Kakashi Revived, Interlocking Schemes

"Alright, you've worked hard, Minato."

Hearing Sasuke's voice resonate in his mind, Minato Namikaze understood that Kakashi had already handed over his abilities, and that the time he had left to converse with Kakashi here was running short.

He seized the moment to speak: "Kakashi, although I don't know if you can be successfully resurrected, nor if you will retain your memories from this place, as your teacher, I have one final piece of advice for you."

"Do not attempt to investigate the person behind the scenes, and even more so, do not attempt to leak any information from here. Treasure this hard-won life you have regained."

"He... is everywhere. You... take care of yourself."

Sasuke wore an amused expression.

He seems to be offering a warning, but in reality, he is worried that I might wipe Kakashi's memory, so he is saying this specifically for me to hear...

Not retain memories?... Kakashi was stunned, then gripped the iron bars tightly with both hands, his tone urgent: "No! Please, don't do that!"

"Minato-sensei! I promise I won't investigate, and I won't leak any information!"

"Please help me, don't erase my memories!"

As he spoke, he collapsed weakly to the ground, as if he had lost his soul: "At least... at least..."

"At least keep the news that Obito is still alive..."

Minato turned his head away, unable to bear the sight, and closed his eyes.

He had experienced this sense of powerlessness countless times during his time in this Soul Space.

Whether it was the changes in Konoha, the darkness of the higher-ups, or Naruto's plight, he could only watch helplessly...

Yet... he could do nothing...

He desperately wanted to help Kakashi, but unfortunately, he was merely a prisoner in this Soul Space himself.

The only one who could make that decision was Sasuke.

And they no longer had any bargaining chips left...

Except for the Nine-Tails...

Interesting... Sasuke, monitoring the scene, was filled with amusement.

Retaining memories or not was a trivial matter to him; the unique mechanism of the Soul Space ensured that its secrets could never be leaked.

But why should he retain Kakashi's memories?

Even though he had never intended to erase them in the first place...

His own dark sense of humor made him want to see how Kakashi would live on—having lost the Sharingan entrusted to him by his best friend, yet having gained the news that his friend was still alive—but why should he tell them that?

After a moment, Minato opened his eyes: "Kakashi has already given his word. I believe you have your own restrictive measures. If possible, please help Kakashi retain his memories. I beg of you."

He bowed his head...

If everything before had been based on a relatively equal exchange, then this time, he finally set aside his dignity as the former Hokage and the Yellow Flash of the ninja world, lowering his noble head.

Sasuke's amusement deepened: "Fine."

It's really possible?... Hearing the response, the light suddenly returned to Kakashi's hollow eyes.

"Thank you," Minato said sincerely.

At the same time, he knew he was about to leave. He offered a warm smile and waved goodbye: "Kakashi, I know you've been depressed and slack lately. If Obito is truly still alive, he might have already left you far behind."

"I know that once you receive this news, you will do everything in your power to find him, but don't be hasty. Pull yourself together and do your best."

"I will always be watching over you."

"Goodbye, Kakashi."

Realizing his teacher was about to leave, Kakashi suddenly looked up: "Minato-sensei, will you return one day in the future?"

"Perhaps..." Minato smiled: "But if you want to know what happens in the future, the prerequisite is to live well, and live until that moment arrives..."

As he finished speaking, his figure vanished...

"Sensei..."

Cell Number One.

"Alright," Sasuke said, looking at Kakashi's corpse. "It's time for me to fulfill my promise."

Minato nodded: "Good, I'll leave it to you."

He also wanted to witness how Sasuke would resurrect Kakashi.

Was it a power of the Soul Space? Or some kind of forbidden ninjutsu?

Surely... even if he could be resurrected, it would require a tremendous price, right?

Beside them, Kushina's eyes flickered, thinking: Can he really do it?

Outside.

By now, the Third Hokage had already left, and the Anbu were still searching everywhere for traces of Orochimaru.

In a certain part of the dense forest, Sasuke's true body, which had been lurking underground, emerged to the surface, and then, with a flicker of his intent.

Kakashi's corpse appeared before him.

Then, a White Zetsu that had been dragged into the Soul Space and was currently playing hide-and-seek with Setsuna was plucked out by his will.

"???" The White Zetsu was stunned.

Ever since acquiring the One's Own Life Reincarnation, Sasuke had begun capturing White Zetsu in secret.

The capture process was not difficult; one could even say it was effortless.

Well, it was a matter of a single sentence.

Because he possessed a White Zetsu Constitution, Sasuke could sense the locations of nearby White Zetsu. The White Zetsu would simply mistake him for one of their own, and a simple telepathic call was enough to summon them, causing them to deliver themselves right to his doorstep.

Since White Zetsu were not living beings in the true sense, Sasuke imprisoned them in the Soul Space to keep Setsuna entertained.

Sasuke smiled brightly and said, "Brother, look here."

"Hmm?" The White Zetsu turned its head, only to meet a pair of scarlet eyes. Its expression froze as its pupils shifted into the pattern of a Mangekyo.

Under Sasuke's control, it placed both hands on Kakashi's corpse and activated the ninjutsu.

One's Own Life Reincarnation!

A ring of blue chakra light condensed in the White Zetsu's hands, and the flesh on Kakashi's chest began to squirm and heal rapidly.

Ding!

Detected that Kakashi's soul is being pulled out of the Soul Space by a certain power. Do you wish to release it?

This was the mechanism of the Soul Space.

Whether it was One's Own Life Reincarnation, Reanimation, or even Samsara Heavenly Life, none could extract an imprisoned soul without Sasuke's permission.

Yes!

As Sasuke's thought flickered, Kakashi, inside the Soul Space, looked on in astonishment as his body slowly turned ethereal.

It seems I really am going to be resurrected...

A profound and mysterious sensation made him realize that his soul was about to leave this place; he... was going to be resurrected!

Outside.

Kakashi's wounds had completely healed, his body radiated vitality, and his heart resumed beating.

The White Zetsu, having completely lost its life force, slumped to the ground and turned into a pile of white sludge...

Store White Zetsu!

Ding!

White Zetsu successfully stored!

The White Zetsu's body contained Hashirama Cells; although not many, Sasuke had no intention of wasting them.

Realizing that Kakashi was about to wake up, he put away the White Zetsu's corpse, activated the Levitation Technique, and sank into the ground.

A moment later.

Kakashi's eyelashes fluttered as he slowly woke up. The stinging pain in his left eye caused him to grimace in agony. His right hand instinctively pressed against his eye socket, and he realized he had lost his left eye.

This...

He looked down in a daze at his pierced standard-issue armor, reached behind his back, and gently touched the spot where it had been run through...

It's real...

The fact that the armor was pierced through meant his heart had also been impaled; it was impossible for him to have survived, let alone be without a single wound.

I really did die just now...

I have truly been resurrected...

Everything that just happened was real...

Everything is real!

Minato-sensei... Obito...

Cell No. 1.

It actually worked... Kushina's face was filled with shock.

Immediately, she seemed to think of something.

She bit her lower lip hard and slowly turned her head to look at Naruto in another screen, her expression shifting constantly.

Seeing this, Minato sighed inwardly.

Is this also part of your scheme?

Sasuke...