The Sarutobi jōnin had delivered a large amount of information.
From the reforms initiated by Jiraiya and Tsunade to the confirmation of the Hyūga clan's successor, it covered nearly every aspect of Konoha.
These clansmen, who had once served in ANBU, could still obtain intelligence through various channels. This was a result of the Third Hokage's control over ANBU and other departments during his tenure—and even now, that influence remained critically important.
As for Jiraiya's reforms and the Hyūga succession, the Third Hokage merely glanced over them without much concern.
But one piece of news caught his attention.
Root members who had defected alongside Danzō had been captured within the Land of Fire. During interrogation, they provided extremely important intelligence to the Sarutobi clan.
After fleeing for several months, Danzō had been attacked by multiple mysterious ninja forces… and his current whereabouts were unknown.
Logically speaking, a rogue ninja like Danzō should have been condemned by all Konoha shinobi.
But the Third Hokage's feelings toward him were… complicated.
They had been comrades since their days at the Ninja Academy. Decades of shared experiences bound them together. Though their philosophies differed, everything they had done was, in their own ways, for Konoha.
At some point, however, Danzō had developed an obsession with becoming Hokage.
From then on, he began using any means necessary.
Those dark methods—once reserved for dealing with enemies—had turned inward, becoming weapons against their own comrades. He had even conducted forbidden human experiments and targeted fellow villagers who possessed kekkei genkai, step by step walking down a path of no return.
As for the mysterious forces that attacked Danzō… there was no need to guess.
They were likely enemies he had made over the years.
Among them could even be the Uchiha of Uzushio Village, or other shinobi from Konoha itself. Even if they didn't act directly, they would certainly assist those seeking revenge.
If Danzō was truly dead… then where did that leave him, as Hokage?
Even the Third Hokage didn't know.
But one thing was certain—he had already lost all initiative.
All he could do now was passively accept the course of events, because Jiraiya would no longer heed his advice.
...
In Amegakure, more than a month had passed since Nagato's return.
Compared to half a year ago, the village had undergone dramatic changes.
Using the power of the Rinnegan, Nagato had constructed numerous water-control systems around the village, preventing disasters like flooding. From time to time, he even altered the weather itself, allowing the perpetually rain-soaked land to bask in sunlight.
Such miracles only deepened the villagers' faith in "God" Pain and the angel Konan. In their eyes, these two were saviors who had rescued Amegakure.
Compared to the village's transformation, Konan could sense Nagato's personal changes even more clearly.
Since his last outing, he had become noticeably more relaxed. In his free time, he would stand atop the tower, quietly observing the construction below.
Was this change… because of Danzō, the man who had caused them so much suffering?
Konan wasn't sure.
She had held back her curiosity until now, but today, she finally asked:
"Nagato… what exactly happened when you went out last time?"
Nagato was briefly stunned, then smiled faintly.
"I met Yahiko. I told him about everything we've been doing… and he fully supports our current path."
"?"
Konan's mind instantly filled with confusion.
Met Yahiko?
Yahiko had died over ten years ago.
Could Nagato have fallen under some kind of genjutsu? But in the entire ninja world, who could possibly control Nagato with an illusion?
Nagato didn't hide anything. He calmly explained his experience of traveling through time.
After hearing it, Konan frowned deeply.
If Nagato had truly returned to the past and changed it… then the present should have changed as well. Yahiko should still be alive.
Unless…
Nagato had indeed been trapped in an illusion so convincing that he believed he had traveled through time.
After thinking it over, Konan couldn't reach a conclusion. In the end, she simply sighed.
Nagato was in a much better state now—that alone was enough.
Whether it was an illusion or reality… didn't matter anymore.
If Yahiko could see the current Amegakure, he would probably smile in relief.
Letting go of the thought, Konan began reporting her work, especially the recent activities of the Akatsuki.
Their bounty-hunting operations in the black market were still ongoing, but many members had begun to show impatience.
It might be related to that masked man. She couldn't understand why he insisted on focusing on Amegakure and Kusagakure.
At the mention of the masked man, a trace of displeasure flashed across Nagato's eyes.
The masked man was the initiator of the Tailed Beast Project—and one of the prime suspects behind the deaths of the original Akatsuki members.
At the same time, Nagato recalled what he had seen during his journey to the past.
That old Uchiha man, hidden underground in the Land of Grass.
Connected to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Who exactly was he?
If that man was truly Uchiha Madara… then who was the masked man?
After a month of investigation, he had found little.
The only thing he could confirm was this:
The masked man had the ability to control the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
In other words—even if Nagato gathered all nine tailed beasts and revived the Ten-Tails, the masked man could simply swoop in and take everything.
And if Nagato chose not to collect the tailed beasts…
The masked man might do it himself in secret.
Right now, the priority was clear.
He needed to lull the masked man into a false sense of security—and then find an opportunity to eliminate him.
This hidden threat to the Land of Rain had to be removed.
But he would likely only get one chance.
...
Inside the sewers of Amegakure,
Obito leaned against a pipe, looking at Black Zetsu with clear irritation.
"Black Zetsu, why did you call me here?"
Black Zetsu replied expressionlessly, "Obito, Nagato is slipping out of our control. He has no intention of collecting the tailed beasts anymore. His focus is entirely on Amegakure."
Obito glanced at him and shifted into a more comfortable position.
"I already told you—everything is still under my control. Nagato can't escape my grasp. Sooner or later, he'll obediently return to collecting tailed beasts."
"You're thinking of provoking an attack on Amegakure? Nagato and Konan aren't fools."
Obito shook his head.
"I won't attack Amegakure. But Iwagakure and Kumogakure might. They won't tolerate the rise of the Land of Rain. Sooner or later, they'll move against Nagato."
Black Zetsu said calmly, "If war breaks out, capturing jinchūriki will only become more difficult. You should abandon this unrealistic idea."
Obito snorted coldly.
"Oh? Then do you have a better plan? Even if Nagato cooperates with us, the leader of Uzushio Village is still a major threat. There's no easy way around that."
Black Zetsu replied slowly, "Obito… we can revive Uchiha Madara. As long as Nagato uses the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, Madara can be brought back—and he can help us deal with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
At the mention of Uchiha Madara, Obito's expression beneath the mask darkened.
The Eye of the Moon Plan did include reviving Madara.
But Obito had no intention of doing that.
That self-righteous old relic should have stayed buried.
After a moment of thought, Obito spoke with disdain:
"Then how do you plan to deal with Nagato? It's not like he'll willingly revive Madara."
Black Zetsu gave no answer.
Instead, he sank silently into the ground and disappeared.
After Black Zetsu left, Obito pressed a hand against his chest.
There, a cursed seal planted by Uchiha Madara throbbed faintly.
If he didn't find a way to remove it…
Then he would always remain a puppet—controlled by Madara and Black Zetsu.
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