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"Just as I thought, Tobirama… you've resumed your human experimentation again, haven't you…"
Akio sighed, following Tobirama to a place that had once been destroyed by Hashirama's Wood Release.
At some point, the area had been cleared out again. As Akio walked in behind Tobirama, he noted with surprise that everything looked exactly as it had before—the same summoning beast corpses, the same human organs.
But what was different now was the intense fluctuation of chakra throughout the space. Judging by that, Tobirama must have captured quite a few people during the war.
"This chakra…" As they delved deeper, Akio sensed a somewhat familiar chakra signature.
"Sensei. Elder Akio."
A familiar figure turned the corner ahead, making Akio frown in annoyance.
Tobirama acknowledged him briefly before continuing on. Akio followed him further into the depths.
"Tobirama," Akio hesitated before speaking, "I never strongly opposed your research into Edo Tensei. But why involve Danzo?"
"Hiruzen wasn't suitable. Among my students, only Danzo has the potential," Tobirama replied flatly.
"But you…" Akio started, then stopped himself.
"Don't worry, Second-Granduncle. Danzo is only exposed to the peripheral aspects," Tobirama replied with a smile.
Akio said no more, thinking to himself, Tobirama, you might be underestimating that student of yours. I might end up cleaning up his mess someday… Being an elder isn't easy. Still, if Tobirama sees potential in Danzo as an assistant for human experimentation, perhaps he has some awareness of the risks.
They reached the deepest area—a corridor of prison cells. Inside each cell was an unconscious individual, likely drugged with a powerful sedative. Akio glanced around, unable to even count how many prisoners were there.
"These are all enemy ninja captured during the war who refused to surrender," Tobirama explained upon seeing Akio's expression.
"I've already guessed who you wanted me to see. I admit I'm a little curious, but…" Akio shook his head. "Forget it. I won't lecture you. I'm sure you've already been scolded plenty."
Tobirama gave a bitter smile. "Looks like I'm going to get scolded again."
"Edo Tensei!"
Tobirama rapidly formed four hand signs and pressed his hands together.
A coffin slowly rose from the ground, opening to reveal a familiar face.
Hashirama, newly reincarnated, looked confused for a moment—then quickly formed hand seals.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Clearly, he had been prepared.
"Big Brother!" Tobirama froze in shock, not expecting Hashirama to launch an attack so quickly.
Akio smiled wryly. "This time it's my real body. I'd rather not be buried alive by you. And Tobirama—how many times have you reincarnated your brother? He's even trying to bury you now."
"Storm Release: Severing Laser Lattice!"
A stream of lightning laser shot from Akio's hand, cutting down every sprouting tree. The Wood Release spread was limited—clearly, the sacrificial offering used to summon Hashirama wasn't very strong, so only a fraction of his power had been restored.
"Hashirama, trying to bury your second granduncle again?"
Only then did Hashirama notice Akio. He sighed. "Second-Granduncle… why are you helping Tobirama with this nonsense?"
"Haha, well, since nonsense is already happening, might as well enjoy the reunion," Akio replied with a grin.
"Big Brother, don't act recklessly!" Tobirama remained on guard, wary of another outburst.
"I'm the one acting recklessly?" Hashirama shook his head, exasperated.
"Let's not get hung up on that, Hashirama," Akio interrupted. "Let's talk about the afterlife. Your granduncle is curious."
Hashirama paused for a moment. "Second-Granduncle, honestly… I don't really know much either."
"The moment I died, I remembered many people… but the only one I actually saw was Father, sitting beside a bonfire."
He scratched his head, looking awkward.
"I thought I'd see a few of my brothers down there, but nope—just Father. And he scolded me good."
Akio chuckled. "The former clan leader of the Senju? I bet he chewed you out for not wiping out the Uchiha."
"Ah… he said that with my strength, I should've united all five nations."
"As you should have, Big Brother," Tobirama interjected sternly.
Hashirama froze, glaring at his brother. The two started bickering again.
Akio didn't join in. Instead, he drifted into thought.
So Hashirama also saw his father… Kakashi did too, in the original story. Is that because of blood ties, or sheer power?
After a moment of consideration, Akio concluded: It's probably mostly about power. Obito was able to return temporarily from the afterlife to lend Kakashi the Sharingan. That proves that if someone is powerful enough, they can even travel between life and death.
Nine-level strength probably isn't enough… But ten-level? Akio grew even more curious about the nature of the afterlife in the Naruto world.
"Hashirama," Akio said with a smile, "Did you see Madara in the afterlife?"
The two brothers immediately stopped arguing—Tobirama, clearly, had never asked that question before.
"I did, actually. We even talked about founding another village down there," Hashirama answered after some hesitation.
"Big Brother! With that man?!" Tobirama roared, and the argument resumed.
Akio, however, sighed softly. "So you knew Madara wasn't truly dead, Hashirama…"
He didn't ask further. Watching the brothers squabble, he found himself reminiscing about the past, gradually lost in thought.
"Second-Granduncle!" Hashirama's voice brought Akio back.
"This one meeting is enough. Please help me destroy this place. Don't let Tobirama continue down this path!"
Akio looked toward Tobirama, who instantly grew tense.
"Forget it," Akio said, shaking his head. "This jutsu might be useful someday."
Hashirama frowned. "You're planning to use Edo Tensei as well?"
"If I become strong enough… this jutsu could be used to bring you back," Akio said slowly.
Hashirama froze, then sighed. "Second-Granduncle… I'm already dead. Resurrection isn't something…"
Akio ignored him and turned to Tobirama. "Tobirama, is this jutsu hard to learn?" After some thought, Akio decided it would be best if he learned Edo Tensei himself.
Tobirama was surprised. "For you, it shouldn't be difficult. The key step is using chakra to connect with the afterlife. With your chakra reserves, as long as you can find it, reaching it should be easy."
Ignoring Hashirama's ongoing protest, Akio asked Tobirama for the method of using Edo Tensei.
"First step… connecting with the afterlife?" Akio nodded. He was genuinely curious about what the afterlife looked like in this world.
After forming a few hand seals, he closed his eyes and used his chakra to probe toward the afterlife.
So this is the afterlife? Doesn't seem that hard. I saw it on my first try.
He sent his chakra outward—but no matter how he stretched it, he couldn't quite reach.
Half an hour passed before Akio finally opened his eyes with a frown, turning to Tobirama.
"Tobirama, what method did you use to extend your chakra to the afterlife? I just used 70% of mine and didn't feel any closer."
Tobirama looked shocked. "You were able to sense the afterlife? Then it should be easy to touch it with chakra—most Jonin-level chakra is sufficient."
"Sufficient? I just used seventy percent of mine and got nowhere…" Akio paused mid-sentence as a realization struck him.
"Wait a minute—which afterlife is this?!"
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