The purified chakra flowed into the altar, forming the basis of the summoning.
At last, the avatars of the goddesses descended.
The entire process was carefully recorded by Orochimaru. Every movement, every fluctuation of energy — he intended to send this invaluable record to the Eternal God's chat group for the gods to review.
When the summoning succeeded, everyone present released the sealing marks they had drawn upon the ground. Those marks represented the energy required for the ritual.
Even with divine assistance, the three goddesses had consumed nearly ten thousand units of chakra combined.
The sheer cost made it clear: only a true goddess could maintain such a presence.
Tsunade looked at Orochimaru, her lips curving into the faintest smile.
"Long time no see."
"Yes… Lord Goddess." Orochimaru bowed with humility, using the reverent etiquette of the Eternal God's religion.
Hinata Hyūga turned to them. "I'll return to the Hyūga clan first. We'll begin action tomorrow."
Samui chuckled softly. "I'll also head back home. It's been too long."
Since entering the God Realm, Samui had only served the gods once — not as a favored consort, but simply as a woman acknowledged. Yet even that had been enough.
Her heart had changed. She was no longer the same kunoichi who once lived only for her village. She was now a goddess, and though she knew her talent was modest, her figure alone could not carry her forever. She would have to work harder.
Tsunade nodded in quiet agreement. Then she strolled alongside Orochimaru through the streets — streets both familiar and alien.
This Tsunade was not the weary, jaded woman of the past. As a goddess, her youth had returned, her beauty radiant, her aura carrying an unmistakable divine glow. Her features, softened by Liu Che's favor, shone with a happiness that made her even more striking.
Ordinary people could not even look at her directly. The weight of divinity pressed on their spirits, forcing their gazes down.
When they were alone, Orochimaru whispered, "It seems the Lord God cares greatly for you."
"It's nothing," Tsunade replied casually. "Now tell me: what's the real reason you called us here? If it were something as simple as summoning slugs, you wouldn't be so urgent."
Orochimaru chuckled low. "Sasuke found the passage of the Ōtsutsuki clan. The boy has been working tirelessly, all in secret. He's united most of the shinobi forces under his lead. But…"
He lowered his voice. "On the moon, he encountered resistance. When I joined him, I realized the Ōtsutsuki clan are far more troublesome than we expected."
Tsunade frowned, halting her steps. "Troublesome? Even with your strength?"
Orochimaru sighed. "The clan was divided by civil war. But the moment we arrived, they set aside their disputes and turned their entire might against us. Their numbers are vast. Their powers… overwhelming."
The Ōtsutsuki were no fools. Every one of them possessed the Rinnegan. Even after a thousand years of infighting, they could still unite when faced with outsiders.
He continued bitterly. "We fought ten days straight, Sasuke and I. Together we managed to slay a squad of over a hundred. Even their leader was badly wounded. But they have armies — entire worlds under their control. They've planted sacred trees across multiple planets. Their reach goes beyond this one world."
Tsunade's expression softened into a smirk. "Then the solution is simple. Tomorrow you'll see what true greatness means. Prepare their relics, Orochimaru. Tonight, I will bring them back."
"You…?"
"What, you don't believe me?"
He hesitated. Resurrection had always been his dream, his obsession. To see Tsunade speak of it so lightly stirred disbelief.
"I was given an oracle," Tsunade said firmly. "My path is life magic. Resurrecting the dead is my duty."
Orochimaru fell silent. Life magic. No wonder.
If the Eternal God willed it, then it would be so.
Soon, Orochimaru gathered the relics:
A letter penned by Hizashi Hyūga.
The hitai-ate once worn by Kushina Uzumaki.
The blade of Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha.
The scroll beloved by Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki.
A fragment of clothing belonging to Rin Nohara.
A photograph of Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha.
The robes once worn by Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.
Only Naruto stood watching. The rest of his comrades were away, locked in battle on the starry battlefields.
"All is ready," Orochimaru said solemnly.
Tsunade stepped forward. She knelt before the relics and began tracing intricate seals of resurrection. Green light coiled around her fingers, weaving into the shape of divine lotus blossoms.
Minutes stretched into hours.
At last, she raised her hands. "Life Magic: Fate's Resurrection!"
Boom.
Six radiant beams of light shot skyward. The relics were engulfed in blossoming lotus flowers, filling the air with an intoxicating fragrance.
The scent spread through the city.
"Do you smell that?"
"It's like… flowers. Divine flowers."
"Look, it's coming from the temple!"
Crowds gathered, drawn by the fragrance. They arrived to see eight massive lotus blooms shining at the temple gates.
"The goddess is casting a spell…"
"What kind of power is this? It feels more sacred than any ninjutsu I've ever seen. Just being near it makes me want to kneel."
Life magic — the most sensitive of all arts to the living. Even those not directly affected could feel its blessing.
For three hours the lotus flowers blazed. Then, with a sharp crack, they split apart.
One after another, figures stepped forth.
Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash, and his wife Kushina Uzumaki.
Rin Nohara, smiling faintly.
Hizashi Hyūga, eyes calm.
Nawaki Senju, Tsunade's beloved brother.
Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang.
Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, solemn and dazed.
They looked around in confusion.
"Am I… already dead?" Sakumo murmured. "I was just in the underworld…"
"My dear…" Kushina gasped. Her eyes fell instantly on Naruto. Her heart lurched. "That… that's our son!"
Tears blurred her vision. She rushed forward, arms outstretched.
The others stood stunned, struggling to process the impossible.
Orochimaru stepped in smoothly. "Words cannot capture what has happened. All you need know is that war and pain no longer rule this place. From today forward, there will be no more needless death."
Minato scanned the unfamiliar cityscape — gleaming towers, verdant gardens, and a temple towering a hundred meters tall. His instincts screamed danger.
He turned sharply, kunai in hand. "Orochimaru! What have you done? Where is Konoha? Where are the Third Hokage and my teacher?"
His killing intent surged.
Instantly, divine pressure fell upon him like a mountain.
Crash!
Minato was driven to his knees, his face pressed into the dirt.
"Father!" Naruto cried, running to him.
"Do not worry," Orochimaru said smoothly. "Your father is unharmed. He merely needed a lesson. A goddess just resurrected him, yet he showed no gratitude — only hostility. Such disrespect is unforgivable before the divine."
The White Fang stiffened. His eyes darted to Tsunade, scarcely believing what he saw. Could she truly be a goddess?
Just then, Hinata Hyūga approached, flanked by Neji and Hanabi.
"My sister's hand is fast," Hinata said lightly. "I thought the resurrection would wait until tomorrow."
Tsunade smiled faintly. "Tomorrow there are greater battles. I have no wish to linger here."
For her, the mortal world held no nostalgia. Resurrecting Nawaki had been her final obsession. Now that it was fulfilled, her heart lay only with the Eternal God.
The older generation of shinobi stared at Hinata, baffled by her strange attire and the rippling aura of the Rinnegan.
She spoke clearly: "We are goddesses of the Eternal God. Do not be alarmed. This resurrection was permitted by the chief priest. Your families fight on the front lines, so you will not see all your loved ones yet.
Rin, for example — Obito has fought for you, but he was led astray by foolish choices. And Sakumo Hatake, you committed suicide… have you considered what that meant for your son?
You placed the weight of your despair on the next generation."
Her words fell like hammer blows.
Fugaku and Mikoto paled, thinking of Sasuke's lonely path. Shame carved lines across their faces.
When Hinata finished, Orochimaru spread his arms. "The era of ninja villages is over. From now on, you may act freely. If you wish to see your families, come with us tomorrow to the Ancient Starry Sky."
Fugaku lifted his head. "Are… my sons there?"
"Yes," Orochimaru replied. "Both of them."
Relief flickered in Fugaku's eyes. He turned to Mikoto. "Tomorrow, we'll go. Hinata was right — I've been too irresponsible. Always running from what I should have faced."
Mikoto nodded softly.
And so, in the Eternal God's light, the dead returned — and the era of shinobi began its final transformation.