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Payne.
Six Paths Payne is actually six corpses controlled by the Rinnegan.
It's a unique ability of the Rinnegan, some of which were explained to Nagato by Obito and Black Zetsu.
After all, even though Nagato believed the Rinnegan was his, he wasn't its original owner.
So…
In a sense, Nagato is pathetic.
But in another sense, Nagato also gained something.
Because if he had been just an ordinary member of the Uzumaki clan, Nagato's talent and growth would never have reached this level.
Leader of the Akatsuki.
Stronger than Kage-level. Wielding the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths — the Rinnegan.
At the same time, his presence carries a melancholy yet overwhelming aura.
That is.
Dong dong—
There was a knock at the door of Chief Payne's chamber.
"I am Payne. God." Payne's tone was cold.
However, after Nagato began speaking through Payne directly, his use of the word "God" didn't mean how strong he was, but that he had experienced ultimate pain — and that suffering elevated him to a god-like understanding.
But to Obito...
Nagato's mind was in chaos.
And to Black Zetsu...
It had nothing to do with Payne. Its job was only to deceive Obito, so how Obito tricked Nagato didn't concern it.
But Nagato was just a pitiful figure who didn't know the truth.
Even so, Black Zetsu wouldn't say that out loud.
"You two came to me at the same time?"
Payne glanced at Obito and Black Zetsu.
"Because while we were searching through the relics of the Sage of Six Paths, we discovered a unique projection device."
"Oh? The Sage of Six Paths?"
Payne stood up in a flash.
"What kind of ninja tool?"
Nagato, as Payne, had once been adopted and taught by Jiraiya, who told him he had the same eyes as the Sage of Six Paths.
His future was bound to be extraordinary.
So it was impossible for him to ignore anything related to the Sage of Six Paths.
"Yes," said A Fei, Obito in disguise. "But the ninja tool hasn't been tested. It might be dangerous — fatal even."
Payne was silent for a moment. "Fatal?"
"Yes. It's a projection device, but the distance is unknown. Considering it's from the Sage of Six Paths, it might even project as far as the moon."
To the moon?
So… is it on the moon?
Payne paused.
Ordinary ninjas can't fly. Even he, with his celestial powers, couldn't actually fly.
But he could float in midair through repulsion forces.
Still.
If this tool really sent people to the moon…
Black Zetsu remained silent, watching Obito's performance with detached calm.
"I'll consider it," Payne said. "If necessary, I'll try using the Animal Path."
Payne had Six Paths. He himself was the Deva Path, while the others included the Asura Path, Human Path, Preta Path, Naraka Path, and Animal Path.
But he was just one person.
So using one of the other bodies for the experiment made more sense.
If the test succeeded and that guy claiming to be Uchiha Madara got launched to the moon, then he and Konan would no longer have to worry.
So…
It was worth a try.
Even if he had to sacrifice the other five paths, it was worth trying.
Nagato made up his mind.
"Alright," Payne said.
"But I'll need half a day to prepare."
"No problem."
"Then let's test it tonight, while the moon is out," Obito added.
"Alright," Payne agreed.
Although Payne said that, Nagato would need to talk with Konan in private.
If they could eliminate the self-proclaimed Uchiha Madara with this, Konan's plan involving countless explosive tags might be unnecessary.
Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu was speechless.
Foolish Obito. Just look at Payne's hesitation. Isn't it likely they'll use this thing to send you to the moon someday?
But perhaps the moon didn't exist yet back then, and Kaguya eventually returned to life.
So in the end, you got lucky, Obito.
The level of deception you used on Nagato was laughable.
Black Zetsu thought this in silence.
But on the outside, it showed no expression at all.
So, all three waited for the moon to rise.
On the other side, within the small chat group.
Even though Black Zetsu went offline, Jiraiya's embarrassing story didn't stop circulating.
Dazhuzi Hanhan: That's right, because you wrote those works, and then used them to help Ah Gang.
Good Serenity: Hmm…
Hao Sexianren: And the First Hokage — his heaven isn't something you'd want to look at directly.
Senju Tobirama:
Dazhuzi Hanhan: Well… Anyway, I'm very grateful for helping Ah Gang. She trained under me as a child, but she failed later.
Senju Tobirama:
Senju Tobirama: Forget it, big brother.
Senju Tobirama: If you weren't Hokage, people would just call you a big soft target.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Eh…
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Let's get back on topic.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Jiraiya, what were you saying about Nagato?
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: He also has the Rinnegan? Isn't his name supposed to be Payne?
Namikaze Minato:
Namikaze Minato: Now that you mention it, I remember — yes, I heard Jiraiya talk about the Rinnegan once.
Good Sexianren:
Good Sexianren: That's right.
Good Serenity: Eh…
Good Sexianren: Here's how it happened.
Good Sexianren: During the Second Great Ninja War, I was with Tsunade and Orochimaru in the battle at the Hidden Rain Village. When we were retreating, we met three kids.
Good – Sennin: They are all children from the Rain Shinobi Village, yet they asked the ninjas of Konoha to teach them ninjutsu.
Hao – Sennin: They wanted to gain the ability to protect themselves.
Hao – Sennin: I couldn't bear to refuse, so I taught them.
Good – Sennin: At the same time, I discovered that one of the children, Nagato, was not only from the Uzumaki clan but also possessed the Rinnegan.
Hao – Sennin: I had thought that was an eye that only existed in ancient records.
Good – Sennin: Back then, I was already training at Mount Myoboku and had achieved some success.
Pervy Sage: Then I accepted the commission from the Great Toad Sage to find the Child of Destiny.
Senju Tobirama: Searching for destiny?
Senju Tobirama: What kind of statement is that?
Pervy Sage: Well, this is how it was.
Namikaze Minato: I know this theory. Teacher Jiraiya mentioned it. He said he was taught that by the Third Hokage when he was young.
Senju Tobirama: Hm?
Senju Tobirama: Can Sarutobi be related to Mount Myoboku?
Pervy Sage: Let me explain.
Pervy Sage: When I was a child, I lacked talent. I was the tail of the crane, so the Third Hokage kept me around and tried to give me a boost.
Pervy Sage: He brought out a summoning contract, seemingly wanting me to sign a pact with the ape summon. But I didn't perform it correctly and accidentally reversed summoned myself to the land of the summons.
Pervy Sage: That place turned out to be Mount Myoboku, one of the three great sacred lands that ninjas dream of visiting for training.
Big Bamboo Idiot: That's incredible. You reverse summoned yourself from the start?
Senju Tobirama: And the place you ended up in just happened to be one of the Three Great Sacred Training Lands?
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: The Three Great Sacred Lands… I've never even heard of them.
Senju Tobirama: That's because our systems differ.
Senju Tobirama: The water-type summons of Kirigakure tend to reside near coastal areas, while in Konoha, our summoning beasts are more associated with forests and jungles.
Pervy Sage: Exactly. Tsunade's summoning beast is also a sage, Katsuyu, from the Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Holy Lands.
Pervy Sage: As for Orochimaru, his training grounds are in Ryuchi Cave.
Senju Tobirama: Orochimaru... Let's not talk about him now.
Pervy Sage: ...Alright.
Jiraiya watched the unfolding conversation and could tell that the Hokage of the past already knew that Orochimaru had turned traitor. And yet... not only had they failed to protect him, but they also couldn't dissuade him. They could only watch as he strayed from the right path.
So Jiraiya continued recounting the story.
It was that miraculous journey to Mount Myoboku that created an unbreakable bond between him and the toads.
The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku is a thousand-year-old toad said to be the brother of the Sage of Six Paths.
He once helped save the ninja world.
He sometimes has dreams of prophecy, and he foresaw that Jiraiya would be drawn to Mount Myoboku. This astonished Jiraiya.
The Great Toad Sage had Jiraiya remain at Mount Myoboku for training.
Then, once Jiraiya had gained sufficient ability, the sage had another prophetic dream: Jiraiya would become the teacher of the Child of Destiny.
Jiraiya's mission was to find this child and guide him well.
Jiraiya's role was crucial. If the child was taught correctly, he would save the world. If taught incorrectly, he could destroy it.
So Jiraiya began paying attention to potential candidates for the Child of Destiny.
Pervy Sage: That's essentially what happened with Mount Myoboku.
Pervy Sage: I met Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko in the Rain Shinobi Village. When I saw that Nagato had the Rinnegan, I recalled the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
Pervy Sage: So I stayed in Rain Shinobi Village for a while, focusing on Nagato.
Pervy Sage: But Konan and Yahiko were also remarkable. The three of them were genuinely good kids.
Pervy Sage: They were the kind of kids who, having been drenched in the rain, wanted to hold umbrellas for others.
Pervy Sage: They struggled to survive in the Rain Village without food, but they dreamed of creating a world of peace, free from war.
Pervy Sage: Eventually, I heard they created an organization called Akatsuki, hoping to bridge people's hearts through dialogue and bring about peace.
Pervy Sage: ...But then I heard that those kids had died.
Pervy Sage: So, is Akatsuki still active? Is Nagato... still alive?
Senju Tobirama: Damn that Danzo.
Pervy Sage: Huh?
Namikaze Minato: Jiraiya-sensei, Danzo is already dead.
Pervy Sage: Is that so…
Pervy Sage: But Second Hokage, why is this related to Danzo?
Senju Tobirama: Kitahara Hitoshi told me that the leader of the Akatsuki was persecuted by Danzo, which made him hate Konoha.
Senju Tobirama: Damn that Danzo.
Senju Tobirama: I used to think he was one of my most promising disciples, but he did the most damage.
Pervy Sage: Eh? Kitahara Hitoshi?
Pervy Sage: Oh, he's the one I saw when I entered this system interface. The one who broadcasts live for three hours a day.
Namikaze Minato: Yes, teacher Jiraiya. Thanks to Kitahara-kun, my son Naruto no longer faces prejudice and exclusion. He has finally found friends.
Namikaze Minato: I'm deeply touched.
Pervy Sage: Minato... your son is alive?
Jiraiya and Minato looked at each other silently. Neither had the words.
Minato was stunned, and Jiraiya realized something was wrong and felt ashamed.
Pervy Sage: I see...
Pervy Sage: I had only heard about your death in the Nine Tails Rebellion, and since there was no word about the Fourth Hokage's child, I assumed your son had also died.
Pervy Sage: The Third Generation was hiding this.
Namikaze Minato: Hmm... so the Third Generation concealed it.
Namikaze Minato: My son is Uzumaki Naruto, the namesake of the protagonist in your Tale of the Gutsy Ninja, Jiraiya-sensei.
Pervy Sage: So it really came from that name.
Pervy Sage: This all goes back fifteen years.
Pervy Sage: The older I get, the more I remember the past.
Pervy Sage: Minato... I'm sorry.
Kakashi: I understand how you feel.
Kakashi was silent, but his thoughts churned.
He knew Jiraiya's apology wasn't just for words. It was for failing to investigate properly and leaving Minato's orphan without protection.
Namikaze Minato: It's all in the past. Right now, it's not about me or what happened back then. Naruto has his own beliefs, and I support him.
Namikaze Minato: Even if he holds resentment toward me, I'll accept it.
Namikaze Minato: As a father, I did nothing for him.
Namikaze Minato: Now, regarding the current situation—Sand Village has aligned itself with Konoha...
Pervy Sage: Eh? Sand Village has become part of Konoha!?
Pervy Sage: I was only focused on writing for a few years, and the ninja world changed this much?
Cowardly as a Mouse-Onoki: It hasn't changed much. This happened in the last two months.
Pervy Sage: So even you're here, Onoki.
Cowardly as a Mouse-Onoki: Of course I'm here!
Pervy Sage: Hmm...
Jiraiya began to seriously listen to the updates Minato and Kakashi shared.
Then...
Pervy Sage: Rinnegan... Rinnegan...
Pervy Sage: Wait, are you saying Kitahara Hitoshi has the Rinnegan too? The same eyes as Nagato?
Pervy Sage: Are you sure?
Pervy Sage: Nidaime!
Senju Tobirama: Calm down and speak slowly.
Pervy Sage: Sorry... I got a bit too excited.
Senju Tobirama: It seems like your entire life has revolved around chasing prophecies.
Senju Tobirama: Then I'll tell you something important.
Senju Tobirama: Your disciple, Nagato, might not be dead.
Senju Tobirama: He's still using the Rinnegan.
Senju Tobirama: But Akatsuki has now become Konoha's enemy.
Senju Tobirama: They're after the tailed beasts. One-Tail is now aligned with Konoha, and Kitahara Hitoshi's group came to save it.
Senju Tobirama: Right, One-Tail!
One-Tail Shukaku: Uh... yes!
Pervy Sage: The tailed beasts...
Good-Sex Immortal: Why is Nagato collecting tailed beasts? And he's turned against Konoha... Danzo...
Good-Sex Immortal: I should've investigated as soon as I heard about those children's deaths.
Pervy Sage: Eh...
Pervy Sage: I think I need to return to Mount Myoboku.
Senju Tobirama: Why?
Pervy Sage: Hmm...
Pervy Sage: If Nagato is still alive and Kitahara Hitoshi also has the Rinnegan, that means there are two Children of Prophecy.
Pervy Sage: I need to consult the Great Toad Sage.
Pervy Sage: So, sorry, Nidaime. I have to go offline for now.
Pervy Sage: I'm currently far from both Sand Village and Konoha.
Senju Tobirama: Do as you will.
Pervy Sage: Thank you very much.
[Tick! Jiraiya is now offline]
Due to Jiraiya going offline right after joining the group, the system penalized him. Next time he logs in, his automatic group title will be: Loyal Dog of Mount Myoboku
…
???
Dazhuzi Hanhan: Mount Myoboku's loyal dog!?
Big Pillar Hanhan: But wasn't Jiraiya originally from Konoha?
Namikaze Minato: Jiraiya-sensei is undoubtedly a Konoha ninja.
Namikaze Minato: But he declined the offer to become the Fourth Hokage.
Senju Tobirama: What? Sarutobi's disciples didn't want to become Hokage?
Tobirama pondered how Sarutobi had once reluctantly done something right by passing on the Will of Fire to the next generation. That led to them being summoned now in Edo Tensei, working for Konoha's revival.
So even without control, these revived shinobi would serve.
But now... one of Sarutobi's own disciples rejected the Hokage role.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: In that case, I think that title fits him well.
Dazhuzi Hanhan: Mizukage, how can you say that?
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: I'm not being harsh.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: He's a Konoha ninja, but he spent his whole life at Mount Myoboku.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: And his disciple became the Fourth Hokage. After Minato died, he never even looked for his child.
Kakashi: I can explain that. At Minato's funeral, the Third Hokage publicly declared that the entire Namikaze family had perished. He hid the existence of Naruto.
Kakashi: That's what we all believed at the time.
Namikaze Minato: ...
Senju Tobirama: ...Sarutobi again?
Senju Tobirama: Eh.
Tobirama thought that maybe he should've killed Danzo and Sarutobi together back then.
One was the pot. The other was the lid.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Even so, his disciple died. He should've returned at least once.
Namikaze Minato: I believe Jiraiya-sensei was grieving deeply at the time.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei:
Terumi Mei thought Minato was far too kind.
But judging from Jiraiya's reaction when hearing about Nagato and the others, he clearly wasn't heartless.
So why did it become like this?
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Does it mean...
Senju Tobirama: What's wrong with Mizukage? What do you want to say?
Senju Tobirama: Don't try to split our Konoha.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: I didn't mean that.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: I was just thinking about the title of Jiraiya.
Senju Tobirama: Huh?
Senju Tobirama: Is it the loyal dog of Mount Myoboku?
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Yes.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: You also know that this system doesn't give people titles without reason. Titles are generally based on information.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: For example, Izuna-sama.
Tobirama's record: ?
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Izuna-sama was beheaded by the Second Hokage, so his title is Tobirama's Record.
Senju Tobirama: Oh. That one is.
Senju Tobirama: Then my eldest brother is Dazhuzi Hanhan.
Senju Tobirama: A fool indeed.
Big Pillar Hanhan: ???
Dazhuzi Hanhan: Hey, Tobirama, how can you talk like that? I don't allow you to talk like that.
Senju Tobirama: Now even the dirt has not been unearthed. You, who came here, are not qualified to be cruel to me.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Eh...
The status of the Big Pillar fell instantly.
Namikaze Minato: Ah this...
Is this the imposing manner of the God of Ninja?
Minato feels that there are many differences between the earlier Hokage and the later records.
But it is undoubtedly more lively.
Senju Tobirama: I kind of understand now.
Senju Tobirama: In other words, Mizukage is someone who thinks Jiraiya's tone is Konoha, but according to the camp, it's actually more like Mount Myoboku.
Namikaze Minato: Well, it's hard to say that.
Senju Tobirama: But he also gave a lot of his mind to Mount Myoboku, didn't he?
Senju Tobirama: Moreover, in his statement just now, he was not present for the two deaths of his disciples.
Senju Tobirama: Why is that?
Senju Tobirama: If it happened only once, it could be coincidence or misfortune, but twice in a row? Even bad luck doesn't justify that.
Namikaze Minato: This...
Minato was speechless.
Senju Tobirama: And don't forget, the title given to him by the system is the loyal dog of Mount Myoboku.
Senju Tobirama: From the analysis just now, the evaluation given by the system is really pertinent.
Senju Tobirama: So... Jiraiya must have been influenced by Mount Myoboku a long time ago.
Namikaze Minato: Uh, maybe use the word persuaded instead of fooled.
Senju Tobirama: But Mount Myoboku, Toad Sage, and then... Great Toad Sage, he's supposedly the brother of the Sage of Six Paths?
Senju Tobirama: I don't remember reading anything like that.
Senju Tobirama: Kurama, do you remember? Kitahara Hitoshi's illusion world library—there's no such figure in the historical records of the ninja world, right?
Kurama: Cut.
Kurama: What do you want to say?
Senju Tobirama: Since you tailed beasts are from the time of the Sage of Six Paths, you should know some information.
Kurama: No comment.
Senju Tobirama: You!
Senju Tobirama: Shukaku is cooperative, but you're stubborn.
Kurama: Heh.
Senju Tobirama: Shukaku, then tell me.
One Tail Shukaku: This is true.
One Tail Shukaku: The Sage of Six Paths was the first Jinchuriki. From what we saw, the Sage of Six Paths had frequent contact with a toad.
One Tail Shukaku: But that toad's name was Toadmaru.
One Tail Shukaku: From their conversation, the Sage of Six Paths originally went to Mount Myoboku to learn Sage Arts from Kamamaru.
Senju Tobirama: So this Great Toad Sage is not entirely fictional.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Then it's a creature from the era of the Sage of Six Paths.
Dazhuzi Hanhan: That's really amazing, like a tailed beast.
For Hashirama, who died early, a thousand-year lifespan was a dream.
Senju Tobirama: But I am curious why the Great Toad Sage had such a background yet was never recorded in history.
Namikaze Minato: Although I was lucky enough to go to Mount Myoboku to train, I've never seen the Great Toad Sage.
Senju Tobirama: Hmm...
Senju Tobirama: So this Great Toad Sage is a unique existence.
Big Pillar Hanhan: It would be great if Black Zetsu were here. He should know some forgotten history.
Dazhuzi Hanhan: Like the matter of the Sage of Six Paths and the founding of ninja villages.
Senju Tobirama: Did he go offline again today?
Senju Tobirama: But judging by the system's description, Black Zetsu is a dutiful son, probably offline helping his mother again.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Yes.
So, with the sighs of the First and Second Hokage, the group live broadcast of the day ended.
But.
Black Zetsu, Obito, and Payne were ready.
Or rather, they had been waiting for nightfall.
The fall of night meant the appearance of the moon. Fortunately, tonight was a full moon.
It's almost time...
Black Zetsu said.
...
Make the moon a little brighter, Obito said.
Yes, I also suggest waiting a bit longer, Payne said. The moon's coordinates haven't been confirmed yet.
And then it's impossible to estimate the exact distance from here to the moon, Payne added.
... Black Zetsu.
???
Black Zetsu felt that night had clearly fallen, so they should be able to test things now.
But what was going on with these two?
Not only were they taking it seriously, but they were also incredibly cautious.
What exactly were they planning?
However, Black Zetsu was Obito's boss, and Payne was Obito's subordinate. Though all three shared the same goal, they rarely spoke directly.
So.
Black Zetsu waited silently with them for another two hours.
Finally.
The sky was completely dark.
When night fell, the brightest object in the sky was the full moon.
From the ground of the ninja world, the moon shone clearly in the distance.
It's time to begin, Black Zetsu said.
Obito and Payne looked up at the same time.
They both locked their gaze on the brightest moonlight in the night sky.
Obito immediately took out a sealing scroll.
He sealed the two launchers separately.
On Payne's side, he directly summoned the Six Paths of Payne.
Including Tendo Payne.
The reason was simple.
That afternoon, he had discussed it with Konan, and they agreed it would be best to send Ah Fei away immediately.
If that failed, they would see if there was a chance to strike—attack Ah Fei, and ideally take him down.
So.
The Six Paths of Payne had to be fully prepared.
Meanwhile.
Cloud Shinobi Village.
The moon was bright.
What the hell East-West…
We were discussing Konoha's annexation of the Sand Shinobi Village, and both Kirigakure and Iwagakure agreed. They swallowed their pride three times and still didn't take us with them.
It's just too deceiving.
And then you couldn't even secure the village's secret weapon, the launcher, and it was stolen?
Raikage was furious.
Sitting nearby was his disciple Darui.
The very one he had chosen to be the next Raikage.
And yet, despite being a good man devoted to training, the disciple couldn't even keep watch over a warehouse.
The Fourth Raikage of the Cloud Shinobi Village had a notoriously hot temper, or more accurately, he often jumped straight out of the window rather than use the door.
At the same time, the Cloud Shinobi Village had the lowest rebellion rate of all the Five Great Nations.
The reason was simple.
Anyone who betrayed the village would be hammered to death by the Raikage himself.
It was the same under both the Third Raikage and now the Fourth.
And the Fourth Raikage was the biological son of the Third. The Third Raikage once fought against 10,000 Iwagakure ninjas and finally died from exhaustion, though it was said he also took down 10,000 enemies from the Cloud Shinobi Village as well.
He was extremely tough.
And the Fourth Raikage wasn't weak either.
He often sparred with Killer Bee, the Jinchūriki of the Eight Tails, Gyūki. Killer Bee had an excellent relationship with his tailed beast and could synchronize with it.
But even though Killer Bee had grown much stronger, he still couldn't match the Fourth Raikage.
No, because I had already put away the actual launcher.
And what was stolen turned out to be defective.
But all three of them were faulty.
I can't figure out why the enemy didn't just steal all three at once.
That device is stored in a different location. Darui lowered his head and apologized from his seat.
Raikage was silent.
Oh, that's fine.
With those words, the Raikage leaped out the window.
The secretary said nothing.
Because the biggest expenditure of the Cloud Shinobi Village was repairing the windows the Raikage broke every time he jumped out of them.
The moonlight is beautiful tonight.
Temari wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Today, she had sorted out the list of ninjas nominated by the villagers for potential Impure World Reincarnation.
In theory, as long as the technique was performed, it could be done.
However, the Akatsuki members had not yet arrived at the Sand Shinobi Village, so Kitahara Hitoshi's team had once again been delayed.
Furthermore, it had been confirmed again that the Sand Shinobi Village had taken advantage of the Chūnin Exams to launch an attack on Konoha. As expected, it was due to a shortage of supplies, which led to arranging Sasuke and Naruto to gather intelligence together.
Sasuke and Naruto didn't find anything out of the ordinary, or rather, they felt that this mission had helped them grow a lot.
Because if it had been a one-on-one battle, they wouldn't have stood a chance against Sasori. But working together, they developed an incredible level of cooperation.
They continued to work hard, persevered, and honored their words.
Endure the pain — the pain that pushes one forward.
According to this belief, one could truly become stronger.
Hmm. Kitahara Hitoshi walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Outside the window, the moonlight was pouring down in brilliant streams.
He could see the full moon hanging in the sky.
And in Konoha, inside Kitahara Hitoshi's apartment, by the window, a pure white ninja rabbit gazed at the same night sky.
It could feel the chill of the moonlight, but even it didn't know what it truly was.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya?
Or perhaps it had already unsealed something, but simply didn't understand what it meant yet.
Ninja Rabbit, Little White Rabbit.
It had stayed here for three days, and Kitahara Hitoshi should be back soon.
If he could awaken half of his power, he might be able to fly and help it reach its goal.
Or perhaps it could absorb all of his chakra and fly on its own.
And under the same moonlight…
Return.
Black Zetsu, Payne, and Obito all looked grim as they stared at the launcher stolen from the Cloud Shinobi Village.
Black Zetsu thought that Obito, Uchiha Madara's so-called chosen one, was too unreliable.
Uchiha Madara would never have handled it the way Obito did.
Look at this mess. If you can't do it right, don't raise people's hopes.
And Obito was frustrated that he didn't just take all three of the launchers. If he had, at least one might have worked, and then he could have sent Black Zetsu straight to the moon.
But because he got greedy and careless, he only took two.
And both turned out to be defective.
He had fooled Payne by claiming it was a ninja tool passed down from the Sage of Six Paths. So of course, he couldn't suddenly pull out a fourth one.
So now he was thinking of sneaking back into the Cloud Shinobi Village after Payne left.
And Payne felt... disappointed.
He had believed it was a divine tool from the Sage of Six Paths, an artifact, and thought he could use it to take advantage of Ah Fei's obsession with ninja tools to send him to the moon.
That way, he and Konan could rest easy.
But in the end, this ninja tool turned out to be garbage.
Disappointing.
He, Payne, had wasted a day. Konan would probably need to keep producing more explosive tags.
Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu fell silent again.
He once more realized that Obito couldn't be relied on.
So now what?
Speaking of which—Chief Payne, you can use Shinra Tensei to launch yourself into the sky, right? Black Zetsu asked.
Payne said nothing.
It could work, but not for reaching the moon.
Just stay there.
Black Zetsu was bored.
How can anyone get to the moon without the ability to fly?
Obito looked at Black Zetsu. From the way he spoke, it was obvious that Black Zetsu desperately wanted to go to the moon.
That desire hadn't faded, so perhaps he could steal another launcher later.
Black Zetsu said nothing.
But he had no intention of wasting more time with Obito.
Because if Obito couldn't be trusted, then there was only one person left whom he could turn to.
The one he had the most confidence in manipulating.
And that person's name carried the shadow of Obito's actions.
Uchiha Madara.
The most tragic soul ever to be deceived by him.
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