Don't Toy with the Dead

The next morning, Senju Genma set the two soft, sweet-smelling little girls and the long-haired, dark-haired young woman aside, then stretched luxuriously.

After a good night's sleep, he felt refreshed, and even the gloom from the night before had vanished.

Senju Genma left the room and entered the living room.

Tsunade, sitting there, shot him a withering look.

How could this kid be so shameless?

He'd left in the middle of the night and gone to someone else's room—and brought three girls with him.

If I hadn't gotten up early today, would you have gotten away with it?

"Get dressed. We're leaving!" Tsunade said irritably.

"Leaving?"

Senju Genma blinked. "In such a hurry? Did something happen in the village?"

"Nothing major is happening in the village. We're going to the Clan Head Residence!" Tsunade said.

"The Clan Head Residence? Looks like Lady Mito missed me and wants me to keep her company!" Senju Genma said, momentarily stunned, then rather smugly.

Tsunade raised a fist and lightly knocked him on the head.

She was already angry that Senju Genma had sneaked off in the middle of the night. She hadn't expected him to push his luck even further.

"Don't get full of yourself. I'm the one who wants to see Grandma!"

After getting hit, Senju Genma immediately returned to his well-behaved self. "Big Sister Tsunade, I was wrong!"

Tsunade nodded. "That's more like it. No more pointless chatter. Get ready—we're leaving!"

Since they were going to the Clan Head Residence to see Uzumaki Mito, Senju Genma put away his ninja clothes and changed into the white men's kimono that marked him as the heir to the clan.

Once Senju Genma had washed up, Kushina, Mikoto, and Konan woke up too, so he brought them along before they set out.

At the Clan Head Residence.

Uzumaki Mito sat in the main seat, stroking her chin as she scrutinized Senju Genma. But when their eyes met, Senju Genma sighed helplessly and said, "Lady Mito, could you stop looking at me like that? You're making me blush."

Uzumaki Mito broke into laughter at once. "You little rascal. You haven't brought shame to the Senju name. You're much better than Hashirama and Tobirama."

"I can rest easy knowing the task of growing the family falls to you."

"Hmph!"

Senju Genma knew Uzumaki Mito was teasing him, but he didn't dare talk back, so he could only huff to show his displeasure.

Just you wait!

Don't think leaving this world will be the end of it. I'll get you back for picking on me today!

Two hours later.

At the Senju Clan Grounds.

On the training field.

Uzumaki Mito, Tsunade, Mikoto, and Konan sat at the edge of the training field.

Senju Genma and Kushina stood in the middle.

Kushina demonstrated her Adamantine Sealing Chains to everyone. Several golden chains extended from her back, like little tails.

"Sage Art: Myojinmon!"

"Kakuan Entering Society with Bliss-Bringing Hands!"

With two loud shouts from Senju Genma, fifteen red torii gates descended from the sky. At the same time, a wooden rectangular prism appeared in his hands, formed with the character for "seat."

Uzumaki Mito nodded in satisfaction. "The two of you performed very well. I feel much more confident now!"

After saying that, she coughed a few times.

"Lady Mito, how are you feeling?" Senju Genma asked as he came to her side.

Tsunade hurriedly performed Medical Ninjutsu, wanting to examine Uzumaki Mito.

Uzumaki Mito raised a hand. "Don't waste your chakra. I'm fine!"

"That's good. You scared me just now!" Senju Genma said as he sat beside her.

Uzumaki Mito cleared her throat. "Since you've both mastered your ninjutsu well, I'll tell you about sealing the Nine-Tails."

"Grandma, isn't it too soon to talk about that?" Tsunade pressed her lips together.

"Don't be ridiculous. This is a matter of great importance to the village's safety!" Uzumaki Mito said crossly.

"I've already arranged it with Hiruzen. The Nine-Tails will be transferred in six months. If we're not at war with the Land of Wind by then, you and Genma can come with us."

"But isn't the Land of Wind making trouble along the Land of River border? War could break out at any moment. I think we should put it off," Tsunade said firmly.

That way, Grandma can stay with me longer. I'm a genius!

"If war breaks out, you'll go to the battlefield. Genma will stay behind and help us seal the Nine-Tails. His Wood Release can restrain Tailed Beasts, so if anything goes wrong, he can use it to suppress the Nine-Tails." Uzumaki Mito stroked Tsunade's hair, dashing her hopes.

How could she not know what Tsunade was thinking? But she knew her own condition. Time wouldn't wait.

"Lady Mito, what should I do to prepare in the meantime?" Senju Genma asked.

Uzumaki Mito thought it over, then smiled at everyone. "There's nothing you need to prepare. Just eat well, drink well, and sleep well!"

In an instant, tears streamed down Kushina's face.

Mito had brought Kushina back to Konoha, and now she was going to transfer the Nine-Tails into her before dying. The thought made her tears flow uncontrollably.

Seeing Kushina wipe away her tears again and again, the corner of Uzumaki Mito's mouth twitched.

Why are you crying?

You're usually so carefree. Why are you suddenly crying now?

And you, Genma. What's with that adorable look, pretending to be calm while your eyes are red?

You're all making me waver!

Of course I want to stay with you forever, but circumstances won't allow it!

Hm? Wait...

Why would I think that?

These brats must have unsettled my heart. I need to pull myself together.

Uzumaki Mito spoke with a solemn expression. "There's no need to grieve. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are a natural part of life. I've chosen to accept it."

"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns!"

"I'm a relic of the old era. The future belongs to you."

"Your lives are only just beginning. Don't shed tears for an old woman like me!"

Senju Genma quickly snapped out of it, his gaze resolute. "Lady Mito, I might have a way to let you stay with us longer."

Looking at Senju Genma's determined expression, Uzumaki Mito thought of the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu developed by Senju Tobirama and immediately scolded him sharply. "Genma, don't toy with the dead!"

Seeing that Uzumaki Mito was truly angry, Senju Genma didn't dare provoke her further.

"Yes, I understand!"

I won't toy with the dead. I can just have someone else do it, right?

The whole village will be revived anyway. One more person won't make a difference.

Seeing Senju Genma looking so nervous, Uzumaki Mito felt a little regretful.

Mito! Mito!

Genma is still a child. He's bound to make mistakes. I should guide him, not scold him without thinking.

"The reason the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu is forbidden is that it defies the laws of nature and is too cruel, going against basic decency. That's why I don't want you to use it."

As she spoke, Uzumaki Mito wiped the tears from the corners of Senju Genma's eyes.

Senju Genma pondered for a moment, then raised his head. "So it's fine as long as it doesn't go against basic decency?"

Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Yes."

The cruelest part of the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu was that it exchanged one life for another: a living person had to be sacrificed to awaken the dead.

The technique was both dangerous and powerful. If that cruel method could be avoided, then using it might be acceptable.