Hearing this, the atmosphere grew heavy.
The corners of Nagato's mouth twitched slightly. The image of the liquid capable of corroding the floor surfaced in his mind, and he couldn't help but shiver.
"My advice is to remove them. Power that doesn't belong to you will only continue to drag down your body, and it may even affect your Shinigamification. A prerequisite for Shinigamification is a relatively healthy body; at the very least, your internal injuries must be healed to a manageable range," Naruto looked at Nagato and proposed.
"Your natural talent is quite good. Even if you become a Shinigami, you will likely awaken very impressive abilities, perhaps even related to the Rinnegan."
Hearing this, Nagato pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "Take them out."
From Black Zetsu's memories earlier, he saw that there were still many terrifying powerhouses in this world. Kaguya could birth a Zetsu, so perhaps in the future, she could create a second one. Both Zetsu and Madara Uchiha coveted these Rinnegan.
Possessing something that didn't belong to him was like holding a hot potato; handing them over to Naruto was perhaps the best choice.
Moreover, now that he had joined the Seireitei, he only wanted to live a somewhat ordinary life with Konan and Yahiko.
"Good, then I'll begin immediately." Hearing Nagato's answer, Orochimaru cheerfully began to fiddle with his scalpel.
"Rest assured, although my surgical skills are not as good as Tsunade's, they aren't far off."
Looking at the gleeful Orochimaru, Nagato suddenly felt even more panicked.
Nagato recovered very well after the surgery. Orochimaru transplanted a pair of ordinary eyes into him. A few days later, he removed the bandages and successfully saw everything in front of him clearly.
He and Konan walked slowly along the streets of the Seireitei.
This was their first time experiencing the culture and atmosphere of the Seireitei up close.
All the residents lived and worked in peace and contentment, wearing long-lost smiles on their faces.
Everyone was incredibly warm-hearted, even inviting passersby to join them for lunch.
In the Seireitei, the Wandering Souls placed living life as their top priority.
There seemed to be no class hierarchy here; all residents accepted the protection of the Shinigami.
And those Wandering Souls who possessed Shinigami talent could choose to join the Shinigami Academy, accepting equal education to become a Shinigami upon graduation.
Within the Seireitei, there were no so-called noble clans, nor was there a monopoly on knowledge.
As long as you were a Shinigami, you could enter the Great Library and read various books on Kido and Zanjutsu.
Knowledge here had no barriers.
If you wanted to, you could even learn about Forbidden Jutsu.
Every time the Shinigami Academy let out for the day, groups of prospective Shinigami would flock to the library to read books about Kido.
Next to the library was a Shinigami training ground, where Shinigami could always be found practicing Shunpo, swordsmanship, and Kido.
The academic atmosphere of the entire Shinigami Academy was very thick; everyone communicated as equals, without discrimination or quarreling.
After touring for just two days, Nagato and Konan were filled with yearning for life in the Seireitei.
A Seireitei like this was almost indistinguishable from the peaceful world they had envisioned in their hearts!
They finally understood profoundly why so many rogue ninja from other villages were within the Seireitei—because the Seireitei truly brought people hope.
"Such a beautiful nation is the one most worth protecting," Nagato muttered to himself.
The news of the Allied Shinobi Forces' defeat quickly spread across the continent.
Shock, disbelief, despair.
The Daimyo of the great nations began trying to ingratiate themselves with the Seireitei, and residents of other countries even yearned to join.
In response, the Seireitei rejected all overtures from the Daimyo but stated they were willing to accept residents from any country.
After the great battle, the major ninja villages turtled up inside their walls. They stopped clamoring and kept an incredibly low profile.
In Konoha, however, several uninvited guests soon arrived.
Nagato, Konan, Minato Namikaze, and Haku.
Facing four powerhouses, the entirety of Konoha stood ready for battle.
Tsunade looked at Nagato and Konan standing alongside Minato with disbelief.
"Have you fallen as well?" she asked sorrowfully.
"We merely saw the hope of peace," Nagato said indifferently.
Hearing this, Tsunade instantly felt despair.
Nagato's eyes were clear; there were no signs of his consciousness being controlled.
This meant Nagato had joined the Seireitei willingly.
Why were more and more talented individuals joining the Seireitei? was the Seireitei really that good?
Tsunade racked her brain but couldn't understand.
But what she did know was this: Nagato joining the Seireitei was an enormous blow to the Ninja Alliance.
They were already being thrashed, and now their highest combat power had defected. How were they supposed to fight this war?
There was no fight left!
"Fifth Hokage, we come with sincerity this time." Minato's words made Tsunade's heart skip a beat.
Last time Minato said that, he left with Kakashi. Now he was saying it again.
Did Konoha have any ninja left worth kidnapping?
Itachi Uchiha?!
Tsunade panicked.
Seeing Tsunade silent for a long time, Minato continued, "This time, we need you to treat the injuries within Nagato's body."
Nagato had received treatment from Tsunade before, but the treatment time had been too short. Coupled with Nagato's excessive exertion in battle afterward, the treatment needed to be restarted.
"Why should I treat him? We are enemies now," Tsunade said expressionlessly.
"I think you are mistaken about something. Right now, other than Itachi Uchiha, your Konoha doesn't have a single person who can fight. The fact that the Seireitei hasn't destroyed Konoha is already our greatest mercy. You are in no position to bargain with us." Minato's eyes turned cold. He took a step forward, and massive Reiatsu poured out.
Crack, crack, crack.
The ground developed spiderweb-like cracks under the pressure, spreading continuously.
Tsunade's face changed color instantly. A large group of ninja immediately appeared behind her.
But compared to the four people from the Seireitei, they posed no threat whatsoever.
"Now, do you want Konoha to be destroyed?" Minato's gaze was sharp, his Zanpakuto materializing in his hand.
"Stand down," Tsunade said helplessly after a moment of silence.
"I will help treat Nagato."
This was the helplessness of insufficient strength.
As long as she dragged out Nagato's treatment cycle, perhaps she could delay the Seireitei's general offensive. But once Nagato was cured, Konoha's opponents would gain another Super Kage-level fighter.
Fortunately, Tsunade already had a follow-up plan.
Konoha might not have strong fighters now, but that didn't mean they didn't in the past.
Konoha had no shortage of Kage-level powerhouses throughout its history.
Most notably, the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage.
As the Hokage of Konoha, she had to pin her hopes on the strongmen of the past.
Even more ironically, she had to desecrate her own grandfather's corpse.
Imagine when the First Hokage awakens, only to find that the one using the Edo Tensei is his own granddaughter... what would he think?
Tsunade didn't dare to think about it, but she had to plan it.
Because the current Konoha had zero chance of winning.
"The Seireitei won. The Allied Shinobi Forces couldn't withstand a single blow." Sasuke received this information very quickly.
The news of the war between the Seireitei and the Ninja Alliance had long spread, leaving everyone in a state of panic.
Even the village where Sasuke was staying was no exception.
Sasuke, having just finished his training, sat quietly on the water's surface, his gaze calm.
"A ninja village held together by profit is surprisingly fragile. It seems the Seireitei is even more terrifying than I thought." The eyes beneath the white cloth were extremely tranquil.
He had long predicted the Alliance's defeat and had never thought of supporting them.
From his standpoint, he loathed the system and darkness of the ninja villages; the Seireitei was actually more pleasing to the eye.
It was just that he didn't understand what Naruto's thoughts on humanity were.
What did he view humans as?
After obtaining Zetsu's plan, Naruto understood the Rinnegan better, and a plan in his heart that was about to be scrapped was restarted.
An idea regarding peace. He found Orochimaru and recounted his plan.
Utilize the power of the nine Tailed Beasts and the Rinnegan to find a suitable host. Use Reiatsu to transform them into the Ten-Tails, then promote the birth of the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. Finally, use an Infinite Kotoamatsukami to modify people's consciousness, making them subconsciously detest war and love peace.
That way, even if Naruto left in the future, the ninja world would remain prosperous and peaceful.
This was the idea Naruto had always held.
Let the entire ninja world be at peace!
"Modify the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki into the fuel for a special device, projecting Kotoamatsukami across the entire planet. That way, no matter how the ninja world changes in the future, the quality of loving peace will be inherited."
The difficulty of this plan was extremely high. First, it required a pair of eyes possessing Kotoamatsukami and the power of the nine Tailed Beasts.
After listening to Naruto's plan, Orochimaru swallowed hard. His eyes showed shock, followed by fanaticism.
"Creating a device sufficient to influence the whole world... this will be an invention surpassing all Forbidden Jutsu! Interesting, too interesting!! Very challenging!!!" Orochimaru was excited.
For a researcher, nothing was more important than their research results and dreams.
Now, he had almost chased down his dream: immortality!
He had become a Shinigami, possessing a lifespan of thousands of years. Later, he would constantly break through the boundaries of life. For him, eternal life was basically at his fingertips.
So his goal shifted!
To make an achievement sufficient to leave his name in history, to create an invention that no researcher could surpass.
No invention fit his ambition better than a device that influenced the entire world.
"The Tailed Beast Capture Plan can be initiated," Naruto said calmly. "Currently, all the ninja villages are showing varying degrees of decline after the war. They fear the Seireitei. Now, even if we step on their heads, they won't dare to act rashly."
"You will take full responsibility for the Tailed Beast Capture Plan. Is that a problem?" Naruto looked at Orochimaru indifferently.
"No problem. Now that Kimimaro has successfully undergone Shinigamification, the difficulty of capturing Tailed Beasts is actually not high."
Were Tailed Beasts strong?
Yes.
But in front of top-tier powerhouses, Tailed Beasts weren't enough to look at.
Currently, the Seireitei already possessed the One-Tail, the Nine-Tails, and several Tailed Beasts captured by the Akatsuki previously.
The only ones that were somewhat tricky were the Jinchuriki of the other ninja villages.
Orochimaru simply packed up and couldn't wait to set off with his subordinates.
He wished he could fly directly to the Tailed Beasts, capture them, and conduct his research.
Sasuke arrived at Mount Myoboku in the Summoning Realm.
By now, he had thoroughly mastered Reiatsu. Even he didn't know exactly how strong he was.
But what was certain was that he could defeat the old Itachi very easily.
After becoming familiar with Reiatsu, he deeply understood the phrase "The Sharingan has an upper limit."
The potential of the Sharingan was indeed high, but its huge side effects and conditions for evolution had completely locked him down.
If he abandoned other abilities and focused on developing the Sharingan, perhaps Sasuke could possess abilities comparable to what he had now, but the price would be too massive.
And now?
He not only possessed abilities surpassing the Mangekyo but could also sense a higher realm.
What he possessed now was merely the entry level of Reiatsu; his future was as vast as a sea of stars.
He wouldn't be confined to his eyes; instead, he would improve in all aspects.
Could such an ability possibly be weaker than the Sharingan?
Sasuke had figured it out completely.
It was a pity that his foolish brother was still addicted to the false power brought by the Sharingan.
Indulging in the weakness of the weak was the greatest tragedy in the world.
This would cause Itachi, who originally had high potential, to become completely useless.
Sasuke walked quietly through Mount Myoboku and soon met the Two Great Sage Toads.
"Long time no see, Sasuke." Seeing the transformed Sasuke, the eyes of the two Sages held a look of amazement.
The current Sasuke's aura was completely restrained. Dressed in a white robe, his presence was reduced to almost zero; none of the small toads in Mount Myoboku had detected Sasuke's existence.
Even more terrifying was that tiny arcs of lightning lingered around the soles of Sasuke's feet. Every time he lifted his foot, his body appeared ten meters away as if teleporting.
With their sharp eyes and rich experience, the two Sages could see that Sasuke relied purely on physical strength stimulated by lightning.
What shocked them even more was that the soil beneath Sasuke's feet remained intact; he didn't even leave footprints.
This showed that Sasuke's control over his power had reached the ultimate level of refinement.
The current Sasuke absolutely possessed power that could not be underestimated.
He had abandoned the Uchiha name, abandoned the Mangekyo that could easily insta-kill Kage-level ninja, yet was able to awaken even stronger power in such a short time, always holding fast to his heart.
Was this the current Sasuke's vision?
"Two Sages, I want to see the Great Toad Sage," Sasuke said flatly.
"Come this way."
Following behind the two Sages, the eyes beneath Sasuke's white cloth flickered.
As early as a few months ago, he had been thinking.
Why did the Great Toad Sage make one prophecy after another, guiding Jiraiya to find the Child of Prophecy?
In the end, the Children of Prophecy all went out of control.
Sasuke didn't believe in prophecies; he only believed that everything depended on oneself.
But he wanted to see what kind of prophecy the Great Toad Sage would give him, and what the Summoning Realm's attitude toward the Ninja World was.
Arriving in the main hall, he looked at the Great Toad Sage and requested a prophecy.
The Great Toad Sage looked at Sasuke in surprise. He could sense an extremely powerful force within Sasuke's body.
Clearly human, yet possessing power originating from the Pure Land.
To some extent, Sasuke was already the same type of person as Naruto.
However!
Sasuke and Naruto's philosophies were diametrically opposed.
The Great Toad Sage knew that Sasuke's current stance was purely neutral. It would only require a small factor to potentially make him Naruto's enemy.
To defeat Reiatsu, one must rely on Reiatsu.
After these battles, the Great Toad Sage had realized the upper limits of the Ninja World's Kekkei Genkai. Perhaps only Sasuke, who also possessed Reiatsu, could defeat Naruto.
However, he could no longer see through Sasuke, let alone make a prophecy.
To be precise, after Sasuke obtained Reiatsu, his future became confusing and impenetrable.
After pondering for a moment, the Great Toad Sage said, "I see pain and darkness. The future ninja world may usher in a tragedy. Someone will break the long peace, and the world will fall into chaos."
Hearing this, the corners of Sasuke's mouth twitched slightly. "You're talking about Naruto, right? I know. Thank you for your prophecy." After speaking, Sasuke turned and walked out.
His heart was as clear as a bright mirror: The Great Toad Sage's prophecies are always provoking conflict. He is not credible.
He looked at his hands, where white Reiatsu slowly condensed. That was the power he once craved, and the power he believed could catch up to Naruto.
He looked up, frowning slightly, and muttered to himself, "Naruto... what exactly is the Seireitei's goal? Is it really as simple as setting new rules and creating a peaceful world?"
Sasuke had no good feelings for the other ninja villages either. If Naruto's goal was truly peace, he would naturally be happy to help.
But if it wasn't, he would absolutely be the first to stand up and challenge Naruto!
Shortly after Sasuke left.
Naruto arrived in the Summoning Realm.
The plan to kill the Sages had to proceed. Regardless of whether the strength of the Sages had reached the Six Paths level, he would not allow such high-prestige old monsters to exist.
This world needed only one unified voice and color.
After a simple signal to the White Snake Sage, Naruto headed toward Mount Myoboku.
Inside Mount Myoboku.
The toads lived and worked in peace. From afar, they saw the familiar figure arriving.
"Naruto!!" The small toads jumped over happily, only to see Naruto's rather icy profile.
They froze, realizing Naruto had already bypassed them and headed toward the back mountain.
They didn't understand why Naruto had suddenly become so cold, but they quickly threw the doubt to the back of their minds and began playing happily again.
"Naruto, you..." The Two Great Sage Toads soon saw Naruto as well and froze.
"I want to see the Great Toad Sage," Naruto said decisively, his tone full of unquestionable authority.
A sense of worry spontaneously arose in the hearts of the two Sages.
They looked at Naruto hesitantly, not knowing what to say.
"Sages, hurry up and recall the small toads," Naruto looked at the two Sages and said.
He wasn't a man completely devoid of emotion; he still held a shred of sentiment for the two Sages, so he offered a reminder.
Creatures below the Sage level didn't need to be killed, and there was no need to destroy the Summoning Realm.
All Naruto wanted to do was kill the supreme existences within the Summoning Realm.
Hearing this, the expressions of the two Sages changed, and they immediately rushed to gather the small toads.
The small toads were the hope of Mount Myoboku.
Inside the main hall, the interior was dim, carrying a faint scent of the ocean and the sound of breathing brushing past like a breeze.
Crisp footsteps echoed. Subsequently, Naruto entered the hall. Looking up, he saw the Great Toad Sage, who resembled a small mountain.
The Great Toad Sage's breath was like the wind, drifting through the entire hall. His eyes were aged but hadn't lost the heaviness of a mountain.
His voice was as heavy as a mountain, echoing within the hall.
"For what matter have you come this time? Naruto?"
Naruto quietly sized up the Great Toad Sage. A thousand years ago, the Great Toad Sage pushed the Sage of Six Paths to seal the strongest person in the ninja world. A thousand years later, he gave a prophecy, pushing the Children of Prophecy into hostility.
"I want to ask you to make a prophecy for me." Naruto's voice was calm.
Hearing this, the Great Toad Sage took a deep look at Naruto.
Naruto was the only human in a thousand years to break free from control, and the only human to make him feel deep wariness, even a trace of fear.
Clearly human, yet possessing the power of the Pure Land, even becoming the ruler of the Pure Land and building the Seireitei.
Originally, the Pure Land was the weakest force among the three realms. Now, the Pure Land had surpassed the Ninja World and might even overtake the Summoning Realm.
The Toad Clan had always loved peace, but that didn't mean they were willing to let the development of other forces surpass their own.
Because once surpassed, Mount Myoboku's long-lost peace might be broken.
Taking Kaguya Otsutsuki from the past as an example, Kaguya, possessing absolute power, had practically roamed freely across the three worlds.
After being betrayed by her lover, her heart twisted, and she wanted to turn all humans into White Zetsu.
Such a Kaguya undoubtedly possessed the ability to threaten the Summoning Realm. Under these circumstances, the Great Toad Sage guided the Sage of Six Paths to seal his own mother.
The Toad Clan had never actively invaded the other two realms, but they had always been making small moves.
Naruto stood quietly in place, waiting for the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
The Great Toad Sage took a deep breath, his turbid gaze fixed on Naruto as if wanting to see through the thick fog surrounding him.
But he was destined for disappointment.
He could only see a void in Naruto.
The mysterious power originating from the Pure Land blocked his perception.
The current Naruto is undoubtedly very dangerous. He is very likely to become the second Kaguya Otsutsuki. The Great Toad Sage's eyes were profound as he thought secretly in his heart: His ambition is too terrifying. If he waits until he controls both the Ninja World and the Pure Land, he will inevitably have ideas about the Summoning Realm. At that time, the Summoning Realm may also be plunged into misery and suffering.
Thinking of this, the Great Toad Sage pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice, "I see destruction. I see darkness."
As he spoke, the Great Toad Sage frowned, revealing a pained expression.
"It is a power far surpassing everything, a mysterious power originating from the Ninja World!! If the Seireitei continues like this, it may usher in destruction."
Not out of Naruto's expectations, the prophecy made by the Great Toad Sage began to hint at peace again.
If Naruto wasn't mistaken, the Great Toad Sage should have also made a prophecy for Sasuke, attempting to arrange Sasuke on the opposite side of Naruto.
Thinking of this, Naruto's killing intent toward the Great Toad Sage increased a few notches.
"Destruction? You mean the Seireitei should return to the Pure Land?" Seeing this, the corners of Naruto's mouth curled up in a mocking arc as he asked indifferently.
The Great Toad Sage hesitated for a moment and said, "Judging from the prophecy, the Seireitei's expansion will infringe upon mysterious existences in the Ninja World."
"Then, Sage, can you prophesize your own death?" Naruto asked suddenly.
Hearing Naruto's question, the Great Toad Sage froze, and his face immediately turned ugly.
He saw Naruto slowly draw the sword in his hand and say calmly, "The Seireitei will roam the Ninja World freely and will also conquer the Summoning Realm. Neither the Sage of Six Paths nor Kaguya Otsutsuki can affect my plan. To prove all this, I will kill the Great Toad Sage who attempts to bewitch humanity with prophecies."
"The Great Toad Sage uses rumors to mislead the masses and disturb the peace of the Ninja World. Naruto Uzumaki, Lord of the Seireitei, will slay the evil and bring lasting peace to both the Summoning Realm and the Ninja World."
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