Among the five embryos, Zenji's new body only required the Yang Horcrux to achieve resurrection.
The other four needed twelve pages of the Book of Ages to form their Soul Book Horcruxes.
Currently, Zenji possessed only ten. He was two pages short.
Besides his main body, Gojo Satoru, and Ryomen Sukuna—embryos predetermined from the beginning—he'd already made choices for the remaining two.
"First is Barrier Techniques." Zenji regarded one of the embryos. "My energy going forward should focus entirely on research, not on barrier maintenance and upkeep."
He'd decided to shape Tengen and have her take over all barrier-related work.
"Toji Fushiguro's physical body is exceptional, but he specializes in assassination and close combat. There are many aspects he can't cover. I still need a guard with comprehensive capabilities."
The choice came immediately: the eldest of the Death Painting Wombs—Choso.
More importantly, the Blood Manipulation Technique could be considered a variant of Water Release. And having just obtained the Three-Tails' chakra, his research in that area would soon see major breakthroughs.
On the other side. Frontline camp.
Minato Namikaze looked at the unconscious Kakashi, sighed softly, and said, "Let him rest. No missions for the time being."
"Yes, sir." The ninja beside him nodded immediately.
Minato composed himself and headed out. "Is everyone assembled?"
"Everyone's present. Lord Fugaku Uchiha has also arrived," the accompanying ninja replied.
Entering the adjacent tent, Minato found Fugaku seated to the side, a four-year-old child beside him.
Everyone else had gathered as well.
"You're all aware of the situation." Minato's voice carried decisive authority. "The Hidden Mist just lost dozens of elite ninjas in one stroke. More critically—the Three-Tails is dead."
"Having lost their greatest combat asset, Hidden Mist won't hold out much longer. The outcome here is essentially decided."
Smiles flickered across several Jonin faces. Few people actually enjoyed war.
"But one problem remains on this battlefield. A mysterious powerhouse native to the Land of Bears. This individual very likely obtained the Hidden Mist's seven ninja swords."
"The disappearance of numerous corpses since the war began may also be connected to this native."
"So the war isn't over. We must determine exactly who this powerhouse is. What's their attitude toward Konoha? Why are they collecting battlefield remains?"
"Ideally, we recover the remains of our fallen heroes. We absolutely cannot allow their bodies to be desecrated."
As he spoke, Minato recalled the orders transmitted from the village.
"Minato, the Land of Bears borders the Land of Fire directly. If this is merely an ordinary small hidden village, there's no need for excessive attention. Simply recover the seven ninja swords. Those are Might Duy's spoils of war—they should belong to his son, Might Guy."
"Minato Namikaze! The Land of Bears sits adjacent to Fire Country's heartland. A powerhouse hostile to Konoha cannot be permitted to exist there. Use the wartime period to eliminate all enemies. Then seize the seven ninja swords. Whether used to negotiate with Hidden Mist or to cultivate our own swordsmen, both options strengthen Konoha."
Though the Hokage's and the advisors' orders differed somewhat, the core meaning was identical.
Recover the seven ninja swords.
Minato didn't entirely agree with forceful seizure, but he wasn't Hokage yet. He had no authority to veto such decisions.
Moreover, to become Hokage, he needed more merit.
His competitor was Orochimaru—hero of the Second Shinobi World War. The more accomplishments Minato accumulated, the more convincing his succession would be.
If I can cultivate seven Jonin-class swordsmen, many of my plans can bypass the advisors entirely and be executed directly.
Though not yet Hokage, Minato had already begun thinking like one.
"Two years ago, Jonin Hyuga Soka vanished in the rear." A Jonin from the Hyuga Branch House spoke up suddenly. "Could that also be this native powerhouse's doing?"
Akimichi Kuryo, seated in the corner, darkened visibly at the mention.
Ever since Soka's disappearance, he'd been targeted both overtly and covertly.
First transferred from logistics to the front lines. Then, for three full years, regardless of merit earned or injuries sustained, he'd been denied transfer back to Konoha to recuperate.
Obviously someone wanted him dead on the battlefield. Fortunately, the war was nearly over.
Fugaku Uchiha's eyes narrowed. "This reminds me—three years ago, when the war began, Chunin Uchiha Seisho also vanished without explanation."
Byakugan. Sharingan. Members of both great dojutsu clans had gone missing.
Shikaku Nara, seated nearby, rubbed his forehead. A name surfaced unbidden.
Orochimaru.
He shook his head. Lord Orochimaru is on another front. The distance is too great. It can't be him.
Though rumors existed, he was simply letting paranoia get the better of him.
After gathering more detailed intelligence, Minato concluded the meeting—but kept Fugaku behind.
"Fugaku-senpai, I'll have to entrust frontline matters to you." Minato's tone grew heavy. "I plan to infiltrate the enemy's hiding place alone."
Fugaku regarded the respectfully bowing Minato. Whether he sighed or felt relief, even he couldn't say.
"I'll maintain the line. Be careful."
A hint of a smile touched Minato's lips.
The next day, preparations complete, Minato focused on the Flying Thunder God formula he'd left behind.
I can't appear directly beside that person. I can only use the mark as a node to arrive nearby.
His perception stretched to its absolute limit, expression solemn.
If someone could assist me, this would be far easier.
The thought sparked an immediate decision: once the war ended, he would search the village for ninjas with space-time talent.
A flash of light.
He vanished.
Inside the valley barrier, two figures knelt before Zenji.
A young girl and a young boy.
The girl wore a loose kimono, her long hair somewhat coarse and unkempt. Profound eyes held a calm, ancient gaze.
This was Tengen—shaped with Barrier Techniques as her core. Her future role: assuming all barrier development and maintenance from Zenji.
The boy beside her had two explosive pigtails pointing upward. A faint redness ringed his eye sockets, and a horizontal stripe crossed the bridge of his nose.
The eldest of the Death Painting Wombs—Choso.
"Clan Head." Their voices spoke in unison.
Zenji nodded with satisfaction. Barrier Techniques were a discipline he'd conquered long ago. Shaping Tengen as the core had proceeded exceptionally smoothly.
Choso's Blood Manipulation Technique had even condensed the Death Painting traits, forming a highly specialized secret art.
A fluctuation rippled through his perception. Zenji's gaze sharpened—and Tengen spoke almost simultaneously.
"Someone is locking onto this location. The barrier can't block it. The intruder has entered."
Nearly zero gap between perception and judgment. Tengen brought her right index and middle fingers together, preparing to activate reinforcement barriers.
But a hand stopped her.
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