"As expected of Naruto-kun—to draw such a conclusion."
Orochimaru's tone carried a rare hint of respect. Although he had little reverence for gods, Tsunade was different.
In this world, Naruto's theories and deductions were undeniably unorthodox.
Yet neither of them were ordinary shinobi. Orochimaru had long walked the path of scientific pursuit, devoting himself to uncovering the truths of the world. Tsunade, having witnessed the brilliance and turmoil of life, possessed a depth of insight no less formidable.
Her adaptability was just as exceptional.
And since the one speaking was Naruto… there was usually some truth hidden within his words.
"When a person becomes powerful enough," Naruto continued, "they can be regarded as a god."
This time, silence greeted him. His words struck both Sannin into contemplation.
Orochimaru studied Naruto, as though watching the era's windmill begin to spin at unprecedented speed.
He let out a faint smile.
"Perhaps, in a few years, Naruto-kun will also be called a god."
Tsunade blinked in surprise. Orochimaru, of all people, offering such praise?
Naruto's strength was evident to all… but to reach the level of her grandfather?
Tsunade could only give a wry, conflicted smile.
Who could truly say?
Naruto spoke again, pulling them from their thoughts.
"You flatter me. Regarding the research on Hidan—if his regenerative ability can be deciphered, it could greatly enhance the survival capabilities of our fellow shinobi."
"As for reaching Hidan's level… well, that would probably require worshipping Jashin just like Hidan."
He shrugged slightly.
"For now, let's focus on Hashirama Cells and the Uchiha bloodline."
That brought the two Sannin back to practical matters. Their earlier conversation had drifted into realms far beyond their present reach.
Naruto himself was no exception, but he had concealed one crucial secret:
The Immortal Divine Ability—Heaven Rewards Diligence.
The elementary level alone made him feel capable of regrowing severed limbs.
He suspected the next stage would allow full flesh regeneration… and the stage afterward, regeneration from a single drop of blood.
Three stages—that was as far as Naruto currently understood. Anything beyond that was too distant for the present.
Naruto's words earned silent agreement. Hashirama Cells were powerful in regeneration, but their erosive effects were equally terrifying.
The grotesque Hashirama faces that surfaced during transplantation—like in Danzo's case—were proof. Once the balance broke, the overwhelming power of Wood Release could devour the user…
Even turning their body into a giant tree.
Danzo had nearly been swallowed entirely, practically contributing to Konoha's reforestation.
Thus, both Sannin agreed: instead of chasing new, unknown powers, focusing first on properly understanding Hashirama Cells was far safer. The combined might of Senju and Uchiha was already immense.
Land of Rain
Sparse rain pattered against shallow puddles, the sky grey and heavy—as if mourning the country itself.
News of Kakuzu and Hidan's capture reached the Akatsuki quickly.
In the tallest tower, Nagato's expression darkened as he read Zetsu's report.
A suffocating pressure radiated from him, causing the woman beside him to tense. Konan's faint frown brought Nagato back instantly; the oppressive aura receded.
His skeletal frame slumped in the wheelchair—his legs crippled by Exploding Tags. His once-vibrant Uzumaki hair had faded, his life force eroded by the overwhelming burden of the Rinnegan.
"Nagato," Konan whispered, "calm yourself. This is not the time for anger."
Nagato exhaled, regaining composure.
"I was too impulsive. But the plan… absolutely cannot fail."
Both Kakuzu and Hidan were core members. They knew far too much.
Nagato's haggard face—marked by sleepless nights and the strain of power—twisted into a gloom bordering on frenzy.
Konan stepped closer, her voice soft yet unwavering.
"Nagato… I will always be with you."
After speaking, Konan turned toward the window. From here, the entirety of the Hidden Rain Village lay beneath her gaze.
The twilight was dim and heavy, as though foreshadowing something.
Nagato remained silent for a moment before saying,
"Konan… to ensure the plan proceeds smoothly, we must expand our personnel."
He lifted a thin stack of documents.
"Take a look. This is the intelligence Zetsu sent."
Konan accepted the report, her pale fingers flipping through the pages with calm precision.
Her brows knit more than once.
"Hiruko?"
"It says here he was a classmate of Jiraiya-sensei… and now a rogue shinobi. Judging by the data, he seems rather unimpressive."
Konan looked up at Nagato, clearly puzzled.
Nagato's tone deepened as he replied,
"His talent is average. That much is true. But the reason I want to recruit him… is because he possesses four Kekkei Genkai."
Konan's expression finally shifted—her usual icy composure cracking.
"That's impossible. How can one person have four Kekkei Genkai?"
Nagato understood her reaction. Truthfully, he had felt the same shock when he first learned it.
"All of this was investigated by Black Zetsu," he continued.
"It's unbelievable, but Zetsu's intelligence has never failed us."
He paused.
"Hiruko's Kekkei Genkai originate from a special ability of his—a technique that allows him to steal the Kekkei Genkai of others."
Konan slowly nodded.
With such an ability, four Kekkei Genkai was not impossible. And more importantly… it qualified him to join the Akatsuki's core ranks.
If it was a secret technique, she wouldn't question it further. The shinobi world was filled with strange and ancient arts; one more anomaly hardly mattered.
Zetsu had gathered plenty of information about Hiruko, but as always, the deepest secrets of an individual were known only to themselves.
Not that Nagato cared for anyone's secrets. As long as the person was useful to the organization, that was enough.
Besides, Nagato now considered himself a god. In his inflated view, no matter how many Kekkei Genkai Hiruko possessed, he could never surpass a god.
Konan closed the file and asked,
"Then… who will you send to recruit him?"
The dim light cast long shadows across the room. Nagato lowered his head, thinking in silence.
At last, he looked up.
"I will send Tendo Pain. Hiruko's abilities are not weak, and others may fail or misjudge him. To ensure success… Tendo Pain is the safest choice."
In truth, Nagato had other motives as well—asserting authority, venting frustration, and reminding the world who they were dealing with.
And most importantly, demonstrating how crucial this plan was.
Konan blinked, surprised.
Tendo Pain was the public leader of the Akatsuki. For him to act personally was no trivial decision.
Yet she voiced no objection.
Ever since Yahiko's death, she had followed Nagato's will—whether it was right or wrong.
The death of her fellow shinobi, the endless bloodshed of war, the world's sickness… all of it had stripped her fire bare, leaving behind only one unshakable belief:
To protect the last person she had left.
...
TN:
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