Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha

"How did you appear behind me without a sound? Were you trying to scare me to death?!"

Having taken off her coat, and now only wearing close-fitting armor, Hongdou leaned out and stared intently at Shizune, asking:

"Don't think I've forgotten about being distorted by divine magic! You and Lady Tsunade have confirmed it, haven't you!"

"How...how could something like that... possibly happen?!"

Shizune turned her head and stammered a reply, but Red Bean sensed something was wrong. She immediately dribbled the ball and bumped into Shizune, getting close to her face. Seeing that Shizune's face was getting redder and redder, she angrily shouted:

"I knew it! It really was true!"

"Don't even think about leaving me!"

The suppressed silence hurriedly pushed away the maddened Red Bean, pulling and shoving while continuing to respond irritably:

"You idiot, what nonsense are you thinking? That kind of thing is obviously fake!"

"You're lying! Be careful, or your seniors will abandon you, you washboard..."

As Hongdou shouted, she puffed out her chest and responded with even greater irritation:

"Xiu Cai would never like your lewd breasts!"

"Lady Tsunade's is clearly more lewd!"

"what!!"

The two started fighting right there in the office. After some time, Jingyin and Hongdou sat back to back, panting heavily, and both of them had returned to normal.

"When are we going to find our senior?"

"It's best not to be too proactive in those kinds of things..."

"Even if you have the face of a young girl, you're already 30! If you don't take the initiative, you might not be able to have children!"

"You idiot!"

Shizune turned away impatiently, wanting to continue the "battle," but Red Bean suddenly snuggled into her friend's arms, tears welling in her eyes, and choked out in a low voice:

"Fortunately, there was divine magic; fortunately, our predecessor changed the world with the divine tree..."

Shizune, holding Hongdou tightly, sighed. She understood her feelings; this time, she would never give up, and ninjas were no longer important.

"Yes! Xiu has indeed been protecting us all along..."

Chapter 322 The Path of God's Evolution...

In early September of Konoha 67, news of Orochimaru's low-key return to Konoha began to circulate among the Jonin. Many Konoha ninjas were somewhat "fearful" of the return of this legendary Sannin.

What terrified the Konoha ninja was not Orochimaru himself, but the power wielded by the Hokage.

Everyone has experienced having their thoughts altered. Although everyone knows that Minato doesn't use "Kotoamatsukami," many people still complain about it in secret.

Minato was naturally aware of the village's internal situation, but he had no intention of explaining it, nor did he intend to let go of Orochimaru, a talent who was useful to the village.

The new world has arrived, and the relationship between Konoha, the Land of Fire, and the Daimyo is complex; for now, they can only maintain a system of co-governance.

Unable to achieve a complete overhaul, the Hokage can only balance the power of all parties. For the ninja clans and the daimyo, being able to unite closely is the best outcome at present.

The Fifth Hokage did not provide an explanation, and after nearly half a month of discussion, the Orochimaru controversy completely subsided.

For ordinary ninjas, the decisions of the higher-ups are irrelevant; life goes on. Faced with a new era, all they can do is try their best to integrate.

-

In the underground laboratory of the medical department on the east side of the village, Tsunade carefully checked the data on the instruments, then looked through several reports again, a puzzled expression involuntarily appearing on her face.

Jingyin, who had been assisting the teacher these past few days, noticed the teacher's expression and immediately whispered, "..."

"Teacher, is there a problem with the experimental data?"

"Well, it's completely different from what I guessed. There's nothing special about the cells and genes."

Tsunade frowned and responded, then looked up at the tissue being cultured in the green liquid, adding in a deep voice:

"This is incredible! That powerful chakra doesn't seem to have been extracted from the body; this body seems to be just a vessel adapted to some kind of special chakra."

"The same applies to genes. This artificial human was created based on Jiraiya's body, and his cell activity and activation level when releasing ninjutsu are not significantly different from those of ordinary ninjas."

"Orochimaru's information about the Karma was also rather strange; the life forms of those aliens had evolved to another level."

Silent and confused, Shizune, who was studying Kashin Koji primarily to extract "divine cells and genes," instinctively asked upon hearing Tsunade's words:

"Teacher, does that mean we can't use those cells and genes?"

"Or is that power too dangerous to be used?"

Tsunade placed the lab report on the table, and upon hearing her disciple's question, shook her head in disappointment before giving a clear answer:

"The cells and genes in his body are those of an ordinary human, and no divine magic can be found."

"This may involve issues of the spiritual realm. Their level of technology far surpasses ours. If the other side uses divine magic, it is most likely just a special application."

"Orochimaru clearly did not obtain the most crucial secret."

"This is somewhat similar to Xiu's ability. The spirit carries chakra that affects the body. When the spirit's energy is exhausted, the body can no longer produce that chakra."

"Perhaps this is good news for Xiu. Evolution does indeed rely on the spirit, while the body is merely a vessel. This may be the secret to becoming a god!"

Tsunade's long lifespan is also due to the spirit within the Hundred Healings Seal and the new chakra. Although her body is still human, her cells have undergone changes.

This is similar to the situation with the gods. If the holder dies, Tsunade doesn't know if the cells will revert to their original state.

"It's so... hard to understand!"

"Teacher, will we all be doing research on aliens from now on? I feel like gods and such are too dangerous..."

Shizune nearly glared at the data and analysis report, but upon hearing her disciple's exclamation, Tsunade shook her head again and whispered her own conjecture:

"If the Otsutsuki exist in some kind of spiritual form, then Naruto has the opportunity to pass on the Karma."

"This power is even stronger and more stable than that of the Tailed Beasts!"

“If we can keep the wedge, we just need to find a suitable body to use this power.”

Tsunade seemed quite excited at the end, as she still hoped that Konoha Village could be passed down, and that the Karma was the key to it. Only such a powerful force could ensure that the Will of Fire would continue to exist.

Shizune nodded as if she understood, but in her understanding, the Karma was the tailed beast, and mastering the Karma meant becoming a Jinchūriki!

However, this research lacks experimental materials and cannot proceed at present.

After thinking for a moment, Shizune changed the subject somewhat embarrassedly, lowered her head, and stammered out a question:

"Teacher, Xiu's birthday is the day after tomorrow, um... I..."

What gifts should I prepare?

Tsunade was trying to further organize her thoughts, realizing that the Karma seal was even more convenient than the Tailed Beasts, when she suddenly heard her disciple's question and instinctively responded:

"A gift? Just getting my body back to its best condition is enough..."

"Huh?!"

Shizune looked up, her face flushed. Tsunade, somewhat embarrassed, turned her head away. Over the years, she had grown accustomed to indulging on her birthday nights. Noticing her disciple's face growing increasingly red, she had no choice but to stroke her chin and change the subject:

"For my 30th birthday, I'll just prepare some handmade items!"

"Don't be nervous. Xiu is still the same as before. He doesn't really care much about ninja affairs. You just need to make yourself happy."

"Since you've chosen this path, don't care about worldly opinions. After pushing the limits of human lifespan, it's time to change your mindset..."

Tsunade fell into deep thought again at the end of her speech, as Furukawa Osamu's spirit had provided her with a lot of inspiration.

That god also seems to have followed this path, only he has evolved to an incredible degree.

"I see, life information is also stored in the spirit body. This technology is amazing..."

Watching Tsunade diligently writing at the lab bench, Shizune, her face flushed, drifted into a pink fantasy until a pink pig came to her side and made a sound, bringing her back to her senses.

"Puyo! Puyo!"

"Does Tonton also think going to hot springs is great? I'm a little worried that I'll be outdone by Red Bean!"

"Damn it! That big-breasted woman who likes desserts..."

Tun Tun, who hadn't eaten since last night, became even angrier after being picked up by Shizune. However, no matter how much it barked, Shizune just kept talking to herself.

The piglet, which was making loud noises, shuddered when it saw its owner glancing at it sideways—the kind of look one gives when eyeing food.

"Pu You..."

On the medical side, Tsunade analyzed the evil god, while another group of people were responsible for Hidan's body. The interrogation department has also recently joined in and successfully uncovered a lot of key information.

After finishing his work exploring memories, Yamanaka Inoichi wiped imaginary sweat from his brow and murmured:

"Luckily, we managed to subdue this guy in time. His immortality is too troublesome..."

"Senior, have you deciphered the deep memories?"

After serving tea, Yamashiro Aoba asked earnestly, but Yamanaka Inoichi shook his head, looked at Hidan on the lab table, and explained briefly:

"His memories are so chaotic, he doesn't seem human at all."

"He communicated with the evil god to gain immortality, and the Kara organization further modified his body on this basis. Lady Tsunade has already removed that device from it."

"If it were a battle, we would likely pay a heavy price. That device is more like a scientific ninja tool that we are still researching; it's an application of Yang Release."

"If this technology can be restored, it will be of great help to the village. I will dig out more useful information!"

"As expected of a senior!"

Yamashiro Aoba chuckled in praise, but considering that the current research was being advocated and promoted by the Fifth Hokage, he hesitated for a moment before quietly uttering his own conjecture:

"Senior, does the Hokage intend to introduce these powers?"

"If we want the village to be passed down, we must acquire some more powerful forces!"

At this moment, Yamanaka Inoichi was thinking about the Kirigakure cursed seal system, a powerful force developed by Yakushi Kabuto. Currently, the village couldn't match it, and the secret medicine seemed to have reached its limit.

Noticing the worry on Yamashiro Aoba's face, Yamanaka Inoichi softly offered two words of comfort:

"It's not as bad as you think. In the end, ninja matters will still be resolved by the ninjas!"

“Xiu is not that madman Uchiha Madara. If he wanted to reform the ninja world, he would have done it long ago. What we should be more worried about is losing our position as leaders of the five great nations.”

"It's unlikely that a ninja as powerful as the Fifth Hokage will appear again in the future. The Hokage needs to make plans as soon as possible."

It was only then that Yamashiro Aoba realized that Minato was already 40 years old, and in a few years, the next Hokage would be appointed, and the village would soon face a period of renewal.

...

On September 9th, Osamu Furukawa celebrated his 30th birthday. Although he gave up the method of achieving immortality by fusing with the Divine Tree, 30 years old can only be considered "infancy" in terms of his current lifespan.

The Shikkotsu Forest has relocated a large number of the roots of the divine tree, making the live slug particularly happy. The concentration of environmental energy has increased, which is conducive to the nurturing of life.

The tailed beasts, stripped of their chakra, have been living here for years. After being modified by Osamu Furukawa's Yin-Yang Release, several tailed beasts have undergone significant changes in appearance.

Now transformed into a large-headed tabby cat, Shukaku flaunts its nine tails every day. It's a noble "nine-tailed cat demon," completely shedding the embarrassment of having only one tail...

The Nine-Tails, now in its fox form, was basking in the sun atop a giant tree. It opened one eye and glared at Shukaku below, who was shaking its tail and wagging its tail, and muttered something unpleasant:

"Idiot raccoon! How many times have I told you, your tail is fake!"

"Even after your chakra is restored, you will still only possess your original power."

"Stupid fox! You're just jealous of me! I should have asked Master Xiu to change it to ten tails."

Shukaku responded smugly, extremely satisfied with its body; no tailed beast could suppress it anymore!

The little slug wriggled over to the two tailed beasts and interrupted their argument with a soft, sweet voice, gently reminding them:

"Be careful of Isshiki Otsutsuki, Black Zetsu, and Madara Uchiha coming to capture you. Black Zetsu is only missing chakra to awaken the Goddess of the Rabbit!"

"Although you have all lost your original chakra, you will be able to recover it over time."

“Those aliens are immortal beings; if they are captured, they can afford to wait.”

Kurama immediately cowered upon hearing "Uchiha Madara." Since the death of the Sage of Six Paths, Kurama had ceased involvement in human affairs; now, it only wished to grow up and regain its former power.

"Luckily, the original contract was broken, otherwise that evil Uchiha would definitely have summoned me!"

"Damn it, why can those aliens live for so long? Lord Xiu should eliminate them all!"

The four-tailed Goku, who was wandering in the woods, came over at this moment. Hearing the nine-tailed fox's complaint, he chuckled in response:

"For us, a few hundred years pass in the blink of an eye!"