chapter 115 part 1
Chapter 115: Sealing Tailed Beasts: Only Zero and Nine.
The Asura Path, Human Path, and Naraka Path were all incredibly formidable in Taijutsu; a moment of carelessness could lead to an instant defeat.
Unfortunately, Tsukasa Kaede had a decent understanding of these Dojutsu and had already taken precautions.
"The One-Tail? You've already captured the One-Tails Jinchuriki from the Hidden Sand Village?" Nagato's expression subtly changed.
"The entire Shinobi World is pretty much aware of this by now. Your intelligence network is too outdated, but I don't blame you. A precarious, day-to-day existence doesn't allow for growth and expansion."
Tsukasa Kaede exerted force with his four hands, flinging Nagato away. "However, once you obtain the One-Tail I'm offering, you will gain formidable power capable of deterring your enemies."
Nagato tumbled once in the air, eventually being caught by Yahiko, who appeared just in time, extending a hand to support his back, allowing him to land smoothly on the ground.
"Don't do that again. Your body is already severely depleted due to the Gedo Mazo, and you haven't recovered yet. Try to avoid using Taijutsu when facing powerful enemies."
Yahiko knew that Nagato possessed the Soul Absorption Jutsu Dojutsu, capable of draining an enemy's soul with a touch, but Nagato's current physical strength was simply inadequate. His nerve reflexes and other capabilities couldn't compare to his prime.
"He's not an enemy..."
"I know. A true enemy wouldn't proactively offer a Tailed Beast to us in a trade. I merely wanted to convey that point," Yahiko said.
Tsukasa Kaede calmly said, "Solving this problem is simple. Just like me, command Corpses to fight, and use Corpses to perform your main body's Jutsu. Nagato, since you can project your Rinnegan onto that dog, surely projecting it onto a Corpse wouldn't be an issue, right? I have no shortage of Corpses here."
"No need. Even if I were to do that, I would choose a satisfactory body myself." Nagato's heart skipped a beat. He increasingly felt that Tsukasa Kaede seemed to have a unique understanding of his Rinnegan, and wouldn't be surprised by any Dojutsu he used.
Yahiko stepped in front of Nagato, looking Tsukasa Kaede directly in the eye.
"Tell us the terms of your trade. First, let's be clear: our only demand is for Konan to be returned. Based on that, whatever you want, we can discuss. As for the One-Tail, the Akatsuki has no need for such a thing." Yahiko spoke with a calm tone but with extreme confidence.
Tsukasa Kaede glanced at him. Through the process of elimination, he had a rough idea of Yahiko's situation. Although it seemed incredible, that was the most probable explanation.
"Power suddenly gained will inevitably come at double the cost. Even a Jinchuriki, in the process of unearthing a Tailed Beast's power, is attacked and harmed by countless people, and doesn't know how many times they've gone berserk, killing their cherished relatives and Comrades."
The two arms behind Tsukasa Kaede slowly retracted. He spoke slowly, "So, Yahiko, what kind of price did you pay to obtain this unknown power? Every gift from fate comes with a hidden price tag. Are you prepared to pay the cost?"
"I've long been prepared for it. But you, are you in a position to lecture me?"
Yahiko sneered. If Nagato had heard such words, his first instinct would probably be to follow Tsukasa Kaede's line of thought, but Yahiko wouldn't do that.
"From what I know, you only suddenly rose to power in the last few years, becoming a formidable Ninja who shook the Shinobi World, constantly revealing the terrifying aspects of your Corpse Release Secret Technique. But what were you doing for the decade or more before that? Are you, of all people, qualified to advise me?"
"Ah, well, if you put it that way, although it might sound like I'm playing the victim, it's not something to be ashamed of... For over a decade, I was constantly gambling with death, struggling every single day. Every morning I opened my eyes, I was moved to tears just to see the sunlight. You also have a history of wandering and precarious living, so you should be able to somewhat understand my situation, though you'll never truly empathize."
Tsukasa Kaede spread his hands. "My body and spirit, if they hadn't endured through that endless torment, if I had even once let my guard down, the current me wouldn't exist. The power I possess now, while partly coming from what one might call 'talent,' the ability to master this so-called talent is something I acquired over more than a decade."
What was his talent? Corpse Release? More accurately, it was the Zombie Virus he brought to this world. For countless days, he should have ultimately become a Zombie without self-consciousness, but he endured. The due price had already been fully paid; now, it was his turn to control the Virus.
But Yahiko... if it truly was the situation Tsukasa Kaede suspected, then sooner or later, Yahiko would pay a painful price, and it would inevitably implicate Nagato and Konan.
Even the Mangekyo Sharingan required the death of loved ones as a price, and the Uchiha Clan hadn't obtained such Kage Level power for decades. Yet, Yahiko was standing at a level where he dared to confront Tsukasa Kaede; that was truly interesting.
Yahiko frowned, showing some hesitation, but soon, a determined look appeared on his face. He had to obtain the power to protect his Comrades. If he had no power, and could only watch his Comrades suffer, what was the point of living? If paying a price allowed his Comrades to live longer, it would be worth it.
"Very well, let's begin the trade."
Tsukasa Kaede formed Hand Kaedegns with one hand, flickered, grabbed Bunpuku, and threw him to the ground.
Bunpuku felt the cold rain falling on him. He opened his eyes and looked around.
"It seems the time has come for you to decide the fate of me and Shukaku. But it doesn't look as simple as just killing me... Do you intend to switch Jinchuriki to control Shukaku's power?"
If this was the outcome, Bunpuku could completely accept it. He was already weary of war and conflict. Now, he could be freed. His only regret was that he ultimately hadn't been able to truly reconcile with Shukaku... He firmly believed that mutual trust between humans and Tailed Beasts was possible, and that day would surely come.
Tsukasa Kaede said, "I will give you the One-Tail to strengthen your forces. Yahiko, even if you don't use that power, you can protect yourself by relying on the One-Tail."
"I want Konan."
"If I wanted to kill Konan, she would have been dead long ago. I am perfectly capable of controlling Konan's Corpse to continue serving me. My patience is limited. Say one more word, and I'll chop off Konan's head right now, kick it to you like a ball, and make her continuously wail, constantly asking why you didn't save her."
"You!!"
"That's too vicious! What kind of person could even conceive of such a plan?!"
"The Leaf Devourer! He truly is a naturally evil Demon Spirit!"
Tsukasa Kaede watched Yahiko and the others, who were furious but forced into silence, and immediately felt at ease. Indeed, to deal with good people, one should hold a gun to their heads; at the very least, it would make them obediently listen.
Nagato took a deep breath. "You want Yahiko to become the One-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"There's no need for that. You clearly possess a more perfect Vessel, something that can unleash a Tailed Beast's power to its fullest extent. You know what I'm talking about, don't you, Nagato?"
Tsukasa Kaede looked at Nagato, whose expression was constantly shifting.
Bunpuku and Shukaku were also communicating.
"Hmph, so that's how it is. These guys are really capable. Old monk, it seems this is where our journey ends," Shukaku snorted coldly.
"Don't be pessimistic. You will have your day of freedom."
"No, we won't. Barring any major surprises, this will be our eternal farewell. You're annoying, but after spending so much time together, you're not so bad," Shukaku said in its sharp voice. "The Gedo Mazo, that Rinnegan has obtained the Ten-Tails' Husk. I'm about to return to the Ten-Tails."