"The success rate is really still ten out of ten?"
Even Nagato looked surprised, while in the background, Konan couldn't hide the faint relief on her face.
The Akatsuki's recent assault on Konoha had achieved its objectives—but something had changed. Orochimaru was proving increasingly difficult to deal with.
It had been just over a year since the battle at Takigakure, yet Orochimaru had already developed means that posed a genuine threat to Nagato.
His rate of growth was terrifying.
By typical standards, a shinobi's power peaked during their teenage years and stabilized in their twenties. Orochimaru, now in his forties or fifties, should have long since plateaued. But somehow, his strength continued to evolve at an alarming pace.
That was why, after returning to Amegakure, Nagato resolved to undergo physical enhancement surgery—and not even Konan could dissuade him.
Now, hearing from Kabuto that the success rate was extremely high, Konan finally let out a breath of relief.
"I'll consult with Beryuha and the others later, just to confirm what you've said," Nagato added calmly.
Kabuto gave a respectful nod, but then followed up with a caveat.
"Though the success rate is high, the results may not meet your expectations."
"What do you mean?" Nagato asked with a frown.
"The so-called 'white cell strengthening' surgery alters an ordinary shinobi's body to resemble that of White Zetsu. But the truth is… White Zetsu isn't that powerful."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and smiled slightly.
"You're from the Uzumaki clan, aren't you? Even without modification, your natural physical resilience already far exceeds White Zetsu's."
Nagato's expression turned faintly disappointed.
He knew the truth of his clan's bloodline: healing from gut wounds in seconds, with vitality even surpassing that of Hashirama's legendary regeneration. For ordinary shinobi, turning their flesh into something like Zetsu's was a massive leap—but for him, it would be barely a gain.
Besides, his real condition wasn't due to frailty—it was the Gedo Statue, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, that had drained him dry.
A bitter smile crept onto Nagato's face.
The near-defeat in Konoha had shaken him badly, prompting him to seek desperate solutions. Looking back, it felt like he had grasped at straws.
"You've done enough for now," Konan said sharply, turning to Kabuto. "Please return to your work."
Kabuto nodded—but just as he turned to leave, a sly smile formed.
"Actually… if you truly want to grow stronger, there is another option."
Konan's eyes narrowed. His tone reeked of something sinister.
"Another option?" she repeated coldly.
"Yes. The white cell enhancement has limits—but the original surgery doesn't." Kabuto tapped his chest, grinning. "The one I went through myself."
"It's dangerous, of course—but it raised a low-level Chūnin like me to this level. That speaks for itself."
Konan's expression darkened. She immediately sensed the danger.
Allowing an outsider like Kabuto to operate on Nagato was already risky. An advanced surgery of unknown origin and unknown side effects? Even more so.
But she knew one thing: Nagato would not refuse.
His strength was what made Pain divine. The Akatsuki could afford failure—but Pain could never lose.
And with Orochimaru's strength still growing, Nagato couldn't afford to stay stagnant.
"This original surgery," Nagato said quietly, eyes narrowed, "is it truly as effective as you claim? How much of your current strength comes from the surgery itself? Isn't it more due to the fact that you've mastered Sage Mode?"
Unlike most, Nagato held Yakushi Kabuto in high regard.
He understood how rare it was to master Sage Mode. Even Jiraiya, his former mentor, underwent grotesque transformations during its use—but Kabuto seemed to wield it flawlessly.
That meant Kabuto's talent in senjutsu might even surpass Jiraiya's. Ignoring that and attributing everything to Orochimaru's experiments would be shortsighted.
"Sage Mode is indeed my greatest weapon," Kabuto acknowledged, a hint of surprise crossing his face. Then he smiled again.
"But without the surgery, I'd never have gotten here. I was just an ordinary Chūnin. My chakra reserves back then wouldn't have allowed me to survive Sage training, much less use it."
Nagato nodded in silence.
Natural energy required immense chakra to harness safely. For someone like Kabuto—whose heritage was distant and whose base chakra was minimal—such transformation would've been impossible without enhancement.
"Very well," Nagato said at last, lifting his gaze. "Prepare everything. I'll let you perform the operation in a few days."
"The Akatsuki's resources are at your disposal. Just make sure the success rate is guaranteed."
"Heh… rest assured," Kabuto said with a gleam in his eyes. He adjusted his glasses and left the room quietly.
Once he was gone, Konan's expression fell into a deep, obvious concern.
"Nagato… are you sure about this? This man was once part of Orochimaru's circle. His loyalty is uncertain. What if—"
Nagato shook his head.
"It doesn't matter. I have to move forward."
His voice was tired, but resolute.
"Taking a risk still gives me a chance to win. But ignoring the danger—stalling while Orochimaru grows stronger—that would be suicide."
He could accept defeat. But he would never let himself lose pathetically.
Konan said nothing more. She knew his mind was made up. Instead, she simply vowed in silence:
If Kabuto betrayed Nagato—even at the cost of her own life—she would ensure he died for it.
---
"Nagato wants the operation?"
Far away, playing idly with a small snake on his wrist, Orochimaru grinned in amusement.
"Now that… is a delightful surprise."
While it wasn't entirely out of character for Nagato, it was still shocking to see him actually go through with it.
Orochimaru had long dreamed of transplanting First Hokage cells into a member of the Uzumaki clan.
But Uzumaki Aoi was past her prime, and Karin—his most promising candidate—was still too young.
That left one perfect vessel in the entire shinobi world: Nagato, his enemy.
From the side, the Lamp God tilted its head and smirked.
"You're going to have a lot more valuable data now, aren't you?"
Indeed. The genetic fusion of the Uzumaki and Senju clans—spiritual endurance and regenerative vitality—was the closest thing to the legendary Sage Body.
"Yes," Orochimaru murmured, licking his lips.
"But what a waste… to let him have all the fun. I'd rather do it myself."
_____________________
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