"Sister Konan, let's go. We'll handle it."
"Black Zetsu, remember to keep an eye on the ring's message. When needed, have Hidan use his jutsu promptly."
Bai Mo saw that the argument there wouldn't end anytime soon, so he simply stopped paying attention.
After giving instructions to Black Zetsu, he and Konan walked out of the gathering cave.
"Understood."
After Black Zetsu agreed, he transferred a scroll from underground using the root system.
This contained not stored blood, but a catalog.
To achieve deterrence, it was necessary to precisely identify which bottle of blood corresponded to which ninja; otherwise, the so-called deterrence and threat would be a joke.
And to achieve precise identification, every bottle had to be recorded.
This task was assigned to the other White Zetsu and was now complete.
Just as Uchiha Madara believed Black Zetsu was the embodiment of his will, Uchiha Obito also believed the hundred thousand White Zetsu were truly created by him using Hashirama's cells.
In reality, White Zetsu only had one method of creation: transformation from people caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
The hundred thousand White Zetsu were those created during the ancient era of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
These White Zetsu had always obeyed only one person's command: Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
With Kaguya sealed, the second authority belonged to Black Zetsu.
All of Madara and Obito's authority was essentially Black Zetsu's deliberate disguise, making the White Zetsu obey their commands.
Bai Mo felt that in a while, it would be necessary to subtly hint at Black Zetsu.
The hundred thousand White Zetsu, as combat power, were actually quite weak; their only advantage was stealth.
But as tools, not needing to eat, drink, or use the restroom, not needing wages, and all working day and night... how wonderful would that be?
"Otherwise, why don't Pain and I go? You can't fly..."
After leaving the cave, Konan spoke with a somewhat awkward expression.
Deidara was actually one of the most difficult Akatsuki Organization members to trap because he had air superiority.
She couldn't fly herself, but the giant birds and dragons made of clay could carry her.
However, as luck would have it, the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, could also fly.
So, to rescue Deidara, having aerial or flying ability was best.
Konan and Pain could both fly.
As for Bai Mo... he truly couldn't.
Konan's concern was precisely this: what if Deidara was rescued, but the more important Bai Mo was lost in Iwagakure?
"Sister Konan, can't you just take me? You can wrap my body in paper."
Bai Mo grinned.
"That's for enemies; it will hinder chakra convergence."
"Perfect, I don't use chakra."
...Why don't you just say 'carry me'?
"Really?"
"..."
"Never mind. Since that's the case, take me to see the leader. I want to conduct an experiment."
Seeing that Konan still wouldn't budge, Bai Mo's expression turned serious as he made his request.
"An experiment?"
Konan was curious.
So, carrying Bai Mo, she flew to the Amegakure tower and saw Nagato again.
"Is there something you need?"
Nagato asked.
"Uh, Nagato, why don't we find a Jinchūriki and have you use the Preta Path to absorb some Tailed Beast chakra to replenish yourself? You look like you're about to kick the bucket at any moment."
Bai Mo looked at Nagato's emaciated appearance. Anyone who didn't know might think he used a flying sleep method every night.
"Thank you for your concern, but I know my body well. I'm far from dying, so don't worry."
Nagato showed a smile.
However, combined with his sunken cheeks and kidney-deficient expression, it was a bit unsettling.
"Nagato, the strategist told me he wanted to see you and asked you to help him with an experiment."
Konan interjected, bringing the conversation back to the main topic.
"Oh? What kind of experiment?"
Nagato asked.
"Sister Konan, actually, when I said 'see the leader' just now, I meant Pain."
Bai Mo smiled helplessly.
"It's all the same. How do you need Pain to cooperate with you?"
Nagato controlled Deva Path Pain, who walked in from outside the door.
"It is indeed all the same, because what I need is for him to attack me with Shinra Tensei."
"What?!"
Nagato was stunned.
Attack?
He didn't understand what Bai Mo was trying to do.
A masochist?
Testing his body's strength?
Or a Bloodline Limit that awakens after injury?
"My current ability awakened during the process of traveling through space-time by borrowing the Ōtsutsuki Clan's plow.
I speculate that after coming into contact with other things related to the Ōtsutsuki Clan, I might be able to awaken new powers."
As Bai Mo spoke, his figure suddenly appeared at the other end of the room.
In fact, Nagato and Konan still hadn't figured out what exactly Bai Mo's bizarre ability was.
"Something related to the Ōtsutsuki Clan?"
"Exactly. Actually, during this mission with Itachi, I wanted to use him for an experiment.
The Rinnegan and Sharingan are both closely related to the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
However, almost all the Natural Energy in my body had been used to strengthen my existing abilities, so I gave up on that idea.
On the way back from the Land of Waves, I've accumulated some Natural Energy again in the past few days, so it's a good time to try it out."
Bai Mo explained earnestly.
"Understood. Then let's change locations."
Nagato, in his wheelchair, came with Bai Mo and Konan to a large open space outside Amegakure.
Nagato raised his hand and looked at Bai Mo: "Tell me when you're ready."
"Come on."
"Shinra Tensei!"
The Shinra Tensei, emitted by Nagato's main body, sent a powerful repulsive force that sent Bai Mo flying.
"Bai Mo! Are you okay?"
Konan fluttered her paper, like a pair of wings, catching Bai Mo and asking with a worried expression.
"I'm fine. The Natural Energy has strengthened my body, and besides, Nagato held back. I won't be injured by this level of attack."
Bai Mo stabilized himself and stepped out of Konan's white paper.
"Did it succeed?"
Nagato asked.
"No."
Bai Mo shook his head.
"Was the speculation wrong, or was it not enough?"
Nagato pressed.
Konan watched this scene, feeling as if the team had gathered again, practicing ninjutsu together for a common ideal... "The speculation shouldn't be wrong; at most, there might be some deviation. When I gained my current ability, I could feel how my body's power was activated and awakened.
As for whether it wasn't enough... it should be, but it's not that the power wasn't enough."
Bai Mo answered Nagato's question rigorously.
"It's not that the power wasn't enough..."
Nagato, after hearing the first half, thought it was because he held back that it failed. It seemed that wasn't the case.
"Never mind, let's leave it at that."
Bai Mo smiled and turned to Konan, "The ability awakening failed, Sister Konan, can you take me flying now?"
"Alright, then you... Nagato, what are you doing?!"
Konan looked in shock at Nagato behind Bai Mo.
Nagato pressed his palms together, and a trembling black sphere emerged from his palms.
The black sphere emitted an eerie glow.
"Konan, get out of the way."
"Bai Mo, I believe in you, just as I believe in Yahiko."
"You will definitely succeed!"
"Planetary Devastation—"
Nagato pushed the black sphere, which directly collided with Bai Mo's body, carrying Bai Mo slowly into the sky.
A terrifying gravitational field appeared.
The soil and trees on the ground began to tremble, gradually being attracted by the black sphere and gathering towards it.
The gravity was constantly increasing.
Konan was extremely anxious.
For a moment, she didn't know whether to worry about Nagato, who was using Planetary Devastation at the cost of his lifespan, or Bai Mo, who was hit by Planetary Devastation.
However... thump.
Plop.
The gradually cracking and attracted ground returned to its original state, and all the attracted objects in the air fell back to the ground.
Including Bai Mo.
The black sphere of Planetary Devastation's gravity, which had been at his abdomen, had now vanished without a trace.
....
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