**Chapter 36: The Village Needs Talent Like Tsukasa Kaede**
Tsunade didn't truly delve into the Zombies; she understood, making no attempt to pry into Tsukasa Kaede's Secret Technique secrets.
This greatly improved Tsukasa Kaede's impression of Tsunade, though it was perhaps also due to his open demeanor, having proactively summoned a Zombie.
"You have Araki of the Sand's Corpse, don't you? How long do you think it will take to turn him into combat-ready strength? And how much of his original power will remain?"
"That's hard to say. This is my first time working with a body of this caliber. The modification alone will take several days. As for his strength, a conservative estimate would be over fifty percent."
In reality, it should be over eighty percent. After all, Araki of the Sand hadn't been dead long before Tsukasa Kaede acquired him; he had been infected with the virus while still alive, and partially transformed before his death.
This allowed for the maximum retention of his power from when he was alive, making him Tsukasa Kaede's favorite type of Zombie.
The reason he couldn't perfectly unleash his full living power was because Tsukasa Kaede needed some time to fully convert him into a Zombie, and during this period, the body's vitality would inevitably decline.
There was no helping it; Tsukasa Kaede didn't have enough Chakra to accelerate the conversion, only able to advance it gradually.
"I see. Your Secret Technique is even more impressive than I imagined, capable of utilizing even an Elite Jonin's Corpse."
Tsunade was deeply moved. If he could utilize an Elite Jonin now, with further development, would he be able to use bodies at the Kage level?
Coupled with Space-Time Ninjutsu... this new Secret Technique system was indeed terrifying and held immense potential.
Fortunately, Tsukasa Kaede was a Konoha Ninja! The only pity was that Tsukasa Kaede's body was severely depleted, with too few cells. Even with the Chakra Stimulation Jutsu to boost cell activity and produce more Chakra, his upper limit was extremely restricted.
At this moment, Tsukasa Kaede suddenly said, "Lady Tsunade, your subordinate also hopes to learn the Accelerated Cell Division Technique. You must have it, right? I wish to exchange Military Merit for it."
"Of course, we have it. It's one of the B-Rank Medical Ninjutsu, but the Village rarely teaches this Jutsu to you. Do you know why?" Tsunade's expression was serious.
"I can roughly guess... While Accelerated Cell Division can quickly heal injuries and produce more Chakra, it also shortens one's lifespan."
Tsukasa Kaede smiled, "But you've seen my condition. I have an excellent Secret Technique, but not enough Chakra to fully utilize its power. I might die on the battlefield any day, leaving no future."
Tsunade fell silent for a moment, then Summoned a pile of scrolls. After sifting through them, she finally took one out, removed its Sealing Jutsu on the spot, and handed it to Tsukasa Kaede.
"Kaedence you've already made your decision, I won't say much more. I hope this Jutsu will allow you to go further."
Tsunade knew Tsukasa Kaede was right. lifespan reduction? That wasn't really a drawback. Living in this chaotic world, who could guarantee they would live to a ripe old age?
Tsukasa Kaede walked out of Tsunade's tent, deeply satisfied, and took a deep breath.
Another excellent supplementary method was in hand, valuable whether used on Zombies or on himself.
However, it was ultimately just a supplement. Even if Tsukasa Kaede learned this Jutsu, his physical strength would remain mediocre, never reaching the level of Yakushi Kabuto.
Yakushi Kabuto could withstand Naruto's Rasengan with his body, and even without Hand Kaedegns or Jutsu, his abdominal injuries would heal at a visible rate—for Yakushi Kabuto, he could constantly accelerate cell division.
The active Medical Ninjutsu Tsukasa Kaede cultivated was merely a Passive Buff for Yakushi Kabuto.
And that was just Yakushi Kabuto. For the Uzumaki Clan or the Senju Clan, it went without saying; their abundant Life Force meant their self-healing abilities were astonishing even without doing anything.
"I still need to rely on the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu. I hope Sasori of the Red Sand won't disappoint me." Tsukasa Kaede placed great hopes on Sasori. If even Sasori couldn't accomplish it, his plan would become much more convoluted, requiring other methods to achieve his goal.
He might even have to abandon the path of Self-Sacrifice Reanimation for now, temporarily making do with the Accelerated Cell Division Technique and Chakra Stimulation Jutsu.
Another half month passed, and the situation completely stabilized, with people growing increasingly relaxed.
Some ninja squads would also venture out, either to capture scattered Sunagakure ninja who were previously in hiding, or to transport supplies.
There was also a special situation: finding and protecting Sunagakure teams traveling to the Hidden Leaf Village for negotiations.
Tsukasa Kaede, however, no longer took on missions. In the eyes of outsiders, he was diligently cultivating, either selecting corpses or researching the Ninjutsu he obtained from Tsunade.
Occasionally, Tsukasa Kaede would leave his tent to practice in less populated areas—this behavior was also normal. Sunagakure had been defeated, and negotiations with the Hidden Leaf Village were underway. No one would strictly restrict the personal actions of every ninja as they had in the past.
Tsukasa Kaede constantly dispatched Zombies to roam the vast Forest of Konoha, carving seemingly normal markings on tree trunks and rocks.
Each mark was carefully etched according to the content of the Cipher Book left by Sasori of the Red Sand, conveying different information.
Kaedex days passed consecutively. When Tsukasa Kaede discovered new special markings on the back of a rock, he immediately knew Sasori of the Red Sand had arrived.
"How cautious, another Puppet?" Tsukasa Kaede surveyed the Puppet before him, mobilizing the sparsely scattered Zombies around to try and find Sasori of the Red Sand's Main Body.
"You're not bad either. It seems your strength has increased again during this time; every Corpse is your lookout." Sasori of the Red Sand said, "Don't waste your effort. My Main Body isn't nearby at all, and the one using this Puppet is merely a Clone."
"Be careful not to be discovered by the patrol. Hidden Leaf Village has many excellent Sensor Ninja."
"It doesn't matter if I'm discovered. The war is over, and peace negotiations are still ongoing. Both sides are obligated, in principle, to cease feuds; this is also a way to protect scattered personnel."
Sasori of the Red Sand said coldly, "Even if I am discovered, the worst that can happen is expulsion. Besides you, no one can know my true identity. Compared to me, you're bolder. What, have you prepared for village defection?"
Privately trading with a Sunagakure Ninja, especially sensitive Ninjutsu, was an unforgivable and sensitive act, even in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Sasori of the Red Sand didn't care about Sunagakure. He believed that as a fellow traveler on the path to eternity, Tsukasa Kaede must likewise not care about the Hidden Leaf Village.
"I have Space-Time Ninjutsu and can retreat at any time; you don't need to worry about that. Don't waste time. Do you have the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu?"
Tsukasa Kaede placed the scroll in his hand on the ground: "Let's trade a portion first. I'll offer my Space-Time Ninjutsu: Spatial Rift Jutsu as a bargaining chip."
"You are very sincere."
Sasori of the Red Sand's Puppet also took out a scroll. Although his intuition told him things shouldn't go so smoothly, he couldn't pinpoint where the problem was.
(end of chapter)