Staring at the tree-like flesh growths erupting all over Nagato's body, Hiruko froze in place.
This couldn't be happening.
The experiment had clearly shown that Nagato's body had just fused more deeply with the First Hokage's cells, a level of integration even greater than before. They had achieved a complete merger at the core level.
In this state, there should've been zero risk of any Wood Release chakra backlash.
But there was no time to overthink it. The writhing, organic growths sprouting from Nagato were clearly the result of Yang-style chakra inherent in Hashirama's cells, triggering a mutation within Nagato's body.
If left unchecked, those woody tendrils would devour Nagato's own cells—until all of him was reduced to nothing but fuel for a giant tree.
The end result: Nagato would become a massive sacred tree.
"Why are you just standing there?! Do something!!"
Konan's voice rang with panic. Her expression was tight with anxiety and dread.
If she had even basic medical ninjutsu skills, she would've already taken action herself.
"Something's wrong—seriously wrong."
Hiruko ignored her urging and narrowed his eyes, examining Nagato more closely.
Under normal circumstances, especially when the cells were in balance and even completely fused, a cellular runaway like this shouldn't occur. And yet—not only was it happening, it was escalating quickly.
Even back when Nagato first merged with Hashirama's cells, the situation hadn't been nearly this bad. Back then, the Uzumaki bloodline and the Rinnegan alone were enough for Nagato to suppress and integrate the foreign DNA with ease.
But now…
"Ugh… urghhh…"
On the operating table, Nagato began making guttural, incoherent noises.
Saliva was dripping from the corner of his mouth, his eyes were somewhat unfocused, and his body was constantly twitching as if it was about to fall apart.
And worst of all—those pale lavender Rinnegan eyes were now dim and clouded, as though obscured by a heavy mist.
Hiruko's expression grew even more serious.
These were unmistakable signs of Wood Release chakra going berserk.
"This shouldn't be happening… it shouldn't be possible."
He hurried over to a nearby set of monitoring equipment, attaching various sensors and wires to Nagato's body.
Data streamed across the screens. Within seconds, Nagato's vitals appeared in full.
"Blood pressure… heart rate… cellular activity… all off the charts…"
"Cellular activity is still climbing?! That's impossible—they were already fused!"
"Wait… this energy reading—what is this…?"
As his eyes scanned the data, Hiruko's frown deepened. But then his gaze locked onto a particular indicator—and his pupils shrank sharply.
"No way…"
A theory formed in his mind. He slowly pulled back and stood silently to the side.
His sudden retreat made Konan even more uneasy. Paper blades began forming all around her trembling hands.
"Hiruko—what the hell are you doing?"
She knew all too well that panic clouded judgment. She didn't know medical ninjutsu, nor human biology, so the last thing she wanted was to interfere—
But this was Nagato.
He was all she had left.
"Calm yourself, Angel."
Hiruko's voice was solemn as he looked at her.
"The Leader's condition is… special. But his body isn't in danger."
"What are you talking about?!" Konan's brows furrowed tightly.
"How can you say that when he looks like—"
"Because the Leader is using the First Hokage's cells to absorb natural energy from the world itself."
Hiruko turned toward Nagato's body, now overrun with writhing shoots and plant matter, and said gravely:
"I don't possess Sage Mode, but I've studied natural energy for years. If you focus carefully, you'll notice—his entire body is flooded with natural energy."
Indeed, Hiruko had spent many years researching Sage Mode and natural energy.
Back during his time in Konoha, his three peers—the Legendary Sannin—had become the successors of the Three Great Sage Regions one after another. After becoming a ninja, Hiruko had worked closely with Danzo and gained access to forbidden secrets, launching his own study into senjutsu and natural energy.
Even his Chimera Technique contained traces of his findings in that field.
"Normally, to enter Sage Mode, you have to absorb natural energy in a precise ratio to your chakra. That fusion creates Sage Chakra."
"Once in that state, the user can harness natural energy to enhance both offense and defense. Even taijutsu range and sensory ability improve dramatically. It's a massive power boost to ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu alike."
Hiruko explained the principles of Sage Mode in detail.
"But the process of absorbing natural energy is incredibly difficult. First, the user must already have a massive chakra reserve—otherwise, the natural energy will devour them.
And second, they need a method to properly absorb and balance that energy."
"As of now, only the Three Great Sacred Grounds and the newly famous 'Fourth Sanctuary: Shadow Island' possess complete techniques for absorbing and utilizing natural energy.
So the fact that the Leader…"
Konan stood there, mouth agape, staring at Nagato—his body overtaken by budding branches, face twisted in pain.
She didn't know what to say.
"What should I do?" she asked, almost pleading.
The proud Angel of Amegakure lowered her head—for the sake of the man she loved.
But Hiruko could only shake his head slowly.
"To create Sage Chakra, you need to balance spiritual energy and physical energy, and then layer in natural energy—achieving equilibrium among all three. That's the most difficult part."
"Too little natural energy, and you can't enter Sage Mode. Too much, and it consumes and corrupts you."
"Only by perfectly balancing all three—1:1:1—can you successfully enter Sage Mode."
"Right now, the Leader has reached a critical phase. His physical and spiritual energies are trying to balance with the influx of natural energy.
I'm no sage. There's nothing more I can do. It's all up to him now."
"If he succeeds, he'll not only recover, but also gain access to the legendary Sage Chakra."
"But if he fails…"
Hiruko trailed off, but Konan already knew what came next.
He would be completely overtaken—and turned into a towering tree.
"Perhaps you should speak with Madara and Black Turtle," Hiruko suddenly added, as if recalling something.
"Both of them carry strong traces of Hashirama's chakra. They might be able to help, or at least understand what's happening."
"...They're not in Amegakure right now."
Konan's expression shifted.
When Nagato was first teleported back, he'd been in the hands of Obito and Zetsu.
To keep him safe—and ensure those two didn't try anything—Konan had reclaimed Nagato once his condition stabilized and handed him over to Hiruko for treatment.
She never expected that he would suddenly begin absorbing natural energy and spiral into this state.
Now, with both Obito and Zetsu gone…
"Then it's all up to the Leader now."
Hiruko sighed, casting one last complex look at the drooling, dazed Nagato—then turned and walked out of the operating room.
Konan clenched her fists.
And prayed.
...
Unaware of what had befallen Nagato, Yoru had just returned to his residence after parting ways with Jigen.
Seeing him return unharmed, Mei Terumi and the others finally exhaled in relief. But this trip… was now cut short.
The so-called "celestial beings" that Yoru had treated as his greatest enemies—it turned out, they were already here, in the ninja world.
That alone shattered the calm and confidence Mei and Pakura had built up.
"No need to be so tense," Yoru said with a chuckle, seeing their guarded expressions.
"That guy's strong, yes—but he's badly wounded.
And with that old bastard in the Pure Land watching us like a hawk, he's not going to make a move unless absolutely necessary."
"How can we not be tense? He's… he's from the same clan as the Sage of Six Paths!"
Ever since learning from Yoru about the Ōtsutsuki Clan, Mei had always carried a lingering fear of them. But they'd seemed so distant, so far off.
And Mist Village's rapid growth—along with Yoru's strength—had dulled that fear.
Until now.
Now, the Ōtsutsuki were real. Tangible. Present.
The fear returned like a flood.
They were the Sage's kin. The celestial race. The devourers of planetary life.
Even their titles made them sound like gods.
How could someone raised in the shinobi world's traditions not be afraid?
Until Yoru gently placed a hand on her hair.
"There's no need to worry. I've got this."
His fingers stroked her smooth cheek as he turned to look at the concerned Pakura and the confused Hikari.
His expression was calm. His tone, unwavering:
"Sage of Six Paths, celestial beings, chakra dominators… it doesn't matter.
You just need to act as you always have."
"No arrogance. No fear.
Just stand beside me—through anything."
"And there will be no enemy we cannot overcome."
"Yoru…"
Mei stared at him, dazed. Her anxiety vanished like smoke beneath the sheer force of his confidence—no, his domineering will.
Yes.
So what if the enemy was a chakra god?
Yoru was a Soul God.
She let out a breath and clung to his arm with a soft hum.
"You're impressive, sure—but we still shouldn't let our guard down. Let's head back to the village soon."
"Eh? You're the one who dragged me here to worship."
"Yoru!"
Their laughter dispelled the heaviness lingering in the air.
The next day, they picked up a few protective talismans from the temple and quietly departed.
But just as they left the Fire Temple, a ripple disturbed the space outside.
From that ripple, a shadowed figure emerged, watching their departure with cold eyes.
"There's no way Yoru didn't notice the Nine-Tails' chakra in that kid."
Zetsu muttered grimly.
"Looks like your plan failed."
"No," Obito shook his head with a sneer.
"He didn't leave any seals or marks on the boy.
Arrogance is every strong man's flaw—and Yoru is no exception.
The Nine-Tails' power will still be ours."
"But it's only a small portion. Not enough to complete the ritual."
"I know. That's why I've got something better in mind."
Obito's voice turned cold. His figure flickered.
...
Night fell.
Under a blood-red moon, deep inside a quiet room, Sora sat on the floor—his expression frustrated and miserable.
He'd just been thoroughly scolded by Chiriku, again.
He wanted to be a proper shinobi monk, a respected disciple of the Fire Temple. But the chakra in his body was too erratic. He couldn't even complete the most basic daily meditations.
His companions looked at him with disappointment.
Chiriku kept saying, "Keep this up, and we'll expel you."
Even he was starting to hate himself…
All these thoughts twisted in his mind. He couldn't sleep. He curled up, hugging himself, trying to stay warm.
Then—
A shadow blotted out the moonlight above.
Sora looked up instinctively…
And was met with a glowing, blood-red three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Go berserk, Nine-Tails."
The voice was low, almost demonic—like a whisper from the pits of hell.
In that moment, the seal inside Sora's body snapped open.
A terrifying torrent of chakra erupted from within, swallowing his body and mind.
Darker than darkness. Redder than blood. A curse given form.
"RRAAAARRRGGHH!!!"
His eyes turned black with demonic slit pupils. Blood-red chakra erupted across his skin, forming a monstrous cloak.
His roar shattered the temple's peace.
The chakra wind blew through the grounds, extinguishing countless incense flames.
A beast had awoken.
Shinobi monks across the temple jolted awake in alarm.
"The Fire Temple is well-defended," Zetsu remarked.
"Its front gates are said to have never been breached. That kid alone won't be able to destroy it."
"I never intended to destroy the Fire Temple."
Obito clasped his hands together.
A strange, dark-purple gourd appeared in front of him.
Zetsu's eyes widened.
"That's—!"
"The darkness and fear in the human heart… will become the power that lifts me to divinity."
Obito formed a hand seal.
The gourd unleashed an immense suction force, drawing in all the black chakra in the air—chakra saturated with fear and darkness.
He absorbed it all.