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Not far from the center of the battlefield.
Inside the hidden place disguised as a tree, Nagato was sweating from his forehead and breathing heavily, with Konan standing worriedly beside him.
"Nagato."
"I'm fine." Nagato shook his head, giving up the idea of using Chibaku Tensei. "Take me to see Kyomu."
"But..."
"He won't do anything to me for now." Nagato interrupted Konan. "He needs to acquire a large amount of money to develop the Land of Dragons while weakening the power of other nations and shifting conflicts.
Our appearance perfectly fits Kyomu's needs. Before the Land of Dragons has the strength to challenge the Five Great Nations, he won't turn against us."
"But after that, how do we deal with Kyomu?" Konan still had concerns. "His current strength is already beyond even yours..."
"I still have one trump card left." Nagato did not think he could not handle Kyomu. "Even if he can withstand it, once our ultimate weapon is in place, death will be his only outcome."
Konan hesitated for a moment, sighed, and went behind Nagato, unfastening the buckle on the wheelchair and pushing him out of their hiding place.
Creak, creak.
The sound of the wheelchair's wheels rubbing against the ground grew closer, drawing the attention of everyone, including Kyomu, who turned to look in the direction of the sound.
With red hair, a thin and frail body, and limited mobility, Nagato was being pushed by Konan, who had her hair tied in a bun, long light blue-purple hair, and a white paper flower on her head.
The slightly grating sound continued as Konan coldly scanned the surroundings before finally fixing her gaze on Kyomu.
"We're here. Can you release him now?"
"Of course."
Kyomu retracted his foot, and Deva Path Pain, who was missing his left arm, flickered and appeared beside Nagato.
At the same time, Nagato reached out, and the chakra within him surged through his hand, drawing the fragments of the Asura Path's body, which had been shattered by Kyomu, and reassembling them.
Although it seemed effortless, it was clear to any keen observer that Nagato's chakra consumption was significant.
"So it really is you," Orochimaru spoke. "I didn't expect that you, who once wandered, have grown to this extent."
"You've known for a long time." Nagato turned to look at Orochimaru.
"Indeed, but seeing you with my own eyes confirms it, doesn't it?" Orochimaru spread his hands. "I wonder how Jiraiya would feel when he sees you?"
"Sensei is also a sinner." Nagato's voice was almost emotionless. "Yahiko has already proven with his death that people cannot achieve peace through mutual understanding. He was wrong and was even the executor of chaos."
Clap, clap, clap.
Kyomu slowly clapped his hands. "You are indeed a determined and resilient leader."
Without engaging in any talk about dreams or ideals, Kyomu was straightforward. "I will decide the terms and conditions of our cooperation. What do you think?"
"Fine." Nagato nodded. "But I need your assistance with one matter."
"Speak."
"The Konoha jinchuriki is about to give birth, and that will be when her seal is the weakest."
Kyomu tilted his head. "You're planning to target the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki first?" He then spread his hands. "You know, I've always had a special feeling for Konoha. Even though I left, I don't want to bring war to it."
"You, who detest betrayal, still have feelings for Konoha?" Nagato laughed disdainfully. "And those three kunai you left behind, I believe, are more of a reasonable excuse for your future return to Konoha rather than any lingering sentiment.
Going back to Konoha yourself and being invited back by Konoha are two very different things. I think that's your plan."
"You saw through it." Kyomu did not deny it. "But you also misunderstood my point. What I meant was, let's add some other conditions!"
"Hahaha, hahahaha!" Nagato laughed maniacally, then abruptly stopped, his gaze fierce. "Kyomu, you are also a source of chaos in the ninja world! The stability you seek now is just a façade. What you truly seek in the future is a world engulfed in flames of war!"
Kyomu shook his head, not bothering to refute deeply. "Let's assume that's the case. After all, without war, how can there be unity?"
Nagato did not continue with his ideology, returning to the main topic.
"There are less than two months left. At that time, I will have someone inform you." Nagato raised four fingers. "A 40-60 split. I take 40, you take 60."
"After that, the entire Land of Fire might be mine. Why should I split the spoils with you?" Kyomu shook his head. "It's all my money!"
"I mean the Nine-Tails' chakra. A 40-60 split." Nagato's ambition was evident. "I take the blame, help you regain control of Konoha without any pressure, and eliminate those ninja clans that oppose you. I take 40% of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Is that fair?"
"Fair." Kyomu nodded, then shook his head again. "But I don't think you can achieve that.
If you really can, the Nine-Tails' chakra can be shared with you, but in the future, when you capture other jinchuriki, you need to communicate with me in advance, or I won't be able to collect the payment."
"Protection fee?" Nagato glanced at Kyomu. "Your plan sounds good, but I can't guarantee the other villages will comply.
But you can't interfere with my capturing the tailed beasts."
"Five years." Kyomu spread his hand. "You get half of the Nine-Tails, and you cooperate with me for five years. After that, we go our separate ways."
"Deal."
Nagato agreed. Having the Nine-Tails or not made a big difference for him, and he would profit greatly.
As for Kyomu, he wouldn't lose out either.
If Nagato succeeded, he could help Kyomu clean up Konoha, and the Nine-Tails would be temporarily stored with Nagato. What he could give now, he could take back in the future.
However, a sharp tool wasn't so easy to obtain.
If he failed, it would be Nagato's problem and would not affect Kyomu.
However, Kyomu still wanted to get something good from Nagato in advance.
For example: White Zetsu and Black Zetsu.
Slap.
Kyomu extended his hand and high-fived Nagato. "Happy cooperation."
"Happy cooperation."
Creak.
Konan was about to push the wheelchair away, but Kyomu suddenly called out to them.
"Where is your organization's intel guy?"
"Zetsu, come out." Nagato called out behind him.
"Haha, didn't expect Lord Ryukage to remember me."
"I'm curious." Kyomu looked at the black and white Zetsu appearing beside Nagato, his lips curling up. "Your ability is undetectable even by me, so I wanted to meet you."
White Zetsu wanted to say something more, but just as Kyomu's words fell, he suddenly struck out, moving with extreme speed!
Poof.
Before anyone could react, Kyomu had used his teleportation and lightning release Eight Gates to pierce half of Black Zetsu's body with the black rod he had acquired in the previous battle.
"Aragami Kyomu!" Nagato turned sharply, his voice chilling. "What are you doing?!"
"Just dealing with a small unexpected interruption." Kyomu responded softly. "Don't worry. I have no ill intentions towards you. It's just this black guy I'm targeting."
With a flick of his wrist, he tore apart half of White Zetsu's body, pulling Black Zetsu off with it.
White Zetsu was horrified, but despite losing half his body, he showed no signs of dying. Freed from the black rod's restraint, White Zetsu immediately used his Mayfly Technique to conceal himself and disappear.
"I need an explanation!" Nagato gripped the armrest of his wheelchair tightly, nearly crushing it. "Aragami Kyomu, do you really think I can't handle you?"
"Don't be hasty." Kyomu waved his hand. "The premise of cooperation is mutual information sharing. Splitting it half and half is fair.
If you want compensation, we can negotiate."
"Nagato, don't listen to Kyomu's nonsense. He's just trying to..."
"Shut up."
Kyomu stepped on Black Zetsu, who couldn't escape being pinned down by the black rod.
However, Black Zetsu turned into a pool of black goo, moving away from Kyomu's foot, continuing his incessant chatter.
"Nagato, have you forgotten our plan? It's the only way to control Kyomu and restore peace to the ninja world. Otherwise, the future ninja world will become uncontrollable and turn into a wasteland.
Nagato, don't let Kyomu..."
Shu, shu, shu.
From the ninja tool pouch hanging at Kyomu's waist, multiple sealing scrolls unfurled, binding Black Zetsu tightly.
The world fell silent.
"Just a strange creature with no combat power. Do you really care that much?" Kyomu finally looked up at Nagato. "I don't think it affects you."
"I don't want a next time."
"As long as your Akatsuki members don't target my Dragon Ninja, I think we will cooperate well for the next five years."
"I hope you always keep your promises. Otherwise, when your foundation shakes, it will be irreparable." Nagato turned his head. "Aragami Kyomu, think it over."
With that, Nagato called out to Konan and the surrounding Orochimaru and Sasori, "Let's go!"
Watching Nagato and his group leave, Kyomu smiled lightly, feeling particularly pleased.
He had gained a lot this time! "Return to the village."
Kyomu also called out, not letting go of the black rod in his hand.
...
Dragon Hidden Village, Anbu Base.
Sakumo, wrapped in bandages, had mostly recovered from his injuries, with only some minor wounds and internal injuries left to heal slowly over time.
At this moment.
On a stone platform covered in sealing techniques, a black rod was placed, and in the center was a sealed black Zetsu.
On one side of the platform lay half of White Zetsu's body.
As for White Zetsu, he was also sealed, but only his body, without a soul. White Zetsu's complete soul was clearly in his other half.
"Kyomu, why did you urgently call me here..."
"Sis, does that white creature look familiar to you?" Kyomu pointed to the other side of the platform.
"Him?" Tsunade looked puzzled. "I've never seen such a strange creature."
Tsunade hadn't encountered White Zetsu's spore clone when it approached Aragami Kyomu, so it was normal for her not to know.
"Sis, take a closer look." Kyomu added. "See if it feels familiar."
Tsunade frowned, placing one hand on half of White Zetsu's body, her frown deepening.
The life force within White Zetsu felt very familiar to Tsunade, but also different. She couldn't quite pinpoint it.
"This is... Grandfather's..."
"That's right." Kyomu nodded. "This creature was created using Lord Hashirama's cells combined with a special method."
"How is that possible? Grandfather's cells outside of Konoha? Kyomu, what's going on?"
"The sudden appearance of the Rinnegan already raises questions." Kyomu didn't point out the crucial detail. "These eyes' appearance is highly unusual, so it's natural that Lord Hashirama's cells might have leaked."
At this moment, Fugaku also stepped forward. "The appearance of the Rinnegan is indeed peculiar. It shouldn't appear in the Uzumaki clan."
Clearly, Fugaku knew something. Perhaps he had seen the altered Uchiha tablet in his clan.
"As we all know, the Rinnegan is the eye of the Sage of Six Paths, and his two sons inherited his eyes and body, respectively.
The eldest son, Indra, who inherited the Sage's eyes, is the ancestor of the Uchiha clan.
The second son, Asura, who inherited the Sage's body, is the ancestor of the Senju clan and their distant relatives, the Uzumaki clan.
Logically, the Rinnegan should appear in the Uchiha clan, not in the descendants of Asura, who inherited the Sage's body."
Fugaku's analysis was correct. Even though Madara had taken the most crucial texts from his clan, the Uchiha clan, having never faced extinction, still knew about these familial inheritances.
What they didn't know was how the eyes beyond the Mangekyō Sharingan came to be.
"So I say, the appearance of White Zetsu is closely linked to the Rinnegan." Kyomu interjected. "So the medical research on White Zetsu is up to you, Sis."
"What about the economic issues I was handling..."
"They can be handed over to your deputy. There won't be any problems." Kyomu decided, and Tsunade didn't argue further.
In an instant, Tsunade focused her attention on White Zetsu.
Meanwhile, Kyomu and the others shifted their attention to the heavily sealed Black Zetsu.
"It's a very surprising ability." Kyomu marveled at the sealing scroll covered in black spots. "It seems that without specific conditions and characteristics, neither sealing scrolls nor any other types of seals can contain him for long."
"Indeed." Sakumo nodded. "This strong seal lasted less than two hours, right?"
"Yes, it's a bit troublesome." Kyomu drew Yoei from his waist. "But not too troublesome. He does have a soul, right?"
Black Zetsu indeed had a soul, and it was very strong.
But no matter how strong the soul, as long as Yoei could touch it, the problem could be solved.
At worst.
Just cut a few more times!
(End of Chapter)