From the very beginning.
Shimoku had only intended to obtain one thing from this girl named Ryuzetsu—
Her family's secret ultimate art—the [Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique].
A mysterious technique that used one's own life as a price to share with others, enabling them to recover from severe injuries or even resurrect!
However.
After personally seeing the girl's appearance and those eyes extremely similar to the [Rinnegan], Shimoku started having other ideas.
Maybe it was worth trying to talk this girl into coming back with him.
After all, whether it was those eyes resembling the [Rinnegan] or the girl's appearance,
Both of those things held great value.
Especially her naturally white hair.
If properly trained, she could easily become a child star in Homuragakure's film industry and gain huge popularity across the ninja world.
Following that came a series of regular inquiries.
Though afraid, the girl obediently answered every question Shimoku asked.
Considering she hadn't yet joined the Anbu and lacked the harsh training that came with it,
At heart, she was still just a little girl.
She didn't really have a choice about speaking out.
In fact, since Shimoku had kept asking questions without getting physical or aggressive,
She felt quite relieved instead.
Before long,
Through their conversation, Shimoku learned roughly everything about Ryuzetsu.
Plain and simple:
She had lost both parents at an early age, had no relatives whatsoever, and had been living off what remained of her clan's legacy.
She maintained a close relationship with Muku, the son of Lord Mui who ruled Hozuki Castle.
Unfortunately, two years ago, Muku was consumed by the [Box of Paradise] during an experiment.
From then on, she had lost her sole dear friend.
Since then, she'd dedicated herself to diligent training in ninjutsu, striving to join the Anbu of the Hidden Grass Village to stop Lord Mui from continuing his research on that cursed artifact—and prevent further harm to the villagers!
Unfortunately, she was still too young and weak to ever hope to stop someone like Lord Mui.
As for this girl's inherited ultimate art passed down through her family—the [Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique]—
It turned out to be somewhat different than Shimoku expected.
It had not truly reached the perfect level seen in techniques like the [Six Paths: Resurrection of the Dead Technique] or [Self-Life Reincarnation].
Judging from its effects, it seemed capable only of sharing her life force to help heal others' mortal wounds.
Moreover, the efficiency of transferring life energy wasn't nearly as strong as in the [Self-Life Reincarnation].
Plain and simple:
Even if you lost an arm or leg or got stabbed straight through the chest,
As long as there was still some breath left,
Someone using this technique could keep you alive.
However, if already deceased,
Revival would be difficult.
Unless the user had abnormally massive life force—far beyond normal levels.
Only then would there be a slight chance of bringing someone back to life.
Whether it truly worked, though, even Ryuzetsu herself couldn't say for certain.
After all, none of those in her bloodline had ever possessed life force far beyond ordinary people…
By this point, Shimoku's interest in the [Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique] had significantly lessened.
Still, he wasn't disappointed.
Truthfully, he had come here originally hoping to find something overlooked.
And already obtaining Shinyu and her daughter, the [Box of Paradise], Lord Mui's sealing techniques, and the girl Ryuzetsu herself,
Was more than profitable enough.
This [Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique] is just another luxury on top of a strong foundation.
Besides,
with his Sage Body, he already had boundless vitality.
Who knows, perhaps once he mastered this secret technique, he could truly use it to resurrect the dead?
That would truly be quite a surprise.
And if worse came to worst?
He could simply save up some coins to buy either the [Six Paths: Resurrection of the Dead Technique] or the [Self-Life Reincarnation].
After finishing his inquiries,
Shimoku directly asked Ryuzetsu whether she was willing to leave with him.
Originally somewhat hesitant, Ryuzetsu
immediately agreed upon hearing that Shimoku would be taking away the [Box of Paradise] and Lord Mui.
After all, her current goal was precisely to stop the activation of that evil artifact!
Moreover, there were no longer any close relatives of hers left in the [Hidden Grass Village].
She had no attachment to such a village that pursued ambitions while oppressing its people.
Thus,
having accomplished all his objectives, Shimoku saw no reason to stay any longer.
After breakfast in the morning,
Shimoku departed, accompanied by Shinyu and her child, Ryuzetsu, Mui, and the [Box of Paradise].
As for how to carry that large box?
That wasn't complicated at all.
Shimoku simply activated the Summoning Technique,
calling forth Sanshu—the strong and burly third uncle of Mooncake.
With Sanshu's massive build, carrying a heavy box was practically effortless.
Of course, Shimoku could also summon Susano'o and fly back home holding the box.
But that would take too much energy and chakra.
Not worth it.
Anyway, once Sanshu transported the box to a secluded location,
he could just teleport everyone home in an instant using the [Flying Thunder God].
Now that's easy!
Meanwhile, the Hidden Grass Village couldn't have been happier about Shimoku's departure.
Although they had lost Lord Mui and the [Box of Paradise],
merely sacrificing these items to get rid of such a powerful figure was seen as a small price to pay.
Furthermore, their current focus lay elsewhere entirely—
they anxiously awaited news on whether the manhunt against the Konoha ninja had succeeded.
After all, the survival or destruction of their own village hinged upon that very mission.
As morning sunlight spread across the land,
on the other side, within the borders of the [Land of Fire],
a giant toad landed exactly in front of the famous [Fire Temple],
startling the temple attendant who was about to strike the morning bell.
[Sealing Iron Wall]: A barrier ninjutsu and sealing technique used by the Fire Temple. The iron gate and two stone statues on either side formed a massive barrier. It required the unique "Sage Clan Talent" chakra possessed by Fire Temple monks to pass through; otherwise, one must destroy the statues.
Therefore, Elder Toad could only land right at the temple's entrance.
Clearly, Jiraiya's plan had succeeded.
He had indeed used a clone to hold off the pursuers and barely made it to the [Fire Temple] before exhausting his chakra.
However,
he was now nearly completely drained.
Even maintaining the [Water Prison Technique] had become extremely difficult.
The sudden appearance of the giant toad shocked everyone.
This also immediately prompted Chiriku, the current abbot of the [Fire Temple], to lead a group of warrior monks out and tightly surround Elder Toad.
Upon confirming that the visitors were actually ninjas from [Konoha Village], the monks quickly dispersed.
Chiriku then stepped forward personally to assess the situation.
After learning the reason for their arrival,
he quickly ordered his monks to bring over a wooden tub and fill it with well water.
He placed Tsunade inside, continuing to suppress the cursed seal markings on her body,
which finally allowed Jiraiya to release his [Water Prison Technique].
Later, they even dug out a nearly moldy 'Military Rations Pill' from the storeroom for Jiraiya to take.
Although that almost spoiled 'Military Rations Pill' tasted terribly bitter,
it still had some effect.
At least enabling Jiraiya to recover a tiny bit of chakra, enough to keep him from collapsing due to exhaustion.
...
Half a day later, after thorough research,
Chiriku, the current abbot of the [Fire Temple], along with several senior monks within the temple, returned empty-handed.
Clearly, despite possessing the extremely rare 'Sage Heritage,' conducting comprehensive studies into various jutsu techniques,
and when it came to dispelling techniques, monks were truly the experts.
Chiriku's master—the previous abbot of the [Fire Temple]—had been an authority in this field.
Unfortunately, Chiriku himself hadn't achieved the same level of mastery as his master.
Therefore, he couldn't find a way to break through such a sealing technique in a short time.
"Jiraiya-sama, I'm afraid I also cannot decipher this sealing technique..."
"If given ample time, we could slowly counteract the formula by repeatedly applying our Fire Temple's 'Sage Heritage' chakra, gradually dissolving it..."
"But at minimum, this would require about one or two months."
"However, judging from the condition of the patient, she has sustained severe injuries and probably won't be able to hold on that long."
Chiriku honestly explained to Jiraiya.
"No worries. Thank you very much for your assistance, Reverend Master."
"You've already helped me greatly!"
Jiraiya sincerely expressed his gratitude.
Although both the [Fire Temple] and [Konoha Village] belonged to the same faction—the Land of Fire—
their communication had always been minimal.
So for them to offer help this time had already made Jiraiya very grateful.
At least now, he had survived the most dangerous moment.
Chiriku: "Then what are your plans next, Jiraiya-sama?"
Jiraiya: "I'll have no choice but to find a way to return to the village with Tsunade first..."
"But sir, you haven't recovered much chakra either. Besides, pursuers are trailing us, so the journey back might not be safe..."
"I know! But Tsunade can't last much longer. I must get her back as soon as possible!"
Jiraiya gritted his teeth as he answered.
Although the curse seal could temporarily be suppressed using water-based techniques,
Tsunade's physical injuries remained untreated.
There was no time to lose — the seal had to go now, and she needed treatment right away!
Hearing this, Chiriku shook his head slightly while running his rosary through his fingers.
After hesitating briefly, he finally decided and proposed:
"Actually... there is another option!"
"Oh? Please tell me, Master Chiriku!"
"Besides my master, there exists someone else who I know possesses unparalleled skill in removing curses throughout the ninja world—a true legend. Even the late abbot once sought guidance from him many times!"
"If we could request help from this individual, such a sealing technique would surely be lifted effortlessly!"
Jiraiya was overjoyed and quickly pressed for more details:
"Who's this master? What's his monk name?"
Chiriku: "His name is Jigen — he's known as a great recluse. He is a highly accomplished cultivation monk who lives in seclusion!"
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