Although Sasori had always been deeply engrossed in perfecting his puppet, believing himself unmatched on this path, he had never underestimated the members of the Akatsuki.
Joining the Akatsuki was not something any ordinary person could do. Every member was a formidable Missing-nin, and more importantly, they shared a rebellious nature. Their allegiance to the organization came for various personal reasons, but it rarely equated to true submission.
What startled Sasori was Deidara's honesty. Sasori knew Deidara well enough to trust that he wasn't lying. The fact that so many members had pledged allegiance to Naruto was an accomplishment that even Pain, the so-called god of the Akatsuki, had failed to achieve.
Looking at Naruto, who was small and almost childlike in appearance, Sasori found it incomprehensible, 'What kind of power could someone like him wield to earn such devotion?'
Naruto, however, wasn't concerned with Sasori's inner turmoil. He was confident in his ability to win him over.
"As long as you submit to me, I can let you see your deceased parents."
After hearing these words, Sasori was stunned.
For someone like him, who had lacked love and family since childhood, this offer was impossible to refuse.
"Are you serious?"
Sasori narrowed his eyes at Naruto, trying to discern if he was being deceived.
Naruto remained calm, with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, "If you don't believe me, I can show you your parents first."
Hearing this, Sasori could no longer find a reason to refuse. Seeing his parents was all he needed, and everything else could be dealt with later.
Naruto quickly formed a series of hand seals, and when he brought his hands together, a gray, misty aura erupted behind him. From within this aura emerged a gaunt, skeletal figure wearing a terrifying mask… it was none other than the Shinigami!
"Naruto-kun, what do you want this time?"
When the Shinigami saw Naruto, he sighed with resignation, and even the terrifying aura surrounding him seemed to diminish.
Ever since Naruto had caught him in a compromising position, the Shinigami had avoided coming to the Shinobi World. However, as this was his designated domain, he couldn't escape his responsibilities. The thought of Naruto leaking his secrets to other Shinigami also kept him from abandoning this realm.
At one point, the Shinigami had considered eliminating Naruto. But that plan carried too many risks. If Naruto had prepared contingencies, failure could lead to disastrous consequences.
Therefore, the Shinigami's best strategy was to steer clear of Naruto. And if summoned by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, he had no choice but to maintain a civil demeanor.
"It's nothing serious. I just need a small favor… could you retrieve the souls of Sasori's parents? Since you're the ruler of this realm, it shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
Naruto looked at the Shinigami and discussed.
The Shinigami contemplated for a moment, "Bringing the deceased back to the world of the living is against the rules. The only way for him to meet them is to come with me to the Soul Society."
"That's no problem."
Naruto agreed without hesitation.
Through his Observation Haki, he did not detect any killing intent from the Shinigami. It was obvious that the Shinigami was still wary of the leverage Naruto held against him.
Moreover, Naruto had asked the system about the function of the resurrection coin not long ago. Since it was to turn the dead into the new life, even if the Shinigami managed to obliterate him, he could still be resurrected.
Still, Naruto decided to issue a subtle warning to ensure mutual understanding. He didn't want things to escalate unnecessarily.
After all, resurrection coins are absolutely life-saving items and should never be wasted easily.
Turning his head to look at Sasori, Naruto reminded him, "Don't resist, and no matter what you see, remain calm. Don't show any emotions."
"Understood."
Sasori nodded without hesitation. As long as he could see his parents, he could endure this little thing.
Besides, the oppressive aura emanating from the Shinigami left him acutely aware that his life was entirely in the other's hands. Resistance would be futile, and compliance was the wisest course of action.
"Seal!"
The Shinigami's low growl echoed as a gray mist enveloped both Naruto and Sasori.
At the next moment, Naruto and Sasori's vision turned dark.
When Naruto opened his eyes again, he found himself in the Dangai, but Sasori was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Sasori?"
Naruto asked the Shinigami.
"Wait a moment."
The Shinigami muttered under his breath, unsheathing his Zanpakuto and activated its Shikai form. The weapon transformed into a short blade, which the Shinigami used to slice open his own abdomen. From within, he retrieved a miniature version of Sasori, which is no larger than a fist.
Strangely, despite the self-inflicted action, the Shinigami's abdomen bore no wound.
Once out, the miniature Sasori quickly expanded, returning to his original size.
Seeing this, Naruto couldn't help but marvel.
'This must be the power of the Shinigami's Shikai.'
Though curious, Naruto refrained from asking about it. The abilities of a Zanpakuto were deeply personal, and Naruto knew better than to overstep such boundaries.
"His soul form will take a minute to stabilize. Please wait a moment." The Shinigami explained.
Naruto nodded slightly and took the opportunity to retrieve the resurrection coin from his pocket, intending to subtly warn the Shinigami.
However, before Naruto could even speak, the Shinigami froze in shock. Upon sensing the life-and-death energy emanating from the token, the Shinigami trembled violently, falling to his knees.
"Great... Great one! Forgive me! I had no idea!"
'What's going on?'
Naruto was taken aback by this sudden shift in behavior but didn't show it. Instead, he responded with a cold snort, masking his surprise, "So, even a lowly Shinigami like you recognizes this item?"
The Shinigami, still kneeling, stammered in fear, " Of course! Who wouldn't recognize the Soul King's Mark? From the moment we're chosen to become Shinigami, we're taught to revere this mark and its aura. To encounter its bearer is to stand before the Soul King himself. We dare not show the slightest disrespect."
'Hmm? Soul King?'
Naruto pondered in his heart. In his memory, the Soul King was a sealed 'human stick' trapped in a massive crystal, known as a godlike figure in Bleach World.
Though immobile, the Soul King served as the keystone of all realms: the living world, the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, the Dangai, and even Hell. If the Soul King were to perish, all these worlds would collapse.
Naruto hadn't expected the resurrection coin to bear the Soul King's mark, which explained its miraculous ability to reverse life and death.
'Judging by the Shinigami's reaction, the token was akin to a royal decree or an imperial sword, granting me authority equivalent to the Soul King's in the eyes of lesser beings.'
'Even if the Royal Guards and the other divisions' Captaions would see that I had nothing to do with the Soul King, in the eyes of ordinary Shinigami, I, who has the resurrection coin, is the God!'
Realizing this, Naruto clasped his hands behind his back and adopted an authoritative tone, "I am acting on the secret orders of the Soul King. You are forbidden from speaking of this to anyone. If you serve me faithfully and rectify your past mistakes, I will ensure that your missteps are overlooked."
"Rest assured, great one! I will dedicate myself entirely to your service!"
The Shinigami prostrated himself again, not daring to object.
At this moment, Naruto's words are the Soul King's orders. Even without Naruto's warning, the Shinigami would've obeyed wholeheartedly.
Having served as a Shinigami for so long, he knew his potential was capped. His Zanpakutō's abilities were too limited to achieve Bankai or rival a Captain's power.
However, serving Naruto offered the chance to gain the Soul King's favor, a reward that might transform his fate entirely.
Noticing that Sasori was showing signs of waking up, Naruto stowed away the resurrection coin and waved his hand, saying, "That's enough. Stand up."
"Thank you, great one."
The Shinigami rose, his posture still deferential, as if he were a servant in the presence of royalty.
Seeing this scene, Naruto couldn't help but smirked inwardly.
'Who would've thought that the fearsome Shinigami, revered in the Shinobi World and associated with Forbidden Techniques, could be so obsequious? Life was really full of surprises!'