Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 457 Miracle

With the destruction brought to a halt, the ninjas stationed in various areas sprang into action. These ninjas were not top-tier in skill; according to the original plan, they would be responsible for patrolling and issuing warnings in these areas, evacuating people, rescuing trapped civilians, and carrying out post-battle disaster relief work.

Although the Hokage was unconscious and unable to command effectively, her summoning beast, Katsuyu, had been scattered throughout Konoha, providing real-time updates on Pain's movements. When the crater in the ground miraculously healed, she informed the entire village that Naruto had accomplished this, and of course, the news of Pain's retreat.

Everyone's spirits were lifted, and they immediately began the bustling post-battle cleanup. The rubble that needed to be dug up had to be dug, the fires that needed to be extinguished had to be put out, and the data that needed to be tallied had to be tallied—these follow-up tasks were equally important and complex.

At that moment, on the highest cliff in Konoha, a sneaky white head emerged from the ground. Its distinctive features identified it as a White Zetsu. He had infiltrated Konoha during Pain's invasion, and in order to hold out until the very end, he didn't even dare to run towards the village's city center, instead hiding atop the Hokage Rock and gazing into the distance.

The smoke of battle that had filled the air was gradually dissipating, and Pain's chakra was no longer in Konoha City. The Nine-Tails' chakra had only recently appeared, and all of this proved that Pain's defeat was inevitable.

"Konoha actually withstood Pain's Super Shinra Tensei. It seems he's likely to fail." With such a serious battle report, White Zetsu dared not bluff. His vision was too far, limiting his ability to see clearly. He couldn't clearly see the miraculous restoration of the area destroyed by Pain, even before the dust had settled. However, he did see the Four Red Sun Formation rising from the ground—a formation requiring four Kage-level shinobi to activate!

Moreover, the chakra consumption for protection and destruction is definitely not one-to-one. The fact that those four people were able to protect Konoha even when the barrier was so severely deformed suggests that they are not just rookies who have just touched the Kage level, but true veterans!

"The Four Red Yang Formation? Konoha actually managed to field such a lineup? And without the Nine-Tails returning." Many names flashed through Madara's mind, but none seemed quite right. Could it be that the advisory group had a change of heart and volunteered? But even if they were willing to step forward, they probably couldn't reach the designated location and activate the barrier in such a short time. What was going on? Did Konoha have any unexpected fighting power?

However, now seemed not the time to ponder these matters. Pain had already used one of his most trump cards, and this unfavorable situation almost certainly meant that Akatsuki was about to lose another key general. No, two. If Nagato died, he wasn't sure if that woman would continue to follow his orders.

In the original Eye of the Moon plan, Nagato was indeed a crucial element. He was not only the best candidate to collect the Tailed Beasts, but his life also needed to be sacrificed at a designated time. However, as humans, we all have our own selfish desires, and plans can never keep up with changes. Madara did not intend to sacrifice Nagato's life; he only needed one eye.

So many years have passed; even if he were still foolish, he wouldn't be a pawn to be manipulated. He doesn't trust the original creator of the Eye of the Moon, but intends to fulfill that wish himself and become the guardian of the world!

Seeing Madara packing his things, Black Zetsu asked, "Are you going to rescue him yourself?"

"No, there's no need to save a defeated piece. I only need those two eyes." He had to get at least one eye. It didn't matter if the other one was destroyed, since... one was enough to realize the Eye of the Moon.

Meanwhile, some of the remaining sensory personnel looked up at the Hokage Rock. These individuals were selected for such an important task force because of their ability to sense White Zetsu. This White Zetsu was definitely not to be allowed to live, and they immediately dispatched a small team to assassinate it.

Halfway through their run, countless emerald green beams suddenly shot out from the center of Konoha, aimlessly plunging into the bodies of countless dead, including even the "East Wind" special squad. Fortunately, to ensure there were no enemies around Konoha, they had dispersed to patrol and were not chosen by the green beams in front of anyone.

"This...this is..." Even the Thousand Hands, who were used to miracles, never expected to encounter such a thing. Almost all of them had studied medical knowledge, and the sudden return of a heartbeat to their long-empty chests was truly a shocking experience. Could this be the "Reincarnation of Life" technique that Lord Golden Wheel had mentioned? There really is a technique in this world that can directly bring someone back from the dead!

Inside the barrier not far from Konoha, the four people watching Nagato perform hand seals each had their own reactions.

Konan was fully aware of the consequences of using "Rinne Rebirth," but this time, she understood Nagato's choice, because the world that boy had created was exactly what they had once longed for. Tobirama, possessing sensory abilities, was the only one present to directly experience the jutsu's effects, and he was shocked that its power was truly as miraculous as the legends suggested. Izuna was somewhat surprised by Nagato's choice; after seeing another possibility, Nagato had chosen "death" without hesitation, a decisiveness that even I found admirable.

With Naruto's explanation, Sasuke understood the jutsu's effects and abilities, and he suddenly understood why Naruto had spoken up for this person. Most perpetrators would never willingly take responsibility for their atrocities, but Nagato did, simply because he still held the most fervent hope for the future, which is why he was able to dedicate his life to "hope."

Okay, he has to admit that this is a respectable opponent, but unfortunately he didn't have the chance to fight him... Wait, can't he still use the Impure World Reincarnation technique?

The blurry world before him seemed to clear a little more. Sasuke squinted, trying to make out the human figure in front of him, but as an Uchiha, using the Sharingan was almost an instinctive habit. As red filled his iris, the Mangekyou Sharingan in his left eye activated uncontrollably, and countless images flashed through his mind.

He saw a strange man wearing a mask with a single eye socket spouting his twisted logic at Nagato; he saw the owner of the headband personally draw a line across the Amegakure symbol; he saw a Tendo completely different from the one before him, his mouth full of blood, yet smiling as he closed his eyes; he saw three spirited young men laughing amidst their companions; he saw a large frog and three small frogs discussing the future around a grilled meat; he saw three children huddling together for warmth during the most difficult years, just to survive; he saw fallen parents and eyes activated by fear and hatred; he saw... a... a decaying old man with white hair, personally... implanting those eyes into the eye sockets of a red-haired baby!