Chapter 123: Child of Prophecy
During the week that Izayoi waited for his Tenseigan to complete its incubation, the sensation created by the Akatsuki leader and the lunar visitor did not gradually subside but instead intensified.
As one of the protagonists, and also representing the ninja world, the Akatsuki's base, Amegakure, did not become a forbidden zone but instead transformed into a popular tourist attraction.
During this time, people came in droves despite the rain, specifically to visit this territory once ruled by the 'demigod' Hanzō, and now led by the new era's God of Shinobi.
That's right, after these days of fermentation, Nagato's light grew brighter, and his reputation became increasingly positive.
Many people now considered Nagato the God of Shinobi of the new era.
Because the lunar visitor was an outsider.
Although Nagato was the leader of Akatsuki, he was also the leader of Amegakure, one of their own in the ninja world.
Although no one knew what the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was, compared to it being in the hands of a strange lunar visitor, ordinary people in the ninja world believed it was better left in the hands of their own people.
In any case, even if war broke out, it would be a ninja war between the five great nations, having nothing to do with them ordinary people.
Therefore, many people regarded Nagato as a ninja world hero, a savior protecting the world.
The surrounding small countries had secretly contacted the daimyo of the Land of Rain these days, wanting to submit.
The daimyo of the Land of Rain woke up one morning, completely stunned by this unexpected surprise.
When did his military base change hands?
And not to a demigod, but to the new era's God of Shinobi? This was a super-sized upgrade!
In this era where ninjas who went to war would abide by the rule of not harming the nobles,
Without a doubt, the daimyo of the Land of Rain was the true child of destiny.
"Nagato..."
Jiraiya, Nagato's teacher, who was also pleasantly surprised and was wandering around the ninja world collecting information about the mysterious person, felt the same.
Looking at the detailed information in his hand, Jiraiya seemed to have misunderstood something, saying with joy, "So that's it, Nagato, is this the lack of insight you were talking about? Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, lunar visitor, Tenseigan, is this the reason you want to collect the Tailed Beasts? To fight against the descendants of the moon's immortals with your own strength and protect the ninja world... Nagato, you are indeed the child of prophecy!"
The heavy burden in Jiraiya's heart was instantly lifted.
In his eyes, his disciple, who had originally changed his temperament drastically and become somewhat extreme, hadn't changed at all and was still so adorable.
Their dream had always been to create peace and eliminate war.
Collecting the Tailed Beasts might not be for ruling by force, but to protect the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and fight against the Otsutsuki clan on the moon.
After all, with Nagato's current strength, he didn't need any Tailed Beasts at all. With the Rinnegan and Wood Release, he could single-handedly flatten the ninja world.
The Tailed Beasts were just playthings!
It was just that they, the people of the five great nations, had too little insight and couldn't understand the Rinnegan, the Tenseigan, and the mysterious Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
If 'Otsutsuki Toneri' hadn't revealed his origins, no one would have believed that people could live on the moon, and that descendants of ancient immortals had migrated there.
However, the appearance of 'Otsutsuki Toneri', his puppet army, and his actions during this period had all labeled him as a villain.
Compared to the Akatsuki, who were content with their place and only occupied a corner of the world, this kind of outsider with no bottom line was the most terrifying existence.
Therefore, after becoming a ninja world hero and a savior protecting the world, the bounty posters for Nagato's Tendo Pain and Sasori of the Red Sand were quickly removed from the black market.
Replaced by the bounty poster for the lunar visitor 'Otsutsuki Toneri', with a reward of up to 1.5 billion ryo.
Such a bounty would make even the daimyo of the five great nations feel a great deal of heartache; their annual military expenditure wasn't even this much.
Clearly, it was a joint bounty shared by various countries.
After all, the current ninja world had a common enemy, and everyone had to unite.
...
"Wait, isn't our Akatsuki a terrorist organization of rogue ninjas? How did the leader suddenly become the savior of the world?"
In Amegakure, the Akatsuki members who were in a meeting were all dumbfounded.
A few days ago, they were still S-rank rogue ninjas and terrorists that everyone shouted to kill, having to wear bamboo hats when going out.
Only a few days had passed, and their leader, the ninja world's biggest terrorist, had become the savior of the ninja world. They were all the capable subordinates of the ninja world hero, the vassals of the dragon.
This change in identity made even old-timers like Kakuzu feel a bit dazed.
Having been a bad guy for most of his life, how did he suddenly become a good guy?
"It's just the means of politicians," Black Zetsu stated the truth in one sentence.
"It certainly fits the way those guys do things."
Sasori of the Red Sand, who had retreated back into Hiruko, mocked in a low voice, "Decades have passed, and everyone has forgotten the power of the God of Shinobi and the harbinger of chaos. Now that they've witnessed the showdown of super-standard combat power, the higher-ups of the five great nations and five great ninja villages should all be having sleepless nights."
"After all, our Akatsuki is a rogue ninja organization. Those high and mighty big shots must be very afraid of our rogue ninjas' counterattack, so they can only push things from behind, giving the leader a positive image as a ninja world hero and savior."
"In this way, as long as our Akatsuki wants to rule the ninja world, we will lose the support of the people and won't have a large number of followers like the God of Shinobi. Even if we succeed, we will be labeled as invaders and tyrants, and the remnants of the five great nations will still have hope of making a comeback."
"Once our Akatsuki doesn't care about these things and is determined to overthrow the rule of the five great nations, they can also use the condition of preserving the leader's good reputation to try their best to protect their own interests."
"...I see."
Deidara and Hidan, the two idiots, suddenly looked enlightened.
Immediately, Deidara said with a disgusted expression, "Those who play politics are really treacherous. It's good that this great artist didn't stay in Iwagakure, otherwise I would definitely become as insidious as that old man."
Kisame Hoshigaki looked at Tendo Pain sitting in the leader's seat and couldn't help but grin, "Leader, you've already revealed your true form, why are you still using a puppet to meet us? Isn't your real body in training? You're really working hard."
"Yeah, yeah... Leader, you're actually a descendant of the Uzumaki and Senju clans, and you've awakened Wood Release, but you didn't go to Konoha. You're not holding a grudge against the countries that destroyed Uzushiogakure, are you, and planning to lead Amegakure to take revenge on them?" Deidara excitedly echoed.
"I really want to start the Fourth Great Ninja War! Lord Jashin must really love the sight of rivers of blood!" Hidan crossed his arms, full of longing.
The others ignored these two idiots, their gazes fixed on Tendo Pain, waiting for him to speak.
This meeting was definitely not to provide them with a place to chat about everyday matters; there must be something important to announce.
And the reality was indeed so.
A figure walked out of the shadows and stood beside Tendo Pain. It was Nagato, as young and handsome as a teenager.
"Sorry, my body wasn't well before, so I couldn't meet you with my real body." As soon as Nagato spoke, he gave the Akatsuki members a big shock.
It wasn't because they were startled by his sudden appearance, but because Nagato's tone was too gentle, completely opposite to Tendo Pain's full of majesty and self-proclaimed godliness.
Just as the Akatsuki members were feeling uncomfortable, Nagato reached out and put his hand on Tendo Pain's shoulder, explaining, "Actually, I'm not the leader of Akatsuki. Tendo Pain is."
"What do you mean?"
The Akatsuki members' attention was diverted, and they looked at Nagato疑惑ly.
"Tendo Pain's original name is Yahiko. He was my and Konan's best friend, and the true founder of Akatsuki," Nagato said seriously. "Although he is dead, I will still create a 'new world' without war, where everyone's dreams can be realized, in his name."
"So you must remember, Pain is still the leader of Akatsuki!"
The Akatsuki members were silent.
They only felt that Nagato had a bit of a split personality, but they could feel his affection for Tendo Pain and Konan, and they began to look at this sentimental leader with new respect.
After emphasizing Yahiko's status, Nagato took out several rings from his body and placed them on the table. They were the exclusive rings of Akatsuki.
"Leader, why are you giving us rings again? Don't we already have them?" Deidara asked疑惑ly, also showing the Seiryu ring on his finger.
"Yeah, aren't these spares for us?" Hidan echoed.
The others stared at the rings on the table with solemn expressions.
Even Uchiha Itachi activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, watching the rings containing chakra, not knowing what he was thinking.
"These are new types of rings I created using the Rinnegan and Wood Release. I've inscribed summoning jutsu formulas inside them. All of you put them on," Nagato instructed seriously, while also revealing shocking news, "If there are no accidents, that Otsutsuki Toneri's Tenseigan has now completed its evolution."
"Nani?!"
The Akatsuki members' expressions instantly changed drastically, unable to believe it.
"Can the Sage's Eyes also evolve like the Sharingan?" Kisame Hoshigaki asked with astonishment.
"I don't know."
Nagato shook his head, giving his analysis, "However, his choice to leave at that time wasn't because he was evenly matched with me, but because his brain suddenly secreted powerful chakra that gathered in his eyes, temporarily preventing him from exerting the power of his dojutsu."
"His Tenseigan possesses abilities similar to mine; they should both be a type of Sage's Eyes. However, his Tenseigan only has the abilities of repulsive and attractive forces, lacking the Six Paths Techniques and Yin-Yang Release of the Rinnegan, and doesn't even have the complete power of the Deva Path."
"Now it seems, it's not that he doesn't have the Six Paths Techniques, but that he hasn't awakened them yet."
When he said the last sentence, Nagato's expression was full of solemnity.
However, this solemnity wasn't directed at 'Otsutsuki Toneri' but at 'Uchiha Madara'.
The fact that the Sage's Eyes could evolve not only startled the Akatsuki members but also startled Nagato, making him realize a very serious matter.
The Six Paths Techniques and Yin-Yang Release weren't secret techniques created by the Sage of the Six Paths that only the Rinnegan could use.
They were very likely innate abilities of the Rinnegan!
Then... why did he, the wielder of the Rinnegan, need to obtain the Six Paths Techniques and Yin-Yang Release from an outsider?
Apart from being able to sense the existence of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Nagato hadn't noticed any changes in his Rinnegan from beginning to end.
Nagato had originally thought that this was how the Sage's Eyes were, so he hadn't paid much attention.
But now, he had witnessed the evolution of the Sage's Eyes.
Someone else's Sage's Eyes could evolve, but his own Sage's Eyes couldn't, and even its abilities needed to be given by others. What did this imply?
Nagato hadn't known 'Uchiha Madara's' intentions before, but now he seemed to have guessed them.
These eyes were either 'Uchiha Madara's' own, or 'Uchiha Madara' had found the Sage of the Six Paths'遗迹 and obtained them from within.
Because the Uchiha clan's bloodline didn't possess the vitality of the Uzumaki and Senju clans, even if he transplanted Hashirama's cells and awakened Wood Release, he couldn't exert the power of the Rinnegan.
Coupled with 'Uchiha Madara's' old age, he chose to transplant the 'Rinnegan' into his body, and then wait for the right opportunity to give him the Six Paths Techniques and Yin-Yang Release.
What was the most suitable opportunity?
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!
Combining 'Otsutsuki Toneri's' words, Nagato felt that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was definitely not as simple as just sealing the Tailed Beasts.
This 'treasure' that had been guarded by the moon dwellers for a thousand years, and which they were now willing to expose their identity to retrieve, must hold secrets that only the true wielders of the Sage's Eyes knew.
At this moment, Nagato's vigilance and fear towards 'Uchiha Madara' reached their peak.
Even the Tailed Beast capture plan began to waver.
If 'Uchiha Madara' and Black and White Zetsu were both enemies, then they would definitely make a move on him after all the Tailed Beasts were captured.
They might have even left a contingency plan on his body.
Otherwise, they wouldn't dare to help him restore his strength.
Of course, Nagato didn't say these thoughts to Konan but kept them hidden in his heart.
However, in his heart, the biggest enemy was no longer 'Otsutsuki Toneri' but 'Uchiha Madara'.
The Akatsuki members naturally didn't know Nagato's thoughts.
After hearing Nagato's words, they instead breathed a sigh of relief.
"In other words, this evolution of that brat is just like Pain's Six Paths, making him more comprehensive?" Sasori of the Red Sand said in a deep voice, "Then next time he appears, the strongest of his puppet army won't be Danzo Shimura but the 'Pain Six Paths'."
"That's right," Nagato nodded. "Even if his Tenseigan completes its evolution, it probably won't be able to defeat me. If he wants to snatch the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path from me, he must try his best to weaken Akatsuki's strength. The probability of him hunting you is very high, just like igniting the flames of war in the ninja world and making Kumogakure bomb Amegakure."
"I have now recovered to my full strength and have strengthened Tendo Pain, removing the range limitations."
"If you encounter danger, you only need to input chakra into the ring to trigger the summoning jutsu formula inside, and you can summon the Pain Six Paths. The latter can also use the summoning jutsu to summon me."
"In this way, even if you act separately, you won't be afraid of being targeted by that guy."
At the end, Nagato fully displayed the aura of a summoning master.
"That's really reassuring."
A smile also appeared on the faces of the Akatsuki members.
The fear they had in their hearts for super-standard combat power instantly vanished.
Originally, they were thinking about whether to take off their uniforms, hide their identities, and leave Akatsuki to avoid being hunted by the insidious and mysterious 'Otsutsuki Toneri'.
Or they would stay in Amegakure and wait for Black and White Zetsu to find the enemy's traces, then follow the leader to counterattack.
Now that they had the ability to summon the Pain Six Paths and even Nagato at any time, they were instantly no longer afraid and didn't need to stay in Amegakure. They could resume their unrestrained rogue ninja lives.
Thus, the Akatsuki members all put on the new rings and left the meeting room.
Soon, only Nagato, Tendo Pain, and Konan remained in the meeting room.
"Konan, there will be many tourists in Amegakure these days. Thank you for your hard work," Nagato said to Konan with a smile. "Apart from village affairs, you don't need to worry about other things. I will let the Pain Six Paths handle them."
"I understand," Konan nodded with a smile.
Nagato's recovery to his full strength also improved Konan's mood.
Especially since Nagato was now called a ninja world hero and savior, although it was a conspiracy of the politicians of the five great nations, it also reminded Konan of the original intentions of the three orphans.
Perhaps... they were really wrong before.
But it didn't matter; they were now on the right track.
Nagato would definitely make this world a better place!
Thinking of this, Konan left with an angelic smile.
Tendo Pain also followed closely behind.
Only Nagato remained in the meeting room.
Nagato finally sat in the main seat, saying with an imposing air, "Come out, all of you."
As soon as he finished speaking, the space on the right seat twisted, and a fist-sized black hole appeared.
Obito Uchiha's figure flew out from within and sat on the stone chair.
Black and White Zetsu, who had just left, also emerged from the ground.
"Have you found the passage to the moon?" Nagato asked Black and White Zetsu.
"The passage should have seals hiding chakra, and he has the Flying Thunder God Technique, so he won't leave any traces or scent," White Zetsu shook his head and said.
Nagato didn't find it strange and turned to Obito Uchiha, asking, "Where did you get the Four Red Yang Formation? From the Uzumaki clan's scrolls, or Konoha's ninjutsu library and Book of Seals, or Kumogakure's ninjutsu library?"
"If you need the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, I can help you get them," Obito Uchiha said calmly. "Your Wood Release combined with the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques and the Rinnegan's Preta Path can indeed achieve the effect of orthodox Wood Release."
Seeing that 'Uchiha Madara' didn't answer, Nagato dismissed the idea of getting Konoha's Book of Seals from him and said seriously, "I need more Hashirama cells. Can you help me get them?"
Having not seen the true power of Wood Release, Nagato's original view of Wood Release was as naive as Mei Terumi's.
After putting on Tobi's armor and personally using Nativity of a World of Trees and the Wood Human Technique, Nagato finally experienced the power of the God of Shinobi.
Even if he possessed Super Almighty Push, he would never be Hashirama Senju's opponent.
His title as the God of Shinobi of the new era was somewhat undeserved.
Therefore, Nagato yearned to obtain more Hashirama cells to make his Wood Release stronger.
At that time, even if his Wood Release wasn't as good as Tobi's, as long as he wore Tobi's armor, he could exert even greater power.
Obito Uchiha didn't expect Nagato's goal to be this and couldn't help but fall silent.
The Sharingan under his mask subconsciously looked at Black and White Zetsu opposite, as if they were exchanging glances.
Immediately, Obito Uchiha slowly said, "After creating White Zetsu, the Hashirama cells in my possession are almost gone, but... I do know someone who still has a lot of Hashirama cells."
(End of this chapter)
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