The Rinnegan allows its user to instinctively awaken the Yin-Yang Release Technique. Just like creating those Black Receivers through Yin and Yang, such abilities come as naturally as breathing for a Rinnegan wielder.
Moreover, even Naruto, who had only just begun to grasp the Yin-Yang Release, could create an eye for Kakashi. For Seiki, who had studied the Yin-Yang Release for two whole years, temporarily taking control of Nagato's body to master Yin-Yang Release and then using it to mend Yahiko's pierced heart posed little difficulty.
After finishing all that, Seiki released his control over Nagato and moved his original body beside Yahiko, preparing to pose for the "photo shoot."
Soon afterward, Konan awoke first.
"Hmm... what is this?" She rubbed her head as memories from before fainting gradually returned. "Wait, Hanzo!"
Realizing this, Konan quickly sat upright on the bed, scanning her surroundings cautiously.
Yahiko and Nagato lay quietly nearby while someone wearing a Shinigami mask fiddled with some equipment near Yahiko.
"Who are you? What do you want from us?" Konan asked nervously.
"Calm down, young lady," Seiki spoke in a deep, soothing voice. "I'm merely an ordinary traveler who doesn't wish to see young blossoms wilting too soon."
Konan was actually a few years older physically, but with the memories of two lives behind him, Seiki truly felt like an uncle inside—and saw no reason to feel awkward about playing the part.
As for his voice, altering it was quite simple.
Though his voice felt reassuring in a way she couldn't explain, Konan still kept her guard up. "Are you saying you rescued us from Hanzo?"
She couldn't help but doubt—Hanzo stood at the peak of the shinobi no sekai. Except for losing to that newly risen Demigod, practically no one had ever defeated him throughout his entire life.
Such a powerful man being defeated by a masked stranger out of nowhere seemed extremely suspicious.
Seeming to sense her thoughts, Seiki smiled. "I'm not nearly as strong as you think. I simply excel at Genjutsu, so I tricked Hanzo and managed to save you guys… Yeah, something like this!"
Seiki snapped his fingers, and immediately Konan saw a scene unfold: Hanzo blinked in confusion while the masked man swiftly whisked the three of them away.
"This scene you're showing me—is this all from your Genjutsu?" Konan gasped in amazement. She hadn't even realized when she had fallen into the illusion. Even knowing clearly that she was trapped in Genjutsu, she couldn't figure out how to break free.
Another snap echoed. The illusionary world before her eyes shattered like bubbles.
"That's more or less how it went," Seiki concluded calmly.
Though still somewhat doubtful, Konan noticed nothing threatening about him and decided not to dwell. With sincere gratitude, she thanked him. "Thank you, Senior!"
Seiki hadn't time to respond before Nagato stirred awake, clutching his forehead. "So tired. Why do I feel completely drained?"
Well, obviously because I went a bit too far accidentally… Seiki kept a composed face. He had tested multiple uses of the Rinnegan and even applied Yin-Yang Release to restore Yahiko's heart—no small feat. Of course Nagato would feel exhausted!
Of course, he would never reveal this true reason.
Seiki coughed lightly, "It's because summoning [Statue of the Outer Path] would place too heavy a burden on your body!"
"Oh, so that's it. Tha—" Nagato began to thank him instinctively, but suddenly realized something. "Wait, who exactly are you?"
Konan explained beside him, "Nagato, it was this senior who rescued us from Hanzo!"
"Hanzo? Now that you mention it, he must've been the one who knocked me out!" Nagato naturally had no reason to doubt Konan's words. After regaining his composure, he turned toward Seiki with gratitude and said, "Thank you, Senior!"
Seeing that Nagato still hadn't recognized his identity, Seiki secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the Shinigami Mask could hide his spiritual signature—and though he'd already tested it beforehand while manipulating Nagato—it was only now that he truly relaxed.
Seiki waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I just think that if young people like you, who carry dreams in your hearts, were to die, this era would become far more desolate."
"Dreams?" Nagato's expression grew complex. "If it weren't for something as foolish as that, we wouldn't have been tricked by Hanzo!"
"But precisely because of your dreams, I decided to intervene and save you."
"But Yahiko... he'll never come back!"
"Didn't I say?" Seiki smiled. "If people like you were to die, this era would truly become far too desolate!"
The two stared blankly for a moment, then a bold thought arose in their minds. Their voices trembled as they asked, "You mean... You're saying Yahiko hasn't..."
They couldn't bring themselves to speak the final word, afraid it might shatter this beautiful hope.
Seiki smiled. "Why don't you go see for yourselves?"
With nervous excitement, they held their breath and took slow steps forward toward where Yahiko lay.
Standing before Yahiko, Nagato tremblingly placed his right hand on Yahiko's chest.
The strong heartbeat immediately triggered a flood of tears down his face.
"He's breathing! Yahiko's still alive!"
Konan also rushed forward joyfully, her tears flowing uncontrollably. "That's wonderful! Yahiko isn't dead!"
Beside them, Seiki quipped, "So it seems even dreams have their value after all."
Hearing Seiki's voice, the two finally came to their senses and quickly turned around to express their gratitude.
"Senior, we really can't thank you enough!"
Only now did Nagato and Konan's inner wariness completely dissipate.
Though this senior appeared somewhat mysterious, he was truly a remarkable and incredibly powerful person.
Seiki smiled again and waved his hand. "No need to dwell on it. I merely did something minor."
"For you, Senior, it may seem minor, but for us, it's a favor we will never forget for the rest of our lives!"
Seeing they wanted to keep thanking him, Seiki interrupted. "Alright, enough of that. Tell me, what do you plan to do next?"
They exchanged glances. After a long pause, Konan hesitantly said, "Perhaps we'll continue [Akatsuki]'s activities once Yahiko wakes up?"
At that moment, Nagato suddenly spoke up, "Actually, I've had some new thoughts."
"Any other thoughts?" Konan asked, glancing sideways with a puzzled look.
Nagato firmly nodded. "People *can* truly understand each other, just like you, I, and Yahiko. Then why can't others do the same?"
Konan nodded thoughtfully, as if agreeing. That did seem to be the case.
As Nagato spoke, his voice grew more impassioned. "The reason lies in the fact that they've never felt our pain. Shared experiences and emotions — that's what true understanding is built on. Only then will the flower of peace truly bloom across this land!"
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