Main World.
Year 21 of Konoha, winter.
Somewhere in the Land of Fire, an ancient cave.
Cold wind poured through the entrance, carrying fine grains of snow that scattered through the dim cave. Ancient runes covered the walls, long since eroded by time until they were indistinct, leaving only faintly visible twisted lines and eerie patterns. A stale smell filled the air, mingled with the scent of earth and stone and a faint, unsettling trace of blood.
Danzo stood deep inside the cave, holding an oil lamp. Its yellow light cast wavering shadows on the walls and flickered across his face. Several Root Ninja followed behind him, their faces showing both wariness and curiosity.
The cave had been discovered a few days earlier. A Root Ninja had happened to pass by while on a mission and noticed signs that the entrance had been carved by human hands. Exploring deeper, he had found a stone chamber with a stone platform inside, upon which lay an ancient scroll. He had not opened it, but reported it immediately.
Danzo had come in person.
He approached the stone platform and set down the oil lamp. The scroll lay quietly on the platform, its cover bearing six characters in an ancient script-Dead Soul Manifestation Technique. He reached out, picked it up, and unrolled it. The paper had yellowed, and its edges were somewhat damaged, but the writing remained clear. His gaze moved slowly across the page. His brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed, then furrowed even more deeply.
"The Dead Soul Manifestation Technique..."
His voice was very low, as though he were speaking to himself.
"It can summon the souls of the dead. Spirit Bodies can use all the abilities they possessed in life and have no fear of physical attacks. However, their chakra reserves are