Chapter 245: The Correct Use of Tailed Beasts
Uchiha Yasushi finally arrived.
Kamekichi led a group from Takumi Village, following behind Shinyo's trio to greet him at the village entrance.
"Well done."
Yasushi praised Shinyo's group briefly before turning his gaze toward Kamekichi.
"My time is limited. I won't waste words."
"The Land of Fire has decided to annex the Land of Rivers. Konoha Village's shinobi will attack here very soon. Prepare for war immediately."
"What?" Kamekichi's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets in terror.
After witnessing true power firsthand, he'd swung from one extreme to another. Now he feared the Five Great Nations to death.
Of course, to some extent, his current judgment wasn't entirely wrong. Takumi Village's strength compared to the Five Great Nations was pathetically weak.
"Lord Yasushi, the Land of Rivers is just a small nation! We possess nothing worth coveting!" Kamekichi protested desperately.
"Who says?" Yasushi looked at him strangely before speaking bluntly: "Your ninja tools sell throughout the shinobi world. That's an enormous business. How could no one want to annex you?"
"Previously, no one made their move for two reasons. First, Konoha Village wanted to maintain the existing shinobi world order and wouldn't permit the Land of Wind to swallow you."
"Second, the other great nations don't border the Land of Rivers. The distance was too great."
"But now the situation has changed. Konoha Village is finished. The Fifth Hokage Jiraiya was killed by his own people. The village is now controlled by the daimyo."
"The Land of Fire wants to devour the Land of Rivers to compensate for losses suffered in the previous war."
"What? How can they do this!" Kamekichi paced frantically. "If the Land of Fire does this, will the Land of Wind just sit by and watch?"
"Didn't expect you to have decent political awareness!" Yasushi smiled, praising him before explaining: "During the previous war, Sand Village's Kazekage Rasa was captured by Konoha Village."
"Though he was released during the final Five Kage Summit, Rasa's prestige suffered tremendously."
"Sand Village is currently consumed by vicious internal conflict. They have no time to concern themselves with Konoha's affairs."
"Moreover, even if they wanted to intervene, with their status as the weakest great nation, their military strength couldn't stop the current Konoha Village."
After hearing Yasushi's words, Kamekichi grew even more anxious. He pondered desperately for a long while before, like a desperate patient trying any medicine, his thoughts turned to his clan's ancestors.
"No! We must find a way to resurrect Ancestor Seimei! Only by resurrecting Ancestor Seimei can we possibly withstand Konoha Village."
"Lord Yasushi, Takumi Village actually possesses the ability to resurrect Ancestor Seimei. But this requires the four sacred ninja tool artifacts and massive amounts of chakra."
"Heh, Seimei?" Yasushi laughed dismissively. "An old blacksmith who knows no combat techniques. He can't even dodge attacks and lacks any defensive abilities. Really quite..."
He was about to refuse, but his thoughts shifted to that vegetative body on the moon. He immediately changed his mind.
Though this Seimei possessed terrible combat abilities, he probably had considerable expertise regarding souls. Yasushi could consult him for relevant knowledge to perfect his own dojutsu.
"Fine. Shinyo, return those ninja tools to Kamekichi. Let him make resurrection preparations."
"As for massive chakra, that's even simpler."
"Shinyo, you've successfully sealed One-Tail's tail, correct?"
"Yes, Lord Yasushi." Shinyo smiled. "All three of us are now pseudo-One-Tail Jinchuriki. Our maximum chakra has increased dramatically, and our sustained combat ability has strengthened considerably."
"However, compared to true Jinchuriki, we're still far inferior. After depleting chakra to a certain extent in battle, the sealed tail chakra disappears. We need to find Shukaku again for replenishment."
"That's sufficient." Yasushi nodded with satisfaction. "To avoid being sealed completely, Shukaku shouldn't mind occasionally having his tail cut off."
"I believe this is the correct use of Tailed Beasts!"
"Just one energy tail without the beast's will, no risk of losing control."
"Simply negotiate with the Tailed Beast. Replenish when depleted."
"Even if the beast refuses, you can forcibly sever the tail!"
"Since you're now a pseudo-Jinchuriki, you'll provide the chakra for Seimei's resurrection!"
Yasushi settled the matter in just a few sentences. Kamekichi listened from the sidelines, utterly dumbstruck.
The dream his Takumi Village had pursued for a century was about to be realized so effortlessly.
Comparing people really made you want to die!
"Rest assured, Lord Yasushi. I'll immediately arrange the resurrection. We can proceed today."
Kamekichi departed and quickly gathered the villagers, explaining the situation. Amid everyone's delighted expressions, he announced:
"Resurrecting Lord Seimei requires one person to voluntarily sacrifice their life. Who's willing to make this offering?"
Originally, Kamekichi had been willing to sacrifice his own life to resurrect Ancestor Seimei. But after being terrified by Yasushi, he'd naturally begun valuing his life more. Now he wanted to find some hothead to substitute for him.
Sure enough, among the youth there were always those spirited individuals willing to make sacrifices. Before he'd even finished speaking, several people enthusiastically raised their hands.
"For Takumi Village's glory! For the Land of Rivers' revival! I willingly offer my life!"
The candidates nearly came to blows over this opportunity. Finally, Kamekichi intervened, selecting someone with whom he had the most distant relationship to execute this "great task."
Those young people who'd harbored grievances against Kamekichi immediately reversed their attitudes upon learning they could resurrect Ancestor Seimei.
"Ah, I knew it! Lord Kamekichi had no reason to compromise with outsiders. He had ulterior motives all along!"
"Once Lord Seimei revives, who cares about the Five Great Nations or Uchiha Yasushi? They'll all have to submit to Takumi Village!"
These flattering words made Kamekichi's face turn green with alarm. He hastily warned them:
"Stop talking nonsense!"
"Everything can wait until after Lord Seimei's revival."
Though confident in his ancestor's strength, Kamekichi's terror of Uchiha Yasushi had become deeply ingrained. By extension, even his trust in his ancestor had diminished.
After selecting the volunteer, the remaining procedures were simple, just follow the established plan.
Everyone gathered at Seimei's grave. After various preparations, the young ninja hosting the ceremony turned to ash while Seimei's withered body gradually became full and ruddy.
In a flash of white light, Seimei was resurrected.