No one expected that the decrepit old Madara would rise again from death by taking over Hidan's physical body.
Nagato had clearly understood Madara's intent and responded with perfect cooperation.
Madara stretched his new body, still feeling a bit unaccustomed. His original body had already aged, and although Hidan was a very annoying figure, it must be admitted that his body truly was an "immortal body" in the truest sense.
However, Madara could still see its weakness at a glance. Originally, completely erasing someone's soul was difficult, but the Shiki Fujin technique succeeded in doing so, making this body an ownerless empty vessel, thus making it easy for him to enter.
Madara realized that within the cells of this body flowed a special blood-red substance that was overflowing. It was the existence of this substance that transformed this body into a monster that couldn't die.
"I've done it, Madara. Remember your promise!"
Nagato's body staggered, he was immediately embraced by Konan who rushed forward.
Konan's eyes filled with tears, she screamed mournfully: "Why?! Why did you do this for him, sacrificing your own life? Was this worth it?"
Nagato's eyes glinted dimly, his pupils began to shake violently while his voice grew smaller and smaller. Before his eyes, fragments of past memories began to flash.
"Konan... live well, watch over him for me... Yahiko... I'm coming to be with you!"
His body suddenly went limp, his eyes lost their light, and all signs of life were completely cut off.
"Nagato—!" Konan screamed painfully, hugging Nagato's corpse while sobbing.
The bond between her, Yahiko, and Nagato wasn't something that could be explained with simple words; it was the result of life-and-death tempering and growing together over the years.
Madara stared at Nagato's corpse and let out a short sigh. But in the next second, he stepped in front of Konan.
"What are you going to do?" Konan looked up with swollen eyes at Madara, her gaze full of hatred and vigilance.
There was a trace of rarely seen tenderness in Madara's eyes, he said flatly: "Taking back my eyes!"
"No one is allowed to touch his body!" Konan protected Nagato's corpse with all her strength, like a mother hen protecting her chick.
However, Madara's body flickered. Konan's vision became blurred for a moment, and suddenly on Nagato's face there were already two horrible blood holes. The corpse that had just lost its life was still flowing with fresh blood.
Madara held that pair of Rinnegan and used a special method to directly install them into his own body.
Moments later, Madara's eyes opened wide. Layered ripple patterns appeared in his pupils, and his entire body began to undergo transformation. His hair lengthened until it touched his lower waist, wounds on the body's surface began to heal by themselves; his bones, skin, and muscles surged changing shape.
Under everyone's disbelieving gazes, this body belonging to Hidan in a short time transformed into another person. And this person was the figure of a man who had appeared on the Golden List during the announcement of the Highest List.
The legendary ninja—Uchiha Madara!
"Congratulations on your return, Master!" The black-robed figure was the first to kneel on one knee, showing a submissive attitude.
At this moment, after using Nagato's Gedo — Rinne Tensei, passing through the King of Hell's process, taking over Hidan's body, and reclaiming the Rinnegan, both Madara's soul and body had reached an unprecedented peak.
The other Akatsuki members looked at each other, and finally they all chose to submit. Following a legend wasn't a shameful thing.
Kakuzu slightly looked up, glancing at Madara's arrogant figure, his eyes glinted faintly. After partnering for a long time with that talkative Hidan, he had some feelings, but that only lasted momentarily. For people like them, comrades were just burdens that would only slow down their speed when drawing swords.
Madara said flatly: "Now the Shichibi has escaped, and the Hachibi capture failed. The Juubi resurrection plan must be postponed. What you couldn't do before, let me do it myself!"
The black-robed figure suddenly interjected: "Master, perhaps you don't need to take action yourself. Currently we've most likely become everyone's target. Several times the Golden List rewards fell and exposed our location. Most likely large forces are on their way here. Perhaps not just people from the Naruto World, but other worlds are also targeting that reward from Rank One. Should we avoid them for a while or..."
Madara was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "Excellent, that actually saves me effort. Although it's slightly contrary to my plan, it doesn't affect much. Let this plan begin earlier!"
Madara had great confidence; he still held three life substitute dolls (Substitution) as rewards from the Golden List. Originally he could revive using those dolls, but he was reluctant to use them because Nagato had a technique that could revive him once. Now, he seemed to have four lives. Moreover, he was using Hidan's physical body; killing him wouldn't be that easy.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
In the middle of the heavily waved sea.
Rows of giant ship fleets were sailing at high speed.
In front of the ships, several giant Sea Kings were used as ship pullers to split the waves.
These Sea Kings were captured by the Council Chairmen from the Calm Belt. Although these sea rulers weren't strong enough to fight in front of the Chairmen, they were good choices as ship propulsion power.
"The Naruto World is ahead!" Kizaru stood on the ship's bridge, his eyes flashing as he unconsciously touched his single arm while clicking his tongue.
Aokiji stood beside him, glanced at him briefly, and smiled slightly: "This world seems to have left a big shadow on you, huh?"
Kizaru said in a bitter tone: "I came here twice; the first time you and Akainu were imprisoned, I met Rank One and lost an arm that still can't be restored until now. The second time coming to capture Orochimaru also failed, even nearly got into trouble because of a kid's doing. This world is truly our arch-enemy!"
Aokiji nodded, not refuting: "The methods in this world are very numerous and have their own system. Unlike Devil Fruit users in our world where one fruit is only for one ability, abilities in this world can be trained. Chairman Roger several times wanted to exchange training methods with Senju Hashirama but was always rejected. For them, our methods are too monotonous because too many people depend on Devil Fruits, for example you and me."
Kizaru fell silent hearing that. Their teacher, Zephyr, had once said that Kizaru relied too much on his fruit's power and someday would meet failure. Back then he dismissed it, but now he was beginning to realize it.