The next day, Naruto secretly contacted Konoha.
The purpose was to discuss the transfer of several Edo Tensei resurrected individuals who had been sealed during the battle at Konoha.
The contact person was Shikaku Nara.
"Konoha's own Edo Tensei individuals, after careful consideration, we decided to keep. The resurrected individuals from other villages are all listed here," Shikaku explained.
Naruto looked at the nearly hundred human-shaped bandages scattered across the ground and asked, "Have they all been freed from the control of Edo Tensei?"
Shikaku nodded, "Yes, they were stripped of consciousness by Kabuto Yakushi, unable to actively cooperate with the sealing. To prevent Kabuto from undoing the Edo Tensei and using them again, we immediately used the Shadow Imitation Technique and Mind Body Switch Technique together to control them and seal the release of Edo Tensei."
"But considering many of them are dangerous individuals or ninjas who have opposed Konoha, we sealed them again. Naruto, from now on, you will lead them. Use any method you like, as long as they don't threaten the ninja world."
Naruto smiled, "Don't worry~ No matter how vicious they were, they will serve the ninja world in the future!"
Shikaku asked, "By the way, how is Anko?"
Anko Mitarashi, who was kidnapped by Naruto to resurrect Orochimaru, became a target for Danzo to discredit Naruto by killing Anko's teammates.
In Shikaku's view, when Naruto clears his name in Konoha, Anko will be crucial. If she is returned to Konoha, Danzo and the Root will surely target her.
Therefore, he suggested Naruto keep Anko in Amegakure and protect her well, waiting for the right moment for Anko to clear everything up herself.
Naruto replied, "She's doing well~ But it seems the time isn't ripe yet."
Shikaku agreed, "Yes, although Danzo is dead, the Root hasn't been completely eradicated. Those remaining in Konoha are under close surveillance, but many of Danzo's loyalists have fled the village, and Konoha is pursuing their whereabouts. Among them, pay special attention to one person!"
Naruto stroked his chin, "Are you referring to Ryoma Aburame?"
Shikaku nodded, "Correct, Ryoma Aburame is a rare elite of the Aburame clan. During Orochimaru's time serving the Root, he teamed up with Ryoma, who mastered the most terrifying insect techniques of the Aburame clan. The poison of these insects surpasses even Torune Aburame's nano-scale poisonous insects, capable of parasitizing the human body, controlling the nervous system, and killing invisibly!"
"When Danzo contacted Kabuto, he brought Ryoma along. After Danzo's death, Ryoma disappeared. He was Danzo's confidant and won't give up easily. If he attacks openly, he is no match for you, but with his outstanding intellect, he will surely choose to act covertly. Keep a close watch!"
Naruto nodded, "Don't worry, Shikaku. As they say, a lion uses all its strength to catch a rabbit. I won't underestimate anyone!"
Shikaku admired, "No matter how powerful you become, maintaining caution will surely keep you undefeated!"
Naruto raised his hand, and swish! swish! swish!
The human-shaped bandages floated into the air.
Naruto said, "I'll take these Edo Tensei individuals back. Please give my regards to Lady Tsunade."
"Oh, Naruto," Shikaku wisely remarked, "Hinata's transformation is related to you, isn't it?"
Naruto sighed, "Your keen insight misses nothing."
Shikaku smiled, "Then I'm relieved."
In an unknown hideout in the Land of Grass.
Scratch!
Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!
Crash!
Wooden branches sprouted from Sasuke's arm, forming a stream that slammed into the mountain wall!
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "Is this Wood Release? I can feel my chakra is more abundant than before."
Kabuto chuckled, "The cells of Hashirama enhance physical energy, even a small implant brings significant improvement to Sasuke."
Sasuke pondered, "There's a white Zetsu named Tobi with Obito who also uses Wood Release. What's his origin?"
"Tobi?" Kabuto adjusted his glasses, "He's a very special white Zetsu, born from the Gedo Statue, inheriting Hashirama's Wood Release power."
With the acquisition of Wood Release, Sasuke grew interested in matters related to Hashirama's cells.
"Those white Zetsu seem to have a lifespan longer than Hashirama himself. How is that possible? Aren't they degraded products of Hashirama's cells?"
"Good question~" Kabuto smiled, "Through years of experiments with Orochimaru, we discovered Hashirama's cells have two main traits: animal and plant."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "Animal? Plant?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, "Animal traits mean being a flesh-and-blood person, with metabolism, needing food and excretion, bleeding when injured, aging and dying, but with extremely high power potential, nearly god-like. The true power of Wood Release requires animal traits, and Hashirama himself is the maximized embodiment of animal traits."
"Plant traits, on the other hand, are essentially plants, not humans. The white Zetsu's Hashirama cells are all plant traits. They're like walking, self-aware trees, so unless killed, they can exist for a long time. The downside of plant traits is weak power; most white Zetsu can't even use Wood Release. That white Zetsu named Tobi is the maximized embodiment of plant traits. You can even see Tobi as Hashirama's plant form!"
Tobi, the special white Zetsu born from the statue, is the maximized embodiment of Hashirama's plant traits, called the "Child of the Statue" by Orochimaru.
Sasuke nodded, "I see."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, "Additionally, Obito's Hashirama cells also come from white Zetsu, inheriting their plant traits. He survives without eating, but because half of his body is human, he still ages and dies."
Sasuke murmured, "That guy has so many secrets. I knew nothing about him before."
Kabuto said seriously, "But don't worry~ No matter how strong Obito is, he can't awaken the Rinnegan! Only Sasuke can become the second Sage of Six Paths!"
Sasuke closed his eyes, deep in thought, "The Rinnegan, huh?"
Kabuto stood up, "To achieve this goal, we need a long journey ahead. Sasuke, get ready to set off."
Sasuke asked, "Where are we going?"
Kabuto replied mysteriously, "I'll tell you when the time is right. Just follow me obediently."
Wearing a cloak, a hat, and carrying luggage, Kabuto gazed at the sky, his vertical pupils reflecting a sage's wisdom and restraint.
"The mystery of Asura's reincarnation, after much consideration, has finally reached a reliable conclusion!"
"First, exclude Hashirama's son because Hashirama hadn't died during that period, so reincarnation couldn't occur in his son."
"It can't be Nawaki either, as he's already dead."
"Then there's only one possibility left!"
"The son of Hashirama, whose cause of death is unknown, left descendants in secret!"
"Asura's reincarnation is among those descendants!"
Whoosh!
The wind sneaks in at night, the road is long and winding!
Kabuto's gaze was resolute.
"I must find the Senju's last heir!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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