XX-level Hokage

“It’s nothing, just a tail I got by accident,” Shinji explained. “Can I touch it?” Yakumo asked.

"It's best not to do this until I understand its specific function," Mashiro refused.

"Please, Mashiro," Yakumo pleaded, nuzzling Mashiro's face. "Alright, just don't go too far," Mashiro said helplessly.

After receiving Mashiro's permission, Yakumo reached out and took the tail in his hand.

The tail was entirely black, but at the end was a fleshy lump that looked like a closed rose. "So soft."

Yakumo gently rubbed his tail.

As Yakumo kneaded her, Mashiro experienced a strange sensation.

"It's hard."

Yakumo suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "It smells so good!"

At that moment, Yakumo faintly smelled a strange fragrance on the tail.

"Alright, Yakumo, I have to go now. I'll come see you again in a few days." Mashiro quickly left Rikuoka Manor, leaving Yakumo completely bewildered.

Chapter Sixty-Two: Reincarnation

Mashiro went to the forest outside Rikichiyama Manor and tried for a long time before figuring out how to control her tail, then she put it away. Afterwards, Mashiro returned to her garden.

At that moment, Temari was lying in the living room watching TV. When Mashiro appeared, Temari was about to bow when Mashiro stopped her with a gesture. Then Mashiro walked to Temari's side, lay down, and rested her head on Temari's lap.

Shouhan gently stroked Zhenbai's hair, noticing her somewhat tired expression, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I've just been a bit busy lately," Mashiro replied. Using the Shadow Legion to travel always consumed some of Mashiro's mental energy. "I see. Then take a good rest." He gently massaged Mashiro's temples.

And so, Mashiro drifted off to sleep again. Two hours later.

Mashiro opened her eyes, then stood up and said to Temari, "I'm going out." "Do you need lunch prepared?" Temari asked, gently rubbing her numb thigh.

"No need, you can eat it yourself." Mashiro shook her head, then turned and left.

In the laboratory of "Root", Kabuto is waiting for the arrival of his true self.

That night, after Mashiro left, Kabuto immediately summoned all the researchers, gave them instructions on how to finish up the work, and then rushed back to Konoha through the Shadow Puppet Team.

"Kabuto, have you been waiting long?" Mashiro asked after arriving at the research institute.

"Lord Mashiro, no, I just arrived recently," Kabuto replied with a smile.

"Did you see that half-snake, half-human experimental subject in the lab?" Mashiro asked.

"I've already examined it with the instruments. This experimental subject's vitality is incredibly strong and active, and its life force seems to be able to affect other organisms. Judging from the natural energy in its body, this experimental subject seems to be Orochimaru's doing," Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses.

Hearing Kabuto's words, Mashiro nodded slightly and said, "You guessed right. This experimental subject is indeed Orochimaru's doing. It is the product of Orochimaru's experiments and the combination of the priestess of the Land of Demons. It has the ability to make other life forms reproduce and split."

"Lord Mashiro asked me to study this experimental subject because he wanted to..." Kabuto didn't finish his sentence, not daring to guess Mashiro's meaning.

"This test subject has two forms: a priestess from the Land of Demons and the half-human, half-snake monster she is now. When she transforms into the monster, she loses her mind. This is the end of the experiment. What I want you to research is how to eliminate this drawback and allow the test subject to freely switch between the two forms."

"Of course, it would be best if you could gain other insights from the test subjects," Mashiro said.

“In that case, sir, I need some time to review this experiment,” Kabuto said after a moment of thought.

“No rush. She’s been hit by the Kuoan’s Falling Hand. Without my dispelling seal, she won’t wake up. So, I’ll leave her to you.” Mashiro said, then turned and left. “Yes, sir.” Kabuto said, then walked into the laboratory.

Mashiro, having left the "Root" (a powerful organization), disappeared into the shadows and quickly appeared in the Anbu prison. "Greetings, Mashiro-sama!" ×2

Upon seeing Zhen Zi, the two secret agents guarding the prison hurriedly bowed.

In fact, as a member of the Anbu directly under the Hokage, there is no need to show such respect to Mashiro. After all, whether it is the head of the Hyuga clan, a disciple of the former Hokage, or the leader of "Root", these identities do not have that much deterrent power over the Anbu.

There are two main reasons why the Anbu have such high regard for Mashiro. First, Mashiro himself is incredibly strong. During the Orochimaru battle, many Anbu members witnessed Mashiro's immense power. Second, the Hokage's leniency towards Mashiro. Both the previous and current Hokage have been extremely lenient with Mashiro. It can be said that in these three years, Mashiro has mobilized the Anbu more times than the Fifth Hokage himself.

“Bring Tayuya out,” Mashiro said softly. “Yes, sir.” A member of the ANBU entered the prison.

They didn't even bother to ask Mashiro why. Soon, Tayu was also brought out.

As Tayuya stepped out of the cell, she immediately closed her eyes. Having not seen the sun for three years, the sunlight now seemed incredibly blinding.

“Release her seal and her hands,” Mashiro said. “Yes.”

Soon, Tayuya felt the chakra flowing through her body. She rubbed her wrists and then moved her limbs. "Let's go," Mashiro said to Tayuya.

Three years in prison had worn away Tayuya's temper. Even after regaining her freedom, she never thought of resisting or escaping again. Of course, she also understood that she had no chance of resisting or escaping in front of Mashiro.

Tayuya followed Mashiro's steps, walking forward step by step.

The sunlight was still too bright for Tayuya at this moment, so she could only squint and look at the white and black robes in front of her as she walked step by step.

"Is the sun too bright?" Mashiro asked, turning around. Tayuya nodded at first, then quickly shook her head.

Mashiro reached out and covered Tayuya's eyes. Tayuya immediately tensed up and dared not make any movement. But soon, a cool sensation appeared on her eyes. Soon, Mashiro removed her hand, and Tayuya was amazed to find that the sun was no longer so dazzling, and she was able to open her eyes.

"Thank you," Tayuya said somewhat awkwardly.

"It's alright, I still know a little bit of medical ninjutsu. Of course, just in case, you should..." Mashiro said, taking Tayuya's hand and then using it to grab the hem of her robe.

Hold onto my clothes.

As Mashiro's gentle voice came through, Tayuya's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

And so, Mashiro brought Tayuya to the Hinata residence and into her courtyard.

"Master, you're back." Shouhan greeted him respectfully, but when he saw Tayuya behind Mashiro, he looked at her with surprise.

"She'll be your colleague from now on. I'm going out for a bit, so could you teach her what she needs to do?" Mashiro said with a smile. Hearing Mashiro's words, Tehan's eyes lit up; finally, something fun was coming.

Seeing Temari's expression, Mashiro brought the bewildered Tayu to Temari and said, "Then I'll leave her to you. I'll be going now."

Then Mashiro turned and left.

Temari looked at Tayuya, thinking, "This child is so cute." Tayuya also looked at Temari, thinking, "She's so pretty."

"Hello, my name is Temari," Temari said first. "My name is Tayuya."

Tayuya introduced herself. The Land of Wind.

By this time, the rescue team had already rescued Gaara. Just like in the original story, Deidara went to sacrifice the One-Tailed Beast, but Hidan was left behind to cover their retreat.

Under Hidan's onslaught, everyone was covered in wounds. Just as Hidan was about to use his curse, the shadowy army hidden in Yukikaze's shadow suddenly appeared and interrupted Hidan's casting of the curse.

Finally, with the combined efforts of Ino, Shikamaru, Kakashi, and Chiyo, they successfully shattered Hidan's body and buried it underground. Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai brought Gaara back.

However, after Sakura and Shizune's diagnosis, Gaara was found to be dead.

Just as everyone was grieving, Granny Chiyo used the "Forbidden Technique: Reincarnation of My Own Life".

On a nearby tree, Mashiro and Sasori quietly watched everything unfold. After learning from the shadowy ninja in Yukikaze's shadow that Gaara had been rescued, Mashiro used the Shadow Legion to bring Sasori over.

"Should we stop it?" Makoto asked, looking at the dying old woman, Kandai. Sasori shook his head.

"Let's go take a look then," Mashiro said softly.

Scorpion didn't speak, but the drainage system opened automatically, and Scorpion's true form emerged from it.

At this moment, the Reincarnation Technique had been successfully activated, and Granny Chiyo's life was about to come to an end. Just as everyone around her was grieving for her, Granny Chiyo suddenly remembered her grandson, Sasori.

At that moment, a boy with reddish-brown hair appeared before Chiyo. "Scorpion?"

"Looks like I'm really going to die. I'm even hallucinating," Chiyo chuckled to herself. "You're going to die too," Sasori said.

“Scorpion? It really is you.” Chiyo said, forcing herself to sit up.

When he first arrived, seeing his Akatsuki attire, the others prepared for battle, but remained silent at Kakashi's signal.

"You actually showed up in front of me again?" Granny Chiyo said, looking at Sasori. Sasori remained silent.

"That's good." Grandma Chiyo wanted to say something more, but suddenly she had no strength left. Just as she was about to close her eyes...

Scorpion spoke softly, "Goodbye, Grandma." Hearing this, Chiyo peacefully closed her eyes. Scorpion then vanished from the spot.

"How are you feeling?" Mashiro asked, seeing Scorpion back in the drainpipe. "Let's go," Scorpion said calmly.

Then the two of them disappeared into the shadows.

Chapter 63: Mashiro's Experiment

"You've had a good time these past few days, haven't you, Yugito?" Mashiro said softly as she entered Yugito's cell. "What do you think? Perhaps you should experience it for yourself," Yugito said expressionlessly.

Although Mashiro had given her special care, prison was still prison, and the living conditions were ultimately not as good as outside. "The time for the plan to be implemented is approaching, and then you'll be free," Mashiro said with a smile.

"Freedom? If I actually survive, can you let me go back to Yunhu Village?" Yukito said.

During this time, she kept thinking about what Zhenzi had told her last time. The more she thought about it, the less credible it seemed. But she was already on the wrong path, so she could only pray for divine protection.

"If Yugito really wants to leave, behave well, and I might let you go back." Mashiro was right about that. Yugito had already been caged by her, so it didn't really matter where she was.

"So what brings you here?" Yukito asked.

"Your agreement alone isn't enough for the plan to be implemented. I need to see Two-Tailed Fox," Mashiro said calmly. "See Matatabi? You mean...?" Before Yugito could even question him...

The kaleidoscope on Mashiro's chest began to spin, and Yugito instantly lost consciousness. In Yugito's mental space, Mashiro and Matatabi stared at each other.

"How did you get in here, brat?" Matataru glared fiercely at Mashiro and said.

Among all the tailed beasts, the One-Tailed, Two-Tailed, Eight-Tailed, and Nine-Tailed are the only four that possess a certain degree of human intelligence. Yugito is also a perfect Jinchuriki, so he knows about Mashiro's existence to some extent.

"It's nothing, there's something I need your cooperation on," Mashiro said with a smile.

"Cooperate? Why should I cooperate with mere humans?" The flames on the Two-Tails burned even brighter.

"You tailed beasts are all so arrogant. Apart from the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, the others are just accessories, but you still have such difficult personalities. That's why I've always admired those perfect Jinchuriki. They're all talented people who can get along with you guys." Mashiro said, rubbing her forehead.

"You bastard!" Tabita instantly flew into a rage and was about to attack Mashiro.

Countless ninja soldiers appeared out of thin air. Mashiro's kaleidoscope on his chest spun, and the ninja soldier's movements froze. He was instantly swallowed up by the ninja soldiers.

"I'm not asking, I'm threatening you. If you don't want to be sealed in a jar by me after Yugito dies, you'd better cooperate with me obediently," Mashiro said with a smile, now firmly bound to Matatabi's head by the shadow ninja.

His dark eyes were filled with anger, but he didn't say a word in the end.

Mashiro nodded in satisfaction, and then began to explain how she would need to cooperate with the trip tomorrow.

Yugito suddenly opened her eyes, looked at Mashiro in front of her, and asked, "What did you do to me?"

"It's nothing, I just talked to Masahiro for a bit. Okay, you can rest now. We need to start the plan tomorrow." Mashiro said, turning and leaving the cell.

Return to the courtyard and enter the room.

“Master, you’re back,” Temari said with a smile.

"Master, you've come." Despite the temptation of the hand, Tayuya still strongly resisted the job, feeling incredibly ashamed. But Mashiro didn't care; the hand had been like that at first, and in fact, this shyness was even more endearing.