"Difficult? I'll master it no matter what!"
Yahiko was only stunned for a brief moment before answering firmly.
If even Ning Feng said the technique was extremely difficult, then it truly must be.
But...
To bring back his best friend and atone for his own weakness back then, Yahiko resolved that he would personally master the technique and revive Nagato himself.
It was his hesitation that had cost Nagato his life.
Compared to Konan, who had grown up alongside them as well, Yahiko felt not only grief but overwhelming guilt.
"This isn't something you can master just by saying you will."
Ning Feng shook his head.
Determination was a good thing, but he didn't believe Yahiko could quickly master an S-rank forbidden technique like One's Own Life Reincarnation.
S-rank techniques represented the highest level of difficulty among all ninjutsu.
Even with exceptional talent, mastering one required more than mere understanding.
It demanded practical experience and repeated use until the technique became second nature.
But One's Own Life Reincarnation offered no opportunity for practice.
The cost of activating the technique was the user's own life.
In other words, Yahiko would only ever get one chance.
If he succeeded, Nagato would return.
If he failed, both of them would be bound for the underworld together.
"So this is One's Own Life Reincarnation..."
Holding the scroll in his hands, Yahiko couldn't help marveling.
This was the scroll that had dropped after Chiyo's death.
Ning Feng had learned it instantly through the system.
But teaching it to someone else was a completely different matter.
After all, he hadn't actually gone through a learning process.
The system had transmitted everything directly into his mind.
He could use it perfectly from the start without worrying about understanding or mistakes.
Yahiko, on the other hand, was an ordinary shinobi.
To master an S-rank forbidden technique...
The difficulties involved were immense.
And beyond that, he also had to overcome the psychological burden of a technique that demanded his life as payment.
"This concept..."
After only skimming through a few pages, the confidence on Yahiko's face began fading into bitterness.
The theories described within were practically fantastical.
By the time he reached the latter sections, despair had started creeping in.
Now he understood why so few shinobi could use S-rank forbidden techniques.
It wasn't merely because they consumed enormous chakra or carried severe side effects.
The true reason was simple:
They were incredibly difficult to learn.
Even with Ning Feng's annotations added to the scroll, Yahiko still felt as though he were reading an incomprehensible heavenly text.
He recognized every word.
But once they were put together, he couldn't make sense of them.
"Can't understand it?"
Seeing the look on Yahiko's face, Ning Feng smiled knowingly.
Yahiko scratched his head awkwardly.
If Ning Feng hadn't brought it up himself, Yahiko would've been too embarrassed to admit it.
He had already made an unreasonable request by asking for a way to revive Nagato.
If he now admitted he couldn't even understand the annotated scroll...
He truly wouldn't know what to say.
"This forbidden technique really is difficult. Take it slowly. We still have time."
Ning Feng casually patted Yahiko on the shoulder.
At present, Madara had no way of defeating him.
At their level, every bit of progress was extraordinarily difficult.
The only significant methods of strengthening oneself involved tailed beasts and Hashirama's cells.
Madara had already transplanted Hashirama's cells long ago.
And the remaining eight tailed beasts were still inside Ning Feng.
That meant Madara had very few opportunities left to grow stronger.
Yahiko still had plenty of time to learn the technique.
"Lord Feng... can't I learn it too?"
At that moment, a trembling female voice sounded from outside the room.
"Konan?"
Yahiko looked up.
A familiar figure stood in the doorway.
Her face, usually bright and cheerful, was now filled with worry.
She looked exhausted.
Nagato's death had struck her just as deeply.
"This is my burden to bear."
Yahiko glanced at Ning Feng, who had turned his head away in silence.
Then he bit his lip.
"There's no need to drag you into this too."
"I want to do my part in bringing Nagato back as well!"
Konan grabbed Yahiko's sleeve emotionally.
"If either of you dies, it'll break my heart!"
"I just want both of you to live!"
Then she turned toward Ning Feng.
"Lord Feng, am I not allowed to learn this technique?"
Ning Feng sighed.
He hadn't expected the bond between the three of them to run this deep.
None of them wanted the others to die.
Each one was fighting for the right to sacrifice themselves.
A troubled expression appeared on his face.
The truth was...
Konan absolutely had the potential to learn this S-rank technique.
Her talent wasn't inferior to Chiyo's.
If Chiyo could master One's Own Life Reincarnation, there was no reason Konan couldn't.
"Konan!"
Seeing that Ning Feng seemed to be wavering, Yahiko practically shouted.
"Do you think you're the only one who wants the others to live?!"
"I want both you and Nagato to live too!"
"I understand."
Seeing Ning Feng's conflicted expression, the intelligent Konan immediately realized what was going on.
She had already sensed Ning Feng's feelings toward her to some degree.
Whether it was because he didn't want her to die out of personal feelings...
Or because he considered her more valuable than Yahiko...
Ning Feng clearly didn't want her to be the one using the technique.
"Then we'll learn it together."
Konan turned toward Yahiko and spoke in a tone that allowed no argument.
"Whoever masters it first will be the one to revive Nagato."
"This... Lord Feng..."
Knowing exactly how stubborn Konan could be, Yahiko could only turn toward Ning Feng for help.
Ning Feng spread his hands helplessly.
There was nothing he could do to stop her.
At most...
He could simply be a little less thorough when teaching her.
Yahiko's talent wasn't inferior to hers.
As long as Ning Feng taught the two of them with slightly different levels of enthusiasm, Yahiko would naturally progress faster.
"Lord Feng, please grant my request!"
Konan suddenly knelt as well.
It looked as though she would immediately start banging her head on the floor if he refused.
One after another...
Where had these people learned this behavior?
Waving a hand weakly, Ning Feng finally nodded.
"Fine. But if you can't learn it, then let it go."
"Let it go? Lord Feng, there's obviously a better solution."
Suddenly, a tall figure leaned casually against the doorway.
His pale face carried a faint, knowing smile.
"Orochimaru? What are you doing outside your laboratory?"
Ning Feng frowned slightly and asked irritably.
Konan eavesdropping was one thing.
But this guy had apparently been listening from outside as well.
"I have a much better solution."
The corners of Orochimaru's mouth curved upward.
A mysterious smile appeared on his face.
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