A Sage's Pursuit of Power

The Akatsuki had achieved an overwhelming victory, not only capturing Edo Madara but also successfully apprehending Black Zetsu.

Two of the ninja world's most dangerous figures were subdued in a single day, it was a result even Konan hadn't anticipated.

In her discussions with Aoba, they had agreed that capturing just one of the targets would already be the best-case scenario.

Now that the mission had exceeded expectations, Konan couldn't help but feel uneasy. Though she had never seen Madara Uchiha in person, she had heard enough legends to understand just how terrifying this legendary ninja was.

Furthermore, Aoba had repeatedly emphasized that Black Zetsu, the one fused with the masked man, was even more dangerous than Madara.

"Nagato, we need to be more cautious. I can't shake the feeling that something's off with these two," Konan said.

"I understand. Notify the sealing team to use every sealing technique we have on them," Nagato replied.

Nagato, though obsessive, wasn't a fool. Despite expending his full power in the battle, he also felt the victory had come far too easily. Thus, caution was warranted.

Madara and Black Zetsu were imprisoned at the Akatsuki's headquarters in the Land of Rain, a facility originally designed for sealing and detaining Jinchūriki.

With the Eight-Tails long since extracted, the facility was now empty.

Madara, pierced by dozens of black rods and bound by multiple sealing techniques, was confined there.

To err on the side of caution, Nagato did not appear in person. Instead, he controlled the barely repaired Deva Path to confront Madara.

After the previous battle, Nagato had once again fallen into a weakened state, though controlling the Deva Path to communicate was still manageable.

Standing before Madara, the Deva Path spoke.

"Someone told me that the Rinnegan I possess does not belong to me but was implanted by you. Is that true?"

"Hmph. Who told you that? Was it Aoba Kamikawa?"

"...Answer my question."

"Yes, I gave them to you."

"Why?"

"Because you're one of the very few remaining descendants of the Uzumaki clan and one of the few people in this world capable of bearing the Rinnegan.

Unlike ordinary Sharingan, the Rinnegan imposes a tremendous burden on its user. When I awakened the Rinnegan, I was already too old to adapt to its full power.

So I needed a successor to nurture these eyes for me. And most importantly, I needed someone who could resurrect me in the future."

"You were so confident I'd resurrect you?"

"Hmph. Of course, I couldn't be certain. But as per the plan, Black Zetsu would guide you. The Rinnegan would place an enormous burden on your body. Over time, as you used it more, you'd grow weaker. Eventually, you'd realize that achieving the Infinite Tsukuyomi was beyond your own power. That moment would be my opportunity for revival."

"I see. So everyone was just a pawn to you. Even the masked man, he was one of your contingencies, wasn't he?"

"Correct. If the guidance plan failed, he would execute Plan B... Kill you and reclaim the Rinnegan."

"If that's the case, why didn't you just give the Rinnegan to him?"

"Hmph. As I said, your body is one of the few in the ninja world capable of bearing the Rinnegan. While the masked man is decent, his physical constitution doesn't compare to yours.

Furthermore, his mind is far less pure than yours. Though I prepared safeguards, if he obtained the Rinnegan, those safeguards would be weakened. So he could only be a backup plan."

Madara's words left Nagato silent for a moment. Learning you were merely a pawn was never an easy revelation.

After a pause, Nagato spoke again.

"What exactly is Black Zetsu?"

"Hmph. Black Zetsu is me... My dark side, split off before my death. You could consider it a special type of clone."

"I see." Nagato asked no further questions and turned to leave the prison.

Konan, waiting outside, approached Nagato as soon as he emerged.

"How did it go?"

"He told me everything. Just like the battle, it went far too smoothly."

Konan shared the uneasy feeling.

"Let's check on Black Zetsu. According to Aoba Kamikawa, Black Zetsu might have an origin far beyond what we know. It could even be more dangerous than Madara Uchiha."

"Alright."

The two went to Black Zetsu's cell.

Black Zetsu received the same treatment as Madara, heavily sealed from head to toe. Hearing their approach, it struggled to lift its head. It could no longer see, as its Sharingan had been sealed.

This time, Nagato didn't ask any questions. Instead, he summoned the Human Path.

"Read its memories."

The Six Paths of Pain weren't just for combat, they had many other uses. The Human Path, for instance, could not only attack souls but also extract memories.

Reading Edo Madara's memories was impossible for several reasons. He lacked a true body, and things like a brain didn't exist. Additionally, Madara's Rinnegan, though limited, still provided some protection. Thus, Nagato's Human Path couldn't extract his memories.

Black Zetsu, however, theoretically posed no such issue. With the Mangekyō Sharingan ranking below the Rinnegan, the Human Path should be able to access its memories.

Placing a hand on Black Zetsu's head, the Human Path forcibly delved into its mind.

However, the Human Path's expression quickly became strange.

"What's wrong?" Konan noticed the change in Nagato's demeanor.

"Something's not right. Its memories... there's a problem."

Nagato controlled the Human Path to dive deeper into Black Zetsu's mind. Soon, he encountered an immense and chaotic array of memories.

Some were those of an Uchiha ninja named Obito. Others were a jumble of incomprehensible fragments.

Nagato focused his mind, searching for the answers he sought. He wanted to know what Black Zetsu truly was and whether there was a hidden purpose behind its and Madara's capture.

But he found nothing. No answers, no clarity. This was highly unusual. He had clearly penetrated the mind of the entity before him, so why couldn't he uncover the information he needed?

At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared before Nagato, or rather, a humanoid presence.

Nagato was startled but quickly realized he was within Black Zetsu's consciousness. The being before him was not a real person.

The humanoid presence was entirely wrapped in some white substance, unclear whether it was flesh, blood, or something else. It seemed to lack much mobility.

Yet, it struggled to move, and the white material on its face slowly cracked open, revealing the face Nagato had seen in the memories. It was the face of Obito Uchiha.

Obito, straining to tear off the White Zetsu covering him, spoke a single sentence to Nagato.

"Be careful... it escaped..." Then Obito was once again engulfed by the mass of White Zetsu and lost consciousness.

"Escaped? Black Zetsu!!!"

Nagato snapped out of the vision, returning to reality.

"Sound the alarm! Black Zetsu isn't in this body!!!"

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Currently on Chapter 260 - The Uzumaki's Declaration of Vengeance