บท 130: Chapter 130: The New Member of Akatsuki

"Nagato."

Thousands of white papers danced in the air. Accompanied by a cold voice, half of Konan's body emerged from the outlines.

"Konan." Nagato sat on the edge of the high platform, his red hair soaked by the rain. He didn't mind, nor did he use chakra to shield himself. He just looked down at Amegakure with his purple Rinnegan.

In the cold, steep steel skyscraper, a true monster was nurtured.

"What's the matter?" he asked, his tone slightly warmer when speaking to Konan.

"The people below report that an envoy from the Land of Wind has secretly entered. After approaching the outskirts of the village, they did not hide their identity and said they wanted to meet you."

"Hmph... These great nations are really keen on war," Nagato Uzumaki said calmly. "The guys from Sunagakure must want to ally with us against Konoha and Iwagakure."

"Are we going to discuss an alliance with the Land of Wind, Nagato?"

"People from the five great nations are all bastards... Let the people from Sunagakure wait. I will see them."

"Alright." Konan nodded and transformed into paper, flying away.

Nagato's face became expressionless once more.

After Yahiko and Hanzo's deaths, Nagato took over as the new leader of Akatsuki and controlled Amegakure. Under the deterrence of his Rinnegan, even the die-hard loyalists of Hanzou couldn't stir up much trouble.

The deaths of his friends and the change in his identity drastically altered Nagato's behavior, making him more extreme, cold, and ruthless.

Last month, he even severely injured Jiraiya.

Amegakure became a completely sealed-off island again. Nagato used a sensory ninjutsu called "Rain Tiger at Will" to cover the village, mixing special chakra-infused liquid into the rain, which would detect any intruders instantly.

Konan assisted Nagato, usually communicating with people using white paper. With Amegakure completely sealed off, Konan's "resurrection" was not known to anyone.

As time passed, Amegakure under Nagato's rule became as impregnable as a fortress and a force that couldn't be easily ignored in the chaotic world. Even today, an envoy from the Land of Wind came forward to meet Amegakure's ruler.

However, Nagato had other matters today, leaving Sunagakure to wait.

White paper reassembled behind him, and Konan appeared, silently waiting with Nagato.

Soon, footsteps echoed inside the walls, a secret door opened, and a man wearing a Hannya mask walked in.

"Moon God." Nagato nodded slightly. "You wanted to see me."

"Nagato." Yuto chuckled. The voice through the mask was muffled and hoarse. "You seem to enjoy getting wet in the rain lately."

"The rainwater helps clear my mind, so I don't dwell on the moment Yahiko died."

"You're finally showing some traits of a 'sage.'"

"The traits of a sage, huh... This world is truly sad, to nurture a half-baked sage like me through pain."

"Do you think the world is wrong, Nagato?"

"The world isn't wrong." Nagato paused and then continued. "It's us so-called shinobi who have the wrong understanding of the world. Pain is the main theme; peace and mutual understanding are just fairy tales."

"My mistake was being too naive. The mistake of the five great nations is treating war as a means to adjust relationships between countries."

"Only by sharing common pain can we understand each other. This is the only way to achieve peace, the essence of the world."

After saying this, the young red-haired man hesitated, the purple Rinnegan watching the mysterious man in front of him. His tone carried a hint of respect and doubt.

"Moon God, what do you think is wrong with us shinobi?"

"Wrong?" Yuto's tone was light. "How could I be wrong?"

"What if the world denies your answer?"

"Then forgive this world for denying the correct answer. Just like a person, the world can make mistakes. Then, as a responsible adult, correct it."

Nagato and Konan exchanged glances, marveling at Moon God's arrogance and dominance.

An unyielding will that is never afraid or shaken—this is the deepest impression Moon God left on them.

"Alright, Nagato, let's get to business... Come out."

Yuto moved aside, revealing the secret door behind him.

A strange boy stepped out.

He was about thirteen or fourteen years old, with black hair, wearing a kimono, and had a calm expression. He stood with his hands down, next to the Hannya-masked man.

Nagato was slightly startled. Before the boy appeared, he hadn't sensed his presence.

"His name is called Kitsu Yoshihiro, and he's here to join." Yuto said softly. "Go, greet your new leader."

Boom!

As soon as Yuto finished speaking, Kitsu disappeared from his spot, using the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Nagato. Thick branches intertwined like fangs extended from his palms, trapping the young red-haired man like a cage.

A repulsion shield appeared, and Kitsu was flung away. However, his physical strength was impressive. He twisted his body mid-air to relieve the force and landed steadily on the ground.

"Wood Release!" Nagato said, staring at him.

"Yes."

Nagato gave him a surprised look, nodded, and didn't ask any more questions.

Kitsu walked to Nagato's side, also standing in the rain. He didn't speak much, he was a man of few words.

However, Yuto knew that Kitsu probably enjoyed this inexplicable rain-soaked demeanor.

Kitsu was actually Yuto's "Senju clone"!

Like Ruri, Yuto asked Slug Sage to provide a large amount of life force. Using his chakra and mental power as the core, he gave new form to Hashirama's cells, creating his clone.

With the experience of the first time, this time the process was smooth. Even the gender was controlled, resulting in a male clone.

Due to Yuto's increased power, Kitsu appeared as a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boy with the strength level of a Jonin. In a few more years, when Kitsu's ninjutsu matured, Yuto could harvest the labor fruits, devour Kitsu, and integrate the Senju power into himself, initially completing the bloodline.

Senju, Uzumaki, Uchiha, and Kaguya—from required four clones, two of them have been created. As long as the remaining clones are created, grown, and recovered step by step, the bloodline completion plan will be achieved.

Of course, the four clones must grow to a certain level, which means they need to fight.

If Yuto brought another potential shinobi with kekkei genkai back to Konoha, it would be too conspicuous. Therefore, he decided not to keep Kitsu by his side but rather hand him over to Nagato.

Joining Akatsuki provided plenty of opportunities for battle.

(End of Chapter)