Chapter 303: Rinne Rebirth
The Sixth Hokage has returned!
This news was immediately broadcast to the entire ninja world via Konoha TV, especially because Dan had defeated Uchiha Madara and Uzumaki Naruto. This caused an uproar throughout the ninja world.
The war was over.
The great Sixth Hokage successfully thwarted the enemy's plot and defended the peace of the ninja world.
Everyone could finally sleep peacefully.
In the Tenshukaku, the meeting room.
"Here, this is for you, Sixth Hokage."
Mei Terumi handed over the pristine Hokage robe to the shirtless Dan.
"Thank you."
Dan draped the Hokage robe over his shoulders before sitting majestically on the sofa.
Madara and Naruto stood silently behind him, waiting for Dan's judgment.
This strange scene made everyone exchange puzzled glances.
"Dad."
A tender voice broke the silence. Hagoromo ran to Dan's side, looking up at him, "When you suddenly disappeared, it scared me. Luckily, I later sensed your chakra on the moon and felt relieved."
"Such a good son."
Dan patted Hagoromo's head, letting him sit on his lap, and sighed, "Ah, the one most worried about my safety is indeed you."
Hagoromo quickly said:
"No, Mom, stepmom, Aunt Mikoto, and even my sister were all worried about you…"
Before he could finish.
"Who was worried about him!" Tsunade and Marisa said simultaneously, interrupting Hagoromo.
Dan chuckled, his gaze sweeping around the meeting room, from his family to the Uchiha members, the four Kage, and even the first Hokage. Finally—
He stopped at Kakashi, the captain of the Anbu.
Kakashi snapped out of it and immediately stepped forward, bowing deeply. First, he self-critically reviewed the situation, saying the Anbu failed to protect the Hokage.
Then, he reported on the current situation in the village.
During the recent attack, Madara's Chibaku Tensei and Naruto's Tailed Beast Bombs, although not directly hitting Konoha, caused immense collateral damage.
According to rough statistics, as of half an hour ago, the number of Konoha villagers killed by the meteor rain and the aftermath of the Tailed Beast Bomb had exceeded 100,000.
A total of 100,000.
Additionally, the massive number of injuries overwhelmed Konoha Hospital, with the death toll continuing to rise every minute.
Even Tsunade, the head of the medical department, had to save the injured personally, eventually exhausting herself and needing rest.
Besides the human casualties, Konoha's buildings and infrastructure were severely damaged. The power, water, and network systems were partially paralysed and were under urgent repair.
Tens of thousands of villagers' homes were destroyed by the meteor rain, leaving many homeless and forcing them to live temporarily in shelters and tents.
Even optimistically, it would take Konoha several months to recover.
"Hmm, hmm."
Dan listened to Kakashi's report, nodding as he did so. His calm expression made it difficult for others to guess the Hokage's true thoughts.
Upon hearing the casualty numbers from Kakashi.
Madara looked indifferent as if he didn't kill those people. There was no trace of guilt or remorse on his face.
After all, in Madara's eyes, the dead ninjas and civilians were just a bunch of insignificant ants.
Moreover, Madara believed that Dan thought the same, only pretending to care due to his position as Hokage.
But Naruto was different.
"100,000…"
He murmured the number, feeling as if he were sitting on needles under the gaze of everyone in the meeting room, filled with guilt and regret.
How did it turn out like this?
Ultimately, no matter how cold and ruthless he appeared on the surface, Naruto had never changed at heart. He was still the kind-hearted Konoha boy he once was.
At that moment, Naruto had an epiphany.
"What have I been doing all these years… Even if I wanted to achieve peace, it shouldn't be through such means, causing so many innocent deaths…"
With a look of pain, he held his head in his hands, his hair a mess, clearly in torment.
In his agony, Naruto suddenly remembered something.
He made a decision.
When Kakashi finished his report, before Dan could speak, Naruto stepped into the light and turned to face Dan, saying solemnly:
"I will use the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu to revive those who died."
Rinne Rebirth?
Upon hearing Naruto's words, everyone in the meeting room showed different expressions and began to discuss.
However, the most intense reaction came from the fox inside Naruto.
"Naruto, you idiot! Have you been brainwashed by Uchiha Dan's genjutsu, or is your brain just broken?! Don't you know that using that jutsu will not only kill you on the spot but also drag me to death with you!"
Kurama's angry roar echoed in Naruto's mind.
Naruto just smiled foolishly, comforting Kurama:
"No, Kurama.
You are different from me. You are essentially a mass of chakra and won't truly die.
In a few years, you will be reborn somewhere in the ninja world, and you will be free from my body. Isn't that better?"
"Could it be that you actually care about me and don't want me to die?"
Hearing Naruto's teasing words, Kurama's expression changed, and it immediately snorted:
"Hmph, forget it. If you're in such a hurry to die, I won't stop you, you self-righteous brat."
Then, it fell silent.
Having spent more than a decade with Naruto, Kurama had long understood his temperament.
This kid might seem silly and easy to fool, but once he set his mind on something, not even ten bulls could drag him back, and no one could persuade him otherwise.
Moreover, Kurama realised that given the current situation—Naruto's choice was the best outcome for both of them.
If Uchiha Dan had his hands on Naruto, he would have most likely extracted Kurama from Naruto.
Naruto would die from losing the Tailed Beast, and Kurama would fall into Dan's hands, becoming the fuel for Dan's transformation into the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
If Naruto voluntarily used the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, he could achieve spiritual redemption, and Kurama would temporarily die, escaping Dan's clutches.
So, despite some reluctance to part with this foolish kid, Kurama's rational side told it that having Naruto perform the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique was the best conclusion.
The happiest person present was undoubtedly Uchiha Madara.
"Excellent, brat, you finally figured it out."
Madara's eyes gleamed as he immediately urged Naruto, "Hurry up and use the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to revive me and Konoha's fallen. You've finally made a wise decision."
Seeing Madara so eager, Dan smiled and said simply:
"Then... let's begin."
Ten minutes later.
The group took an elevator to the rooftop of the Hokage Tower.
From there, they could overlook the entire Konoha, arguably the best vantage point in the village—normally reserved for the Sixth Hokage alone.
No one else dared to come here.
"The night view of Konoha... is truly beautiful."
Naruto walked to the edge of the rooftop, feeling the night breeze, and sighed sincerely.
Despite the severe damage, Konoha's prosperity over the past eight years surpassed any place in the ninja world.
On this moonless night, neon lights illuminated the ground, turning Konoha into a city that never slept.
"I need some time to prepare."
Naruto turned back and said to Dan.
"Of course."
Dan didn't seem worried about Naruto playing any tricks and nodded before walking over to play with his wife and child.
"Don't let anyone disturb him."
Fugaku ordered sternly. The Uchiha clan members formed a line, creating a perimeter so Naruto could focus on his preparations.
The other onlookers, with mixed emotions, awaited Naruto's technique.
The Four Kage of the ninja world had come to the rooftop to witness the event.
"A forbidden technique that uses one's life as a medium to transcend death... Suna also has such a technique, but..."
Chiyo, the Kazekage, watched Naruto's back and murmured.
Suna had secretly developed a forbidden technique called "Reanimation Jutsu," which used the caster's chakra as a medium to share life force with the deceased, thus resurrecting them.
Chiyo herself had mastered this technique.
However, the Reanimation Jutsu required a life-for-a-life exchange, using the caster's death to bring the dead back to life.
Naruto's impending use of the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique seemed to be able to resurrect all the dead from this recent attack at once—an estimated one hundred thousand people.
Though it was known that the Rinnegan had the power to reverse life and death, they hadn't expected it to be this powerful.
Among the dead were also some Genin from the Four Great Ninja Villages.
Therefore.
The Four Kage watched with wide eyes, eager to witness the miracle firsthand.
Meanwhile.
"First Hokage, Second Hokage, should we discuss with Uchiha Dan and ask him to include you both in Naruto's resurrection?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi whispered this suggestion.
In his view...
Previously, when Madara Uchiha attacked Konoha, it was the First Hokage who stepped in and used Wood Release to stop the first meteor, definitely earning credit.
Now, if even someone like Madara can be resurrected, why can't the First and Second Hokage be revived?
Naruto is already preparing to sacrifice himself to resurrect a hundred thousand people; what's the harm in resurrecting two more?
As long as Dan nods, the First and Second Hokage could be perfectly revived, returning to their peak strength.
However, to Hiruzen Sarutobi's surprise.
"We should let it be. We're already old relics from a bygone era, unlike Madara who shamelessly clamours for resurrection. It's undignified.
After this matter is settled, we old folks should rest in peace.
Besides, Konoha looks pretty good now. I can rest easy because the Uchiha haven't let down the village."
The First Hokage spoke earnestly and then asked the Second Hokage, "What do you think, Tobirama?"
With arms crossed, the Second Hokage coldly added:
"Even if we wanted to be resurrected, Uchiha Dan probably wouldn't agree. He would likely publicly humiliate us for others to mock."
Although he hadn't dealt with Dan for long, the astute Second Hokage had already grasped the Sixth Hokage's character.
He was a lofty individual who enjoyed manipulating others.
Asking him would most likely result in being ridiculed and losing face without gaining any benefit.
So, the Second Hokage held no hope for Hiruzen Sarutobi's proposal.
Hearing the First and Second Hokage's stance, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed, filled with anxiety.
In desperation, his gaze fell on Tsunade nearby, his eyes lighting up as he whispered again:
"I've got it! If we ask Tsunade to request Uchiha Dan, we might be able to resurrect both of you.
I've heard Tsunade is the stepmother to Dan's children and has a closer relationship with Dan than anyone else..."
"Enough, Monkey."
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish, he was interrupted by the First Hokage.
Seeing Hiruzen's puzzled look, the First Hokage sighed and said slowly:
"No matter what Tsunade's relationship with Uchiha Dan is, it has nothing to do with us. As her grandfathers, we shouldn't use her to plead with Dan; it's too disgraceful.
Moreover, if I were resurrected, I'd feel embarrassed and wouldn't know how to face Tsunade afterwards."
In life, the person the First Hokage cherished most was his granddaughter, Tsunade.
Tsunade holds a high position in Konoha and maintains good relations with the Uchiha clan, even becoming the stepmother to the Hokage's children, living a happy life.
The First Hokage was reassured.
The last thing he wanted to see was Tsunade creating a rift with the Uchiha clan or even opposing them to resurrect him and the Second Hokage.
"Let's follow my brother's advice, Monkey. We know you mean well, but let's not make a fuss." The Second Hokage agreed.
"...I understand."
Helplessly, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to give up and drop the matter.
Beside him, Jiraiya silently watched Naruto's back, his expression complicated.
Since accidentally arriving at Mount Myoboku as a child using the Reverse Summoning Technique, Jiraiya had been tasked with a lifelong mission: to find the prophesied Child of Prophecy.
Now, the Child of Prophecy seen in the Great Toad Sage's dream, the one destined to bring unprecedented change to the ninja world, Naruto Uzumaki, was about to die before Jiraiya's eyes.
And he, who was supposed to play a significant role in history, had remained an insignificant bystander.
Thinking of this.
Jiraiya felt filled with guilt and remorse towards Naruto.
It was his fault for not finding Naruto sooner and guiding him on the right path. It was his failure as a mentor that led the Child of Prophecy astray, resulting in this outcome.
Sadly, it was too late to say or do anything now.
Sigh.
Jiraiya turned away, no longer looking at Naruto, with only a deep sigh remaining in his heart.
"Dan, do you really intend to resurrect... Madara Uchiha?"
Standing against Dan's chest, Samui glanced worriedly at Madara and whispered in her husband's ear.
Holding his wife, Dan responded with a faint smile: "When did I ever say I was going to resurrect Madara?"
"You mean..."
"The one performing the Rinne Rebirth is Naruto. Whether to resurrect Madara is up to him."
Dan said, then suddenly noticed, "Look, it seems Sasuke wants to have a word with Naruto. Looks like he's still brooding over his defeat by Naruto last time."
(End of the chapter)