Lin Xuan's current method of performing interdimensional Edo Tensei required sacrifices, all of which were White Zetsu created by Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. This had become Kaguya's primary task. The reason Lin Xuan specifically sent Nagato and the others to retrieve White Zetsu from her wasn't just convenience—it was a deliberate move to foster better relations between Kaguya and the shinobi from the Naruto world, smoothing over past grudges.
After all, many who arrived in this vibrant, wondrous, and free pirate world often shared the same sentiment as Nagato's group: they wanted to bring over people they knew through Edo Tensei. This meant dealing with Kaguya, which helped mend old rivalries and fostered smoother cooperation in the future.
Lin Xuan was usually happy to help them "fulfill their dreams." But it wasn't out of kindness. The reputation points he amassed mostly came from these shinobi, and resurrecting more people into this world only meant more allies under his command. It was a win-win. For someone like Nagato or Konan, bringing back Yahiko through Edo Tensei would ensure their unwavering loyalty, earning Lin Xuan even more reputation points. It was a deal too good to pass up.
Before long, Jiraiya, Nagato, and Konan returned with a White Zetsu. Knowing these Zetsu were used solely as sacrifices for Edo Tensei, Kaguya crafted them without any self-awareness, making them as lifeless as wooden puppets.
Lin Xuan quickly performed the interdimensional Edo Tensei. Since Yahiko, the target, was only a jōnin-level shinobi, the cost of acquiring his DNA and executing the resurrection was less than a million reputation points—a small price for securing the absolute loyalty of Nagato, Konan, and even Jiraiya. It was an absolute steal.
But when Yahiko materialized in the pirate world, his reaction caught everyone off guard. Unlike the expected shock, panic, or disbelief of someone brought back through Edo Tensei, Yahiko acted as if he'd known this was coming. He even flashed an excited, thrilled grin and shouted, "I'm finally here!"
He immediately greeted Nagato, Konan, and Jiraiya warmly. "Nagato, Konan, Sensei Jiraiya—it's been so long! I've missed you guys so much!" He pulled them into a bear hug, leaving the trio bewildered.
Konan, puzzled, asked, "Yahiko, did you already know we'd bring you here through Edo Tensei?"
Yahiko nodded eagerly. "Yup! Uncle Orochimaru told me everything beforehand!"
His gaze shifted to Lin Xuan, and he bowed deeply. "Lord Lin Xuan, thank you for bringing me to this world!"
Lin Xuan, however, zeroed in on Yahiko's mention of Orochimaru. "You said Orochimaru told you everything. What's going on? Did he resurrect you with Edo Tensei in the Naruto world before I brought you here?"
Jiraiya and the others turned to Yahiko, their curiosity piqued.
"Exactly!" Yahiko nodded vigorously. "Lord Lin Xuan, Uncle Orochimaru predicted that Nagato and Konan would want to bring me to this world. So he preemptively performed Edo Tensei on me and explained everything. He even asked me to pass along a message for you!"
"Oh?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What does Orochimaru want to tell me?"
Truth be told, Lin Xuan had always been a bit fascinated by Orochimaru, the research-obsessed scientist of the Naruto world. Unfortunately, Orochimaru was still very much alive, so Lin Xuan couldn't bring him over through Edo Tensei. Back when Lin Xuan had resurrected Jiraiya and others, Orochimaru had expressed envy and curiosity about this new world.
Yahiko continued, "Uncle Orochimaru said he wants to come to this world too and hopes you can help make it happen!"
The statement left everyone around him stunned. Jiraiya's eyes widened. "Orochimaru wants to come here? Is he out of his mind? He's alive and well—does he plan to kill himself just so the boss can resurrect him?"
Konan and Nagato exchanged incredulous looks. In their minds, Orochimaru was obsessed with immortality, to the point of twisting himself into something barely human. Why would someone so fixated on living forever willingly die to be reborn in this world?
Seeing their shock, Yahiko shook his head. "No, no, you've got it wrong, Sensei Jiraiya. Uncle Orochimaru didn't say anything about killing himself…"
"If he doesn't die, how can he be brought here through Edo Tensei?" Nagato asked, confused.
Lin Xuan's eyes suddenly lit up as a realization hit him, his face breaking into a mix of surprise and amusement. "Yahiko, don't tell me Orochimaru plans to seal himself into a scroll and have you send it to me from the Naruto world using interdimensional communication!"
"Exactly!" Yahiko nodded enthusiastically.
Jiraiya, Nagato, and Konan were dumbfounded again. Seal himself and ship himself via interdimensional communication? Was he treating it like a cosmic delivery service?
Clearly, Orochimaru had drawn inspiration from how Uchiha Madara and others had sealed Kaguya and sent her to Lin Xuan's side.
Lin Xuan couldn't help but shake his head in amazement. "That's Orochimaru for you—always coming up with wild ideas for the sake of research!"
Yahiko cautiously asked, "So, Lord Lin Xuan, do you agree to Uncle Orochimaru's request?"
Lin Xuan's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Of course I agree. Orochimaru's research skills are impressive, and I'm curious to see what surprises he'll bring to this world."
He suddenly imagined Orochimaru crossing paths with the World Government's genius scientist, Dr. Vegapunk. The thought of those two brilliant minds clashing sparked a thrill of anticipation.
With that settled, Yahiko eagerly went off to catch up with Nagato, Jiraiya, and Konan.
Not long after, Lin Xuan received a system notification: "Ding! The soul of the Edo Tensei subject Yahiko is being summoned by forces from the original world. Do you wish to intervene?"
Clearly, Orochimaru was attempting to resummon Yahiko in the Naruto world to hear his response. Lin Xuan chose not to interfere.
As expected, Yahiko, freshly resurrected in the pirate world, was pulled back to the Naruto world. Moments later, Lin Xuan received a "red envelope" sent by Yahiko through interdimensional communication from the Naruto world.
He accepted it.
"Ding!"
A sealed scroll appeared in Lin Xuan's hand.
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T/N:
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