Sometimes, words cannot be spoken too plainly.
Emiya Shihara found it difficult to be straightforward with Senju Tobirama. To simply say, if I am truly resurrected, I can heal your elder brother, would raise suspicion.
Tobirama was inherently suspicious. If Shihara laid his cards on the table, Tobirama would surely suspect that his resurrection was part of some elaborate scheme.
And indeed, it was a scheme.
But precisely because it was a scheme, it required careful nurturing and subtle design—otherwise, it would be easily uncovered.
However—
Tobirama was somewhat naive, barely concerned with whether Shihara could truly be resurrected. His focus was solely on the mysterious Yang Power that could save his elder brother's life.
"Lord Emiya, what exactly is this Yang Power?" Tobirama furrowed his brow and began analyzing on his own: "This force seems connected to yang-natured chakra. I recall yang chakra being the foundation of many miraculous secret arts, and medical ninjutsu relies heavily on yang chakra…"
Like the Akimichi clan in Konoha.
Tobirama knew the Akimichi specialized in secret techniques developed from yang chakra—such as the Expansion Jutsu, which could temporarily enlarge the body and amplify strength to tremendous levels.
"That's right," Shihara nodded. "Yang Power is the ultimate form of yang chakra."
He began to explain the concept of Yang Power as enticingly as possible: "Yang Power can create life from nothing. It can regenerate severed limbs, rapidly heal damaged organs…"
When Shihara's gaze lingered regretfully on the sickbed where Senju Hashirama lay, he added softly, "Naturally, it can also restore life to those whose vitality has been exhausted—allowing them to continue living."
Tobirama's curiosity grew. He asked the pivotal question: "Then… how can a ninja cultivate their yang chakra to such an extreme? How does one gain access to Yang Power?"
"It's no easy task," Shihara sighed, eyes flickering. "The simplest way is if someone already possessing Yang Power shares it with another person…"
"Your elder brother," he said quietly.
"Is the most suitable candidate for me to share my Yang Power with."
A faint green chakra shimmered in Shihara's palm, then dissipated. He looked away, a touch of regret in his voice: "Unfortunately, my Yang Power vanished completely during this resurrection. I have no idea why…"
Tobirama exhaled deeply.
"My apologies," he said, taking responsibility. "This is my fault. There was a problem with my Reanimation Jutsu—the first time I've used it…"
"No matter."
Shihara didn't blame Tobirama. Instead, he comforted him while laying a trap: "Perhaps because this body isn't the one I had in life, or maybe it disappeared in the afterlife…"
Tobirama nodded, brow furrowed.
"???"
Shihara wondered inwardly.
Wait—
You really think it's my fault?
Not you, the one botching the Jutsu. Surely it can't be me, an ancient predecessor from the bygone era, who made the mistake.
For the reanimation to succeed, I deliberately kept my soul in the afterlife, even actively cooperating during the summoning!
If I hadn't cooperated…
Then the success of this crude technique would truly be a miracle.
How frustrating.
At this point, Shihara had no choice but to make do.
At least he could justify remaining in the living world, even if only as a reanimated body. There might still be opportunities ahead—after all, he had left contingency plans in his past.
"Enough," Shihara sighed as he looked at Hashirama lying in bed. "I'll try other medical methods now. First, I'll suppress the chakra within his body to prevent his rapid self-healing from causing uncontrolled cellular regeneration…"
"That won't be easy."
Tobirama approved Shihara's approach but remained skeptical: "My elder brother's chakra is incredibly strong. Containing it won't be simple…"
"Indeed, it is powerful."
Shihara raised a finger, from which a patch of jet-black chakra glowed faintly. "Almost rivaling your clan's ancestor, Ashura…"
Tobirama's gaze darkened.
"That is…"
"A Cursed Seal."
Shihara explained, "This seal is formed from natural energy. It can suppress chakra use—if one tries to access chakra recklessly, the seal restricts their movement…"
"I'm not sure if it will work on him," Shihara added cautiously. "Because the patient's body shows signs of having mastered Sage Mode, he might easily adapt to the seal's energy, rendering it ineffective."
"Natural energy… could you let me feel it?" Tobirama requested. "I have some knowledge of jutsu. Perhaps I can help improve it…"
That was perfect.
Shihara's hesitation struck the right balance—Tobirama, too, was conflicted. He trusted Shihara but felt uneasy doubting the seal's power. Though he knew Shihara bore no ill will, when it came to his brother, he preferred to personally oversee everything.
"I'm just worried," Shihara said, a trace of unease on his face.
"What troubles you?" Tobirama raised an eyebrow.
"This isn't a common medical jutsu," Shihara admitted sincerely. "Though the seal temporarily suppresses chakra, once the subject masters it, they can merge with the seal and gain even greater chakra power…"
"I fear…"
"That the seal's power will spread like chakra itself…"
"And be used in conflicts…"
Shihara sighed deeply, recalling the past: "When the Sage of Six Paths and the Shinobi sect spread chakra, many feared it would be used for war. Ashura and I hoped people would use chakra to ease suffering…"
"But now…"
"Our hopes were naïve."
"Lord Emiya," Tobirama said, understanding Shihara's fears and offering comfort: "It's not your fault."
"The real fault lies not with power itself, but with the endless greed of some hearts."
"Rest assured," Tobirama vowed, raising his palm with cold resolve, "I will never divulge the seal's secret."
"And if I ever use it for conflict, may my soul never find peace in the afterlife!"
"You don't need to go that far…" Shihara's eye twitched slightly.
Seriously…
Does Tobirama really not understand?
A man who developed the Reanimation Jutsu, disturbing the souls of others, still believes his own spirit will rest in peace? What a fanciful thought.
But…
Since Tobirama swore such a solemn oath…
Shihara had no choice but to oblige and impart the cursed seal.
If Tobirama ever discovers a problem and wishes to undo the Reanimation, the seal would give Shihara a countermeasure.