Rengoku rubbed his chin, 'Nagato's current physical condition means that surgery will only lead to a dead end.'
'Unless we rely on Karin's ability to barely keep Nagato alive, only then could those black rods be removed.'
'But the massive amount of life force Nagato needs isn't something a seven-year-old Karin could possibly provide.'
Rengoku also didn't want to drain the pond to catch the fish.
He opened his mouth and said, "In the Uchiha clan territory, a hospital and laboratory are already under construction."
"But the conditions are still not mature enough. You might have to recuperate a little longer."
"With Nagato like this, even if the black rods could be removed, the danger would still be very high."
"You'd better rest a bit longer."
Though Konan and Nagato had suffered long illnesses without a good doctor, Konan still didn't have the ability to perform surgery on Nagato.
In the ninja world, there was no other place they could safely undergo surgery.
Because all the places with such capabilities were unreliable.
In comparison, the Uchiha clan was instead the most trustworthy place.
Konan nodded, "Understood."
"Just now, we and Zetsu…", Konan began explaining their attitude toward Zetsu earlier.
After hearing it, Rengoku nodded slightly, "That's fine. Doing that lets Obito know his false identity might get exposed."
"Your caution toward him is totally normal, you were never on the same path to begin with."
"His identity just happened to be exposed ahead of time, that's all."
"You still don't have the capital to confront them. Just leave them hanging for now."
At this moment, Konan asked curiously, "The AB combo from Kumogakure, did you defeat them alone?"
Rengoku smiled and shook his head, "Fighting both of them at once was still a bit strenuous. It's just that the Raikage was faster and got ambushed by me."
"He didn't have any intel on me, so it was normal he suffered. But having lost an arm, his combat power will take a big hit going forward."
Konan silently estimated. In terms of combat power, even if Rengoku couldn't surpass Pain, he wasn't far behind.
The key thing was that Rengoku seemed to know nearly all of their secrets.
Fortunately, they didn't choose to oppose Rengoku. Otherwise, it really would've been troublesome.
"Alright, Rengoku, when your conditions are ready, contact us."
"Mm, don't worry. I'll inform you both at the first moment," After Rengoku said that, he disappeared.
Konan looked at Pain and asked, "What do you think?"
Pain knew what she was asking. He spoke, "Relying only on ourselves, it's difficult to restore my body."
"No matter what, Rengoku is more reliable than Obito."
"As for Rengoku's god-making plan, it's still too early to worry about that."
Konan lowered her head and pondered, "So we'll just remotely manage Amegakure from now on?"
They still had deep feelings for Amegakure. Suddenly leaving it behind now, there was a trace of reluctance.
Pain spoke, "The current Amegakure won't be worse than before."
"Kakuzu's strength is enough, letting him manage it won't be a problem."
Konan frowned, "What about the children?"
Pain paused for a few seconds, seemingly thinking, "Send out a paper clone. Bring them out of Amegakure."
"Send them all to the Uchiha clan, it's a good chance to test Rengoku's attitude."
———
Rengoku opened his eyes inside the office.
Now, after taking over leadership, he was about to begin full-scale development of Orochimaru's scientific research.
Kisame had already arrived at the Uchiha clan territory.
But Orochimaru was currently busy revising Edo Tensei and couldn't attend to him for the moment.
Although Kisame was anxious, since he was the one in need, he could only wait patiently.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
While he was thinking, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The one who entered was his clansman, Uchiha Rinjin, "Clan head, the people from Sunagakure have arrived."
"Oh?", Rengoku stood up.
'They actually came this early.'
"Who's leading them?", Rengoku asked with curiosity.
"It's Chiyo from Sunagakure."
"How many did she bring?", Rengoku thought aloud.
"Five people total, including herself."
Rengoku responded with a hum, "You may leave first."
Rinjin bowed to Rengoku, then turned and left.
Rengoku kept tapping his fingers on the desk. As for Gaara, he didn't plan to send him back.
But how to handle it was something that required careful thought.
Ding~ Dong~
The after-school bell rang.
A rough plan had already taken shape in Rengoku's mind.
———
Rengoku soon arrived at the entrance of Sasuke's classroom.
The classmates in the class were already used to it. Rengoku came to pick up Sasuke and Karin after school every day.
They all smiled and greeted him.
While Rengoku returned their greetings one by one, a weight landed on his hand, Karin had already jumped into his arms.
"Shishou, the sealing formulas are so hard, I still haven't memorized them yet."
Rengoku pinched her cheek, "These are just the basics of the Uzumaki clan. Just take your time memorizing them."
Karin shook her face and broke free from Rengoku's hand, "Ouch, ouch, I get it. I'll definitely memorize them properly today!"
Rengoku chuckled, then waved at Sasuke and Gaara, "Let's go, Sasuke, Gaara."
"Coming!", Sasuke grabbed his lunchbox, and Gaara followed behind.
He also held a lunchbox, but this one was from Rengoku.
During this time, Gaara went to school every day with Sasuke and Karin.
Though his sand control had recovered, Naruto was only slightly surprised.
Upon learning Gaara was also a Jinchuriki like himself, Naruto, with his overflowing enthusiasm, finally pried open Gaara's closed heart. And became friends with him.
Now in their conversations, it was mostly Naruto doing the talking.
But Gaara had already started interacting with Naruto. Though Gaara didn't say much.
Apparently, this kind of peaceful and warm life made Gaara very happy.
But as time passed and the moment of Rengoku's succession drew closer, there was a trace of sorrow on Gaara's face.
Because he knew, the people from Sunagakure would be arriving to take him back very soon.
As Rengoku led them to the playground, he finally spoke to Gaara, "Get ready, Chiyo has arrived."
Gaara was stunned for a moment before realizing, "They're here to take me?"
Rengoku's expression was playful, and he said something Gaara didn't understand, "Maybe."
Gaara turned around and looked toward Naruto, who was still greeting others.
He quickly walked over.
Rengoku stood still in place, watching Gaara go over and say goodbye to Naruto.
Fate was a strange thing.
Gaara and Naruto clicked with each other from the start, even if Gaara didn't speak much. Their bond was already very strong. But because Gaara was worried about leaving at any time, he hadn't fully opened up.
Now seeing Gaara's farewell behavior, it showed that Naruto truly had a place in his heart.
"So will we meet again in the future?", Naruto, upon learning Gaara was leaving, was clearly reluctant.
Gaara was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't know."
Though Naruto's expression darkened, he still raised a big smile, "I hope we can meet again."
Gaara also smiled, "Yeah, I hope so too."
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