"Do you really think the Uzumaki Clan could possess a Kekkei Genkai like the Rinnegan?"
Flashing over to their side, Seiryū answered with a question of his own.
He looked at Nagato, the corners of his mouth curling upward. "Make no mistake, they don't."
"The Uzumaki Clan possesses only extraordinary life force and Chakra, along with their unique Sealing Jutsu."
Seiryū paused before saying flatly, "So here is the problem."
"It is impossible for the Uzumaki Clan to awaken a Kekkei Genkai like the Rinnegan."
"Then where did your Rinnegan come from, Nagato-senpai?"
"Have you never thought about that?"
In the original story, Nagato seemed never to have questioned why he possessed the Rinnegan.
Logically speaking, Akatsuki had been a massive organization in the original story.
Its intelligence-gathering abilities should not have been poor.
Nagato certainly knew that he was a member of the Uzumaki Clan.
Did the Uzumaki Clan possess any dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai?
Make no mistake, they did not!
Throughout the Uzumaki Clan's entire history, not a single member had ever awakened a dōjutsu Kekkei Genkai.
Had anyone done so, there was no way such information would not have spread throughout the Ninja World.
Yet Nagato had always regarded the Rinnegan as proof that he had inherited the will of the Sage of Six Paths, a power intended to change the world.
He had never once suspected that there might be something unusual about possessing the Rinnegan!
In Seiryū's opinion, Madara must have placed some kind of restriction within the Rinnegan that caused Nagato to subconsciously ignore the issue.
There was likely another reason as well. Jiraiya had probably played a part.
That entire "Child of Prophecy" matter had misled far too many people.
Hearing this, Yahiko and Konan both fell silent and instinctively looked toward Nagato.
The Uzumaki Clan.
They already knew that Nagato might be a member of the Uzumaki Clan.
But if members of the Uzumaki Clan could not possess a Kekkei Genkai like the Rinnegan, where had Nagato's eyes come from?
"The Ninja World has never lacked exceptional individuals!"
Nagato's expression did not change.
He merely looked at Seiryū and said calmly, "Just as you possess such strength at your age, the fact that something has never happened before does not mean it is impossible!"
"That is a fair point."
Seiryū nodded.
His gaze remained fixed on Nagato's Rinnegan as he continued, "However, have you considered another possibility? What if someone transplanted those eyes into you?"
"The Uzumaki Clan possesses extraordinary life force and Chakra, making its members ideal candidates for nurturing someone else's eyes."
He had already explained it clearly.
Anyone with even a little intelligence would be able to understand what Seiryū was implying.
"The Rinnegan was transplanted into Nagato by someone else?"
Yahiko understood the meaning behind Seiryū's words and asked in a heavy voice, "Are you saying that someone is using Nagato?"
He did not completely believe Seiryū.
After all, no one would immediately trust someone who suddenly appeared and said such things.
Simply being a fellow disciple of Jiraiya was not enough.
However, was the possibility Seiryū had raised truly plausible?
"It is possible."
Seiryū smiled.
Without confirming or denying it, he continued, "The Uzumaki Clan's abilities have always been highly sought after. Very few members remain in the Ninja World, and with their unique physiques, it would not be surprising if someone targeted them."
Yahiko was quite perceptive.
He had already understood that possibility.
"Why would you think that?"
Yahiko did not lower his guard against Seiryū.
He asked solemnly, "Even if Jiraiya-sensei told you about us and mentioned that Nagato possessed the Rinnegan, what evidence led you to such a conclusion?"
Seiryū muttered inwardly, 'He's quite cautious. Then how did Hanzō deceive him so easily in the original story?'
"It is only a theory of mine."
Seiryū began fabricating an explanation. "You should know who I am. I am not only Jiraiya-sensei's disciple, but I also have a close relationship with Konoha's Princess, Tsunade."
Seiryū once again shifted the blame onto the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
"This theory is based on certain records within the Second Hokage's collection, along with an encounter I had with someone calling himself Madara. After considering some of his possible goals, I worked backward and reached this conclusion."
He continued explaining for some time.
Finally, Seiryū said, "That is why I came here to investigate the matter. I truly bear no ill will toward any of you."
The general idea was that he had uncovered several clues and used them to deduce certain possibilities.
He had come here to confirm whether those possibilities were true.
Seiryū had also deliberately mentioned Madara's name to see whether Nagato's expression changed.
After suddenly receiving so much information, Yahiko and Konan were somewhat dazed.
They were still trying to process everything.
What Seiryū had said did seem somewhat possible.
Only somewhat.
After all, his reasoning was clear.
He had also repeatedly stated that he was only here to investigate.
"Are you saying that the Madara you mentioned transplanted the Rinnegan into me so I could nurture these eyes for him?"
Nagato's eyes flickered, and the Rinnegan in his eye sockets seemed to emit a faint light.
He quickly shook his head and said calmly, "Nonsense!"
"Even putting aside whether Madara is still alive, there is no explanation for how he could possess the Rinnegan!"
"The Rinnegan belongs to the Sage of Six Paths. Only someone who inherits the will of the Sage of Six Paths can possess it!"
"Jiraiya-sensei believes I am the Child of Prophecy who can bring peace to the Ninja World. I was born with the Rinnegan. It is a gift from the Sage of Six Paths!"
"I will use these eyes to help Yahiko create a truly peaceful world!"
Nagato spoke with absolute certainty.
These eyes were something he had been born with, proof that he had inherited the will of the Sage of Six Paths.
He would use them to help Yahiko fulfill their dream!
'Something is definitely wrong.'
Seiryū kept his attention fixed on Nagato.
For an instant, he seemed to sense a faint ripple of ocular power spreading outward.
It vanished almost immediately.
However, the confusion and suspicion in Nagato's expression had disappeared along with that ripple, replaced by absolute conviction.
'Genjutsu?'
Seiryū pondered silently.
He smiled and continued, "I already said that it was only a theory. Form a theory, then carefully verify it. That is why I came here to confirm the truth."
After pausing, Seiryū once again used Tobirama as an excuse. Since it worked, there was no reason not to keep doing so.
"The Second Hokage researched ancient legends and the Rinnegan."
"According to those legends, there is a connection between the Tailed Beasts and the Rinnegan. It could even be said that the Tailed Beasts came into existence because of the Sage of Six Paths!"
"You must have heard something about the battle between the Sage of Six Paths and the Rabbit Goddess, right?"
Without waiting for the three of them to answer, Seiryū continued, "By studying ancient records, the Second Hokage uncovered more details about those legends."
"Since the Rinnegan truly exists, those legends might not be entirely false!"
"I will begin with what I know. After defeating the Rabbit Goddess, the Sage of Six Paths sealed her within the moon."
"To keep the seal stable, the Sage of Six Paths used the Rinnegan to separate the Rabbit Goddess from her power. However, because that power was so immense, it formed another Tailed Beast known as the Ten-Tails!"
"To prevent the Ten-Tails from devastating the world, the Sage of Six Paths once again used the Rinnegan to divide its power into nine parts. That was how the nine Tailed Beasts were born!"
Seeing the strange expressions on their faces, Seiryū shrugged. "Don't look at me like that. I also read this in the records left behind by the Second Hokage."
To be fair, Senju Tobirama's reputation was extremely useful.
Everyone knew that Tobirama enjoyed researching strange and unusual subjects.
It was perfectly believable that he had studied ancient legends!
"Returning to the previous topic, after the nine Tailed Beasts were created, the Ten-Tails was left as nothing more than an empty husk. The Sage of Six Paths then hid that husk away."
"However, if the husk of the Ten-Tails absorbs the nine Tailed Beasts once again, it can regain its former power. Anyone capable of controlling the Ten-Tails might even become a Sage!"
"That is what I believe Madara is trying to accomplish!"
Seiryū explained everything in a clear and logical manner. "Judging by the timeline, if Madara is still alive, he must be extremely old and already close to death."
"Becoming a Sage would grant him a much longer lifespan!"
"The Rinnegan is the key to controlling both the Tailed Beasts and the Ten-Tails. That is why I suspect your Rinnegan may be connected to Madara, Nagato-senpai."
"Of course, as I have already said, this is only my theory."
His explanation contained a mixture of truth and lies, but at first glance, it still sounded credible.
Seiryū could only do this because he was a transmigrator.
He knew far more than he should!
Seiryū looked at the three of them again, focusing his attention on Nagato, and grinned. "The Second Hokage's records also mentioned that the Rinnegan possesses the ability to summon the husk of the Ten-Tails."
"Nagato-senpai, can your Rinnegan do that?"
Seiryū had explained all of this not only to make the three of them believe his theory.
He also wanted to find out whether Nagato could summon the Gedo Statue.
At present, Madara probably still depended on tubes connected to the Gedo Statue to remain alive.
If Nagato summoned it away, things would become quite interesting.
Even if Madara no longer depended on the Gedo Statue to survive, Seiryū could still create some trouble for him!
Seiryū never grew tired of causing trouble.
Yahiko and Konan listened in stunned silence before instinctively looking toward Nagato.
Yahiko asked, "Nagato, what do you think?"
To be honest, after listening to Seiryū's explanation, Yahiko also sensed that something might be wrong.
Could Nagato's Rinnegan truly be connected to Madara?
Was Madara using Nagato?
If that were true, they had to uncover the truth.
They absolutely could not allow anything to happen to Nagato!
"Hmph! Complete nonsense!"
Nagato did not answer Yahiko's question. Instead, he snorted coldly and glared at Seiryū.
A faint chill appeared in his eyes. "How could my Rinnegan possibly have been transplanted into me by someone else?"
"Your true goal must be to steal my Rinnegan, isn't it?"
"Even if you are powerful, I will not let you succeed. Anyone who covets my Rinnegan will pay the price!"
He had not listened to a single word Seiryū said.
It was all complete nonsense!
Nagato even suspected that Seiryū's true goal was to steal his Rinnegan.
Anyone who desired his Rinnegan would pay the price!
Nagato's words made Yahiko and Konan freeze.
They exchanged glances, each seeing the confusion in the other's eyes.
This did not sound like Nagato.
Nor was it something Nagato would normally say!
Seiryū had repeatedly stated that everything was only speculation and that he had come here merely to investigate.
He had not shown any hostility toward them.
Yet Nagato's reaction was far too extreme.
'Some kind of Genjutsu that affects the subconscious and alters perception? Perhaps it activates automatically whenever the Rinnegan is involved.'
Seiryū was highly skilled in Genjutsu himself.
He concluded that Nagato was currently under the influence of one.
It was most likely a form of subconscious hypnosis.
Its effects might not be obvious in the short term, but over time, it could even alter a person's entire perception of reality.
"Come on, don't get so angry. Didn't I say it was only a theory? I truly have no ill intentions."
Seiryū's eyes flickered, but he continued speaking with a smile.
Halfway through his sentence, however, he sensed something and instinctively activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The instant after Seiryū disappeared, an invisible force swept through the place where he had been standing.
It tore apart a vast section of the surrounding ground.
"Anyone who covets my Rinnegan, regardless of who they are, will only meet death!"
The Rinnegan shone with an eerie light.
Nagato looked toward Seiryū, who had reappeared atop a tree, raised his hand, and shouted, "Banshō Ten'in!"
"Tsk. Did Madara notice?"
As an invisible force pulled at his body, Seiryū clicked his tongue.
Through his perception, he could tell that something was wrong with Nagato.
Nagato was staring at him as though Seiryū had murdered his parents.
This was clearly abnormal.
Madara must have noticed something and activated the restriction and Genjutsu placed within the Rinnegan to influence Nagato's judgment.
Although Seiryū had known it would be difficult to hide his actions from Madara, he had not expected him to react so quickly.
Whoosh!
Seiryū disappeared again, escaping the pull of Banshō Ten'in.
He reappeared in another location.
Looking at Yahiko and Konan, Seiryū said seriously, "Yahiko-senpai, Konan-senpai, something is wrong with Nagato-senpai. It seems that he is being influenced by some kind of Genjutsu."
Did Seiryū even need to tell them?
Yahiko and Konan were the people closest to Nagato. They understood his personality better than anyone!
It was extremely unlikely that Nagato would attack someone without provocation.
Moreover, Seiryū was technically their fellow disciple, so he could not be considered a complete outsider.
More importantly, Seiryū had done nothing to harm them!
Why was Nagato reacting so violently?
Could Nagato's mind have been affected by some kind of Jutsu?
Or was someone controlling him?
Could Seiryū have secretly done something?
That was unlikely!
Seiryū had always maintained his distance from them, and they had never lowered their guard around him.
Had he done anything, there was no way they would have failed to notice.
In other words, the problem came from Nagato himself.
More precisely, it came from the Rinnegan in his eye sockets!
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)