"The Rinnegan. Use your life to exchange for Rin's. Before you die, you might even get to see her one last time."
"So, will you make the exchange?"
"How could such a technique exist?" Obito shouted.
"If I say it exists, then it does. I have no reason to lie to you, after all..." Naruto paused, then looked directly at Obito, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
In the next moment, a massive white apparition appeared behind him. Instantly, Obito couldn't help but hold his breath as the spectral figure of the Shinigami materialized before him.
The Shinigami, clad in a tattered white robe, its skeletal frame clutching a short blade between its teeth, exuded an overwhelming aura of death.
The oppressive silence that followed was absolute… birdsong vanished, the rustling of insects ceased, and the world seemed to hold its breath.
"This is… the Dead Demon Consuming Seal?" Obito was not unfamiliar with this Forbidden Technique. After all, Minato used this Sealing Technique to seal the Kyubi.
Naruto was pleased with Obito's reaction. If he could sever Obito's soul right now, he would have done so. Unfortunately, this technique had a wind-up, and Obito was quick to escape into the Kamui Dimension.
Patience was key. If Obito agreed to exchange his life for Rin's, Naruto wouldn't let him die so easily. He'd keep him alive, broken and suffering, like a dying dog.
Perhaps he could even deceive Rin, making her unknowingly strike at Obito's heart.
Though it felt cruel, the thought of the pain Obito had almost inflicted on him hardened Naruto's resolve.
He felt that no matter what punishment this bastard has to endure, he deserves it!
"Reviving someone who's been dead for years might seem impossible to others, but if I can summon Rin's soul…"
"Using the Impure World Reincarnation as a foundation, you can use the Rinnegan to revive her body. Once her soul and body are reunited, the Impure World Reincarnation will be dispelled instantly."
"Life and death… they're not as distant as you think. It's not some far-fetched fantasy. The question is, are you willing to trade your life for hers?"
Naruto's words echoed in Obito's ears. He hesitated and looked up at Naruto, as if wanting to verify the truth of what he said.
"Don't look at me, this is your own choice."
…
Meanwhile, Ino and Hinata were hurrying back to Konoha. The two girls remained silent, their faces filled with anxiety as they pressed forward without stopping.
Hinata couldn't help but wanted to look back, but was stopped by Ino.
"Don't look back!"
Ino took a deep breath and said solemnly as she quickened her pace.
"That man is the one who kidnapped us. Compared to him, we're no match. Staying there would only make us a burden."
"But… Ino, what about Naruto?" Hinata's eyes welled up with tears.
"He'll be fine. Right now, we need to get back to the village safely." Ino said firmly, though her expression was tense, "Although I don't know how he managed it…"
"He's usually so unreliable, but we have to trust that he can handle this."
"…Alright." Hinata wasn't concerned about her own safety, and she was just worried about Naruto.
But with Ino there, she couldn't say much else.
Fortunately, the two girls soon met the reinforcements from Konoha, which are a team of Anbu.
Meeting these people, Ino finally breathed a sigh of relief. She was worried about Naruto too, but she couldn't ignore Hinata's safety.
She knew the reason why Naruto asked her to take Hinata away. It's because she was more level-headed and less likely to act impulsively.
Now, seeing the Anbu, she couldn't help but look back at the dark forest, with worry in her eyes.
Ino was most afraid that Naruto had made a deal with that person that would hurt her, perhaps some kind of compromise.
This night was destined to be restless, and Konoha was boiling like boiling water. After all, the disappearance of two heiresses of noble Shinobi clans was no small matter.
"What? They've been found?" Kotetsu, one of Konoha's former gate guards, shouted in relief.
"Quick, report this to Rokudaime-sama!"
"Do you still need to report? The Anbu must have already passed on the news." Izumo, the other Konoha's former gate guards, shrugged and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Konoha had mobilized nearly half its forces to search the area around the village entrance, and they were determined not to stop until the girls were found. Thankfully, the situation had a happy ending.
The Yamanaka couple were also overjoyed, as they only had one daughter, Ino.
Let alone missing, even if a hair was lost, Inoichi would swear to kill the culprit.
Naruto should consider himself lucky to still be alive, given how much he'd made Ino 'lose'. The reason he is still alive is that their secret love affair has not been fully made public.
Not only the Yamanaka couple, but even the usually stoic Hiashi had been waiting at the entrance of the village with unreadable face. Even though he had no expression on his face, he had privately asked the servants more than a dozen times, showing his anxiety.
No matter what, Hinata is his eldest daughter. No matter how stern Hiashi's face is, it cannot change the fact that Hinata is his first child.
Parents often pour more of themselves into their first child. And even if they cannot pamper their first child, the child still occupies a large part of their heart.
No matter how conservative Hiashi is, he can't help but worry about Hinata.
As dawn broke, the forest around Konoha was bathed in a bluish-black light. The darkness of the night slowly faded, thinning as the sun began to rise.
"They're here!" Someone suddenly shouted.
Sure enough, several figures appeared on the horizon. In addition to the Anbu, there was Neji, followed by Ino and Hinata.
The two girls walked side by side, their shoulders brushing. Seeing their parents waiting, and a mix of relief and joy in their expressions, the two girls were both touched and embarrassed.
After all, given the complicated nature of their relationships, it was hard not to feel a little uneasy.
Hinata secretly looked at Ino's parents, and a thought came to her mind, 'What would they think if they knew about my relationship with Ino… and Naruto?'
Meanwhile, Ino, now wrapped in her mother's embrace, could only awkwardly comfort her sobbing mother. Her gaze drifted toward the stern figures of the Hyuga Clan.
'Hinata's father seems to be a very serious person, and he probably won't accept it. That day will come sooner or later… How should we face it?'