As for Kimimaro, sparing him today was only out of respect for their past connection. Next time… he probably wouldn't have a next time.
However, this attack through Edo Tensei (Reanimation) had turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Shigeo had obtained the souls and bodies of four Kage-level shinobi—these would someday become the strongest weapons of Mokunin Village.
The village gates stood wide open. Ninja poured out as Kinse led his unit toward Yakushi Kabuto and Kimimaro.
"Please leave immediately," Kinse warned coldly, "or don't blame us for being rude."
Since the Mokukage-sama hadn't given an execution order, they would allow a chance to retreat. If the intruders refused, they'd have no one else to blame.
Kimimaro watched Shigeo's back as he walked away. His heart twisted with emotions he couldn't name.
The once-famous "Jun no Mo" duo—was it really over forever?
"Shigeo!" Kimimaro suddenly called out. "Do you still remember Haku?"
Shigeo stopped in his tracks. Turning his head, he smiled faintly—a rare expression on his usually cold face. "Of course I remember. He's working under me now. Why? Are you planning to leave Orochimaru? If you've made up your mind, I can change it—let you stay here in Mokunin Village."
His gaze wasn't one of superiority, but of calm vigilance. He knew Kimimaro too well. The boy would never betray Orochimaru.
In Kimimaro's mind, Orochimaru was his guiding light—his purpose for living.
As expected, Kimimaro shook his head. "If you can forgive someone like me, why can't you forgive Orochimaru-sama?" he shouted.
Shigeo chuckled, but didn't answer. He turned and continued walking forward.
Why? Because of character.
Kimimaro, no matter how confused, would never betray his beliefs. Orochimaru, however—whether it was Konoha, the Akatsuki, or his own teacher—saw everything as tools of benefit. To him, loyalty didn't exist.
Of course, that was before he experienced Izanami. Afterward, he did change—but how much, no one could say.
Kimimaro's eyes dimmed. Together with Kabuto, he returned to the base.
Orochimaru lay on a bed, tubes running through his pale body. His host vessel had almost reached the three-year limit. What he needed now was not just a new vessel—but his hands back.
He had already sought Tsunade's help, but with Jiraiya and Naruto's interference, and Tsunade's refusal, that plan had failed.
"How was it? Did Shigeo agree to come?" Orochimaru asked as Kabuto and Kimimaro entered, his eyes scanning behind them.
Kabuto shook his head. "He said unless the Shiki Fūjin (Dead Demon Consuming Seal) is undone, there's no other way."
Orochimaru sighed. He had already guessed this outcome, but still couldn't hide his disappointment. "You used Edo Tensei, didn't you?"
Kabuto lowered his head. "Yes. But it failed."
"I thought so." Orochimaru looked up at the ceiling. "Forget it. We'll find another way."
Peace slowly returned to Mokunin Village. Yet after the battle, the whole village was ablaze with determination. Every ninja trained with renewed intensity.
Shigeo sometimes encountered passionate young shinobi, such as the Ranton (Storm Release) user Hatsufuyu and Hōzuki Tsukiyo of the Hōzuki clan.
After class, the two would often wait at the entrance of the village office, determined to spar with him.
Kinse had warned them several times not to disturb the Mokukage during work. Even the academy instructors had scolded them. But they never listened—and Shigeo's gentle attitude toward the village youth only made them bolder.
And today, they were back again.
"Mokukage-sama! There are no other Ranton users in the village! Please test my progress!"
Normally, Shigeo would train at the Chūnin grounds every evening at five. But these two insisted on one-on-one duels, believing only a personal challenge could prove their strength.
As soon as Hatsufuyu finished speaking, he began forming seals. His speed had improved by nearly thirty percent since their last encounter. Shigeo met him with the chakra level of an ordinary jonin.
When Hatsufuyu's Ranton beam shot forward, Shigeo dodged gracefully, spun, and struck twice with his legs. Hatsufuyu turned to continue his technique—only to find Shigeo's kunai already at his throat.
"Your seals are faster than before," Shigeo said, lowering the blade, "but still too slow. When the enemy's close, don't waste time with seals. Use defensive reactions to buy time. You've advanced to chūnin, but your actual combat experience is too shallow. Take more missions starting tomorrow."
He sheathed the kunai.
On the other side, Hōzuki Tsukiyo launched her attack. Countless droplets formed from the trees and rooftops around the courtyard, shooting toward Shigeo with lethal precision—silent and invisible.
Shigeo neither dodged nor blocked. His chakra level stayed the same. With a spin, Fūton (Wind Release) gathered around him, forming a protective cyclone barrier.
The incoming droplets shattered harmlessly against the spinning air.
"Ah! I get it now!" Hatsufuyu exclaimed from the sidelines. "The way to counter Tsukiyo's technique—Fūton vortexes can block it!"
For days, Tsukiyo's speed and stealth had overwhelmed him. She would vanish and strike from blind angles before he could react. But now he finally had a counter.
As expected of the Mokukage—one simple move from Shigeo could suppress the younger generation completely.
"Not so fast! Take this!" Tsukiyo shouted, attacking again.
Shigeo smiled slightly. He was happy to teach. As Iwagakure's elders once said—the youth are the future of the village. Only when the future is strong can the village thrive.
This time, he mirrored Tsukiyo's technique—using Suiton (Water Release): Dripping Piercer against Hatsufuyu.
Hatsufuyu countered with Fūton (Wind Release): Whirlwind Vortex, successfully deflecting the water bullets. But Shigeo's hand flicked—and the droplets suddenly curved upward, diving through the vortex's open center.
Inside a Fūton vortex, the central zone lacks airflow—a weak point that an experienced shinobi can exploit. Between evenly matched ninja, that flaw was fatal. And if the attacker's chakra was stronger, the water could become blades capable of piercing the vortex entirely.
From inside, Hatsufuyu yelped, "Ah! That hurts!"
"Hahaha! Thank you, Mokukage-sama! Now I know how to beat him!" Tsukiyo laughed, bowing deeply.
Shigeo watched them both, a faint smile on his lips. Yes—they were the future.
(End of Chapter)
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