Late at night.
Spark Sanctuary.
A deep silence had fallen over the orphanage; all the children were lost in slumber.
Suddenly, in the darkness, a figure with a pitcher plant-like growth on its head emerged from the ground. It was Zetsu, who had been ordered to capture Nagato.
"Nagato is on the second floor of this building," said White Zetsu. "Do you need me to go?"
"Yes. To increase the mission's success rate, we need to capture both Nagato and the child who lives with him. I'll take Nagato; you take the other one," Black Zetsu instructed. "Then, have two of your clones transform into them and lie in wait here for now. I have a bad feeling about this place."
"I can only change into their appearance; I can't copy their memories. It won't be long before we're discovered."
"It doesn't matter. We'll keep up the charade for as long as we can, at least until we're safely away."
"Fine."
With that, they swiftly infiltrated Nagato's room. Spotting the two sleeping figures, they immediately split up, each approaching their target.
Black Zetsu melted into a pool of black, rubber-like material and, in the blink of an eye, enveloped Nagato's body.
Nagato jolted awake, realizing with a start that he couldn't move his body. He couldn't even cry out, as if his body was no longer his own. He was shocked, and just as he was about to struggle with all his might, he heard an unfamiliar voice.
"I'd advise you not to make any rash moves. Otherwise, your good friend's life might be over."
His head was turned against his will. Nagato's eyes widened in horror.
Yahiko, sleeping in the next bed, had been completely encased in a white substance, obscuring even his head. A kunai was pointed directly at his neck.
In an instant, Nagato's mind was thrown into turmoil.
"Relax. If you do as we say, we won't harm you. Otherwise... heh heh..."
Sensing that Nagato had stopped resisting, Black Zetsu smiled, his plan succeeding. He controlled Nagato, forcing him to stand up and silently leave the room. White Zetsu followed behind, carrying Yahiko, who was still under the effects of the Spore Technique.
After they left, two more White Zetsu clones appeared. Using the chakra they had collected, they transformed into the spitting images of Yahiko and Nagato. With a few triumphant, cold chuckles, they lay down on the beds and resumed their original positions.
Relying on their powerful sensory abilities, Black Zetsu and his companion avoided the guards' patrols and successfully made it outside the sanctuary.
"We've already completed the mission?" White Zetsu asked, a little surprised at how smoothly everything had gone.
"How could ordinary people possibly stop us?" Black Zetsu wasn't surprised at all. "Don't waste time. Let's go."
Taking Nagato and Yahiko with them, they departed swiftly.
From a high tower at the sanctuary's gate, the ice clone seemed to sense something. He smiled faintly. "Nagato, don't disappoint me."
...
After a two-day journey, Zetsu finally brought Nagato and Yahiko before Jigen.
"You've done well. You may leave."
"Yes."
In the vast underground palace, Jigen sat on a high throne, his right hand propping up his cheek as he sized up Nagato below. He paid no attention to anyone else.
After Zetsu sank into the ground and disappeared, Nagato and Yahiko were freed. However, Yahiko's chakra had been almost completely drained, and he could only lie on the ground, looking worriedly at Nagato.
Nagato stood in front of Yahiko and looked up, revealing eyes with concentric ripple patterns, his expression a mixture of fear and concern.
"Who are you? Why did you capture us?"
"So it is the Rinnegan," Jigen said, sitting up a little straighter. "Albeit the most basic form."
"Rinnegan?" Nagato stared at Jigen. "Are my eyes... the Rinnegan?"
"That's right," Jigen nodded. "The Rinnegan is an eye that can only be awakened by one who has been chosen by the God Tree. It possesses immense power. In other words, you are the chosen one of the God Tree. It is your mission to plant the God Tree and let its brilliance shine upon this planet."
"The chosen one of the God Tree?" Nagato became even more confused. He shook his head. "I don't want to be any chosen one of the God Tree. If you want my eyes, take them. I only ask that you guarantee Yahiko's safety."
"I will not let you leave. Stay here. You are meant for a much grander stage; returning to that small place will do you no good. Stay here, and I will give you power greater than anyone else's. With that power, you can easily change this world!" Jigen stood up, his voice filled with a captivating allure.
"The power to change the world?" Nagato held his breath. Wasn't that what Yahiko had always been striving for?
"Don't believe him!" Yahiko shouted. "We can gain the power to change the world through our own efforts!"
"Yes, you can," Jigen acknowledged with a nod. "But you'll also have to survive on your own until then. Most geniuses die on the path to the top."
His tone was flat, but it sent a chill down the spines of those who heard it.
Yahiko was about to argue further but was cut off by Nagato. "That's enough, Yahiko. I want to stay here. He's right. I want to master the power of these eyes as quickly as possible."
Yahiko stared intently at Nagato. "Are you serious?"
"Yes. I've made up my mind. You should go, Yahiko."
"No, I'm not leaving. I'm staying with you. Because we're brothers!"
"Yahiko..."
Watching the two brothers and their profound bond, Jigen decided he wouldn't let Yahiko leave either.
"My name is Jigen. Welcome to the Kara organization."
...
Land of Rivers, Twin Rivers Village.
No, it should now be called the Village Hidden in the Silver River.
Over the past two days, Kaito and Ruri had restructured the personnel of Twin Rivers Village, incorporating them into a ninja system similar to that of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Through a series of assessments and based on Kaito's grading standards, they had selected Jonin, Chunin, and Genin.
"Phew, finally done with all of it."
In the office, Ruri rubbed her sore shoulders and let out a sigh of relief. She picked up the list in front of her and said, "There are currently one hundred and thirty-seven ninja registered on the roster. You're the only Jonin, there are forty-two Chunin, and the rest are all Genin."
"Compared to the other ninja villages, we're lacking by more than just a little bit."
"The other villages have been developing for decades. It's normal for there to be a gap," Kaito said reassuringly. "Relax, our future lies with the Ninja Academy. Besides, once the village is established, it's sure to attract many rogue ninja from the Land of Rivers."
"Sigh, I suppose that's the only way."
Ruri put down the list, looked up at Kaito, and said, "Are you sure you don't want to be the leader of the Village Hidden in the Silver River?"
Except for the leaders of the Five Great Villages, no one else was qualified to be called a "Kage," not even someone as powerful as Hanzo of the Land of Rain.
"No, you'll be a fine leader. With your current strength, you can keep the people below you in line. When you have time, I'll teach you a few more ninjutsu to help you improve your skills."
Kaito smiled. "As for me, I'm more interested in being the director of the Research Institute, and I'll need to use a disguised identity. Oh, right, I also want Kaori to be my assistant."