"Impossible! How could my curse seal be broken so easily?!"
"This is impossible!"
Orochimaru stared in horror at the talisman smoldering with black smoke on the ground. His face was filled with disbelief. Because of his intense focus, panic set in. He had spent years studying the Reanimation Jutsu, meticulously refining his method of control through countless experiments. Until now, it had never failed.
Even the jutsu's creator, Senju Tobirama, and Senju Hashirama, the so-called God of Shinobi, had never been able to break free from it. Yet now, Uzumaki Mito, who had just been summoned for the first time, had escaped his control with ease. She had turned the technique against him, restraining him completely. How could Orochimaru not be shaken?
The mere thought of his soul being cursed by Uzumaki Raiden sent a chill through him. Orochimaru struggled frantically, gathering chakra in an attempt to break free from Mito's grip.
But the power of the Adamantine Sealing Chains was overwhelming. A technique strong enough to restrain even the Nine-Tails was far beyond the physical strength of Orochimaru, no matter how many times he had cheated death.
Uzumaki Raiden let out a quiet sigh of relief as he watched Mito subdue Orochimaru in an instant. If he had been forced to fight the grandmother who had raised him, he wouldn't have dared to lift a hand against her.
"I didn't expect this brat to actually use the Reanimation Jutsu on you," Hashirama said, his voice carrying a mix of nostalgia and amusement.
"But he got what he deserved. Thinking he could control you with a simple spell—how naive."
"You haven't changed one bit, Mito."
Hashirama looked at Mito with deep affection in his eyes. Seeing her standing before him once again, effortlessly handling Orochimaru, he couldn't help but smile.
"I may not have changed, but you have, my husband," Mito replied, her gaze sharp and discerning. "You've changed so much I barely recognize you anymore."
"It's unlike you to be causing trouble for your descendants even after death."
With that, Mito turned away from her husband and walked toward Uzumaki Raiden. Ignoring Hashirama entirely, she came to a stop before Raiden, raising a hand to touch his cheek.
Raiden didn't resist. Instead, he bowed his head slightly, allowing Mito's hand to rest against his face. The rage that had surged through him when Orochimaru had summoned her began to slowly subside.
"You've grown into a fine young man," Mito murmured, her eyes filled with warmth and nostalgia.
"And your strength has improved greatly. As expected of my grandson."
Before she passed away, Mito's greatest worry had been Uzumaki Raiden. When she died, Tsunade was already a mature shinobi—strong, respected, and independent. Nawaki and Kushina had Tsunade to rely on, ensuring they would live safe and fulfilling lives.
But Raiden had been different. At the time of her death, he was still a child. He had inherited her role as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Even though he was a disciple of the Third Hokage and had demonstrated incredible talent, Mito had always feared that the burden of the Nine-Tails would cast a dark shadow over his future.
She had seen too many jinchūriki suffer, scorned by their villages and treated as mere weapons.
But now, looking at him, it was clear that her worries had been unfounded. Raiden was thriving, stronger than ever, and living well in the village.
"Sister-in-law, do you know this kid?" Senju Tobirama asked, watching the interaction between Raiden and Mito with curiosity.
"Of course. I raised Raiden myself," Mito replied, glancing toward the door before shifting her gaze back to Raiden. She nodded in satisfaction.
"Tobirama, your jutsu has caused me a great deal of trouble."
"But in a way, I should thank you. If not for this, I wouldn't have had the chance to see Raiden all grown up."
As she spoke, Mito turned her attention toward Konoha Village, sensing the distinct chakras of Nawaki, Tsunade, and Kushina. Their presence was strong and full of life, assuring her that her loved ones were doing well.
Mito also sensed three more chakras similar in nature to her own.
"Raiden, your sister and the others—Nawaki, Tsunade—do they have children?" she asked anxiously, even though she already knew the answer. Still, she wanted to hear it from Raiden himself. Even Hashirama seemed curious, turning his gaze toward Raiden expectantly.
"Nawaki has a daughter named Senju Karin. Sister Tsunade isn't married yet," Raiden replied. "As for my older sister, she has two sons—Uzumaki Naruto and Namikaze Yoriichi."
Hearing this, Mito's eyes lit up with joy.
"Karin? That's a beautiful name."
"And Kushina married that blond kid, huh? I saw the signs back then. With him, she must be very happy."
"But what has Tsunade been doing all these years? Why isn't she married yet? Didn't she end up with Jiraiya?"
Mito's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Tsunade's love life—or lack thereof. But then, as if struck by a realization, she turned to Raiden, her eyes narrowing.
"Speaking of which… how old are you now?"
"Are you married?"
The sudden shift in topic made Raiden's scalp tingle. He had never expected to be pressured into marriage by his own grandmother.
"Uh…"
"I'm 33… and no, I'm not married."
Raiden's voice dropped to a near whisper, and in front of Mito, he had none of the imposing presence of a strong warrior.
"Huh?" Mito let out a displeased hum, her gaze turning sharp. Just as she was about to scold him, Hashirama suddenly moved.
Clapping his hands together, he summoned a barrage of wooden spikes, which shot toward Mito. At the same time, Senju Tobirama vanished, reappearing beside Raiden with a short blade aimed at his ribs.
Before Raiden could react, a radiant barrier of pure white light erupted from beneath Mito's feet, enveloping both herself and Raiden. The wooden spikes and Tobirama's blade struck the barrier simultaneously—only to be completely nullified.
Without missing a beat, Mito extended her hand toward Tobirama, causing the barrier to expand. Tobirama was instantly repelled, his body thrown back.
Then, Mito turned toward Orochimaru, preparing to summon the Adamantine Sealing Chains to strangle him.
"Grandma, Orochimaru is still valuable to the village," Raiden called out. "Let me handle him. I'll keep him under control."
Mito glanced at Raiden before nodding slightly. The golden chains quickly retracted, dragging Orochimaru into the barrier.
Meanwhile, outside the barrier, Hashirama seemed ready to unleash a more powerful jutsu—but several golden chains shot out from the barrier, restraining both him and Tobirama.
Seizing the moment, Raiden stepped in front of Orochimaru and began forming seals at high speed.
"Don't worry," Raiden said, his voice calm. "This won't harm you."
"It's just… insurance."
Orochimaru's eyes widened in terror as Raiden completed the sealing and placed his hand on Orochimaru's head. A flash of blue light followed.
Orochimaru didn't feel any immediate pain, but as someone who had deeply studied the soul, he instantly realized that something had been embedded within his very essence.
"Raiden… you bastard!!!"
A powerful killing intent erupted from Orochimaru's eyes, but just as it surfaced, an unbearable pain surged through his mind.
This pain was unlike anything physical. Orochimaru felt as though his body and soul had been forcibly severed, his very essence set ablaze. A deep, primal fear erupted from the depths of his being.
Yet, despite this agony, Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged, as if it were not him but someone else enduring the torment. Though the pain lasted only a few seconds, to Orochimaru, it felt like centuries. When his consciousness finally returned to his body, nothing seemed to have changed—yet he knew something had.
"This..." Orochimaru muttered, his eyes wide with disbelief. He looked at Uzumaki Raiden, his mind struggling to process what had just occurred. This technique had far exceeded his expectations. The curse Raiden had imprinted upon his soul possessed a terrifying power.
Even though he felt no physical damage, his mind was clouded by a lingering drowsiness. It was this discomfort that made him realize the truth—what had just happened was no illusion. The damage was real.
"Grandma, let him go," Raiden said, nodding slightly toward Mito.
Mito glanced at Orochimaru with intrigue. She had seen countless powerful sealing techniques, but this was the first time she had encountered a curse seal targeting the soul. Her curiosity was piqued.
"Raiden, did you develop this technique?" Mito asked as she knelt to examine Orochimaru's body. Finding nothing outwardly amiss only deepened her interest.
"Yes," Raiden replied. "A few years ago, I discovered an ancient sealing technique in the ancestral land of Uzushiogakure. Along with it, I obtained a Shinigami mask and began my research from there."
"It yielded some results."
Raiden smiled slightly before crouching down and helping Orochimaru to his feet.
Orochimaru, now fully aware of his predicament, took a deep look at Raiden—before his body went limp and he passed out.
Even though Orochimaru had lost consciousness, the Reanimation Jutsu did not automatically end. However, with Hashirama and Tobirama regaining control of their bodies, and with Mito's assistance, the restrictive talismans that bound their actions were removed.
"When this brat wakes up, he'll have to release the jutsu himself," Hashirama remarked, glancing at the unconscious Orochimaru.
"For now, we'll remain here a little longer."
Raiden hesitated before speaking.
"Hashirama-sama, Grandma, Tobirama-sama... don't the three of you want to visit the village?" he asked. "Right now, Konoha is hosting the Chūnin Exams. It's a lively time."
Truthfully, Raiden didn't want to part with Mito so soon. She had been gone for so many years, and he cherished every moment he could spend with her. With Orochimaru now under control, he saw no harm in letting the Reanimation Jutsu persist a little longer.
This way, Tsunade, Nawaki, and Kushina would have a chance to see Mito. He was certain they would be overjoyed to reunite with her—and with Hashirama and Tobirama as well.
"There must always be a boundary between the living and the dead," Mito said softly.
"We are people of the past. It's enough to know that we still live on in your hearts."
"There's no need for a reunion."
She gently embraced Raiden, her warmth conveying more than words ever could.
"Raiden, listen to me," she whispered. "Do not seek the path of resurrection. It is an abyss. If you pursue it, you will lose yourself completely."
Her tone was firm yet filled with love. She was grateful to have seen Raiden again, to know that he was strong and thriving. She now had the reassurance that Tsunade, Nawaki, and Kushina were all doing well. That was enough for her.
Raiden lowered his head slightly, feeling a pang of disappointment. He understood what she meant. Mito did not want to be disturbed in her eternal rest—not even by him.
"Konoha has flourished in the hands of you younger generations," Hashirama remarked, taking a deep breath.
"Seeing it today fills me with pride."
With that, the conversation shifted away from the emotional topic of parting. Instead, the group spoke of other things—though in reality, it was mostly Hashirama, Tobirama, and Mito asking questions, while Raiden provided the answers.
Hashirama and Tobirama were curious about Konoha's development, while Mito focused on the well-being of her great-grandchildren.
Time passed quickly. The sun, once high in the sky, had long since dipped below the horizon. The moon now shone brightly, surrounded by a sea of twinkling stars.
As the night deepened, Orochimaru, who had been unconscious, slowly opened his eyes.
At first, he looked around in a daze. Then, as his vision cleared, his gaze landed on Raiden and the others.
"Good times are always so fleeting," Hashirama sighed as he noticed Orochimaru stirring. Slowly, he got to his feet.
Mito and Tobirama also turned their eyes toward Orochimaru.
"Brat," Tobirama said firmly. "Undo the Reanimation Jutsu."
Mito placed a comforting hand on Raiden's shoulder. Though she said nothing, Raiden understood the sentiment behind her gesture. Silently, he lowered his head.
Orochimaru, now fully awake, remained silent as he assessed the situation. He slowly moved his stiff limbs, then wordlessly began forming hand seals.
As the final seal was completed, three radiant lights illuminated the night sky, descending upon Mito, Hashirama, and Tobirama.
Their souls began to separate from their bodies, dissolving into the void.
"Brother, thank you," Tobirama murmured.
"As for that individual's research... I'll leave it to you."
"Don't worry. Even though I placed a curse seal on you, I won't act against you," Raiden said quietly.
"In some ways... our goals align."
"From this day forward, the Longevity Laboratory is in your hands."
Raiden watched in silence as Mito, Hashirama, and Tobirama faded into nothingness.
"Longevity…" he whispered.
"At this point, I have no other choice."
(End of Chapter)