Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

It was a deep, unrestrained desire, emanating from the soul, almost maddening. If Ye Zi hadn't blocked off his spiritual connection with Shokui, Shokui's longing would have manifested in words over the past three days.

Recently, Shokui had once seriously told Ye Zi that, if given enough energy, breaking open a dimension would not be difficult.

However, Ye Zi no longer trusted Shokui. If Shokui could indeed break through dimensions, why had it stayed trapped in that alternate space, almost starving to death?

The soul contract they had been forced into, which bound them together, had now become something that needed resolving. As Ye Zi grew stronger, Shokui's usefulness diminished, and Ye Zi thought it best to keep Shokui isolated in the alternate dimension, only feeding it occasionally as a precaution.

The sealing and contract techniques in this world were incredibly advanced, and Ye Zi believed there might be a way to sever the bond. But finding such a method was secondary to the immediate goal of completing his plans.

If Shokui knew what Ye Zi was thinking, it might have been enraged at being reduced to something akin to a domesticated beast. But back when the contract was signed, Shokui had intended to trap Ye Zi in that alternate dimension, like livestock.

If Ye Zi had more knowledge of sealing and contract techniques, Shokui's situation might have been even worse. As the saying goes, "evil meets evil."

The dim glow of the eternal flame cast long shadows behind Ye Zi and his companions in the cave.

Looking at the Gedo Statue, Ye Zi's expression became tranquil. Now that their efforts were bearing fruit, new thoughts began to circle in his mind. Though the path forward was clear and straightforward, lingering doubts remained. To take the final step, he had to be fully prepared in advance.

If Madara was the only one capable of helping him achieve his goal, then Madara would need to be revived—but Ye Zi had to prepare for the worst.

The most powerful force was the only reliable card.

Ye Zi was no fool. He would never place all his hopes on Madara, or on anyone else. The only true way to ensure success was to control all possible outcomes himself.

People ultimately had to rely on themselves. Heaven helps those who help themselves, and Ye Zi had learned this truth long ago.

"Shokui is no longer useful, and the gap left by losing a summon must be filled quickly."

When Shokui showed such intense desire toward the Tailed Beasts and the Gedo Statue, Ye Zi had already decided to discard Shokui's value. However, the importance of a summon could not be overlooked, and the role Shokui had previously filled would need to be replaced.

Without any suitable summon creatures readily available, the most straightforward option was to contact Orochimaru and form a summoning contract with Manda.

Ye Zi turned to look at the two exhausted figures behind him and said calmly, "Right now, both of you are still too weak."

Kotoe and Shin lowered their heads in silence upon hearing Ye Zi's sharp words. With their current level of strength, they could only admit that they were as weak and useless as Ye Zi claimed.

"If you want to keep up with me, you'll need to get stronger quickly. You've both already adapted to the cells of Hashirama. This is your opportunity to grow stronger."

Ye Zi's tone was calm, with little emotion, but his expectations for the two were clear.

"You have the potential, but I don't have much time to wait for you."

With that, Ye Zi began walking toward the exit, passing the two of them.

"Kotoe, Shin, the path I've chosen won't stop for anyone. So, keep up…"

His gaze remained fixed ahead as he ascended the steps, but his final words revealed a glimmer of hope.

Kotoe watched his back, took a deep breath, and hurried to follow.

She wanted to stand by Ye Zi's side and couldn't afford to be left behind because of weakness.

Yes, she would give everything she had to keep up—just to be closer to him.

Shin's eyes flickered, his dark pupils slowly turning into Sharingan, with the three tomoe spinning in his now crimson eyes as Ye Zi's figure was etched into them.

A slight smile appeared on his lips, his exhaustion masked.

The figure reflected in his eyes was his goal.

"Wait for me."

Shin called out, quickening his pace to catch up.

The three of them left, and the dimly lit cave was left with only the grotesque Gedo Statue and a lifeless body. White Zetsu would handle the aftermath.

Ripples formed on the cliff's surface as Ye Zi stepped out, followed by Kotoe and Shin.

When Nagato had canceled the Projection Technique, he hadn't immediately ordered them to pursue the next Jinchūriki, likely due to his own considerations.

Even though the next target had been decided, it wouldn't be Ye Zi's team that handled it. For now, they had no new mission, leaving them temporarily idle. But Ye Zi didn't plan to stay idle.

Due to White Zetsu's unique abilities, their team only had three members. Shin's lack of battle experience was a significant weakness, and the only way to remedy that was for him to engage in combat as much as possible.

In a peaceful ninja world without war, it wasn't easy for a shinobi to grow rapidly.

"We'll head back to the base first."

With those words, Ye Zi darted forward, leaping over the valley stream and heading in the direction of the Land of Earth.

Kotoe and Shin quickly followed.

A leaf, stripped from its branch, was caught in the wind, spinning and tumbling past them before being swept down into the valley. As the wind died, the leaf gently settled on the stream and was carried away by the current.

"Shin, your combat experience is lacking. Kotoe, your offensive capabilities need to improve to better complement your plant-based toxins. From now on, for any future missions, the two of you will handle them without my help," Ye Zi said as they made their way back.

"Understood," both replied without hesitation.

Don't die too easily…

Ye Zi kept his eyes forward but refrained from saying those words aloud.

…

In Amegakure, the Village Hidden in the Rain.

The tower stood tall amidst the storm, and from the highest point, through a window, a pair of cold, emotionless eyes gazed out at the world.

In the empty, austere room, Nagato stood by the window, watching the rain-soaked village below, which was steadily returning to order.

Behind him stood Konan and Pain, the body created from Yahiko's corpse.

Konan watched Nagato's pale hair, her lips pressed together, her brows furrowed with a complex expression and a trace of concern.

If only she were strong enough, Nagato wouldn't have to bear all this alone.

"Konan, be patient. The world we dream of is coming," Nagato said, his Rinnegan slowly expanding and contracting, the concentric circles within them marking the passage of time and the depth of his resolve—these were the eyes of a god.

With the power of these eyes, a world shaped by pain could give birth to lasting peace.

The extraction of the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki was the first significant step for both Nagato and Ye Zi toward their ultimate goal.

"Mm." Konan nodded. Whether the path they were on was right or wrong, she would always be by Nagato's side, silently supporting him.

She glanced at Yahiko's lifeless body standing nearby.

The image of the three of them together had always been her ideal. With Nagato and Yahiko by her side…

But now, that picture was incomplete.

"Nagato…" Konan hesitated.

"What is it?" Nagato turned slightly to look at her.

After a moment of hesitation, Konan finally spoke. "I still have trouble trusting that man."

"You mean Ye Zi?" Nagato turned back to the window.

"Yes," Konan nodded. The members of the organization had been thoroughly vetted, yet Ye Zi remained an enigma.

"I've never trusted him," Nagato said coldly. "I don't know why he's so eager to see this plan through, but it doesn't matter. Anyone who stands in my way will be eliminated."

Konan fell silent, watching Nagato's back.

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Currently on Chapter 306 - Mount Myōboku