Chapter 174: Edo Tensei: Release!
After sealing Hashirama, Naruto was in no hurry to return to the fray.
As for the Third Hokage, if he died, he died; if he survived, it would be considered a stroke of luck.
Jiraiya was fighting as fiercely as a rabid dog that had spotted meat, so he didn't need any help.
He scanned Hidden Leaf Village.
Throughout Konoha Village, the battle was no longer confined to a few core areas.
With the full-scale invasion by Otogakure and Sunagakure, and the stubborn resistance of Hidden Leaf Village's defenders, the flames of war had spread to every corner of the Village.
Hidden Leaf Village's outer defense lines had been breached by the initial assault of giant beasts and Ninja raids, but Hidden Leaf Village's Ninjas reacted quickly. Forming small squads and utilizing familiar streets and buildings, they engaged the invaders in fierce urban combat.
The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan played a massive role in the urban warfare, detecting enemy positions in advance and coordinating with the Gentle Fist for precise kills.
The Ninjas of the Inuzuka Clan worked in perfect harmony with their Ninken, their sense of smell and mobility providing a clear advantage in the complex environment.
The Insect Users of the Aburame Clan released various types of insects for reconnaissance, interference, and attack.
The remaining Ninjas, with Inoichi Yamanaka acting as a relay under Shikaku's command, conducted interceptions and counterattacks at key nodes.
Young Genin, led by their Seniors, were either protecting and evacuating civilians or assisting in the fight against weaker invaders.
Ino and the others hadn't listened to Naruto's advice to leave; instead, they had joined the battle.
Since they couldn't face the powerful enemies on Naruto's battlefield, they would fight against the other invaders.
Everyone was doing their utmost to protect their home in this sudden war.
Naruto's gaze finally shifted from the chaotic yet resilient Hidden Leaf Village battlefield below and landed on the red-haired figure that Orochimaru had just summoned, who seemed not to have been placed under forced control yet.
Uzumaki Kushina.
Kushina had also been watching him.
From the moment she was summoned, her gaze had never left the blonde youth.
She could sense Orochimaru's twisted sense of humor—summoning her but not rushing to control her for battle.
It was for this very moment: to let her see her own child with her own eyes, and to make Naruto... face her.
This was a 'weapon' far more cruel than directly forcing her to attack.
Seeing Naruto look over, the corners of Kushina's mouth slowly curved upward.
She didn't speak, but simply tilted her head slightly and playfully to the right.
That smile seemed capable of dispelling all the surrounding gloom and war.
She felt no joy at being resurrected, only gratification at seeing her child grown.
Of course, if she had appeared before Orochimaru's verbal onslaught, the expression on her face might not have been a smile.
Kushina's voice rang out, carrying a hint of a sob that she tried hard to suppress but which was still audible.
Though an Edo Tensei body had no tears and no real physiological reactions, the emotion in her voice was incredibly real, piercing through the boundary between life and death.
"To be able to see you once... I'm already very happy."
A simple sentence, yet it seemed to contain ten thousand words, the ten-plus years of lost time, the regret of not being able to accompany him as he grew, and the gratification of this reunion.
She looked into Naruto's deep blue eyes, so similar to her husband's, looked at his tall and straight posture, and looked at the heaven-reaching Wood Golem behind him... Pride welled up in her heart like a tide, drowning out all bitterness.
"Do it, Naruto."
Her voice became clear and firm, carrying a power unique to mothers, full of trust and expectation.
"I believe... you will definitely become the greatest Hokage, one who surpasses your father."
She seemed to already see that future, the future where her child stood atop the Hokage Rock, overlooking the Village he protected with his life.
Finally, she used all her strength to shout that encouragement, which she had likely rehearsed in her heart countless times but never had the chance to say to her child in person, complete with her thick verbal tic:
"Go for it! You must become the Hokage, Naruto! Dattebane!"
As her words fell, she closed her eyes, a satisfied yet resolute smile on her face, waiting... for her own release, and for her child to take that firm step.
She knew Orochimaru wouldn't pass up the chance to use her to interfere with and hurt Naruto. Rather than becoming the enemy's weapon to be used against her own child, it was better... for her child to personally send her back to the Pure Land.
Naruto looked at Uzumaki Kushina, who was standing there quietly.
She had closed her eyes, a gentle and resolute smile on her face, as if she were ready to welcome the final purification and return to the peace she deserved.
However, the expected scene of the Edo Tensei body beginning to crumble and Soul motes rising did not occur.
Kushina still stood perfectly intact, with no sign of the Edo Tensei debris on her body dissipating.
She... did not enter the state that should follow the release of Edo Tensei after one's wishes were fulfilled.
Naruto's deep blue eyes flickered slightly.
Did she still have unfulfilled wishes?
The principle of Edo Tensei was to recall the Soul of a deceased person from the Pure Land and bind it to a sacrificial vessel.
But if the summoned Soul itself, because certain wishes were fulfilled, could use its own will to break free from the shackles of Edo Tensei and return to the Pure Land.
Thinking of this, the answer in Naruto's heart instantly became clear.
That's it... How could a mother, who had missed her child's entire upbringing and had only just managed to see him, leave so easily and willingly?
Even if it was just one more look, staying for one more moment, feeling one more trace of her child's real presence... this most primal attachment and reluctance originating from the depths of the Soul was likely the strongest 'obsession' sustaining Kushina's Edo Tensei body right now.
"Look at me."
Naruto's voice was very soft.
Kushina slowly opened her eyes, which were filled with confusion and an attachment that was almost overflowing.
"Follow me and weave the signs with your hands."
Naruto said softly as he raised his own hands, fingers facing each other, forming an initial hand Seal.
Kushina was stunned for a moment, looking at her son's close, serious face, as if she understood something.
She followed Naruto's example, raising her hands and mimicking Naruto's gestures and Chakra flow.
Naruto began to weave the signs slowly and clearly, ensuring each movement was visible for Kushina to follow.
Rat - Ox - Monkey - Tiger - Dragon - Boar
When the final 'Boar' Seal was completed.
Naruto gazed into Kushina's eyes and shouted in a low, heavy voice:
"Edo Tensei: Release!"
How could this be?
Orochimaru, who was battling the rabid-dog-like Jiraiya, suddenly felt his control over Kushina vanish and was instantly shocked.
Uzumaki Naruto was actually this cold-hearted?
However, this only proved that he was an excellent Ninja.
An opening!
Seeing the opportunity, Jiraiya immediately struck.
"Sage Art: Goemon!"
Of the two Toad Sages on his shoulders, one spat oil and the other spat wind, while Jiraiya himself breathed out intense flames.
The scorching fire rushed toward Orochimaru.
"Magnet Style: Sand Waterfall Imperial Funeral."
Rasa manipulated the sand Gaara had left behind to block the path in front of Orochimaru.
There was no choice; without Gold Dust here, Rasa could only settle for the next best thing and use ordinary sand to fend off the enemy.
He already lacked the strength he had when he was alive, and now his power was even further diminished.
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