chapter 118 part 2
"The Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu? Tsukasa Kaede supposedly used this Jutsu to revive himself? What strange wording is that?"
"I see. If zombies are used as sacrifices for the Jutsu, it might circumvent the unknown risks of the Forbidden Jutsu... It probably requires one's life, as a Resurrection Jutsu can't be without a cost."
"There are some vague rumors that zombies once turned to ash under special circumstances. That Tsukasa Kaede, he wouldn't be using a Forbidden Jutsu as if it were just an ordinary high-level Ninjutsu, drawing power from corpses to replenish himself, would he? If that's the Jutsu Cost for the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu, it makes sense."
"Hmm, Sasori of the Red Sand is Chiyo's grandson, and he defected with Tsukasa Kaede..."
Many clues were connecting. Although there were still many unknowns, this delved into the domain of Corpse Release Secret Technique. To this day, Hidan was the only known user of the Corpse Release Secret Technique.
And the intel regarding Hidan was also a mystery; the world still didn't understand how Hidan managed to kill the Four-Tails.
As for Tsukasa Kaede gaining Chiyo's Secret Technique and rising to prominence, no one was particularly critical. Being able to seize a core Forbidden Jutsu that an enemy's higher-ups had diligently studied for years during wartime was not a disgrace; it was a high demonstration of individual talent.
Thus, a question arose: the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu was suspected to be a Resurrection Jutsu, or at the very least, a Jutsu that could replenish Chakra. If Tsukasa Kaede could get his hands on it through Sasori of the Red Sand, then they could also obtain it through certain means.
Directly snatching it from Tsukasa Kaede's hands was unrealistic. Even without the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu, Tsukasa Kaede was already a powerful ninja. Kaedemply mastering the Wood Release Bloodline Limit and single-handedly defeating the One-Tails Jinchuriki already made him someone they couldn't covet.
Logically, some individuals set their sights on Chiyo of the Hidden Sand Village.
"I can't beat Tsukasa Kaede, but can I not beat you, Chiyo?! Old hag, hand over that jutsu! If Tsukasa Kaede can have it, so can I! A mere Hidden Sand Village, with only two Kage-level powerhouses remaining, its younger generation not yet strong enough to carry the burden, and having just suffered a crushing defeat—if not now, then when will we strike?"
At this, the Land of Wind became even more chaotic. The towns were already angry and troubled by the sharp decline in ninja numbers, and now some ill-intentioned individuals poured in, causing a rapid deterioration of public order in the Land of Wind.
Even those who couldn't seize the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu were happy to take advantage of the Land of Wind's military instability to plunder money and other Ninjutsu.
The nobles attributed this to the Hidden Sand Village, hating the Third Kazekage intensely.
"Lord Kazekage, this is the intel from across the country for the past few days. The situation is deteriorating faster than we anticipated."
"I know. Or rather, those who smelled blood reacted so quickly," the Third Kazekage sneered.
Nobles dissatisfied? As if they were ever content before! But there was one thing the Third Kazekage got wrong: he had thought that at this stage, no one would be so reckless as to directly attack the Hidden Sand Village, for a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.
But someone did just that.
Not only individuals were acting, but some ninja villages also mobilized, directly sending troops into the Land of Wind, as if afraid they'd miss out on good things if they arrived late—the Hidden Sand Village's various Ninjutsu and Puppetry were treasures worthy of being passed down for generations in a ninja village, and all were worth plundering.
...
The news reached Konoha Village, setting the entire village ablaze with excitement.
The streets were packed with people, as if everyone had poured out overnight. If Tsukasa Kaede were to comment, he would say this scene resembled a corpse horde migration.
Everywhere, people cheered and shouted excitedly, but face-to-face conversations required yelling to barely catch a word.
Unsurprisingly, everyone was discussing Tsukasa Kaede's glorious feats: single-handedly taking on four thousand Hidden Sand ninja, countering the encirclement of multiple powerhouses, and single-handedly killing Ebizō! Tsukasa Kaede's name as a powerhouse had already been cemented when he single-handedly annihilated three hundred Kumogakure invading troops, and his unique combat style made him irreplaceable.
What had just happened pushed Tsukasa Kaede to an even higher level, earning him the reverence of countless people.
The idea of a "one-man army" had been spoken of before, but no one expected it to be so powerful as to crush thousands of Hidden Sand Village troops!
"Ha, the Hidden Sand Village used to be our sworn enemy, but it's different now. They no longer have the right to call themselves enemies of Konoha Village!"
"As expected of Lord Tsukasa Kaede, the Leaf Devourer really does devour Hidden Sand ninja, hahahaha!"
"The Hidden Sand Village even had its Tailed Beast dealt with by Lord Tsukasa Kaede long ago, yet they still put on such a belligerent display. They're a complete joke in the Shinobi World! Such clowns aren't fit to be our village's enemies!"
Speaking of the glory Tsukasa Kaede brought, even the civilians of Konoha Village puffed out their chests with pride.
As for the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu actually being acquired by Tsukasa Kaede from Chiyo? Such a minor detail didn't cause a stir. Instead, the Jutsu's function itself sparked some discussion; a Resurrection Jutsu would attract attention anywhere.
However, in the Hokage's Office, it was a different scene.
"Me? Go to the Hidden Sand Village to seize the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu?"
Sakumo Hatake thought he had misheard, and confirmed again: "Lord Hokage, is this the content of my mission?"
"Sakumo, this is the Will of the Village."
"Exactly. You just need to execute the mission, and the village will take care of all your worries, providing you with the finest subordinates."
Before the Third Hokage could speak, Advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado pressured Sakumo Hatake one after another.
Because this matter truly was a bit unsavory—Tsukasa Kaede knew the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu, and had mastered it to an incredible degree, perhaps understanding it even better than Chiyo herself.
Ignoring Tsukasa Kaede, who had just earned significant military merit and resolved a major border crisis for the village and the nation, instead secretly dispatching a team to seize a Forbidden Jutsu from an enemy? Sakumo Hatake asked suspiciously, "Forgive my presumption, but why not directly ask Tsukasa Kaede for it? A Forbidden Jutsu of this caliber is entirely worthy of being recorded in the Scroll of Seals, and it seems the Corpse Release Secret Technique can circumvent the Jutsu Cost of Forbidden Jutsu, so—"
"You are an excellent ninja. You should know that the primary purpose of a ninja is to complete missions, not to question why such a mission exists!" Koharu Utatane's face darkened.
As a Konoha higher-up, she had every right to reprimand a top ninja like Sakumo Hatake—after all, she was a disciple of the Second Hokage, one of the village's rulers, and... Sakumo Hatake had the gentlest temperament, making him the easiest to intimidate with authority.