Land of Wind – A Hidden Mountain Cave
Sasori of the Red Sand stared silently at Chiyo's body lying on a stone slab, his expression dark.
In his hands were surgical tools and medicines… but he couldn't bring himself to make the first incision.
His fingers trembled, unable to steady themselves.
"Eternal art…"
Sasori glanced at his hands, then uttered a humorless chuckle. "Pathetic, grandmother. You don't deserve eternal life."
He lingered in silence for a long moment before wiping his eyes roughly and leaving the cave.
A short while later, Sasori returned—this time with puppets carrying stacks of wood.
Then, he began to carve.
Sasori was, without a doubt, a genius.
Even an ordinary wooden puppet could be refined under his hands, perfectly capturing Chiyo's likeness.
His eyes dimmed.
"Father… Mother… Grandmother… Now my puppet collection is complete."
Once the crafting was done, he entered the cave again.
With practiced precision, he embalmed Chiyo's body, placing her in a coffin before burying her in this secret, forgotten corner of the world.
Land of Fire – Return Journey
Nara Shikaku's eyebrows furrowed as he silently caught up to Kyohiko, his strides deliberately purposeful.
The details of the mission were already known.
But…
He still had lingering doubts.
"Kyohiko."
"Yes, Shikaku-senpai?"
Kyohiko slowed his pace, watching as the Nara clansman approached.
The father-and-son duo of the Nara were famous for their intellect. While the current Shikaku might not be as seasoned as his future self, his mind was still sharp—he must have noticed something amiss.
After all, Chiyo's desperation to reclaim her grandson's body had been excessive.
Sure enough—
"Kyohiko," Shikaku began, "after hearing Minato's account, one thing puzzles me. I wanted to ask your thoughts."
"Chiyo's actions?"
"Exactly. Why was she so desperate to retrieve the body? And why demand it remain intact?"
Kyohiko smirked.
The reason Shikaku was asking him was simple—he had a feeling Kyohiko had already pieced it together.
As an observer at the scene, Kyohiko had the clearest vantage point, and his intellect wasn't something to underestimate.
"I was wondering the same thing. If I had to guess…"
"A resurrection technique."
Shikaku finished Kyohiko's thought before he could voice it—meaning he had considered the possibility too.
Then, Shikaku sighed. "It's unfortunate the situation was so dire. With the Amegakure shinobi present, you didn't have much choice. Otherwise…"
The gravity of the situation had been severe.
Minato had described it in detail—exhausted from days of travel, low on chakra from the battle with Sasori, Kakashi and Gai surrounded…
Kyohiko had even pushed his body to its limit, leaving him immobilized.
For the sake of his comrades, Minato hadn't wanted to risk a direct confrontation with Chiyo.
Still…
"Having one more Sasori might not be a bad thing."
Kyohiko mused.
Shikaku blinked, taken aback.
"Why? He's Suna's genius puppeteer. At thirteen or fourteen, barely five years older than you, his return would make him a major threat to Konoha."
"But he's also a researcher of human puppets. A genius like him won't abandon his work. While Suna gains strength, they'll also inherit problems."
Human puppets were no different from the Impure World Reincarnation—both twisted the sanctity of the dead. And Sasori's research went even further, focusing on preserving kekkei genkai in those puppets.
Such techniques were universally taboo.
Sasori also lacked rationality—especially now, after Chiyo's sacrifice.
From what Kyohiko recalled of the future, beneath his icy exterior, Sasori had still clung to the last remnants of familial love.
Chiyo's death might just push him further into darkness.
Of course—
This was just speculation.
He added, "Besides, a resurrection technique of that caliber must come at a cost. It might be incomplete, or require a life-for-life exchange."
"Chiyo was a master of medical ninjutsu, poison, and puppetry. Compared to Sasori, she was far more rational—an enemy like her might actually be more dangerous than him."
Shikaku absorbed Kyohiko's reasoning.
If such a technique were truly costless, Suna would have abused it long ago.
There had to be constraints—perhaps immense difficulty in execution, or sacrifices too great for most.
Chiyo, as a top-tier medic, might have been the only one capable of using it.
In that case… Suna had just lost a strategic asset to regain a ticking time bomb.
An unforeseen angle.
Shikaku hadn't even considered that.
From the moment he heard the news, all he could think about was Sasori's potential threat, completely overlooking Chiyo's own lethality.
It was a net gain—or, at least, not as substantial a loss as feared.
Kyohiko's mind—despite his age—was alarmingly comprehensive.
No wonder Lord Jiraiya held him in such high regard!
Shikaku exhaled in admiration before chuckling.
"Kyohiko, I have to commend you. Even in that situation, you managed to stay level-headed."
"It's nothing. I am concerned about Sasori's threat to Konoha, but what's done is done. We might as well look on the bright side."
Shikaku nodded.
True.
Regret wouldn't change anything…
"By the way, you mentioned earlier that Suna's movements had spread your forces thin. Now that the border is unguarded..."
"Orochimaru-sama has taken over. Our presence is no longer needed there."
"Orochimaru?!"
Kyohiko's eyes widened.
That snake?!
Of all people...
Sasori vs. Orochimaru—an undead arms race?
Though, at this point, Orochimaru likely hadn't yet mastered the Impure World Reincarnation, putting him a step behind.
Still…
Kyohiko couldn't help but pity the citizens of the Land of Rivers.
Between these two, they were in for rough times.
"What's wrong?"
"With Orochimaru-sama handling things, we can at least rest easy on the shinobi front."
Orochimaru was more than capable.
But…
Kyohiko sighed helplessly.
For now, it was beyond his control.
All he could do was hope the Third Hokage could keep his student in check.
Two Days Later – Hokage Tower
Nara Shikaku handed two reports to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
One was his own—the other, Minato's.
Hiruzen scanned them, his expression darkening before he set them aside.
"Your assessment aligns with Kyohiko's?"
"Yes."
Hiruzen stroked his beard.
"A resurrection technique… That's one I've never heard rumored before."
"Kyohiko posed an interesting theory," Shikaku added. "He suggested it might be a byproduct of forbidden research—like how the Second Hokage often discovered unexpected techniques in his studies."
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened.
A byproduct?
A memory surfaced—a report from years ago.
"Years back, intel suggested Suna was researching an 'ultimate puppet technique,' but updates dried up."
If Kyohiko's idea held water…
Perhaps their so-called resurrection was a fortunate (or unfortunate) accident.
A forbidden technique, demanding a life for a life.
Chiyo's for Sasori's.
"If Sasori returns to Suna reformed, he'll be more dangerous than Chiyo. I'll have operatives monitor the situation."
Shikaku dipped his head in acknowledgment.
His job was analysis—decisions were the Hokage's domain.
Konoha – Village Gates
"Home at last!"
Minato didn't share the enthusiasm.
Kyohiko smirked.
"Senpai, that face does not say 'I'm happy to be back.'"
Between returning to the village and the storm cloud hovering over Minato, it was obvious something was wrong.
Kyohiko didn't need a genius to guess—this was about the other Uzumaki.
The fact that he still hadn't gotten feedback from Uzumaki Yuki spoke volumes.
Clearly, she still rejected her "Konoha-nin" identity—possibly even resented Kushina for her comfortable life here.
Minato shot him a look.
"Kyohiko, now isn't the time. I'm dreading what I'll find when I get home."
"No need to worry."
"Huh?"
Minato frowned.
"You don't even know what I'm worried about!"
"Isn't it about Uzumaki Yuki?"
Minato froze for a second before sighing.
"...Yeah."
"As long as she's still here, there's hope. The worst-case scenario? She wasn't here at all, and the cycle of hatred passed down through generations, leaving reconciliation impossible."
Minato blinked.
That… was actually reasonable.
With Yuki's constitution, had she stayed in Kusagakure, she would've been doomed the moment war broke out.
And any descendant inheriting her traits?
The same fate.
The reality of small villages.
Here, at least, she had a chance.
Hope flickered in Minato's eyes—before he abruptly grabbed Kyohiko's hands, desperation leaking into his voice.
"Kyohiko, help me! You've got more ideas, right?"
"Ideas? About what?"
Kyohiko stifled a laugh.
Even the wisest struggled with family drama.
Minato's despair stemmed from Yuki's rejection clashing with the harmonious future he and Kushina had envisioned.
The bigger the hope, the greater the disappointment.
And there wasn't much even Minato could do—let alone Kyohiko.
Still, after a moment's thought…
"Take her around the village more. Show her how life is here. Let her see how Konoha views the Uzumaki clan."
"Would that help?"
"Not sure. But not trying definitely won't."
A lightbulb went off in Minato's head.
He bowed deeply, gratitude pouring out—before vanishing in a whirlwind, too eager to wait.
Kyohiko chuckled before heading home to drop off his gear.
From there, he made his way to the riverbank—time to test the Water Dragon Bullet.
Hand Seals: Rat → Ox → Tiger → ...
Six seals in under a second.
The river stirred violently as a massive water dragon surged from the surface and slammed into the shore.
BOOM!
The impact carved a small crater in the ground.
Not bad... but Kyohiko wasn't satisfied.
While the range outstripped his Superhuman Strength tecnique, the chakra cost was comparable, and the potency lacked punch.
Maybe he still needed refinement?
A higher proficiency level could make a difference.
For now, his focus lay on integrating compression into the technique.
Not quite Tearing Torrent levels of pressure, but enough to boost its lethality—at the expense of higher chakra consumption.
"Let's test it."
Training by the river saved energy.
With refined chakra control—thanks to months of practice—Kyohiko poured his energy into the water.
The result?
A monstrous dragon, three meters in diameter, exploding from the river in a geyser of condensed force.
KRAKOOM!
The resulting crater was deep enough to stand in.
"Success."
Kyohiko crouched beside it, analyzing the aftermath.
Rotational energy lingered in the water, swirling chaotically—almost like…
"Water Vortex Javelin?"
Eyes alight with realization, Kyohiko summoned a clone.
Time to experiment.
But just as he began…
"What are you working on?"
A voice startled him from behind.
A middle-aged man stood nearby, dressed simply but exuding quiet authority.
His name?
Maruboshi Kosuke.
Kyohiko let the hand seals drop.
"You are?"
"Maruboshi Kosuke. Just an ordinary genin."
Kosuke's lips quirked upward.
"What technique is this?"
"Water Dragon Bullet. I was trying to enhance its power with some tweaks."
Two craters—one wide and shallow, the other narrow and deep—caught Kosuke's attention.
"How long have you trained this?"
"About a month." (A lie—he'd studied the theory a month prior, but only just begun practical training.)
Kosuke fell silent.
It took me years to reach this level…
Then, he chuckled.
"I know this technique. Perhaps we could exchange pointers?"
"Please teach me!"
Kyohiko's clone pressed a hand to the riverbank while the real Kyohiko unleashed another dragon.
At the apex of its rise, the clone stabbed into the construct—twisting its structure mid-flight.
BOOM!
The distorted dragon veered off-course, obliterating a chunk of the shoreline.
Kosuke gaped.
"What was that?"
"Water Dragon Bullet normally uses forty-four seals. You used six?"
"Yes. I referenced the Second Hokage's notes, alongside my own work on condensed seals."
Kosuke stared.
He'd learned simplified seals too—directly from Tobirama.
Yet Kyohiko had deduced them from scribbles?
After a stunned pause, Kosuke exhaled.
"I can't teach you anything."
Then, observing Kyohiko's experiment—
"You're trying to add rotational nature transformation to Water Dragon Bullet?"
"Right. I've heard of the Second's Water Vortex Javelin. If I combine compression and spiraling, maybe I can replicate it."
Kosuke nearly choked.
From Water Dragon Bullet to Water Vortex Javelin?
The mental jump was staggering.
Still, considering it…
He formed the seals—six, identical to Kyohiko's—then thrust his hand into the forming dragon.
Instead of releasing it, he willed the water to spiral—
SCHWOOOOM!
The condensed force drilled into the earth like a corkscrew, churning up a miniature waterspout in its wake.
Kosuke blinked.
"With refinement… this could approach Water Vortex Javelin. But not identical. This is your version."
A beat.
He laughed, shaking his head—before bowing deeply.
"Thank you for the lesson."