Health, no longer relying on the life supply of the Gedo Statue, and perhaps even stimulating deeper levels of power... each of these was a luxury Nagato had yearned for in the depths of his heart for countless days and nights, yet knew was nearly impossible.
However, the sweeter the temptation, the more Nagato's internal vigilance poured down like ice water.
Between him and this mysterious masked man calling himself "Uchiha Madara," there had never been a relationship of "like-mindedness" or "mutual trust."
On the surface, they were using each other.
Madara provided the concepts of the "true power of the Rinnegan" and "letting the world feel Pain to achieve peace," along with some initial support and intelligence for the Akatsuki Organization.
Nagato, in his identity as Pain, acted as the Incarnation of "God," recruiting people into the Akatsuki Organization to execute the preliminary steps of collecting Tailed Beasts, creating Pain, and ultimately realizing the "Eye of the Moon Plan."
But Nagato never truly trusted "Madara."
This fellow, who hid his head and showed his tail, had unclear motives, and always appeared at critical moments to exert influence, had real intentions that were always shrouded in mist.
Those Rinnegan eyes brought not only power but also sharp perception.
He could faintly sense that behind "Madara's" seemingly selfless help and grand plan lay some cold, personal, and even dangerous scheme.
More importantly, Nagato was not without defenses.
The rain that fell regularly in the Land of Rain was not just a display of weather control, but an extension of his perception—the Rain Tiger at Will Technique!
This powerful sensory Ninjutsu not only covered the entire Land of Rain, monitoring any unauthorized intruders, but its other hidden and vital role unknown to outsiders was to sense, locate, and monitor "Madara"!
Whenever "Madara" used that bizarre spatial ability to appear within the Land of Rain, no matter how well he hid, Nagato could roughly lock onto his position and movement trajectory through the subtle disturbances and abnormal flow of Chakra in the rainwater.
Although he couldn't completely see through the man's reality, it was enough for Nagato to confirm "Madara's" movements so he wouldn't be entirely ignorant of his whereabouts; it was also a silent deterrent and reminder: This is my Domain, I am always watching you.
This continuous, secret surveillance made Nagato even more certain that "Madara" was by no means an "ally" to whom he could entrust his health or even his life.
Transplanting First Hokage cells?
It sounded wonderful, but who knew if those cells hid risks of control, erosion, or even Possession?
Just like "Madara's" attitude toward his own Rinnegan, it always made Nagato feel uneasy.
A brief silence spread across the high tower, with only the roar of the torrential rain washing over the steel.
Finally, the emotionless voice of Deva Path Pain rang out again, breaking the silence:
"No need."
"My current body is sufficient to support the execution of the plan."
Pain's voice was cold.
He looked directly at the single exposed right eye under Obito's mask: "I appreciate your 'kindness.' But my path is decided by me."
This sentence was both a rejection and a declaration.
A declaration that he, Pain, was not a pawn to be manipulated by "Madara."
Nearby, Konan's tense heartstrings relaxed slightly upon hearing Pain's refusal, but her gaze toward Obito became even more vigilant.
She likewise did not trust "Madara," especially when he suddenly offered "help" that involved the very foundation of one's body.
Obito showed no disappointment or annoyance.
He had long expected that Nagato would not easily accept.
"Is that so..."
Obito's voice returned to that deep calm, revealing no emotion.
"Then have it your way.
However, I have brought the intelligence; you had better be more careful of that Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the mysterious Uchiha. I don't want to see the plan go wrong because of carelessness."
He did not continue to press the topic of the cell transplant, as if he had just mentioned it casually.
"The mission, we will naturally complete."
Pain responded coldly, "If there is nothing else, you may leave.
The Land of Rain does not welcome uninvited guests."
This was already a dismissal.
Obito took a deep look at Pain and Konan, the light in his exposed right eye unpredictable.
He said nothing more; his figure began to slowly twist and fade, finally vanishing as if merging into the curtain of rain.
On the high tower, only Pain and Konan remained, standing in the pouring rain.
"Nagato..."
Konan spoke softly, her tone carrying worry.
"No need to worry, Konan."
Pain's voice softened.
"'Madara's' proposal must harbor evil intentions. I know better than anyone that power must never be placed in the hands of others, especially... him."
He paused, his Rinnegan looking toward the Land of Earth, his coldness gaining a hint of seriousness:
"However, the intelligence he brought might not be false.
Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... Uzumaki Naruto of Konoha?
And that Uchiha... it seems this mission won't be too boring."
"Prepare to set out. On the path to letting the world feel Pain, any obstacle will be crushed by the power of God."
Konan nodded and said no more.
The two figures flickered and disappeared from the top of the tower, leaving only the torrential rain still washing over this closed nation.
Meanwhile, the distant Obito, within the Kamui Dimension, had a slightly gloomy expression under his mask.
"Refused... as expected, it wouldn't be that easy. But Nagato, how much longer can your body hold out?"
After a brief clash with Naruto, Obito concluded that it would be difficult for Nagato to defeat Naruto now.
That fellow Naruto and the female Uchiha beside him were too fast at gathering intelligence.
They knew the weakness of his Kamui after just one encounter.
If he hadn't decisively severed his arm to survive, he might have capsized right then and there.
But the boost from Hashirama cells to himself was only so much; if he wanted to increase his strength in a short time, he had to get Kakashi's eye back.
Uzumaki Naruto...
You fellow, are you really human?
He was only thirteen, with countless possibilities, but he himself was already nearly thirty.
The years of explosive growth in a Ninja's strength had already passed for him.
Obito still remembered when he first held the infant Naruto in his swaddling clothes.
At that time, the newborn Naruto didn't cry; he forced his eyes open.
Obito could see no fear in those eyes.
Only peace.
That peace made Obito feel it was incredible; he even felt later that Naruto's expression was like pity.
In that instant, Obito felt as if struck by lightning. He was pitied by an infant who had just arrived in this world.
It was the pity of the strong for the weak, the pity of the successful for the failure, the pity of the happy for the unfortunate...
Damn it!
Clearly, back then, he was the weak one, he was the more unfortunate one, and he would be the failure!