Naruto SI: Kaito Red Lightnin Chapter 217
Tsunade sat on the wooden ledge, leaning back against one of the pillars. One leg was bent, the other dangled freely over the edge. Her arms were loosely folded, a half-empty bottle of sake resting in her right hand.
Near her feet sat the empty bento box Kushina had given her.
She stared absently at the lake—completely lost in thought.
Her hair swayed softly in the wind.
The evening light washed warm and orange across her face.
A single droplet slid from the roof above and fell into the lake below, the ripples spreading outward.
Tsunade's eyes flicked toward the disturbance, her gaze distant.
Another breeze rustled her green haori.
Behind her, Kaito appeared—standing near another pillar, leaning against it with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.
She didn't acknowledge him. She simply let out a quiet sigh and took a long swig of sake.
Neither spoke.
They stayed like that in heavy silence as the sky slowly darkened and the sun sank lower, dipping toward the horizon.
As the final sliver of sunlight disappeared behind the trees, Tsunade finally broke the silence.
"…Alright."
Kaito opened his eyes, confused. "Alright, what?" he asked, looking at her.
Tsunade stood from the ledge, slipping her sandals back on. She turned to him, expression firm—though her eyes trembled.
"Alright," she repeated softly. "Do it. Bring them back."
…
The afternoon sun hung high over the village hidden in the leaves, warm light spilling across rooftops as clouds drifted lazily overhead. .
At the outskirts of Konoha, in a quiet clearing, a wooden shed stood alone.
Inside, Kaito shadow clone stood beside two beds. Each one held a White Zetsu clone, seals etched across their bodies in neat kanji lines, all converging toward a pair of scrolls laid out at the foot of each bed. Kaito moved between them, double-checking readings on the tablet in his hand.
Near the wall, two more Zetsu clones sat slumped unconscious, tightly bound by glowing chakra chains.
Just then, Kaito teleported into the lab with Tsunade.
Kaito looked over to the clone. "Everything ready?"
The clone beside the bed glanced over his shoulder and flashed a thumbs-up. " All set! boss"
Kaito approached, nodding once. "Good. Let's get started."
Tsunade followed him in, her eyes sweeping across the shed before settling on the beds. She stepped up beside him, frowning deeply. "So, brat… you going to explain how you plan to bring them back alive?" she asked. "And why exactly do you have these things lying around?" She jerked her thumb at the unconscious Zetsu against the wall.
Kaito didn't flinch. "They'll be used as the bodies," he said simply. Then he pointed toward the sealing array covering the clones. "This seal will let me completely rewrite their DNA into that of the person I'm reviving."
Tsunade blinked. "Rewrite their DNA?"
Kaito nodded once.
She stared at him, stunned. "Kaito… do you have any idea how insane this is? If you can actually edit someone's DNA—really edit it—the medical possibilities are endless. You could erase genetic diseases entirely."
Kaito rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… probably. I've already started on a stripped-down version for medical use. I'll give it to you for testing when it's done."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "So is that why you asked for Dan's and Nawaki's genetic material?"
Kaito shook his head. "That's only half of it. For the seal to work properly, I need the soul of the person—or at least a copy of it. Otherwise I'm just making a biological clone, ya know."
He gestured toward the side of the room, where the two bound Zetsu clones slumped against the wall.
"For that, we'll need to summon them with Edo Tensei first," Kaito explained. "Then we can have them imprint their soul and DNA onto the seal." He pointed at the black karma mark drawn across the scroll. "It's also easier this way. We can tell them what we're doing instead of them waking up confused out of nowhere, ya know."
"…I see." Tsunade let out a slow exhale. "Honestly… I'm not even surprised you managed to create a seal capable of bringing someone back from the dead." She shot him a sidelong look. "But a seal that rewrites an entire person just to revive someone? I didn't think you'd ever make something like that."
Kaito grimaced. "I didn't create it," he corrected. "I reverse-engineered an existing seal."
Tsunade's eyes widen. "The seal already existed?"
He nodded. "You remember Boruto, right?"
Tsunade brow rose "Yeah… that kid. Naruto's son from another timeline. What about him?"
"Remember what I told you?" Kaito said. "That they showed up here because they were chasing an enemy from the future."
Tsunade nodded, her focus sharpening.
"Well," Kaito went on, "that enemy—according to Sasuke—is part of an alien race. They use these seals to resurrect themselves every time they die."
He let out a slow breath. "And Boruto… he already had one of those seals on him. That's why they stayed in this timeline for so long. Me and Mom had to create a containment seal so he wouldn't turn into a vessel for that bastard, ya know."
Tsunade's eyes widened. "So we'll be facing aliens in the future?"
Kaito shrugged lightly. "Something like that, ya know."
He continued, "Anyway—me and Mom made a copy of Boruto's mark to study. So when those things eventually show up here, we'll have a way to remove it. I used that copy to reverse-engineer this seal." He pointed toward the Zetsu clone. "And I'm using them as vessels. Their cells are insanely adaptive—they're basically perfect hosts for the Karma. Plus, they're not human, and they're clones."
After he finished explaining, Tsunade let out a breath and nodded. "Do they know when their DNA is being rewritten? Do they feel it happening?"
Kaito shook his head. "No. Boruto didn't feel a thing. The rewriting phase is painless. But…" His expression darkened. "…once the seal activates—after the DNA's fully overwritten—there's a moment of extreme pain before the transformation completes. When the body shifts into the revived person."
Tsunade's jaw tightened. "I see… How long does the rewriting take?"
"It depends on the person," Kaito replied. "For Dad it took around a week. I think it'll be about the same for Nawaki-san and Dan-san."
A silence settled for a moment before Kaito spoke again.
"This is the last time I'm ever using this seal."
Tsunade raised a brow. "That so?"
Kaito nodded. "I'm locking it away after this. The only reason I even made it was because I didn't know if I could handle the masked man… and I knew Dad could." He let out a tired sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I don't want this thing being used. I won't use it again—even if someone begs for it."
He looked at her properly then. "This seal… it's even more dangerous than the Life Pulse Regeneration seal. It's better off hidden. I'm only doing this for you because… you've given a lot to people, ya know. But you never got much back. I think you deserve a second chance, ya know."
Tsunade's expression softened, Her voice wavered. "i see…Thank you."
Kaito nodded. "Good. Then let's get this over with." He signaled to the clone.
The clone immediately moved, pulling the curtains around the White Zetsu on the beds, hiding them from sight and leaving only the two scrolls at the foot of each bed visible.
Kaito walked to the center of the room and crouched, pulling a scroll from his pouch and unrolling it carefully across the floor.
Tsunade stepped beside him, arms crossed, watching closely.
Kaito's shadow clone hoisted the two unconscious White Zetsu over his shoulders and carried them to the center of the room, positioning them in a kneeling posture opposite Kaito.
Kaito took out two vials of blood and smeared each one into its corresponding section of the scroll.
The moment the blood touched the ink, the seal flared to life—black kanji spreading rapidly across the floor. They crawled outward like living lines, forming complex patterns until two wide circles enclosed each kneeling Zetsu clone.
Kaito glanced at Tsunade. "You ready?"
She closed her eyes, took a steadying breath, and nodded.
Kaito exhaled slowly. "Alright… here we go. Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei!" His palm slammed down onto the seal.
Instantly, the circles erupted in bright white light. Dust and dirt started to swirl violently as they clung to the Zetsu bodies. The stasis seals on them broke, and the white zetsu's let out a pained wails as their forms convulsed under the transformation.
The dirt wrapped around them completely, sculpting itself into the shapes of a man and a kid. The storm of dust spun faster before settling at last.
When the haze cleared, two figures stood in place: a kid with light brown hair and a man with light blue hair, both facing downward, their expressions blank and motionless.
Tsunade gasped softly. Her hand flew to her necklace, fingers tightening around it as her eyes glistened.
Dan and Nawaki's consciousness returned as their eyes slowly opened.
Dan was the first to fully come to. He looked down at his hand, took in the cracked, dusty texture and muttered, "…Edo Tensei."
Nawaki came to next—and the second his memories snapped back, he let out a sharp, startled shout. "AHH!" His body reacted on instinct, jumping back with wide eyes as he panted, looking wildly around the room.
He patted himself down in confusion. "I'm alive…?" Then he caught sight of his cracked hands. "W–Wait—wait, I'm alive?! What—why are my hands cracked?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY HANDS?!"
Dan turned, eyes wide as he recognized him—and realized they were both reanimated. "Nawaki…"
Nawaki snapped his head up toward him, saw Dan's patched, Edo Tensei body, and screamed even louder. "AHH! A zombie!! THERE'S A ZOMBIE MAN RIGHT THERE!!!" He pointed straight at him, stumbling back.
Dan flinched. "I—Nawaki! I'm not—well, technically yes, but—just calm down!"
"How do you know my name?!" Nawaki shouted back, even more panicked.
Before either of them could spiral any further, a soft, choked gasp broke through the tension.
Tsunade.
She stood frozen, trembling, tears spilling freely down her cheeks.
Nawaki blinked at her, his panic faltering. "…Huh? Tsuna-nee…?" He seemed to only now register her presence.
Dan's eyes shifted to her as though it was the first time he'd really seen her too. "…Tsunade."
Nawaki frowned in confusion. "Hey, Tsuna-nee… why are you crying?"
They didn't have time to figure it out.
Tsunade moved before either could react—her arms wrapping around Dan first, pulling him into a desperate, bone-crushing embrace. Dan's eyes widened in shock, then softened, a small, gentle smile forming.
"Tsunade… it's been a long time."
Nawaki stood there, dumbfounded. "Eh—hey! Why are you hugging that zombie? I'm right here, you know!"
Before he could complain any further, Tsunade grabbed him too, dragging him straight into the hug.
"Tsuna-nee—! I can't breathe!" Nawaki wheezed, his voice muffled—but undeniably happy.
After a long, tight embrace, Tsunade finally let them go, wiping her eyes. "I missed you both so much…"
Nawaki coughed dramatically, bending over as if he'd just regained oxygen. Then he looked up at her face—squinting. "Wow… Tsunade-nee, you look so old now."
Tsunade let out a shaky laugh as she wiped her tears. "I suppose you could say that."
Dan smiled softly. "You haven't changed, Tsunade."
Nawaki turned toward him, frowning. "Who the hell are you?"
Dan chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "I'm Dan Katō. I'm… a friend of Tsunade's."
Nawaki's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Huh. Friends."
Tsunade sniffed, composing herself. "Don't be rude, Nawaki." She smiled gently at both of them.
Dan exhaled. "How long has it been?"
"Twenty-plus years," Tsunade answered quietly.
Dan nodded, expression turning solemn. "I see…"
Tsunade's face tightened with lingering emotion.
Nawaki, on the other hand, reacted very differently. "TWENTY years?!" He stared down at his cracked hands in horror. "Wait—if it's been that long… does that mean I'm dead?!"
While the two processed their situation, Kaito rose to his feet, rolling up the Edo Tensei scroll. He let Tsunade have her moment, quietly pocketing the scroll before glancing at Nawaki.
He really does look a lot like Naruto, he thought.
Dan finally turned back to Tsunade. "Not that I'm not happy to see you again, Tsuna… but why have you summoned us with the Reanimation Jutsu?"
Kaito raised a hand slightly. "Well… I can explain that."
Both Dan and Nawaki turned toward him.
Nawaki squinted at Kaito, only just noticing him. Then he leaned toward Tsunade. "Huh? Tsuna-nee… is he your son or something?"
Dan tilted his head as he studied Kaito more closely, considering the possibility.
Tsunade let out a soft, amused chuckle. "I wish. No—he's Kushina's son."
Kaito gave a casual wave. "Hello. Kaito Uzumaki. Nice to meet you, ya know."
Nawaki stared, stunned. "Little Kushina has a kid? And he's older than me?!"
Dan hummed thoughtfully. "He looks a lot like Jiraiya's student, Minato…"
Kaito nodded. "Well… he is my father."
Dan's eyes widened slightly before he nodded. "I see…"
A moment later, he cleared his throat. "Right. Kaito-san—could you explain why you and tsunade brought us back with Edo Tensei?"
Kaito nodded. "Yeah. We summoned you to… revive you."
Dan frowned. "You mean… using Edo Tensei?"
Kaito shook his head. "No. I mean actually revive you. Fully alive. Heart beating and everything, ya know."
Nawaki's eyes widened. "W–Wait. You're saying we can come back alive? Like alive alive? Is that even possible?!"
Kaito nodded. "Yep. Think of it as a second chance."
Tsunade, now more composed, nodded as well. "What he's saying is true. We want to bring you back."
Dan's disbelief deepened. "…How?"
Kaito shook his head. "That part I can't tell you. I'm keeping the method secret. If the wrong person ever got hold of it… it'd be dangerous. Just know it's a forbidden technique."
Dan looked toward Tsunade for confirmation. She nodded gently.
Dan rubbed his chin. "I see…"
Nawaki, meanwhile, practically exploded with excitement. "Wait—so he's telling the truth? I can come back alive? That's—THAT'S GREAT!"
Kaito held up a hand. "Hold your horses. Yes, you can come back alive. But it's a one-time thing. If you die again, I'm not reviving you a second time."
Nawaki froze mid-celebration.
Kaito continued, "And the only reason I'm even offering this… is because of Aunt Tsunade. She suffered a lot after your deaths. I think she deserves to be happy, ya know?"
Dan's expression softened as he turned toward her. "…So I caused you that much pain, huh? I'm sorry, Tsunade."
She shook her head immediately, eyes misting over again.
Kaito went on, "I'll also be placing a seal on both of you so you can't tell anyone about the method. Those are my two conditions. I hope you understand."
Dan nodded calmly. "That's reasonable. But… even if we can be revived, has it not been too long? Wouldn't our return cause a lot of problems?"
Kaito nodded. "Exactly. That's why you won't be coming back as yourselves. If people suddenly see Dan Katō and Nawaki Senju walking around alive… well, that raises a lot of questions."
He crossed his arms. "So we'll create new identities for both of you."
Dan blinked. "New identities?"
"Yeah," Kaito said. "I can alter parts of your DNA—appearance, hair color, facial structure—so no one recognizes you."
He turned to Nawaki. "For example: Nawaki-san here. Since he'll be staying with Aunt Tsunade, we can adjust his appearance to resemble an Uzumaki—red hair, a slightly different face shape, lighter skin tone. Since you're descended from both Senju and Uzumaki, it'll look natural."
Tsunade nodded thoughtfully, rubbing her chin. "We can also say I found you on a mission—like when we found Karin and the others."
Kaito added, "And since my house has no rooms left, we can say you're staying with her until you find your own place. Or we can build you a house nearby."
Dan raised an eyebrow. "And me?"
"For you," Kaito said, "we'll need a cover identity too. Something believable. Maybe a former ROOT shinobi who defected, or an ANBU who's been on a decades-long covert mission and finally returned. Complicated, but doable."
He pointed at Tsunade. "And preparing all the official records is your job—since you're the Hokage."
Dan turned to her with an eyebrow raised.
Nawaki jabbed a finger at her. "You're the Hokage?!"
Tsunade nodded. "I am the Fifth Hokage."
Dan smiled softly. "I see. So you decided to fulfill our dreams… Thank you."
Nawaki's face lit up. "Really? That's awesome! I can't believe you actually became Hokage! Just you wait—I'll become Hokage too—!"
Kaito snorted. "Yeah, no. You should probably give up on that dream."
Nawaki spun toward him. "WHY not?!"
Kaito sighed. "Because being Hokage puts way too much attention on you. And since you won't technically be a native Konoha citizen anymore—because of your new identity—it'll be hard to explain things if people start digging. Too risky."
Nawaki deflated instantly. "…Awww man…"
Dan let out a soft chuckle. "That's fine. Tsunade fulfilled my dream. That's enough for me."
Kaito clapped his hands together. "Alright then—let's get this over with." He guided them to the tables and pointed at the scrolls laid out there.
"Okay," Kaito explained, "just place your hand on the circle and channel your chakra. Once the imprinting finishes, your Edo bodies will start to crumble. In about a week, you'll wake up in your new bodies."
He added, "Also—once you're fully revived, we'll need to catch you up on everything that's happened since you died. And you both need to understand this: Nawaki and Dan are dead. Your new identities will be different people. So don't go talking to anyone from your past."
Dan nodded. "I understand."
Nawaki thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Eh… okay, I guess."
They each placed their hands on the scrolls. The seals glowed, pulsing softly as the imprinting process completed.
A moment later, their Edo bodies began to crack and crumble.
Dan looked at Tsunade with a gentle smile. "I'll see you in a week."
Nawaki gave her a wide grin. "Yeah! See you in a week, Nee-chan!"
Their bodies fully disintegrated into dust, leaving the seals glowing faintly on the scrolls.
Kaito looked at Tsunade. "I'll let you alter Dan-san's appearance however you want, ya know," he said, stepping over to Nawaki's scroll to start adjusting the physical template before imprinting the karma onto the Zetsu vessel.
But before he could begin, Tsunade reached out and grabbed his shoulder.
Kaito turned, confused. "Huh?"
She didn't answer—she leaned down and kissed him gently on the forehead.
Kaito froze, stunned. Before he could say a word, she removed her necklace and slipped it around his neck.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Kaito stared down at the necklace, blinked once—then his eye twitched.'…Am I cursed now?'
If you wish to support this story, please join me at patreon.com/Tilct
Please contribute some power stone