Chương 2: Impure World Reincarnation
In a secret compound on the outskirts of the Leaf Village, a small dark cavern held an open coffin.
The lifeless corpse inside was laying beside another unknown unconscious body, the surrounding atmosphere emanating an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing through the cavern.
Beside the coffin stood two ANBU operatives, one with silver hair and a Leaf headband covering one eye, the other with black hair and dark eyes. These were Kakashi Hatake and Itachi Uchiha, both renowned shinobi of the Leaf Village.
Kakashi's lone visible eye scanned the familiar body before him, his usual calm demeanor masking the thoughts racing through his mind, "Hard to believe it's been nine years." He muttered, his voice barely audible in the cavern's oppressive silence.
Itachi nodded slightly, his expression inscrutable, "Even though the ANBU have been assigned to guard Lord 4th's body ever since his death, and even place a living body next to his, I'm still not sure on what's the point..." He replied, his gaze fixed on the body in the coffin with a glint of oddness.
Kakashi sighed, "Indeed, but we can both come to our own conclusions based on the context clues."
Itachi's eyes narrowed, as he thought, 'If one were to use context clues, it's as if we're waiting for him to come back from the dead... But that's not possible.'
Kakashi was of similar mind, even he was unaware of a jutsu that could bring back the dead, it seemed impossible.
'But if someone could do it, it would definitely be Minato-sensei.' He confidently concluded.
As if responding to his thoughts, Minato's body suddenly started to shudder and contort. The unconscious figure next to him began to merge with his own.
Both Itachi and Kakashi watched in shock as the two bodies intertwined, slowly forming into one.
Moments later, the transformation was complete. Minato's in his Hokage outfit lay before them, cracks appearing all over his skin.
"It can't be—" Itachi stepped back, utterly baffled, while Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief.
Minato's eyes snapped open, filled with darkness. He slowly got up, his gaze sweeping the cavern with curiosity and a hint of confusion.
"It seems I've returned." He said, his voice steady despite the circumstances.
Kakashi was the first to speak, his voice trembling slightly with a mix of awe and relief, "Minato-sensei... how is this possible?"
Minato smiled faintly, though it was tinged with weariness, "It's an interesting story, Kakashi. But for now, know that I am here."
Itachi, recovering from his initial shock, stepped forward, "Welcome back, Fourth Hokage. We've been awaiting your return."
Minato's eyes softened as he looked at the two young men before him, "Your Itachi right?... I was fortunate to have such Shinobi watching my body." He complimented.
Itachi raised a brow, "You know of me?"
Minato smirked, "Of course, I noticed your potential long before my death. I saw in you the makings of one of the Leaf Village's pillars." He lied, Itachi was far too young for his talent to be truly noticed by his past self, as everything he knew about him was from the anime.
But when not considering his future actions of the Uchiha Massacre, he could have been an exemplary shinobi for the Leaf, which is why he said what he said.
Itachi himself wasn't expecting those words, but smiled nonetheless, "I'm honored by your praise, but I'm simply doing my duty as a shinobi of the Leaf Village."
Minato gave a knowing smile at his humble attitude.
Kakashi still bewildered, spoke up, "What's with your strange appearance? Your skin is cracked, and your eyes are unusually black."
Minato sighed, his expression turning calm, "It's a result of a forbidden jutsu called Impure World Reincarnation. It brings back the dead with the sacrifice of a living body. I'm not truly alive, but merely a hollow husk of my former self."
Itachi and Kakashi nodded, understanding now why they had brought living bodies next to Minato's corpse.
Kakashi then asked, "Is that why you seem much weaker than usual?"
Minato nodded, "Yes, if I were to guess, I'm at about 60% of my former power."
Itachi was incredulous. He had thought Minato was at full strength, as even now his chakra seemed to completely dwarf his own.
He simply shook his head, smiling at the realization that he had much more to learn about the world and its mysteries.
But then Itachi grew serious and asked, "If I may ask, how was it possible for you to activate a jutsu after seemingly dying?"
Minato stepped out of the coffin before explaining, "In order to revive myself, I devised a technique on the spot called Temporal Lock Jutsu. Using my understanding of Space-Time ninjutsu from the Flying Thunder God Technique, I created a way to freeze stored chakra, and a jutsu formula in literal time."
"When I was nearing death, I applied the Impure World Reincarnation to my body and added the Temporal Lock Jutsu. This essentially locked my chakra and the jutsu formula in a temporal state, set to activate the jutsu on a timer I chose."
Kakashi and Itachi exchanged looks of astonishment.
Minato continued, "However, since it was my first time using it, I couldn't apply it perfectly, and it took much longer to activate than intended. And the drawback of this jutsu is that it requires a my life to activate."
Both of them were amazed at his skill at being able to create such a complex jutsu on the spot and escape death itself.
Itachi's eyes sharpened with realization, 'While fundamentally different. This technique has quite the similar effects to Izanagi, the Uchiha can manipulate reality itself, while his can manipulate time... The 4th Hokage truly is a formidable shinobi.' He observed.
Kakashi himself couldn't help but feel a renewed respect for his former sensei, "I'd expect no less from you..."
Minato smiled modestly, "Well to be honest I never created the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, that was all Lord 2nd, I simply gave his technique a few tweaks-"
As he was speaking, his expression suddenly turned cold.
He raised his hand and pressed his palm against the wall beside him, his presence abruptly started to emit a palpable killing intent as he sensed a distinct chakra bearing one of his teleportation formulas on the eastern outskirts of the Land of Fire.
Recognition flashed in his eyes, 'Obito! That little shit!' He thought fiercely.
Boom!
The walls of the cavern cracked under his tremendous grip, causing the entire space to tremble from his immense chakra.
Both ANBU operatives, Kakashi and Itachi, were stunned by the sudden change in atmosphere, their eyes wide with surprise and concern.
Minato's mind raced, he could teleport there right now, but he knew better.
After a few moments of contemplation, he calmed himself and sighed deeply, 'I'll deal with him later,' He resolved, 'With my current strength, even with the help of Itachi and Kakashi, Obito could probably escape and might find a way to remove the mark... Next time I see him, I'll make sure to kill him.'
This Minato was different from his past self. He wasn't going to let Obito off the hook. His second chance at life had nearly been stolen, and he wasn't about to let that slide.
Not to mention his student was the cause of his wife's death, and the reason they were absent from their child's life.
Looking toward the other two with an apologetic expression, he said, "Sorry about that. Got a little worked up over something."
Kakashi and Itachi exchanged glances, still processing the intense moment that had just transpired. It was clear to them that Minato had some unfinished business.
Kakashi, regaining his composure, spoke up, "No need to apologize, Minato-sensei, we understand."
Minato was about to reply, before asking another question, "Where's Kushina?"
Kakashi didn't even hesitate to point toward the closed coffin on the other side of the room.
Minato just opened the coffin and glanced at Kushina's lifeless body with an unreadable expression.
He brushed her hair softly, whispering, "Just wait a little longer, and you'll be reunited with our son, "Unfortunately, they didn't have a sacrifice to resurrect her at the moment, so it would have to be done at another time.
Exhaling a cool breath, he gently closed the coffin and turned to Kakashi, "Get some ANBU to guard her body." He instructed, "I need to announce my arrival at the village."
Kakashi nodded, immediately stepping outside to call for additional ANBU operatives. Itachi stood silently, his expression reflecting a mixture of respect and determination.
Minato took one last look at the coffin before steeling himself, "Let's go, Itachi your with me." He said, his voice firm.
The two shinobi then moved swiftly through the hidden passages of the compound before exiting under the bright sky. They found themselves atop the Hokage Statues, where Minato gazed down at the lively Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Turning around, he saw Itachi standing quietly behind him. Minato approached and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Itachi, don't worry too much. I'll handle the rising conflict between the Uchiha and the village. It won't take me more than a few days." He gave him a confident wink.
Itachi blinked, once again a rare look of surprise crossing his face before he regained his composure, "You even know about that?" Nevertheless he shook his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, "Your words are reassuring to hear, Lord Fourth."
Minato calmly smiled as he posed a question, "By the way, how long have I been gone?"
Itachi's gaze shifted, a hint of indifference in his eyes, "Nine years."
Minato nodded, not appearing surprised. He had already surmised the time frame based on their appearances and the slight changes in the village.
Shrugging his shoulders, he pointed down toward the village, "Let's head down and get to work. There's much to do, and the village needs it's Fourth Hokage."
With that, the two shinobi leaped from the statues, descending swiftly toward the village below.
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I want some power stones!
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