Kakashi stood silently in the cool dimness of his basement lab.
Before him, in a sealed glass tank surrounded by fūinjutsu markings and chakra conduits, floated a personalized spore clone body grown from the exact genetic blueprint of Nawaki Senju.
The data had come from Senju's medical archives, hair strands preserved, blood taken from his corpse, even Kakashi was amazed at how the body was preserved.
Everything had been carefully restored and refined by Kakashi and Orochimaru. It was a near-perfect match, flawless down to the birthmarks.
Orochimaru stood nearby, his arms crossed and his golden snake eyes shimmering with a nostalgic gleam. He stared at the floating body, unmoving, save for the slight twitch of emotion at the corner of his mouth.
"To think I would see Nawaki again…he was my student once. A bright boy, full of fire, but it's a pity some old things…" Orochimaru murmured.
"He still is. Let's bring him back, as for the old things, they are long dead." Kakashi nodded, focused as he infused the tank with steady pulses of chakra.
Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Sasuga Kakashi-sama… Only you can do something like this. Even my so-called 'true body' failed to ever produce such precision. That one, my inferior clone." he smirked.
"Funny, hearing that from you. You really see yourself as the real Orochimaru now?" Kakashi smirked back.
"I am the real Orochimaru," the snake-sennin said with exaggerated nobility, as he flicked his sleeves. "A refined version."
"If the original Orochimaru saw you like this, he'd faint from anger." From the far corner, Tsunade, leaning against the wall beside Anko and Kurenai, burst out laughing.
"Let him," Orochimaru replied with a shrug.
Kakashi stepped forward, holding a small vial of Nawaki's preserved DNA, enhanced with Hashirama's enzymes.
He crouched down and placed it into a specially-prepared patch of earth inscribed with his perfected version of Edo Tensei, a combination of Tobirama's foundation, Orochimaru's modifications, and Kakashi's own innovations.
"Time to begin," he muttered.
Orochimaru stood beside him as an assistant, watching each seal with interest.
Kakashi slammed his hand down.
"Edo Tensei: Rebirth Release."
The seals glowed blue instead of the usual dark brown, radiating power as the DNA sank into the earth.
Chakra surged, and the air shimmered. From the spot, a figure slowly began forming, flesh growing over bones, hair sprouting, and skin smoothing. Kakashi threw a white medical robe as the chakra dispersed, and the figure gasped.
Nawaki Senju opened his eyes, jolting upright with a sharp intake of breath. His chest heaved as if he'd just broken the surface of deep water. Fear clouded his face, and the last memory of his life was the explosion that killed him.
"W-Where…?" He looked around, confused.
But before he could panic, Tsunade ran forward and wrapped him tightly in her arms, tears already flowing down her cheeks.
"Nawaki, it's okay… you're safe," she whispered in a trembling voice.
"Sis?" he blinked, stunned. But as he felt her warmth, his fear faded, and he slowly embraced her back.
"You're… different," Nawaki said.
When she finally let go, Nawaki took in the room, the unfamiliar lights, equipment, and the strangers watching. He stared at Kakashi's smile, Orochimaru's calm demeanor, Kurenai's kind gaze, and Anko's mischievous grin.
"Sis… what's going on? I… I died. I know I did." He asked.
Tsunade nodded and crouched in front of him. "Yes. You did. This is Konoha, but in the future, many years after your death. And this man," she turned and gestured toward Kakashi, "is my man… Kakashi. He revived you."
Kakashi gave him a small wave.
"Whoa. That's kinda crazy. You brought me back from the dead? That is so awesome!" Nawaki blinked and then grinned.
But then he squinted at Tsunade. "Wait a sec… You should be an old hag by now! Why do you look younger just like before?!"
Everyone around burst into laughter. Even Orochimaru let out a rare chuckle. Tsunade's temple throbbed furiously.
"Why you little!!" she smacked him on the head.
"Ow!" Nawaki crouched down, rubbing his scalp. "Yep. You're still the same!"
"How do you deal with this tyrannosaurus every day?" He looked up at Kakashi with mock sympathy.
Tsunade's hand twitched again, but the next slap was more playful than punishing.
"How do you feel?" Kakashi asked, as he and Orochimaru stepped closer to him.
"I feel… normal, I guess?" Nawaki rolled his shoulders.
Kakashi nodded. "Good. The body we used was a spore clone created by me; it blends your DNA with mine, but I made sure your cells would dominate. Over time, as you refine your chakra, your cells will overwrite the rest. You'll return to your original state completely."
"Uh… okay," Nawaki blinked. "I have no idea what that means, but sure!"
"He didn't understand a single word of that." Tsunade sighed.
"I said if you don't train hard, you'll stay my son forever," Kakashi smirked at him.
"Wha!? What?! No way! I refuse!"Nawaki turned to him with a horrified expression.
"Should I call you Dad too, Kakashi?" Tsunade rolled her eyes and pinched his waist.
"You already do every night. " Anko raised a brow and muttered.
Tsunade's sharp glare cut through the air, and Anko just grinned unapologetically.
"Teacher Orochimaru… is that really you?" Nawaki then turned to Orochimaru, squinting.
"Welcome back, Nawaki," Orochimaru said, his voice smooth. "But if you ever see another me running around… that's just my inferior clone. Don't call him teacher, alright?"
"Sure… I guess?" Though confused, Nawaki nodded.
The warmth of the room settled over them like a protective blanket. Kurenai stepped forward and placed a hand on Nawaki's shoulder, her eyes kind.
"Welcome back, you're family now." She said.
"Thanks… even if I have no clue what's going on." Nawaki grinned.
Kakashi stood back, his eyes sharp with satisfaction. This was more than just an experiment. It was the beginning of something greater. If Nawaki's body could be restored this well, then so could the others.
"Now that this worked," he said calmly, "I'll move on to the next step."
"Who next?" Orochimaru tilted his head.
"Kurenai's father. Then… Sasuke's parents." Kakashi looked down at the scroll he held, names written carefully in ink.
Behind him, Tsunade placed a gentle hand on Nawaki's shoulder, and Anko leaned into Kakashi's side with a proud smirk.