More than three months passed in a flash.
Inside the Hokage Office.
Orochimaru tapped his fingertips on the desk, his gaze fixed on the stack of research notes labeled "Top Secret" on the table. The notes meticulously recorded data about Rin every day, before and after her revival.
From the soul fluctuation curve to the progress of her body's functional recovery, even the daily Chakra changes after Rin became pregnant were clearly documented.
He pulled out the last page, which had a new test report attached.
The words "Uchiha Ken, three months old, normal Chakra levels, stable eye color, no genetic abnormalities!" were particularly striking.
Last year, he and Tsunade wanted to start Nawaki's revival ceremony, but Rin unexpectedly became pregnant. To verify whether the offspring of a revived person would be normal, they waited for Rin to give birth before preparing to continue the revival plan.
Now, Ken's body was very healthy, and his soul was also normal, finally dispelling all their concerns.
Orochimaru murmured softly, "It seems this Hokage position should indeed be given to Minato."
Becoming Hokage and reviving Nawaki was to make up for past regrets. His ultimate ideal was to pursue immortality and omniscience.
The first step of his plan was complete, and the second step was nearing completion.
His current Hokage position occupied most of his time, and he needed to shed this burdensome role. Minato was undoubtedly the best successor.
The next morning, Orochimaru did not go to the Hokage Building but went to the underground laboratory first.
In the laboratory, Tsunade was standing in front of a cultivation tank, holding a test tube filled with light green liquid, observing the data with a slight frown.
Hearing footsteps, she looked back and saw it was Orochimaru.
Her movements paused slightly as she asked, "You're here so early? Don't you have to deal with official business today?"
Orochimaru sat down at the experimental bench opposite her, lightly tapping the glass wall of the cultivation tank with his fingertips.
Inside the cultivation tank lay a clone cultivated from Nawaki's cells, with skin as fair as a baby's, and life fluctuations as stable as a normal living person.
"Let's revive Nawaki first. After that, I plan to abdicate. Minato is more suitable for handling Konoha. From now on, I want to focus on research."
Tsunade's hand, holding the test tube, tightened abruptly, then slowly relaxed, a complex mix of emotions flashing in her eyes. There was anticipation, relief, and a few imperceptible hints of excitement.
She put the test tube back on the tray, then turned and activated the Nature Cursed Seal on her forehead. Light golden patterns instantly lit up, emitting unique Chakra fluctuations.
"Alright, I'll have Shun come over, and we'll prepare for the revival."
...
At this moment, inside the royal palace in the Land of Water, Shun was sitting in his study, reviewing documents.
The Nature Cursed Seal below his neck suddenly burned, and the familiar Chakra fluctuations made him instantly look up.
The next second, Flying Thunder God activated instantly, and he appeared in the underground laboratory.
Seeing Orochimaru and Tsunade, as well as Nawaki's clone taken from the cultivation tank, he instantly guessed their intention, a knowing smile on his lips.
"It seems you are finally going to start Nawaki's revival ceremony?"
The revival plan had undergone many iterations, and the success rate was almost 100%, so there was nothing to worry about.
Tsunade stepped forward and handed over a thick plan. "That's right. The revival plan has been iterated seven times. Combining the Nature Cursed Seal with the improved Summoning Jutsu, the success rate is almost 100%. Previously, we needed to use Edo Tensei to summon the soul, but now we only need Summoning Jutsu for precise soul summoning, and the recalled soul has very little Edo Tensei aura. The previous sacrifice only had White Zetsu simulate Ryuzetsu's Chakra. Now we have transplanted Ryuzetsu's cells into White Zetsu's body, increasing stability by 30%."
Orochimaru added, "Also, we have cleared all memories from this White Zetsu to prevent anyone from discovering the secret of the revival ceremony by probing its memories."
Shun took the plan and quickly flipped through a few pages.
His gaze fell on the words "Ceremony Location: Hot Spring Valley, Land of Hot Water."
He nodded in agreement, "The Hot Spring Valley in the Land of Hot Water has a complex population and can mask the energy fluctuations of the ceremony. It's a good choice. I will use Flying Thunder God to take you there now, to avoid any complications."
He made hand signs, and the blue light of the Flying Thunder God enveloped Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Nawaki's clone.
The light flashed, and the four had already appeared in a hidden place in the Land of Hot Water.
Here, mist swirled, the hot spring water glowed with a faint pink halo, and the surrounding rocks were covered with runes that shielded Chakra, a site they had prepared in advance.
Tsunade placed Nawaki's clone on the stone platform in the center of the hot spring.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, controlled White Zetsu to walk to the other side, quickly making hand signs.
Dragon Life Reincarnation Jutsu!
Pale green incantations flew from White Zetsu's palm, forming a complex formation in the air. In the center of the formation, a transparent soul phantom gradually emerged, which was Nawaki's soul.
Shun immediately activated the Nature Cursed Seal, injecting golden Chakra into the formation to stabilize the soul fluctuations.
"Quick, before the soul dissipates, begin the fusion."
Orochimaru was already prepared, injecting a temporary life-enhancing nutrient solution into Nawaki's clone, and golden patterns instantly lit up on Nawaki's chest. He waved his hand, and the soul phantom was guided by the Jutsu, slowly merging into the clone's body.
With a soft "Ah," Nawaki's finger twitched slightly, his chest began to rise and fall, and he took faint breaths.
Tsunade's voice trembled slightly as she quickly stepped forward, using medical Chakra to examine Nawaki's physical condition.
"It's a success. Heartbeat is normal, Chakra is stable, and the compatibility between the soul and body has reached 99%."
Watching Nawaki slowly open his eyes on the stone platform, a rare softness flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
He raised his hand to condense Fire Release Chakra, and a stream of flames erupted, instantly incinerating White Zetsu's corpse and all traces of the ceremony.
Shun stepped forward, activating Flying Thunder God again.
"We should go. The barrier here can only conceal for a moment, it will disappear soon."
The blue light shone again, and the four disappeared from the Hot Spring Valley.
When they returned to the laboratory in the Land of Water, Nawaki was already able to sit up with some effort.
He looked at the three people in front of him, his eyes full of confusion. "Orochimaru-sensei? Tsunade-nee? I… wasn't I already dead?"
Tsunade gently patted his shoulder, her eyes red. "Nawaki, we finally revived you."
Orochimaru watched Nawaki, who had regained consciousness, and the stone hanging in his heart finally dropped.
He said with a relaxed expression, "Nawaki has been revived. I have no regrets. Shun, I will submit my resignation and recommend Minato to succeed as the Seventh Hokage."