"Test Subject Number Three is currently stable. Should we continue observing?"
Inside a secret laboratory of the Technology Development Department, Tsunade stood with her arms crossed, staring at the monitor in front of her.
On the screen, a man sat calmly inside a prison cell etched with complex runes. Shackles bound his wrists, but his expression remained composed.
Tsunade looked both relieved and uncertain. She didn’t respond immediately to Orochimaru’s question.
"He and Number Four have been revived for a month now. During this time, we’ve run full diagnostics on both of them. They’re healthy. No signs of soul distortion. No physical anomalies."
"This means our experiment was a success. My technique, Kagetsu’s corruption process, and your cloning—all of it worked. We freed their souls from the grip of the Pure Land and tricked its detection systems."
"They should be able to live normal lives again—at least until death comes for them once more."
Orochimaru spoke softly beside her.
Unlike Tsunade, who felt anxious and conflicted, he was overflowing with joy and excitement.
This proved it—he had overcome the boundary between life and death.
Death no longer frightened him.
He had finally conquered the greatest fear buried in his heart.
"I know what you’re going to say," Tsunade waved her hand, visibly annoyed. At a time when she should’ve been the most confident, she found herself hesitating.
But after a brief moment of silence, she nodded.
They had monitored them for a full month without any incidents.
The chance of anything going wrong now was almost nonexistent.
It was time to bring Nawaki and the others back.
Tsunade still had a dream — to work alongside Orochimaru, Kagetsu, and Jiraiya to build a stable and peaceful shinobi world. One that would prevent the outbreak of another great ninja war.
Especially now, after learning about the threat of the so-called Ōtsutsuki.
"So, I assume everything is ready?" Orochimaru’s eyes lit up when he saw Tsunade nod. "Who will you choose as the first to resurrect?"
"Second Grandpa," Tsunade said firmly, after closing her eyes and thinking for a moment. She cast aside any weak or sentimental thoughts and spoke with determination.
"Oh? I thought you would choose Nawaki. I miss him too, you know." A flicker of surprise appeared on Orochimaru’s face, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
"What we’re planning... only Second Grandpa might agree to it. We’re not lacking in strength right now. What we really need is creativity and innovation — and that’s exactly what he offers. One step at a time." Tsunade rubbed her forehead with a troubled expression.
Now that the technique to bring back the dead had succeeded, they couldn’t ignore the consequences and ripple effects it would bring.
Nawaki and Grandpa were definitely not options for the first phase. Tsunade knew them both too well.
Those two — young and old — were passionate and stubborn to the core. If brought back now, they’d almost certainly cause trouble... or rather, it was inevitable.
Second Grandpa might be just as stubborn, but he understood when to bend in the face of greater power.
Especially when dealing with the younger generation of Konoha.
As long as it was for the good of the village, Second Grandpa never hesitated to cast aside his so-called principles or pride.
Maybe, after being revived, Second Grandpa will have a lot in common with Orochimaru and Kagetsu? Hopefully, those three won’t create any troublesome jutsu.
"You’ve also started thinking about gains and losses, Tsunade," Orochimaru said with some feeling.
"Don’t treat me like some fool like Jiraiya! Even Jiraiya can make the right choices on the battlefield," Tsunade turned around and glared at Orochimaru.
She pushed him aside and started to leave the hidden underground monitoring room.
"I’m going to raise Second Grandpa’s clone now. It will take about half a month."
"I’ll call back Kagetsu and prepare everything at the village," Orochimaru replied, glancing at the two special prisoners on the monitor.
A dark underground space.
Senju Tobirama seemed to have been dreaming. Now, he woke up from that deep sleep.
The moment he opened his eyes, he felt something unusual in his body. It felt like he was soaked in a liquid full of strong life energy.
Next, his gaze landed on three figures standing outside the jar.
Two of them looked somewhat unfamiliar, but one gave him a very strong sense of familiarity. He didn’t dare confirm at first because this person looked very different from the little one he remembered.
Like a child who has grown up!
Tsunade punched the glass of the jar, breaking it and releasing Tobirama who still couldn’t fully control his body.
"Is that Tsunade? She’s grown so much already?"
At first, Senju Tobirama was confused, but the next moment, he was sure that the female ninja rushing toward him was his elder brother’s granddaughter, Tsunade.
Appearances can change, but that familiar chakra never changes.
"Second Grandpa!" Tsunade helped Senju Tobirama up from the ground.
"This is..." Tobirama carefully looked around while getting used to his body, which felt heavy as if he had been lying in a sickbed for a long time. His eyes finally settled on Orochimaru and Kagetsu nearby.
"I remember I was already dead." Tobirama glanced sideways at his granddaughter.
He had already observed everything here — the seals on the ground, the surrounding instruments, and everything he encountered after waking up.
Though it all felt strange and confusing, he understood one thing: his current state was connected to these three.
No! Fınd the newest release on novel·fiɾe·net
Tobirama immediately rejected this possibility. He could feel the vitality in his body and see the surface condition of his skin.
"We created a resurrection technique." Tsunade quietly replied to her Second Grandpa.
Seeing his surprised look, she pointed to Orochimaru and Kagetsu and said, "This pale-skinned man is Orochimaru, currently the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, and like you, a research fanatic.
That’s his disciple, Kagetsu Nara from the Nara clan. He is now the head of the Technology Development Department."
"Wait! The Hokage is already at the Fourth? What about Sarutobi? Is he dead too? And the Technology Development Department? Does Konoha really have that? How long has it been since I died?"
Tobirama was surprised by what Tsunade said, even though he was somewhat prepared seeing the grown-up Tsunade.
"Sarutobi-sensei retired and now works at the ninja academy. The Technology Development and Medical Departments were both created during Sarutobi-sensei’s time as Hokage. As for the time, it is now Year 53 of Konoha, almost the end of the year." Orochimaru stepped forward and answered.
Please support me on my ko-fi account and read upto 15 early Chapters,
https://ko-fi.com/pirateking24/tiers