Chapter 409

"Energy from deceased spirits?"

Naruto pondered Yoichi's words and began to understand what he meant. However, as he processed it, an uncomfortable feeling settled in his chest.

This energy likely contained remnants of his parents and other deceased loved ones. Using it felt like desecrating the dead.

Yoichi, sensing Naruto's hesitation, immediately shook his head. "You're too naive, Hokage. Without the Pure Land, the spirits of the deceased would dissipate from the shinobi world even faster—sometimes vanishing completely in just a few months. The existence of the Pure Land actually prolongs their existence."

"Besides, Isshiki is still alive. Right now, you can't even ensure the safety of the living, yet you're worrying about the spirits of the dead? The energy in the Pure Land was meant to defeat the Ōtsutsuki. If you're unwilling to use it, I'll find someone else in this world to inherit it."

Yoichi paused for a moment before continuing, "I have no interest in power for myself. I prefer to avoid combat whenever possible."

From the moment he arrived in this world, he had sent three Kage-level shikigami into the Pure Land, allowing them to take over the positions of the Three Pillars of Takamagahara.

Now, Yoichi had full control over everything within the Pure Land—except for the nuisance that was the Sage of Six Paths. He held no particular fondness for Naruto or Sasuke, but since he had already gotten involved with Hinata and Sakura, he might as well play the benefactor and let them have some of the accumulated energy.

"I see…"

Naruto let out a deep sigh, crossing his hands over his mouth in contemplation. After a while, he finally asked, "Yoichi-san, how many people can receive this power? And how long does the enhancement last?"

"As many as needed. Over a thousand years' worth of departed spirits—Hokage, don't underestimate the scale of this energy. And of course, the power increase is permanent. When have you ever heard of someone losing strength they gained through training?"

Naruto scratched his head and gave an awkward laugh. The reason he had asked was that he was reminded of how the Sage of Six Paths had granted him and Sasuke Yin-Yang Power. After sealing Kaguya, that power had disappeared.

While some remnants of it had remained for a while, Naruto was no longer able to use Six Paths Sage Mode or Truth-Seeking Orbs.

"In that case, can I bring someone else to receive this power with me?" Naruto asked.

"Of course, but it's best if they're not too weak—otherwise, the power might overwhelm them."

Yoichi nodded before adding, "I'll need to make some preparations. You two can undergo the ritual the day after tomorrow."

With that, he gave Naruto a nod and left the Hokage's office.

Once Yoichi was gone, Shikamaru immediately turned to Naruto and asked, "Naruto, do you really trust this guy?"

"Shikamaru!"

Before Naruto could respond, Ino interjected, "Why are you so prejudiced against Yoichi? Has he done anything to threaten the village?"

"He's too mysterious. Even now, we hardly know anything about him—"

"That's enough, Shikamaru," Naruto cut in. "Let's give it a try. I don't think he means any harm. Besides, Sasuke will be there. If anything goes wrong, we'll handle it."

Naruto's words settled the argument. Ino huffed but refrained from continuing her spat with Shikamaru.

Despite being teammates since childhood, Ino felt that Shikamaru was too rigid—constantly suspecting Yoichi without any real proof.

Having made up his mind, Naruto immediately sent a message to Sasuke, requesting his return to the village.

...

Sasuke, who had been away gathering intelligence, promptly returned after receiving Naruto's summons.

Upon arrival, he got straight to the point. "Naruto, why did you call me back?"

"It's about defeating Jigen, Sasuke. There might be a way to do it."

Naruto proceeded to explain what Yoichi had told him. Sasuke listened carefully, his brows furrowing slightly as he processed the information.

After a brief pause, he asked, "Do you trust him, Naruto?"

"Yeah. I don't think he would harm us. It's worth trying."

"In that case, I trust your instincts." Sasuke's voice was calm as he added, "If there's any deception involved, we'll deal with it together."

"Sasuke…"

Naruto smiled. As long as they were together, he had confidence that they could handle any threat.

...

After making all necessary preparations, Naruto and Sasuke followed Yoichi to a secluded forest outside the village.

They weren't alone—several Konoha shinobi accompanied them, including Shikamaru, Sai, and others.

Though their presence was understandable, Yoichi couldn't shake the odd sense of unease creeping over him. Something about this gathering felt vaguely dangerous.

"I should warn you," Yoichi began, "the energy from the Pure Land is extremely pure. I don't know how chakra cultivation works exactly in your system, but this energy is perfectly capable of integrating with your bodies."

He then took out two talismans and handed them to Naruto and Sasuke. "Stick these on yourselves—it'll help prevent energy waste."

Naruto grinned as he accepted his talisman. "Don't worry, Yoichi-san. I've even arranged for a sealing team to be on standby."

"Good. Get ready—I'm about to open the Pure Land."

Yoichi made sure Naruto and Sasuke were prepared before drawing a set of complex sigils in the air. These symbols etched themselves onto the ground, forming a seal-like pattern.

"Takamagahara—Open."

With a single motion, Yoichi traced a line in the air, and an invisible gate emerged before them.

Naruto and Sasuke's bodies immediately tensed as an overwhelming surge of chakra flooded into them.

"Kurama."

"I know."

Naruto exchanged a quick thought with Kurama, who immediately began absorbing the incoming chakra, ensuring it was properly stored within Naruto's body.

In the shinobi world, any form of energy could be classified as chakra—as long as there was life, chakra existed.

Naruto handled the process relatively smoothly, thanks to Kurama's assistance.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was having a tougher time. He had no external entity helping him absorb the power—he had to endure it all on his own.

Fortunately, the Rinnegan had an inherent ability to absorb chakra. If not for that, Sasuke might not have been able to withstand the influx of energy.

Time passed, second by second.

The aura around Naruto and Sasuke grew stronger and stronger.

Naruto's appearance began to change—his Sage cloak reappeared, the magatama markings returned, and behind him, Truth-Seeking Orbs formed once more.

Sasuke's power surged as well, rising to match Naruto's.

"That should do it."

Sensing that the two were approaching their limits, Yoichi commanded his three shikigami to close the gateway to Takamagahara. The seals on the ground dissipated.

A moment later, Naruto opened his eyes, slowly standing up. He looked at his hands in disbelief, clenching them into fists.

"This chakra… It's even stronger than the power the Sage of Six Paths gave me!"

(End of Chapter)

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