When it had just been formed, it nearly beat Yamato half to death.
Now, with Kisame taking a direct hit, it was clear he wouldn't last much longer.
Seeing Kisame in such a miserable state, Morkel turned around and slapped Konohamaru across the back of the head.
"You! Next time, speak up before you act!"
Konohamaru had just launched a Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, exhausting nearly all of his chakra, when Morkel's hand landed squarely on his head.
Clutching his scalp and looking aggrieved, Konohamaru mumbled, "Didn't I warn you in advance…?"
Morkel snorted disdainfully. "You dare bring that up?"
"If I weren't here today, Udon, Moegi, and even Uncle Ichiraku would have been in real danger!"
"I've told you time and time again, don't be reckless!"
Faced with Morkel's harsh reprimand, Konohamaru lowered his head in shame and dared not say another word.
At that moment, Kisame, still lying nearby, managed to raise his voice slightly.
"To think… I'd fall into the hands of a brat like you… But don't think this is over… That man… he will…"
Before he could finish, Kisame passed out.
Morkel immediately stepped forward and began performing medical ninjutsu to stabilize Kisame.
They couldn't afford to let him die—not in Konoha.
This man likely held valuable information on the Akatsuki. If handed over to the Ninja Alliance, it might prove crucial in the coming war.
While Morkel treated Kisame for several hours, Uncle Ichiraku sat among the ruins of what used to be his ramen shop, sobbing bitterly.
"My noodle shop… It survived so many disasters in the village, and yet it fell at the hands of the Third Hokage's grandson!"
"This was my life's work… all gone…"
"Uncle, please don't be angry… I… I promise I'll pay you back once I earn some money…" Konohamaru walked up, guilt written all over his face.
Meanwhile, Morkel finished healing Kisame and made his way toward Uncle Ichiraku.
Thinking back to how many times the old man had treated both him and Naruto to free ramen over the years, Morkel felt he owed him at least this much.
He spoke gently, "Uncle, don't worry. I'll help you rebuild."
Clapping his hands together, he shouted, "Earth Style: Earthshatter!"
Then followed up quickly with: "Wood Style: Four-Sided Hut Technique!"
The massive crater caused by the Rasenshuriken was quickly filled in by Morkel's Earth Style technique. Then, from the ground, wooden structures emerged, forming a neat, square house right on the original foundation of the ramen shop.
Morkel turned to explain, "This house is made with Wood Style—it's sturdy and durable. Fire-resistant and blade-proof. Consider it a gift from your little brother."
"As for the damages to your business… here—"
Morkel pulled out a thick stack of silver bills from his scroll.
Having raised Morkel like a son, Uncle Ichiraku couldn't bring himself to accept the money. He quickly waved his hands.
"That's more than enough! I can't accept more. The new building alone is already too much."
Understanding his hesitation, Morkel didn't argue further. He just walked over and stuffed the money into Konohamaru's pocket.
"You're the one who caused this mess—you should be the one to pay for it. Consider this a loan from me. Don't forget to pay it back."
After wrapping things up, Morkel vanished in a flicker, carrying the unconscious Kisame with him.
---
In a secret room hidden beneath Konoha…
Kisame found himself tied up, tightly bound by Morkel's Wood Style vines and thrown into the corner of a dim chamber.
When he eventually regained consciousness and saw Morkel standing nearby, Kisame didn't panic. He remained calm, silently staring at him.
He was curious—what exactly did Morkel want to do?
In the center of the room, Morkel was crouched over, writing intricate symbols on the floor. Not far from him, several chickens and rabbits sat in a circle, trembling in terror.
"The sacrifices and the spell for reversing the Dead Demon Consuming Seal are ready," Morkel murmured. "Now all I need is the Fourth Hokage's body tissue."
Minutes later, Morkel stood up, clapped the dust from his hands, and pulled out a small container from a Summoning scroll. Inside it was a single strand of blond hair—the Fourth Hokage's.
With everything prepared, he sat cross-legged in the center of the ritual circle and began forming hand seals at lightning speed.
Kisame watched with disbelief.
He was a former elite of the Mist Village, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and later a member of the Akatsuki. He had traveled far and wide, witnessing many forbidden techniques and lost arts.
But this sealing technique… This was something he had never seen before.
So complicated. So intricate. So ancient.
Morkel's hands moved like a blur—hundreds of seals within seconds. Then he struck the ground and shouted, "Reverse Shiki Seal!"
As the final seal took effect, the animals in the room began to panic.
Kisame could feel the room growing icy cold.
And then…
He witnessed something that would haunt him forever.
A ghostly figure appeared above the ritual circle. Its body slowly became more defined.
A white robe. Horns. Purple skin. White hair. Fangs exposed. And a long knife clutched in its mouth.
Kisame's eyes widened.
What… what had Morkel summoned?
He didn't know, but he could feel the rage coming off the spirit in waves.
It glared at Morkel furiously.
Yet Morkel remained calm—unlike the first time he had summoned this being. Now, he looked unfazed.
"We've met a few times now, haven't we?" he said casually.
He gestured at the terrified animals trembling on the floor.
"You want souls, right? These are for you."
"Better eat them quickly before they die of fear. Not sure what I'll bring next time."
Kisame's jaw nearly dropped.
Morkel was bargaining… with a god?
And not just any god—but a Shinigami!
And he was speaking with such casual arrogance, as if he were chatting with a neighbor over tea.
Was Morkel really this insane?
'No,' Kisame shook the thought away.
No matter how strong Morkel was, he couldn't possibly disrespect such a divine entity.
He must be ignorant. He doesn't understand what he's doing.
He'll suffer the consequences soon enough.
Just you wait…
Kisame watched eagerly, hoping to see divine punishment strike Morkel down.
---
In the sealed chamber…
The Shinigami looked at Morkel, then glanced at the trembling rabbit and chicken lying in their own filth, paralyzed with fear.
A wave of irritation surged through the spirit.
Morkel urged again, "Go on, eat. We had a deal. You can't back out now."
"This time I brought offerings. Can't guarantee what I'll have next time."
A wave of indignation surged through the Shinigami.
This mortal had tricked it before—but now he wasn't even pretending to be respectful!
The Shinigami's eyes narrowed with fury.
With a snarl, it removed the long knife from its mouth.
Kisame nearly fainted.
"M-Morkel… how dare you…!"
But then something happened that defied all logic.
The Shinigami didn't attack Morkel.
Instead, it turned the blade around, pressed it to its belly… and stabbed itself!
It dragged the blade horizontally across its torso, opening a deep wound.
From within, a blue ethereal light emerged—a ghostly soul. It was the Fourth Hokage.
The soul floated gently upward… and then vanished.
It was done.
The Shinigami had honored the contract.
Before disappearing, it gave Morkel a final, fierce glare—then vanished into the shadows.
Kisame sat in stunned silence.
What just happened?
This man… Morkel… had made the god of death surrender a soul?
And bargained with it like an equal?
Kisame couldn't help but shiver.
Maybe… just maybe… this man was more terrifying than any ghost or god he had ever known.