"Are these eyes really those of Uchiha Madara?"
Nagato touched his own eye sockets.
For a long time, he had suspected who the true owner of these eyes was, especially after Kagetsu's reminder.
Combined with the presence of White Zetsu, he was almost certain it was Madara.
The stone tablet before him only confirmed it completely.
After all, the method to awaken the Rinnegan was recorded on the tablet. In the past, there was no doubt that only Madara could read that part.
"Since he transplanted these eyes to you, it means that you are now their true owner. As long as you keep your true heart, Nagato, I, Kagetsu, Orochimaru, and the others will stand by your side."
Jiraiya stepped forward and gently touched Nagato's slightly dry red hair, comforting him.
Belonging to clans known for their strong life force, the Uzumaki clan, Nagato was younger than Kushina, but his health and appearance looked worse than hers.
His red hair was mixed with some gray roots, as if his life energy had been consumed. Clearly, the burden of using the Rinnegan had exceeded Nagato's body's limits.
"I know, Teacher Jiraiya." Nagato lowered his hand and said calmly, "Whether it's me, Yahiko, or the Land of Rain, we all need these eyes! We need the power they bring. Until Yahiko's wish is fulfilled, I will protect these eyes with my life."
Fugaku opened his mouth as if to say something, but after looking at Jiraiya and Kagetsu, he said nothing.
By logic, the Rinnegan should belong to the Uchiha clan.
Even though Madara had long abandoned the village and clan, his bloodline and eyes still belonged to the Uchiha.
It was like the Hyuga clan's Byakugan—once it flows out, whether Hyuga or the village, they urgently want to retrieve it.
The same goes for the Sharingan.
No Uchiha would want to see their clan's eyes used by someone from another clan. Even if given willingly, there's still much to consider.
But in the current situation, even if he wanted to speak up, there was no way to ask for them back.
What could he do?
The eyes were given away by Uchiha Madara, and the current bearer has a teacher named Jiraiya.
For now, the attitude of the Hokage Orochimaru was uncertain, but Kagetsu stood with Nagato. Kagetsu's position would very likely influence Orochimaru and Tsunade's stance.
They were not like Danzo, right?
Fugaku, troubled for a moment, finally felt relieved.
Right now, these eyes were on Nagato, which was good. At least Nagato could use their power and was a firm ally of Konoha.
"Let's go and tell Orochimaru and Tsunade this news. Let them decide the next step," Jiraiya said, patting Nagato on the shoulder.
Seeing Fugaku remain silent but with a relieved expression, Jiraiya's face relaxed a lot.
"At least now we are no longer completely in the dark about Madara's purpose."
He was also worried Fugaku might demand the Rinnegan back, but judging by his expression, it seemed he had given up on that.
That made Jiraiya feel much easier.
Otherwise, if Fugaku insisted stubbornly, as a high-ranking Konoha official, Jiraiya would have had a hard time handling it.
"Since you're here in Konoha, let's check your health again. You've been using those eyes too much in recent years," Kagetsu reminded Nagato.
"Tsunade-san has researched many medicines that can help replenish chakra, adjust the body, and activate life energy. Maybe they will help you reduce your burden."
"Of course, it could also awaken more power in those eyes, making your burden even greater."
"All right!" Nagato nodded. He was a relatively quiet person, always willing to listen to people he trusted.
For Amegakure, Yahiko and Konan, and Konoha, their trust and gratitude toward Kagetsu went beyond even Jiraiya.
After all, Kagetsu had helped all three of them so much, even more than Jiraiya had back then.
Now, the three of them were able to gradually turn Amegakure and the Land of Rain toward a better future.
Kagetsu played an irreplaceable role in this.
Especially now that the Land of Rain had finally shaken off the sorrow of being a small country.
It had gained the strength to protect itself and signed alliances with Konoha and Sunagakure.
Nagato clearly understood that Konoha had sacrificed part of its own interests to support Amegakure.
This was the kind of ideal pursuit that Hanzō dreamed of!
In the Hokage's office, after hearing the report from Jiraiya and Fugaku, Orochimaru's eyes showed excitement that was almost impossible to hide.
"The Ten-Tails?"
Orochimaru's hoarse voice carried a strange desire.
"Orochimaru! That requires nine Tailed Beasts, and that thing called the Outer Path Demon Statue to make happen," Tsunade frowned, tapping her fist on the desk in front of him.
The heavy desk shook and jumped slightly under Tsunade's powerful knock, but strangely, it didn't break.
Clearly, Tsunade had learned to control her strength better and reached a new level of skill with her brute force.
"Even if you manage to get the other eight tailed beasts, what about Kushina?"
Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade and restrained his greed.
"Don't worry, I won't recklessly go after the tailed beasts. That is clearly declaring war on the entire ninja world. That doesn't fit with our plan!"
Jiraiya and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief. They feared Orochimaru would act rashly when it came to the Ten-Tails, such a precious "research material."
They simply had no confidence in him.
By extension, their trust in Kagetsu was also limited.
This master and apprentice didn't have much desire to possess the tailed beasts, but their thirst for research was strong!
Kagetsu already held parts of the chakra of four tailed beasts: the Two-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Eight-Tails.
The Two-Tails, in particular, had been transformed beyond recognition by Kagetsu's Hollow powers.
It had completely broken free from the category of the Two-Tails, becoming a new entity that fed on Hollow and spiritual particles.
The remaining smaller tailed beasts showed similar tendencies.
"But if we get the chance, could we split off part of a tailed beast's chakra and try to create a weaker version of the Ten-Tails?
The technique to split the tailed beast's chakra essentially cuts off part of its soul.
Both Kagetsu and I can easily do this.
This method won't kill the jinchūriki or the tailed beast, but it can achieve our goal.
The Ten-Tails we create this way should be within our control, with limited destructive power and strength."
Sure enough, Jiraiya and the others soon heard Orochimaru's plan about the Ten-Tails.
Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged looks, rubbing their foreheads. They realized Orochimaru had fully learned the debate style: if you can't tear down the roof, agree to break the window.
Overall, this was a good sign.
It meant the crazy Orochimaru of the past was willing to control himself and make compromises.
And since he had taken a step back, they better do the same.
****
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