Chapter 18: Wanted: Tsukasa Kaede! His Jutsu Must Be Acquired!
Konoha's White Fang was undoubtedly a very reliable leader; most importantly, he highly valued his comrades, which was good news for Tsukasa Kaede.
If it were someone like Orochimaru or any other fellow, they might well use the opportunity of comrades falling into danger to bypass them and directly attack the enemy.
Tsukasa Kaede retreated rather disheveledly to the camp. Despite his seemingly impressive performance, the entire process lasted merely dozens of seconds—don't expect two Zombies with less than half of their strength from when they were alive to truly possess the combat power to turn the tide of battle. Being able to withstand one of Chiyo's Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu was already an exceptional performance.
But others didn't see it that way. Just by looking at the Konoha Ninja lying scattered around Tsukasa Kaede, it was clear that only Tsukasa Kaede, at that critical juncture, had used a surprising Jutsu to prevent the deaths of more comrades.
Medical Ninja always receive respect and attention. If this Medical Ninja also possessed a unique Ninjutsu and had earned Military Merit, they would be even more sought after.
By the bonfire at the southeast corner of the Konoha camp, Tsukasa Kaede looked exhausted. Just as he was about to pick up some charcoal to make the fire burn brighter, he quickly realized he didn't need to, because another Ninja had already done what he intended to do.
Details reveal status.
"Thank you. So you're saying, Sakumo defeated the enemy leader in one battle and even severed one of her arms?"
"That's right, exactly! Sakumo Hatake's moves seemed ordinary, but every time he attacked, he would always cut through all obstacles in his path, whether they were Puppets or people! The enemy leader, clutching her severed arm and fleeing, was truly a pathetic sight. Too bad you didn't see it."
The others chattered animatedly, surrounding Tsukasa Kaede in the center. Their faces showed expressions of admiration, and in the occasional glances they cast at Tsukasa Kaede, there was also a hint of fear.
It wasn't fear of Tsukasa Kaede's strength; Tsukasa Kaede hadn't reached the level of using absolute power to force everyone to acknowledge his prowess.
It was purely the naturally arising feeling of dread when facing a Medical Ninja who manipulated Corpses.
The abilities Tsukasa Kaede displayed during the day were simply too outrageous, surpassing everyone's understanding.
"It's like using dead people as Puppets, and even using the Ninjutsu they possessed when they were alive... No matter how you look at it, this is a Forbidden Jutsu."
Inuzuka Tsume scratched her cheek, muttering, "Right, Kuromaru? You surely haven't forgotten that smell either, have you? This guy kept claiming it was a type of Medical Ninjutsu, which just makes it even more terrifying. I'll have to re-evaluate Medical Ninja who wear white."
Kuromaru beside her barked loudly.
"Terrifying, but effective."
Morino Idate, bandaged, walked over. "Because of this Jutsu, we killed several additional enemies and saved some comrades from the enemy leader's surprise attack. This combination of gains and losses is hugely significant."
He intended to give Tsukasa Kaede a full body check-up, but was refused.
"Morino, you might have forgotten, I am also a Medical Ninja," Tsukasa Kaede said.
A trace of regret flashed in Morino Idate's eyes. Actually, he wanted to take the opportunity to touch the Scroll at Tsukasa Kaede's waist. All the Soul Death Technique Corpses, whether damaged or not, had all eventually been retrieved by Tsukasa Kaede into the Scroll.
"Very cautious," Morino Idate judged. He should have focused his real attention on this unusual Soul Death Technique earlier. Perhaps Ryoma would be interested.
No, not just Ryoma, the legendary Shimura Danzō might also be interested. It's said that Danzo is a man who embodies all darkness. If he could present this new Soul Death Technique, he might even be granted an audience with Danzo.
Morino Idate felt even more regretful inwardly, but the opportunity was already lost. A cautious fellow like Tsukasa Kaede was unlikely to give him another chance to pry deeper.
Tsukasa Kaede sat among the crowd, conversing like a normal person, and didn't display the unapproachable, cold demeanor that many Konoha Ninja had expected.
This act of mingling with the crowd was extremely rare for Tsukasa Kaede. If he had done this before, he would have long since contracted a host of Pathogens from so many people, and his body would have collapsed, leading to death.
"From now on, I can be considered somewhat famous. Although I'm still leagues away from the level of a 'genius' that people would sing about, at least I've used this opportunity to display my specific talents, which will facilitate my future actions... It's great that I was able to achieve this much on the battlefield against Sunagakure."
For Tsukasa Kaede, no opponent was more suitable than Sunagakure.
This was related to his plan for changing bodies. He had envisioned many theoretically feasible plans, but if he were to achieve a perfect body, he would undoubtedly need to start with Sunagakure. This was an important second step.
The first step, of course, was to display his Corpse Release ability at an opportune moment and thereby gain fame. At the very least, he couldn't be branded as practicing heretical arts, lest he be eliminated or forcibly recruited by ill-intentioned individuals.
Tsukasa Kaede certainly didn't want to have the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal implanted on his tongue.
"During this period, Hidden Sand Village should have begun its research into the Forbidden Jutsu of Human Puppet Creation Technique. Although it would have to be discontinued a few years later, it still provided crucial assistance to Sasori of the Red Sand, this Human Puppet master."
The fuse of the Second Great Ninja War was Hanzo of the Hidden Rain Village declaring war on the three great nations.
The fuse for the Third Great Ninja War, naturally, was Sasori of the Red Sand's assassination of the Third Kazekage. Sasori of the Red Sand, who had lost his parents since childhood, deeply felt the fragility and transience of flesh and blood bodies, and, disregarding everything, embarked on the path of Human Puppet, even to the point of Defection.
"My Corpse Release should have been noticed by the Higher-ups of Hidden Sand Village by now, right? This is very dangerous, but it is also truly my opportunity..." In Tsukasa Kaede's eyes, the flickering flames were reflected.
An Anbu Ninja appeared before Tsukasa Kaede: "Genin Tsukasa Kaede, by Sakumo's command, due to your outstanding performance on the battlefield, you are being specially promoted to Chunin. Please proceed immediately to the Main Camp."
...
Chiyo lowered her head, looking at her severed arm, saying nothing.
"Kaedester, it's just an arm. With the Village's technology, we can definitely install a prosthetic limb for you that's even better than your original arm," Ebizō comforted her.
Chiyo frowned, forcefully threw her handkerchief into the medicinal liquid before her. The stained blood on it slowly diffused in the ceramic basin.
"I'm not concerned about my arm. I spearheaded the development of Human Puppet, of course I know I can create a Puppet arm for myself. I've even designed what kind of mechanisms to install in the new arm and what types of Ninjutsu to pair with it."
Chiyo suddenly swept her sleeve, overturning the medicinal liquid before her: "I'm just regretting not taking the opportunity when my arm was severed to poison Sakumo Hatake! If I had injected Potent Poison into my Blood beforehand, and just let a few drops of blood fall onto that guy, everything would be different, and I would have had a chance for revenge."
She was vexed, hating that she wasn't ruthless enough. There was clearly an opportunity; failure could have been another form of victory, but she didn't seize it.
Ebizō remained silent. He now didn't know how to deal with his increasingly grim and resentful sister. Instead, he took out a report.
"Take a look at something you might be interested in. Tsukasa Kaede, 16 years old, War Orphan, Genin, Medical Ninja."
On the paper Ebizō unfolded, there were many question marks: "No Kekkei Genkai, no famous teacher, but he can fully utilize Corpses. There have even been instances of him using Corpses as self-destructing devices... It's said this Jutsu is called Soul Death Technique."
"Soul Death Technique? What kind of Soul Death Technique is this? He's still a Genin. Perhaps he spent many years perfecting the Soul Death Technique?"
Chiyo suddenly fell silent, frowning deeply in thought. She naturally knew what the true Soul Death Technique was like, but how was this possible? How did that Tsukasa Kaede do it? She hadn't seen him use Chakra threads to remotely control those Corpses.
Genjutsu? No, that's not right either. How could one use Genjutsu on dead people and then make the Corpses move? There couldn't possibly be such an outrageous Genjutsu.
Ebizō said, "The Puppeteer he Summoned has also been identified. Based on limited physical characteristics, they should be someone from our Village, defeated and killed in a battle a month ago. Our people didn't destroy the Corpses in time during the retreat, allowing Konoha Ninja to take them as War Spoils."
The Puppeteers of Hidden Sand Village are a highly specialized profession. Without superior talent, one wouldn't even qualify to begin training and could only honestly remain a traditional Ninja.
This meant that there were only so many Puppeteers in the entire Shinobi World, and those who reached the Jonin level were even rarer. A thorough investigation would surely reveal clues.
"Issue a command to list Tsukasa Kaede as an A-rank Mission target! He must be captured alive, or at least we must obtain his Soul Death Technique!"
Chiyo said sternly, "I must obtain his Jutsu! This is of vital importance to the Village!"
(end of chapter)