The pint-sized version of Naruto Uzumaki

Tobirama Senju wondered if he had misheard.

He's dead, and has been dead for many years. What's the point of him cultivating?

However, Tobirama Senju still reached out and took the thick stack of papers, and began to read them from the beginning. He was quickly drawn to the contents of the "Samsara Salvation Sutra".

The Dao says: If a person's learning of the Dao is shallow or their rank as an immortal is insufficient, and their destiny is to perish, their body will pass through the Taiyin realm. At the time of their passing, their corpse will be properly guided, and their soul will return to the Southern Palace. They will then learn the Dao and be reborn within a certain number of days. They will be reborn in the cycle of reincarnation and will become Immortal.

The Tao says: When the cycle of heaven and earth ends, the stars and constellations are out of order, the sun and moon lose their brightness, the four seasons are out of order, and Yin-Yang are out of balance, one should also observe a fast. Fasting and reciting scriptures bring great merit, which can avert natural disasters and ward off poisons, and ensure the survival of the living. Its blessings are immeasurable, hence it is said to be boundless, universally saving heaven and man.

The text itself is very simple, but the commentaries and descriptions are so numerous they make your hair stand on end.

Not only are there descriptions for every single character, but also detailed descriptions, analyses, and pronunciation annotations for word and phrase combinations of different lengths.

Then, the different combinations and pronunciation methods were explained, their functions were described, and details such as which part of the body to visualize when pronouncing the sounds, and how to mobilize Chakra to create resonance were described in detail.

Then it explained what level one could reach by cultivating in this way before starting the next stage of cultivation.

Finally, it lists a series of taboos that must never be done, and the potential harm caused by each taboo.

The "Samsara Salvation Sutra" appears to be more than just a cultivation technique; it is also a complete philosophical and metaphysical system. Tobirama Senju from disdain to frowning, from confusion to awe, and from somewhat interesting to unimaginable.

Finally, despite being Reanimated Body Tobirama Senju, Shazo felt that he was already drenched in cold sweat.

After Tobirama Senju followed the various techniques and methods in the annotations, circulated his Chakra, chanted scriptures, and visualized specific body parts, he stumbled through a training session and was surprised to find that he had become slightly stronger.

Tobirama Senju was completely stunned.

He has been dead for some years now. Whether in the Pure Land or Impure World Reincarnation, he has only felt continuous depletion, accompanied by a slow but irreversible decline, and even his memories are gradually fading away.

This was the first time Tobirama Senju his death, amidst his continuous decline. This the Miracle feeling made his soul tremble.

The greatest instinct of life is to survive. Even the soul that remains after death will still fear its own weakness, and will also feel ecstatic when it becomes stronger.

With Tobirama Senju turned to the first page and recited the name of the scripture with a devout attitude. "The Samsara Salvation Sutra."

"The Fifth Hokage, where did he come from? Can he revive people?"

Shazo replied, "I can't say where it comes from, and it can't bring the dead back to life, but it can make the dead cultivate and become stronger, turning them into beings similar to the Death God."

Tobirama Senju frowned slightly. "Death God, will I become that kind of god without wisdom?"

Shazo shook his head and said, "No, it's just something similar."

"You cannot control the power of Death God, but you will not lose your own consciousness either; you are more like an invisible life that continues to live in the form of a soul."

"But these are all just my guesses; I don't know the specific results of the cultivation."

The Second Hokage nodded and said, "I can easily accept this way of life."

"Hmm, you're giving me something with an uncertain outcome because you intend for me to try cultivating it first, eliminating any flaws and problems?"

Shazo made no attempt to hide anything, readily admitting, "That's true. Only you, the second generation, possess sufficient Talent to break through numerous limitations and successfully complete the cultivation of the entirely new power system."

Tobirama Senju smiled smugly, "I'll take this job."

"But I mustn't let my elder brother see it before I've completed my cultivation and achieved results."

"You know how unreasonable he can be when he's cultivating; I'm afraid he might develop some serious problems."

Shazo recalled the First Hokage's completely unreasonable success in mastering Wood Release and Senjutsu Mode, and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

The "Scripture of Samsara Salvation Sutra" originates from the Kido of the Bleach World and combines it with the knowledge of Ghost Cultivation from the Cultivation World. The most suitable cultivators are naturally Death God, not the dead reborn through the Ninja World Impure World Reincarnation in the ninja world.

As a master of Ninjutsu and forbidden techniques, and having also proven his abilities in the field of electronics, Tobirama Senju was the most likely candidate to successfully master and adjust the training method.

However, given Hashirama Senju's experience in training Ninjutsu, no one knows whether he will succeed overnight, fail to grasp the basics, or produce strange or unusual results.

If the third possibility cannot be ruled out, neither Shazo nor Tobirama Senju would dare to involve the First Hokage.

Therefore, Shazo made a promise without hesitation, "I guarantee that this will be the only written record, and I will never spread the ' Samsara Salvation Sutra ' until you have completed your cultivation and improvement."

Having received Shazo's promise, Tobirama Senju was relieved.

He knew that Shazo had come here to learn about the progress of the Dragon Vein research, but at this moment his mind was completely focused on the "Scripture of Salvation," and he had no energy to think about other issues.

So Tobirama Senju rudely shooed away the Fifth Hokage: "Go away, go away, I'm not in the mood to talk to you right now."

"If you want to know about the Dragon Vein Orochimaru. He knows everything about my progress, and besides—"

Tobirama Senju seemed to remember something, his eyebrows slightly raised, and he said in a tone full of surprise, "He's made quite an unexpected gain these past few days."

Shazo's curiosity swelled instantly, and he rushed to Orochimaru's laboratory. Before he even pushed open the door, he heard the voice of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

"Hey, Orochimaru- senpai, that's not right. How can you be so rough?"

Minato, shut up!

"Oh dear, oh dear, don't speak so loudly in front of the children."

"----, why didn't I know you talked so much before?"

"Haha, Orochimaru- senpai, you're too kind."

"----, I wasn't complimenting you."

Shazo shook his head, pushed open the door to the laboratory, and then he saw a Naruto Uzumaki was both unfamiliar and familiar.

With his short, spiky yellow hair, white inner collar, and orange jacket with blue shoulder pads, this was Naruto that Shazo had never seen in person before.

But in his previous life, in the manga and anime, he saw the short and stout Naruto many times.

Compared to Naruto Uzumaki, who was personally raised and fed by Shazo, the most distinctive feature of this Naruto is his short stature, and the stupidity and naivety that can be seen in his clear blue eyes without even needing to speak to him.

Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze greeted Shazo respectfully as he entered, saying, "Fifth Hokage."

Minato Namikaze continued with deep gratitude, "Thank you so much for taking care of Naruto. I now know how terrible the suffering Naruto would have endured without your help."

Since being Impure World Reincarnation, visiting Naruto Uzumaki regularly has been Minato Namikaze's greatest pleasure, and he knows every detail about his son.

Upon seeing Naruto, the short, bean -Naruto who jumped out of the Dragon Vein and claimed that the Fifth Hokage was Tsunade, Minato Namikaze naturally compared the differences between the two Naruto.

In terms of height, temperament, clothing, knowledge, speech, and strength, Naruto, who was raised and educated by Shazo, completely overwhelmed this suddenly appearing Naruto.

The difference between the two is astonishing.

In terms of height alone, both are 16 years old, but the shorty is only 166 cm tall, while Naruto Uzumaki in this timeline is already 182 cm tall, a difference of 16 cm.

But the biggest difference is strength. Both are Jinchuriki isn't even Jonin. Orochimaru suppressed and captured him in one fell swoop.

But Naruto Uzumaki, who stayed in Konoha, was different.

Before Orochimaru could fight Naruto, who was 182 cm tall, he had to prepare multiple uses of the [Orochimaru-style Substitution Technique], otherwise he might get beaten so badly by that clueless kid that he ended up in the hospital.

The difference between these two Naruto Uzumaki is obvious to the naked eye; how could Minato Namikaze not be grateful to the Fifth Hokage Shazo, Sasuke?

Orochimaru excitedly told Shazo, "Fifth, your guess was right! It's Parallel Universe! This kid comes from Parallel Universe!"

"In his view, even though I killed Teacher Sarutobi in Konoha Year 60, the situation where Konoha was still dominated by Kumogakure remained unchanged."

"As expected, I acted too late. I wasn't as decisive as you, Fifth."

Shazo said with a smile, "You can't blame Orochimaru for this. After all, you were the Third Hokage's disciple. Even if you were thinking about his legacy, it would be difficult for you to make up your mind."

"I'm different. I'm from the Senju Clan, and it's because the Third Hokage owed us that I can act immediately once I gain the ability."

Naruto Uzumaki, who was imprisoned, was stunned, then shouted, "How could you, how could you say such things about the Third Hokage?"

"He is the Superstar who saved Konoha!"

Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, and Shazo all shook their heads. This little Naruto was indeed spoiled rotten.

Shazo was thinking: He actually thinks his enemy is a role model. No wonder that after becoming the Seventh Hokage, this kid not only failed to truly grasp power, but also exhausted himself like a dog.

If you lack intelligence and insight, don't say anything.

Even though Minato Namikaze genuinely felt sorry for the child, he didn't offer any explanation or rebuttal. With such a poor understanding, there was simply no way to explain it.

Shazo Zuo asked, "Orochimaru- senpai, how did he appear?"

Orochimaru shrugged, feigning indifference, but a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips as he said, "Just as I was conducting my interference experiment on the Dragon Vein, this kid popped up on his own."

Shazo asked again, "Is he alone?"

Orochimaru replied, "It's not one person, it's Team 7 from another world, including Sakura Haruno, Sai, and the one who claims to be 1."

"The Tenzo of Yamato".

Minato Namikaze explained, "Lord Orochimaru of that world wasn't recalled, Uchiha Sasuke from Team 7 defected to Orochimaru, so there was an additional Root Ninja named Sai."

Shazo nodded to indicate that he understood, and then asked again, "Orochimaru- senpai, what kind of research are you conducting by tying Naruto up here?"

Orochimaru said helplessly, "It's not research anymore. We've had them for four days already, and we've done all the necessary research. Now it's time to brainwash them."

"For safety reasons, we must minimize interference with Parallel Universe at present, so we cannot allow them to take their memories back."

"The problem now is that everyone else's memories have been erased, even Sai, who was from Root, had his brain sealed, but I've already taken care of that."

"Only this kid—" Orochimaru said through gritted teeth, a rare occurrence for him, "I've never seen such a stubborn idiot as this kid!"

"That bastard, his mind is completely blank, yet he's completely impervious to reason. I've tried everything, but I can't erase his memories."

Shazo laughed heartily, then said, "Then let's just ignore him."

Minato Namikaze frowned and asked, "Is it really okay to just ignore it?"

Orochimaru frowned as well, saying, "Fifth, you yourself said that any information transmitted to Parallel Universe could cause unimaginable and enormous changes."

Shazo waved his hand and said, "That's true, but for information to be effective, it needs to spread and influence enough people."

"But look at this kid's situation. He's clearly not well-liked or valued. So when the other three say they didn't encounter us, will the Ninja from that world believe him, or think he's dreaming?"

Orochimaru:

Minato Namikaze: "----"

Naruto Uzumaki: "You're talking nonsense! The Fifth Hokage believed me, and Jiraiya- sensei will definitely believe me too!"

Your plot will not succeed!

Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze exchanged a glance: "Jiraiya (their teacher) will believe him—"

The two nodded in unison, then looked at Shazo: "The Fifth Hokage is powerful, we can ignore him."

Naruto Uzumaki: "Hey!???"

Orochimaru pushed the short and slender Naruto to the adjacent Dragon Vein experimental area, bound him tightly with a special Sealing Band, turning him into a mummy, and piled him and three other mummies in the center of a huge Sealing Array.

Before Minato Namikaze was tied up, Minato kindly fed him some water and food, but did not stop Orochimaru's actions.

Orochimaru had no ill intentions; he simply wanted to use the return of these three Konoha Ninja to collect data on the Dragon Vein.

The long Sealing Band wasn't meant to bind anyone, but rather to accompany the bound individual into the Time Vortex, using a physical connection and solidified Sealing Technique to transmit all changes within the Space-Time Passage.

With this firsthand data, Orochimaru was able to begin researching methods for time travel.

Minato Namikaze couldn't yet understand the purpose of this action, but he trusted Orochimaru, Tobirama Senju, and Shazo's judgment. He believed that the project they supported without hesitation would bring enormous benefits to Konoha.

That's what it means to trust experts; it's truly a pity he died back then.