Chapter 77: Uchiha Madara's Attention—Always Living in Another's Shadow
"Suddenly waking me—has that Nagato brat triggered the Rinnegan's power?"
In a certain spacious underground chamber with dim lighting, an aged voice echoed.
"Hehe... no, Madara-sama. Something interesting happened in the shinobi world."
White Zetsu emerged from the ground without the slightest apology for disturbing Madara's sleep. Presenting a portrait before Uchiha Madara, he smiled: "Konoha produced an interesting individual. Even Amegakure's shinobi world Demigod suffered losses at his hands."
"After Hashirama died, this shinobi world grows increasingly boring. Since when did even a poison-using brat earn the title 'god'?"
Uchiha Madara's tone carried dissatisfaction.
If not for the plan, and his body's failing functions, he'd truly want to meet this shinobi world Demigod—let him experience what genuine divine power meant.
Receiving the portrait from White Zetsu, Uchiha Madara glanced once. His already sour mood from being woken instantly worsened.
"This hair color, plus this technique name—truly evokes unpleasant memories." Madara glanced at White Zetsu. "Are you deliberately trying to irritate me?"
White Zetsu showed no fear of Uchiha Madara, maintaining that smiling face: "Just thought Madara-sama seemed too bored. Want to dispatch White Zetsu clones monitoring this youth? Oh right, the chaos has erupted. Konoha entered facing three-front warfare. After war ends, this conflict will probably be called the Second Shinobi World War."
"Monitoring Flying Thunder God users is meaningless. One teleport and he easily escapes you all. Though I detest that Tobirama bastard, must admit his ninjutsu talent surpassed both Hashirama and myself." Uchiha Madara leaned back in the stone chair, contemplating something. Those transplanted Sharingan's three tomoe rotated slightly.
Less than a moment later, he suddenly asked: "How old is Nagato this year?"
"Six years old."
"That age already qualifies for entering ninja academy, learning ninjutsu." Uchiha Madara spoke ominously, words extremely cruel: "Give him more time. If the Uzumaki and Senju bloodlines within him still haven't triggered the Rinnegan's power, then help him along."
"During this time, have Tobi protect him well." Uchiha Madara suddenly snapped irritably: "Warn Tobi—stop researching excrement, don't approach Nagato without permission. If anything goes wrong with Nagato, I'll turn him into actual shit."
"Madara-sama, isn't that rewarding him?"
"Get lost."
White Zetsu still grinned cheekily, asking: "What about that Flying Thunder God user? Should we find opportunities placing Spore Technique on him?"
"That'll only expose you faster." Uchiha Madara recited as if listing treasures: "Flying Thunder God's teleportation consumes fixed chakra. Only when transferring massive targets or objects with shocking mass does consumption multiply."
"Using Spore Technique attaching to him—you can hide volume but not chakra mass. One teleport and he'll notice something wrong."
"To counter Flying Thunder God users, there's only one method: prevent him from leaving Flying Thunder God seals nearby. Sensing distant seals requires time—kill him instantly during that process."
"Otherwise, exploit his weaknesses. Like Kumogakure's Gold and Silver Brothers—force him to stay."
Hearing this, White Zetsu couldn't help complaining: "What a disgusting technique."
As for why Uchiha Madara understood Flying Thunder God so thoroughly, he dared not ask.
"This technique can only bully those in the same dimension." Uchiha Madara closed his eyes again, utterly dismissing Yoru. "Once Nagato triggers the Rinnegan's power, using Deva Path and Preta Path abilities, this user will only be able to run upon encountering him."
"The next era's future belongs to Nagato."
"So we're just ignoring this?"
"No need to manage, can't manage anyway." Uchiha Madara chuckled lightly. "Currently most anxious are that Onoki brat, then that Hanzo upstart. They'll think of every method eliminating that kid."
Regarding Sunagakure, Uchiha Madara didn't even mention them.
Those not reaching the Five Kage's pinnacle ranked the same as roadside weeds in Uchiha Madara's eyes.
Even in his current state, Uchiha Madara could easily kill such trash, simultaneously showing them what three-tomoe Susanoo meant.
White Zetsu smiled: "Should we help them secretly?"
Uchiha Madara reopened his eyes, finally showing slight dissatisfaction: "If you're bored with nothing to do, help Tobi properly protect Nagato. If truly interested in this brat, dispatch some clones infiltrating Konoha, collect his intelligence for easier future handling."
"Hehe, understood."
White Zetsu left those words with a grin before using Mayfly Technique, vanishing into the underground space.
---
The next morning, border base.
Yoru examined the promotional poster-like portrait, somewhat dumbfounded.
After one night's sleep, how had he debuted?
"Kid, you're famous."
Jiraiya slapped Yoru's shoulder, laughing: "Within three days maximum, probably the entire shinobi world will recognize you—Black Flash Gojo Yoru. Hahaha..."
Thinking about Yoru's future predicament, Jiraiya couldn't suppress laughter.
If Yoru lacked Flying Thunder God plus that powerful meteor trump card, Jiraiya as a senior would definitely worry for this junior.
But now, he laughed schadenfreude.
This was fame's price.
Yoru glanced at Jiraiya without speaking.
If their relationship were slightly closer, he couldn't resist trash-talking: "Laughing so ugly—no wonder Tsunade-sama doesn't like you."
Orochimaru consoled instead: "Premature fame isn't necessarily bad. With your current strength, training brings minimal improvement. Life-death battles and various trials better enhance physical and spiritual energy. You need to improve comprehensive qualities next, preparing for future advancement."
"Don't worry, Orochimaru-sensei. I don't care about this. Just think Hanzo's speed was too fast." Yoru waved the portrait, smiling. "Even prepared my title. Looks like last night's attack truly worked."
"I agree."
Orochimaru also smiled: "Last night he completely ignored us three, yet chose sacrificing reputation to destroy you through praise. That salamander probably suffered serious injuries."
"Not revealing this information or pursuing the advantage?" Yoru asked.
"Considered it, but costs are too high." Orochimaru sighed helplessly. "He publicly announced salamander injury intelligence. But no one knows whether the salamander truly can't be summoned, or... whether that summoning realm has a second salamander."
"Before Tsunade develops the antidote formula for mass production, we can't act. Wind and Earth Countries won't let us either."
"These three nations have become temporary allies now. Before supply shortages, this relationship probably won't break."
Yoru understood, saying no more. Instead changing topics: "Orochimaru-sensei, anything I can help with?"
Orochimaru—who could communicate through eye contact with Yoru—instantly read his disciple's meaning, smiling: "Nothing currently. If you want to return to Konoha, go ahead."
"Before leaving, place several Flying Thunder God seals in the base. Next time, sense those seals—don't appear directly beside me." Orochimaru's expression turned grave. "Going forward, I might enter combat anytime."
"Understood."
Yoru nodded, preparing to leave.
Then a voice reached his ears.
"Yoru, kid..."
Jiraiya scratched his face, somewhat embarrassed: "I heard from Tsunade that Nawaki also knows that seal-less technique you call 'Rasengan.' You mentioned previously using Rasengan training scrolls to exchange sealing techniques with Tsunade's household member Kushina. Could you trade with me too?"
"Uh... I already taught this technique's training method to Orochimaru-sensei. If Jiraiya-sama wants to learn, you could ask Orochimaru-sensei."
"One thing's one thing."
Jiraiya spoke seriously: "If Orochimaru developed this technique, I definitely wouldn't be polite with him. But you're the technique's inventor. As your senior, I can't let you suffer losses. What technique do you want?"
Previously, such words would've excited Yoru tremendously.
But now—having already signed blood contract with Ryuchi Cave—Yoru didn't need Mount Myoboku's summoning scroll.
When Kushina Uzumaki trained Sage Mode in the future, Yoru would have her learn Ryuchi Cave's version too.
By then, his strength would definitely far exceed now—completely able to ignore Ryuchi Cave's rules.
Besides Mount Myoboku's summoning scroll, Jiraiya only excelled at Fire Release, able to refine chakra into oil strengthening Fire Release power—could execute techniques rivaling Great Fire Annihilation and Great Fire Destruction.
Besides these two, what Jiraiya knew, Orochimaru also knew.
What Orochimaru knew, Jiraiya didn't.
Yoru also possessed Fire attribute. Before receiving Orochimaru's Earth Release instruction, Fire Release was also strongest—even developing Fire Release: Rasengan.
Obtaining Jiraiya's oil-refining technique would elevate his Fire Release further.
Yoru prepared to propose this exchange.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, Yoru asked: "Jiraiya-sama, is your hair manipulation technique a secret technique you developed?"
"You mean Ninja Art: Needle Jizo and Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane?"
Jiraiya's tone carried pride: "Right. These two techniques are secret transmission ninjutsu I specifically developed based on my hair."
Glancing at Yoru's short hair, Jiraiya teased: "If you want to learn, you'll need mastering Yang Release transformation plus growing your hair long."
Yoru ignored this, stating his conditions: "I want Jiraiya-sama's secret technique training method plus development experience. Besides Rasengan training scrolls, I'll also trade the Fire Release nature transformation injection method."
"Good eye. I agree." Jiraiya gave a thumbs-up, readily completing the trade with Yoru.
Orochimaru observed throughout without interrupting.
He indeed possessed Rasengan's training method, just hadn't learned the technique yet.
Among Team Sarutobi, his ninjutsu talent was most outstanding, but chakra quantity fell far behind Tsunade and Jiraiya.
Just one glance at Rasengan revealed his chakra could execute four times maximum, maybe five.
His speed wasn't fast. He excelled at Earth Release, not Lightning Release.
This seal-less technique requiring close-range hits had terrible cost-effectiveness for him.
If the enemy wasn't the real body, one Rasengan's wasted chakra could execute multiple powerful Five Elements techniques.
Jiraiya waved the Rasengan training scroll, smiling: "You don't mind me teaching this technique to my student?"
"Since we've already traded, Jiraiya-sama can handle it however you want." Yoru didn't care, just imagining Jiraiya showing off Rasengan to Minato Namikaze before teaching him the technique made him barely suppress a grin.
If this were a movie, once Minato mastered Flying Thunder God, would he sigh: "I feel like I've always lived in Gojo Yoru's shadow"?
As for why trade secret techniques with Jiraiya?
Simple reason—Yoru thought of canon Konan's Paper Release.
Konan's Paper Release wasn't a bloodline limit but secret technique she developed herself.
This secret technique made Konan excel among Kage-level shinobi.
This technique could create explosive tags. Combined with Second Hokage's developed Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags plus Yoru's Flying Thunder God seals, Konan would not only far exceed canon strength but become a humanoid self-propelled Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique—absolutely becoming Yoru's right-hand woman.
Canon's Paper Release was developed by Konan based on origami hobby.
This resembled Jiraiya developing his hair into secret techniques.
Yoru strongly suspected canon Konan developing Paper Release received considerable assistance from Jiraiya.
Knowing how Jiraiya developed secret techniques, Yoru was confident helping Konan develop Paper Release.
Moreover, Jiraiya's hair secret technique could also be used by Kushina Uzumaki—she must learn it.
Mastering this chakra control early meant when Kushina eventually controlled Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, she could manifest various things from Nine-Tails chakra effortlessly.
Both Jiraiya and Yoru felt extremely satisfied with this exchange.
After placing several Flying Thunder God seals at the border base, Yoru teleported away.
***
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