The next day, after Kotoamatsukami's ocular power had recovered, Naruto returned to the foot of Amegakure Tower and began unwrapping the Impure World Reincarnate's bandages!
Perhaps word of yesterday's dramatic scene had spread, because even more people came to watch today. Even Kakuzu took time out of his busy schedule, set aside his work, and came to enjoy the show.
As Naruto hesitated over which one to unwrap first,
Suigetsu helpfully spoke up. "I've been wondering since yesterday-aren't these bandages a little too small? Could there be a kid inside?"
"Oh~ now that you mention it, that is strange. Let's go with this one, then~"
Naruto raised his hand. The bandaged figure floated up, the sealing tag broke, and a short, bald old monk landed before everyone, scratching his head.
"..." Everyone fell silent.
Naruto stepped forward and asked, "May I ask who you are?"
The old monk answered politely, "This humble monk is Zhongjue, a monk of the Fire Temple."
At the mention of the Fire Temple, Kakuzu immediately took an interest. "What's your relationship with Chiriku of the Twelve Guardian Ninja?"
Zhongjue dropped a bombshell. "Chiriku is this humble monk's disciple!"
Naruto looked intrigued. "Then you must be quite powerful?"
Zhongjue waved his hands. "No, no... I taught Chiriku scholarly subjects. I don't know any ninjutsu~!"
At that, everyone immediately lost interest.
Naruto thought, Looks like Kabuto's Impure World Reincarnation occasionally produces failures like this. But from Kabuto's perspective, he went to all that trouble to find him~ throwing him away would be a waste. At least he could keep him as an immortal punching bag.
Naruto was quite open-minded about such matters. "How about this, Master Zhongjue? I'll send you back to the Elysian Pure Land. What do you think?"
Zhongjue held his prayer beads and pressed