Nagato Out of Control
The Sarutobi clan's Jonin sent an intelligence report filled with critical details.
From the reforms initiated by Jiraiya and Tsunade to the confirmation of the Hyūga clan's successor, the report covered all key aspects of Konohagakure's current state.
The former Anbu operatives, now under Sarutobi's influence, had gathered intelligence from various channels. The Third Hokage had relied on his control over Anbu and other Konoha divisions during his tenure, and even now, his network played a vital role in monitoring the village's affairs.
Despite the importance of Jiraiya's reforms and the Hyūga clan's leadership transition, Hiruzen Sarutobi skimmed over them with little concern. Instead, one particular piece of news caught his attention:
Several Root members who had defected with Danzō Shimura had been captured within the Land of Fire. They carried an extremely significant piece of intelligence:
Danzō, after months of being on the run, had been ambushed by mysterious shinobi forces, and his whereabouts were now unknown.
By all rights, a traitorous Konoha ninja like Danzō should have been condemned by the entire village. Yet, Sarutobi's emotions toward him were far from simple. The two had trained together at the Ninja Academy, forming a bond that had lasted decades. Though their ideologies had diverged, their goal had always been the same: protecting Konoha.
At some point, however, Danzō's desire to become Hokage had grown into an obsession, leading him to use ruthless tactics. What had started as strategic warfare against Konoha's enemies had evolved into manipulation, human experimentation, and the extermination of bloodline clans within the village. Each step had taken him further down an irreversible path.
As for the mystery shinobi who had attacked Danzō, there was no doubt—they were the enemies he had accumulated over the years.
Among them, Sarutobi suspected, were remnants of Uchiha survivors and Uzushiogakure's hidden forces. Even if they hadn't directly attacked Danzō, they would certainly have aided those who did.
If Danzō was truly dead, what would become of his legacy and unfinished plans?
Even Sarutobi himself had no answers. One thing was certain: he had lost all control over the situation. The new Hokage, Jiraiya, would no longer heed his counsel.
---
Yahiko's Shadow
In Amegakure, more than a month had passed since Nagato's return.
The village had undergone drastic changes compared to six months ago. Using the power of his Rinnegan, Nagato had constructed advanced water management systems to prevent floods, ensuring Amegakure's safety from natural disasters.
He had even begun manipulating the local weather, occasionally allowing sunlight to break through the village's perpetual rain.
These miracles only strengthened the villagers' faith in "God" Pain and his companion, the Angel, Konan. To them, the duo were Amegakure's saviors.
Yet, while the village flourished, Konan sensed a deeper change in Nagato.
Since his last journey outside, Nagato had become noticeably different—more relaxed. He now spent hours in the central tower, gazing down at the ongoing reconstruction efforts.
Was his transformation because of Danzō's fate—the man responsible for Yahiko's death?
Konan wasn't sure. She wanted to ask but refrained. Today, however, her curiosity got the better of her.
"Nagato," she asked cautiously, "what exactly happened on your last trip?"
Nagato hesitated for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"I met Yahiko," he said, his voice calm. "I told him about our mission, and he supports our decisions."
Konan's mind went blank.
"…What?"
Yahiko had died ten years ago.
Had Nagato fallen under a genjutsu? But there wasn't a single shinobi alive capable of manipulating his Rinnegan.
Seeing her confusion, Nagato explained everything—his journey through time and space.
Konan frowned. If Nagato had altered the past, shouldn't it have changed the present? If Yahiko was alive back then, shouldn't he be alive now?
Was this truly time travel, or was it an elaborate illusion?
After a long silence, Konan sighed. Whatever the truth, Nagato was in a far better mental state than before. Whether illusion or reality, it didn't matter.
If Yahiko could see Amegakure's rebirth, he would surely be proud.
Shaking off her thoughts, Konan resumed her report.
The Akatsuki's black-market bounty missions were still ongoing, but some members were growing restless.
Perhaps it was due to the masked man's interference.
His growing interest in Amegakure and Kusagakure was suspicious.
At the mention of the masked man, Nagato's expression darkened.
That man had been the catalyst for the Tailed Beast Project—and one of the chief suspects behind the massacre of the original Akatsuki members.
Yet, during his time-travel experience, Nagato had encountered an elderly Uchiha underground in Kusagakure.
That man had been connected to the Gedo Statue.
Who was he?
If he was Uchiha Madara, then who was the masked man claiming to be him?
Nagato had spent a month investigating but found little concrete evidence.
One thing was certain: the masked man had the ability to control the Gedo Statue.
If the Tailed Beast project reached completion, the masked man might seize power for himself.
Yet, abandoning the mission was equally risky. The masked man might simply continue gathering Tailed Beasts in secret.
For now, Nagato had only one choice—deceive the masked man, buy time, and eliminate him in a single decisive move.
---
In the Depths of Amegakure
Within Amegakure's underground sewers, Obito Uchiha leaned against a pipe, eyeing Zetsu with irritation.
"Zetsu, why did you call me here?" he asked coldly.
Zetsu's voice was flat.
"Nagato is no longer under our control. He's abandoned the Tailed Beast Plan and is fully focused on Amegakure's development."
Obito shifted slightly. "Tch. I told you, he's still in my grasp. Sooner or later, he'll fall in line and start collecting the Tailed Beasts."
"You think a direct attack on Amegakure will work? Nagato and Konan aren't fools."
Obito smirked.
"I won't attack Amegakure. But Iwagakure and Kumogakure won't allow the Rain Village to rise. Eventually, they'll move against Nagato."
"If war breaks out, our hunt for the Jinchūriki will become harder."
Obito scoffed. "Do you have a better plan? Even if Nagato cooperates, Uzumaki Village's leader is still a major obstacle."
Zetsu's expression remained unreadable.
"Obito, we should focus on reviving Uchiha Madara. If Nagato uses the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu, Madara will return—and he can help us deal with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
The moment Madara's name was spoken, Obito's hidden face twisted with resentment.
The Moon's Eye Plan had always included reviving Madara.
But Obito had no intention of doing so.
That arrogant old relic deserved to stay buried.
Still, Zetsu's silence before vanishing left Obito unsettled.
As he placed a hand over his chest, he could feel Madara's cursed seal—a reminder that he was still bound to Madara's will.
For now.
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