"Tch, what level is Nagato, and what level am I?" Kageyama Kogetsu said with a disdainful expression.
Whether it was Nagato or Obito Uchiha with his residual Six Paths power, they were both mortals with mortal bodies and eyes, lacking the essence of the Six Paths.
If the lifespan of a cultivator in a cultivation world increased linearly, then for a ninja in this world, going from mortal to Six Paths level was a sudden and explosive increase!
An ordinary ninja's lifespan was typically a few decades, a hundred years at most. A Six Paths level existence could live for over a thousand years!
Precisely because their essence had transcended the mortal realm, the Rinne Tensei no Jutsu was useless on a Six Paths level existence.
The reason Nagato didn't revive Yahiko after mastering the Rinne Tensei no Jutsu wasn't because he was afraid of death.
It was because Yahiko's ideal had been shattered. The old path could not achieve peace, and reviving Yahiko wouldn't realize that ideal either. The Akatsuki had to take a new path.
In fact, in the Naruto world, political ideals were paramount. To realize an ideal, everything could be sacrificed, including oneself!
"Can you really do it?" Konan asked, half-believing, half-doubting.
"Hehe, would I joke about my own life?" Kageyama Kogetsu sneered and retorted.
Pakura chimed in, "Konan, actually, I was revived by Kogetsu."
"When he found me in Kirigakure back then, I had already been dead for quite some time."
After a moment of thought, Konan said, "Alright, I believe you."
"Believe it or not, it's up to you. It's not like it has to be you; it's just to save some trouble."
"Nagato's revival can be an exchange condition. As for Yahiko, it will depend on your future performance," Kageyama Kogetsu said lightly.
"I... I will do my best to perform well," Konan said softly, lowering her proud head.
"Alright, it's settled then."
"Press your thumbprint in blood on this summoning scroll. If anything happens, use the summoning beast to tell me."
"Also, be careful of the Masked Man and his group. Don't get involved with them anymore."
This time, Konan didn't have the whereabouts of the Rinnegan on her, so Obito Uchiha and his group wouldn't care too much about a discarded pawn.
"I understand."
Konan took the scroll, opened it, bit her right thumb, pressed her bloody thumbprint onto it, and then returned it to Kageyama Kogetsu.
"Let's go."
Kageyama Kogetsu turned to leave. Pakura followed, and Konan followed, carrying Nagato's body.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot something. This body needs to be repaired. Repairing it after revival will be even more troublesome."
Kageyama Kogetsu turned back to Konan. He placed his right hand on Nagato's empty, bloody eye sockets and activated Yin-Yang Release. Then, he brushed his hands over the two calves destroyed by explosive tags, activating Yin-Yang Release again.
Under the miraculous effect of Yin-Yang Release, two black eyeballs magically appeared, perfectly connected to the optic nerves and capillaries.
The skin, muscles, blood vessels, meridians, and bones of the legs also reappeared.
"This..."
Konan stared wide-eyed at this scene, tears bursting from her eyes. Unlike her previous despair, this time they were tears of joy.
Just this display of Yin-Yang Release, far surpassing Nagato's, was enough to prove that the other party's words were not false.
This wasn't just powerful regeneration; it was creation from nothing. It was power akin to the Sage of Six Paths!
"Thank you," Konan said softly, looking at Kageyama Kogetsu's back.
"Mm." Kageyama Kogetsu didn't say much, giving a casual response.
After leaving the cave, Konan bid farewell to the two and flew away carrying Nagato's body...
"Hehe, are you really that trusting with a beautiful woman?" Pakura asked with a fake smile.
"How could I be? Am I that naive?"
"I've secretly left measures on both her and Nagato long ago. I can descend to her side and take her life at any time."
"Go call Kakuzu and the others over. I have something to say."
"Alright."
A mature woman knew when to stop. She was just venting a little complaint.
Soon, the five of them returned.
"No need for formalities." Kageyama Kogetsu waved his hand.
"After running around outside for so many years, Pakura will definitely be returning to Konoha with me. What are your plans?"
The four looked at each other and said in unison, "I will follow Lord Hokage's (Brother Kogetsu's) arrangements."
"I'm really asking for your opinions. Feel free to speak your minds. Itachi, you go first."
Itachi Uchiha thought for a moment and said, "I'd better not return to Konoha. It's not appropriate. My return would cause a stir in the clan and affect Mother and Sasuke."
"I'll wait outside for Sasuke to come and seek revenge on me."
Kageyama Kogetsu nodded slightly. "Kakuzu, what about you?"
"I don't plan to go to Konoha either. Getting used to freedom over the years is a minor reason. I want to focus my main energy on the Gengetsu Society. That is a great cause!" Kakuzu said with a solemn and dignified expression.
The Gengetsu Society was an organization founded by those who agreed with Kageyama Kogetsu's philosophy. Previously, Kakuzu was mainly in charge, with Pakura assisting, and the other three helping out when they had time.
"Me too."
"Me too."
"I'll stick with Senior Kakuzu and the others," Kisame, Jūzō, and Itachi stated one after another.
"Alright, it's decided then. But you four must not be careless. The Masked Man and his group are still alive."
"Don't stray too far from each other. If you really have to split up, do so in pairs," Kageyama Kogetsu instructed.
The four nodded in unison. "Understood."
"Brother Kogetsu, let Sasuke come find me soon. My body won't hold out for much longer."
Kageyama Kogetsu was silent for a moment before saying, "I know."
Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit heavy, Pakura quickly smiled and said, "Although we didn't completely wipe out the Akatsuki today, it can still be considered a great victory."
"On such a good day, we must celebrate properly."
Itachi Uchiha beamed. "Sister Pakura is right."
Kakuzu, Kisame, and Jūzō nodded in agreement, feeling that a proper celebration was indeed necessary.
"A very good suggestion. In that case, let's have a bonfire party tonight."
"We'll pack some food, buy some ingredients, and cook ourselves. I'll be the head chef."
"We can't lack alcohol and drinks either. Just buy whatever you like to eat."
"First, find a place with beautiful scenery, then go buy the ingredients."
Although there was plenty of food and drink in Daikokuten, today required a sense of ceremony.
"Let's go."
Kageyama Kogetsu's right eye turned black, and with a sweep, he stored the Human Path of Pain into Daikokuten and took control of the monstrous bird.
The six of them jumped onto the bird's back one after another and set off towards the east...
After much deliberation and combining everyone's opinions, they finally chose a plain covered in wildflowers. Colorful wildflowers bloomed all over the plain, and when the breeze blew, a unique mixed floral fragrance wafted over.
There was no helping it; Pakura was the only woman among the six, so her opinion carried the most weight.
After choosing the place, they split into pairs to go shopping in the nearby towns.
To facilitate travel, Kageyama Kogetsu summoned the Golden Eagle so everyone could fly instead of jumping around.
By the time the three groups returned, dusk had fallen.
Everyone had their own duties, working with their backs to the setting sun. They cleared a campsite for the bonfire, washed and prepared the ingredients, gathered firewood, and collected some natural ingredients.
By the time it was completely dark and the bright moon had risen, several bonfires were burning brightly, dispelling the darkness and illuminating the campsite.
Kageyama Kogetsu took out a music player from Daikokuten. Soft and melodious music played, making everyone's mood even more pleasant.
After a flurry of activity, a feast was prepared. There was a whole roasted lamb, a partitioned hot pot, fruits, dried fruits, drinks, and alcohol. In this world, it was definitely a state banquet level meal.
Everyone sat on the ground, enjoying the music, tasting the delicious food, and chatting about everything under the sun. It was a joyous occasion.
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