Chapter 142 - Edo Tensei
Following Kazane's suggestion, Orochimaru had now created something new—the refrigerator.
For a genius scientist like Orochimaru, all it took was a rough explanation of the underlying principles, and he could reverse-engineer the device's structure with ease.
Now that the fridge had been invented, life in the village would no doubt become much more convenient.
Beyond electric lights and refrigerators, many other groundbreaking, modern inventions had already been developed by Orochimaru—but there was no need to list them all here.
"Kazane, this will be the last time. We've already spent enough time on these things," Orochimaru said seriously, pulling Kazane from his moment of joy.
"If I weren't the Hokage, I wouldn't waste my precious time every day building devices I personally have no use for," he added.
For the past year, in order to improve the villagers' quality of life, Orochimaru had put his main research—immortality techniques—on hold.
But now that the essential goals had been achieved, it was time to resume his true pursuit: the study of eternal life.
Even while working on these machines, his mind had remained active. He had already formed some promising ideas for achieving immortality. All that remained was to validate them through experimentation.
Orochimaru turned to Kazane with a trace of regret in his eyes. "It's a pity… among you and your peers, there's no one who can join me in exploring the forbidden sea of knowledge that is the art of immortality. That realm is far broader than the mere pursuit of strength."
"No matter how strong you become, Kazane, in a hundred years, you'll still be nothing but a pile of bones."
"The human body, no matter how powerful, will eventually decay. Only the soul can enjoy true immortality."
Hearing this, Kazane felt sympathy for Orochimaru.
So many thoughts and ideas in his head, yet no one to help him bring them to life. Kazane made a mental note to find him an assistant soon.
But he also knew that what Orochimaru needed more than anything now… was validation.
So Kazane said, "Orochimaru-sensei, I completely agree with you. I've always believed that behind all science… lies theology. As long as you keep pushing toward your goal, I'm sure you'll one day uncover the key to human immortality."
In truth, Kazane already knew of one simple path to immortality in this world—becoming the Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails.
And at this point in time, where few powerful enemies existed, if Kazane truly wanted to pursue that route, it would be well within reach.
But to him, immortality wasn't necessarily a good thing. Watching your friends and loved ones die one by one before your eyes… that was a different kind of torment.
If not for being born into this chaotic world, Kazane had always dreamed of a peaceful life— Finding a decent job, earning a modest income… marrying a woman who wasn't too beautiful, but not too ugly either… having two kids, a daughter first, then a son…
Then, when his daughter married and his son became independent, he'd retire and live a quiet life playing chess or Go… and die peacefully before his wife.
That was the life he truly longed for.
But since fate had brought him into this broken world, Kazane had no choice but to raise his blade in defense of what he held dear—and to fight against the cruelty of the ninja world.
He believed firmly that once his plans came to fruition, this world could become peaceful—just like the great nation from his previous life.
But first, he faced a major challenge: Konoha's population was simply too small.
Even if he forcibly united the ninja world through strength, Konoha lacked the manpower to govern it all. Worse, constant conflict would continue to deplete its resources and people.
So Kazane's plan over the next few years was to focus on advancing the village's science and population. Once people's lives became easier and more comfortable, he would gradually absorb the Land of Fire—and eventually assimilate the entire shinobi world.
Once every person could live a warm, well-fed life through honest work, then even if someone tried to incite war, the people wouldn't blindly follow.
Soft power would unite the ninja world—and bring lasting peace.
And if anyone dared to obstruct that plan, Kazane would cut them down with his three blades.
At that moment, Orochimaru sensed Kazane's genuine support.
Though no one in the shinobi world had ever truly achieved immortality, Orochimaru believed that goal would be realized through his own hands.
He also believed there was one person who could help him.
"Kazane, come with me. I want to show you something," Orochimaru said.
Kazane nodded and followed him out of the lab.
As they walked, Orochimaru explained, "In the Sealing Scroll you gave me, I found a powerful forbidden technique—'Edo Tensei,' the Reanimation Jutsu."
"I also discovered that most of the forbidden jutsu listed there were created by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama."
"It's clear that Tobirama was an extraordinary ninja. If he were alive today, I'm sure with our combined intellects, we could achieve immortality."
As he spoke, Orochimaru led Kazane into a wide, empty underground chamber carved into the mountains.
He stopped and turned to Kazane, continuing, "That's why, Kazane—I want to use Edo Tensei to bring back the Second Hokage."
Orochimaru locked eyes with Kazane. While he trusted Kazane would support him, reanimating the dead was a taboo act, and he feared Kazane might try to stop him.
No one understood Kazane's strength better than Orochimaru. A year ago, it would've taken five or more top-level ninjas to hold him off.
But now, to Kazane, top-tier shinobi and ordinary ones might as well be the same.
Even the reanimated First Hokage likely wouldn't be able to defeat Kazane.
If Kazane tried to stop him… Orochimaru doubted he could achieve his goal before old age took him.
But Kazane had already guessed Orochimaru's intentions the moment he mentioned Edo Tensei—and he had no reason to object.
He had just been thinking about how to find Orochimaru an assistant. In fact, even if Orochimaru hadn't brought it up, Kazane had planned to propose reviving Tobirama himself.
After all, no one can change the world alone. As someone who came from a modern society, Kazane had always planned to help Orochimaru assemble a proper research team—maybe even create a dedicated science department at the Ninja Academy.
Human progress should never depend on a single person, but on generation after generation of pioneers.
Kazane could also see the subtle shift in Orochimaru's demeanor.
The old Orochimaru would've revived Tobirama without a second thought. The fact that he now asked for permission showed that he no longer saw himself as a lone wolf.
He had begun to value others' opinions.
Kazane met his gaze seriously. "Orochimaru-sensei, I support you fully. If anyone tries to stop your research, I'll deal with them myself."
Orochimaru stared deeply at him.
But he was never one to reveal his softer emotions.
So instead, he simply nodded and turned toward the center of the chamber, forming hand seals.
Swish! Swish! Swish, swish! Clap!
Tiger – Snake – Dog – Dragon – Seal!
Summoning Technique: Edo Tensei!!!
With a thunderous clap of his hands, a yellow wooden coffin rose vertically from the ground.
When it reached its full height, the lid fell off, slamming onto the floor and kicking up a cloud of dust and smoke.
But both men were elite shinobi and could see through the haze with ease.
A man clad in ancient armor stood within the coffin—tall, stern-faced, with upright white hair.
It was none other than the Second Hokage of Konohagakure—Senju Tobirama.
He slowly lifted his head and opened eyes that had been shut for years, stepping out of the coffin.
Crack, crack, snap!
After a brief stretch, Tobirama examined the two men before him and was quietly surprised.
As the strongest assassin of his era, he could vaguely sense their power.
The black-haired man with a cold expression possessed immense chakra—clearly the one who had cast Edo Tensei.
That was to be expected. Anyone capable of summoning him would naturally be strong.
But the silver-haired youth beside him—seemingly harmless, with little visible chakra—triggered a deep sense of dread in Tobirama's heart.
Though he lacked bulging muscles like the brutes of Kumogakure, and his chakra felt faint, Tobirama's instincts screamed at him.
If he made a move against that boy—his body would collapse in the very instant he attacked.