chapter 100 part 3
"Haha, Senpai, you're truly joking. I don't possess that kind of ability. Hidan's situation is quite special. Truth be told, even I might not fare well if I fell victim to his jutsu."
Tsukasa Kaede considered himself an Elite Jonin, rather than a Kage-level expert.
In the Hidden Leaf Village, very few people would openly mention the term "Kage-level," but it was rarely mentioned not because it was taboo, but simply because tens of thousands of Konoha ninja had no opportunity to encounter Kage-level experts.
Powerful Barrier Ninjutsu like the Four Red Yang Formation; those who knew, were aware that this jutsu required four Kage-level experts to activate.
"You're too humble. Hidan killing the Four-Tails greatly intimidated all the Villages. As Hidan's teacher, in the eyes of outsiders, your current strength must be even more terrifying. The Village can be so peaceful because your master and disciple have played a huge deterrent role, making enemies afraid to act rashly."
Shizune poured the tea, and Dan Kato pushed a cup towards Tsukasa Kaede.
Tsukasa Kaede took a sip. "Hidan could kill the Four-Tails, but I couldn't kill the Five-Tails. Back then, the Five-Tails escaped me."
Strictly speaking, Tsukasa Kaede actually possessed the ability to directly confront Kage-level experts. He had Roshi under his command, and three Elite Jonin who, after careful training, had all surpassed their peak strength from when they were alive.
Araki of the Sand, who was Tsukasa Kaede's earliest follower, visibly grew stronger. If he continued to consume a large number of corpses and carefully nurtured Araki of the Sand for several more years, he might be able to propel this Magnet Release ninja to the threshold of Kage-level in one fell swoop.
Even a weak Kage, similar to Mei Terumī, who was mocked by many as a "Kage-level sewer," was ultimately still a Kage-level expert.
Coupled with Tsukasa Kaede's own Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu and Reaper Death Seal, he could inflict severe damage on Kage-level enemies.
But Tsukasa Kaede still felt something was missing.
Once he achieved his goal of changing bodies, Tsukasa Kaede was certain he would become a Kage-level expert, and definitely one of the strongest among them. As for whether he could reach the tier of Hashirama Senju and Madara, he would have to see how things unfolded.
"Why haven't I seen Tsunade?"
Tsukasa Kaede took out a peculiar necklace; on its surface were strange jutsu formula patterns. "I heard you two are getting married, so I took the liberty of visiting to present an early wedding gift. Congratulations!"
"Hahahahaha, so it was about this! Has it spread so quickly?"
Dan Kato scratched his head, curiously took the necklace, looked at it carefully, and revealed a look of astonishment. "This necklace has a jutsu formula embedded! This is..."
"Ah, I recall the necklace you wore around your neck broke during the Land of Hot Water battle, didn't it? So, I made a new one, following that design." Tsukasa Kaede said nonchalantly.
This necklace he personally made was crafted using the Reaper Death Seal jutsu, showing immense sincerity.
Dan Kato did not recognize the jutsu formula of the Reaper Death Seal, so he didn't press further. The two chatted for a while longer, but Tsukasa Kaede still didn't wait for Tsunade to return.
"Perhaps with the wedding date approaching, Tsunade is a bit nervous," Dan Kato said. "She's been frequently returning to the Senju Clan's compound to stay recently."
Tsukasa Kaede understood, feeling that Tsunade had probably noticed what was happening within the Senju Clan but couldn't yet confirm it.
But this no longer concerned Tsukasa Kaede.
After chatting for a while longer, Tsukasa Kaede stood up to take his leave.
Walking on the streets of Konoha, passing by many pedestrians, Tsukasa Kaede couldn't help but raise his head, feeling the clarity of the blue sky.
"What a beautiful world. If I fail, I probably won't have another chance to appreciate this beautiful scenery."
Tsukasa Kaede let out a soft chuckle. The closer that moment came, the calmer he became.
Turning, he walked into a small alley, made hand signs with one hand, and Tsukasa Kaede's figure vanished from the spot. After the zombie replacing him appeared, it let out two gurgling sounds, then dug a hole on the spot and buried itself.
"...Hey, was that thing just now a zombie?"
"It must have been. So that person just now was Tsukasa Kaede-sama? Damn it! I should have asked for an autograph if I'd known!"
"Let's stay away from that spot. That's one of Tsukasa Kaede-sama's spatial coordinates. He might activate it someday in the future."
The Konoha villagers whispered amongst themselves; gradually, their voices grew louder. These people eagerly discussed loudly. Some outsiders also gathered with keen interest.
Until the Konoha Military Police Force arrived, dispersing the crowd on the grounds of traffic obstruction.
"Record this coordinate. Lest some suicidal fool, especially some fearless children, dig up the corpse."
Uchiha Yashiro thought for a moment and issued the order; they couldn't afford to provoke Tsukasa Kaede.
In the past two years, Yashiro could still offer Tsukasa Kaede advice from a condescending position, but now he couldn't. He didn't even have the authority to make Tsukasa Kaede actively seek him out and question him.
One could only say that changes were too rapid. Tsukasa Kaede rapidly increased his strength, and the Corpse Release Secret Technique was simply like a bottomless pit, always able to unleash unusually terrifying power after a period of time.
Look, even Hidan had become a top figure in the Hidden Leaf Village. Carrying a large scythe, walking loosely and carelessly, he was a celebrity wherever he went, praised by countless people.
And Hidan would always show an impatient expression, irritably waving his scythe to disperse the surging crowd, and casually handing out several pre-prepared autographs.
As for why Yashiro knew this so clearly, it was because he had led his team to observe it many times firsthand. The Konoha Military Police Force also handled municipal management duties; Yashiro had to do it even if he disliked it.
He sometimes felt like a security guard next to a big celebrity, feeling very awkward. But there was nothing he could do. Even he, if he truly wanted to speak with Hidan, might have to start with "Hidan-sama" first.
"But, Yashiro-sama, we're recording more and more coordinates. There are already over thirty spots now, and these are just the ones we've found. Who knows how many corpses Tsukasa Kaede-sama has actually buried in the Village? Moreover, isn't burying corpses like this clearly a violation?"
"Violation? Violation of what?"
"Damaging the Village environment."
"Wrong. This is beautifying the environment. The Village hasn't said anything, so what are we agonizing over?"
Yashiro rarely displayed the magnanimity of a Konoha Great Clan scion. If an ordinary villager dared to do this, he would have long since slapped them and taught them a lesson, but now he couldn't. Sometimes, bottom lines needed to be flexible.
Soon, a group of Uchiha Clan members recorded this coordinate and continued to patrol other areas.