Uehara Naraku patted Uzumaki Naruto's shoulder, telling him that he could definitely bring his friend back, and then bid farewell to the people of Konoha Village with Konan, rushing back to The Hidden Rain Village.
Just as Uehara Naraku and Konan hurried back to The Hidden Rain Village, his subordinate Yakushi Kabuto was hiding in a dark laboratory. Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Obito stood beside him, the three of them surrounded a lab table.
After checking Nagato's body, Yakushi Kabuto shook his head and sighed: "Nagato-sama's body energy is already close to exhaustion. It seems I can only restore his body to its peak state before performing the Reanimation Jutsu!"
"Hmph..."
Uchiha Obito crossed his arms and spoke contemptuously: "Nagato, that traitor, really has good luck!"
"Hehe..."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, glanced at Uchiha Obito, and chuckled: "Nagato-sama had strong feelings for Naraku-sama, always protecting him. This is just his rightful reward."
Namikaze Minato gazed at Nagato's body on the lab table and remarked: "But this reward might not be what Nagato wanted..."
Namikaze Minato and Nagato were brother disciples.
Therefore, when Namikaze Minato saw Nagato willing to correct his own mistakes, he felt quite appreciative. Moreover, when Nagato used his life to revive those who died in this war, it earned Minato's additional admiration.
Not everyone dares to face their mistakes.
The only pity is that Nagato trusted the wrong person.
That Uehara Naraku really is no good!
In his heart, Namikaze Minato sighed quietly, unconsciously starting to ponder what expression Nagato would have when he was revived through Reanimation Jutsu, especially since everything was orchestrated by Uehara Naraku.
Yakushi Kabuto reached out with his pincers, slowly removed Nagato's Rinnegan, examining it as if it were a treasure.
After a long while, Yakushi Kabuto reluctantly placed the Rinnegan into a small bottle, as it's the legendary Rinnegan—what ninja would want to miss the chance to study these eyes?
"Next, it's Reanimation Nagato-sama."
Yakushi Kabuto focused on Nagato's remains, slowly clasped his palms together, while Uchiha Obito tossed a cursing White Zetsu next to Nagato.
"Kabuto, here's the offering you wanted."
"Thanks, Obito-san."
A gleam appeared on Yakushi Kabuto's glasses, and he bowed his head, slowly starting his hand seals: "Ninpo: Reanimation Jutsu!"
A summoning spell appeared beside Nagato. In the next moment, his remains turned into countless fragments of dust enveloping the sacrificial White Zetsu!
The next moment, Nagato's form gradually appeared.
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses and curled his lips, politely nodded to the newly resurrected Nagato.
"Welcome back, Nagato-sama."
"It turns out to be Reanimation, huh?"
Nagato glanced at his own body, raised his head to look at Yakushi Kabuto: "It seems you revived me to use against whom? Uehara Naraku?"
Aside from using him against Uehara Naraku, Nagato couldn't think of any other reason for Yakushi Kabuto to resurrect him.
"How could that be?"
Yakushi Kabuto squinted with a smile, adjusted his glasses, and chuckled: "When you see Orochimaru-sama in the future, you'll understand."
"Orochimaru, huh?"
Nagato furrowed his brow, just as he was about to say something, his vision suddenly darkened, and his consciousness involuntarily fell into a slumber.
Yakushi Kabuto had long prepared a finely crafted coffin and sealed Nagato's Reanimation Body: "It's a pity... Nagato-sama is an ultimate powerhouse as a Reanimation Body!"
"Nagato was really good to that brat Uehara Naraku."
Uchiha Obito snorted, observing Yakushi Kabuto's movements, contemptuously spoke: "Hmph, now it seems, Uehara still has some conscience..."
"Is that so?"
Yakushi Kabuto smiled and questioned back, slowly adjusted his glasses, and took out a scroll from his body.
Yakushi Kabuto had Uchiha Obito grab another White Zetsu.
A red light flashed in Uchiha Obito's Sharingan, unable to resist asking: "Hmm? Whose corpse is inside this? Who are you going to revive?"
"Hatake Sakumo."
The revival of Hatake Sakumo was personally instructed by Uehara Naraku.
When Hatake Kakashi was revived, Uehara Naraku had told Yakushi Kabuto to attempt the Reanimation Jutsu to revive Hatake Sakumo. He was also very curious about this Konoha White Fang.
"Hmph, seems I praised too early."
Uchiha Obito's knuckles cracked, coldly said: "That bastard is cold-blooded, he doesn't have a heart in his body!"
"Who knows..."
Yakushi Kabuto's lips curled into a smile, adjusted his glasses, and continued softly: "Naraku-sama's true strength lies in his unyielding will like steel, enabling him to treat any enemy without mercy."
Unfortunately, in this room, Yakushi Kabuto was the only die-hard follower of Uehara Naraku, no one was willing to go along with Yakushi Kabuto's words. Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Obito didn't really regard Uehara Naraku as a good person.
Yakushi Kabuto sighed to himself, clasped his palms, began the hand seals, once again released the Reanimation Jutsu, successfully reviving Hatake Sakumo.
"The Reanimation has actually succeeded..."
Yakushi Kabuto glanced at the Konoha White Fang who returned from the Netherworld, his eyes narrowed slightly: "Indeed, nothing escapes Lord Naraku's predictions..."
Kabuto had been somewhat skeptical at first.
After all, they had experimented before and failed to summon the soul of Konoha White Fang, thus unable to perform the Reanimation Jutsu on him.
Yet Uehara Naraku insisted they dig up Konoha White Fang's corpse, and after Hatake Kakashi's resurrection, he ordered Kabuto to reanimate Hatake Sakumo.
Everything was as expected.
Konoha White Fang was indeed successfully resurrected.
Kabuto's gaze swept over Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Obito, a cold smile appearing on his face: "Anyone who opposes Lord Naraku will find their soul cannot escape his control!"
Namikaze Minato: "..."
Uchiha Obito: "..."
Damn it, the person's not even here, stop fawning!
And these words, coming from Kabuto of all people, when their souls are already under Uehara Naraku's control!
They are typical of those whose souls are toyed with by Uehara Naraku...
"Hm? What's going on?"
After Hatake Sakumo woke up, he examined his own body, then turned to look at Uchiha Obito, Kabuto, and Namikaze Minato...
He did not recognize a single one of them.
Only Namikaze Minato appeared somewhat familiar.
After all, Hatake Sakumo died too early, and when he took his life, the oldest here, Namikaze Minato, was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and his appearance had changed unrecognizably...
Yet when Hatake Sakumo saw Namikaze Minato wearing the Divine Robe and sporting a spiral-patterned Konoha Headband, he couldn't help but feel a complex expression form on his face.
"Sir... which Hokage are you?"
"This gentleman is the Fourth Hokage of Konoha."
Kabuto, standing beside Hatake Sakumo, introduced with a light laugh: "And the Fourth Hokage was the teacher of Mr. Hatake Kakashi! The man standing next to him is Kakashi's teammate, Mr. Uchiha Obito!"
The few Reanimation Ninjas present all had inexplicable ties to Hatake Kakashi; soon they began to barely chat using Kakashi as a connection.
Hatake Sakumo soon learned part of the truth.
A look of regret appeared in Hatake Sakumo's eyes: "So we're all dead, huh? Kakashi must feel very lonely..."
"Don't worry, you'll meet again."
Kabuto's face displayed a mysterious smile as he gently reassured Hatake Sakumo: "And it won't be long... I believe Mr. Kakashi will be delighted to see his father."
Hatake Sakumo: "..."
Namikaze Minato: "..."
Uchiha Obito: "..."
"Don't look at me like that..."
Kabuto glanced at the few people present, then continued with a smile: "Surely Mr. Hatake Kakashi wishes dearly to meet his father again."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and continued quietly: "If there's anyone you wish to see, I can help resurrect them."
"..."
The three Reanimation Ninjas fell into silence.
Has Kabuto been around Uehara Naraku too long, unable to speak humanely anymore?
Truly, anyone who gets involved with Uehara Naraku will become problematic!
"Alright, enough of this nonsense."
Kabuto looked at Namikaze Minato, his expression gradually becoming serious: "Now, please contact Lord Naraku and report on our work!"
"...I understand."
Namikaze Minato slowly nodded.
He slowly raised his fingers, channeling his will to summon the will of Uehara Naraku.
The next moment, the voice of Uehara Naraku emerged from Namikaze Minato's mouth, with a hint of dejection: "Kabuto, Teacher Konan isn't in good spirits, I need to stay with her constantly, unable to break away for now."
Afterwards, Uehara Naraku's voice calmly continued: "Therefore I will remotely command you; I have an urgent mission for you now."
"Yes."
Kabuto respectfully bowed his head.
Uehara Naraku's voice calmly continued: "Before Teacher Konan and I return to the Akatsuki base, go take the Gedo Statue and Uchiha Sasuke... and by the way, ask who else wishes to betray us and leave the Akatsuki with you!"