The Valley of the End—a place filled with stories.
In the anime, Naruto and Sasuke each lost an arm here, earning it the nickname "Two-Arms Gorge" among fans.
Of course, others also jokingly call it the Marriage Registry Office, the Lovers' Quarrel Ground, or Win and You Lose a Kage, Lose and You Lose Sakura Valley...
Inside the Valley of the End,
Near two towering stone statues dressed in armor, performing the Seal of Reconciliation with their hands, a small wooden cabin stands on a relatively flat hillside.
Right now, if anyone were to pass by and see the two people living here, they'd be shocked beyond words.
"No way! These two look just like the statues... no, wait, are these statues possessed?!"
That's right—the owners of this cabin are none other than Hashirama and Madara.
Ever since the battle ended a month ago, Madara—who had lost all hope—settled down here with Hashirama, and stayed ever since.
"It seems you're doing pretty well out here, Senior Madara," Kaze paid a visit and teased cheerfully.
"The once-feared reaper who terrorized the ninja world, now hiding away in a remote corner. Doesn't that leave a bitter taste?"
Kaze's words seemed teasing at first glance, but Madara sensed the hidden probing tone underneath. Naturally, he saw through it.
He didn't get angry. Shooting Kaze a sideways glance, he replied coolly,
"I'm merely the fading light of a past era. The ninja world no longer has space for me. Perhaps withering away in solitude is my destined end."
Kaze nodded thoughtfully, saying, "So you've really let go."
Madara glanced inside the house where Hashirama was fumbling through cooking dinner. He fought back a smirk and coldly said to Kaze,
"Not anymore. I'm no longer your match."
This idiot Hashirama, obviously a reincarnated body yet insists on cooking every day.
Since he couldn't taste anything, every meal came out bland and awful, and Madara had scolded him countless times—but the fool still kept at it happily.
What a pain… Hmph!
"So then, have you made up your mind yet, Madara Uchiha?" Kaze pressed on.
Madara gave a faint snort and asked, "Are you certain you'll deliver on what you promised?"
Kaze spread his hands helplessly, "I could've just taken it directly, yet I'm still explaining things to you. I think that itself speaks volumes."
"Don't worry. Since I've already agreed, after obtaining the Rinnegan, I'll definitely bring Hashirama back for you."
Madara slightly nodded, then remained silent.
With a swift motion, he slid his hand across his left eye socket, pulling out the purple Rinnegan and handing it directly to Kaze.
'Finally got it!'
Kaze received the Rinnegan excitedly, then immediately handed Madara a small vial.
"Senior Madara, this is a [Three-tomoe Sharingan]. Hope it works for now."
[Uchiha Sharingan: Instant Compatibility – Users Always Sing Praises]
When Madara returned to the wooden cabin again, both of his eyes had reverted to their original black color.
"Madara," Hashirama murmured softly.
Hashirama's face flickered with complex emotions, but he asked nothing, instead offering a smile:
"Madara, dinner's ready. Come try it and see if I've improved today!"
Madara raised his fist lightly, lips curling upward as he grinned.
"If it's still as bad as yesterday, I'll definitely punch you, Hashirama!"
...
Shikkotsu Forest.
Looking at the purple eye resting in his palm, Kaze felt a surge of emotion.
Yukino, Yuto, Ayako... One by one, familiar faces flashed through his mind.
"After waiting so long... Finally... Finally, I can bring everyone back!"
That's right. Kaze planned to use the [Edo Tensei] to bring back all these dearly missed people.
However, this technique came at the cost of the caster's own vitality.
The longer the target had been deceased, the greater their numbers, and the stronger their power, the more vitality would be consumed.
In theory, casting this jutsu would mean certain death for the user.
But Kaze had found the perfect "candidate"—someone who could bypass that cost and still perform the technique.
The Slug Sage!
A slug whose vitality was endless—so much so that through division and regeneration alone, she filled an entire otherworldly dimension.
Due to the Evil God's curse, the Slug Sage also gained the "immortality" trait.
If he could persuade the Slug Sage...
To split off one of her clones to serve as the sacrifice for the [Edo Tensei], the issue would resolve itself.
Thinking along those lines,
Kaze slowly walked deep into Shikkotsu Forest and explained his intentions to the woman formed from the slug before him.
"I'm willing to help you, Little Kaze. But you must promise to do me a favor in return," the Slug Sage spoke gently.
"What kind of favor? Just tell me!" Kaze held back his excitement, asked eagerly.
"My dear Kaze, I want your help with my cultivation."
"Hssk—!"
A sharp hiss escaped Kaze upon hearing the Slug Sage's words.
"This... this could be bad..."
At first, Kaze hesitated internally.
But looking at the warm, charming, and curvaceous mature woman before him, Kaze showed a determined expression.
If it meant bringing everyone back, what was a small sacrifice on his part?
[Master, you're thinking too much again.]
As Kaze was caught up in his wild thoughts, the System spoke up in his mind with exasperation.
[It must have sensed my presence when you inherited the Sage Art before. That's why she said it.]
Kaze's heart trembled. "You're kidding, right, System? The Slug Sage can sense your existence?!"
[Hmph, this slug is rather interesting.] The System replied.
[Blessed—or cursed—with taint from a higher being, she inadvertently pushed herself to the limit this world can tolerate.]
[To advance further, she needs assistance from a force beyond this world. She probably sees you as her key to breaking through this boundary.]
"I see." Kaze's face cleared with understanding.
After exchanging words with the System, he accepted the Slug Sage's condition and handed the eye over to her.
...
One week later.
"Hmm... Where am I?"
The woman sat up stiffly, gazing around in confusion.
Her recently regained consciousness made it hard for her to process her current situation.
Wasn't she in the Pure Land? How did she end up here...
"Sister Yukino!"
Before Yukino could collect her thoughts, a pair of strong arms pulled her into a tight embrace.
The familiar nickname stirred her heart.
"Haa… Kaze?!"
Even after all these years, she recognized him immediately and clung tightly to him.
"Kaze, what—what is going on?" Yukino's eyes were red-rimmed as she asked.
"I brought you back to life, Sister Yukino," Kaze whispered softly into Yukino's ear.
"Now, we're about the same age."
Though she hadn't yet fully grasped the situation, Yukino's face flushed instantly.
She suddenly realized how intimate their position was.
Once her equal in height, Kaze now towered over her by a head.
He gazed down at her tenderly, his face inching closer.
"Kaze, you... I..."
As the mood between them deepened, two figures ran toward them.
"My young master!"
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