Reaching Heaven and Earth (Thirty-Three) - Exclusively sponsored by "Ming Yu'ang, who loves steamed grass carp"

As the price for keeping Madara safe, one of us had to stay behind and serve the Netherworld?

While Obito, Sasuke, and Hashirama hesitated, Naruto was about to speak.

But the Lord of the Land of Yomi spoke first. "You won't do."

"?" Naruto froze.

Looking at the mark on Naruto's forehead that symbolized reincarnation, the Lord of the Land of Yomi said, "You're already a Reincarnation Bearer, an unofficial member of the Netherworld..."

"!" Naruto frowned.

Propping his chin on one hand, the Lord of the Land of Yomi smiled meaningfully. "Otherwise, did you think anyone with the Rinnegan could use the Naraka Path to open the Gate of the Netherworld? The bar isn't that low..."

Hashirama rose. "In that case, let me do it!"

The Lord of the Land of Yomi calmly shook his head. "You don't have enough."

Hashirama frowned. "Enough of what?"

The Lord of the Land of Yomi said, "Darkness. At the very least, you've never sunk into darkness. You might not be suited to this position..."

Hashirama lowered his eyes and said nothing. "..."

Two candidates remained.

The Lord of the Land of Yomi looked straight at Obito and smiled. "Obito, would you consider it?"

"..." Sasuke frowned.

After a moment's thought, Obito said, "Allow me to decline."

The Lord of the Land of Yomi looked mildly surprised. "Oh? I thought that since Madara once saved your life, you'd sacrifice yourself to save him this once."

Obito replied, "That has nothing to do with it. Besides, while he did save my life, he also used me for half of it. The debt and the grievance cancel each other out. Neither of us owes the other anything. I'm refusing because the living world needs my power!"

The Lord of the Land of Yomi smiled as