Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Chapter 1143 First Contact
"Yes, that should be it!"

The more Qingming thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

However, as the saying goes, if you know the other party's ultimate goal, then no matter what the other party wants to do or what tricks they play, you don't need to care too much.

In any case, the situation will eventually turn out the way he expects.

After all, he controls three and a half tailed beasts, and if the other party wants to achieve their goal, they will eventually come after him.

At that time, he will be able to control the course of events.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind. After pondering for a while, Qingming decided to leave.

But just then, as if sensing his spying, a terrifying pressure suddenly came from below.

Qingming stared intently, and with the help of his Byakugan's X-ray vision, he immediately spotted a figure flying rapidly toward him.

This person was dressed in a black robe with red clouds, and his eyes were an eerie purple with black patterns on them, which was exactly what the legendary Rinnegan looked like.

However, the other party's Rinnegan always gave him a sense of illusion, as if it were not real.

Combining his memories from his previous life, Qingming immediately realized that this person should be a puppet controlled by Nagato, namely the Six Paths of Pain, and the strongest of them all, the Deva Path.

Realizing this, he immediately planned to activate the 'Flying Thunder God Technique' to teleport away directly.

But just before he was about to unleash his ninjutsu, he stopped.

It wasn't that someone stopped him, but rather that he wanted to meet the other person and experience the legendary Rinnegan up close.

As for the issue of identity exposure...
After thinking for a moment, Qingming simply used the 'Transformation Technique' to casually create the appearance of an ordinary person.

Next, he deactivated 'Wind Release: Wings of Wind', 'Chakra Cloak', and 'Earth Release: Super Light Heavy Rock Technique', using only his Byakugan's ability to manipulate gravity to levitate himself in mid-air.

Although he might be deceiving himself, as long as there is no direct evidence to prove that he is himself, there is no major problem.

Even if Nagato eventually figured out his identity, he probably wouldn't reveal it to others.

After all, it doesn't do him any good.

Of course, even if he guessed wrong, and the other party revealed their guess, it wouldn't be a problem, since others probably wouldn't believe it anyway.

Even if others believe it, it doesn't matter.

With his current strength, he doesn't need to worry about anyone making a move against him.

Moreover, what is the purpose of his daily cultivation and efforts to improve his strength?
It's all so that we have the freedom to choose when things happen.

If that's the case, and one has to consider this and that in everything they do, then why bother improving their strength? They might as well just give up.

Therefore, after a little thought, Qingming stayed as he wished.

Wow~
The rain clouds below were broken apart, and a figure came straight in front of him.

The two stood several meters apart.

Qingming looked at the newcomer. Although he did not recognize Yahiko, judging from the person's temperament and appearance, he was most likely Pain.

However, he didn't pay too much attention to the other person's appearance, but focused most of his attention on the other person's eyes.

Although these eyes are not the true Rinnegan, as a reflection of the Rinnegan, they still possess some mystical qualities.

This also allows him to sense some of the power belonging to the Rinnegan.

Qingming was sizing up the other person, and the other person was naturally sizing him up as well.

When Nagato saw Qingming standing in the void, his expression remained relatively normal.

After all, while flying ninjas are few, they do exist in the ninja world.

However, when he sensed the gravitational force surrounding Qingming, which seemed to originate from the same source as him, even the puppet he was controlling changed its expression slightly.

Without a doubt, this was the first time he had encountered an ability similar to the Rinnegan. How could he not be shocked?
Without any hesitation, Nagato immediately used the puppet body to activate the Rinnegan's power and carefully observed Qingming.

Qingming sensed that the other party was spying on him, but he did not try to avoid it.

Because the more this is the case, the more he can experience the wonders of the Rinnegan.

At the same time, Nagato immediately fixed his gaze on the space between his eyebrows.

Clearly, even with the double concealment of the 'Transformation Technique' and the Konoha headband, the opponent still discovered the problem.

The two stared at each other for a moment before Nagato spoke first: "Who are you?"

Although his voice was calm, Qingming could hear the gravity in it.

Clearly, Nagato was extremely wary of him.

Indeed, anyone who has just quietly taken control of a village, and then within a month or two, a stranger arrives and uses abilities similar to their own, would feel nervous.

Who knows, Nagato is already thinking about how to get rid of him!
"Haha~"

Qingming chuckled lightly, then said in a casual tone, "I should be asking you that question. If I remember correctly, the leader of Amegakure should be Hanzo. And who are you?"

He paused deliberately, looking into the other person's eyes, and said, "Tsk tsk~, immortal eyes, truly astonishing!"

Hearing his words, Nagato frowned slightly, but he wasn't surprised that Qingming recognized his eyes.

After all, the moment he appeared, Qingming stared into his eyes, which clearly showed that he had some understanding of the Rinnegan.

He frowned because of Qingming's attitude towards the Immortal Eye and the tone of his voice.

Although Qingming acted as if she didn't recognize him, Nagato's intuition told him that the other party most likely knew his identity.

This puzzled him greatly!
As for attitude
In the past, anyone who knew of the existence of the Celestial Eyes would show either shock or greed in their eyes when they saw them.

And what about Qingming?

He'd been here for so long, yet he showed absolutely no such emotion.

How could this not puzzle Nagato?

Could it be that...?

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he focused his gaze on Qingming's brow again.

Perhaps, only by sharing the same vision can one avoid harboring covetous thoughts.

I'm interested in verifying this.

Without hesitation, Nagato immediately raised his hand and released 'Universal Pull', attempting to pull Qingming to his side.

However, faced with the sudden attraction, Qingming raised his hand in return, releasing the same repulsive force to counteract the attraction.

His relaxed and carefree demeanor left Nagato speechless.

Indeed, both the Rinnegan and Tenseigan possess the ability to manipulate gravity and repulsion, but their fundamental focuses differ.

The Rinnegan focuses more on controlling the rules of life and death. Although it can also manipulate gravity and repulsion, the force is relatively small, making it more suitable for precise control.

Even Madara Uchiha's "Heavenly Obstruction Star" released during the Fourth Shinobi World War used the Rinnegan's control over gravity to directly summon two meteorites, rather than pulling them in from outer space "little by little".

In contrast, the Tenseigan can directly manipulate planets; the two are simply not on the same level.

Therefore, even though Qingming's Byakugan has not yet evolved into the Tenseigan, the control it grants him over gravity and repulsion is sufficient to deal with the gravity released by Nagato through his puppet body.

Nagato, refusing to believe in superstition, waited a moment and then released another gravitational force, attempting to pull Qingming in front of him.

But Qingming resolved the situation with the same nonchalant action.

(End of this chapter)