The next morning—
Atop Amegakure Tower, the four Hokage continued their discussion, gazing out at the mist-veiled mountains in the distance. Meanwhile, under Killer Bee's guidance, Uchiha Shisui, Itachi, and Kisame had taken the lead in training Amegakure's shinobi.
Inside the laboratory, the atmosphere was heavy yet filled with hope. Only a few people were present—Orochimaru, Nagato, Naruto, and Konan. Oh, and the sealed White Zetsu that Naruto had captured earlier that morning, now secured in a containment rune.
Nagato's heart pounded with anticipation. Yahiko's body had been carefully preserved over the years, though it bore several puncture wounds—remnants from the time Nagato had turned him into the Deva Path of Pain. But that was a small matter. The Six Paths: Reincarnation Innate Technique could restore what had been lost.
Naruto glanced at Nagato and asked gently, "Brother, are you ready?"
Nagato's eyes gleamed with resolve. "I've been ready for a long time."
Orochimaru offered a rare smile. "Then let's begin."
Nagato had been conserving chakra for this moment. Without hesitation, he formed a series of hand seals, his voice clear and powerful:
"Six Paths Reincarnation Innate Technique!"
A burst of radiant golden light surged out and enveloped Yahiko's lifeless body. Simultaneously, strands of Nagato's crimson hair began turning stark white—one after another.
Nagato gritted his teeth, the pain coursing through him. "Ahhh!"
The cry echoed throughout the lab. Years of using this technique to revive others had severely weakened him, draining his soul's resilience and taxing his life force. But he screamed—not out of despair, but to push himself past his limits.
Konan stood behind him, eyes brimming with anxiety, yet she didn't utter a word. She knew any distraction might hinder the resurrection.
Even Naruto frowned slightly, hands unconsciously tightening. This wasn't a jutsu for the faint-hearted.
Nagato's vision blurred, but he never broke his gaze from Yahiko's body. He clenched his jaw until blood trickled from his nose. His voice was hoarse but unwavering.
"Yahiko… come back… Come back to the light!"
His soul burned with conviction. Years of guilt, dreams deferred, and the longing to see his friend again—all condensed into this singular moment. He wouldn't fail. Not this time.
And then… Yahiko's body stirred.
The puncture wounds began to seal. His skin regained color. His chest moved.
The resurrection was complete.
Nagato's hands dropped. His entire body collapsed forward, breath ragged and shallow. Without delay, Naruto caught him and placed him into the healing formation Orochimaru had prepared in advance.
"Uncle Snake!"
"On it," Orochimaru replied, already forming hand seals. "Rebirth Technique!"
Naruto pressed his palms into the runes, releasing a flood of chakra. Green light surged from the formation. White Zetsu let out a distorted cry as his essence was siphoned into the ritual. Meanwhile, Nagato's breathing began to stabilize.
Minutes passed like hours. Sweat drenched Naruto's brow, and even Orochimaru, unflappable as ever, was visibly fatigued.
Finally, the two stepped back in unison.
"He should be stable now," Orochimaru muttered, wiping his forehead.
But just as Nagato began regaining vitality, Naruto noticed something alarming. The flow of Nagato's soul was dangerously uneven—one part was draining too quickly while the restoration lagged behind.
Had Naruto not ramped up the chakra infusion, Nagato's soul might have slipped away for good.
A clear warning: even for a prodigy like Nagato, resurrecting someone alone carried immense risk.
Naruto made a mental note.
Meanwhile, Konan had rushed to Yahiko's side. She gently shook him, calling his name through trembling lips.
Yahiko's eyes slowly opened. He squinted at the light, then focused on the person before him.
"Konan…?" he whispered.
He glanced around, confused. "Where… am I? Wasn't I…?"
Before he could finish, Nagato—still weak but fueled by emotion—dragged himself to Yahiko's side, cupping his face.
"Hahaha… Yahiko! It's me… Nagato!"
Yahiko's confusion melted into joy. "Nagato? It's really you? How…?"
He touched his own body, puzzled by the lack of wounds. He remembered choosing death in Nagato's hands, yet here he was, alive and whole.
As questions swirled in his mind, Nagato lunged forward and hugged him tightly, burying his face in Yahiko's shoulder.
"Hahaha! You're alive, Yahiko! You're really alive!"
Yahiko gasped. "I—Nagato—wait—you're choking me—!"
Nagato let go hastily, chuckling through tears. "Sorry! I was just… too happy."
Coughing and rubbing his neck, Yahiko shot him a look. "You almost killed me again. What the hell did you do?"
Konan stood by, crying silently. The sight of the two of them together again—laughing, bantering—was overwhelming.
Naruto smiled at the scene, arms crossed.
Even Orochimaru allowed himself a sigh. "Naruto, I need rest."
Naruto nodded. "Go ahead."
Yahiko's gaze fell on them. He squinted, sensing something off.
"Who are these two? And… wait a second. Why does he have your Rinnegan?" Yahiko pointed at Naruto, then blinked. "Nagato, your right eye… it's changed. It's normal now."
Nagato chuckled and glanced at Naruto. "Ah… that's a long story. I'll explain later."
He turned back to Yahiko. "Let me introduce you. This is Uzumaki Naruto—our junior , and a student of Master Jiraiya."
Naruto stepped forward with a respectful bow. " Yahiko, it's an honor."
Yahiko's expression lit up. "Jiraiya-sensei's student? Then we're family!"
He grinned widely. "Naruto —are you interested in joining the Akatsuki?"
Konan laughed.
Yes… this was the Yahiko they remembered.
Nagato scratched his head, embarrassed. "Yahiko, maybe let's hold off on recruiting for now. You've just come back. There's… a lot you don't know yet."
Yahiko blinked. "Wait, what do you mean… came back? I was dead?"
Nagato stood carefully. "I'll explain everything. Come to my room—we'll talk there."
Naruto nodded. "Take your time."
Konan helped Yahiko to his feet, then turned to assist Nagato as well.
"I'm fine," Nagato said weakly. "Just support Yahiko."
Konan scolded him gently. "Don't act tough. You were barely breathing a moment ago."
Yahiko looked around the lab, still dazed. "What is all this?"
Nagato gave him a reassuring glance. "I'll explain. One step at a time."
With Konan between them, supporting both of her precious comrades, the three of them began walking slowly toward Nagato's chambers.
Naruto watched them go, his heart light.
This reality… isn't much worse than the Eye of the Moon.
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