By the time Deidara and his group returned to Otogakure, Orochimaru's clone had already retrieved the Shinigami Mask from the Namendo Shrine in the Land of Whirlpools.
"We should find a safe place to perform the Impure World Reincarnation," Deidara suggested.
He was well aware that Minato had half of the Nine-Tails sealed within him. While Minato's own strength wouldn't allow him to break free from Orochimaru's control under the Impure World Reincarnation, the addition of the Nine-Tails' power made the outcome uncertain. A battle would likely be inevitable.
The group arrived at a vast plain, an ideal location for fighting against the Flying Thunder God Technique. The open expanse allowed them to see in all directions, ensuring that Minato wouldn't be able to escape unnoticed.
As long as Obito didn't unexpectedly show up to provide Minato with a teleportation marker, they would be fine. After all, the Flying Thunder God Technique wasn't capable of ignoring distance and teleporting across the entire world.
As long as Obito stayed far away, even if Minato sensed him, he wouldn't be able to teleport to him.
"I'm starting now," Orochimaru said, putting on the Shinigami Mask and forming hand seals.
A chilling aura emanated from Orochimaru as he took a dagger and slashed across his stomach. Souls began pouring out from the Shinigami's belly—souls of those who had been sealed using the Reaper Death Seal.
Among them were Minato Namikaze, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and many others who had used or been sealed by the Reaper Death Seal in the past.
However, unless Orochimaru performed the Impure World Reincarnation on them, these souls could only remain in the afterlife, so they weren't a concern.
Finally, when the Shinigami tried to claim Orochimaru's soul, the sly serpent opened his mouth and transferred his soul into a pre-prepared body.
Standing up weakly, Orochimaru looked slightly drained. This body wasn't the White Zetsu body from the original timeline, so it wasn't as compatible, and a period of weakness was to be expected.
"Impure World Reincarnation!" Orochimaru said after resting for a moment, forming the seals for the technique. A coffin slowly rose from the ground.
Bang!
The coffin lid fell, revealing a handsome, sunny, blond man.
"Huh? Wasn't I dead?"
"And wasn't my soul sealed inside the Shinigami?" Minato Namikaze looked at his body in confusion.
"Hmm? Orochimaru-senpai?"
"Is this your doing?" Minato asked, his expression questioning as he looked at Orochimaru.
"Yes, someone asked me to reincarnate you," Orochimaru replied, pointing at Deidara.
"Who are you? I don't know you," Minato said, turning to Deidara. "What do you want from me?"
"It's a bit complicated," Deidara said.
"Just give me the short version," Minato replied.
"Your son, Naruto, isn't doing well in Konoha. He's nearly being treated as a Jinchūriki weapon. I can help you solve this problem, but I'll need a small favor in return," Deidara explained.
"What favor?" Minato asked, concern flashing across his face at the mention of Naruto. However, he couldn't bring himself to trust the stranger in front of him just yet.
"Half of the Nine-Tails. If that's too much, even just one Tailed Beast Ball will do," Deidara replied.
"Absolutely not!" Minato's expression turned wary upon realizing Deidara's intentions toward the Nine-Tails.
"But aren't you worried about your son?" Deidara pressed.
"I trust Naruto, and I trust Jiraiya-sensei and the Third Hokage to take care of him," Minato said firmly.
"On the other hand, judging by your appearances, you're all rogue ninjas. Orochimaru-senpai had already defected from the village years before I died. No offense, but I can't trust any of you," Minato said with a serious expression.
"Then how about just one Tailed Beast Ball? That's simple enough, isn't it? And who knows, maybe it'll kill me outright, solving your problem," Deidara suggested, taking a step back.
"No! I don't know what your goal is, but I can't agree to any of your requests. I can't trust anything you say either," Minato reiterated, his tone resolute.
"Looks like we'll have to fight," Deidara sighed.
"No need for that. I can control him with the Impure World Reincarnation," Orochimaru said, attempting to directly manipulate Minato.
Suddenly, a cloak of Nine-Tails Chakra appeared around Minato, breaking Orochimaru's control.
"Orochimaru-senpai, during the years I've been dead, I've reconciled with Kurama. By borrowing his power, your Impure World Reincarnation can no longer control me," Minato explained.
"Interesting," Orochimaru said, licking his lips to mask his embarrassment before quietly stepping aside.
Hidan, unable to contain his excitement, rushed forward.
"So, this guy is Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha?"
"Let me test his strength!" Hidan said, entering his first Cursed Seal state, his body covered in black markings.
Deidara glanced at Hidan with a helpless expression. "Hidan, just go straight to your second state. That way, you might last a few more seconds."
"Don't underestimate me!" Hidan snapped, clearly annoyed at Deidara's dismissive tone. He charged at Minato with his scythe, aiming to cut him in half.
Minato dodged effortlessly with a Body Flicker Technique. In his reincarnated state, he didn't have any Flying Thunder God kunai on him, so he had to manually place the technique's markers in different locations, significantly limiting his capabilities.
"Stop running!" Hidan shouted, swinging his scythe wildly.
Minato teleported to a marker he had placed earlier and struck Hidan in the back with a Rasengan.
"Ow! That hurts!" Hidan cried out, crashing to the ground in a heap.
Realizing that his first state wasn't enough, Hidan immediately entered his second state, gaining a significant boost in speed. He resumed his assault on Minato with renewed vigor.
Of course, the result was predictable. Minato completely outclassed Hidan, toying with him using just his Body Flicker Technique and Rasengan.
"Hidan, you're too weak," Kakuzu said, mocking Hidan as he was sent flying back to their feet by yet another Rasengan.
Hidan got up again, ignoring the fatal wound on his chest caused by the Rasengan.
"Why don't you try, then?" Hidan retorted angrily. He had thought his newfound power would allow him to dominate, only to be humiliated worse than ever.
"Fine, I will!" Kakuzu replied confidently.
Deidara covered his face, wishing he could stop Kakuzu.
Old man, while the Cursed Seal has indeed made you much stronger, you have to consider who your opponent is!
Minato Namikaze with half of the Nine-Tails' power—he's already beyond the Kage level. While he's not quite on the level of Madara Uchiha or Hashirama Senju, who are near Sage of Six Paths-level, he's still somewhere between Kage and pseudo-Six Paths-level.
You're just asking to be crushed!
Let's just hope the old man doesn't fall into another bout of depression. ~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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