Sometimes the most shocking techniques are explained with the most casual words.
"Souma, please… you must ensure that Lord Raikage can arrive safely!"
Samui bowed politely.
Souma followed the principle of "see no impropriety." Instead of looking directly at her, he glanced toward Tsunade.
Then he nodded calmly.
"Don't worry."
Was something like this really worth such a solemn request?
It wasn't even an S-rank technique.
They just didn't trust him yet.
Souma smiled slightly but said nothing more. He raised his hands and began forming seals.
In an instant, the summoning formation appeared.
Samui and Atsui stared in amazement.
So fast!
Although there were fewer than ten hand seals, the speed was astonishing.
The entire sequence finished in the blink of an eye.
Terrifying.
However—
Tsunade felt rather speechless inside.
She knew Souma's abilities very well.
Normally he didn't even bother forming seals anymore.
This performance was clearly for Kumogakure's representatives—showing them how "seriously" he was working to construct the spatial channel.
Still…
She had to admit.
The effect was excellent.
Samui and Atsui looked completely stunned.
Tsunade glanced at them and secretly gave Souma a thumbs-up.
Nicely done.
Nearby, Inoichi and Shikaku remained perfectly composed.
They pretended not to notice Souma's little performance at all and stared solemnly at the glowing summoning formation.
"Done," Souma said casually.
"That's it?"
Atsui couldn't help asking.
"Yes," Souma replied. "The space-time channel has already been constructed through the summoning technique."
"Your side only needs to stabilize it using your own space-time ninjutsu."
He paused briefly before adding,
"That shouldn't be difficult. Anyone who understands basic space-time principles can manage it."
Silence filled the clearing.
The Konoha shinobi had long grown accustomed to Souma's statements.
They quickly nodded as if this were completely normal.
But Samui was bewildered.
Is this… really standard practice in Konoha?
She carefully studied Tsunade and the others.
Every single one of them wore expressions that seemed to say—
Of course this is normal.
Her confusion only deepened.
Fortunately, the answer arrived soon.
Ripples of chakra began appearing around the summoning formation.
Space-time ninjutsu.
Everyone stepped back, leaving an open space at the center.
The next moment—
A figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the formation.
"Hahaha! It worked!"
The Fourth Raikage stood inside the circle, laughing loudly.
He scanned his surroundings before his gaze settled on Tsunade.
Samui immediately pulled Atsui forward to stand beside him.
The Raikage smiled.
"The last time we met, you were still traveling the ninja world."
"I never expected that the next time we met, you would already be the Fifth Hokage."
"Welcome, Fourth Raikage," Tsunade replied with a nod.
This wasn't their first meeting.
Their brief exchange immediately softened the tense atmosphere.
Then the Raikage turned his attention to Souma.
Among everyone present, Souma was the only one who looked barely older than a teenager.
The others were clearly senior jōnin and leaders of their respective departments.
Which meant—
This young man held an unusual position.
Souma…
So that's what he looks like.
A handsome young man.
Even by the Raikage's standards, he had to admit it.
Although it didn't quite match the Land of Lightning's aesthetic, Souma's appearance made him difficult to dislike.
But appearance wasn't the real concern.
The terrifying rumors about his strength were.
Creating countless new techniques was impressive enough.
Yet reports suggested his personal combat ability was equally formidable.
He had played a key role during Konoha's internal crisis.
Unfortunately, Kumogakure had never managed to uncover the details.
And then there was the teleportation technique just now.
Even Tsunade had needed to consult Souma before confirming whether it was possible.
That alone revealed the level of trust he commanded within Konoha.
Everyone believed that as long as Souma took action—
The task would be accomplished.
That level of confidence went far beyond the word genius.
"You must be Jōnin Souma," the Raikage said with a booming laugh.
"Truly a hero among the younger generation."
"Not just in Konoha—there are very few geniuses like you anywhere in the ninja world."
"The future of the shinobi world belongs to you young people."
Souma shook his head modestly.
"It's only because Konoha's predecessors accumulated so much knowledge."
"I merely picked up a few small seashells along the shore."
The Raikage chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Strength is strength."
"In Kumogakure we don't bother with false modesty."
"If you ever have time, come visit the Hidden Cloud Village."
"I'll show you the lightning storms of the Land of Lightning."
"You might find inspiration there."
"Of course," Souma replied with a smile.
The two exchanged knowing looks.
Both understood perfectly well—
The incident at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning had been Souma's doing.
But without evidence, neither side would say it aloud.
After meeting him in person, the Raikage began to understand why Samui had recommended caution.
The current Konoha…
Was unfathomable.
Even this single young man was impossible to fully understand.
More importantly—
When the Raikage expanded his sensory perception slightly, he detected numerous hidden presences.
Some belonged to kikaichū.
Others were strange and difficult to identify.
This forest itself felt dangerous.
The Raikage suddenly had the unsettling feeling that something here could kill him.
His eyes narrowed.
He silently congratulated himself for coming personally.
Konoha has changed.
If Kumogakure continued viewing it through outdated assumptions…
They might suffer a devastating blow.
Still—
Hidden power didn't necessarily mean massive manpower.
The number of shinobi couldn't increase overnight.
Better observe a little longer.
The Raikage followed Tsunade and the others out of the Forest of Death.
After they left, Kimimaro stepped out from deeper within the forest.
"Lord Souma," he asked quietly. "Was that the Raikage?"
"Yes," Souma replied. "The Fourth Raikage. What do you think?"
"He's very strong."
Kimimaro's expression was serious.
Even with the Curse Mark activated, he wasn't confident he could defeat that man.
And that was only the Fourth Raikage.
The Third Raikage had been even stronger—capable of defeating Tailed Beasts through sheer physical power.
No wonder Orochimaru had always been wary of Kumogakure.
"Rest well for now," Souma said. "Focus on recovery."
"When my research produces results, I'll arrange your surgery immediately."
He paused before adding,
"Lady Tsunade will perform it personally."
"Thank you very much!"
Kimimaro bowed deeply.
After hesitating for a moment, he spoke again.
"Lord Souma… about Lord Orochimaru…"
"I already have a preliminary solution," Souma replied calmly.
"But this is not the right time to resurrect him."
"You understand the crimes Orochimaru committed, don't you?"
Kimimaro nodded slowly.
"Then when would the right time be?"
"During a great war."
Souma looked toward the distant horizon.
"If a war erupts that sweeps across the entire ninja world, that will be Orochimaru's chance for redemption."
"Until then, I won't revive him."
"A war like that will really happen?"
Souma smiled faintly.
"There's an organization called Akatsuki."
"They're collecting Tailed Beasts all over the world."
"I doubt they're doing charity work."
"So yes—"
"That war will come."
"The only question is when."
"I understand."
Kimimaro stopped asking.
Souma then smiled slightly.
"However… I can tell you one secret about Orochimaru's resurrection."
Kimimaro's head snapped up.
"You're not afraid I'll revive him myself?"
"I trust you."
Souma answered confidently.
"The key to his resurrection… lies in the Curse Mark."
"The Curse Mark?!"
Kimimaro was stunned.
That technique was connected to Orochimaru's revival?
At first it sounded impossible.
But the more he thought about it…
The more logical it seemed.
Orochimaru had spent years researching the Curse Mark.
Why invest that much effort if it had nothing to do with resurrection?
Kimimaro suddenly understood.
But it couldn't be an ordinary Curse Mark.
Something like the Earth Curse Mark wouldn't be enough.
Which meant—
The Heaven Curse Mark.
He took a slow breath.
Did such a mark even exist?
As far as he remembered, none of Orochimaru's followers possessed it.
Souma noticed his thoughts and smiled.
"The Heaven Curse Mark does exist."
"Thank you very much."
Kimimaro bowed deeply again.
Whatever Souma's motives were, he was grateful.
Without that hint, it might have taken him years to reach the same conclusion.
And if Souma spoke so confidently—
Then the Heaven Curse Mark's host must be a Konoha ninja.
Kimimaro quietly analyzed the possibility.
"Alright," Souma said. "I'm leaving."
"Safe travels, my lord."
Kimimaro bowed again.
After a moment's hesitation, he suppressed the excitement in his heart and returned to his cabin.
Souma had revealed the secret for two reasons.
First—
Kimimaro was extremely perceptive.
Honesty was the best strategy.
Second—
Souma wasn't worried about Kimimaro taking action.
Anko's Heaven Curse Mark was no longer the same as before.
Souma had sealed it with layer upon layer of sealing techniques.
Unless Orochimaru himself returned—
Kimimaro would never break it.
But to resurrect Orochimaru…
He would need to break the seal first.
Which created a perfect loop.
Souma then headed to the Konoha hospital.
Negotiations with the Raikage would be handled by the village leadership.
His role would come later—during the research phase.
Until then—
He could focus on studying Hashirama cells and the bone regeneration technique.
Kitayama hadn't received news of her promotion yet.
At the moment, she was concentrating on simplifying medical ninjutsu.
It had been her research topic for over a year.
Souma didn't interrupt.
Instead, he went to find Shizune, who was helping at the hospital.
Shizune might not be exceptional in the broader ninja world—
But as a medical ninja, she unquestionably deserved her jōnin rank.
Her understanding of medical ninjutsu was profound.
Most importantly—
She lived with Tsunade.
Telling Shizune was effectively the same as telling Tsunade.
Inside the medical office, Shizune was sorting documents when—
Knock knock.
She looked up toward the door.
"Souma?"
She blinked in surprise.
"Please come in."
"Shizune-senpai," Souma said with a smile, walking inside.
"I have a research proposal I'd like to discuss."
He handed her a copied set of notes.
Shizune looked suspicious but opened the notebook.
A few seconds later—
Her eyes widened dramatically.
When she finished reading, her voice trembled.
"S-Souma… can this technique really work?"
Souma scratched his head awkwardly.
"That's exactly what I wanted to ask."
"After all… you're the medical ninja here."
Shizune immediately blushed.
"I'm sorry! I was too excited."
She bowed quickly.
"Let me think carefully."
For several minutes she reviewed everything she knew about medical ninjutsu.
Then she nodded firmly.
"If your observations are correct…"
"It should be possible in principle."
"However, the life force required would likely need to come from the First Hokage's cells."
"It will require further research."
Souma grinned.
"Exactly."
"So…"
"Understood!"
Shizune nodded seriously.
She knew perfectly well what this meant.
She was just the messenger.
The person Souma truly wanted an answer from—
Was Tsunade.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/pikachu614