So, your body is more important than bringing the dead back to life? If that's the case, we can just leave it at that."
"No!" Kushina shouted, still blocking Yoichi's path. After a moment, her voice trembled with reluctance as she whispered, "I… I understand."
If she gave up now, her previous efforts would be in vain. She had come this far and was just one step away from reviving Minato. She couldn't abandon it now.
"Then let's continue, Kushina. If Jiraiya moves quickly, you'll see Minato again soon."
Yoichi smirked as he moved forward, wrapping his arm around Kushina's waist. Her body trembled, but she didn't resist.
Soon, the tent was filled with sounds of pleasure.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
"Sanrinsanmyō."
Yoichi used his eye technique to rejuvenate his slightly sore waist. With the help of the technique, he quickly regained his energy.
However, Kushina was too exhausted to clean herself, so Yoichi covered her with a blanket.
"Well, there's still plenty of time. I need to get back tonight."
But now, Yoichi was no longer the same as before. After discovering the correct use of Sanrinsanmyō, he no longer needed to make excuses to avoid Rin.
He left the videotape he had been playing during their activity beside Kushina, along with a note explaining that the tape was for her to destroy as agreed.
"Anyway, I recorded for several hours. I'll make a new one when I get back."
Yoichi took the camera with him and left another batch of supplies for Kushina before teleporting away from Turtle Island using the Flying Thunder God technique.
——————————————
"I have some bad news. Madara has been captured by Konoha, and they know about the Akatsuki in Iwagakure. They've already sent someone to demand Onoki hand you over to Konoha."
White Zetsu and Black Zetsu emerged from the ground, delivering the bad news to Nagato and Konan.
In addition to Nagato's Deva Path, Fugaku and the recently joined Sasori of the Red Sand were also present.
"Madara has been captured? That guy could be captured?"
The Deva Path spoke, expressing the disbelief shared by Konan and Fugaku. Fugaku was even more certain that Obito wasn't Madara because he had seen Madara in person.
"Given the circumstances, I'll tell you the truth. He wasn't Madara, but only an executor created by Madara's will."
Black Zetsu provided this excuse, as Obito's identity had become a liability. This explanation seemed more reasonable.
"Madara selected a descendant from the Uchiha clan and replaced his will with his own. That's why he was so weak—weak enough to be captured by Konoha's Raikage."
"Now that your intelligence has been leaked, the surveillance around Iwagakure has increased."
So that's the truth...
Nagato, Konan, and Fugaku silently pondered Black Zetsu's words. But the identity of Madara was no longer their concern; dealing with Konoha was.
"Hey, hey, I just joined, and now the organization is already falling apart?" Sasori interjected. Besides wanting to create stronger human puppets in the Akatsuki, one of his reasons for joining was to take revenge on Konoha.
But now, seeing how Akatsuki seemed intimidated by Konoha, he started to doubt the organization's future.
Ignoring Sasori's words, Black Zetsu focused on Nagato's Rinnegan. "What now? Should we leave the Land of Earth?"
Nagato hesitated, "If we leave..."
"It's better not to leave," Fugaku suddenly spoke up. "If we flee to a smaller country, Konoha's ninja will search for us even more relentlessly. In those small countries, we won't have Onoki's backing. If Konoha's ninja find us… not even the Rinnegan can withstand them."
Last time, they had barely escaped, and if he and Obito hadn't intervened, Nagato's Six Paths of Pain would have been destroyed.
"At least Iwagakure won't submit to Konoha. The grudge between Iwa and Konoha runs deep, and with Konoha's growing strength, if we can ally with Kumogakure, we might form a strong coalition."
Hearing Fugaku's words, everyone, including Black Zetsu, turned to look at him.
Fugaku's identity had long been exposed—he was the infamous Fugaku of Konoha, now a rogue ninja. But no one expected him to be so decisive and capable when dealing with his former village.
"Since that's the case, Fugaku, you should come with me to see Onoki," the Deva Path said. "Your identity and intel will help persuade him."
"...I understand."
Fugaku hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
"Hehehe, since you've made your decision, I'll lend a hand. Madara left more than just that one backup plan."
Black Zetsu spoke and then sent White Zetsu underground.
They quickly returned to the base where Madara had once stayed, the same place where Obito had stored Madara's body.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to resurrect Madara, but using a different method. Do you remember the masked guard from the Uchiha Company?"
White Zetsu thought for a moment and said, "The one who could regenerate after being shattered?"
"That was Edo Tensei. The flesh I had you preserve will now be useful."
Black Zetsu explained. It had always observed Madara and understood Madara's techniques better than Madara himself.
Black Zetsu knew the hand seals for Edo Tensei and intended to use them to resurrect Madara. Nagato was no longer reliable, so Madara would need to take over the Rinnegan.
Although Nagato had developed much of the Rinnegan's power and had established ties with Iwagakure, Black Zetsu still felt it wasn't enough.
"Prepare several special clones. We need to increase our strength. I'll experiment with the other clones first before resurrecting Madara."
Black Zetsu instructed White Zetsu. On its own, Black Zetsu could only perform some secret techniques; it needed White Zetsu to use Wood Release and other jutsu.
The ninja world was changing too rapidly. The Four-Tails and Five-Tails were yet to be revived, and they were still searching for the Three-Tails. But Akatsuki was already on the brink of collapse.
If Madara wasn't brought back soon, Black Zetsu feared they might never have the chance again.
————————————
"Yoichi-kun, this virus is quite impressive. But we've only made twenty doses of the Jūkyoku Virus in the first batch. How do you plan to distribute them?"
Orochimaru, holding the newly created Jūkyoku Virus, entered the Hokage Assistant's office and asked Yoichi.
There were ten doses with Wood Release and ten with Shikotsumyaku.
"As expected of you, Orochimaru. Such a high success rate," Yoichi smiled in satisfaction. "Tsunade also selected three medical ninjas, but so far they've only produced three doses, far less efficient than you. By the way, do you want to keep a few doses for yourself? For Nawaki or your other disciples?"
"No need. I've got five doses."
"Orochimaru, didn't you say the first batch had only twenty doses?"
Yoichi eyed Orochimaru suspiciously. Did he really keep a quarter of the batch?
Orochimaru coughed lightly and said, "I meant I plan to reserve five doses from the second batch. So don't worry about Nawaki and Anko, Yoichi-kun."
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
With that, Orochimaru left Yoichi's office.
(End of Chapter)
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[Check My Other Translations!] [Updates Every Day!]
[Naruto: Superpower Roulette]
[One Piece: My Crew Is Trash!]
[Pokémon Breeder in One Piece]
[Starting as a Class 5 Mutant]
[I've Already Confronted the Five Kage, and the System Just Arrived!]
[Marvel: I Started by Containing SCPs]
[Naruto: Infinite New World]
====
"Kakashi, Itachi, Kimimaro, Haku—I've called you here because the village has developed a powerful genetic serum. Injecting it will enhance your strength significantly. Even for you, Kakashi, it will double your power and physical abilities," Yoichi explained to the people in the room.
The first batch of recipients were those close to him, including Kurenai, Rumi, Rin, and Ichiko, as well as a few outstanding young Uchiha ninjas.
Since Shisui was not around, Yoichi planned to save his share for when someone from the clan would visit the capital.
After distributing the different types of Jūkyoku Virus, Yoichi instructed them to go to the hospital at their convenience for the injection, ensuring that the data would be recorded there.
Everyone knew that anything given by Yoichi would be beneficial, so they all thanked him in unison before leaving the office to head to the hospital.
Sasuke and Naruto were nearly two years old, and both had started learning letters. In another year or so, they would be ready for formal training. Kimimaro and Haku were already five, almost six, and would be entering the Ninja Academy later that year.
Kimimaro's kekkei genkai disease had not yet manifested, but the Jūkyoku Virus infused with Wood Release should help prevent it. Based on the symptoms of kekkei genkai diseases in the ninja world, most were triggered by genetic issues.
With the virus, Kimimaro's genes should improve, preventing the onset of the disease. Coupled with the regenerative power of the Wood Release, his Shikotsumyaku would become the strongest version in history.
Kimimaro and Haku were well-liked in Yoichi's household. Kimimaro was reserved and polite, while Haku, who was growing more beautiful by the day, now bore an increasing resemblance to a girl.
Once, Mina had whimsically bought a girl's outfit for Haku. After much persuasion, she managed to get him to wear it. When Haku shyly emerged in the outfit, both Itachi and Kimimaro were left dumbfounded.
Haku in girls' clothing had quite an impact—even Itachi blushed and turned his head away, though he couldn't resist sneaking glances.
More doses of the Jūkyoku Virus were in production. At the very least, any ninja injected with it would become a Jonin within the village. For those with exceptional talent, like Kimimaro and Itachi, reaching the Kage level was within reach.
After handling some village affairs, Yoichi noticed that Kurenai and Rumi had become more proficient in their duties, although they were still short-handed and sometimes had to run errands themselves.
Yoichi decided to assign them an assistant team, so they could take on most of the work. After all, they had been with him long enough to understand his decision-making style.
Bringing some documents from Sunagakure back home, Yoichi was greeted by Mina's exasperated voice as soon as he entered.
"Karin, stop bullying Naruto, or I'll hang you up... Ah, Yoichi-sama, you're back," Mina said, smiling as she retracted her Adamantine Sealing Chains and set Karin down.
Karin stuck out her tongue at Mina before running to Yoichi, grabbing his pants and climbing up into his arms. "Papa, Mama's bullying me," she complained with a pout.
"I'll help you get back at her tonight, but don't bully Naruto anymore. He's your little brother," Yoichi said, holding Karin with a smile. Mina, blushing, scolded him, "Yoichi-sama, what are you saying in front of our daughter?"
Karin was now three years old, old enough to start formal training, but Mina hadn't begun teaching her yet. She planned to start once Naruto and Sasuke had completed their basic ninja training.
"Yoichi-sama, can Kushina come back yet?"
"It might still take some time. She's made great progress recently, and in a few more days, she should be able to fully suppress her dark side," Yoichi replied seriously, though he was secretly planning to visit Kushina one more time.
From the perspective of sunk costs, after three times, Kushina wouldn't be able to back out of resurrecting Minato. She wouldn't dare to make it public, and even if she did, Yoichi would still have the upper hand in the village.
Three fainting spells, countless hours of intense activity, and dozens of videotapes—Kushina wouldn't be able to resist.
Mina nodded, saying, "That's good. Naruto seems happy, but sometimes he still asks about Kushina."
"Does he fight with Sasuke?"
"How did you know, Yoichi-sama?"
Mina's face showed surprise as she continued, "Naruto gets upset when Karin bullies him, but he and Sasuke seem to be natural enemies. Whenever they're together, they're always fighting. They're almost at it right now!"
Swish! Swish!
Two Adamantine Sealing Chains shot out from Mina's back, pulling the head-butting Sasuke and Naruto apart, knocking them lightly on the heads.
The two reluctantly separated. Seeing this, Yoichi couldn't help but smile as he pulled both Naruto and Sasuke into his arms, using the Spiritual Transformation Technique to examine the chakra deep within their souls.
The chakra in both boys' souls was highly active, likely because they spent so much time together. The chakras of Indra and Asura sensed each other, and their inherent antagonism was awakening.
For Yoichi, both boys' chakras were quite tempting, especially Asura's. It felt like a missing piece of himself, something he needed to complete his own evolution.
As an Uchiha who had merged with the Senju, his genes were naturally gravitating toward the God Tree. Hagoromo's powers came from the Ten-Tails, and Indra and Asura's chakras were the closest to the Yin-Yang energies of the Ten-Tails.
Obtaining Asura's chakra would be like acquiring the key to the Six Paths level. Once he collected the chakra of all the Tailed Beasts and merged them, he could potentially evolve to unlock the Rinnegan and reach the Six Paths level.
After a while, Mikoto returned home, and after dinner, Yoichi asked her about the situation in Sunagakure.
Nearly a year had passed since the Chūnin Exams, and in that time, Sunagakure had received five shipments of supplies from Konoha, all handled by Pakura.
The rest of the Wind Country was starting to recover, but Pakura's reputation was growing rapidly. This was partly due to Uchiha Corporation secretly promoting her after entering the Wind Country.
"Need to buy daily necessities? First, thank Sunagakure's hero, Pakura, the Scorch Style user. Without her hard negotiations, Konoha and the Fire Country wouldn't have opened trade with the Wind Country."
In Sunagakure, basic necessities were almost under wartime control. A family of three could purchase basic necessities without a voucher, but anything extra or of better quality required a voucher.
And to get a voucher, people had to go to Pakura.
Even so, Pakura had a legitimate reason: the supplies sent by Konoha and the Fire Country weren't enough. Without rationing, there would soon be people going hungry while others ate their fill.
As Sunagakure's hero, Pakura couldn't allow anyone in the village to starve.
Three days after she made this statement, her words, along with her photograph, were polished and published in the Ninja World Daily, sold at half price in the Wind Country.
The fourth day, Rasa's office received new furniture, as the original set had been smashed to pieces.
After hearing Mikoto's report, Yoichi felt that everything in Sunagakure was progressing as he had planned.
Talk about loyalty to the village or the "Will of the Sand"—none of that mattered when people were starving.
When the lower-ranked ninjas and villagers sided with Pakura, Rasa would become a traitor to Sunagakure.
Yoichi then instructed Mikoto to start bribing the families of mid-to-low-ranked ninjas in Sunagakure. In a state of semi-hunger, material incentives would be the hardest for them to refuse.
Mikoto hadn't been idle during the past six months. She had expanded Uchiha Corporation's influence into the Land of Tea and the Land of Bears, effectively encircling and blockading the Wind Country.
The next step was to take over the business associations and material reserves within the Wind Country.
When the time came, Yoichi would control how much food the Wind Country received and who got to eat.
The plan to annex the Wind Country within three years was now looking like a conservative estimate—it might happen several months earlier than expected.
————————————
"Edo Tensei!"
Boom!
A coffin emerged from the ground. A moment later, cracks appeared on the coffin, followed by a loud explosion as the lid shattered.
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu narrowly avoided being hit by the debris.
"Already resurrecting me? It seems Obito and Nagato did a good job."
As the dust settled, a figure stepped out of the coffin.
Seeing this, Black Zetsu realized that the Edo Tensei had succeeded, but something was off. The revived Madara still looked as he had at the time of his death—old and with white hair.
Though the chakra was powerful due to the nature of the Edo Tensei, it couldn't change the fact that he was in his elderly state.
"Madara-sama, there's been a slight change of plans. You weren't resurrected with the Rinne Rebirth. I brought you back using the Edo Tensei," Black Zetsu explained.
"In the time since your death, Konoha's power has grown rapidly, especially with that Uchiha Yoichi. He captured Obito, and much of the information about Nagato and the Rinnegan has been leaked. They're currently hiding in Iwagakure."
At first, Madara was dissatisfied that Edo Tensei had been used instead of Rinne Rebirth, but hearing Black Zetsu's report made him take the situation more seriously.
"It seems the Uchiha Clan has produced some remarkable talents. A complete Susanoo… He must have acquired the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. But how could someone without parents or siblings have obtained it?"
In theory, the Mangekyō could achieve a complete Susanoo, but no one had ever done so. It required an enormous amount of chakra, far beyond the capacity of most Kage-level ninjas. Moreover, the frequent use of the Mangekyō would lead to blindness, making it impossible to master.
"It might have been Fugaku's eyes. That fool left his Mangekyō Sharingan within the clan, intending to pass them to his son, but Yoichi must have taken them," Black Zetsu speculated.
When Black Zetsu received this information, even it, with its millennia of experience, couldn't help but curse Fugaku's stupidity. If he wanted to leave the eyes for his son, why not keep them with him until Itachi was old enough to inherit them? Instead, Yoichi ended up with a pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
"There's another problem, Madara-sama—your current state. Although I successfully used Edo Tensei to bring you back, you're in the same condition as when you died. Even if Nagato used Rinne Rebirth to revive you…"
Reviving an 80-year-old Madara? Once he shed the Edo Tensei body, Madara's power would drop by several levels.
Madara noticed the issue as well. He didn't mind being an Edo Tensei, but if he were to be revived in this state, he wouldn't stand a chance in a real fight. A few uses of Susanoo would exhaust him.
"The technique needs improvement, at least to restore me to my prime. I understand Edo Tensei well enough; for now, let's focus on reviving me in my strongest form."
Madara glanced at his aged hands, disgusted by his current body.
"I also gathered the flesh of other ninjas. I originally intended to use Edo Tensei to summon them and help you collect the Tailed Beasts. But we should wait until you've perfected the technique. That way, they can assist you more effectively," Black Zetsu suggested.
Madara frowned and asked, "Hasn't Nagato collected even a single Tailed Beast yet?"
"Madara-sama, it's only been three years since you passed. Nagato has been constantly hunted by Konoha ninjas."
Madara fell silent for a moment before shaking his head in frustration. "What a useless brat. Black Zetsu, keep an eye on Nagato. If necessary, bring him back. We can't let the Rinnegan fall into the wrong hands. Also, leave a few White Zetsu clones with me. I need to catch up on what's been happening in the ninja world."
"Understood, Madara-sama. Nagato has become quite adept with the Rinnegan and has mastered most of its abilities, including Rinne Rebirth. He should be able to revive you at any time," Black Zetsu said before sending White Zetsu underground, leaving a few clones behind to brief Madara on recent events.
Though Madara had only been dead for a little over two years, much had changed during that time.
But for Madara, the most pressing concern was perfecting the forbidden technique so he could return in his prime.
"Heh, who would've thought I'd have to study my own body? If Tobirama could see this, I wonder what he'd think."
With that, Madara's thoughts turned to the other ninja whose flesh Black Zetsu had collected.
(End of Chapter)
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