Well-Intentioned Selfishness

"Dad, why are you keeping it?" Nemu asked distractedly, not understanding the figure in the medical capsule.

Mikoto Uchiha's body lay in silence suspended in the solution, just as it came into the world, before I pressed a button and the glass became opaque to hide its contents in case someone else comes to my laboratory.

"Take it as a backup plan for certain situations," I replied to Nemu, waving my hand. "Remember that you can't tell anyone about it; it will be a surprise," I added.

There was a reason why I kept the body in optimal condition despite our farewell, all because of a private conversation I had with Mikoto, if it can be called that.

It was more me talking and her nodding or shaking her head.

As I said, the Pure Land was the best place to heal Mikoto's soul.

I still have to delve into that topic since I only have a superficial understanding of the native knowledge I obtained and some data derived from the Impure Resurrection technique, but using some experiments in the purest Mayuri Kurotsuchi style, that should be compensated soon. Perhaps half a year at most.

My theory was that the environment of the Pure Land should accelerate the soul's restoration cycle a considerable number of times, while being able to confront Fugaku and see some deceased family and friends should also accelerate putting Mikoto's mind in order.

In short, for her to be fully "alive" again, she needs to be dead for a long time to recover. It's crazy, but it is what it is.

Now, my conversation with Mikoto was somewhat depressing, but I wasn't going to take the initiative to kill her, and she knew it. So after half an hour of conversation, we came to a kind of agreement or favor.

Can it be called that? I'm really not sure...

Essentially, in case there was an accident that killed her completely (unlikely with the fruit I gave her, but that's how we ended much to my regret), I hoped I could help her preserve her body so she could be revived completely later instead of in an artificial shell like a gigai or derived from some sacrifice.

In return, she relinquished the entire collection of books from her clan along with other promises.

How else would Mikoto approve of Pakura "collecting" the Uchiha library?

She left enough behind for Sasuke to use, and unless he suddenly becomes a scholar and forgets about revenge, that's plenty.

As for the reason for wanting to revive, naturally, it's for her children.

Fugaku was a terrible father and an even worse clan leader, but Mikoto has so much maternal love that it overwhelms even from beyond. And returning her soul to her original body is something extremely easier, with no rejections and fewer complications in theory.

But this will also give me some headaches because if I demonstrate that I can fully revive someone (not yet, but I surely will later), I will start receiving hopeful requests.

There's a possibility that Ameyuri will ask me to bring back her parents, and I wouldn't have a problem. They are my in-laws after all, and Ameyuri's happiness is an absolute priority for me.

I don't think Haku will ask me to revive his mother, although I don't rule it out, but Mariko might want her husband back, who is also Karin's father. I also don't think Shizune would want Dan to come back, not after what she had to endure secretly for so long after his death and the revelation of the truth.

In fact, thinking about it that way, maybe she would ask for his resurrection just so Tsunade can kill him again for playing with her heart.

And speaking of her, I'm sure Tsunade won't be able to resist and will ask me to revive Nawaki and maybe some Senju who were close family to revive the clan. I could do it, but I'm not willing to do the first.

The reason is simple; as much as Nawaki loves his older sister and as much as Tsunade promises me that he will behave or that she will convince him after coming back to life, I personally would never trust him.

He's the kind of naive but impulsive person who would die for his ideals, and no matter how moving that sounds, it doesn't change that his dream is to become Hokage, and his loyalty is and will always be in Konoha, not here.

His mind has already gone rotten, so to speak.

There's a reason he was confused with Naruto.

I'm not going to risk a almost guaranteed traitor who has childish dreams and believes he is right just because Tsunade and I get along as a family at this point.

Is it selfish? I don't doubt it, but I won't give in on this point. Besides, in a way, I'm preventing Tsunade and Nawaki from fighting at a strong emotional level that would make things VERY ugly between them, let's find comfort in that idea, shall we?

So...

Mikoto coming back among the living? Easy.

Ameyuri's parents? Sure, the first ones.

Haku's mother? I can do it.

Mariko's husband? I would need more information, but it's possible.

Shizune's uncle? Forget it unless you want him dead again.

Senju clan members? Some are okay; we could add some Uzumakis along the way.

Tsunade's younger brother? Never!

So when I manage to master perfect resurrection, I need everyone to believe without exception that even with my abilities, it's extremely complicated, difficult to achieve, and with a bunch of obstacles that make successfully carrying it out rare.

From there, I can start working and deny that for X logical reasons, but not demonstrable in any way, it is impossible to bring back Nawaki and anyone else I don't want.

Of course, there's also the possibility that when the dead walk among the living again, some people recognize them. No matter, but I'm not going to revive Inoichi no matter how much the Yamanaka clan asks if Shikaku connects the dots and informs them. Not only because of what he did but because then the information for which he died would fall into Konoha's hands.

Now that I think about it, I just screwed Ino over pretty badly, and it's not even her fault.

I don't know if she'll go through a gothic phase, a quest for revenge, or move on...

Anyway, once Mariko finishes the new version of the seal, techniques like these won't be so lethal.

Oops, I'm getting off track again. It happens to me more and more often.

"Come on, Pakura must have finished preparing the dishes," I told Nemu.

We left the laboratory, and I couldn't help but turn around for a last look unconsciously at the last moment before the door closed.

"Thank you..."

I think hunger is affecting me because I had the feeling of hearing Mikoto's voice right there. I rubbed my stomach, and yes, it's definitely because of hunger and not due to some paranormal cause that transcends the limits of life and death due to the positive karma of my actions.

Now that I think about it, I hope Mikoto doesn't ask me to resurrect Kushina because if she finds out about the legal claim we made to Naruto...

Well, let's add Kushina to the blacklist along with Kawaki for our safety and health.

Wait, will Mikoto see Kushina in the Pure Land?

Hmm, it doesn't matter. Actually, I never confirmed that she knew her, and everything was a misunderstanding on Mikoto's part, so I don't think she'll take it into account.