During the week that Izayoi waited for the Samsara Eye to complete its fetal movement, the sensation created by the Akatsuki leader and the visitor from the moon did not fade but intensified.
As one of the key figures and a member of the Ninja World, the Akatsuki organization, where the Hidden Rain Village is located, did not become a forbidden zone but instead turned into the most popular tourist attraction.
During this time, people came in the rain to visit this place that was once ruled by a "demigod," whose leader is now hailed as the new-age Ninja God.
Yes, after these days of cultivation, Nagato's brilliance grew ever greater, and his reputation improved day by day.
Many considered Nagato the new-age Ninja God.
Because the visitor from the moon was an outsider.
Though Nagato was the leader of Akatsuki, he was also the leader of the Hidden Rain Village and a member of the Ninja World.
Although no one knew exactly what the Outer Path Demon Statue was, the ordinary people of the Ninja World felt it was better to keep it in their own hands than those of the strange visitor from the moon.
Besides, even if war broke out, it would be a ninja war between the five great countries, and had nothing to do with common people like them.
Therefore, many regarded Nagato as the hero of the ninja world, the savior who protects it.
The smaller surrounding countries secretly contacted the Daimyo of the Rain Country recently, hoping to surrender.
The Daimyo of the Rain Country woke up, stunned by this sudden turn.
When did his military base change so much?
Not a demigod, but a new era ninja god—what kind of super double was this?!
In this age of ninja warfare, the rule was not to harm the powerful.
There was no doubt—the Daimyo of the Rain Country truly was the son of destiny.
"Nagato..."
Nagato's teacher, Jiraiya, who roamed the ninja world collecting information about the mysterious man, was also surprised.
Looking over detailed information in his hands, Jiraiya seemed to have some misunderstandings cleared and said happily, "So that's it. Is this what you meant by lack of knowledge, Nagato? Outer Path Demon Statue, visitors from the moon, Samsara Eye... is this why you want to collect the tailed beasts? To fight against the descendants of the immortals on the moon with your own strength and protect the ninja world... Nagato, you truly are the son of prophecy!"
Jiraiya's burden lifted instantly.
In his eyes, his disciple—though temperamentally changed and somewhat extreme—had not changed at all. They were still so earnest.
Their dream was always to create peace and end war.
Collecting the tailed beasts may not be for domination but to protect the Outer Path Demon Statue and fight the Otsutsuki clan on the moon.
After all, with Nagato's current power, he did not need any tailed beasts. With the Samsara Eye and Wood Release, he could hold the ninja world alone.
The tailed beasts were just toys!
It was only that the people of the five great countries were too ignorant to understand the Samsara Eye and the Outer Path Demon Statue.
If not for the self-exposure of Otsutsuki Toneri, no one would believe the moon was inhabited, or that descendants of immortals from ancient times lived there.
However, the appearance of Otsutsuki Toneri, his army of human puppets, and his actions during this period labeled him as a villain.
Compared to the Akatsuki, which followed laws and only occupied a corner of the world, this outsider with no bottom line was the most terrifying existence.
Thus, after becoming the hero and savior of the ninja world, the bounties on Tendo Pain and Scorpion under Nagato were quickly removed from the black market.
Instead, the bounty for the visitor from the moon, Otsutsuki Toneri, was set at a staggering 1.5 billion taels.
Even the Daimyo of the five great countries were distressed by such a bounty, as their annual military expenditure wasn't nearly that high.
It was obviously shared among all countries and jointly offered.
After all, the ninja world now had a common enemy and must unite.
...
"No, isn't our Akatsuki a terrorist organization where rebel ninjas gather? How did the leader suddenly become the world's savior?"
The Akatsuki members meeting in the Hidden Rain Village were confused.
A few days ago, they were still S-class rebel ninjas and terrorists hated by all, forced to wear bamboo hats when out.
Only days later, their leader—the biggest terrorist—had become the savior of the ninja world. They had become capable generals and loyal subjects of the hero.
This sudden identity change even left an old man like Kakuzu dazed.
How could he suddenly be a good person after being a bad guy most of his life?
"It's just a politician's trick," Black Zetsu bluntly said.
"It fits what those guys do."
Scorpion of the Red Sand, hiding in Scarlet Flow Amber, mocked softly: "Decades passed, and everyone forgot the God of Ninja and the Ninja World Shura's power. Now that they've witnessed a showdown of super-standard power with their own eyes, the top leaders of the Five Great Nations and Villages must be sleepless."
"After all, our Akatsuki is a rebel ninja organization. Those high-ranking figures fear our counterattack, so they fan the flames and give our leader a positive image as the hero and savior."
"This way, if Akatsuki tries to rule the Ninja World, it will lose popular support and won't gather followers like the God of Ninja. Even if it succeeds, it will be called an invader and tyrant, and the Five Great Nations' remnants will still hope to recover."
"If we don't care about this and are determined to overthrow the Five Great Nations, we can use the good reputation of our leader to protect our rights and interests as much as possible."
"...I see."
Deidara and Hidan, the two idiots, suddenly understood.
Deidara sneered, "You're really ruthless playing politics. Good thing I wasn't in the Hidden Rock Village, or I'd be as insidious as you."
Hoshigaki Kisame looked at Tendo Pain sitting in the first seat, grinning: "Chief, why use a puppet to meet us? Your real body isn't practicing, you're really working hard."
"Yes, yes... Chief, you descend from the Uzumaki and Senju clans, awakened Wood Release, but didn't go to Konoha. You don't hold a grudge against those who destroyed the Whirlpool Country. Ready to lead the Hidden Rain Village's revenge?" Deidara said excitedly.
"I really want to start the Fourth Shinobi World War. The evil god must love the rivers of blood," Hidan folded arms, eyes gleaming.
Others ignored the two idiots, staring at Tendo Pain, waiting for him to speak.
This meeting wasn't for chatting but to announce something important.
Indeed, it was.
A figure emerged from shadows next to Tendo Pain—it was Nagato, looking young and handsome as a teenager.
"I'm sorry, I was unwell and couldn't meet you in my original form." Nagato's gentle tone shocked the Akatsuki members.
They weren't scared by his appearance, but his gentleness clashed with Tendo Pain's majesty and godlike air.
Nagato placed a hand on Tendo Pain's shoulder and explained, "Actually, I'm not Akatsuki's leader. Tendo Pain is."
"What do you mean?"
The members turned confused eyes to Nagato.
"Tendo Pain's real name is Yahiko. He's a close friend of mine and Konan and the true Akatsuki founder," Nagato said seriously. "Though he's dead, I will create a 'new world' in his name—one without war where dreams come true."
"So remember, Pain is still Akatsuki's leader!"
Akatsuki members fell silent.
They felt Nagato had a split personality but sensed his feelings for Yahiko and Konan, and looked at this caring leader anew.
Nagato took out several rings and placed them on the table—Akatsuki's exclusive rings.
"Leader, why give us rings again? Don't we already have them?" Deidara asked, holding the Blue Dragon Ring.
"Yes, are these spares?" Feiduan echoed.
Others stared solemnly at the rings.
Even Uchiha Itachi opened his three-magatama Sharingan, staring at the ring containing chakra, wondering.
"This is a new ring I made with Rinnegan and Wood Release. I engraved a summoning technique inside. You should all wear it," Nagato instructed gravely, then announced shocking news, "If nothing unexpected happens, Otsutsuki Toneri's Rinnegan has evolved."
"What?!"
Akatsuki members were stunned.
"Can the Sage's Eye evolve like the Sharingan?" Hoshigaki Kisame said in astonishment.
"I don't know," Nagato shook his head, analyzing, "But he left because his brain suddenly secreted powerful chakra, gathering in his eyes, and he couldn't use his pupil technique temporarily."
"His Rinnegan has repulsion and attraction abilities, but lacks Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release, and doesn't have the complete Heavenly Path."
"Now, it seems he hasn't awakened those abilities yet."
Nagato's expression grew solemn.
But this solemnity wasn't directed at Otsutsuki Toneri—it was at Uchiha Madara.
The Sage's Eye evolving scared Akatsuki and Nagato alike, making him realize something serious.
The Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release weren't created by the Sage of Six Paths but were secret techniques of the Rinnegan itself!
Then why did the Rinnegan's owner need Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release from others?
Apart from sensing the Outer Path Demon Statue, Nagato never noticed changes in his Rinnegan.
Nagato thought the Sage's Eye was like this and didn't pay much attention.
But now, seeing the Sage's Eye evolve…
Others' Sage's Eye can evolve, but his cannot, and its abilities must be given by others. What does this mean?
Nagato didn't know Madara's plan before, but now guessed.
This pair of eyes either belonged to Uchiha Madara or he obtained them from the Six Paths Sage's remains.
Because the Uchiha blood lacked the vitality of the Uzumaki and Senju clans, even with Hashirama's cells and Wood Release, Madara couldn't fully use the Rinnegan's power.
Madara, being old, transplanted the Samsara Eye and planned to grant himself Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release later.
When?
At the Outer Path Demon Statue!
Combined with Otsutsuki Toneri's words, Nagato felt the Outer Path Demon Statue wasn't just a tailed beasts' seal.
This treasure, guarded by moon residents for thousands of years and recovered at the cost of exposure, must hide a secret only the true Sage's Eye owner knew.
At this moment, Nagato's vigilance and fear of Uchiha Madara reached their peak.
His plan to recover the tailed beasts wavered.
If Uchiha Madara and Black and White Zetsu were enemies, they'd attack him once all tailed beasts were recovered.
Maybe they left a backup plan on him.
Otherwise, they wouldn't dare help him regain strength.
Nagato kept these thoughts to himself, not telling Konan.
But in his heart, his greatest enemy was no longer Otsutsuki Toneri but Uchiha Madara.
Akatsuki members naturally didn't know his thoughts.
After hearing Nagato, they relaxed.
"In other words, that brat's evolution is like the Six Paths of Pain, but more complete?" Scorpion said deeply. "Next time he appears, the strongest puppet will be Six Paths of Pain, not Danzo Shimura."
"Yes," Nagato nodded, "Even if his Rinnegan evolved, he can't defeat me. To snatch the Outer Path Statue, he must weaken Akatsuki. Hunting you is likely, like starting a war and having Hidden Cloud bomb Hidden Rain."
"I've returned to my peak and strengthened the Heavenly Path of Pain, removing range limits."
"If in danger, you just put chakra in the ring and trigger the summoning technique to call the Six Paths of Pain, who can summon me in turn."
Nagato fully embodied the aura of a summoning master.
"Very reassuring."
Akatsuki members smiled.
Their fear of super-standard power vanished.
They'd considered dropping their uniforms, hiding, and leaving Akatsuki to avoid Otsutsuki Toneri's hunt.
Or staying in Hidden Rain, waiting for Black and White Zetsu to find the enemy and then fighting back.
Now, with the power to summon Six Paths of Pain and Nagato anytime, they weren't afraid and could resume their rebellious life.
So they all changed to the new rings and left.
Soon only Nagato, Tendo Pain, and Konan remained.
"Konan, many tourists will come to Hidden Rain these days. Thank you for your work," Nagato smiled. "Village affairs aside, you needn't care about anything else. I'll have Six Paths of Pain handle it."
"I know," Konan smiled and nodded.
Nagato returned to his peak, his mood improved.
Especially since he was now the ninja world's hero and savior. Though a political conspiracy, it reminded Konan of their original intent.
Maybe… they were never wrong.
But it didn't matter. Now they were on the right track.
Nagato would definitely make this world better!
Thinking this, Konan left with an angelic smile.
Tendo Pain followed closely.
Nagato was alone in the meeting room.
He finally sat in the main seat, solemnly saying, "Come out."
As he spoke, space on the right distorted, and a fist-sized black hole appeared.
Uchiha Obito flew out, sitting 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 a seal hiding chakra, and with the Flying Thunder God Technique, there are no traces or smells," White Zetsu said, shaking his head.
Nagato nodded and turned to Obito: "Where did you get the Four Red Yang Formation? The Uzumaki clan scroll, Konoha's ninjutsu library and seal book, or Hidden Cloud's ninjutsu library?"
"If you need Uzumaki sealing techniques, I can get them for you," Obito said calmly. "Your Wood Release combined with Uzumaki sealing and the Samsara Eye's hungry ghost way can indeed form orthodox Wood Release."
Seeing Madara didn't answer, Nagato gave up on Konoha's sealing book and seriously asked, "I need more Hashirama cells. Can you get them?"
Having never seen Wood Release's true power, Nagato's original view of Wood Release was naive.
After donning Afei armor and using Tree World Advent and Woodman Technique himself, he understood the God of Ninja's power.
Even with Super Shinra Tensei, he wouldn't match Hashirama Senju.
His title of God of Ninja now felt unworthy.
So Nagato longed for more Hashirama cells to strengthen Wood Release.
Then even if not as good as Afei, with Afei armor, his power would grow.
Obito didn't expect Nagato's true goal and fell silent.
The Sharingan beneath his mask looked at Black and White Zetsu, as if exchanging a glance.
Obito slowly said, "After creating White Zetsu, I don't have many Hashirama cells left. But... I know someone who still has a lot."