Naruto whispered, "Resurrection, huh?"
"If she really can be revived as you say..."
"Seeing that you have provided intelligence on Master Jiraiya's behalf, it might be possible."
What intrigued him more was "resurrection."
In the Soul Society, he had never heard of such an ability as "resurrection."
Yet here, it seemed possible.
How would it manifest?
"Thank you." Nagato lowered his head, conserving some energy.
He organized his thoughts: "Uchiha Madara, is it?"
"He's a very mysterious man," he continued.
"Though he claims to be Madara, possessing the Sharingan, and even the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Yahiko suspected he wasn't truly Uchiha Madara, but just a Uchiha using the name."
Naruto interrupted, "Let's confirm something."
"The person you're talking about, does he wear a mask with a spiral pattern?"
Nagato nodded, "Yes."
This matched the person he knew, and Naruto gestured for him to continue.
"When I first met him," Nagato's expression held a trace of nostalgia, "it was soon after the establishment of the Akatsuki."
"He suddenly appeared, claiming to be Uchiha Madara."
"He said I was the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths' will, and the Rinnegan was proof."
"At that time, we didn't accept him."
"But after Yahiko's death,"
"I accepted him as an Akatsuki member, and capturing the tailed beasts was his idea."
At this point, he paused, his voice drifting, "Thinking about it now, Yahiko was right. He just wanted to use me."
If it wasn't clear before, Now, with him standing on the sidelines, disappearing at the slightest disadvantage, his intentions were undeniable.
"However, collecting the tailed beasts wasn't just about harnessing their power," realizing this, Nagato spoke more freely, "it was to complete another technique of the Rinnegan."
"Something very powerful."
"It's a vessel called the 'Gedo Statue,' and it requires the power of all nine tailed beasts to complete it."
Naruto seemed to grasp something, "The Ten-Tails?"
"You know as well?" Nagato expressed his surprise, shifting his gaze to the two foxes. "Did the Nine-Tails tell you?"
"At the time, I was too engrossed in the power of the Rinnegan and failed to notice his intentions."
"I was such a fool."
"If it were Yahiko, he could have seen through it with a glance."
Naruto remained silent, pondering over this information.
The one suspected to be "Uchiha Madara" had the goal of awakening the Ten-Tails.
Is he trying to seize the power that originated from chakra?
"His Sharingan possesses a peculiar ocular jutsu," Nagato shook his head. "It's called 'Kamui', enabling his body to become intangible."
"He can be observed."
"But no means can physically attack him."
"However, this jutsu also has a flaw. He can only remain intangible for five minutes. After that, he must become corporeal again."
"That's all I know about him."
A time-space ninjutsu that allows for intangibility.
"That isn't Uchiha Madara." Yang Nine-Tails interjected, with absolute certainty. "I've seen his Mangekyo Sharingan, and it didn't have that 'intangibility' ability."
Naruto looked at it: "You've even crossed paths with Uchiha Madara?"
Both Nine-Tails' faces darkened.
Karin nodded, deep in thought: "Seems like you got thoroughly beaten."
"Shut up!" Yin Nine-Tails snarled, baring its teeth.
Karin grinned, reaching over and gave it an ear pinch.
"Not Uchiha Madara, then?" Nagato let out a bitter smile, "Looks like I've been deceived by that guy all along."
"Is there anything else you wish to know?"
"If not, I will..."⊳He extended his hands, bringing them together in front of his chest.
"What about the summoning beast capable of reviving other puppets?" Naruto inquired, "Was it once considered a deity of this land?"
Nagato shook his head: "I don't know, it's one of the ocular abilities."
"In the Rinnegan, it is named King of Hell."
Even the Rinnegan's user is unclear about its origin?
"What's the deal with those eyes of yours?" Naruto nodded, posing yet another question, pointing inquiringly.
Nagato was taken aback, furrowing his brow in confusion, "Want to learn the full capabilities of the Rinnegan? Once you obtain it, you will"
Naruto shook his head, "I want to know how you obtained it."
"I am also of the Uzumaki clan," came the reply. "When I was searching for certain things, I learned quite a bit about our clan's history."
"Although our ancestors can indeed be traced back to the Sage of Six Paths."
"But the ancestors of the Uzumaki clan, their bloodline comes from Asura, and he did not inherit the ocular powers of the Sage of Six Paths."
"Most crucially."
"One's own strength does not carry such side effects when used."
"You are being tormented by the Rinnegan to the point where life is worse than death."
Nagato pondered, "Perhaps it has something to do with my bloodline?"
"I am not of pure blood Uzumaki, part of my bloodline is related to the Senju clan."
"When I was young, my eyes were no different from ordinary people's."
"But one day, Konoha shinobi broke into my home and killed my parents over some food; from that time on, I awakened the power of the Rinnegan."
Black Nine-Tails shook its head, "No one in the Senju clan has ever had ocular powers."
Nagato seemed thoughtful, shaking his head slightly, "Is that so?"
"Then let Naruto investigate further."
"However, let me remind you, using the Rinnegan places a tremendous burden on both body and lifespan."
"Even I consume life when using certain powerful ocular jutsus."
"If you, Naruto, seek this power, prepare yourself."
"This is not a strength, but a burden and a curse."
Nagato gazed at Naruto, a bit dazed.
"You and Yahiko are really alike." He smiled as he clasped his hands together, "When faced with such power that most people find irresistible, you can resist its temptation and decisively make a choice."
"Maybe."
"That's the difference between me and you."
"Anything else you want to know?"
Naruto shook his head.
"Thank you," Nagato said softly.
He formed a seal with his hands, and the power of the Rinnegan greedily drained his life force.
"Outer Path, Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique."
Naruto turned around.
A surge of chakra swelled outside the Rain Village.
Naruto appeared in an instant, standing atop the rooftop.
The "King of Hell" was summoned through ninjutsu.
Its mouth opened, releasing a soul.
In the pile of rubble, a body with bluish-purple hair was shrouded in a faint green glow. The soul was absorbed into the green light, life was restored, and breathing resumed.
Naruto frowned.
He was puzzled by this world's definition of "life" and "death".
In another world, human souls and bodies are connected by a chain known as the "Chains of Causality."
The detachment of the soul from the body does not signify death.
It is only when the "Chains of Causality" are severed that true death occurs.
Once the chain is broken, the soul can never return to the body.
And in this world, simply stuffing a soul back into a body can resurrect someone?
Does this mean that if he acts before the "Sage of Six Paths," by placing a soul into a fresh body, he can also revive someone?
The boundary and rules of "life and death" were too vague.
On the barren land, Konan opened her eyes in confusion. The pain in her chest and her weakened body assailed her nerves.
Departing from the Pure Land, she returned to the world of the living.
"Nagato," she uttered softly, speaking his name from her lips.
As someone so intimately familiar with him, she understood why she had been brought back to life, and also the price for doing so.
But now, she no longer had the strength to feel anything.
Naruto returned to the room.
After performing the "Rinne Rebirth" technique, Nagato severed the nutrient tubes connected to himself. He was eager to leave this world.
Jiraiya stood by, watching.
Naruto approached and removed the pair of "Rinnegan" from Nagato, sealing them for safekeeping.
Three days later.
The ceaseless rain that had drenched the Village Hidden by Rain for years finally halted, and the long-lost sunshine illuminated the land.
The funerals of Nagato and Pain were simple.
Only four people attended—Naruto, Karin, Jiraiya, and Konan.
"What do you plan to do next?" Jiraiya asked, looking both at Naruto and Konan.
"Akatsuki has been wiped out." Konan's voice was calm, almost numb, as she stared at Naruto. "I don't want to go anywhere else. I just wish to stay here."
"This village, the Village Hidden by Rain, is our home. It needs someone to lead it now."
"Besides, I want to stay with them."
Naruto made no response.
Konan paused and lowered her head, glancing at her cloak. "Can I still wear these clothes?"
"Clothes never define a person," Naruto smiled. "They merely mark the traces of time left on you."
Konan whispered, "Thank you."
She did not mention the Rinnegan.
Although it was the most significant legacy of Nagato, Such immense power would draw envy from every corner, and neither she nor the fragile Village Hidden by Rain had the capability to protect it.
"Naruto, what about you next?" Jiraiya began to speak again.
But before he could finish, Naruto took out a scroll and handed it to him. "Please, Master Jiraiya, spread this information across all nations."
"What's written on it remains valid until it's accomplished."
Jiraiya nodded.
Naruto left with Karin, without a hint of hesitation.
Land of Earth, Iwagakure...
The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, looked troubled as he studied the intelligence from the Anbu. "This is terrifying."
"Who would've thought we were collaborating with such an organization."
The report detailed how
The figure called 'Pain' had demolished a forest equal in scale to a ninja village's territory.
"What's even more frightening is that such an organization was destroyed by just one person." The female ninja with short hair beside him remarked. She placed a scroll before Ōnoki, "This just came from Konoha."
She paused.
"Sent by Jiraiya."
"It must reflect Lord Jiraiya's views."
Ōnoki immediately regains his composure and cautiously picks up the scroll.
(End of Chapter)