Land of Stars, Star City.
This increasingly prosperous capital was bursting with vitality under the warm spring sun, a scene of thriving activity. The streets were bustling with traffic, and most pedestrians had expressions of anticipation for the future.
Land of Stars' Medical Department, in a quiet study room.
Kabuto was concentrating fully on his palm.
A soft, faint green glowing Chakra rotated slowly under his precise control, sometimes condensing into fine needle shapes, sometimes spreading into a thin mist.
He was deeply studying higher-level Medical Ninjutsu while simultaneously trying to understand and master the Nature Transformation of Yin Attribute Chakra.
Since being recognized by Shura and formally taken under his wing, he hadn't been assigned to a combat unit.
Instead, due to his outstanding medical talent and calm mind, he was specially transferred to the Medical Department for in-depth training. In addition to honing his Medical Ninjutsu, he also received some espionage technique courses.
Just then, an encrypted stream of information flowed directly into his mind… a contact cipher from Konoha's Root, sent by a Yamanaka Clan's Ninja!
Kabuto's movements didn't falter in the slightest. The Chakra in his palm quietly dissipated. His expression unchanged, he tidied the scrolls and equipment on the table, excused himself from his instructor, and slowly left the Medical Department.
Only when he reached a deserted spot did he quickly decipher the cipher's content.
"Return to Konoha within seven days at all costs to report... Failure to arrive on time will be treated as defection..."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a sharp light flashing in his eyes behind the lenses.
No anxiety, no panic, only calm analysis running at high speed.
'Danzo is suspicious.'
That was his first judgment, 'The news of Director Nono's 'death' had been relayed back, yet I had failed to provide more definitive intelligence about the Land of Stars's core echelons, especially regarding Shura-sama and those powerful Uchiha. Coupled with the possible leakage of some information from the recent battle at the Land of Stars's border against unknown Ninja, the paranoid Danzo must have lost his composure.'
This order was less a summons and more a blatant probe!
A probe into my loyalty, and possibly an attempt to force the truth about Nono's 'death' from him.
He had to return.
Not only to eliminate Danzo's suspicion and protect the secret of Nonos faked death, but also because Menma was still in Konoha.
He couldn't let that child face Konoha's darkness alone.
His mind made up, Kabuto didn't hesitate. He turned and headed towards the Land of Stars's Administration Building.
'I needed to report to Shura-sama and receive instructions.'
…
Top floor of the Administration Building, Shura's office.
Menma sat behind a large chair, quietly listening to Kabuto's report and analysis. His fingers lightly tapped the desk. The gaze beneath his white, three-eyed fox mask was profound and unfathomable.
"That old fox Danzo has a keen nose," A low, calm voice came from beneath the mask, betraying no emotion, "If he wants to test, then let him test."
He pondered slightly before continuing, "Prepare to return. As for intelligence... you can 'appropriately' leak some things to him. For example, confirm that there are indeed multiple Uchiha Clan's Ninjas in the Land of Stars. One is female, with extremely terrifying strength. And the other-" Menma paused, deliberately emphasizing, "-is a male, possessing a pair of... Three-Tomoe Sharingan."
Kabuto's mind raced, immediately understanding Menma's intention.
Revealing partial true intelligence, about a male Uchiha with Three-Tomoe Sharingan, could increase credibility, muddy the waters, and might even misdirect Danzo's attention to the 'Three-Tomoe Sharingan', thus causing him to underestimate the Land of Stars's true threat.
"Yes, Shura-sama. I understand." Kabuto bowed respectfully.
"Remember, your safety comes first," Menma added, his tone flat but carrying a sense of protection, "If necessary, the Land of Stars is your eternal backing."
"Thank you, sir." A slight warmth touched Kabuto's heart. He bowed again and left the office.
After leaving the Administration Building, Kabuto didn't immediately set off for Konoha Village. Instead, he headed towards the Star Ninja Academy.
The school bell had just rung. Children poured out of classrooms like cheerful little birds, laughing and running towards their families outside the school gates or heading to the training grounds in groups for extra Ninjutsu practice.
The campus was filled with vigorous vitality and energy, starkly different from the subtly competitive and oppressive atmosphere in other Ninja Village's Academies.
Kabuto stood in the corridor's shadows, quietly watching this scene, the children's carefree, smiling faces reflected in his glasses.
Once upon a time, he and Nono had also yearned for such a peaceful, hopeful life in Konoha's Orphanage.
He arrived outside the principal's office and gently knocked.
"Come in."
Kabuto pushed the door open.
The office was furnished simply yet elegantly. Nono was sitting behind the desk, reviewing documents. She now served as the vice-principal of the Star Ninja Academy, primarily responsible for student ideological education and life management.
Her complexion was rosy, her eyes filled with peace and satisfaction, a far cry from the [Wandering Miko] who had constantly walked the line between life and death.
"Kabuto?" Nono smiled gently upon seeing her foster son, but then noticed a trace of barely perceptible gravity between his brows, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Director-" Kabuto walked to the desk, lowering his voice, succinctly explaining the Root cipher and Danzo's probing intent.
The smile instantly vanished from Nono's face, replaced by worry, "Danzo... Kabuto, it's too dangerous! Him calling you back at this time... he definitely has ill intentions!"
She subconsciously tightened her grip on the pen, her knuckles whitening. She knew Danzo's methods all too well.
"I know, Director." Kabuto's tone remained calm. He adjusted his glasses, comforting her, "But precisely because of that, I must return. Not going, or delaying, would only make him more suspicious. He might even detect that your 'death' was fishy. Moreover-" His gaze became determined, "Menma is still in Konoha Village. I can't leave him there alone. No matter what, I must return to Konoha Village once. Please don't worry… I will be careful."
Nono looked at this foster son who had long matured into a steady adult, knowing his mind was made up and that he spoke sense.
She sighed softly, stood up, walked over to Kabuto, and straightened his already neat collar, her eyes full of affection and reluctance, "You must be careful... Put your safety first in everything. I'll be waiting for you and Menma to return safely."
"I will, Director." Kabuto nodded solemnly.
Meanwhile, after handling the day's necessary administrative affairs, Menma returned to his residence.
As soon as he entered the living room, he heard the sound of sobbing.
He saw Kushina sitting cross-legged on the soft carpet, tightly holding the furry, human-form Kokyu in her arms. A melodramatic romance series was playing on the large-screen TV in front of them. (T/N: Kokyu is Menma's Black Nine-Tails.)
Kushina was watching with tear-filled eyes, completely immersed in the plot, even unconsciously grabbing Kokyu's fluffy tail and unceremoniously using it to wipe her tears and runny nose.
"Waaah… It's so touching... Why does there have to be a misunderstanding?... If they just talked it out clearly... Waaah-" She sobbed and muttered.
Kokyu had a look of utter despair, disgustedly trying to pull her tail back but not daring to use too much force.
She could only pull a long face piteously, shooting a resentful little look at Menma who had just entered, as if accusing: 'Control your mother! My tail is not a towel!'
The corner of Menma's mouth twitched slightly. He walked over and spoke helplessly, "Mom, you're going to rub Kokyu's fur bald."
"Ah! Menma, you're back!" Only then did Kushina notice her son. She hurriedly let go of Kokyu's tail, somewhat embarrassed as she wiped the corner of her eye, "This drama is just so tear-jerking…"
Kokyu seized the opportunity to rush onto Menma's shoulder, rubbing her head against his cheek and letting out a pitiful light hum.
Menma gently rubbed Kokyu's head, then looked at Kushina, his tone calmly dropping a bombshell, "I'm preparing to begin. To liberate Father's soul from the ShiniGami's stomach, and then use the Impure World Reincarnation."
The expression on Kushina's face instantly froze.
The emotion in her eyes shifted from the drama's sadness to real shock and anticipation.
She keenly sensed something, her voice tightening slightly, "Menma… you suddenly decided to do this... are you preparing to move against Konoha?"
She knew her son's strength and his unfathomable ambition all too well. In his plan to unify the Ninja World, Konoha was inevitably a hurdle he couldn't avoid.
Menma shook his head, walking to the window and looking out at the Star City's scenery, "No, it's not yet time for a full-scale move. It's just that... the 'extermination script' Konoha wrote for the Uchiha Clan seems to be nearing its performance date."
He turned around, his mask already removed, revealing a young face with a depth unsuitable for his age, "I think we need some 'audience' to appreciate this rare 'theatrical performance' together."
"And as the Fourth Hokage, Father... should perhaps see with his own eyes to what extent the Konoha he once gave his life to protect has rotted from within. Of course-" He paused, a tone of pure investigative interest entering his voice, "I am indeed somewhat interested in researching soul-related techniques. The Shinigami, the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, the Impure World Reincarnation... these areas involving the taboos of life and death are quite interesting, aren't they?"
Kushina fell silent.
She understood that while Menma's words had some truth, they were more of an explanation and reassurance.
Reviving Minato, even through Impure World Reincarnation, necessarily had a deeper strategic purpose.
But she didn't ask further, only nodding gently, "I understand. What do you need me to do?"
"Just come with me." Menma said.
Menma brought Kushina to a certain deep underground level within the military district.
It was heavily guarded, the atmosphere cold and solemn.
Kisame Hoshigaki, returned from the front lines, was already waiting there with three Star Anbu.
Behind them, two men wearing Yukigakure's forehead protectors were tightly bound by special Chakra Chains, looking dejected. They were the captured Land of Snow's Daimyo, Kazahana Doto, and his general, Roga Nadare.
"Shura-sama!" Kisame bowed respectfully upon seeing Menma.
The three Anbu also bowed simultaneously.
"Mn, well done. You may withdraw now. Guard the perimeter. No one is to approach without my order." Menma instructed indifferently.
"Yes!" Kisame didn't hesitate in the slightest, immediately leading his three subordinates to retreat into the shadows and disappear.
In the spacious and icy underground space, only Menma, Kushina, and the two captives remained.
Kushina, holding Kokyu, watched the scene before her somewhat nervously, her heart filled with anticipation and unease.
Menma raised his right hand. The dark red seal on the back of his hand began to emit a faint, mysterious glow.
Simultaneously, faint traces of the same seal pattern appeared on the bound hands of Nadare and Doto!
Their eyes instantly became empty and vacant, as if they had lost all self-awareness, standing rigidly in place like lambs for the slaughter.
This was the secondary authority Hikari had granted Menma, allowing him to manipulate these completely controlled 'assets' through the seals in her absence.
Kushina watched as Menma summoned an item from a storage scroll. It was a grotesque white mask with a ferocious face and two horns, emanating an extremely ominous and cold aura.
"This is… the Shinigami Mask!" Kushina exclaimed in a low voice, recognizing the object. It was the dangerous forbidden object enshrined in the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Hall, used to communicate with the Shinigami!
Her heart leaped into her throat, both anticipating seeing Minato and feeling an instinctive unease about the impending forbidden ritual.
Menma examined Nadare and Doto, as if evaluating something.
Finally, he chose Nadare, who had greater Chakra and life energy.
He handed the ominous Shinigami Mask to the completely controlled Nadare.
Then, Menma issued an instruction through the seal.
Nadare, wearing the Shinigami Mask, began to move stiffly, performing a dance filled with an eerie aura… the Dance of the Shinigami!
As the dance proceeded, a powerful, visible stream of blue Chakra erupted violently from Nadare's body, swirling around him madly!
A sinister wind howled in the underground space, the temperature plummeting!
The next second, a terrifying huge phantom slowly materialized behind Nadare!
The phantom was over ten meters tall, with long, pale, disheveled hair floating like seaweed, wearing a wide white robe that revealed bizarre purple skin beneath. Its face was extremely ferocious, holding a gleaming short sword in its mouth, with a pair of crimson red sharp horns curved towards the sky on its head.
It was the manifestation of the ShiniGami itself!
Kushina, as an Impure World Reincarnation, was essentially among the dead and could clearly see this terrifying Shinigami.
Menma, relying on his powerful Mangekyo Sharingan, the power of the Red Moon Scroll, and his deep understanding of Yin-Yang Release techniques, also directly gazed upon this deity symbolizing death.
The ritual reached its most critical step.
The ShiniGami's phantom slowly raised its emaciated arm, took the short sword from its mouth, and then…
Stabbed it violently into its own abdomen and sliced to the side!
Simultaneously, a huge, bloody wound appeared out of nowhere on the abdomen of Nadare, the sacrifice and ritual performer!
His body shook violently, his life force rapidly draining, but he couldn't make a sound. The scene was eerie and horrifying!
As the ShiniGami sliced open its own belly, a wisp of ghostly blue soul flame drifted out from the cleft in the Shinigami's opened abdomen!
It was Minato's soul!
The Shinigami seemed to have fulfilled the contract. It greedily extracted the soon-to-disperse soul of Nadare, who had been sacrificed for the ritual, and swallowed it. Then, the massive phantom slowly dissipated into the air, seemingly satisfied.
Nadare, now soulless, collapsed to the ground like a broken puppet with a thud, completely lifeless.
"Minato!" Kushina looked excitedly at the wisp of ghostly blue soul flame, her voice choking.
Menma didn't pause for a moment. His hands flew through hand seals. The long-prepared Impure World Reincarnation's formula instantly lit up on the ground!
"Impure World Reincarnation!"
The blue soul flame fell into Doto's body. Countless gray-white, paper-scrap-like ashes surged from the formula, pouncing on the dazedly standing Doto as if alive, rapidly enveloping and devouring him...
"Gyaaah!!!" Doto let out a piercing shriek, his body twisting and deforming within the ashes-
His flesh, his soul were being forcibly transformed as the sacrifice and vessel.
The ashes gradually condensed and took shape...
Amidst the sky full of paper scraps, a figure appeared with brilliant golden hair, a handsome face covered in cracks, and wearing the Fourth Hokage's ceremonial robes.