章 66: Farewell, Senju Nawaki
The first harvest, of course, was Senju Nawaki's body. He was sealed by Shinno using a medical scroll, before he had the chance to activate any curse marks. This was a stroke of luck that Aizen readily accepted. In fact, Aizen had planned for this from the very beginning. That's right, once he learned that Shinno was involved in the chaos of the Great Ninja War, Aizen correctly deduced that Shinno's ultimate target was Senju Nawaki!
There were always unanswered questions surrounding Shinno's character in the original series. For instance, how did he acquire the body activation secret technique? How did he master the Eight Inner Gates? And why was the Hidden Leaf Village responsible for the destruction of the Sky Ninja Clan? By piecing together various clues, Aizen formed a hypothesis. And when he witnessed Senju Nawaki utilizing the Eight Inner Gates on the battlefield, Aizen's suspicions were confirmed.
Even though Shinno was simultaneously manipulating both the Sand Village and the Leaf Village, Aizen easily saw through the deception. After all, if it were him. in order to create the optimal opportunity to capture Senju Nawaki, he would undoubtedly choose the same course of action. That's why he knew from the start that the Leaf Village Shinobi would suffer heavy losses, but not be completely wiped out. It could be said that throughout the entire ordeal, with the exception of Senju Ryuken's involvement, everything unfolded exactly as Aizen had anticipated! And after deducing Shinno's plan, Aizen decisively chose the path that would benefit him the most.
He had long coveted the bloodline abilities of the Senju Clan! However, due to his previously limited strength and Senju Nawaki's sensitive position, he never dared to make a move. This time, thanks to Shinno's intervention, Aizen's wish was finally granted. Furthermore, Shinno was rumored to possess a valuable treasure. He could only hope that luck was on his side! After some time, while examining Senju Nawaki's ninjutsu scrolls, Aizen finally discovered the treasure. The Regeneration Forbidden Technique!
Aizen examined the scroll in his hand, a smirk playing on his lips. In the original series, this was the Cellular Regeneration Forbidden Technique that Orochimaru had once learned from Shinno. Although Aizen didn't personally value this technique, he knew it would prove useful in the future. Finally, there were the Eight Inner Gates and the Earth Release: Hardening Technique. The Earth Release: Hardening Technique was a rare Earth Release secret technique! Although it could be exchanged for points at the Leaf Village's Ninja Academy, the required number was exorbitant.
Aizen could learn this technique in secret first, and then openly utilize it after accumulating enough points for the exchange. Fortunately, with the ongoing war, earning merit points was relatively easy. This was why Minato Namikaze had recommended Aizen for this mission. If one could disregard the inherent risks of war, the potential rewards and gains far surpassed those of peacetime. As for the Eight Inner Gates Techniqu. The sheer power of this technique in the original series was undeniable. Despite the inherent risks, as long as one's physical strength could endure the strain, it was a ninjutsu capable of turning the tide of battle. Especially now, with Aizen locked in a deadly feud with Senju Ryuken.
This technique would significantly increase Aizen's chances of victory. "With my physical prowess, I should be able to master the first three gates of the Eight Inner Gates within ten days. Combined with the Earth Release hardening, my strength should see a considerable boost!" Aizen mused, having perused the two ninjutsu scrolls. After memorizing the contents of the scrolls, he promptly gathered the spoils and buried them beneath a nearby tree. These were dangerous items to possess! If Aizen were discovered with them, the consequences would be dire.
Therefore, Aizen, ever cautious, could only conceal these treasures, intending to retrieve them when the opportunity arose. After carefully concealing the items and ensuring no trace remained, Aizen nodded in satisfaction. Of course, in the process, Shinno's body was also disposed of. This mission had proven immensely profitable for Aizen! However "It truly saddens me to think of your tragic demise, Nawaki, my dear brother!" A twisted smile crept onto Aizen's face.
Don't be fooled into thinking that Aizen's years of camaraderie with Senju Nawaki had fostered any genuine brotherhood between them. While it's true that humans are capable of empathy, Aizen and Senju Nawaki's friendship was superficial at best, and that's being generous. But such trivial sentiments paled in comparison to Aizen's ambitions and aspirations. Even without Shinno's intervention, Aizen would have eventually targeted Senju Nawaki once he grew powerful enough. In a way, Senju Nawaki's death at Shinno's hands was both a tragedy and a blessing. At least he was killed by an unknown opportunist, rather than by Aizen, whom he considered a close friend.
Compared to him, Minato Namikaze's fate would be far more tragic. In essence, Aizen was no different from Shinno. Both were ruthless, deceitful, and inhumane careerists and conspirators. The only difference was that one had failed while the other had succeeded! As the victor, after shedding a few crocodile tears, Aizen calmly departed the scene and returned to the Leaf Village forces.
Meanwhile, an oppressive atmosphere hung heavy over the Leaf Village camp. Upon their return, Mitarashi Zashi, Hatake Sakumo, and the others were the first to witness the devastation that had befallen their comrades. Supplies sufficient for an army of tens of thousands had been incinerated! Of the two thousand ninja left behind, more than half were either dead or injured. The loss of several valuable medical and intelligence ninja was particularly devastating to Mitarashi Zashi. However, when Orochimaru, his face pale, returned carrying Senju Nawaki's lifeless body. Mitarashi Zashi's mind reeled, and he nearly collapsed.
At this time, a clearing in the center of the camp had been temporarily repurposed to accommodate Senju Nawaki's body. In this clearing, including Zashi, Sakumo, Orochimaru, and other high-ranking officials, all appeared one by one. After taking one last glance at Senju Nawaki, they sighed helplessly and began to leave one after another. Only Orochimaru and Jiraiya remained, seemingly waiting for something. Once the senior officials had departed, Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, Aizen, and Fugaku Uchiha, who had arrived alongside Orochimaru's reinforcements. Upon hearing the news, they rushed to the scene in a hurry.
"Nawaki!" Minato Namikaze's eyes welled up with sorrow, and with a tear at the corner of his eye, he softly called out to Senju Nawaki's lifeless form. Not to mention their years of friendship at the ninja academy, even during their two years on the battlefield, he and Senju Nawaki had forged a bond of brotherhood. In this moment, among the four, he was the most heartbroken. Kushina Uzumaki, standing beside him, also wore a sorrowful expression. After all, she hadn't had much interaction with Senju Nawaki. As for Aizen and Fugaku Uchiha, who stood apart.
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