69novels Chapter 464 Nagato's Fear, Fine-tuning the Eye of the Moon Plan
Chapter 464 Nagato's Fear, Fine-tuning the Eye of the Moon Plan
Chapter 464 Nagato's Fear, Fine-tuning the Eye of the Moon Plan
Three days later, in the Land of Rain.
In this country shrouded in rain all year round, the sky seems to be forever leaden gray, and the fine, cold rain falls endlessly, striking the rocks, rooftops, and puddled ground with monotonous and oppressive sounds.
In the heart of the Land of Rain, in a secluded valley, a massive waterfall cascades down a cliff hundreds of meters high, its roar echoing through the canyon.
Behind the waterfall lies a wide cave entrance hidden by illusions and the natural terrain.
The cave was dimly lit, with only a cluster of campfires burning in the center, casting elongated and distorted shadows of several people of varying heights onto the damp rock walls.
Pain, dressed in a black robe with red cloud patterns, stood by the campfire, his purple Rinnegan eyes, adorned with concentric circles, radiating an indifferent aura.
Xiao Nan stood quietly a little behind him, her long, light blue hair flowing smoothly, adorned with blue paper flowers.
Her face was half-lit and half-shadowed by the flickering firelight. Beneath the purple eyeshadow were a pair of calm, watery orange eyes, which were now gazing at the campfire, lost in thought.
Obito, who walks under the name "Uchiha Madara," stands on the other side of the campfire, facing Pain and Konan.
He was also dressed in a black robe with red clouds, and was not very tall. He wore an orange spiral mask with black tiger stripes on his face, with only his right eye visible behind the hole in the mask, and his gaze was deep and unfathomable.
The campfire crackled, and the distant roar of the waterfall outside the cave made the silence inside feel even more oppressive.
Obito's gaze pierced through the mask, landing on Pain's expressionless face. After a moment of silence, his deep voice broke the stillness: "I heard..."
He spoke slowly: "The operation at the border of the Land of Rivers, the plan to retrieve the One-Tailed Beast—failed?"
Sasori had already reported the situation to Pain, the leader, through the Akatsuki's ring communication system.
But Pain didn't tell anyone else that "Madara" knew about this, and it seems he had other intelligence channels.
Pain's Rinnegan turned towards Obito, his gaze calm and still, like two bottomless pools of stagnant water.
"The original plan was to obtain the One-Tailed Chakra." Pain's voice was cold and indifferent, without any emotional fluctuation. When he talked about the failure to retrieve the One-Tailed Chakra, it was as if he were talking about a trivial matter.
"Scorpion brought back the storage device. Judging from the results, the mission objective has been achieved, so it cannot be considered a failure."
He paused for a moment.
The combination of Sasori and Hidan is powerful enough to destroy a small country.
Hidan's curse technique, Death Possession Blood, is particularly unpredictable. Even a Kage-level ninja would likely perish if they were careless during their first encounter with it.
However, the target was the One-Tailed Jinchuriki, who lived in the heart of the Land of Stars year-round and was led by elite Jonin. The Akatsuki had finally found this opportunity.
However, the support capabilities of the Star Ninja and the possibility that Shura might be near the One-Tailed Jinchuriki are all variables.
Forcibly taking away the Jinchūriki was never the best option.
Obito's brow furrowed slightly beneath his mask.
Through the leaping flames, Obito gazed at Pain, the vague unease in his heart resurfacing once more.
Sasori and Hidan are indeed a very strong duo, but sending them on a mission to steal the One-Tailed Jinchuriki is...
Is it really just a coincidence?
Obito sensed something unusual.
Hidan was also killed in this operation.
Although that guy is difficult to kill completely, once he falls into Shura's hands, it will be very difficult to rescue him.
Could it be that Nagato deliberately sent the Sasori and Hidan combination?
Did they deliberately send Hidan, who possessed the unique research value of "immortality," into Shura's hands?
The thought flashed through Obito's mind.
But he later denied this speculation.
He had many secret conflicts with Nagato. For example, the recruitment of new members within the Akatsuki was divided into two factions. Itachi Uchiha and some rogue ninjas from Kirigakure were Obito's faction, while Hidan and Sasori were recruited by Nagato and Konan and were their people.
There was no need for Nagato to sacrifice Hidan or Sasori.
Because no matter who is missing, Nagato will have fewer cards to play against himself.
Obito remained silent, his eyes behind the mask unfathomable.
Ever since that man who called himself Shura appeared out of nowhere and disrupted many of his and Black Zetsu's plans, many things have started to get out of control.
Nagato's attitude also became somewhat subtle.
Just then, Konan's cool voice rang out, interrupting Obito's thoughts.
"We didn't expect Shisui's support to come so quickly." Konan's gaze turned to Obito, her orange eyes appearing exceptionally calm in the firelight.
"According to the information sent back by Sasori, the Jonin who led the team of the One-Tailed Jinchuriki is named Yukimi, and she has a bloodline limit that allows her to turn her body into smoke."
"And it is this ability that caused Hidan's curse technique, Death Possession Blood, to fail."
"It's ineffective?" Upon hearing this, Obito finally shifted his gaze from Pain to Konan, his voice tinged with surprise.
Hidan's curse technique, Death Possession Blood, is a bizarre curse technique that involves obtaining the opponent's blood, drawing a cursed seal on himself, and then simultaneously damaging his opponent by harming himself.
In theory, once the ritual is established, the damage is synchronized, making it virtually impossible to resolve.
Unless the opponent possesses super regenerative abilities similar to Tsunade's Hundred Healings Technique, or transforms themselves into a puppet core like Sasori, they will likely die.
Body vaporization?
What kind of ability is this?
How could it possibly avoid the synchronized damage from the curse spell: Death Possession?
Obito quickly searched his memory.
The information provided by Black Zetsu did indeed mention the woman named Xuejian.
Several years ago, during the "Night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre," she briefly appeared in Konoha as a member of the Star Ninja Squad to help the Uchiha and Hyuga branch family members escape.
At the time, it seemed that he had already demonstrated the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, which caused quite a stir among the Konoha ninja.
But she actually possesses a second bloodline limit?
And it's such an unorthodox ability that happens to counter Hidan's curse techniques?
"Smoke transformation—" Obito repeated in a low voice, his brows furrowing even more beneath his mask.
Black Zetsu had not mentioned this information before.
Was it an oversight, or...?
Upon careful reflection, the message Sasori sent back, though brief, did mention the opposing team's reinforcements: Shisui's Body Flicker Technique, Kaguya's Shikotsumyaku, the Yuki clan's Ice Release, and that female Jonin with two Kekkei Genkai—
Such a combination is indeed enough to make any Kage-level powerhouse feel troubled.
Given that Sasori had lost the initiative, Hidan had been captured, and powerful enemy reinforcements had arrived, his decision to retreat with some of the tailed beast's chakra was tactically wise.
"Shisui of the Body Flickering —" Obito's voice carried a more complex meaning.
Before the monster Uchiha Hikaru appeared, that man was hailed as the strongest genius of the Uchiha clan in the modern era.
His mastery of body-flickering techniques and genjutsu made his enemies tremble with fear during the Third Shinobi World War.
Although Danzo took one of his Mangekyou Sharingan from him, Shura seems to have transplanted a three-tomoe Sharingan into him. Combined with his original Mangekyou Sharingan, his strength should not be underestimated.
Even if I were to encounter him now, I would have to be careful.
The atmosphere inside the cave fell silent again, with only the crackling of the campfire and the sounds of rain and waterfalls outside.
Just then, a ripple suddenly appeared on the rocky ground beside Obito.
Immediately afterwards, a strange plant resembling a pitcher plant slowly grew out of the ground.
The person inside the pitcher plant was half black and half pale.
The white half grinned and said in a slightly flippant tone, "Yay, yay, everyone's here."
"Boss—" Zetsu's white half-face turned to Pain, then looked at Obito and Konan.
"Scorpion, you're back~"
As soon as the words were spoken, in the shadows at the entrance of the cave, the outline of a hunched figure slowly moved.
Tap, tap, tap —
Heavy footsteps approached slowly from afar.
The firelight gradually illuminated the appearance of the newcomer, which was none other than the ugly Scarlet Amber puppet.
Sasori slowly walked to the campfire and stood at the four corners with Pain, Konan, and Obito.
His gaze swept over the people present, finally settling on Pain.
Without exchanging pleasantries or explaining the "failure" of the mission, Scorpion simply raised his arm, palm up and outstretched.
He held a spherical device, about the size of a fist, silver-gray in color, with fine lines on its surface, in his palm, which lay there quietly.
Scorpion said in a hoarse, mechanical voice, "The item has been used."
With a wave of his hand, the spherical device traced a parabola and flew steadily toward Pain.
Payne raised his hand and easily caught it.
"But only a portion was extracted." Scorpion's voice was unreadable, only his usual hoarseness.
"The enemy's reinforcements arrived too quickly."
He paused, seemingly extremely dissatisfied with the performance of one of his companions.
"Moreover, that good-for-nothing Hidan was easily countered by that woman's smoke-transformation ability in just a few rounds, and was instantly subdued. His immortality became worthless without being able to complete the ritual."
His words made no attempt to hide his contempt for Hidan, who was more of a hindrance than a help.
To Scorpion, companions who fail to achieve their goals and instead hinder the mission are no different from failed works of art—not worth mentioning.
Pain held the spherical device, a faint light flashing in his Rinnegan.
He could clearly sense that a vast, pure, and violent chakra was sealed inside the device.
It is the chakra of Shukaku!
This device is a scientific ninja tool that Amado donated when he recently joined the Akatsuki organization.
According to him, this is a highly efficient chakra storage and extraction device, specifically designed for the high-concentration chakra of tailed beasts.
Designed for highly active chakra energy.
Nagato's mind raced with thoughts.
His original plan was for Sasori and Hidan to intercept the One-Tailed Jinchuriki on the way and try to capture him.
But the existence of Shura and the Star Kingdom is like an invisible mountain, forcing him to be even more cautious.
Especially after his personal trip to the Land of Stars a few years ago, attempting to probe and even exert pressure, he was defeated by the manipulated Uchiha Shisui before even seeing "Shura" himself, losing two precious Pain puppets in the process.
That experience made Nagato realize that it was not a wise move to confront Shura head-on before being fully prepared and having the power to overturn everything.
Therefore, since he could not be sure that he could seize the One-Tailed Jinchuriki, Nagato adopted Amado's suggestion and had Sasori wear this chakra storage device.
The minimum goal is no longer to capture the Jinchuriki, but to extract as much of the One-Tailed Chakra as possible.
Pain felt the faint pulse emanating from the device in his hand and slowly spoke, "The amount is indeed not much. But it should be enough to activate the Gedo Mazo and establish the order and connection for the tailed beasts' chakra absorption."
Although it's only a portion of the One-Tailed Chakra, it's still far more powerful than the chakra reserves of many Kage-level ninjas.
Payne's words elicited varying reactions from the people inside the cave.
Konan's eyes flickered as she looked at the device in Payne's hand, a hint of curiosity flashing in them.
This is indeed the most pragmatic choice under the current circumstances.
Obito's eyes flickered beneath his mask, but he remained silent.
He knew Nagato was telling the truth, but a doubt still lingered in his mind.
Can the Eye of the Moon Plan really proceed smoothly by "stealing" some of the tailed beast's chakra?
Scorpion also seemed to have his interest piqued.
He leaned forward slightly, his hoarse voice ringing out: "Will injecting only a portion of the chakra affect the integrity and power of the ultimate weapon?"
He was asking about the "Ten-Tails," the legendary ultimate weapon.
For Scorpion, who pursues eternal art, this legendary existence has a natural attraction.
However, after the question was asked, a brief silence fell around the campfire.
Pain didn't speak, he just held the device.
Obito remained silent.
The Ten-Tails needs the complete chakra of the nine tailed beasts to be revived; this is the basis of the "Eye of the Moon Plan" that Black Zetsu told him.
Now, using a portion of chakra to activate the Gedo Mazo, and then manipulating the Mazo to forcibly absorb the other tailed beasts—
It is theoretically feasible, but will the resurrected Ten-Tails have any flaws?
Will the power reach the expected level?
Even Black Zetsu didn't provide an answer.
After all, the original plan was to capture a complete Jinchuriki and extract the complete Tailed Beast.
Now, the plan has been subject to change from the very beginning.
A few seconds later, Pain broke the silence: "First, use this portion of chakra to activate the Gedo Mazo and establish a basic connection. After that, control the Mazo to capture Jinchuriki and obtain their complete Tailed Beast chakra."
Obito finally spoke, his voice low and deep: "At this point, this is the only way."
He did not object, because it was the only viable path under the current circumstances.
The existence of the Star Kingdom, especially that unfathomable Shura, is like a thorn stuck in the blueprint of the Moon Eye Project, forcing them to adjust their pace.
"Then—" Pain turned around, facing the even denser darkness deeper into the cave.
"Let's begin preparations."
"Scorpion, go and rest. Zetsu, continue to monitor the movements of the Land of Stars and the major ninja villages, especially—any clues about the Jinchuriki of each village."
"Understood~" the white side replied briskly, while the black side remained silent.
Scorpion's Hiruko nodded slightly, said nothing, turned around and took heavy steps toward the passage on the other side of the cave, his figure slowly disappearing into the shadows.
Obito took one last look at the device in Pain's hand that emitted a faint fluctuation of tailed beast chakra, his eyes behind the mask unfathomable.
He didn't say anything more, his figure twisted and disappeared silently.
Konan looked at Payne and asked softly, "Payne, you—"
Pain raised his hand, stopping her from speaking.
He looked down at the spherical device in his hand.
"No need to say more, Xiao Nan." His voice seemed a little more tired than before.
"The road may be winding, but the goal of making the world feel pain and achieving true peace will not change."
"Once the ultimate weapon is completed, any obstacle—will eventually be eliminated."
Including that Asura!
Xiao Nan looked at Payne's cold profile, pursed her lips, and finally just nodded slightly.
No matter what Nagato does, she will support him unconditionally.