When Chiyo heard Hattori's words and saw the character "corpse" in the center of the seal on his chest, she finally showed emotion.
"You... could it be that the one sealed inside is..."
"Yes, it's Sister Pakura!"
Hattori nodded as he buttoned up his clothes again.
"No matter how many difficulties I face, I won't give up on bringing her back to life. If the Self-Rebirth Technique doesn't work, I'll find another way. The ninja world is vast, there's always a solution!"
"..."
Seeing Hattori's hopeful and determined expression, Chiyo fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
"Fine, I'll teach you the Self-Rebirth Technique, but you must promise me one thing: never put your own life at risk!"
"Haha, of course!"
As soon as Chiyo finished speaking, Hattori burst into laughter.
"I want to bring Sister Pakura back to life so we can live together. If I die, what would be the point? Don't worry, I'll even take care of you in your old age!"
"Ugh!"
Chiyo clicked her tongue at him.
"I'm only 57, far from needing old-age care! Are you cursing me to die early? You're driving me mad... I..."
Before she could finish, she suddenly tilted her head and collapsed to the ground with a thud!
Hattori: "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
What just happened? Did she really die from anger?
Hattori was shocked, rushing forward to use **Healing Hands**.
"Teacher, what happened? You were fine just now! Don't scare me!"
Just as he panicked, Chiyo suddenly sat up with a swish and grinned at him.
"Gotcha!"
Hattori: "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
Pretending to be dead? Who does that?
At that moment, Hattori recalled that in the original story, Chiyo and Ebizō had a scene where they faked death after retirement.
Back then, he thought Chiyo was a charming old lady. Now, he could only smile wryly.
"Teacher, don't do that again, it's really scary! I'm not brave, don't scare me!"
"You're not brave? Ha..."
Chiyo let out a small laugh, then glared at him.
"First, you attacked Iwagakure, then Kirigakure, even killed the Third Mizukage. You even chopped off the Fourth Kazekage's arm and carved words into his face. If that's 'not brave,' then no one is!"
"Hehe..."
Hattori chuckled and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"It's not that impressive..."
"I wasn't complimenting you!"
Seeing Hattori's modest look, Chiyo couldn't help but rub her temples and waved him off.
"Fine, seeing you like this, I think it's okay to teach you the Self-Rebirth Technique. Wait here!"
She stood up and went inside, coming back shortly with a scroll, which she handed to Hattori.
"Here, this is the Self-Rebirth Technique!"
"Whoa!"
Hattori exclaimed, eagerly taking the scroll with both hands and opening it. As he read, he nodded.
"Wow, so this is the Self-Rebirth Technique. It's profound, truly impressive!"
Chiyo looked at him in surprise.
"You understand it?"
"Nope!" Hattori looked up, equally surprised. "Didn't you know I can't read?"
Chiyo: "(╬￣皿￣)"
Why were you pretending to understand it then!?
Chiyo felt a sudden headache, snatched the scroll back, and glared at him.
"I'll explain it, so listen well. I'll only say it once!"
"Mm-hmm..."
Hattori nodded repeatedly like a pecking chicken and sat cross-legged.
"Go ahead, teacher. I'm all ears!"
"..."
Looking at Hattori, who now seemed like a model student, and remembering how he had just smashed the Kazekage building into a crater, Chiyo's face turned odd.
But she quickly composed herself and began explaining the Self-Rebirth Technique.
"The principle of the Self-Rebirth Technique is to transfer one's chakra into a puppet or other object, creating an independent chakra cycle..."
As Chiyo delved into her explanation, Hattori became so absorbed that he lost track of time.
When he came to, Chiyo was already standing.
"That's all there is to the Self-Rebirth Technique. It's getting late, so I'll go make you some food. If you have questions, ask tomorrow."
She turned and headed to the kitchen, while Hattori noticed a familiar notification:
**[Unlocked Forbidden Puppet Technique: Self-Rebirth]**
**[Self-Rebirth: Uses a sealed puppet as the base, constructs HP and MP, and grants it new life!]**
**[Crafting Formula: Sealed puppet + puppet level × 100 MP = Self-Rebirth puppet!]**
**[Note: Puppets given life have independent awareness, can gain battle experience quickly, and can seek materials to upgrade themselves. They are the ultimate killing machines!]**
**[PS1: It can learn almost anything, except betrayal!]**
**[PS2: King on the battlefield, comforter off it—an all-in-one puppet you'd love to have!]**
Hattori: "..."
Reading the description, Hattori didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
There was no doubt that this skill was powerful and perfect for someone like him, who had been betrayed and found it hard to trust others.
The downside? It wasn't the revival technique he wanted.
He wanted to bring Pakura back, not create a puppet with her appearance that was a weapon.
And what was up with PS2?
He, Powerful ninja, so depressed he'd need a puppet for warmth? Ridiculous!
But having puppets to sing, dance, and lift spirits daily? That was an idea he could get behind.
"When Sister Pakura is revived, I'll make some puppets for her to command. They'll entertain and protect her—that would be perfect!"
With that thought, Hattori prepared to try bringing a puppet to life.
He took out a sealed puppet scroll, released a puppet, and activated the skill.
"Self-Rebirth!"
As soon as he used the skill, his MP plummeted like air from a punctured tire, hitting empty fast.
Noticing the issue, Hattori realized the puppet he unsealed was his highest-level one, the 50-level **Waterfall Puppet**!
He panicked.
"According to the crafting formula, this thing needs 5000 MP. Crap, this is bad! Monkey King, help!"
A loud voice echoed in his mind.
"Fear not, Pigsty! Your brother is here!"
Hattori: "(ω`)"
*(End of Chapter)*