Indeed, it was exactly like that. Minato Namikaze comforted Kazamatsuri Takuno and Fubuki Tonbo with heartfelt words in front of the escorting ninja, and finally smiled in a way that inspired complete trust—as if a giant warm light hovered above him, the powerful yellow glow impossible to ignore.
Once the handoff was complete, Minato quickly departed again, never once glancing at Kaede Tsukasa in the crowd, nor giving him the chance to approach for conversation.
This was the treatment a village-wide, super-genius prodigy deserved; someone like Kaede Tsukasa, insignificant in comparison, had no opportunity to ingratiate himself.
Kaede Tsukasa remained completely calm, unshaken. A closer look at Minato and Naruto revealed that Minato was far colder than Naruto—never acting on hot-blooded impulse, always calm, always rational, consistently choosing the option most likely to be correct within limited objective conditions.
Dealing with a radiant prodigy like Minato Namikaze, so admired yet utterly composed, was no simple task for someone of Kaede Tsukasa's current status.
Everyone admired Minato, excitedly discussing his charisma and visible, immense talent.
But Kazamatsuri Takuno was different.
"Tsukasa… that thing—is it the one you mentioned—?" Takuno asked from the stretcher, turning his head and opening one eye to study Kaede, his expression curious.
Kaede Tsukasa nodded calmly. "Yes. The technique I've been practicing seriously is the Dead Soul Technique. You're an experienced medical ninja, so you've probably heard of it… I may not have much talent, but I've been training diligently in a technique that suits me."
"…But the Dead Soul Technique…"
Takuno sighed, uncertain of what to say, worry etched on his face.
The Dead Soul Technique was originally Kabuto Yakushi's specialty. It could disguise corpses as other people and temporarily control them. Although the corpses' combat ability was weak, their movements and speech were indistinguishable from the living, useful for ambushing enemies or covering retreats.
Historically, Yakushi had once transformed an ANBU corpse into his own likeness, used it to approach an unconscious Sasuke, clashed with Kakashi protecting him, and disguised himself as the fallen ANBU ninja to escape through a window unexpectedly.
As a medical ninja, Takuno knew the village's approach to training war orphans, but he never expected Kaede Tsukasa to learn a technique so controversial.
In wartime, it was acceptable, but in peacetime, if Kaede's fame grew, using the Dead Soul Technique on corpses could become a vulnerability, attracting public criticism.
Takuno whispered, "Even Kabuto Yakushi rarely used this technique himself. You should be cautious. If the village asks me, I'll explain as best I can. Regardless, you saved our lives—that's undeniable merit. Without your Dead Soul Technique, none of us would have survived."
He still had many questions he didn't ask: Why did the Kirigakure ninja controlled by the Dead Soul Technique behave so strangely? Why, despite Ao's repeated attacks—even with severed limbs—did it remain aggressive?
Most importantly, Kaede Tsukasa's use of the Dead Soul Technique lasted far longer than normal and endured high-intensity taijutsu combat.
So many questions. Normal Dead Soul Technique couldn't maintain such continuous, autonomous attacks with a single body.
Takuno didn't press further. Hearing Kaede answer "Dead Soul Technique" was already helping cover for him.
Someone willing to risk their life to save comrades was trustworthy, and using a unique jutsu suddenly was understandable. Takuno felt it necessary to mitigate some of the risk for Kaede.
After all, besides Ao and himself, everyone who witnessed the scene was dead.
Kaede Tsukasa watched Takuno being carried away—they both understood without words.
As for Fubuki Tonbo? Already unconscious. Had it not been for Minato Namikaze's timely arrival, he would have been killed long ago. Normally, he would serve as one of the proctors during the written exam portion of the Chūnin exams when Naruto and Sasuke participated.
Of course, because Kaede Tsukasa had come to this world, the concept of "death" might become different in the future—perhaps death could take on another form of "life."
Two hours later.
Kaede Tsukasa had recovered some strength and arrived at the mission station to report the mission progress, unsurprisingly being marked as a "mission failure."
The reason: although he had killed the enemies, he ultimately did not strictly follow Ryoma Aburame's orders to head to the northern border.
Failure to complete the mission was a major failure. As for what happened during the mission… unless it resulted in enormous merit, it could not cover up the failure.
"So it seems… another failure added to my record. My genin resume must be dreadful. By the time Naruto and Sasuke arrive, those kids will probably laugh harshly at my file," Kaede Tsukasa thought, completely unconcerned.
In this era, the mission-first mindset was dominant. Concepts like "prioritizing the protection of comrades" were considered misguided, only becoming mainstream by the Naruto-Sasuke era. That shift required countless people working through many wars, gradually changing people's thinking.
As he prepared to leave, a man wearing a mask blocked his path.
"Genin Kaede Tsukasa, Ryoma requests your presence."
"Ryoma… understood."
Kaede Tsukasa nodded solemnly and responded.
Other hurried ninja turned their attention, surprised to witness the scene.
"Is that the masked one… an ANBU? But the shape and patterns on the mask look different."
"Why would an ANBU give orders to a genin?"
Soon, people stopped paying attention, returning to their own tasks and quickly heading to the front lines once preparations were complete.
…
The Root organization was nominally part of the ANBU but operated with an independent system.
When Ryoma Aburame summoned Kaede Tsukasa, he did not do so as the deputy director of Root, but as the deputy commander of the medical corps.
"I received Kazamatsuri Takuno's verbal report. He said you used the Dead Soul Technique to kill the enemies unexpectedly."
Ryoma Aburame's entire figure was shrouded in his wide robes. His cold gaze pierced through his sunglasses and landed on Kaede Tsukasa. "That 'Walking Miko' actually taught you a technique like this… You were just an underachiever I originally screened out. Why would she be willing to teach you such a jutsu?"