Konoha's lexicon of ninjas

Chapter 193 Nagato's Changes, Shinra Tensei! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

"Let's go together."

Hoshino Hideichi shook his head: "And they should have sensed us too."

The Rinnegan should not be underestimated, even if it's not the original.

But now that Nagato has Hashirama's cells, it means that he has likely already reached an agreement with Madara Uchiha.

In other words, because of his appearance, Madara Uchiha's plan against Obito was not perfect, so Nagato was used to replace him, thus missing a link in the chain.

It's still uncertain whether Hoshino Shuichi will be able to get to know Nagato; we'll have to wait until he meets Nagato to find out.

"All right!"

Jiraiya nodded and chuckled, "Looks like you don't really trust me!"

Hoshino Hideaki shook his head: "That's not true."

"It's just that it's too dangerous for you to go alone; that's the Rinnegan."

Jiraiya seemed to remember something, and his smile faded: "That's true."

"Then let's go."

Jiraiya tugged at the shoulder straps binding the roll and stepped into the rain, with Hoshino Shuichi following closely behind.

……

From within a tall tower, Nagato emerged from the darkness and approached Konan, who was staring blankly at the rain: "Jiraiya-sensei is here!"

Konan paused, her expression complex. "Did you come because you heard about Yahiko's death?"

Nagato didn't answer, looking out at the rain: "There's another person whose chakra is even stronger than Jiraiya's."

Konan's gaze sharpened: "There aren't many people like this in Konoha. It seems to be the one named Hoshino Shuichi from the information provided by White Zetsu."

"In a way, we're from the same sect."

"So, our cooperation with Uchiha Madara has become known?"

Nagato reached out and caught a handful of rainwater, saying, "You'll find out soon enough."

Konan looked at Nagato's expressionless face and asked, "What are you planning to do?"

"Get ready for battle, Konan."

After saying this, Nagato turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Konan's eyes showed sadness, but she quickly became determined and turned to follow Nagato.

Beneath the tower, Hoshino Shuichi and Jiraiya entered through an entrance.

The tower appears to be constructed from countless thick pipes, and its distinctive architectural style is closely related to the rainy climate of the Land of Rain.

After walking through a pipe, Hoshino and his companion arrived at the second floor and then stopped.

"Nagato!"

Jiraiya smiled, then looked at Konan who came out from behind him: "That little girl from back then has grown up to be so beautiful!"

Konan looked at Jiraiya and said, "Jiraiya-sensei, you're still the same as before."

Jiraiya laughed proudly, "Of course! I'm the Toad Sage!"

After saying that, he couldn't help but suppress his smile: "Yahiko didn't come, so it seems the intelligence was correct."

Nagato spoke up: "So, Jiraiya-sensei came here this time to confirm Yahiko's death?"

Jiraiya's gaze sharpened, and he chuckled, "Nagato, you're a little different than before."

Nagato said calmly, "Of course, people do grow up."

"Moreover, this is also thanks to Konoha."

"I heard that Danzo is dead. That's a bit of a shame."

Jiraiya sighed after hearing this: "As expected, comforting people isn't a very good job, but..."

Before he could finish speaking, Nagato interrupted Jiraiya: "Jiraiya-sensei, if you're here to explain that matter, you don't need to."

"If you're coming to see the three of us, we'd be very happy to welcome you."

Jiraiya frowned slightly: "Of course I'm not here to explain that matter, but I also don't want you and Konan to choose the wrong path."

Nagato's previously calm voice suddenly rose: "Jiraiya-sensei, we have grown up, experienced a lot, learned a lot, and found our own path."

"As for the path that you advocated, Jiraiya-sensei, we have walked it before, but the result is already clear. Yahiko paid for it with his life, we were betrayed, and only Konan and I survived in the Akatsuki."

"So, now we've chosen to take a different path."

"That was the path Yahiko once envisioned."

"So please, Jiraiya-sensei, don't stop us."

Jiraiya's heart sank as he listened; clearly, words alone were no longer enough to change Nagato and Konan's minds.

Hoshino Shuichi, who had been observing from the sidelines, then interjected, saying, "I completely agree with that statement. Everyone has their own path and their own choices."

"To hand over the path you've chosen to someone else is indeed somewhat irresponsible."

Jiraiya's face fell upon hearing this. Shuichi had actually undermined him!

Hoshita Shuichi continued, "We're not here to persuade or explain anything."

"After all, Yahiko's death was indeed related to that guy Danzo."

"The reason I'm here today is actually to make a deal with the Akatsuki."

Nagato's gaze fell on Hoshino Shuichi: "A deal?"

"What kind of deal?"

Hoshita Hideichi chuckled, "Intelligence!"

"I have done considerable research on Hashirama cells, so I can sense the Hashirama cells in your body."

"This feeling is familiar. I encountered a mysterious enemy before who had the same situation. He also had the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"One of my friends was taken away by him, and another friend had a cursed seal implanted in his heart."

Konan's expression changed upon hearing this, but Nagato remained expressionless: "So what do you want to trade?"

Xingxia Xiu asked, "That person's identity!"

Nagato asked, "What can you use to make this deal?"

"Those methods won't work."

Hoshino Hideichi smiled and said, "It depends on what you need."

"Considering we're from the same sect, I can try my best to grant your request."

At this moment, Konan asked, "I heard you killed Danzo?"

Xingxia Xiu nodded in agreement: "That's right."

"On the very day Yahiko died."

At this moment, he was like a person without any guile, spilling out information like beans: "My summoning beast was monitoring Danzo in the air at the time, so I also know what happened that day."

Seemingly curious, Nagato asked, "Why did you kill him?"

Hoshita Shuichi sighed, "There are just too many reasons to kill Danzo."

"It concerns some secrets of the village, some of which cannot be revealed. Let me just tell you my own reasons."

"My reason is simple: Danzo threatened me when I was still a student at the Ninja Academy."

"Moreover, his existence threatened the safety of the people I was protecting, so I killed him."

Jiraiya, who was standing nearby, sighed and rubbed his forehead.

Nagato nodded in agreement: "I see. You were right."

Hoshino Hideichi laughed and said, "Back then, I swore that I would kill Danzo. I waited until this year, when I had enough strength and the opportunity, so I did not hesitate to take action."

Nagato said, "That person is Uchiha Madara!"

Jiraiya's heart sank upon hearing this: "It really was him..."

"It's unbelievable that people from that era are still alive today."

Nagato looked at Hoshino Shuichi and asked curiously, "You don't seem surprised."

Hoshino nodded: "There aren't many people in the Uchiha clan who can awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan, and they're not from the village. They also know the Uchiha clan's forbidden techniques. It's not hard to guess what's going on."

"If we eliminate all impossibilities, then even the most unbelievable result must be the truth."

Jiraiya said in a deep voice, "Nagato, Madara Uchiha is hiding a huge conspiracy by approaching you. If you cooperate with him, I'm afraid it won't end well."

Nagato said calmly, "I don't quite agree with what Jiraiya-sensei said."

"I feel it's safer to cooperate with Madara Uchiha than with someone like Hanzo."

Jiraiya understood the deeper meaning behind it and could not refute it.

Compared to Jiraiya, Hoshino Shuichi understood Nagato's thoughts better, so he didn't intend to persuade him. Instead, he took the opportunity to sow discord and find out the details of Nagato's cooperation with Uchiha Madara.

Now that he knew most of the information, he asked, "So, Nagato, what information do you want to know?"

Nagato said, "I already asked."

"So, Jiraiya-sensei, what are your plans next?"

Jiraiya looked at Nagato and Konan with a solemn expression, recalling the scene from years ago.

It's completely different now!

War has changed so much!

"Of course, it's to guide you back to the right path!"

Jiraiya shouted.

"The right path?"

Nagato countered, "What is the right path?"

"Is this what Jiraiya-sensei is practicing?"

"But Konoha has been constantly at war with other ninja villages, hasn't it?"

"We who are promoting peace have been betrayed by despicable means. The path we are about to take has been chosen after considering life and death."

"Jiraiya-sensei, what exactly is the correct path you speak of?"

"Besides, isn't it already quite late for Jiraiya-sensei to arrive at this hour?"

"So, if we're not on the right path, what does Jiraiya-sensei plan to do? Will he treat us as enemies and eliminate us?"

Jiraiya frowned: "Nagato, you're going too far!"

Nagato shook his head: "It's because you, Jiraiya-sensei, can't feel our pain that you're saying such lighthearted things here."

"You want us to understand others, but has anyone ever understood us?"

"Jiraiya-sensei, Danzo is dead, but Hanzo is not. Can you understand the pain and hatred we feel for losing our comrades, and go and kill Hanzo?"

"If not..."

Nagato's gaze locked onto Hoshino Shuichi: "Perhaps after killing your comrade, you should understand."

Jiraiya sighed, "It seems we need to test the results of your training since we parted ways."

"Shuichi, please step back!"

Hoshino Shuichi didn't move: "It's best not to underestimate the power of the Rinnegan."

It's unknown how much of the Rinnegan's power Nagato has mastered, but his legs are fine, and he's gained Hashirama cells, so he shouldn't be underestimated.

If someone had received instruction from Madara Uchiha like Obito Uchiha, then things would be even more complicated.

Nagato mastered six chakra nature transformations in just three years under Jiraiya's tutelage.

At this moment, Nagato raised his hand: "To be honest, I'm also very curious about Jiraiya-sensei's strength."

This action...

Hoshino Shuichi flashed in front of Jiraiya and blocked his way.

Splash!

Chains roared out, spreading out in all directions to form a semi-circular barrier that enveloped Hoshino Shuichi and Jiraiya.

Then Nagato's ninjutsu was unleashed.

Shinra Tensei!

A powerful impact erupted, colliding with Hoshino Shuichi's barrier, accompanied by a deafening roar and a terrifying shockwave.

It actually blocked it!

Nagato was somewhat surprised; no wonder he was specifically mentioned by Black Zetsu and White Zetsu.

Just then, inside the barrier, behind Jiraiya, a masked man in black robes rose from the ground, and then distorted spacetime enveloped Jiraiya.

"What?"

Jiraiya was surprised, but at this moment he was completely unable to use any ninjutsu to resist.

But just then, a chakra hand grabbed Jiraiya's shoulder.

The next moment, Hoshino Shuichi and Jiraiya vanished from their original positions.

The White Zetsu, controlling Obito Uchiha, smiled with slight disappointment: "What a pity, we were so close to succeeding!"

Black Zetsu said, "Having only one eye is still too slow."

"Of course, if we had chosen to open the barrier passage just now, the power of the Rinnegan would have been enough to defeat them."

White Zetsu shrugged and laughed, "You can't blame me for that. Nagato attacked too quickly; there wasn't enough time for him to coordinate!"

……

Inside a cave outside the town, Hoshino Hideichi appeared, while Jiraiya fell to the ground beside him.

"Shuichi, was that guy just now Uchiha Madara?"

Jiraiya got up and asked with a serious expression.

Hoshino Hideaki shook his head: "No."

"It's Obito."

Jiraiya frowned: "Obito Uchiha, that ninjutsu, was it his Mangekyou Sharingan?"

"That's an amazing ability; I didn't even realize they were getting close."

Taking the opportunity, Hoshino Shuichi revealed information: "It passed right through my barrier. That kind of fluctuation is undoubtedly a space-time ninjutsu."

"Moreover, it seems that Obito has been completely controlled by the enemy."

Jiraiya nodded, then smiled casually and said, "What a dangerous moment!"

"They almost took care of us."

"But it seems this trip wasn't entirely fruitless!"

"But given the current situation, facing such a combination without the Flying Thunder God Technique, which is also a space-time ninjutsu, would be extremely troublesome!"

A person who can directly restrain Obito and then launch a sneak attack is something that ordinary ninjas simply cannot handle.

Hoshino nodded: "It is indeed very troublesome, especially since we don't fully understand Obito's Mangekyou Sharingan ability."

"And Nagato's Rinnegan ability."

Jiraiya pondered, "Next, we need to gather as much information as possible on this."

"Sigh... If we become enemies in the future, there's nothing we can do about it."

Hoshino Shuichi cautioned, "Gathering intelligence is indeed very important, but it's best not to act alone."

"Hmm... I'll handle the intelligence aspect."

"With the Flying Thunder God Technique, even if I can't defeat them together, it will be easier for me to escape."

In that case, the intelligence would be cleared up.

Jiraiya thought about it for a moment and had to nod, then smiled and said, "Looks like I'm falling behind the times!"

Hoshita Hideichi chuckled, "This doesn't seem like Jiraiya's style, does it?"

Jiraiya laughed heartily, then said seriously, "It seems I need to train seriously, otherwise I'll be surpassed by some powerful juniors!"

(End of this chapter)