Naruto: Ghosts of the Warring States

Chapter 410 410: The Sage’s Bargain

The clash of spirits hadn't ended.

In response to Akio's "job offer" to run the underworld, the Sage of Six Paths said nothing. He simply planted his staff against the ground and tried to withdraw from Akio's mental domain.

Akio wasn't having it.

He considered himself a gracious host. When someone traveled all this way to visit, you didn't just let them slip out the back door. At the very least, you made them stay for a drink.

One tried to leave. One refused to let go.

The Sage's expression grew grave.

Akio's remained relaxed; he even had spare focus to shield Kagami's soul behind him.

In terms of Yin Release mastery, they stood on equal footing. Under normal circumstances, their spiritual strength would have been nearly identical.

But the Sage was long dead. The power he could draw upon was limited. Not only had he failed to reclaim Kagami's soul, Akio had dragged him into this space as well.

And here, on Akio's turf, the gap widened.

"Don't bother struggling," Akio said lightly. "You know you can't beat me here. If you don't want the underworld manager position, fine. Just hand over the souls of Jing Tong, Nanako, Izuko, Tobirama, Kenji, my dear nephew… and Jiri. Do that, and I'll let you walk."

The Sage paused.

He looked at Akio, long and deep.

Then he lifted his staff… and abruptly withdrew all resistance.

Akio startled and immediately canceled the spiritual strike he'd been about to unleash.

And just like that

The Sage vanished.

Akio stood frozen for several long seconds.

"…Was that the Sage of Six Paths or a back-alley negotiator? He just pulled the 'I've got hostages' card on me."

It was obvious.

The Sage was certain Akio wouldn't dare harm him. The souls Akio wanted were still inside the Sage's own "afterlife." If something happened to him, if that realm collapsed those souls would be erased entirely.

It was a stalemate.

"Elder Akio… was that truly the legendary Sage of Six Paths?" Kagami asked quietly.

Akio turned back toward him. His mood improved slightly.

After all, in this particular tug-of-war, he'd won. Kagami was here.

As for the others already in the Sage's domain… that would require patience.

"So stingy," Akio muttered. "Won't even part with a few souls. He built that afterlife for a reason and I doubt it's charity. And those endless reincarnations of his sons? What game is he playing? Some lunatic steals the Rinnegan to revive Kaguya and he does nothing. But I pull one soul and suddenly I'm public enemy number one? What did I ever do to him?"

"Elder Akio," Kagami said carefully, "would you mind explaining what exactly is happening?"

Akio nodded.

"That was the so-called Sage of Six Paths… though honestly, I refuse to share a title with him."

Kagami sighed. "Please try to stay calm."

Akio gave him a helpless look. Hard to stay calm when you've clearly won and your opponent just flips the table and walks away.

After a moment of thought, Akio raised an eyebrow.

The scenery shifted.

A cozy Western-style café rose around them polished wood tables, warm lighting, glass windows.

"Let's sit," Akio said.

Kagami followed him inside, glancing around in surprise. The café was fully furnished tables, teaware… even steaming drinks.

Akio lifted a glass and took a long drink of ice-cold cola.

He exhaled in satisfaction.

"Now that's a taste I missed."

Kagami blinked. "What… are you drinking?"

"Dark tea," Akio replied without missing a beat. "You probably wouldn't like it. Anyway ask your real questions."

He leaned back.

"This is my mental realm. Just finished building it. The Sage's 'afterlife'? That's his version of the same thing. You follow?"

Kagami processed quickly.

"So I'm the first resident of your underworld. I'm honored."

Akio shook his head.

"First long-term resident. I tested it earlier with some animals… and a few people."

Kagami exhaled slowly. "That explains why you told me death might come with a surprise."

Akio took another sip of cola.

"For now, you're alone here. Well, alone as a ghost. Don't worry. In about half a year, Mito and Hashirama will be joining you. You can pass the time… maybe brush up on your poker skills."

Kagami smiled faintly. "Understood."

"Settle in. I'll check in from time to time. If you need anything, let me know. Now, let's try something."

Akio's expression grew focused.

Kagami instinctively raised his hands. The wrinkles on them began smoothing, erased by an unseen force.

Moments later, Akio nodded in satisfaction.

"As expected. Your soul is still young. No reason you have to look old here."

Kagami now stood in the prime of his youth though the reflective, world-weary expression on his face looked slightly out of place.

"To regain youth after death…" he murmured. "Thank you, Elder Akio."

"This is a long second life. Try not to get bored."

Akio's form gradually faded.

"Get comfortable. I'll go check on the real world."

Left alone, Kagami sighed.

Today's events were surreal beyond measure.

After a moment of curiosity, he picked up the drink in front of him.

"Dark tea?"

He took a sip.

"Pff—!"

Outside – Konoha

During the confrontation, most of Akio's consciousness had been inside the mental realm.

His physical body had nearly gone stiff.

As awareness returned fully, he flexed his fingers and frowned.

"Even with Yang Release at full mastery, the body stiffens when the soul separates… So it really was like astral projection."

He considered the implications.

"Does that mean I could possess someone? Similar to the Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Technique…"

He gave a quiet chuckle.

"Every clan's got its own tricks."

Then he looked down at Kagami's cooling body.

"Obito! Obito! Where'd you go?"

No response.

As Fifth Hokage, Obito had far bigger concerns. With most of Konoha knocked unconscious, he had rushed to coordinate defenses, fearing an enemy invasion.

Akio sighed.

"So the ancestor has to handle the eye extraction personally?"

He hesitated.

"Maybe I should wait…"

The door creaked open.

A teenage boy staggered in, hands clutching his head.

"Sir… what just happened?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," Akio said calmly. "Had a disagreement with someone. You, on the other hand, should be more concerned with yourself."

His eyes locked onto the boy's.

Those pupils distinct, triangular patterns emerging within crimson irises.

"Concerned about myself?" the boy asked, rubbing his temples. "What do you mean?"

Akio smiled faintly.

"Uchiha Yunchu… congratulations."

"Kagami's death. That spiritual shockwave."

"You've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."