The Zombie Sage in Naruto

A clap of thunder echoed above. The thick mist stirred by the burning lava changed into a sudden downpour.

"There's no saving me. You shouldn't have come."

Dan slowly opened his eyes again and coughed up blood. The light in his eyes had begun to fade.

The pouring rain washed away the blood and charred remains of his flesh.

Dan understood Kazama Saito's reasoning. When others might give up, Kazama Saito continued trying to save his comrades.

He admired that quality.

But he didn't agree with it.

Just now, when Dan's spirit attacked Roshi, if he had used his last bit of strength for one more hit even a weak one it might have forced Roshi into a long recovery.

Wounding a Jinchuriki was no easy task.

If he had died but had landed another blow, it would have been worth it.

In this world, some people could die in vain while others could trade their lives for great value.

He clearly understood his position.

He couldn't kill a Jinchuriki. But he could seriously wound one, even at the cost of his life.

"I said, now isn't the time to give up. The war isn't over yet. Are you really going to end things like this?"

Kazama Saito held Dan in his arms, his voice steady.

"Dying is easy. Surviving while enduring pain takes real strength."

"Lady Tsunade is still waiting for you."

He pointed, and through his fading vision, Dan saw a blur approaching quickly—

It was Tsunade.

"...Tsunade?"

Dan's eyes suddenly regained focus, and tears filled them.

He never expected she would come looking for him.

What was the point?

"I'm sorry… I've made you see me like this. I guess… I really won't get to become Hokage…"

"Shut up!" Tsunade shouted, tears streaming down her face.

"Don't you dare say anything so pathetic! You promised me!"

"I'm the best medical ninja in the world! Now that I'm here, I can save you!"

"Let me see—your wounds are serious, but not completely hopeless!"

Tsunade knelt down and channeled chakra into him with all her might.

Dan's condition improved slightly. His spirit stopped slipping away, and his soul steadied inside his body.

But everyone around knew—

It was only a temporary pause.

Even the best medical ninja couldn't restore someone whose body had been destroyed like this.

Missing flesh, organs, and bone—healing jutsu couldn't fix that.

Even Tsunade's skill had limits.

Once her chakra ran out, Dan's soul would once again leave.

"It's fine…"

"Save some chakra," Dan murmured. "You might need it later to help others…"

"Don't talk. Let me work…"

Tsunade's vision blurred from tears, but she refused to stop channeling chakra.

Kazama Saito stood up, letting Tsunade take over Dan's treatment. He looked toward the center of the lava field.

Roshi, who had been possessed, now appeared to be in complete agony.

The Tailed Beast chakra around him surged like flames. His entire body expanded uncontrollably.

"His body's swollen. He can't hold his human form anymore."

Kazama Saito narrowed his eyes.

"I'm no expert, but this might be… the complete Tailed Beast Transformation."

Even from this distance, the intense chakra pressure was almost suffocating. Red, molten chakra seeped from every pore of Roshi's body.

Inside him, the Four-Tails Son Goku was roaring wildly.

His soul had been pierced. Roshi's spirit was crumbling. Now, the Tailed Beast was about to take complete control.

Kazama Saito took a deep breath.

"Looks like it's up to me now."

(To Be Continued)