Do Not Toy with the Dead

The next morning, Senju Genma set aside the two soft, fragrant little girls and the long-haired raven-haired girl beside him, stretching his body with a satisfied sigh.

Having slept soundly, he felt refreshed and invigorated, the gloom of the previous night having completely vanished.

Senju Genma walked out of the room and entered the living room.

Tsunade, who was sitting in the living room, shot him a glare.

How can you be so shameless, you brat?

You actually snuck into someone else's room in the middle of the night, and you even dragged three of them along.

If I hadn't woken up early today, would you have managed to get away with it?

"Put on your clothes, we're leaving!" Tsunade said irritably.

"Leaving?"

Senju Genma blinked, "In such a rush? Did something happen in the village again?"

"There's nothing major going on in the village right now; we're going to the Clan Head Residence!" Tsunade replied.

"The Clan Head Residence? It seems Lady Mito misses me and wants me to keep her company!" Senju Genma paused, then said with a rather narcissistic tone.

Tsunade raised her fist and tapped it lightly on Senju Genma's head.

She was already angry that he had snuck off in the middle of the night, and she didn't expect him to dare poke the tiger now.

"Stop being so narcissistic; it's me who wants to see Grandmother!"

After being hit, Senju Genma immediately resumed a well-behaved appearance, "Sister Tsunade, I was wrong!"

Tsunade nodded, "That's more like it. Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and get ready, let's go!"

Since they were going to the Clan Head Residence to see Uzumaki Mito, Senju Genma put away his ninja gear and donned a white men's kimono, which represented his status as the young clan head.

Once Senju Genma finished washing up, Kushina, Mikoto, and Konan had also woken up, so he brought them along before they departed.

Inside the Clan Head Residence.

Uzumaki Mito sat in the main seat, stroking her chin as she scrutinized Senju Genma. When their eyes met, Senju Genma sighed helplessly and said, "Lady Mito, could you please not look at me like that? I'm getting embarrassed."

Uzumaki Mito broke her composure for a second and laughed, "You brat, you haven't disgraced the Senju name; you're much better than Hashirama and Tobirama."

"Now that the task of expanding the family line has fallen to you, I can rest easy."

"Hmph!"

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

Just you wait!

Don't think that just because you've left this world it'll be over; whatever you're bullying me with today, I will absolutely bully you back for in the future!

Two hours later.

Senju Clan Grounds.

In the training field.

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

As for Senju Genma and Kushina, they were standing in the middle of the field.

Kushina was demonstrating her Adamantine Sealing Chains to everyone, with several golden chains extending from her back like little tails.

"Sage Art: Myojinmon!"

"Kuan Entering the Marketplace with Bliss-Bringing Hands!"

Following two loud shouts from Senju Genma, fifteen red torii gates descended from the sky. At the same time, the character for "seat" appeared on his hands, manifesting a wooden rectangular block.

Uzumaki Mito nodded in satisfaction and said, "Both of you performed very well; this gives me more confidence!"

After speaking, she coughed a few more times.

"Lady Mito, how is your health right now?" Senju Genma asked as he hurried to Uzumaki Mito's side.

Tsunade hurriedly performed medical ninjutsu, wanting to check on Uzumaki Mito's condition.

Uzumaki Mito raised her hand, "No need to waste your chakra, I'm fine!"

"That's good, you scared me to death just now!" Senju Genma said as he sat down beside Uzumaki Mito.

Uzumaki Mito cleared her throat and began, "Since you both have a good grasp of your ninjutsu, let me talk to you about sealing the Nine-Tails!"

"Grandmother, there's no rush for that yet, is there?" Tsunade pursed her lips.

"Nonsense, this is a major matter concerning the safety of the village!" Uzumaki Mito said sternly.

"I have already discussed it with Hiruzen; the transfer of the Nine-Tails is set for six months from now. If there is no war with the Land of Wind by then, Genma and you will accompany us."

"But isn't the Land of Wind currently stirring at the border of the Land of River? War might break out at any time; I think we could postpone the date," Tsunade said firmly.

This way, Grandmother can stay with me for longer. I really am a genius!

"If war breaks out, you will go to the battlefield, and Genma will stay behind to assist us in sealing the Nine-Tails. Genma's Wood Release has the ability to restrain Tailed Beasts; if an accident occurs, he can use Wood Release to suppress the Nine-Tails." Uzumaki Mito stroked Tsunade's hair, pouring a bucket of cold water on her hopes.

How could she not know Tsunade's intentions? Yet, she knew her own situation best; time waited for no one.

"Lady Mito, what preparations should I make in these coming days?" Senju Genma asked.

Uzumaki Mito thought for a moment, then looked at everyone with a smile. "There is nothing to prepare. Just eat well, drink well, and sleep well—that is enough!"

In an instant, Kushina burst into tears.

Kushina had been brought back to Konoha by Mito, and now that Mito intended to transfer the Nine-Tails into her and then pass away, the outcome caused her tears to overflow like a broken dam.

Seeing Kushina unable to stop wiping away her tears, Uzumaki Mito's mouth twitched.

Why are you crying?

Aren't you usually heartless and carefree? Why are you suddenly crying now?

And you, Genma, what is with that adorable look of yours, pretending to be calm while your eyes are red?

If you all act like this, even I am going to waver!

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

Hm? Wait...

Why am I thinking like this?

It must be these brats disturbing my state of mind; I need to regain my composure.

Uzumaki Mito spoke with a serious expression: "There is no need for sorrow. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of life, and I have chosen to accept them calmly."

"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire shall never cease to burn!"

"I am a remnant of the old era; the future belongs to you."

"Your lives have only just begun; there is no need to shed tears for this old woman!"

Senju Genma immediately snapped back to reality, his gaze sharp. "Lady Mito, perhaps I have a way to allow you to stay with us for a longer time."

Looking into Senju Genma's determined eyes, Uzumaki Mito thought of the Reanimation jutsu developed by Senju Tobirama and decisively scolded him sharply: "Genma, do not trifle with the dead!"

Seeing that Uzumaki Mito was truly angry, Senju Genma dared not continue to provoke her.

"Yes, I understand!"

I won't trifle with the dead, but letting others do it should be fine, right?

Anyway, the whole village will be resurrected eventually; one more person won't make a difference.

Seeing Senju Genma's fearful appearance, Uzumaki Mito felt a pang of regret in her heart.

Mito, oh Mito!

Genma is still just a child, and it is inevitable that he will make mistakes. What I should be doing is guiding him, not scolding him recklessly.

"The reason the Reanimation jutsu is a forbidden technique is that it violates the laws of heaven and earth, and it is too cruel and inhumane. That is why I do not wish for 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 looked up. "Then, as long as it doesn't violate humanity, would it be acceptable?"

Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Perhaps!"

The cruelest aspect of the Reanimation jutsu lay in the exchange of life for life, requiring a living person as a sacrifice to awaken the dead.

This technique was as dangerous as it was powerful. If it could be used while avoiding such a cruel method, it might not be entirely unacceptable.