Chapter 211: Madara Uchiha, Resurrected!
After a night of "admiring the moon," Genichi and Pakura rested. Pakura's mind was still a blissful blank, but Genichi's was already working at high speed.
"Even the same combination of nature transformations can result in different outcomes," he mused aloud. "Earth and Water can create Wood Release, but they can also create Lava Release. You should focus on what you're best at, building upon your Scorch Release as a foundation."
He gave Pakura a playful squeeze to bring her back from her reverie. "Yes," she murmured, still dazed.
He chuckled. "In developing a Kekkei Genkai, direction and choice are far more important than mere effort."
"I know that," she said, her face flushing. "I'll start experimenting."
Genichi nodded, then rolled on top of her with a grin. "Let's explore the mysteries of life a little further, shall we?"
The next morning, after using his medical ninjutsu to heal Pakura's exhaustion, Genichi returned to Konoha, feeling as invigorated as ever.
That evening, his home was filled with a festive energy. His parents had closed their shop for the day to prepare a birthday feast. It was an intimate gathering: just his parents, Tsunade, Ina, and Shizune.
There was cake, candles, and a pile of presents. His parents' gift was a bank note for fifty million ryō, which he graciously accepted and immediately handed over to Ina, the designated household manager. His parents watched with beaming smiles, then quickly made their exit, not wanting to get in the way of their son's "important business."
With the elders gone, the atmosphere shifted. Ina presented him with a custom-made shinobi robe—black with fiery red cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs and hem. It was reminiscent of the Akatsuki's cloaks, but distinct. It reminded him of Minato's Hokage robe, but in black and with long sleeves. He loved it instantly.
Shizune's gift was a hand-knitted scarf, which he put on immediately, much to her delight.
Finally, all eyes turned to Tsunade.
"I didn't prepare anything elaborate," she said with a huff, before taking off the necklace she always wore. "This was a gift from my grandfather."
The cursed necklace, Genichi thought with an inward smile. But I'm not afraid.
He leaned forward, and with a glare that held no heat, Tsunade fastened the First Hokage's necklace around his neck.
The ceremony was complete.
Genichi pulled Tsunade back to the table, and Ina quickly brought out the sake.
"Just one cup!" Tsunade declared, though her resolve wavered at the fragrant aroma.
One cup turned into another, and then another, until the bottle was empty.
"Another bottle!" she demanded.
"Drink in moderation," Genichi said, firmly refusing.
Hmphing, Tsunade declared she was going home, but Shizune gently steered her into the bathroom instead. She emerged a short while later, her face flushed but her mind clear.
Later that night, after Ina and Shizune had fallen asleep exhausted, Tsunade found she still had plenty of energy.
"Let's have a child," Genichi whispered in her ear.
Tsunade, who had been savoring the afterglow, stiffened. So that's what this was all about, you little punk. The thought of a child… she considered her age, her responsibilities. After a long silence, she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.
That was all the signal Genichi needed.
The next day was Shizune's birthday, another quiet family celebration. And from that day on, Tsunade became a permanent resident of Genichi's home. Their family of four was now complete.
With his eighteenth birthday past, Genichi knew his body's rapid growth phase was nearing its end. He had four years at most. After that, the physical enhancements from his various Kekkei Genkai would yield diminishing returns.
That night, after his three partners were asleep, Genichi sat down in his study and began to map out a five-year plan.
His top priorities were:
Sage Transformation: This was a daily, lifelong practice.
Electromagnetic Release: Specifically, mastering the Current Drive and Magnetic Field Rotation. This was related to one of the four fundamental forces of the universe and, he suspected, held the key to bridging the gap between physical and spiritual energy.
Truth-Seeking Orbs: A product of fusing all seven nature transformations. Though less potent against senjutsu users, mastering them was a crucial stepping stone to achieving a true Bloodline Culmination.
After those three, his next major goal was the Heaven's Eye Kekkei Mōra.
Five years… he calculated. Including the time from his five future leaps, he had a total of 54 years. If he couldn't achieve his first Bloodline Culmination in that time, it was unlikely he ever would. He was determined to succeed.
While Genichi was busy with his five-year plan, Orochimaru was facing a roadblock in his own research.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto said, pushing up his glasses, "the problem is definitely the White Zetsu. While their cells are highly compatible, clones cultivated from them… lack the necessary mental and emotional capacity. The awakening of the Sharingan is intrinsically linked to emotion. These clones are little more than mindless puppets."
Orochimaru nodded. Their clones had perfectly inherited Madara Uchiha's genetic material, but they couldn't activate it. They had yet to produce a single Mangekyō Sharingan, let alone a Rinnegan.
"It seems we must proceed with the plan Genichi-kun suggested years ago," Orochimaru said with a sinister smile.
"You mean cultivating reproductive cells and inducing the creation of ova?" Kabuto asked.
"Precisely," Orochimaru hissed, his tongue flicking out. "If we can succeed, we can create the perfect Madara clone."
But that would take time. A more direct approach might yield faster results.
"Kabuto," he said, turning from his failed experiments, "prepare the sacrifices. Tomorrow, we will witness the power of the legendary Ghost of the Uchiha."
December 15th, 53rd Year of Konoha
On a desolate plain in the Land of Rice Fields, Orochimaru and Kabuto stood before a row of coffins that had risen from the earth. The lids fell away, revealing the reanimated forms of the Second Tsuchikage, the Third Raikage, the Fourth Kazekage, and Uchiha Tekka.
This is about more than just the Rinnegan, Kabuto thought, a chill running down his spine. Lord Orochimaru is taking precautions against Madara himself.
"Wake up," Orochimaru commanded.
The four reanimated shinobi stepped out of their coffins, their consciousness returning.
"W-what is this place?" the Tsuchikage murmured.
Tekka, however, instantly recognized their summoner. "You bastard, Orochimaru!" he roared, his chakra exploding as he manifested his Susanoo.
"Susanoo!" the Second Tsuchikage exclaimed in shock. "Another Uchiha with the Mangekyō?"
Tekka's Susanoo lunged forward, but in the next instant, it froze and collapsed. "Damn you… the binding is even stronger than before!" he choked out, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"A ninja of the Leaf?" the Third Raikage growled, turning his attention to Orochimaru. "It was you who resurrected us, Orochimaru of the Sannin?"
"Indeed," Orochimaru said with a smirk. After a brief, taunting exchange with the former Kage, he erased their personalities, turning them into mindless puppets.
With his four powerful pawns in place, he summoned one final coffin. The lid creaked open, and a figure with cracked, lifeless skin stumbled out. It was Madara Uchiha.
With a single hand sign, Orochimaru channeled his chakra into the reanimated body. The cracks began to heal, and a flicker of life returned to the legendary shinobi's eyes.
"Finally… I'm alive again?" Madara murmured, then frowned, sensing something was wrong with his body. He looked up, his gaze falling upon the reanimated forms of the other shinobi, and then on the man standing behind them.
"You… a ninja of the Leaf?" Madara's eyes narrowed, fixing on Orochimaru.
❃❃❃
⤑ Show your support with Power Stones!
⤑ Unlock a Bonus Chapter every time we hit 400 Power Stones!
❃❃❃
♕ Get early access to 40+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
🔗 https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to open the link!)
💬 Enjoying the story? Drop a review!
Your support really helps the series grow—thank you!