Chapter 353 – The God of Death
As the matters concerning the Ōtsutsuki clan drew to a close, Yusuke returned to his peaceful everyday life.
That was, until one day, he felt a certain premonition. He immediately went to find Konan.
"What's wrong? You seem to be in quite a hurry," Konan asked, her expression softening as she gazed at Yusuke.
"Konan, do you still remember what I told you after Nagato passed away back then?" Yusuke asked.
Konan delved into her memories. She remembered Yusuke once saying that he would eventually untie the knot in her heart.
At the time, she had briefly wondered if Yusuke meant he would finally accept her feelings, but looking at him now, it was clear that wasn't what he was referring to. For Konan, Nagato and Yahiko were the only true "knots" remaining in her heart.
Even though she had found love of her own over the years—gaining friendships with Tsunade and the others, the fatherly care Hatake Sakumo once gave her, and the deep respect from China and the rest of the children—Nagato and Yahiko remained regrets that could never be erased.
"I want to bring Nagato and Yahiko back to life," Yusuke declared.
"No, absolutely not! The Rinne Rebirth cannot be used recklessly!" Konan cried out, her face etched with worry.
As someone who had stood by the side of a Rinnegan wielder, she knew all too well that this technique demanded a price: the life of the user.
Even though she knew Yusuke might be strong enough to withstand it, Nagato had once told her that the Gedo — Rinne Tensei no Jutsu was not nearly as simple as it appeared.
Konan did not want the man she loved to be harmed for her sake. Yusuke was the sun in her life; if anything were to happen to him, she didn't know how she would go on.
"Relax, it's fine. For me, this technique hasn't reached a level where it would cause any irreversible damage," Yusuke said reassuringly.
"Yusuke, I am your wife. I don't want you hiding anything from me," Konan said, staring at him with a serious gaze.
"Alright, alright. It's like this: back when I brought Nawaki back, I felt a certain power obstructing me while I was using the Rinne Tensei," Yusuke admitted.
"When I activated the jutsu, I felt a truly terrifying force," he continued.
"A power that even made you feel afraid?" Konan was stunned.
"How should I put it... it wasn't exactly fear. That's why I want to understand the source of that power. As you know, Rinne Tensei is a forbidden jutsu born from the Rinnegan. And as a forbidden technique, there is always a risk," Yusuke explained.
"A risk?" Konan asked, confused.
"The heavens are fair. While Rinne Tensei seems like a technique that defies the laws of nature, it is fundamentally a very fair exchange," Yusuke said.
"A life for a life?" Konan whispered.
"Exactly. One life in exchange for another. Even Obito, who was the Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails, couldn't fully withstand the backlash. However, I can adjust it to avoid the side effects, though the Chakra consumption is quite high," Yusuke revealed.
"How are you able to ignore the side effects?" Konan couldn't wrap her head around it.
"Well... my power has already surpassed the technique itself. For me, there are many ways to bring someone back besides Rinne Tensei. It's just that the cost is usually quite steep," Yusuke said.
"There are other ways to resurrect people?" Konan was shocked.
"Yes. By using the power of time to forcibly reverse its flow. But if I did that, the impact on this world would be catastrophic. I don't even know the extent of it. Every future consequence would fall squarely on my shoulders," Yusuke said.
"Then..." Konan stared at him, breathless.
"Right. It's similar to making a deal with the Reaper—the God of Death. Except I'm not paying any price, so that power wants my life as payment instead," Yusuke said.
"And despite that, you still want to bring Nagato back?" Konan's face turned pale.
One was the man she loved most; the others were her cherished childhood friends. She didn't know how to choose. Even though her heart leaned toward Yusuke, it was because Yusuke was here, while Nagato and Yahiko were already gone.
"Don't think too much, you silly girl. I just want to see what that power actually looks like. Don't worry. Like I've told you, no matter who the opponent is, they can't possibly be a match for me," Yusuke said with a confident, cocky smile.
Konan trusted Yusuke, but her heart still couldn't settle.
"But—"
"Enough. You know that once I make a decision, no one can change it," Yusuke cut in.
Though it sounded like a discussion, Yusuke was merely informing her. Once his mind was made up, not even Tsunade could sway him.
Knowing his personality, Konan didn't say another word.
"I know how strong you are. And as your wife, I will trust you unconditionally. But please, think about us too," Konan said softly.
Yusuke gave a thin smile and reached out to stroke Konan's purple hair. Her face instantly flushed red. For some reason, every time Yusuke patted her head, she always felt incredibly shy.
"Alright, let's begin. Gedo — Rinne Tensei no Jutsu!" Yusuke commanded.
Both of Yusuke's eyes shifted into the Golden Rinnegan with nine tomoe. After devouring the Dojutsu of Urashiki and Momoshiki, his Rinnegan had evolved once more, and it seemed the evolution hadn't even reached its limit. Yusuke, however, didn't pay it much mind.
As Yusuke's visual prowess exploded, the phantom of the King of Hell appeared behind him. The King of Hell's mouth swung wide, and two human silhouettes began to slowly emerge from within. But at that exact moment, the King of Hell's mouth suddenly snapped shut.
"Ha ha ha ha ha..."
A grim, hollow laugh echoed through the area. The King of Hell behind Yusuke, which usually possessed a blank, stoic expression, suddenly twisted into an eerie grin.
"I've finally found you. I have been searching for you for a very long time," the King of Hell said, its eyes gleaming with a sinister smile.
"Oh? And what were you looking for me for?" Yusuke asked, his face full of genuine interest.
"Hmph. Because you have disrupted the balance of the Pure Land," the entity said coldly.
"Balance? Who exactly are you?" Yusuke questioned.
"I am the God of Death, the ruler of the underworld," the King of Hell declared.
"So there really is a God of Death, huh? But come to think of it, haven't plenty of people been brought back before? You don't seem particularly competent at your job," Yusuke remarked playfully.
He was, of course, referring to the many people resurrected through the Edo Tensei.
"Hmph, brat. I am well aware of that. But in those cases, they all sacrificed a life in exchange. They did not break the balance. You, however... you are the one truly destroying it," the God of Death hissed.
"And? What do you plan to do about it?" Yusuke asked without a hint of panic, meeting the entity's gaze with a playful smirk.
The King of Hell seemed taken aback. It truly couldn't comprehend how a mere human could remain this composed.
(Note: Up until now, the highest level of resurrection is the Six Paths forbidden technique, which can only be used by those who possess the Rinnegan. By forming the "Snake" hand seal and holding it for several seconds, a green light envelops the deceased targets and brings them back to life. Unlike Edo Tensei, this technique does not require a living sacrifice. Once revived, the person is exactly as they were in life—complete with blood, flesh, and consciousness. If many people must be revived at once, the user can summon the King of Hell from the afterlife into the human world, releasing the souls of the dead from its mouth back into the mortal realm.)
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