"So Mount Myoboku is really that old toad's territory. Hmph, inciting those two traitors to betray Mother."
"When Mother is revived, you will all die!"
Black Zetsu cursed inwardly.
He had always thought the old toad was already dead, and that Mount Myoboku might have been created by its descendants, but he never expected...
Old but not dead!
To this day, that fellow is still alive!
Black Zetsu quietly lurked underground, searching for Nagato's location. Soon, he sensed Nagato's position.
That guy—
???
Why is this kid everywhere!
Black Zetsu was startled and immediately shrank back several tens of meters, not daring to observe the surroundings anymore.
That kid is wicked!
Although he was very confident in his Yin-Yang Release, and even ninjas of Madara's and Senju Hashirama's level couldn't accurately detect his presence.
But...
What if?
Black Zetsu would rather wait a few more decades, until this era passed, than risk betting that Kyohiko couldn't seal him.
Above.
Nagato was working hard on training his Sage Mode, fusing his chakra with natural energy in a faster way.
He couldn't speed up the process of sensing natural energy for now, so...
He could only choose this method.
Beside him, Kyohiko was examining Nagato's body, using his own perception to quietly observe the situation around Nagato.
Just then, he sensed a chakra fluctuation.
Summoning Jutsu?
Did something happen to Jiraiya-sensei?
He body-flickered and disappeared from the spot.
The next second, Kyohiko appeared next to the toad that had returned from the summoning.
The toad was a bit dazed at the moment.
It had a bad feeling. Just now, it seemed like it had been touched by something strange.
A ghost?
The toad croaked, trembled, and then looked up to see Kyohiko appear before it, causing it to shudder.
"Croak! Why are you here!"
"Just arrived. Is there something wrong with Jiraiya-sensei's side?"
"How did you know?"
The messenger toad was very surprised, but still obediently spat out the scroll hidden in its mouth.
"Jiraiya asked me to give this to you."
"Alright."
Kyohiko took the scroll.
After opening it, it contained some of Jiraiya's thoughts.
Protect the Land of Grass and the Land of Waterfalls.
This was necessary.
Even if Jiraiya didn't suggest it, he would send people to support them. Currently, Kakashi was already leading a combat team to the north—
The reason they didn't use the Flying Thunder God Formation was that the number of ninjas who had mastered it was currently very limited.
For emergencies, in the short term, the Flying Thunder God Formation technique could not be used frequently.
He put away the scroll and quickly wrote down his own orders on a piece of paper, asking the messenger toad to take it back to Jiraiya.
This was originally a perfect opportunity for Black Zetsu to leave.
He had already obtained the information he wanted and had roughly confirmed the location of Mount Myoboku.
Therefore.
There was no point in staying here any longer.
However.
He didn't dare to show himself.
Kyohiko's perception was too strong, and he always managed to give him some "surprises." Black Zetsu had to speculate that Kyohiko was on a higher level.
He must avoid him!
Avoid Kyohiko's detection by all means possible, and under that premise, ensure he could control Nagato, or—
Just getting those eyes would also be acceptable!
Black Zetsu's thoughts raced as he considered possible strategies.
He was now only his main body, without the help of White Zetsu, so his practical abilities were very lacking.
Even if he controlled Nagato's body, Black Zetsu had to ensure that Nagato could escape, or use some method to send the eyes away!
He thought quickly, and soon a strategy formed in his mind.
Summoning!
The Rinnegan's eyes could summon some special creatures.
This was the power of the Animal Path.
These summoned creatures were very special. Through them, he could complete the plan of seizing the eyes and escaping!
The premise was—
There had to be enough opportunity and time.
Ryoho Kyohiko was too powerful.
Even if Nagato possessed the Rinnegan, Black Zetsu was not confident that he could defeat Ryoho Kyohiko after taking control of Nagato.
Otherwise.
He wouldn't be so conflicted.
After thinking for a long time, Black Zetsu lurked and followed, spying from a deep position underground.
No matter what—
During this time, he had to remain patient.
The two-pronged preparations from before should be starting soon.
There was still time for everything!
...
Kyohiko frowned.
The toad's reaction just now felt very strange.
He was not a rare guest at Mount Myoboku, nor was he someone worth being scared of. Why was its reaction so intense?
Could it be the influence of some ninjutsu?
He couldn't be sure.
When he used the Flying Thunder God to come over, he didn't sense any special aura or chakra influence, so he could rule out the possibility of genjutsu.
Could it be Black Zetsu?
Unclear.
But.
He did not hesitate to assume the worst about Black Zetsu—
Because, for Madara and Black Zetsu, the most important thing right now was to obtain the Rinnegan!
Therefore.
He didn't think any more about it, but directly used the Flying Thunder God to leave and return to Nagato's side.
Nagato opened his eyes. There were some signs of frog transformation on the skin at the corners of his eyes, but they were very slight, almost invisible to the naked eye.
This was already very close to Naruto's state.
A near-perfect Sage Mode!
"What's wrong?"
Nagato looked at Kyohiko.
"The ninja world is about to fall into chaos. Madara has collected most of the Tailed Beasts. The next targets might be the One-Tails and the Nine-Tails."
Kyohiko told Nagato, who had moved to Mount Myoboku, about the current situation in the ninja world.
Nagato listened quietly.
After a few seconds, a deep suspicion appeared on his face.
Destroy the eyes?
Even if Yahiko had suggested such a thing, it would be difficult for him to believe it, let alone Kyohiko.
Although the other party had some connection with him and had helped them a lot.
However.
After all, they were not from the same village.
Nagato had a considerable amount of resistance and wariness towards Kyohiko in his heart.
Even now, it was still the same.
Therefore.
When Kyohiko explained everything, he didn't believe it, and even thought that Kyohiko was deceiving him, trying to take his eyes—
This kind of thing was not uncommon.
No matter how kind Kyohiko was, he was still a ninja from Konoha and needed to consider Konoha's interests.
Nagato was silent, revealing a hint of hidden hostility.
Kyohiko knew this was inevitable.
He was about to speak.
In the distance, a giant toad quickly hopped over.
Bang!
With one leap, it landed on the open ground in front.
Gamabunta lowered its body.
Above, Fukasaku and Shima quickly jumped down.
"Kyohiko, Nagato, the Great Elder has woken up. He wants you both to go over."
"Huh?"
Kyohiko was pondering how to persuade Nagato to go to Konoha with him for a full-body check-up when he suddenly heard the news of the "Great Elder" waking up. He was a bit dazed.
Why did the old toad call for them?
Could it be another prophecy!
Kyohiko thought for a moment and nodded lightly, "Let's go. We'll go there first, and then we can talk in detail later. If you don't trust our Konoha, you can have a full-body check-up in the Hidden Rain Village."
Nagato nodded lightly upon hearing this.
If it was in the Hidden Rain Village, he could accept it.
After all—
In principle, he was willing to believe Kyohiko's conjectures and judgments.
Konoha's intelligence network was definitely stronger than their Village of Birds and Hidden Rain Village.
Furthermore, the other party rarely made mistakes.
However.
No matter what, Nagato couldn't believe that the eyes he awakened that night could possibly belong to someone else.
Moreover.
He might even have a control talisman from Madara on him.
Although it was just a guess, the mere thought of it made him feel suffocated.
If the truth was as Kyohiko said, then...
What was his life?
This was one of the reasons for Nagato's resistance. The other was his hatred for Konoha.
In short.
The current Nagato was in a very conflicted state.
Kyohiko didn't want to fall out with Nagato.
The current cooperation between Konoha, the Hidden Rain, and the Hidden Sand was seamless. The three parties had formed a community of interests, and this bond would only become stronger in the future.
At that time, "unification" would be a matter of a single decree, without needing to go through too many wars.
Therefore.
He needed to find a middle ground between the two.
Of course.
If it really didn't work...
Acting first and reporting later was also an option.
A sharp light flashed in Kyohiko's eyes.
He brought Nagato to Mount Myoboku, to the palace where the Great Toad Sage was.
Behind.
Boom!
Gamabunta hopped and quickly followed.
Above, Fukasaku and Shima jumped down and quickly entered the palace.
"Great Elder, Kyohiko and Nagato are here."
Fukasaku said in a low voice.
The great toad on top opened its eyes and looked at Kyohiko and Nagato with difficulty.
Obviously.
It hadn't slept long enough and was still a bit tired, speaking with effort.
"I saw a darkness enveloping the ninja world."
"A terrible apocalypse has arrived!"
"The key lies in you two and Minato. I saw you fighting a terrible enemy..."
As it spoke, its tone gradually became low.
The Great Toad Sage fell asleep again.
Fukasaku was stunned for a moment, then looked at Kyohiko and Nagato below, as well as Shima and Gamabunta not far away.
Although it was a brief description, it was obvious that the matter was very serious!
Kyohiko frowned.
He was not Jiraiya, after all.
If it were Jiraiya, he would have believed it without a second thought upon hearing this. But he would doubt and think—
Could it be that the Great Toad Sage misinterpreted it?
But.
He wouldn't be foolish enough to say this here.
The Great Toad Sage's prophecy still represented something.
It at least proved that what he said was correct. Madara was indeed very dangerous and was already on the path to reviving Kaguya.
This was a favorable interpretation for him.
The key to intelligence is how you use it!
He looked at Nagato.
"You heard it too. Madara might lead to an apocalypse. Now, what is your answer?"
"It's not necessarily Madara."
Nagato replied.
Kyohiko sighed and said, "It seems I can't persuade you, but the current Mount Myoboku is very dangerous."
"Kyohiko, why do you say the current Mount Myoboku is very dangerous? Because of the prophecy?"
Fukasaku was puzzled.
Kyohiko thought for a moment and explained his suspicions about the nine Tailed Beasts and the Rinnegan.
Shima was astonished.
"So, you suspect that Madara wants to obtain the Rinnegan, then re-gather the Tailed Beasts to obtain the power of the Sage of Six Paths?"
"Yes."
Kyohiko nodded.
Shima couldn't believe it.
What kind of crazy person could come up with such a plan?
Nine Tailed Beasts in one...
How powerful would that be?
No wonder the Great Elder woke up and prophesied that the ninja world was facing an unprecedented disaster.
If Madara really completed the fusion, it would not be an exaggeration to call it an apocalypse.
After all.
In that situation, who could defeat Uchiha Madara?
No one could.
Including Kyohiko.
Fukasaku said with conflict, "But, for this, to directly destroy the Rinnegan, isn't it a bit too alarmist..."
If used properly, this could also be a powerful asset for them.
They obviously still believed the Great Elder's words very much.
This matter was very difficult.
Kyohiko sighed.
However, the current situation was within his expectations.
Mount Myoboku had confirmed that both he and Nagato could be the "Child of Prophecy." How could they easily give up on Nagato?
If they were willing to sacrifice Nagato, they would not have let Nagato come to Mount Myoboku to train in Sage Art.
What's more.
Nagato himself would not agree to a senseless sacrifice.
He was pondering.
Outside, Gamabunta suddenly disappeared from Mount Myoboku.
Before leaving, it threw out a sentence—
"Jiraiya is summoning me!"
Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a glance, their faces becoming grave.
"Is Jiraiya in danger?"
If it were before, they would not have been so worried.
After all, it was not the first time Jiraiya had summoned Gamabunta.
Basically, Gamabunta could easily handle most battles.
But now.
They were also scared by the words of the Great Elder and Kyohiko, thinking that the apocalypse was really at hand.
The next second.
Bang!
Fukasaku and Shima disappeared from the spot at the same time.
"Sensei is in danger!"
Nagato's pupils shrank.
He knew that Jiraiya-sensei would not easily summon the two great sages.
Now, even the two great sages had been called upon. He must have encountered unimaginable danger over there and had to use Sage Mode.
But.
He had heard from Fukasaku that Jiraiya's Sage Mode had very big flaws...
Nagato's face was grave.
"Now is not the time to argue about those things. We should help sensei."
"Perhaps, they were waiting for this moment."
Kyohiko frowned.
Nagato was stunned for a second and said, "You mean, they did it to lure me out?"
"Yes, but it could also be a two-pronged approach. Maybe that guy has already followed us here!"
Kyohiko's face was grim.
Black Zetsu could possess people and was omnipresent.
The Great Toad Sage's sudden awakening might be related to Black Zetsu.
Then…
Now, Black Zetsu is very likely on Mount Myoboku!
Kyohiko instantly formed hand seals, his chakra erupted, and two wood clones with powerful chakra separated from him.
To deal with the unexpected, he needed to make some special preparations to avoid being brought to Jiraiya's side by a sudden reverse summoning technique.
However.
At this instant.
A black shadow instantly appeared on Nagato's face.
Following that—
Boom!
A huge repulsive force suddenly surged out.
Even Kyohiko couldn't maintain his footing in the face of the extreme Almighty Push, not to mention that the Great Toad Sage was still in the palace.
The wood clone he had just separated instantly grabbed the Great Toad Sage and sent him away with the Flying Thunder God.
Following that—
Bang!
He was knocked back more than ten steps by the repulsive force, but he quickly stood firm.
Black Zetsu was very surprised.
A repulsive force of this level couldn't even push this guy back too far.
No!
Distance for Kyohiko...
Was meaningless!
He instantly controlled the body, bit his finger, and formed hand seals.
This was his last chance!
Boom!
A summoned beast appeared.