Flying Thunder God?
As Richard vanished from sight, the Fourth Hokage's expression instantly hardened.
Though Flying Thunder God lacked visual effects—appearing superficially similar to the Body Flicker Technique—the Fourth Hokage recognized with certainty that Richard had just performed Flying Thunder God.
He had sensed the distinctive spatial distortion that accompanied teleportation via Flying Thunder God.
Richard, having employed Flying Thunder God, rematerialized at the Mask Storage Temple's entrance, calmly regarding the Fourth Hokage.
Before entering the temple—or more precisely, upon arriving at the Uzumaki clan ruins—he had strategically placed numerous Flying Thunder God markers throughout the area.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen this location to confront the Fourth Hokage.
"How do you know Flying Thunder God?" the Fourth Hokage asked, frowning.
"Naturally, I learned it from the information you left behind, Lord Fourth," Richard replied calmly.
"You learned Flying Thunder God solely from my note?" the Fourth Hokage pressed.
"Didn't you yourself master Flying Thunder God using only the Second Hokage's records? If you accomplished this, surely I could do the same," Richard explained.
For most shinobi, Flying Thunder God presented an insurmountable challenge.
For Richard, however, it proved relatively simple.
Flying Thunder God's exceptional difficulty stemmed primarily from two prerequisites: extraordinary space-time ninjutsu aptitude and reaction speed vastly exceeding normal parameters.
Setting these requirements aside, Flying Thunder God's learning complexity barely surpassed the Body Flicker Technique.
Hearing Richard's explanation, the Fourth Hokage fell silent.
Though uncertain how Richard had obtained his Flying Thunder God documentation, one fact remained indisputable: Richard's mastery of the technique equaled his own.
Moreover, Richard's reaction speed significantly exceeded his expectations.
After carefully studying Richard, the Fourth Hokage continued: "Who are you?"
"If I'm not mistaken, the jutsu binding me is the Impure World Reincarnation created by the Second Hokage."
"You know Flying Thunder God and Impure World Reincarnation, and you've broken the Reaper Death Seal. Your rank within Konoha must be high."
The three techniques—Flying Thunder God, Impure World Reincarnation, and Reaper Death Seal—represented Konoha's most closely guarded forbidden jutsu.
Though information regarding these techniques might have been stolen, the Fourth Hokage doubted Richard had acquired them through theft.
If someone could easily steal documentation for these three techniques from Konoha, it would indicate Konoha's complete decline—unable even to safeguard its forbidden techniques.
"My name is Richard. I'm currently an ordinary resident of Konoha," Richard stated.
Ordinary resident?
The Fourth Hokage momentarily appeared stunned by this response.
Though Richard wore no Konoha forehead protector and his attire differed completely from standard Konoha shinobi uniforms, the Fourth had never considered that Richard might not be a Konoha ninja.
"How many Hokage have succeeded me? Who currently holds the position?" the Fourth Hokage inquired.
During his sealing within the Reaper Death Seal, he had lost all sense of time's passage in the outside world.
Within the Reaper's stomach, time held no meaning.
His most recent memory remained the night of the Nine-Tails' attack.
"The Fifth generation. Lady Tsunade currently serves as Hokage," Richard answered.
Tsunade?
The Fourth Hokage again appeared surprised.
Tsunade is his Teacher teammate, her reputation preceded her.
After several seconds of silence, the Fourth Hokage continued: "Do you know Naruto Uzumaki?"
"Yes," Richard nodded.
"How old is he now?" the Fourth Hokage questioned.
"Nearly seventeen," Richard replied.
Learning Naruto had reached almost seventeen years of age, the Fourth Hokage finally comprehended how long he had been sealed.
"How did you know I divided the Nine-Tails, sealing its Yin half within myself?" the Fourth Hokage asked with grave intensity.
Beyond himself, only Kushina Uzumaki had known of his splitting the Nine-Tails and sealing its Yin portion.
"If I claimed to have guessed, would you believe me?" Richard countered.
"No," the Fourth Hokage immediately replied.
"Then I won't waste our time with that explanation."
"Let's not squander this opportunity. Let's have a proper sparring match."
"Naruto is currently in the village. After we conclude our business, I'll permit you to see him."
Richard explained.
Though he genuinely desired the Yin Nine-Tails sealed within the Fourth Hokage, he harbored no ill will toward the Fourth himself.
Beyond this neutrality, he held deep admiration for the Fourth Hokage.
"Agreed!" the Fourth Hokage responded without hesitation.
Then, he launched his initial attack.
More than ten minutes later, the Fourth Hokage—his appearance disheveled—found himself suspended in midair, firmly restrained by Richard's magical energy. The Yin Nine-Tails sealed within him was being extracted through Richard's specially developed "Rune Seal."
Like Death Slash—developed to counter the Reaper—the Rune Seal represented another technique Richard had perfected over the past three years.
Though both qualified as sealing techniques, they differed fundamentally from the Naruto world's sealing methods. Rune Seal drew power not from chakra but from magic.
Compared to chakra, Richard demonstrated greater proficiency with magical energy.
Under the Fourth Hokage's watchful gaze, Richard forcibly extracted the Yin Nine-Tails from his body.
The extracted entity transformed into a fist-sized crimson crystal.
Success!
Observing the ruby crystal floating silently before him, Richard finally exhaled with relief.
Though he had developed Rune Seal long ago, uncertainty remained regarding its effectiveness in extracting Tailed Beasts from Jinchūriki and crystallizing them.
Essentially, this represented his first practical application of Rune Seal.
Had his subject been a living Jinchūriki rather than the Fourth Hokage—resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation—the extraction would have proven fatal.
But the Fourth Hokage faced no such risk.
As an Impure World body, even forcible extraction of the Yin Nine-Tails couldn't kill him.
After examining the crimson crystal with satisfaction, Richard stored it within his system space and released the magical restraints binding the Fourth Hokage.
"You may now return to the village and see Naruto," Richard stated.
"Tomorrow at noon, I'll release the Impure World Reincarnation."
Without awaiting the Fourth Hokage's response, Richard performed Flying Thunder God, instantly returning to his residence from the Uzumaki clan ruins.
After Richard's departure, the Fourth Hokage remained motionless, hesitating briefly.
Then, he likewise performed Flying Thunder God, leaving the ruins to enter the village.
Upon returning home, Richard removed his clothing and proceeded to the bathroom for a hot soak.
His engagement with the Fourth Hokage had lasted just over ten minutes.
Despite its brevity, during their sparring session, the Fourth Hokage had deployed his entire arsenal:
Sage Mode, Kurama Mode, Tailed Beast Transformation, Nine-Tails Chakra Arms, Sage Art: Tailed Beast Rasengan, Flying Thunder God, Flying Thunder God: Second Step, Spiraling Flash Super Round Dance Howl Style Three, Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder, Rasengan, Shadow Shuriken Jutsu...
Excepting only his Toad Summons, Mount Myoboku's Toad Oil, and battle-inappropriate sealing techniques, the Fourth had utilized every technique at his disposal.
Nevertheless, he had failed to overcome Richard.
Richard had to acknowledge that this confrontation with the Fourth Hokage represented his most satisfying combat experience since arriving in the Naruto world.
After thirty minutes of comfortable relaxation, Richard emerged from the bath, wrapped himself in a towel, and retired to his bedroom.
The following noon, after awakening, Richard didn't immediately cancel Impure World Reincarnation. Instead, he located the Flying Thunder God marker he had placed on the Fourth Hokage.
During the previous evening's sparring match, he had successfully applied a Flying Thunder God marker to the Fourth Hokage.
Without difficulty, Richard sensed the marker's position.
This prompted a slight frown.
He had expected the Fourth Hokage to remain within the village.
Surprisingly, the Fourth had returned to the Uzumaki clan ruins.
After completing his morning routine, Richard performed Flying Thunder God, materializing at the ruins to meet the Fourth Hokage.
"Did you see Naruto?" Richard asked the Fourth Hokage, who sat before the Mask Storage Temple.
"Yes. He has developed more impressively than I anticipated."
"Beyond Naruto, I also visited Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Tsunade."
The Fourth Hokage immediately replied.
"Did you reveal that I resurrected you?" Richard inquired.
"No."
"However, they can deduce this without confirmation."
"According to their information, only two individuals can currently perform Impure World Reincarnation."
"One is Lord Orochimaru. The other is you."
After this explanation, the Fourth Hokage stood and approached Richard.
"Thank you," the Fourth Hokage said with profound sincerity.
"Thank me?" Richard responded. "Are you mistaken? I resurrected you solely to acquire the Yin Nine-Tails within you."
"Though your objective was the Yin Nine-Tails, my gratitude remains sincere," the Fourth countered.
"After extracting the Yin Nine-Tails, you could have immediately canceled Impure World Reincarnation. Instead, you granted me half a day of unrestricted movement, allowing me to meet Naruto and Jiraiya."
"From this perspective, I genuinely thank you."
Hearing the Fourth Hokage's response, Richard smiled and shook his head. "You're an interesting person."
"As are you," the Fourth replied.
"Moreover, I don't believe you harbor malicious intent."
"Though not affiliated with Konoha's shinobi forces, I perceive no ill will toward the village from you."
"Otherwise, given your capabilities, overthrowing Konoha would present minimal challenge."
Regarding the Fourth Hokage before him, Richard redirected the conversation: "Is there anyone else you wish to see?"
"If not, I'll now cancel Impure World Reincarnation, granting you freedom."
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Hokage immediately responded: "I've met everyone I wished to encounter. I have no lingering regrets."
"However, if you would grant one additional request, I would be grateful."
Though the Fourth Hokage hadn't specified his request, Richard anticipated its nature.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Fourth Hokage would ask him to spare Naruto's life.
"What request?" Richard asked.
"If possible, I hope you'll spare Naruto," the Fourth Hokage confirmed.
"Though the Yang Nine-Tails resides within Naruto, I believe you possess methods to extract it while preserving his life."
"I cannot prevent you from taking the Yang Nine-Tails, but as a father, I pray for his continued well-being."
The Fourth Hokage regarded Richard with grave intensity, his tone beseeching.
"Very well. I promise to make every effort to ensure his survival," Richard agreed without hesitation.
Though this commitment necessitated developing a superior extraction method preserving Naruto's life, this didn't represent an insurmountable challenge.
Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life and One's Own Life Reincarnation could both resurrect the deceased.
Beyond these techniques, Richard could develop alternative methods to guarantee Naruto's survival.
"Thank you," the Fourth Hokage declared, bowing deeply to Richard in profound gratitude.
Richard prepared to cancel Impure World Reincarnation, allowing the Fourth Hokage's soul to return to the Pure Land.
At that moment, the Fourth Hokage added: "I left ninjutsu and sealing technique documentation with Jiraiya last night. If these interest you, consult Jiraiya."
"I will," Richard nodded, rapidly forming hand signs to cancel Impure World Reincarnation.
As the technique dissolved, the dust comprising the Fourth Hokage's form gradually dispersed, his soul separating from the sacrificial vessel.
Within seconds, the Fourth Hokage before Richard reverted to the White Zetsu sacrifice.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Hokage's soul, having departed White Zetsu's body, returned to the Pure Land under natural law.
After briefly examining White Zetsu's form, Richard immediately cast Firaga, conjuring an intense flame sphere that reduced White Zetsu to ashes.
Then, he performed Flying Thunder God, departing the Uzumaki ruins for the village.
Rather than immediately seeking Jiraiya, Richard headed toward Ichiraku Ramen.
Before meeting with Jiraiya, he intended to enjoy lunch at his favorite establishment.
Half an hour later, having satisfied his appetite at Ichiraku Ramen, he strolled leisurely toward his office.
Shortly thereafter, he arrived at his destination.
Before entering his office, he spotted Naruto and Jiraiya standing outside the entrance.