Chapter 114: Forbidden Technique of the Moon God

No one could have imagined how joyful Nagato was when he received a positive answer from the Moon God.

Nagato's dream was simple: to protect Yahiko and Konan.

He gently picked up Konan, looked directly at the man wearing the Hannya mask, and asked, "Can you save Konan?"

"Yes," Yuto responded softly.

"But, Nagato Uzumaki..."

"As long as you can save her, I'll do anything you ask. Even if you want these eyes, you can have them. I just want my friend to live," Nagato said earnestly.

"I have no use for your eyes. Put her down, we'll talk after she's saved."

"Okay." Nagato obeyed, placing Konan on the ground and watching the Moon God nervously.

Yuto smiled inwardly.

In the sight of his Half-Awakened Tenseigan, Konan's body was riddled with nearly a hundred black holes, and her chakra had ceased to flow. This was identical to the damage caused by the Gentle Fist. To an outsider, it would appear her tenketsu and internal organs were destroyed, her body utterly ruined.

But Yuto knew that these black holes were merely an illusion caused by the powder inside the mask. When he had struck Konan with the Gentle Fist, he had simultaneously injected the powder, blocking her chakra and reducing her vital signs to near zero. Her pulse beat just once a minute, making detection difficult.

Using the powder from the broken God's Mask, a completely inert substance that didn't react with chakra, he induced a false death state.

Simply removing the powder would restore her.

Yuto raised his hands and casually formed a seal.

Nagato's eyes narrowed slightly. Though he had never seen this seal before, he was certain it wasn't something the Moon God had made up. The curve and position of each finger were harmonious and natural, the hands together evoking a burst of spring vitality.

Initially, Nagato only half-believed the Moon God, but after seeing the seal, his trust increased by twenty percent.

If Yuto had heard Nagato's thoughts, he might have laughed out loud on the spot.

—Nagato had a good eye. This seal wasn't random; it was a lotus seal from Daoism in his previous life!

Maintaining the posture of forming the seal, Yuto channeled his ocular power, slightly activating his Tenseigan.

A tremendous pressure filled the cave, the surging chakra causing Konan and Nagato's hair to flutter.

"It has begun..." Yuto said calmly and seriously, "Forbidden Technique: Resurrection of the Dead!"

He did not use the formidable power of the Tenseigan but rather used the momentum as a cover to place his hand on Konan, employing the basic medical ninjutsu, the Mystical Palm Technique.

As long as he expelled the powder from her body, she would recover.

It was that simple, like a magic trick that could be unraveled once the "deception" was seen through.

Provided it could be seen through.

Yuto's medical ninjutsu had reached a master level. In less than a minute, he flushed all the powder from Konan's body to her fingertips, discreetly using a fine needle to pierce her skin and collect the evidence into his hand.

At the same time, the three-minute limit expired, and Yuto exited the mask mode.

Konan slowly regained consciousness, her eyes filled with confusion. She had no memory of what had happened, her last recollection being Yuto kicking her off the cliff.

"Konan!"

Nagato opened his arms and hugged her tightly, as if afraid she would disappear into thin air.

"Nagato, what happened to me..."

Konan was still a bit dazed, but when she saw Yahiko's corpse, her eyes filled with tears as she remembered everything.

"Konan, it's okay now," Nagato said through gritted teeth as he looked at his comrade's battered body, "Yuto, that bastard... next time I see him, I'll tear him apart!"

"Agreed." The man in the Hannya mask laughed, "When the time comes, I'll help you hold him down."

"Moon God!" Konan finally noticed the man standing there.

"It's okay, Konan. He brought you back to life."

Nagato gently patted his comrade's hand and turned to Yuto.

"Moon God, what do you need me to do?"

There was no gratitude, no promise of "my life is yours," but all three present understood the determination of the red-haired young man:

—Just say the word, and I'll do it!

He had saved Nagato from Hanzo of the Salamander and brought Konan back to life. Such immense kindness was something Nagato would never forget.

Konan remained silent but bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment.

—With Yahiko gone, Nagato is my everything. His decision is my decision.

No matter the Moon God's purpose, his immense help to them was undeniable. Neither member of Akatsuki would deny this.

Because of Nagato and Konan's personalities, Yuto felt safe remaining here even after exiting the mask mode.

Yuto was certain that Nagato and Konan would not suddenly attack him.

"You are both useful to me," Yuto said directly, fitting the Moon God's domineering and arrogant nature, "What I need to do, I'll explain to you later."

"But for now, Nagato, I need your strength."

"The Land of Rain is about to undergo a significant upheaval."

"The Yellow Flash, the Lone Lion, the Demigod, and that elusive Root from Konoha... today's event was just a small part of it."

"The real battle is about to erupt... centered around me."

"So, Nagato, become my strength. When the time comes, as a small reward," Yuto paused and smiled, "I will give you the opportunity for revenge."

...

At the last light of the sun faded behind the mountains, Hanzo of the Salamander's body was found.

The corpse was sliced to pieces, unrecognizable until a medical team confirmed the identity.

Everyone believed it was Nagato's revenge.

The Rinnegan wielder had hidden his ace, killing Hanzo in his injured state and dismembering the body in rage.

A very reasonable conclusion, considering Nagato's behavior after Yahiko and Konan's deaths.

Amegakure and Konoha were both losers in this battle. Amegakure lost Hanzo and the thriving Akatsuki, while Konoha lost twenty-three shinobi with nothing gained and earned the enmity of the Rinnegan.

Judging by Danzo's grim face, it was clear the level of fury he would face from the Hokage upon returning to the village.

Minato and Yuto didn't stay long. They led Konoha's main forces away, leaving the cleanup to ANBU and Danzo.

They each wrote a detailed report for Hiruzen Sarutobi and returned to their roles as commander and vice commander.

The war continued.

(End of Chapter)