Drip.
Water seeped through the cracked stone slabs of the cave, dripping into an ancient underground passage, adding to the dampness of the place.
Gensou stepped into a small puddle that had accumulated over time. The splash echoed, sending ripples across the water's surface.
He raised his head, taking in the sight of the long-abandoned, dilapidated passage before him.
This was the land of the Hagoromo Clan.
Not the flourishing, peak-period Hagoromo Clan land found in the dream world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
But the one in the real world.
After the Battle of the Valley of Godfall, the Hagoromo Clan had scattered and relocated, leaving behind this once-sprawling territory to fall into disrepair.
Over the years, opportunists seeking treasure or secrets had rummaged through the remains, leaving it further desecrated.
When Gensou arrived, he could barely reconcile this decayed land with the vivid memories of his clan's former glory.
Standing quietly on the ruins of the clan grounds for several minutes, he made his way through broken eaves, moss-covered walls, and desolate structures, eventually reaching a hidden location.
Here lay the burial site of many prominent figures in the Hagoromo Clan's history.
When Gensou arrived, it was clear that this place had also been visited by skilled individuals from the shinobi world.
Knowing that they would have found nothing, Gensou wasn't concerned. He strode forward, walking through the underground passage where the water from the cave had caused severe erosion, until he reached a spacious hall.
Gensou conjured several fireballs, illuminating the area.
Looking around, the hall's walls and ceiling were densely carved with depictions of the Hagoromo Clan's past glories.
Aside from the carvings, the only significant feature was a high seat at the far end of the hall, emblazoned with the clan's crest.
Any grave robber who had come here expecting riches would have left empty-handed and deeply disappointed.
But Gensou knew the greatest treasure of the Hagoromo Clan lay here.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of his firm steps echoed in the empty hall.
Gensou approached the high seat, looking at the large crescent-moon emblem on its backrest. He turned around and slowly sat down.
For a moment, he remained still.
Facing the empty hall, he spoke.
"My apologies for disturbing your eternal rest without permission, esteemed elders of the Hagoromo Clan," he began, his voice deep and resonant, echoing through the hall.
"Today marks a critical juncture for the survival of our clan. A single misstep could lead to our complete demise, but if we succeed, the Hagoromo Clan will rise to the pinnacle of the shinobi world."
"Therefore, as the current head of the Hagoromo Clan, I humbly ask for your aid."
His words reverberated until the final echo faded into silence.
Gensou's gaze sharpened. He lifted his right foot and stomped the ground. Chakra, pulsing with a unique rhythm, spread into the floor below, activating a hidden mechanism.
Quickly, his attention turned to a corner of the hall as a corpse, entirely wrapped in black runes, slowly rose from the ground.
This was just the beginning.
Under Gensou's watchful eyes, more corpses, similarly wrapped in black runes, emerged one by one.
Before long, the hall was no longer empty.
Rows upon rows of neatly arranged corpses of the Hagoromo Clan's ancestors filled the space, their presence solemn and imposing.
Gensou's eyes swept over the black runes encasing their bodies—something he was all too familiar with.
The Forbidden Art: Breath of Eternal Slumber.
This technique had been a crucial part of his own resurrection plan, left behind after the Battle of the Valley of Godfall.
For the ancestors resting here, the technique served a different purpose: preserving their bodies in pristine condition after death.
These ancestors had all used this forbidden art in their final moments—whether due to old age or fatal injuries—choosing to sacrifice their lives in exchange for a peaceful, undisturbed rest.
The only person capable of sensing and accessing them was the clan head, who held the key to the technique.
And now, that person was Gensou.
He had not intended to disturb their rest.
However, the unexpected resurrection of Orochimaru and the Five Great Shinobi Villages' decision to use his Edo Tensei to revive countless historical figures had increased the pressure on Gensou.
The God Tree required time to bloom—a window that could easily allow the Allied Shinobi Forces to destroy it.
Gensou needed reinforcements.
The actions of the Five Great Shinobi Villages had inspired him.
Undead warriors revived by Edo Tensei, fearless in death and powerful in life, were the perfect candidates.
The Five Great Shinobi Villages prided themselves on their legacies and the number of strong shinobi they could revive.
What they didn't realize was that their history paled in comparison to the Hagoromo Clan's thousand-year legacy.
During that time, the Hagoromo Clan had produced countless powerful shinobi—many of whom rivaled or surpassed the Five Kage.
Those who had lived long enough to return to the clan grounds and use the Breath of Eternal Slumber were among the strongest.
Many of those buried here were former clan heads.
By using Edo Tensei to resurrect them, and with their preserved bodies as vessels, these ancestors could fight at nearly full strength.
As for obtaining their DNA samples, Gensou had long prepared for this. Using the key to the forbidden art, he had developed a way to extract DNA without damaging the seals.
Gensou approached the nearest ancestor's body, murmuring an apology. Extending his index finger—also encased in black runes—he lightly touched the seal on the body, his finger merging seamlessly with the markings to extract a sample.
With the DNA in hand and the Edo Tensei technique perfected, everything was in place.
Although controlling the resurrected individuals had been a challenge for others, it was no concern for Gensou.
These were his ancestors—no control was needed.
Looking at the gathered ancestors, Gensou knew that the Breath of Eternal Slumber seals would remain intact even after the Edo Tensei was dispelled, allowing them to return to their peaceful rest.
But all of this relied on victory.
"Esteemed elders, lend me your strength, and aid the Hagoromo Clan in its time of need," Gensou declared, clapping his hands together.
(End of Chapter)
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