Somewhere beneath the Ninja World.
"Why is this guy making contact with Nagato?"
Through his connection with the Rinnegan, Madara had already learned part of what was happening on Nagato's side.
His expression was extremely gloomy, and his eyes were filled with confusion. "Could he have discovered something?"
Something unexpected had happened.
Seiryū had actually made contact with Nagato, and it was even possible that he was targeting the Rinnegan!
But why?
No matter how much Madara thought about it, he could not find an answer.
Was it a coincidence?
An accident?
If so, it was far too coincidental!
"The Rinnegan must not be compromised!"
Madara's Mangekyō Sharingan spun slightly, and his expression became exceptionally serious.
The Rinnegan was the most critical part of his plan. It absolutely could not be lost.
Therefore, despite the potential risks, he activated the restriction he had placed within the Rinnegan and influenced Nagato's judgment!
He forced Nagato to attack Seiryū.
However, Madara knew very well that with Nagato's current strength, he could not defeat Uzumaki Seiryū. At most, he could delay him for a while.
"That brat truly is a threat. He must be eliminated as soon as possible!"
A cold look appeared in Madara's eyes.
He then looked at Zetsu standing beside him and said, "Where is the White Zetsu responsible for monitoring Nagato? I need it to summon the puppet under my control!"
As the one who had entrusted Nagato with the Rinnegan, Madara had naturally assigned White Zetsu to monitor him.
However, he had not paid much attention to the matter.
The White Zetsu were coordinated by his supposed incarnation of will, Black Zetsu, and the special White Zetsu known as Tobi. Madara only needed to issue orders.
The Rinnegan was of utmost importance. No mistakes could be allowed!
He had to ensure the safety of Nagato and the Rinnegan. It absolutely could not fall into Seiryū's hands!
The Zetsu standing before him, half black and half white, was a fusion of Black Zetsu and the White Zetsu known as Tobi.
At that moment, Black Zetsu spoke in a respectful tone. "Lord Madara, several White Zetsu were originally monitoring Nagato, but they seem to have been killed just now. Seiryū was most likely responsible."
Although Black Zetsu's voice remained calm, it felt a faint sense of anxiety.
The Rinnegan was connected not only to Madara's plan, but also to its own.
After waiting for a thousand years, it had finally found a glimmer of hope.
This was the era in which its plan had the greatest chance of succeeding. It absolutely could not allow too many unexpected variables to appear!
It would definitely rescue its mother in this era!
But why had such a troublesome person appeared at this particular time?
Even Madara was extremely wary of him.
Now, something might even happen to the Rinnegan!
"Damn it!"
Madara's expression darkened further when he heard this.
Such decisive action once again suggested that Seiryū was targeting the Rinnegan!
He might even have guessed that the Rinnegan was connected to Madara.
The same question surfaced again.
What exactly did that brat know?
However, this was not the time to think about such matters. He had to act quickly!
'What method can I use to ensure Nagato and the Rinnegan remain safe?'
Madara's mind raced.
Although his main body was gradually regaining its youth under the nourishment of the Power of Shinra Eternal Treasure, he still could not leave the Gedo Statue at will.
He also needed the Gedo Statue's Chakra to accelerate his recovery to his peak condition.
Moreover, the White Zetsu responsible for monitoring Nagato had been killed.
He could not use the Summoning Technique to send the puppet under his control there.
Faced with the situation, Madara could not immediately think of a suitable solution.
"I can only do this."
After only a few seconds, Madara muttered with a gloomy expression.
The Rinnegan had originally belonged to him, so it still maintained a certain connection with his main body.
Moreover, he had placed a restriction within it.
Through that restriction, he could use the Dōjutsu Gyo Tenshin to transmit his Chakra and ocular power to Nagato, forcibly increasing Nagato's strength.
That would buy more time.
Enough time for Madara to arrive!
"Gyo Tenshin!"
With that thought, Madara let out a low shout and activated the Dōjutsu Gyo Tenshin in his left Mangekyō Sharingan.
Through the special connection between the Rinnegan and his main body, he transmitted his Chakra and ocular power to Nagato.
The effect was similar to that of the black receivers created through the Rinnegan.
Such a thing was not particularly difficult to accomplish.
However, it was all Madara could do.
Nagato was his pawn, but not his puppet. Madara could not directly control Nagato's body in battle the way he controlled a puppet.
Madara looked at Zetsu and said in a deep voice, "Zetsu, take control of the White Zetsu closest to Nagato and have it summon the puppet under my control!"
White Zetsu was a unique type of creature.
Aside from the special individual known as Tobi, the other White Zetsu possessed little self-awareness. Most of them were controlled by Tobi and Black Zetsu.
They could also pinpoint one another's locations.
In other words, Tobi could receive all the information gathered by every White Zetsu and could also control any specific White Zetsu to act!
"I understand, Lord Madara!"
Black Zetsu nodded respectfully.
Because it possessed Tobi's body, Black Zetsu also possessed Tobi's ability to control White Zetsu.
Furthermore, White Zetsu had originally been created by Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
As a being that possessed part of Kaguya's power, Black Zetsu could also control White Zetsu!
Madara's belief that he controlled White Zetsu was merely an illusion.
The true mastermind behind everything was Black Zetsu!
In the Land of Rain.
After eliminating the White Zetsu hiding underground, Seiryū grinned and sneered. "Now that I've wiped out all the White Zetsu, let's see whether you can still interfere."
As soon as Seiryū arrived, his senses had detected the White Zetsu hiding underground.
They had most likely been assigned to monitor Nagato.
However, to avoid alerting the enemy, Seiryū had not immediately killed them.
Only after Nagato attacked him, confirming that Madara must have noticed something unusual, did Seiryū decisively eliminate the White Zetsu!
The two puppets Madara had controlled previously must have been transported through the Summoning Technique.
Now that the White Zetsu were gone, even if Madara knew what was happening, he could not possibly arrive so quickly!
That gave Seiryū more than enough time to defeat Nagato!
"Bakudō #81: Dankū!"
Sensing the powerful repulsive force surging toward him, Seiryū formed a hand seal with one hand and pointed forward, creating the Dankū barrier.
Boom!
The translucent barrier possessed formidable defensive power.
Even the Rinnegan's Dōjutsu could not easily break through Dankū's defense!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Dankū barrier stood like an immovable rock in the middle of a raging current.
No matter how fiercely the repulsive force crashed against it, it did not move.
The force split to either side, producing continuous roars as it carved two deep trenches into the ground behind Seiryū, stretching far into the distance!
As the surrounding dust and smoke were blown away, Seiryū looked at Nagato, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
"If you continue being this stubborn and refuse to listen, don't blame me for getting rough."
"You covet the Rinnegan. Go to hell!"
A faint light flashed through the Rinnegan in Nagato's eye sockets.
He looked at Seiryū as though he were the murderer of his parents, his killing intent unmistakable.
Under the influence of the Genjutsu, he had completely convinced himself that Seiryū was an evil man after his Rinnegan!
He might even threaten Yahiko and Konan!
No matter who such a person was, they had to be eliminated!
"Shinra Tensei!"
Five seconds had passed, and Nagato once again unleashed Shinra Tensei directly ahead.
Nagato's Chakra had already reached the Kage level.
Moreover, the Rinnegan had been nourished by his Chakra for many years, allowing it to display terrifying power.
An ordinary Kage-level Ninja would inevitably be defeated by him!
However, Seiryū was no ordinary Kage-level Ninja.
Even the strongest of the current Five Kage, the Third Raikage, had been defeated by Seiryū!
"Super Large Planetary Rasengan!"
The invisible repulsive force surged forward, distorting even the air around it, but Seiryū remained completely unfazed.
A Rasengan rapidly expanded in his palm, surrounded by several smaller Rasengan.
He thrust it directly against the incoming repulsive force!
Boom!
The two powerful Jutsu collided like meteors.
A terrifying roar shook the area as shock waves spread outward in expanding rings.
The force was so overwhelming that Yahiko and Konan, who possessed only Jonin-level strength, could not approach. They were forced to retreat and defend themselves.
Nearby, Konan watched Nagato.
His cold expression made him seem like a completely different person, and deep worry filled her face.
She turned toward Yahiko and asked nervously, "Yahiko, what should we do? Nagato's condition is far too abnormal!"
She had known Nagato for many years.
This was the first time she had ever seen him like this!
"I won't let anything happen to Nagato!"
Yahiko took a deep breath.
His expression was serious, but his voice was resolute.
Seiryū's previous speculation was clearly correct.
Whether Madara was responsible or not, Nagato was undoubtedly being manipulated!
There was something wrong with the Rinnegan.
It had even caused Nagato to enter such an abnormal state.
Yahiko could not stand by when Nagato's safety was at stake!
"Stay back. I'll try to wake Nagato up!"
After saying this to Konan, Yahiko resisted the shock waves battering against him and rushed toward Nagato.
After barely managing to approach, Yahiko shouted, "Nagato, stop! He isn't our enemy!"
"Yahiko."
Perhaps their bond had reached him.
After hearing Yahiko's voice, some clarity returned to Nagato's eyes, and the hand he had raised toward Yahiko slowly lowered.
It seemed as though he had regained his senses.
But at that exact moment, a far more powerful surge of Chakra erupted from Nagato's body!
The immense Chakra caused the surrounding air to tremble!
"Have you also begun to covet my Rinnegan, Yahiko?"
The clarity in Nagato's eyes disappeared completely.
The Chakra surging from his body made his black cloak snap violently, while his shoulder-length red hair whipped through the air.
His Rinnegan were fully exposed, filled with coldness, anger, and sorrow!
Even the companion, friend, and family member he trusted most had apparently begun to desire his Rinnegan.
Under the influence of the Genjutsu, Nagato's perception, understanding, and judgment had all been distorted!
He could no longer listen to anyone.
The only thought remaining in his mind was that anyone who coveted his Rinnegan had to pay the price!
"Shinra Tensei!"
This time, Shinra Tensei was clearly far more powerful.
An immense repulsive force swept forward.
Everything in its path was destroyed.
The air itself rippled as though it were being crushed and torn apart by invisible hands.
Whoosh!
Just as the overwhelming force was about to strike Yahiko, Seiryū's figure flashed into view.
He grabbed Yahiko and vanished again, avoiding the attack.
"You two stay here for now. His perception and judgment have been altered by Genjutsu, and he can barely recognize anyone. You're not strong enough to approach him safely."
After saying this to Yahiko and Konan, Seiryū prepared to leave again.
Yahiko quickly said, "I'm counting on you, Seiryū. Please don't hurt Nagato."
The Chakra surging from Nagato's body was simply too powerful.
It placed tremendous pressure on both of them.
When had Nagato become this strong?
No, it had to be because of the Rinnegan.
Perhaps the person manipulating Nagato had done something else to him!
The Chakra radiating from Nagato alone was enough to overwhelm them.
Forget stopping him, they were not even qualified to approach.
They could only place their hopes in Seiryū.
"Don't worry. He is technically my Senpai, after all. I wouldn't kill a fellow disciple. I'm not an Uchiha who needs to sacrifice friends and family to become stronger."
Seiryū merely waved his hand.
His figure flashed and vanished before reappearing elsewhere.
Looking at Nagato, whose Chakra had grown even more powerful, Seiryū rolled his neck and sighed.
"Plans really can't keep up with unexpected changes. I only came here to talk with you and cause some trouble for that man. How did things end up like this?"
"Forget it. That man has already transmitted his Chakra and ocular power to you. He may arrive before long, so I won't waste any more time."
The Chakra surging from Nagato carried Madara's presence.
Clearly, Madara had taken action after sensing that Seiryū had killed the White Zetsu.
Perhaps he was already controlling a puppet and rushing toward them.
Time was limited, and Seiryū had no intention of wasting it on Nagato.
He would end the battle quickly!
"Come on. Let me see the power of the Rinnegan!"
A battle-hungry smile appeared at the corner of Seiryū's mouth.
The Yin Seal on his forehead lit up.
The Dragon Vein Chakra stored within the Yin Seal flowed throughout his body.
At the same time, he opened the Sixth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, the Gate of View.
The intangible state of Dragon Vein Chakra Mode combined with the power of the Sixth Gate, the Gate of View!
The two states overlapped, and a purple and green Chakra cloak immediately enveloped Seiryū's body!
Hum!
A tremendous surge of Chakra erupted from Seiryū.
The surrounding air seemed to solidify under the pressure, and his Chakra completely overwhelmed Nagato's!
(To be continued.)