In this world, not everything can be achieved perfectly.
After Ye Zi transplanted the Rinnegan, he came to find Shin and gave him a difficult choice.
That left eye's Rinnegan, and the price of the Rinne Rebirth technique, this was the root cause of the complicated emotions weighing down Shin's heart.
"You too can adapt to the Rinnegan, yet you're unwilling to sacrifice your life to revive Kotoe…?"
"You clearly could have hidden the cost, let me revive Kotoe without knowing anything, but instead you revealed everything without concealment, forcing me to choose."
"Even if at first it was for the sake of power that I chose to follow you, not everyone can calmly accept death."
"What if… I refuse?"
Shin slowly lowered his head, silent, hesitating. These words, he did not speak aloud, they tangled within his heart.
He wanted to bring Kotoe back. He wanted her not to have to bury the torment of Edo Tensei deep in her heart anymore. He wanted to remain by everyone's side, day after day, to greet the unknown future together.
Indeed, at first he had chosen to follow Ye Zi for power. But after experiencing so much, Shin no longer hated everything he now had.
If there was still regret, it would be Kotoe's regret… Many times, when he saw the sorrow that occasionally surfaced in her eyes, he too wished she could keep up with the shadow of that man whose destination was unknown.
Everyone moves forward for some goal. He had followed Ye Zi for so long, yet never once could he discern Ye Zi's purpose.
Not even a hint, only that Ye Zi was straining forward toward some goal Shin could not fathom.
That much, he could see.
And now, Ye Zi had placed a dilemma before him.
How could one calmly accept death?
Shin asked himself, and found it nearly impossible. That was why, when Ye Zi placed the choice before him, he hesitated. And hesitation meant, in truth, that some part of him already leaned toward agreeing.
Though he could not accept death so easily, Shin didn't know that Ye Zi had long since prepared himself to face it.
Seeing Shin silent, Ye Zi didn't press, but quietly waited for his decision. If there had been a way for both sides to win, he would never have passed this choice onto Jin.
Ye Zi himself could not sacrifice his life to revive Kotoe, for the burdens he carried had already bound his hands and feet.
It was his choice. And Orochimaru, who understood how crucial choices could never be interfered with, did not try to dissuade him. He merely asked Ye Zi: was it worth it?
Even before receiving the answer, Orochimaru seemed to have guessed it. And indeed, Ye Zi had answered without hesitation.
"Then… would you be willing?" Ye Zi looked at Shin in silence. He had many harsher means, yet he chose the gentlest.
To sacrifice oneself, to fulfill another.
It wasn't something easily done, yet many could do it.
After a long hesitation, Shin slowly raised his head, looking into Ye Zi's left eye, and asked:"I know my constitution is special, I should be able to adapt to the Rinnegan. But hasn't Lord Ye Zi already adapted to it?"
Ye Zi nodded slightly. He caught the meaning in Shin's words, it was an implicit reproach.
As if to say… why must I be the one?
"Then… why doesn't Lord Ye Zi do it himself?" Shin's words turned sharp as a blade. Even if he was willing to give his life to revive Kotoe, he believed the one who should bear that responsibility was Ye Zi, not himself.
The moment he began to voice such questions, perhaps he had already made his choice.
"I cannot," Ye Zi said in a low voice.
In every heart there is a balance. It may not always be used, but at crucial moments it must be. And Ye Zi often found himself in situations where he could only choose one side.
To keep the balance level, he had no choice but to seize from others, making both sides equal in weight.
"Can't… or won't?" Jin fixed him with a piercing stare, pressing once more.
Ye Zi met his gaze without flinching, answering again: "I can't."
Not unwilling. Incapable.
He wanted the perfect outcome, and so this matter could not be done by him.
Hearing this, Shin's sharp eyes slowly softened again.
"One more question."
Looking at Ye Zi, he asked calmly: "And if I refuse?"
"Then I will use any means necessary," Ye Zi replied without the slightest pause.
At this, Jin let out a long sigh. Bitter expression on his face, he murmured heavily: "Lord Ye Zi, you could have hidden the price and let me die ignorant, but instead you want me to die with understanding."
Vaguely, he understood why Ye Zi had laid the choice before him.
Seeing Shin's bitter face, Ye Zi's eyes too revealed a trace of bitterness. If being strong was enough to make everything go smoothly then why, despite constantly seeking power, did he still stumble forward like this?
Was it still because he was not strong enough…?
Shin was silent for a while, then spoke in a voice heavy with complexity:"I hope… Kotoe can be happy."
It was a wish, not a lowly one, but a lofty hope.
Ye Zi remained silent. Though he had expected that Shin might agree, hearing it in truth left his heart conflicted.
Once Shin finished speaking, he extended his hand.
Without a word, Ye Zi handed him the glass container holding the Rinnegan.
The next day, with Nanako's assistance, Shin transplanted both the Mangekyō and the Rinnegan.
Shin's body was indeed special, but lacking Ye Zi's regenerative power, he could not recover quickly after the surgery. He would also need time to adapt to the eyes' abilities.
Once the operation was complete, Nanako returned to the laboratory, her preparations for the final medicine were nearly finished.
Everything was almost ready.
Day by day passed, until White Zetsu brought back troubling news, the five great ninja villages had allied.
Ye Zi did not show much reaction. He simply ordered White Zetsu to spread word of the battle ahead. Half a day later, he summoned Yanye to his room.
"I want to join this battle."
The moment she entered, Kotoe declared firmly.
Everyone already knew they would follow Ye Zi into war against the five villages.
Ye Zi quietly looked at her. Ever since reviving Kotoe through Edo Tensei, he had never allowed her to fight. But Kotoe believed only in battle could she realize her worth.
"After all, I can't really die, can I?" Kotoe gazed at Ye Zi seriously.
Ye Zi reached out and gently caressed her cold cheek, his eyes softening. "You cannot go."
"Why not?" Kotoe could not feel any warmth from his touch. Hearing his words, her tone grew agitated.
"Forgive me."
Ye Zi gave no explanation. He withdrew his hand, stepped back, and formed a hand seal, gazing at her with apologetic eyes.
Boom!
A muffled thud, behind Kotoe, a coffin without a lid rose up. At the same time, Ye Zi suppressed her consciousness, plunging her into darkness.
With sorrow in his eyes, he guided the unconscious Kotoe to step backward into the coffin. Then he summoned the lid, slowly raising it from below, bit by bit covering her.
His gaze followed the rising lid. In his vision, Kotoe's expressionless face was gradually concealed, until the coffin closed tight and she could no longer be seen.
After placing her inside, Ye Zi stepped forward, gently embracing the coffin with both arms, resting his cheek on its cold, rough surface, his eyelids drooping.
"Kotoe, I'm tired…"
The weary whisper could be heard by no one.
After a few steps back, Ye Zi sank the coffin into the ground. As it disappeared from sight, his eyes gradually grew firm once again.
If you want to read more...
Check out the patreon and get 55 chapters in advance -> SaintXI
Currently on Chapter 613 - A Fatal Blunder