"Thank you, sister! I'm really alive again!"
Upon feeling his body restored, Shigure hugged Tsunade in excitement. Among them, Shigure had always feared death the most. Earlier, he had only remained calm because his grandfather and sister were present; in the Pure Land, he had wandered aimlessly, completely unaware of death.
Besides Shigure, Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and the others were also adjusting to their restored bodies.
"Big brother, can you still use Wood Release?"
"I haven't tried yet, but I definitely can."
Hashirama examined his fists carefully and nodded. "This body is incredibly powerful. It feels like it surpasses my previous bloodline limits—maybe even stronger than I was in life, like this."
As he spoke, Hashirama entered Sage Mode, his face taking on the characteristic markings. In the past, he had needed to form hand seals to absorb natural energy due to the massive amounts of physical and spiritual energy he possessed.
Now, though his chakra had increased even more, Hashirama sensed that his control over natural energy had multiplied several times. He could enter Sage Mode effortlessly, without forming seals.
As for Wood Release, he extended his hand, and a sapling sprouted instantly from his palm.
"My chakra is also much stronger than before. This body surpasses even my peak days," Tobirama said with certainty. Now, whenever he refined chakra, it felt as if his reserves were limitless.
This technology surpassed even Tobirama, a master of forbidden techniques. Though he had been dead for decades, he couldn't have anticipated such drastic changes in the shinobi world.
Still, Tobirama looked a bit displeased at Hashirama. "Big brother, what did you mean by what you just said? Have you forgotten what that brat did to us?"
"Tobirama, for Tsunade's happiness, we can endure a little inconvenience. Actually, I've returned from the Pure Land before, once when Madara Uchiha was still around."
Hashirama pulled Tobirama and Mito aside, recounting what he had observed during his previous return. He had learned quite a bit—arguably more than Tobirama and Mito—though at that time, his main concern was Tsunade's personal situation.
Hyuga Mirai ignored the three elders, whose combined age exceeded two hundred. Instead, he approached Tsunade, curiously asking, "Tsunade, why haven't I seen your parents?"
If Tsunade's parents knew she now spent her days drinking and gambling instead of working, they would have surely disciplined her. Hyuga Mirai was eager to witness that scene.
"My father… I barely remember him. Grandmother often told me that he sacrificed himself to protect Konoha. In fact, I can hardly recall his name," Tsunade replied, struggling to remember much about her father. As for Shigure, he had no memories at all—he had been raised by Grandmother Mito and others, and later by Tsunade herself.
Hyuga Mirai nodded, then noticed something odd. "And your mother?"
Tsunade shook her head. "The daughter of a former Daimyo of the Land of Fire. She had little affection for Konoha. After giving birth to Shigure, she wanted to return to the Land of Fire's capital, but Grandmother Mito refused."
Hearing this, Hyuga Mirai recalled the captured Fire Country nobles from before. None had been from the Daimyo's household; they had either been killed or imprisoned by Danzo. Tsunade showed no anger, indicating her mother had likely passed away.
Tsunade looked at her resurrected relatives; her previous decisiveness vanished as she asked, "What should we do next?"
"Why didn't you consider this when you revived them?" Hyuga Mirai asked, exasperated.
"Shigure should start by going to school. Old shinobi habits won't help him now. As for the First and Second Hokage, we'll leave it to them to choose—everywhere in the Federation needs people."
"Will anyone recognize them?"
"Of course not. A haircut and glasses, and even you might not recognize them. Others certainly won't."
The images of the First and Second Hokage were fixed in people's minds. Changing hair and adding glasses made them unrecognizable; even walking past Tsunade, they might not be acknowledged.
"Since the Pure Land Gate experiment succeeded, we'll begin the operation in half a month."
Hyuga Mirai checked the elevated platform and set the timing for the assault on the Pure Land.
"Tsunade, let us help you too," Tobirama said, stepping forward. "Your revival owes something to us. I'm also interested in the Pure Land; if familiar faces appear, let me handle them."
"Second Hokage, you don't know Sage Mode."
"Half a month is enough. If I still can't manage it by then, consider it unsaid," Tobirama replied.
Hyuga Mirai said, "The Pure Land isn't what you imagine, but come along. Sage techniques are just a basic method for dealing with spiritual bodies." He agreed to Tobirama's request, confident he could devise techniques to counter spirits within the next fifteen days.
Earlier, Hyuga Hinata had only tested summoning. After Hyuga Mirai arrived, she attempted teleportation. Although she succeeded, the monitoring robots didn't return information—likely destroyed in an accident.
Hyuga Mirai then sent a thousand monitoring robots, retrieving over three hundred after ten minutes.
Tsunade frowned. "The Pure Land is really this dangerous?" Even small, fast monitoring robots lost six or seven out of ten when deployed there.
"It's meant to feel dangerous. Otherwise, the First Hokage couldn't move freely, let alone other spirits," Hyuga Mirai explained.
He prepared to leave but asked, "Do you want to come back with me?"
"No. I'll take them back by train," Tsunade said. It would also let the elders experience the Federation's convenience.
"Then contact Number 18 once you return. She'll arrange everything," Hyuga Mirai said before departing through the Yomi-Birasaka.
Watching him leave, Tobirama frowned. "When did he master such powerful space-time ninjutsu? Tsunade, you might not control this one."
Shigure's eyes widened. "Eh, is that my brother-in-law? I thought…"
Bang.
Before he could finish, Tsunade punched him hard and scolded, lifting him angrily. "Shigure, don't talk nonsense! And you, Second Hokage, what are you babbling about!"
"Babbling? That's my brother—"
Rarely clever, Hashirama cut Tobirama off before he finished. "Tobirama, joking about Tsunade is too much!"
Tobirama glanced at his brother and understood, saying nothing further.
Now, Tobirama's priority was observing the shinobi world. Comparing it to his vision of Konoha, he wanted to see which was better. As for future happiness, younger generations would manage it themselves; Tsunade was already nearly his age at death.
"Fine, let's head back."
Tsunade shot Hashirama a glance, then signaled Hyuga Hinata, preparing to head toward Roran Train Station with the group.
Along the way, Tsunade advised Tobirama, "Second Hokage, if you're free after revival, help me out. I'm running non-stop and nearly exhausted."
"My own work is my responsibility. I taught you that from a young age!" Tobirama said.
"That's not just my work," Tsunade countered. "It's to make the shinobi world better—your dream too, isn't it? End war, protect villagers and family. Now, help me."
Tobirama remained calm. "You can fool Big Brother, but not me. If you're overworked, use shadow clones. With your strength, maintaining them for days is no problem."
Half a month later, Hyuga Mirai's team arrived near the Pure Land Gate. Outside, laser cannons collected natural energy to prevent spirits from escaping. Three hundred upgraded mechanical puppets and one hundred Sage Mode users were ready.
Many of the hundred were trained by Orochimaru, but the strongest had received organ cells from the Three Snake Princesses, allowing them to absorb Sage energy freely.
Hyuga Kiyo, Kurenai Yuhi, and Ayaka Uzumaki also joined. Kurenai was curious about the Pure Land, leaving Yūto with Mikoto. Kiyo, worried Kurenai might cause trouble, followed with Mie. Ayaka honestly wanted to stay with Hyuga Mirai, and he couldn't refuse.
All three carried Hyuga Mirai's chakra; Ayaka had the most, guarding against any residual traps from the Otsutsuki. Additionally, a stray Outer Path Statue contained chakra from six Tailed Beasts.
Tobirama and Hashirama were present as well. The Second Hokage's talent was no exaggeration; he learned Sage Mode within half a month despite his body's advantage. Mito Uzumaki wasn't there, unable to use natural energy, likely at Kushina's house.
Hyuga Kiyo observed the preparations, marveling. "Unbelievable—we're about to assault the Pure Land. If he told me we could leave this planet, I wouldn't be surprised."
Kurenai whispered, "Even four of us together, it's achievable."
Bang.
"Idiot, don't say that out loud!" Kiyo blushed and lightly bumped Kurenai's head, checking around to ensure no one overheard.
All three girls were complicit, even if Ayaka hadn't initiated; Hyuga Mirai and Kurenai had formed a mischievous alliance, constantly overwhelming her. Kiyo decided to discipline them later.
Once preparations were complete, Hyuga Mirai signaled readiness. The laser cannons glowed, ready to fire.
Hyuga Hinata was ordered to use Yin-Yang Release, connecting the platform's inscriptions to the Pure Land. But she immediately sensed resistance.
"Lord Mirai, the other side is fighting back. It's much harder than last time!"
Her face turned pale; opening the Pure Land Gate now was dozens of times more difficult. Even enhanced by Orochimaru's modifications, her body struggled.
"Open it a bit more. I'll handle the rest," Hyuga Mirai said, placing a hand on her shoulder to stabilize the chaotic natural energy.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Though there was no wind, the air vibrated. Under Hinata's effort, space above the platform began to warp.
Detecting that another spatial barrier had been breached, Hyuga Mirai's forehead manifested the Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan. Using Yomi-Birasaka's spatial ability combined with Obito Uchiha's Kamui, he pierced and stabilized the barrier.
In the moment it stabilized, dozens of spirits emerged from the portal, shouting sharply:
"Hahaha, we're free!"
"We can return to the shinobi world and exact revenge!"
Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!
The prepared laser cannons fired relentlessly, the beams infused with natural energy. Any spirit hit couldn't heal, slowly dissipating and perishing.
Some were deliberately spared to avoid friendly fire. Ten surviving spirits were bound by Ayaka Uzumaki's Adamantine Chains and sealed in a container.
"Hinata, rest for a moment. Uh, this spirit…"
Hyuga Mirai noticed one spared spirit looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, it resembled Hashirama and Tsunade.
Weakening, it teetered on unconsciousness, likely due to long death or external control.
Tsunade came over, troubled. "It's my father. Please seal him for now. We'll deal with him after this mission."
"I understand. Don't be too sad; there may be a way to revive him."
As more spirits surged, the portal seemed the center of their convergence. Many escaped lasers, and Number 18 began deploying mechanical puppets to capture them.
"That should do it."
With the puppets deployed, the spirits' outward surge was suppressed, and they began a counterattack.
Hyuga Mirai and the team prepared to charge into the Pure Land.
(End of Chapter)
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