67 Chapter 66 : Resurrection

"That was smooth,right?"

"Can I do it again?"

Konan glanced at Ran Uchiha, and her rosy face instantly turned cold.

"Alright."

Ran Uchiha didn't intend to push further, so he hugged her gently and said, "Show me the way to the secret base where Akatsuki organises the meeting."

"What are you planning to...do?" Konan asked, avoiding a certain word deliberately.

Recognizing that she was intentionally avoiding a certain word, Ran Uchiha was tempted to say "love" in return.

Sister Konan had treated him well.

But he refrained.

Now was the time for business.

"Of course, to persuade other members of Akatsuki to join me."

"Do you really think Nagato will agree with you?"

"I doubt it."

"Humph!"

"If it doesn't work out, what will you do?"

"Time is the best remedy."

Ran Uchiha's mouth curled into a confident smile.

Was it challenging to recruit members of Akatsuki?

Even if Nagato objected, there was a finance controller, a sibling protector, an art specialist, an art enthusiast who lacked parental love, a cultist, and a partner protection specialist.

Was it wrong to recruit them?

Counting Obito controlled by Madara and Black Zetsu controlled by his mother, it wouldn't be a problem.

"Easy as pie," Ran Uchiha replied.

Konan looked at Ran Uchiha's smile and was intrigued.

"Ahh, this is interesting!"

"For the sake of his son, that old man is willing to let go of his last shred of dignity!"

On the high platform of Konoha's largest arena, Orochimaru gazed at Hiruzen Sarutobi's lifeless body not far away and felt deeply conflicted.

This old man might be hypocritical, but he had done a lot of good for his people. It was because of the trouble he had to deal with due to his hidden agenda that he couldn't stay still, resulting in many mistakes and endless problems.

The title of Hokage no longer carried the grandeur it once did, and nobody could help him.

However, it wasn't fair to call the old man bad. He had ushered in Konoha's golden age, despite the occasional lapses.

Now, the old man had laid down his dignity for his son, and the one he was asking for help was Tsunade.

Tsunade, despite being a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi, didn't owe him anything. In fact, Sarutobi Hiruzen owed her, along with Hashirama and Tobirama. Her apprenticeship was originally intended to increase his political clout, benefiting both parties.

Tsunade didn't owe Sarutobi anything. On the contrary, Sarutobi Hiruzen owed Hashirama, Tobirama, and Tsunade herself. He was trying to use the "Will of Fire" and Konoha's well-being as leverage to ease his guilt.

Now, he was actually stooping low to beg Tsunade as her sensei. It was a form of moral blackmail, and it wasn't just affecting him. It would also set a precedent.

[Onoki: Hey, old monkey, I understand your feelings as a father. It's really pitiful that the white-haired man gave in to the black-haired one twice.]

[Fourth Raikage Ai: In politics, the Third Hokage somewhat failed in this aspect.]

[Rasa : Third Hokage, why are you turning your back?"

Orochimaru (thought): "You're such a hypocrite!"

Yamato: "The Shinobi of those days were too kind."

[Yugito Nii: I heard that Sarutobi has only one grandson left, poor old man.]

Tsunade was suddenly feeling like she was being roasted over a fire, as if not agreeing to resurrect Sarutobi Asuma for Hiruzen Sarutobi would be an unforgivable crime.

In this moment, she felt the weight of public opinion and the prevailing sentiment. She didn't want to revive Sarutobi Asuma, but it seemed impossible to refuse now. She regretted not making a decisive choice earlier.

At the same time, she couldn't help but resent Sarutobi Hiruzen even more. He had put his dignity on the line, but she felt that things weren't as simple as they seemed.

At the same time, on the side of Konoha's largest arena, tens of thousands of ordinary villagers and hundreds of ninjas watched Hiruzen Sarutobi's pitiful state.

They couldn't help but feel sympathy. For most people, Sarutobi Hiruzen might not be as imposing as they once thought, but he was still the Third Hokage deeply rooted in their hearts.

However, for some, it was clear what Sarutobi Hiruzen was doing. Kakashi, Nara Shikaku, and others had seen through his intentions.

1: To play the loving father and gain sympathy.

2: To resurrect Sarutobi Asuma, increasing his power and having an extra Hokage as an option.

3: To weaken Tsunade's position, as she was clearly supporting Uchiha Ran. Her formidable physical prowess, top-tier Wood Style bloodline limit, mastery of Medical Ninjutsu, and the Hundred Healings Mark made her a formidable force.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had disrupted the future possibility of Tsunade choosing Wood Release Bloodline Limit.

Tsunade becoming stronger is obviously better for Konoha but Sarutobi Hiruzen wants to limit her.

"Damn it! The old man has lost his way!" thought everyone.

In the Pure Land world, Tobirama was nearly brought back to life by the shameless act of Sarutobi.

On the side, Hashirama patted his chest with a joyful expression.

He had wanted to speak up to support Sarutobi Hizan, but Mito Uzumaki stopped him in time and laid out her reasons. Otherwise, Hashirama talking would have made Tsunade's decision even more difficult.

"Hmph, I'll let Tsunade choose herself. Let's see who dares to object."

After getting frustrated, Tobirama, the quick thinker, prepared to address the crowd and allow Tsunade to choose.

As the Second Hokage and the teacher of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade's second grandfather, he had the authority. Nobody in Konoha had no reason to oppose him.

However, he had missed a step. Someone else had taken care of it.

[Uchiha Ran: Hey, when did the ninja world become so sentimental? All the ninjas from various villages are speaking up for my teacher, which touches me as a disciple.

But are you all so afraid of Konoha acquiring another Wood Style master who could dominate the world?

And if Tsunade, with her top-tier Wood Style, enhances her already impressive physical prowess, along with her mastery of Medical Ninjutsu, and the Hundred Healings Mark, it wouldn't be a problem for her to take on an entire village.

You're all panicking over this, right?]

Uchiha Ran's words not only mocked the ninjas from different villages but also exposed Sarutobi's hypocritical and self-centered side.

He intentionally highlighted Tsunade's strength after acquiring more power to make everyone realize the cost-effectiveness of her choice.

If you had a resurrection card, using it for Sarutobi would be an obvious choice. But if it meant sacrificing a ninja with top-tier Wood Style, acquired through a significant exchange, to resurrect Sarutobi Asuma, it would be a colossal loss for the entire village.

Nara Shikaku and others had realized this but still felt uneasy because it was Uchiha Ran, Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple, who had pointed it out.

"Fifth Hokage won't stay silent," Nara Shikaku said, relieved.

Nara Shikaku had noticed the villagers and ninjas weren't as enthusiastic as they initially appeared. People had their kind sides, but when it came to self-interest, they usually showed their true colors.

However, Nara Shikaku wasn't entirely content because it was Uchiha Ran, Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple, who had exposed it.

"Uchiha Ran certainly has a solution," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, feeling a mix of resentment and frustration.

The situation had changed unexpectedly.

[Uzumaki Naruto: Hey, I think we shouldn't disregard this matter. Bonds, the Will of Fire, these are more important. I can't pass up the opportunity to resurrect Uncle Asuma for increasing Konoha's strength."

No one expected the first person to counter Uchiha Ran to be Uzumaki Naruto.

"Bonds and the Will of Fire?"

"Is strength or comradeship more important?"

Kakashi glanced at Naruto with a solemn expression and felt a sense of relief. It was better late than never for his students to understand the values he had been trying to instill.

"Bonds?," Obito sneered, but his eyes betrayed his wavering emotions.

Uzumaki Kushina was angry in the sealed space, thinking her son was foolish. On the other hand, Namikaze Minato smiled and commented, "At least my son values his comrades and won't lose himself to power."

Here's a translated version of the fanfiction chapter with Japanese names and adjustments for the Anime universe:

Kushina was taken aback, then she sneered, "I don't care what you say, I'm furious anyway, that old man."

"For the Third Hokage, I'll settle it myself!" Namikaze Minato's face grew serious.

"Comrades, bonds? Is it more important than strength?" Gaara gazed at Uzumaki Naruto with deep emotion, as if he was on the verge of being moved to tears.

Gaara couldn't contain himself. He had already learned some information from the Golden List.

His mother name was Karura.

And there's the sand in the gourd, the legacy of my mother, not the One-Tail Shukaku.

He was initially confused, but now he had an intuitive feeling.

But... Rasa must perish!

"Ashura, this child, no matter what, possesses the warmth a person should possess," Ōtsutsuki Hamura sighed.

"Good boy," Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo beamed.

"The influence of Ashura on Naruto feels more daunting than that of previous inheritor.

Uchiha Ran was also touched by Naruto's words, but he paid it no mind.

He knew Naruto would surely stand up and speak out like this.

This was the Naruto who could be counted on to keep his word.

Who wouldn't want such a partner?

After all, Naruto wasn't soft on enemies; he wasn't a Poison Virgin either.

He also didn't intend to engage Naruto in a philosophical discussion about "Saving Ninety-Nine or One."

"Fortunately, I was already prepared; otherwise, I wouldn't have spoken up initially."

Uchiha Ran raised his left hand, his right hand moving in slow motion, upward.

Climbing to new heights and taking on challenges.

Rewarding myself for my cunningness.

Konan: ???

"Uchiha Ran! You..."

Konan was about to explode like a detonator.

But the next moment, she was stunned.

No, the entire ninja world was stunned.

[Uchiha Ran: Naruto is right; my Konoha ninja won't abandon any of my comrades.

[Uchiha Ran: I suggest Tsunade make a choice. I really don't want her to miss this opportunity to enhance her strength, but that doesn't mean we should give up on reviving Asuma.]

[Uchiha Ran: That said, I have to reveal something—I've actually mastered the resurrection jutsu.]

Resurrection...?

The entire ninja world erupted in chaos.

Uchiha Ran: Fish, get ready to bite.

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