Helping each other with countless me.

Chapter 586 Crush
Mao Lan watched as the momentary blankness on Li Zhongren's face turned into certainty, and her judgment of him as a "newbie" wavered slightly, but she was more concerned about the current situation.

She looked around the desolate, rain-soaked village, her tone regaining its usual calm as she worked, and began to provide necessary background information on Li Zhongren, her "temporary companion."

“Listen, newbie, we usually dive into ‘fragmented worlds’ rather than complete worlds.”

Her voice was very low, blending into the patter of the rain.

"For the people inside, this is their everything, but for us, it has 'boundaries.' If you encounter an 'invisible wall,' don't try to force your way through, or you'll be thrown directly into the turbulent currents of the psionic sea and die."

Li Zhongren listened attentively; these were details that had not been mentioned in the experiences shared by the veterans in the sharing space.

"Secondly, and most importantly."

Mao Lan's icy blue eyes swept over him, carrying a warning tone.

“We are illegal intruders, and this world itself will reject us. You can think of the fragmented world as a living thing with basic immunity. We will be constantly ‘attacked’ and ‘excluded’ by it. It could be an accident, it could be a frequent occurrence of monsters, or it could be… making the natives of this world hostile to us. It cannot directly control people, but it can guide the situation and make us the target of everyone’s hatred.”

"The longer you persist, the stronger this repulsive force will become, but at the same time..."

She paused.

"The core of the power that the world has gathered to 'exclude' us will gradually emerge, and that is often the most precious thing in this fragmented world. Therefore, risk and reward coexist."

She looked at Li Zhongren one last time, her tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

"If you want to get back alive, you'd better follow me and do as I say. I will do my best to ensure your safety, as long as the situation allows. Don't act on your own, or don't blame me if you die."

Li Zhongren nodded without speaking or refuting.

About five minutes later, Li Zhongren felt that the subtle "sense of alienation" around him suddenly disappeared, as if he had finally sunk to the bottom of the water, instead of being wrapped in a thin film and suspended in the water.

At the same time, the faint smell of rust in the air suddenly became strong and vivid. It was not rust at all, but the smell of blood that had long since seeped into the soil, been repeatedly washed away by rain, and then re-emerged.

The atmosphere of the whole world became real and pungent.

Mao Lan clearly sensed this change as well, and his expression became even more serious.

"'Synchronization' is complete. We're fully in now. Be careful, the rejection has already begun."

The two began to carefully search the dilapidated village.

Most of the houses had broken doors and windows, and the interiors were in a mess. Crude furniture was overturned, and broken pottery jars and other miscellaneous items were scattered on the ground.

Many houses showed signs of fighting and looting, with dark brown, dried bloodstains smeared on the walls and floors.

Strangely, there were almost no corpses to be seen.

It was as if everyone in the village had either died or suddenly evaporated; a suffocating stillness enveloped the place, with only the endless sound of rain as background noise.

They searched room by room, finding nothing, until they pushed open a particularly dilapidated wooden door—

"call out!"

A faint whooshing sound came from the air! A dark shadow pierced straight for Mao Lan's throat!

It was a shuriken, no, more like a roughly polished kunai, its power and speed laughably slow in Mao Lan's eyes.

She didn't even move much; she just slightly lifted her slender fingers, and a thin layer of ice instantly froze in front of her fingertips.

"Ding!"

The kunai struck the ice shards and bounced off weakly to the ground.

Mao Lan's gaze instantly locked onto the source of the attack—behind a pile of firewood in the corner of the house.

She moved swiftly, like a ghost, and in the next second, she grabbed the wrist of a middle-aged man with a tattered appearance and a look of fear and determination, twisted his wrist, and dragged him out.

The man groaned in pain, but gritted his teeth and used his body to shield the corner behind him.

Li Zhongren looked towards that corner, where a red-haired woman, also dressed in rags and with a pale face, was huddled, tightly holding a child.

The child had striking orange-red hair.

Nagato! His parents!
Li Zhongren understood instantly.

The good news is that the timeline has been confirmed! During the Second Shinobi World War, in the Land of Rain, Konoha ninjas allegedly broke into a civilian's home!
The bad news is that this was a key event orchestrated by Madara Uchiha, designed to force Nagato to witness his parents' deaths at the hands of Konoha ninja, thus twisting his mind. This means that Madara Uchiha's will is very likely shrouded in this place! Even if he himself is not here due to old age and frailty, that dark will, Black Zetsu, is highly likely lurking in the shadows, watching everything! Even the two "Konoha ninja" who are about to arrive could be White Zetsu in disguise!
At this moment, Mao Lan had easily subdued Nagato's father. The icy chill made the man tremble, yet he still glared at them with hateful eyes.

Mao Lan began to interrogate her in a cold voice.

"Where is this place? What happened? Why did they attack us just now?"

She was trying to pry basic information about the world out of these natives.

Li Zhongren's brain was working at lightning speed.

According to the "Submersion Rules" provided by Mao Lan, the Fragment World will use all means to deal with them, but cannot directly control people, only guide them.

The most direct and profitable solution seems to be to kill this family of three now and take away young Nagato's Rinnegan! This is definitely one of the most precious "treasures" in the world!

But he suppressed the thought as soon as it arose.

Doing this will absolutely trigger the most intense rejection reaction in the world!
Madara Uchiha's plan has been completely destroyed, and Black Zetsu will definitely not sit idly by, which is very likely to provoke Madara Uchiha's wrath!
Even if it were just a clone of a genie or a White Zetsu empowered by Black Zetsu, it would be far beyond what he and Moran could handle in their current state.

Certain death!

Normally, the safest solution would be to help the Nagato family fight against the impending "Konoha ninja".

Whether successful or not, as long as the Rinnegan remains intact, Madara Uchiha's plan will only be temporarily thwarted, and he will not personally intervene.

As long as they engage in battle, cause casualties, and disrupt the world's "narrative," they can collect enough "traces" to serve as their "tickets" to leave.

But
Li Zhongren's gaze swept over the child's tightly closed eyes again; those Rinnegan eyes, which would one day control life and death, were still deeply hidden.

Find wealth in danger!
Beat a fight, bike change bike!
He has a system.

Even if Madara Uchiha comes in person, as long as he gives him a chance to speak, considering Madara's immense luck, he has a chance to turn the tables.

After all, once you miss out on the Rinnegan, it's not so easy to obtain it again.
Given the absolute disparity in strength and the absence of any malicious intent.

The Nagato family of three temporarily abandoned their vigilance.

After finishing a bowl of steaming hot water, Nagato's father started talking non-stop.

He described in fits and starts this place known as the "Ninja World," the five great nations, ninja villages, chakra, and the brutal war that swept everything. He was just an ordinary civilian from the Land of Rain who had received a little bit of ninja training and knew only a limited amount of knowledge, but it was enough to outline the contours of a world full of conflict and extraordinary power.

As Mao Lan listened, a hint of understanding flashed in her icy blue eyes.

She had indeed seen scattered records about a fragmented world with keywords such as "ninja," "chakra," "tailed beast," and "shadow" in some of the shared intelligence from the Administration Bureau, which had a low level of confidentiality. However, the information was vague. After all, information about fragmented worlds was a top-level secret, representing wealth, power, lifespan, and strength. No one would casually disclose the information they had obtained.

She tentatively suggested a name.

"Ohnoki?"

"That is... the Tsuchikage of the Land of Earth, an extremely powerful and terrifying figure."

Nagato's father spoke with fear and awe.

Mao Lan was certain that this world was connected to the intelligence she knew.

After that, she asked a few more questions indirectly and came to a conclusion: the world was indeed a world, but unfortunately, the timeline was much earlier, and the little bit of information she knew was almost useless at this moment.

While Mao Lan continued talking with Nagato's parents, trying to uncover more information about the current situation, especially the possible "danger" or "treasure," Li Zhongren sat down next to Nagato in the corner.

At this time, Nagato Uzumaki was still a red-haired boy who was somewhat thin and introverted due to malnutrition. The shadow of war and the life of wandering made his eyes look timid, but he had not yet been distorted by the pain of the tragic death of his loved ones and the burden of the Rinnegan.

Li Zhongren put on a smile that was as gentle and harmless as possible, which was not difficult thanks to his current youthful appearance.

He didn't ask any questions about the war or the ninjas, but simply pulled a few beautifully packaged candies from Starlight City from his pocket as if by magic. "Try this? It's very sweet."

He handed it over.

Nagato hesitated for a moment, then looked at her parents. Seeing them nod slightly, she carefully took the candy, peeled off the wrapper like Li Zhongren, and put it in her mouth.

Instantly, a sweet taste he had never experienced before exploded on his tongue, and the boy's eyes lit up, a pure, almost blissful expression of surprise appearing on his face.

"So...so sweet!"

He spoke softly, his eyes filled with more affection and trust as he looked at Li Zhongren.

Seeing Nagato's smile because of this insignificant sweetness, Li Zhongren felt a strange and complicated emotion welling up inside him.

This child could have had an ordinary but peaceful life, but was chosen by Madara Uchiha to become a pawn in the "Eye of the Moon" plan, and his future was filled with pain, betrayal and a heavy mission.

'If...if I took the Rinnegan.'

Li Zhongren looked at the boy's clear, purplish eyes, which had not yet developed ripples, and pondered to himself.

'For him, perhaps it's a different kind of relief? At least, he no longer has to bear that fate that could crush anyone.'

This thought strengthened his resolve.

The risks are enormous, but the rewards are equally astonishing, and in some ways, it could even be considered a kind of… “rescue”?
Of course, the whole plan couldn't have any problems, so he still needed to think about how to tell the lie.

Seeing the light in Nagato's eyes because of a piece of candy, Li Zhongren's mischievous thoughts rekindled.

He hadn't figured out how to weave the final, earth-shattering lie about the Rinnegan, but that didn't stop him from laying the groundwork first, or rather, satisfying his own perverse sense of humor.

"Nagato, do you think ninjas are powerful?"

Li Zhongren casually asked and handed over another piece of candy.

Nagato carefully took it and nodded vigorously.

"Hmm! That's amazing! They can protect everyone..."

But then his eyes dimmed again.

"...will also bring war."

"Then do you know what's even more powerful than a ninja?"

Li Zhongren asked with a smile, like a strange older brother coaxing a child.

Nagato shook his head blankly.

Li Zhongren lowered his voice mysteriously, glanced at Mao Lan and Changmen's parents who were talking nearby to make sure they weren't paying much attention, and then started talking nonsense.

"Actually, we... um, I am... an envoy sent to the human world by the Sage of Six Paths."

He had just heard the term "Sage of Six Paths" from Kosuke's account, and if he said it now, even if Molan had sharp ears and overheard the conversation, he wouldn't doubt it.

【Jeong-yeon 言。】

He thought Nagato would be confused, or that he would think he was joking.

However, Nagato's clear eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief and... an almost reverent excitement! Stars practically popped out of their sockets.

"Really...really? You are truly the Sage of Six Paths' messenger?"

Nagato's voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Now it was Li Zhongren's turn to be stunned, as if an invisible question mark had appeared above his head.

Is this kid so easily fooled? He couldn't help but ask.

"Why...why did you believe me so easily?"

Nagato lowered her head, her face slightly flushed, and held the pretty candy wrapper in her hand, speaking softly but with utmost seriousness.

"Because... the candy you gave me was very sweet. My mother said that anyone who can bring such wonderful things can't be a bad person... and the Sage of Six Paths... brings hope for peace... you look like hope..."

"..."

Li Zhongren was speechless for a moment. Looking into the boy's pure and trusting eyes, he felt a subtle sense of guilt for his lie for the first time.

This child's kindness and innocence are like a mirror.

at this time--

"Thud! rustle—"

Outside, in addition to the sound of rain, came clear, unnatural footsteps and the rustling of clothes, rapidly approaching!
The atmosphere inside the room instantly became tense!
Mao Lan's icy blue eyes sharpened instantly. She stood up, radiating a chilling aura, yet her tone remained unusually calm.

"Stay here and don't come out."

She gave orders to the trembling family, then glanced at Li Zhongren.

"Watch them."

After saying that, she turned around without hesitation, pushed open the dilapidated wooden door, and walked into the continuous rain.

Li Zhongren peered out through the crack in the door.

Two men wearing Konoha headbands and ninja vests were cautiously approaching the house.

There was no dialogue, no warning.

Almost the instant Mao Lan appeared, two Konoha ninja launched their attack! One of them rapidly formed hand seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A blazing fireball tore through the rain and hurtled toward Maolan.

The other person instantly threw out several shurikens to block her movement.

However, Maolan didn't even move.

She simply raised one hand, palm facing forward.

"Kakaka-!"

Extreme cold erupted from her center!
The moisture in the air was instantly sucked away and condensed! The blazing fireball that was rushing towards her, less than three meters away, seemed to have hit an invisible wall of extreme cold. The flames flickered and shrank wildly, and finally made a soft "poof" sound before being frozen and annihilated, without even producing much steam!

The shuriken were covered with a thick layer of frost halfway through their journey, falling helplessly into the mud and shattering into pieces.

Both "ninjas" were simultaneously filled with shock; this was completely beyond their comprehension!
But Mao Lan didn't give them time to react. She tapped her slender finger lightly.

"Ice."

Two visible, pale, icy streams shot out like venomous snakes, moving at an astonishing speed!

The two "ninjas" tried to dodge, but their movements became stiff and sluggish due to the sudden drop in temperature.

A cold front instantly enveloped their bodies!

"Crack! Click!"

The ice spread wildly, from ankles to knees, then to waist, abdomen, and chest... In almost the blink of an eye, the two living "ninjas" were transformed into two lifelike ice sculptures, frozen in the rain, their faces still bearing the last look of astonishment.

The battle lasted less than five seconds from start to finish.

Absolute crushing.

(End of this chapter)