Konoha, Just Like Kizaru

"Hateful!"

The [Spellcaster Type I] on Yahiko glowed with Chakra.

But with his current abilities, he couldn't sense where Black or White Zetsu had gone.

Frustration burned in Yahiko's heart.

If only he were stronger, then Nagato wouldn't have to suffer like this.

Above, the floating paper quickly gathered and formed Konan's figure.

Seeing the blood in Nagato's eyes, her face filled with worry.

Compared to Yahiko, she was much calmer and quickly said,

"Get a medical ninja, now!"

The earlier battle had already drawn everyone's attention.

A medic ninja rushed over and began treating Nagato right away.

"How's Nagato?" Yahiko asked urgently.

The medic let out a breath of relief.

"Don't worry, he's stable… but his eyes…" The medic paused.

After all, his eyes were gone.

No one knew how strong Nagato would be without them.

Though his life was no longer in danger, the loss of the deputy leader's eyes was a heavy blow to the freedom Fighter.

Nagato's Rinnegan had become a symbol of the freedom fighters.

Whenever those eyes appeared on the battlefield, victory seemed certain.

Everyone believed that.

But now… those eyes had been taken.

Yahiko couldn't help but feel angry inside.

"…"

A faint voice came from the room.

Konan and Yahiko exchanged a glance and quickly went in.

"Nagato, how are you feeling?" Yahiko asked as he sat by his side.

Konan leaned forward, her tone full of concern.

"Do you want to say something, Nagato?"

Nagato's face was pale. Even without his eyes, he could still sense the presence of his two closest friends.

With a weak but firm voice, he said,

"Report everything to the leader. Request backup from headquarters."

Konan paused for a moment, immediately understanding what he meant.

The Freedom Fighter was already struggling in the Land of Rain, constantly suppressed by the noble families.

If news got out that Nagato was seriously injured… and the Rinnegan stolen…

The nobles and rebel forces in the Land of Rain would likely launch a fierce attack soon.

Now, their only option was to request help from headquarters.

As for the "leader" Nagato mentioned, It wasn't Kakashi or Shikaku, but someone far away in Konoha:

 Hanyu Simu, the true leader of the freedom fighters, controlling everything from behind the scenes, even the Fourth Hokage.

Realizing the urgency, Konan immediately took out the Den Den Mushi and reported everything to Simu.

Seeing Simu's deeply furrowed brows, Kushina asked with concern,

"Did something happen?"

Simu's face turned serious.

"Nagato's Rinnegan was stolen."

Based on Konan's description, Simu could almost be certain it was Black Zetsu's doing.

Back when he defeated Uchiha Madara, he found no trace of Black Zetsu or the Gedo Statue at the base.

Even the tens of thousands of White Zetsu didn't know Madara had been hiding there.

Of course, even if they had, it wouldn't have helped.

Cunning as ever, Black Zetsu must have already moved everything before Simu could get there.

Now that Black Zetsu had taken the Rinnegan, it was clear he had completely abandoned Nagato as a pawn.

There was likely a new plot brewing in the shadows.

But right now, the most important thing was Kushina's upcoming childbirth.

At such a critical time, Simu couldn't afford to leave Konoha.

"The operation in the Land of Rain is temporarily suspended," Simu said.

"Yahiko will remain stationed there. Konan, bring Nagato to Konoha first."

"Yes," Konan's voice replied through the Den Den Mushi.

After studying Wood Style for so long, Simu had mastered the technique of creating prosthetics and even transplanting an eyeball was no problem for him now.

Still, the liberation of the Land of Rain would have to wait.

Without Nagato, Yahiko and the thousand soldiers of the Freedom Fighter might not be enough to push forward.

"If you have something to handle, go take care of it," Kushina said calmly.

"I can manage on my own. I'm not that fragile. Don't forget I'm going to be the Hokage's wife."

Simu gently took her hand and smiled.

"You're what matters most to me right now."

Feeling her soft touch, he chuckled,

"Besides, aren't you already the Hokage's woman?"

Kushina caught his teasing tone and shot him a glare.

"You're about to be a father, try acting a little more serious!"

Meanwhile, on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water…

Black Zetsu and White Zetsu walked quietly through the forest.

Ahead of them stretched the endless sea, with the Land of Water lying just across the strait.

"This place is well hidden," Black Zetsu remarked.

But White Zetsu didn't respond, showing no interest in continuing the conversation.

Black Zetsu couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic he missed the times when talking to a White Zetsu was more… lively.

They were all part of the same being, yet this one was so dull.

Black Zetsu raised his hand and formed a seal.

A faint surge of Chakra flowed through his fingers.

Moments later, a shadow emerged from the woods nearby.

It was a tall, muscular man, completely cloaked in black.

Only his pale face was barely visible beneath the hood.

"Please, follow me"

Black Zetsu watched him walk ahead, narrowing his eyes.

That's when White Zetsu finally spoke:

"He has faint senjutsu chakra in him."

Black Zetsu gave a faint smile.

"Looks like Orochimaru found a decent vessel," Black Zetsu said calmly.

Led by the man in black, they entered an underground stronghold hidden within a rocky crevice.

Inside, hundreds of people were imprisoned, men, women, the young, old guy all from different nations.

The base was filled with strange equipment, and though the generator's roar was muffled underground, a faint vibration could still be felt in the air.

As a shadowy figure stepped out from the darkness, Black Zetsu spoke coldly,

"I didn't expect you to survive right under Hanyu Simu's nose."

The figure slowly came into view.

It appeared to be a woman with flawless, porcelain skin.

But her half-closed eyes revealed golden, vertical pupils.

When she opened her mouth, a forked tongue flicked out with a soft hiss.

At the mention of Hanyu Simu's name, her eyes flared with hatred deep resentment and killing intent poured out.

Then, just as suddenly, her expression shifted to one of longing.

"It seems I touched your nerve," Black Zetsu said with a faint smile, showing no hint of remorse.

"If it weren't for that guy, I wouldn't have ended up in this weak body," Orochimaru said bitterly.

He had left backup containers in various hidden bases as a precaution—bodies he could use for reincarnation if needed.

But the quality of those vessels was poor, far worse than his original body.

As a result, his power had dropped greatly

Sitting in a chair, Orochimaru's tone was cold and sharp.

"Well? What do you want?"

Since his reincarnation, the cold, snake-like nature within him had only grown stronger.

Black Zetsu pulled out a test tube containing a piece of Uchiha Madara's flesh.

"I need you to regenerate Madara's body… then use Impure World Reincarnation to bring him back."

Orochimaru stared at the test tube.

Even from just this small piece of tissue, he could sense the great life force and history contained within it.

"And what do I get out of it?" Orochimaru asked directly.

He wasn't a child, he wouldn't lift a finger without something in return.

Black Zetsu smiled, as if he'd anticipated the question.

"You'll gain detailed data on Madara's body. He fused Sharingan with Wood Style to awaken the Rinnegan. Don't you want to study that kind of power?"

Black Zetsu's words clearly struck a chord with Orochimaru.

After all, uncovering the secrets of the world had always been his true goal.

If he could reconstruct Uchiha Madara's body and bring it back to life, his research would reach a whole new level.

And besides, his obsession with snakes wasn't just about technique, he still doesn't truly have a powerful vessel...

If this experiment could recreate Madara…

A cold laugh slipped from Orochimaru's lips.

"I accept. It's a deal."

Then Black Zetsu added, "Also… the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki in Konoha will give birth soon."

But Orochimaru immediately refused, without hesitation.

"I won't be getting involved with Konoha any time soon."

He wasn't stupid. Hanyu Simu's power was on another level, stepping into Konoha now would be suicide.

"I didn't expect the great Orochimaru to be so scared," White Zetsu mocked, a smug look on his face.

"We just want a bit of technical help from you, that's all."

"Oh?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Could it be that these two had already reached out to other hidden villages…

And were planning to send Konoha a little surprise?

But other ninja villages wouldn't trust them easily either…

Black Zetsu shrugged and said,

"Don't worry, Orochimaru. The Daimyo of the Fire Country has already provided us with a lot of resources. We may not be able to kill Hanyu Simu, but weakening Konoha's strength is still possible."

A dangerous light flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

"If that's the case, then it's not out of the question."

He already had a deep grudge against Hanyu Simu.

If there was a chance to hurt Konoha without putting himself at risk, why wouldn't he take it?

.

.

TO BE CONTINUED

_________________

Noted : if you guys want read advance chapter, you can check at my P@treon : patreon.com/MoonEater18