Kaede Tsukasa freed one hand, gripped the Sand shinobi's neck, and twisted it until it snapped. Then he carved a series of incomprehensible symbols around the corpse, strange markings that left the Root operatives watching in silent awe, before sitting cross-legged on the ground, putting on the appearance of performing a difficult jutsu.
Moments later, a visible stream of chakra erupted from Kaede Tsukasa's body, making the onlookers' faces grow solemn.
After five minutes, the dead Sand shinobi suddenly opened his eyes before the crowd, the pupils a ghastly white, his body spasming violently.
Slowly, he crawled back to his feet, mouth opening and closing unconsciously in a biting motion, groaning lowly.
"This is the secret technique of Zombie Release… a shinobi who was already dead, walking again. It's the first time I've ever seen such a thing in person." Terai's voice was cold as he commented.
Danzō's three-tomoe Sharingan stared intently at the patterns etched on the ground. He couldn't understand them, but he committed them to memory as best he could.
His interest in Zombie Release was immense. If the demonstration proved authentic, then its value would rank in the second tier of his priorities.
As for the first tier—first, Hashirama's cells; second, the Sharingan and its ocular techniques: the three-tomoe's Izanagi, the Mangekyō's special powers… all things Danzō coveted.
"A fine technique. This old man has seen it with his own eyes, though it was not beyond my expectations."
His Sharingan could faintly make out some of the workings, though still unclear. His pupil power had not yet reached the height required to fully perceive the microscopic world.
But what came next was what Danzō truly cared about.
Kaede Tsukasa controlled the freshly created zombie and had it begin forming hand seals.
"Rat—Boar—Dog—Rooster—Monkey—Ram? I've never seen such a sequence before," Terai muttered.
"Since it's a forbidden jutsu, of course it's unknown to the world. No need to dwell on such details." Danzō knew well enough: such a jutsu could not be learned just by watching.
The zombie then unleashed the One's Own Life Reincarnation Jutsu. Its body visibly withered, the green light of vitality transferring into another Sand shinobi nearby.
Danzō's heart burned with desire. The tomoe in his eye spun once, showing him more clearly than anyone else.
That tangible growth of life force was irresistibly tempting.
"To reduce one shinobi to a dried corpse in exchange for merely this level of vitality… but corpses are plentiful. I'll have Orochimaru make sure to capture more prisoners on the front lines."
Danzō felt as though a door to a new world had opened. With a forbidden art that could maintain his body and extend his lifespan, he no longer had to be so hasty.
Of course, when it came to the Uchiha, action would still be necessary. But he was no longer anxious about aging—his thoughts turned entirely toward how best to control Kaede Tsukasa.
"What is this jutsu called?"
"The One's Own Life Reincarnation Jutsu," Kaede Tsukasa answered. "In the entire shinobi world, only I can truly unleash its full potential. No matter who else tries—even the Senju or Uzumaki—compared to me they are nothing."
Perhaps the most vital members of those two clans might survive its use without dying outright. But compared to Kaede Tsukasa's method—burning corpses to grant life to the living—the difference was vast.
And in any case, who knew how long it would take others to even learn it?
"Excellent, Kaede Tsukasa. Your talents greatly satisfy this old man. From now on, you will be one of my most carefully nurtured young shinobi. You are the village's future!"
Danzō slowly closed his eyelids, concealing the blood-red glow within. "Hiruzen Sarutobi is pushing his disciple student, Namikaze Minato. I will push you. With me at your back, you will become a hero of the village in the shortest possible time."
"Hero of Konoha? Someone who uses a jutsu like this… I never had the slightest thought of claiming such a title." Kaede Tsukasa chuckled bitterly.
"That's because you have no one in the village! A man without backing has no right to appear before the people as a hero. But with me, it's different."
Danzō continued: "As long as you cooperate with me, whatever you want—I can give it to you."
"If it's a matter of performing the jutsu for you, I have no problem. But I know very well that's not all you want… I will never pass this forbidden art on to anyone. Only I can use it freely."
Kaede Tsukasa smiled. Even while surrounded, with sealing techniques and secret arts trained on him from all directions, he remained calm.
Hand over the One's Own Life Reincarnation Jutsu to Danzō? Impossible. When used on the living, this jutsu was one life for another. Danzō might not use it on himself, but he could certainly have his subordinates cast it.
Draining the life of his own men to maintain his body—Danzō would absolutely do such a thing, because he truly believed that any means of strengthening himself, securing his position and power, was for the good of the village.
Not long after, Kaede Tsukasa left the Root base.
No battle broke out. Everything appeared calm on the surface.
But both Kaede Tsukasa and Danzō knew their cooperation was only temporary. The best-case scenario was to continue working together until one side found a way to restrain the other.
That was always the nature of Danzō and Orochimaru's relationship—constant cooperation coupled with constant suspicion, ready to strike the moment a weakness appeared.
"A troublesome young man," Danzō muttered. "At his age, even Orochimaru might not have been so difficult to handle."
He sat down, studying the dissected Sand shinobi as several medical-nin conducted research, analyzing the body's reactions after receiving an infusion of extra vitality.
Yes—Danzō had not accepted Kaede Tsukasa's technique for himself. He would not recklessly take that risk. But it was only a matter of time.
"A forbidden art that maintains a stable condition, extending my life and increasing chakra reserves and physical strength… but it cannot restore youth. The longer this drags on, the greater my disadvantage. He must be thinking the same."
Danzō let out a cold snort. Each year he aged, his strength and potential diminished. The later he acquired the life-force infusion, the more passive his position became, and in the long run, the greater his loss.
But this was only temporary.
"Terai, contact Aburame Ryōma. Have him negotiate with Orochimaru—inform him of what happened here."
After a moment of silence, Danzō added: "Orochimaru is currently researching the mechanisms of human aging, isn't he? If he learns someone in the village has mastered a forbidden jutsu for immortality, he will never let the chance slip by. Kaede Tsukasa will become my bargaining chip with him."
If Orochimaru could remain eternally in his prime, wielding endless vitality to create vast amounts of chakra without restraint, surely he would not be able to resist.
"Secure this corpse and the Sand shinobi. They are valuable experimental material," Danzō ordered.
Two Root operatives immediately stepped forward to retrieve them.
And at that moment—
From within the mummified zombie's body came a crackling sound.
"Not good!" Danzō's eyelid twitched.
The next instant, a violent explosion tore through the chamber.