Naruto:Shockwave of Change

Sal walked toward Konoha's hospital, where Tsunade was already waiting for him.

As soon as he entered the room, he greeted her and handed over the scroll where he had recorded the jutsu he had created: Threads of Reconnection.

— You created this on your own? — she asked, her eyes shining with a mix of curiosity and astonishment.

Sal smiled and gave the excuse he had prepared before coming.

— Ever since my injury, I refused to accept becoming a cripple. I've been studying medical ninjutsu and searching for a way to heal myself, but I only recently succeeded.

Tsunade scanned the scroll again. It was a jutsu completely different from anything seen before in medical ninja arts.

With Threads of Reconnection, limbs could be reattached without the need for recovery time, nerves and blood vessels would be restored with no risk of rejection. It was a medical technique that defied all known limits.

She let out a sigh and crossed her arms.

— This is incredible, Sal. If I study this jutsu for a month, I'll be ready to perform it.

Sal felt immediate relief.

He finally had a timeframe.

After years trapped in a limited body, the end of his weakness was near.

Shortly after, news of Sal's jutsu creation reached the Hokage and the patriarchs of Konoha's major clans.

Sarutobi Hiruzen visibly relaxed upon hearing the news.

Sal could finally recover.

Hiruzen had always carried a burden regarding him.

"If Danzo hadn't done that, this young man, who proved to be brilliant in every aspect, wouldn't have had to abandon his ninja career..."

He had always kept an eye on Sal.

From his rise as a promising ninja to his complete restructuring of the academy, not to mention the communicators he and Orochimaru had developed, which had become essential tools for Konoha.

"Now he can finally return to his full strength."

Hiruzen couldn't have been more satisfied.

Other patriarchs were also thinking of ways to get closer to Sal, now that he was going to recover.

After handing over the scroll to Tsunade, Sal headed to Orochimaru's lab.

He and Orochimaru had grown very close over the years.

A significant portion of Sal's points came from collaborating with him on the spaceship project.

As soon as he arrived at the lab, Sal saw Nawaki and little Anko playing.

He couldn't help but smile.

Nawaki had grown a lot.

Now an Elite Jōnin, his control over Earth Style was the strongest in the village.

Although he had not awakened Wood Style, his chakra reserves were colossal, and his talent was undeniable. Both he and Minato were known as the Sun Generation.

After playing around with Anko for a bit, Sal talked to Nawaki about his latest mission.

— I was in the Land of Wind — Nawaki said. — I found several traces of Danzo, but he escaped again. It's like he's always one step ahead.

Sal narrowed his eyes.

Danzo had been on the run for four years, but he always seemed to know when he was about to be found.

At first, Sal believed this was due to informants Danzo still had in Konoha.

But as Danzo's spies were discovered and eliminated, and he still managed to escape just as easily, Sal began to consider another possibility.

"Zetsu..."

The only creature capable of gathering information from the ninja world with such precision.

If Danzo was receiving intel from White Zetsu, then capturing him would become nearly impossible. Furthermore, there was no telling what Zetsu, the ninja world's most loyal son, was planning alongside Danzo.

Sal kept that thought to himself and wrapped up his conversation with Nawaki.

Afterward, he played a little more with Anko, who was now six years old and would probably enter the academy this year. Sal wasn't exactly sure when or why Orochimaru accepted Anko as his disciple in the original story, but in this reality, he had made a bet with Orochimaru on who would train their disciples better—him or Orochimaru.

Sal did this because he needed an excuse to take Rin as his disciple.

Ah, right. Rin Nohara became Sal's disciple two years ago.

He had done this because keeping Rin alive was one of his personal goals before reincarnating. He never liked the fact that such a kind-hearted girl died in Madara's schemes just so Obito could awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Sal pushed those thoughts aside before heading to the back of the lab.

Upon entering the restricted area, he found Orochimaru completely immersed in the study of a new jutsu.

Sky Dance.

A flying technique that had come from an Epic Chest months ago, originating from the Dragon Ball universe and modified by the system. It was different from any jutsu Sal had ever encountered.

This technique didn't use elemental manipulation or telekinesis but rather a unique method of chakra control for levitation and aerial movement.

Sal decided to hand over the scroll to Orochimaru so he could study the technique, as it might expand his horizons.

Orochimaru looked at him with a thin smile.

— You always bring interesting things, Sal.

Over the past few years, Orochimaru had become his closest friend.

And it wasn't just because they shared knowledge.

They had a common goal.

Immortality.

Sal knew that sooner or later, the system would give him some immortality technique.

But the problem was that the system was completely random.

"I might get an immortality technique tomorrow... or only in the year of the monkey."

He didn't want to put all his hopes on that.

That's why he counted on Orochimaru.

If Orochimaru managed to develop a functional method of immortality, Sal could use it until he obtained something better through the system.

But, of course...

He didn't want the same flawed Living Corpse Reincarnation technique that Orochimaru had created in the original story.

He wanted something perfect.

And for that, he would continue providing resources to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru took the scroll and quickly analyzed it.

— This technique is as efficient as it is mysterious. It could be the gateway to a new type of jutsu. But the amount of chakra required is immense... It's surprising that you created this even with your injuries. Once I finish analyzing it, I may be able to integrate it into some of my research.

Sal smiled.

— I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Orochimaru.