"Rin!" Uchiha Obito's voice trembled with emotion as he laid eyes on Nohara Rin once more.
"Obito?!" Rin's eyes widened in shock. Then, as if a weight had lifted, she sighed, "So, I really am dead…"
Her memories were frozen at the moment she became the Three-Tails' jinchuriki and was killed by Kakashi's hand. She had no idea that Obito hadn't died and had gone on to shake the world for her sake. In her mind, this reunion in what she thought was the afterlife only confirmed her death.
Lin Xuan, however, found this puzzling. The Naruto world spoke of a Pure Land where souls rested, yet those revived through the Impure World Reincarnation technique—like Rin, Uchiha Madara, or Senju Hashirama—had no memories of it. What was this so-called Pure Land? Why did the resurrected dead recall nothing of it?
Curiosity gnawed at Lin Xuan, but he had no leads to pursue for now. He'd have to wait for a chance to investigate later.
Obito, meanwhile, had already whisked Rin away, eager to pour out everything he'd held inside. Lin Xuan didn't stop them.
The day after Orochimaru's arrival, Lin Xuan announced the creation of the Ninja Guild's Medical Research Department, with Orochimaru himself appointed as its leader. While Orochimaru's medical ninjutsu might not rival Tsunade's or Hashirama's, his vast knowledge as the ninja world's "scientist" was unmatched. Years of experimental research had armed him with unique medical techniques that no one else could rival.
Still, Orochimaru's true passion lay in experimentation. He only agreed to head the department after striking a deal with Lin Xuan: he'd build the Medical Research Department, and in return, Lin Xuan would fund his experiments and provide a laboratory.
Lin Xuan agreed without hesitation. The department wasn't primarily about healing—it was about research, with medicine serving as a tool for discovery. This aligned perfectly with Orochimaru's ambitions. True to form, Orochimaru worked swiftly, and the department was up and running in no time.
Naturally, Orochimaru wasn't alone. Lin Xuan had revived several ninja skilled in medical ninjutsu to assist him. Under Orochimaru's direction, the department quickly began functioning smoothly, and he started sharing his medical expertise with the team. Once the department was set, he dove headfirst into his experiments.
In just a few days, Orochimaru became convinced he'd made the right choice coming to this world. It was filled with wonders he'd never encountered—each sparking new ideas for his research. The Devil Fruits, which granted extraordinary abilities, fascinated him most of all. He threw himself into studying them with unrelenting focus.
Lin Xuan had no objections. He knew Orochimaru was a scientific fanatic, especially obsessed with immortality. He was eager to see what unexpected breakthroughs Orochimaru might achieve.
Meanwhile, at a secret Revolutionary Army base…
Since returning from the Sabaody Archipelago, Sabo had been visibly troubled. Soon after, he requested leave from Monkey D. Dragon, saying he had personal matters to attend to.
Dragon studied him in silence. He'd noticed Sabo's strange reaction to a newspaper on their way back from Sabaody and had a hunch about what Sabo planned to do. Though he knew, Dragon didn't try to stop him. Sabo was stubborn—if blocked, he'd likely sneak off anyway.
"Sabo, I'm coming with you!" Koala shouted.
"No way!" Sabo shot her down immediately.
His destination was too dangerous. He wasn't even sure he'd survive, let alone risk Koala's life alongside him.
"Be careful and come back soon," Dragon said, clapping Sabo on the shoulder.
"Got it!" Sabo grinned.
With that, he bid farewell to the Revolutionary Army and set sail alone. His plan was to infiltrate Impel Down to rescue Ace, but first, he wanted to find Luffy.
Regaining his memories had rekindled his bond with his two brothers, and he longed to see them. Knowing Impel Down— the world's most impregnable underwater prison—was a deadly gamble, Sabo wanted to meet Luffy before taking the risk.
"I'll save you soon, Ace," Sabo murmured, staring at the horizon.
Three days later, he found Luffy.
The moment Luffy saw Sabo, he broke down in tears. He'd thought Sabo was long dead, and seeing his brother alive overwhelmed him. The reunion, after years apart, was bittersweet.
Sabo had only intended to see Luffy briefly, not drag him into the mission. But Luffy had already read the news about Ace's imprisonment in Impel Down. If Sabo hadn't shown up, Luffy would've likely headed there himself. Now, he insisted on joining Sabo to rescue Ace.
Reluctantly, Sabo agreed.
The two set off together, while Luffy ordered Zoro, Nami, and the others to wait for his signal elsewhere, leaving them behind rather than dragging them into Impel Down's dangers.
Days later, two battered figures appeared before Lin Xuan—Sabo and Luffy. They looked like they'd barely escaped a warzone, their bodies riddled with severe injuries.
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T/N:
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