I was born with the blood that serves as the medium of my life — blood that transcends death itself. The forbidden technique known as Reanimation of the Millennium is a secret of the Hidden Sand Village (Sunagakure), a kinjutsu that uses the caster's entire Chakra as a conduit to restore vitality to another being.
It can heal or resurrect the dead — but to bring back the deceased, the caster must sacrifice their own life.
Even among those who have studied under a Kage, few dare to research such a forbidden art.
Chen Xing, of course, was no exception. Once mastered, this technique would defy the natural laws of life and death — something that could change the world.
---
The Land of Wind
The Land of Wind is vast — the largest of the Five Great Nations — but most of it is barren desert. Rainfall is rare, and the Hidden Sand Village lies deep within the endless dunes. The harsh conditions of the desert make it an unforgiving place, yet also the perfect training ground for elite shinobi.
Though the Sand Village's forces are smaller than those of Kumogakure or Konohagakure, its ninja are hardened by survival — each one an elite among elites.
Chen Xing knew that after the disappearance of Sasori of the Red Sand, the Elder Chiyo (Qian Dai) had withdrawn from active duty, living in seclusion with her brother Ebizo (Hai). The two elders no longer concerned themselves with the affairs of Sunagakure — their only wish was to live quietly until the end of their days.
Because the Land of Rivers borders the Land of Wind, it didn't take Chen Xing long to reach the outskirts of the desert. He had already gathered intelligence on the siblings' hidden residence. Now, under the pale light of the moon, he moved toward their secluded compound.
---
Infiltration
The cold desert wind howled through the canyons. Under the moonlight, the sands gleamed a faint silver.
A lone figure — Chen Xing — darted soundlessly across the dunes, his movements so swift that only the faint ripple of sand marked his passage.
"Normally, someone like Chiyo would keep a forbidden scroll like that close at hand," Chen Xing thought, his Chakra suppressed to near nothing. "If not, she'd hide it somewhere deep underground or seal it within a hidden chamber."
His senses sharpened. Within the compound, he detected faint Chakra signatures — two strong presences, both elderly, and another fluctuation below ground.
"There it is," he muttered. "An underground room… perfect."
---
The Distraction
Chen Xing sighed quietly. "I was hoping to take it without a fight… looks like that's not happening."
Forming the Shadow Clone Seal, he whispered,
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."
A puff of smoke appeared beside him, revealing his shadow clone. The clone nodded silently and slipped toward the main building while Chen Xing stepped into the open yard.
With a swift motion, he struck the short wall beside him.
Boom!
A loud crash echoed through the quiet night, scattering stone and sand.
"Who's there!?"
"An intruder!"
Two figures rushed from the main hall. The moonlight revealed them clearly — one was a frail old woman with sharp, piercing eyes, her white hair bound tightly behind her head. The other, taller but equally aged, stood at her side with a grim expression.
There was no mistaking them — Chiyo and her younger brother Ebizo.
---
The Battle Begins
"Who are you?" Chiyo's voice was low and wary. Being disturbed in her secret retreat could mean only one thing — danger.
"Big sister, no need to ask," Ebizo said coldly, his pale eyes narrowing. "I'll deal with him."
They hadn't seen combat in years, but the reflexes of veteran shinobi never dull.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
Chen Xing formed rapid hand seals and exhaled a massive fireball. The roaring sphere of flame surged across the courtyard, illuminating the night.
At the same time, his shadow clone had slipped quietly into the house, scanning the interior. Though dimly lit, it was no challenge for a trained shinobi. The clone began searching the shelves, rifling through scrolls.
"Hm?" the clone muttered, unrolling one. "Wind Release: Vacuum Blade… Wind Scythe Jutsu… not bad, but not what I'm looking for."
He tossed the scroll aside and continued searching. The sound of distant explosions masked his movements perfectly.
---
Chiyo and Ebizo Counterattack
Outside, Ebizo's hands flew through a rapid sequence of seals.
"Doton: Doryūheki!"
A massive earthen wall erupted from the ground, intercepting the fireball.
Boom!
Flames and sand blasted into the night sky, scattering embers into the wind.
"Release!" Chiyo shouted, unsealing a scroll from her sleeve. With a flick of her wrist, Chakra threads shot from her fingertips, connecting to a puppet that sprang to life with a clack of joints.
The wooden figure lunged forward, its claws gleaming under the moonlight as it charged at Chen Xing.
---
The Secret Chamber
Inside, Chen Xing's shadow clone paused. He had found what he was looking for — a faintly glowing seal on the floor beneath the bed. Placing his hand on it, he infused a small pulse of Chakra. The floor trembled, and a faint outline appeared.
With a low rumble, the panels slid open, revealing a hidden staircase descending into darkness.
"So that's where it is…" The clone's eyes gleamed violet as it descended.
At the bottom lay a small underground laboratory — lined with shelves of scrolls, glass vials, and ancient puppetry tools. A faint medicinal scent hung in the air.
On a single desk rested a sealed scroll with markings of a forbidden jutsu.
The clone's eyes widened. "Found it."
He grabbed the scroll and immediately dispersed, sending the memory back to the original.
---
The Retreat
Above ground, the battle raged. Chen Xing evaded the puppet's spinning blades, weaving between the attacks.
Suddenly, he smiled — the signal had been sent.
"Time to go."
In a blur of violet Chakra, Chen Xing vanished using Body Flicker Technique (Shunshin no Jutsu), leaving only swirling sand in his wake.
"Wait—!" Chiyo shouted, but the intruder was already gone.
All that remained was the lingering heat of the battle and the faint smell of smoke in the cold desert air.
---
End Scene
In the distance, upon a dune, Chen Xing reappeared. He unfurled the stolen scroll, the moonlight reflecting off its ancient ink.
"The Millennium Reanimation… finally mine."
The desert wind howled again, scattering the sand around him like whispers of the dead.
