Chapter 390: Edo Tensei Minato and Kushina
Orochimaru felt a sense of familiarity with this place.
After pondering for a moment, he recalled that this was the Uzumaki clan's shrine.
The masks on the walls symbolized the Reaper Death Seal, including the one associated with Minato.
"So, this is the Uzumaki shrine. Interesting. Haneda-kun, are you planning to release Minato's soul from the Reaper? To facilitate his resurrection?" Orochimaru asked, his tongue flicking in his signature manner.
He was deeply intrigued by the legendary Rinnegan, rumored to be the eye that controlled life and death.
Orochimaru had previously sensed Sakumo's soul being freed from Edo Tensei. He had privately attempted to summon Sakumo's soul again but found no connection.
This suggested that Sakumo might have been truly resurrected with Haneda's help. For someone obsessed with immortality, Orochimaru couldn't ignore techniques capable of bringing the dead back to life.
"Yes, that's the plan," Haneda replied openly, without a hint of hesitation.
He needed Orochimaru's assistance to exploit a loophole and free Minato's soul.
It wasn't that Haneda couldn't use the Rinnegan to forcibly retrieve Minato's soul from the Reaper. Rather, he wasn't well-versed in the Reaper's workings. The risk of damaging Minato's soul wasn't worth it.
Orochimaru said, "You'll need to pair the Edo Tensei technique with this process. I'll require two living sacrifices—preferably White Zetsu."
"Understood. Wait here; I'll fetch them." Haneda was already aware of the requirements.
He activated Bishamonten, teleporting from the Uzumaki shrine to the Land of Rain in an instant.
Using Kagura's Mind Eye, he located three White Zetsu within two and a half minutes, capturing them effortlessly.
His efficiency surprised Orochimaru.
"Haneda-kun, your speed is truly remarkable. Is it because of the Rinnegan's awakening?" Orochimaru inquired.
"That's part of it, but the Uzumaki clan's Kagura's Mind Eye can lock onto chakra signatures. White Zetsu's chakra is fairly unique, making them easy to track," Haneda explained.
He bound the White Zetsu with chakra chains and used paper-based ninjutsu to seal their mouths shut—White Zetsu tended to talk too much, and Haneda preferred silence.
With the necessary materials secured, Orochimaru began his preparations.
Under the watchful eyes of Haneda, Naruto, and Sasuke, Orochimaru started an eerie dance.
Naruto, puzzled, whispered, "Sasuke, why's he dancing? Don't jutsu just need hand seals?"
Sasuke responded, "Idiot. Some jutsu don't require seals. This might be a ritual. I've heard that certain mysterious entities in the ninja world need rituals."
"It's starting, Naruto!"
As they spoke, Orochimaru pulled out a small blade and stabbed it into his chest, cutting it open.
With Haneda's Rinnegan vision, he saw the Reaper behind Orochimaru mimic the motion, slicing its stomach open.
A soul began to descend, merging into the ashen body of one of the White Zetsu. Simultaneously, another soul arrived from the Pure Land.
Orochimaru then transformed into a small snake and, with Haneda's assistance, slithered into the mouth of another White Zetsu, which gradually morphed back into Orochimaru's form.
Naruto, frightened by the grotesque scene, hid behind Sasuke. Sasuke, though equally unnerved, resisted the urge to hide behind Haneda and instead stood protectively in front of Naruto.
"The ones you wanted to revive are here," Orochimaru said, standing up and looking at the forming figures of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
Minato, ever alert, reacted swiftly. In a flash, he used his Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport behind Orochimaru, marking him with a seal while pressing a kunai to his neck.
Kushina, not one to lag behind, began transforming into her Tailed Beast Mode, ready to coordinate with Minato to subdue the S-rank rogue ninja.
Orochimaru remained calm, smiling as he said, "No need to be so hasty, Minato. Perhaps you should take a moment to look at the people around me—like Haneda or your son, Naruto."
Haneda stepped forward. "Orochimaru works at Konoha's research facility now. He's no longer an S-rank rogue ninja.
"Also, I'm the Fifth Hokage."
"The details of what's happened to the village and everything else will be clear soon. For now, let's head into Naruto's spiritual space."
The tense atmosphere eased slightly as Minato and Kushina heard the innocent voice of a child.
"Dad! Mom!" Naruto called out.
Hearing his tender voice, Minato and Kushina turned to see him.
"Are you...Naruto?!"
"Now isn't the time for reunions. Follow me," Haneda interjected, activating his Rinnegan and pulling the Edo Tensei Minato and Kushina into Naruto's spiritual space.
Inside, Minato and Kushina were surprised to see the subdued Nine-Tails resting quietly. Haneda undid the previous seals, allowing the chakra remnants of Minato and Kushina to merge with their Edo Tensei counterparts.
As two versions of Minato and Kushina silently integrated, the Yin and Yang halves of Kurama began to converse.
"Yo, how's life been on your side?" the Yang Kurama asked casually.
"Hmph. Seeing myself like this is odd. And look at you, submitting to a mere human child. How disgraceful for a Tailed Beast," the Yin Kurama retorted.
"You have no idea what I've been through. And you see that guy over there, don't you?" Yang Kurama gestured toward Haneda.
"What about him? He's just that naturally evil Uchiha brat. Last time, we were too weak to deal with him. This time, it's different."
"Ha, don't drag me into your delusions. Look at his eyes."
"Eyes?"
The Yin Kurama glanced over and froze. Haneda's pale lavender Rinnegan bore an uncanny resemblance to the Sage of Six Paths, emitting a similar aura of authority.
Yin Kurama took an involuntary step back, muttering, How did that naturally evil Uchiha brat turn into someone comparable to the old man in just ten years?
Yang Kurama chuckled. "You should be grateful he's calmer now. What you just said could've gotten you beaten to a pulp in the past."
"..." The Yin Kurama was left speechless.
Meanwhile, Minato and Kushina finished merging their chakra and souls. Through Naruto's memories, they saw the truth about Hiruzen, Konoha's corruption, and Haneda's efforts for the village and Naruto.
Grateful, they said, "Haneda, thank you for taking care of Naruto all these years."
"It wasn't a burden," Haneda replied. "As long as you're both willing—well, it doesn't matter anymore."
"You're talking about Obito, aren't you?" Minato sighed. "It's my fault. If I had been faster, if I had recognized him back then, maybe—"
"Minato, it's not your fault. I was the one holding you back," Kushina interrupted.
"No, it wasn't your fault, Kushina."
"We're partners. What's mine is yours!"
"But I—"
"I don't care. I said what I said!"
"...Fine," Minato conceded, not wanting to trigger Kushina's "Red-Hot Habanero" mode.
Naruto, watching the exchange, tilted his head in confusion. The conversation sounded oddly familiar to him for some reason.
...
To Be Continued