Chapter 120: First Probe
"Not bad. Those eyes really are the same as mine—just not yet awakened. Once they awaken, that kid could become one of the top powerhouses in the ninja world."
Although he had some opinions about the boy Nagato, Ling Yu still agreed with Jiraiya's assessment and openly stated the future height Nagato could reach.
"So the person I found is actually pretty impressive."
Hearing Ling Yu's affirmation, Jiraiya felt even more convinced in his heart. Nagato really was the Child of Prophecy that the Great Toad Sage had spoken of.
"However, I still have to advise you—don't teach them everything. After all, he's not a Konoha ninja. He's from the Land of Rain."
Thinking of how Nagato might later turn against Jiraiya due to Uchiha Madara's interference, Ling Yu gave a subtle reminder.
Although he could prevent that tragedy, he only intended to preserve Jiraiya's life. He wasn't willing to spend too much effort on such a small matter. Right now, the only thing worth his full attention was chasing girls.
"Don't worry. I never planned to take him as a disciple anyway. I'm just looking after them for a while and teaching them some survival skills. How far they go in the future depends entirely on themselves."
Jiraiya looked toward Nagato and Yahiko in the distance with a serious expression.
As the disciple of the Third Hokage and a loyal Konoha ninja, he naturally placed great importance on Konoha and understood the implications of such matters.
"One last reminder: the Rinnegan is not something ordinary people can control. Since it grants such immense power, it also demands an equal price."
Noticing Orochimaru's increasingly greedy gaze, Ling Yu preemptively warned him to prevent any foolish actions.
"What do you mean?" Orochimaru was momentarily stunned and asked.
"Do you think the Sage of the Six Paths' eyes are so easy to obtain? An ordinary person's body simply cannot bear them. If not for Nagato's Uzumaki clan physique and his extremely high compatibility with the Rinnegan, he would never be able to endure those eyes."
"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say. I'm heading back now."
With that, Ling Yu directly took Konan and left the wooden house, leaving Jiraiya and Orochimaru sitting on the sofa, each lost in their own thoughts.
......…
"Come out. Stop hiding."
After sending Konan back, Ling Yu returned to a spot not far behind Nagato and Yahiko. He shouted toward the nearby woods.
However, the surroundings remained completely silent—no response at all.
"Heh, not coming out? Then I'll just take Nagato's Rinnegan for myself."
Even before leaving earlier, Ling Yu's Observation Haki had already sensed an unfamiliar presence nearby. He knew someone was watching Nagato—most likely one of Uchiha Madara's subordinates—so he hurried back to see who it was.
"No no no! Lord Ling Yu, don't do it! I'm coming out—I'm coming out, okay?!"
The very second Ling Yu turned and began walking toward Nagato, Uzumaki Zetsu's figure drilled out from a nearby tree stump.
"You are…?"
The white figure in front of him didn't look like ordinary White Zetsu, yet it felt extremely familiar. Ling Yu's memory was a little hazy—he couldn't quite recall who this was.
"You can just call me Uzumaki Zetsu, my lord."
Knowing the big shot in front of him was not to be trifled with—the infamous "God of Death" who killed without blinking—Uzumaki Zetsu didn't dare act presumptuous. He bowed deeply and spoke respectfully.
"Uzumaki Zetsu? Then where's Black Zetsu? Never mind. Take me to Uchiha Madara."
He had originally thought it was Black Zetsu monitoring Nagato. He didn't expect it to be Uzumaki Zetsu—the one usually attached to Uchiha Obito. Though rarely mentioned in the story, he was still one of the stronger individuals among the White Zetsu army.
However, with Ling Yu's current strength, Uzumaki Zetsu was nothing more than an ant—completely useless to him.
"Huh? You… you actually know that Lord Madara is still alive?"
Uzumaki Zetsu froze mid-bow. Then he slowly raised his head and looked at Ling Yu in utter shock.
Uchiha Madara's traces in the ninja world had vanished after his supposed death in the final battle with Hashirama Senju at the Valley of the End. Aside from Black Zetsu and the White Zetsu, no one knew he was still alive.
"Hmph. I know far more than you think. Just take me to Uchiha Madara. Otherwise, Nagato's Rinnegan won't be safe—and neither will you."
Not wanting to waste words with Uzumaki Zetsu, Ling Yu directly opened his Rinnegan. Powerful repulsive force pressed Zetsu flat against the ground.
"I surrender! I surrender! I'll take you to Lord Madara—please don't kill me!"
Uzumaki Zetsu shouted frantically. Seeing the cold indifference in Ling Yu's eyes, he seemed to envision himself being torn apart.
But since Ling Yu wanted to go straight to Lord Madara—and Madara had already said to bring him—this could count as completing the mission, right?
Thinking this to himself, Uzumaki Zetsu led Ling Yu to the underground location where Uchiha Madara was hiding.
"Heh… I never thought the former 'taboo' of the ninja world—Uchiha Madara—would be lingering on in such a pathetic environment. You really do look like a stray dog."
The moment he appeared underground, Ling Yu immediately spotted Uchiha Madara sitting on the chair and opened with direct mockery.
Holy crap! As expected of the "God of Death"—even daring to trash-talk Uchiha Madara. Wonder how Lord Madara will respond?
Standing behind Uchiha Madara, Uzumaki Zetsu watched the domineering Ling Yu with nothing but admiration in his heart.
"Hmph. Descendant of Senju Hashirama! So arrogant at such a young age—you'll suffer greatly in the future."
Uchiha Madara opened his blood-red Sharingan. His sharp gaze swept over Ling Yu as he released a powerful aura.
He had originally intended to invite Ling Yu over for a proper talk. But since the boy was so arrogant, Uchiha Madara decided to teach him a lesson and show him that there is always someone stronger.
"Suffer? With my current strength, it's impossible for me to suffer. If anyone suffers, it'll be others at my hands."
Ling Yu didn't indulge him at all. He opened his Rinnegan and matched Madara's aura with his own—his presence laced with thick killing intent.
This killing intent had been accumulated during the previous war when Ling Yu slaughtered ten thousand ninja. Combined together, it was even stronger than Uchiha Madara's.
"Hm."
In the end, Uchiha Madara came up slightly short. Suppressed by Ling Yu's aura, his chest tightened. A trickle of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
This was inevitable. His body was now old and frail. Having lost the Rinnegan, his strength had been reduced by half—he was no match for Ling Yu.
"Enough. I originally came to test how strong the former peak powerhouse of the ninja world really was. But your current strength is honestly too weak—far below your prime. I won't bully you anymore."
Just as Uchiha Madara was about to strike back to regain some dignity, Ling Yu quickly called a halt. Powerful repulsive force pressed down on Madara, rendering his half-formed hand seals completely immobile.
He had genuinely come to probe Uchiha Madara's current strength—but the result was too disappointing. Time truly was the most powerful weapon. A few decades were all it took to turn the once-strongest ninja into someone so feeble.
If it had been Uchiha Madara at his peak, Ling Yu might have been willing to clash with him. Unfortunately…
"Damn it!"
Uchiha Madara's face was incomparably dark. He glared at Ling Yu's right eye as though killing intent might burst forth at any moment.
There was a time when he too was a figure that made the world tremble. Now even a boy barely over ten years old mocked him for being weak
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