Starting with the Uchiha clan, they began cultivating demonic arts.

Chapter 172 Changes in the Land of Wind

It wasn't until Nagato saw the various scrolls left by Madara Uchiha about Yin-Yang Release and the Rinnegan that he was certain the Rinnegan truly belonged to Madara Uchiha.

The reason is simply that Madara Uchiha had fully developed the power of the Rinnegan to its limit. In comparison, Nagato could only use some of the basic functions of the Rinnegan, while Madara Uchiha had already mastered the power of the Rinnegan and even developed its ultimate techniques.

"So this is the true power of the Rinnegan? And Yin-Yang Release... As expected, this eye must have been transplanted to me by Madara Uchiha."

Nagato sighed softly, a hint of disappointment on his face.

The trio once had such great confidence in creating the Akatsuki organization and pursuing world peace, and 80% of that confidence stemmed from their belief in Nagato's Rinnegan.

The Sage of Six Paths possessed the Rinnegan, quelled the world's disasters, founded the Ninja Clan, and became a legend. Nagato, who considered himself the second possessor of the Rinnegan, was destined to pursue world peace. It shouldn't be too difficult for him, right?

It can only be said that the lack of information gave Nagato a lot of confidence. Of course, the power of the Rinnegan is indeed powerful. Theoretically, if Nagato could really unleash the full power of the Rinnegan and there weren't so many behind-the-scenes manipulators, he could really suppress an era like Hashirama Senju and bring decades of peace to the ninja world.

Now that she knows the truth, Nagato's illusions are shattered. She has no destiny, nor was she born with the Rinnegan. She was only chosen by the mastermind as the host of the Rinnegan because she possesses the Sage Body of the Uzumaki clan.

"It's alright, Nagato. Madara Uchiha gave you the Rinnegan, perhaps with ill intentions, but now that he's dead, doesn't that just prove you're the chosen one?"

Yahiko patted Nagato on the shoulder and said jokingly, which snapped Nagato out of his daze, and his face regained some of its luster:

"Don't worry, Yahiko. I was just feeling a bit sentimental for a moment. Whether I was born with the Rinnegan or not, and regardless of who is destined for it, I will strive to the very end for the Akatsuki's wishes, our shared aspirations!"

"It's good that you can see it clearly, but is Madara Uchiha really dead?"

Yahiko smiled and said something, then looked at the group of strange people and asked.

"Lord Uchiha Madara is really dead. When he was young, Lord Madara might have been very powerful, but by then he was already in his seventies or eighties, and his Rinnegan had been taken and given to you. He would have a hard time fighting against any Kage-level opponent."

"Not only that, but the Gedo Mazo was also stolen. Without the Gedo Mazo, even if Lord Uchiha Madara were still alive, he would definitely have died of old age by now."

"The Demonic Statue of the Heretic..."

Nagato murmured something and touched his eyes again.

After acquiring the Rinnegan, he was able to sense the existence of the Gedo Mazo. However, even with the physique of the Uzumaki clan, summoning the Gedo Mazo would probably cost him half his life, so he had never considered summoning it before.

Moreover, a few years ago, the Rinnegan's connection to the Outer Path Mazo completely disappeared. At that time, Nagato Uzumaki also had doubts, but no one could explain the matter of the Rinnegan to him, so he could only suppress this doubt in his heart.

Unexpectedly... the Gedo Mazo was actually stolen by Uchiha Touyu. It seems that Uchiha Touyu is no pushover.

"The Demonic Statue of the Heretic, what is that?"

Yahiko spoke with some doubt, but Nagato had only sensed the existence of the Gedo Mazo and knew that it was very powerful. He didn't really know what the Gedo Mazo looked like or what its functions were.

Several white-clad figures, also known as White Zetsu, talked amongst themselves, giving Nagato and the others a basic understanding of the Gedo Mazo.

"Possesses powerful chakra? And the ability to absorb chakra?"

"An extremely large and sturdy golem body? Incredible destructive power?"

"The ability to create androids... means you White Zetsu?"

The more the White Zetsu said, the more Yahiko frowned. According to them, the Gedo Mazo was essentially a treasure no less powerful than the Rinnegan. Since the other party had possessed the Gedo Mazo for so long, their strength and influence must have been astonishing.

"However, this also confirms the Great Toad Sage's prophecy. If the opponent were truly just an ordinary Uchiha, how could he possibly pose a threat to this world?"

Nagato spoke calmly, showing no signs of losing faith, and even offered a word of comfort to Yahiko:

"Trust in the power of the Rinnegan! The Gedo Mazo is nothing more than an external force. After I fully develop the power of the Rinnegan, it will be nothing to fear."

"Moreover, I also have the help of you, Mount Myōboku, and Jiraiya-sensei. As long as we join forces, I believe we can definitely defeat this Uchiha."

"Well said!"

Yahiko nodded, feeling more confident:

"Next, Nagato, you will learn how to use the Rinnegan and Yin-Yang Release here! Madara Uchiha's legacy should also improve your strength."

"As for other information about Uchiha Tou, let's find out together with Jiraiya-sensei and see what he's planning to do."

A look of worry appeared on Nagato's face, and he spoke in a low voice:

"Be careful. The other side has now completely taken control of Sunagakure, and with the Gedo Mazo in their hands, even with Jiraiya-sensei, it will be extremely difficult and dangerous to get any useful information."

Yahiko waved his hand, not caring at all:

"Don't worry, I know very well how dangerous the Uchiha who could kill Madara Uchiha really is, not to mention that he now controls the Sand Village and has the Gedo Mazo in his hands."

"We're just going to gather information. If we find things are hopeless, we'll retreat immediately!"

Now, after their training at Mount Myōboku, Yahiko and Konan have reached a level close to that of a Kage. With Jiraiya also joining the team, Yahiko believes that while they may not be invincible, they can go anywhere to gather intelligence and escape unscathed.

Nagato was able to understand the true power of the Gedo Mazo because he possessed the Rinnegan. While it might not be as convenient to use as the Rinnegan, mastering the most basic uses of the Gedo Mazo was enough to sweep away ordinary ninjas and dominate the world.

However, Nagato didn't say much. While the Gedo Mazo was powerful, it wasn't very agile. Given that Jiraiya-sensei had the ability to lead Yahiko and Konan away unscathed, it was still capable of such a feat.

And so the matter was settled. Nagato received Madara Uchiha's legacy and began to study seriously again, his strength visibly increasing by another level. Meanwhile, Jiraiya, along with his two other disciples, headed to the Land of Wind.

The Land of Wind, Sunagakure Village.

Uchiha Touyu had been waiting here for several months and was already quite impatient.

During this time, Uchiha Hiyu released the Sharingan he created, a crystal ball, into the high sky, and it has been constantly scanning the entire Land of Wind.

Although Uchiha Tou's chakra couldn't pull the entire Land of Wind into a mini Infinite Tsukuyomi, it wouldn't be much of a burden if he were just using the Sharingan in the crystal ball to scan the terrain and find people.

While he didn't have much of a burden on his chakra, Uchiha Touyu had no interest in patrolling and monitoring the Land of Wind all day long!

"Let's wait another week. If Jiraiya doesn't show up by then, let's put him on hold for now!"

"It just so happens that I obtained some methods to strengthen the leeks by sacrificing the black energy last time. I can then have these countries in the ninja world start implementing this... This is the real business. Jiraiya isn't worth wasting too much of my time."

Sitting in his office in the Land of Wind, Uchiha Tou once again channeled his spiritual power into the Sharingan crystal ball in the sky. A faint red light flashed across the crystal ball, slowly scanning the entire Land of Wind.

Although the Land of Wind has the smallest population among the Five Great Nations, it still has tens of millions of people. Of course, it's impossible for Uchiha Tou to look at everyone one by one. Even if the Sharingan crystal ball could recognize everyone, he wouldn't have the memory to distinguish them all.

Therefore, Uchiha Tou's reconnaissance method is to use chakra to determine key targets. Those targets with no chakra or weak chakra are likely civilians from the Land of Wind, while those with stronger chakra are generally ninjas from the Land of Wind.

As a Kage-level ninja, Jiraiya's chakra strength was definitely among the top ten in the entire Land of Wind. Uchiha Touyu only needed to check for any unfamiliar, powerful chakra and then locate the suspect to determine whether the other party had infiltrated.

"Um!?"

This was just another routine scan, but Uchiha Touyu was slightly startled. He looked up and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"Three unfamiliar but powerful chakra sources; one is considered powerful even among Kage-level ninjas, and the other two are close to the level of Kage-level ninjas..."

Sensing the arrival of a powerful new chakra in the Land of Wind, Uchiha Touya immediately used his "eye" in the sky to focus on the source of the chakra, and then clearly saw the three people traveling in the desert.

"Is this Jiraiya with his two disciples? Why isn't Nagato with him?"

Looking at Jiraiya and the other two, Uchiha Touyu was slightly surprised, but this surprise quickly turned into delight:

"Well, anyway, Jiraiya has finally arrived... It wasn't for nothing that I waited so long!"

Having confirmed that Jiraiya had entered the Land of Wind, Uchiha Touya was no longer in a hurry and simply waited for Jiraiya and his companions to arrive in Sunagakure.

Uchiha Touya wasn't in a hurry, and neither were Jiraiya and the other two. The changes in the Land of Wind over the past few years had been enormous. The green area had expanded seven or eight times, and many deserts had been transformed into barren sparse forests and grasslands. This surprised the three of them, who had either visited or heard of the Land of Wind before.

"Although I had heard about the changes in the Land of Wind before... I really didn't expect that the Land of Wind would be so much more prosperous and wealthy than before."

Walking through the desert market of the Land of Wind, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both emotion and reflection):

"I'm starting to have some doubts now. Is Uchiha Touyu really the one who destroyed the world, as the Great Toad Sage said? To be able to transform the Land of Wind into this state, this young Uchiha might not be as terrifying as we imagine."

Jiraiya was moved by the changes in the Land of Wind and developed a better impression of Uchiha Tou.

Upon closer examination, the Great Toad Sage only dreamed of an Uchiha with a three-tomoe Sharingan who would destroy the world, but he wasn't entirely certain it was Uchiha Touyu.

Although Uchiha Touyu betrayed Konoha and killed Uchiha Madara, there were reasons for his betrayal of Konoha, and killing Uchiha Madara was not a bad thing. Is it too arbitrary to decide his stance based on this?

Even Jiraiya was somewhat wavering, let alone Konan and Yahiko. Yahiko looked at the bustling market of the Land of Wind with a hint of envy on his face:

"I had heard before that most of the Land of Wind was desert, but I never imagined that the environment of the Land of Wind would be transformed to this extent. Jiraiya-sensei, you've been to the original Land of Wind. What was the original Land of Wind like?"

"The original Land of Wind was far more harsh than you imagine!"

"The daytime temperature has never dropped below forty degrees Celsius, and at night it is usually below ten degrees Celsius. Even we ninjas have a history of collapsing in the desert due to the harsh environment."

"The amount of vegetation was far less than it is now. Back then, in desert markets like this, at most some grass and plants were planted inside the market. Unless it was a large oasis, you could see more green space."

"A market surrounded by large grassy areas, and even some trees, is unprecedented in the Land of Wind."

Jiraiya spoke with a very serious expression, saying that in fact, it wasn't just the natural environment of the Land of Wind that had improved; the residents of the Land of Wind also seemed much wealthier than before.

Even at a market like this, the number of people gathering each day would not normally be very large, only about seven or eight hundred. But now the number has increased by almost three or four times.

The population of the Wind Kingdom could not have increased several times in just a few years. The only explanation is that the common people of the Wind Kingdom are much richer than before, which is why the number of people visiting the market has increased so much.

"It seems that not only has the environment in the Wind Kingdom improved considerably, but its administration has also become much more transparent... Otherwise, the revenue from the Wind Kingdom's reforms would probably have been embezzled by those nobles..."

At this point, Jiraiya was slightly puzzled. It was then that he realized that it wasn't just the Land of Wind; the Land of Fire's administration had also become much more transparent in recent years, and the nobles seemed to have become completely different people.

(End of this chapter)