Chapter 500: Forbidden Magic and Divine Magic, Who Can Tell the Divine Magic from Them?

"Do you want to alert the enemy beforehand?"

Yagura, do you even have a brain?

Not only the Third Raikage but even Onoki felt the urge to roll his eyes at Yagura. Why couldn't he think things through?

"Uh…"

Seeing everyone staring at him with strange looks, Yagura realized he'd put his foot in his mouth again. Smiling bitterly, he tried to explain:

"These revelations are too shocking, and my thoughts are a bit jumbled. I'll stop talking and take a moment to calm down."

Since entering the conference room, Yagura had made one blunder after another. The first couple could be excused, but by the third or fourth, no one had any sympathy left.

If you have a brain, use it. If not, stay quiet to avoid embarrassing yourself further.

Is Yagura brainless?

No, on the contrary, he's very intelligent—he wouldn't have risen to become the Fourth Mizukage otherwise.

His repeated blunders stemmed from the overwhelming shock and emotions roiling within him.

"Let's continue," Onoki said with a sigh, indicating for Shinki to proceed. Everyone tacitly agreed to ignore the Mizukage for the moment.

The Mist Ninja Village's people aren't the sharpest tools in the shed—there's no need to waste time on them.

"I've been debating whether we should act in advance," Shinki began, leaning back in his chair.

"???"

What is this?

We're here waiting for your plan, and you tell us you're still debating whether to act?

"Shinki, is this even a question?" the Third Raikage bellowed, visibly annoyed. "Now that we know where the Rinnegan is, we should seize it immediately. Whatever Uchiha Madara is planning, we'll face it together.

"And if worse comes to worst, we'll destroy the Rinnegan. Let's see how Madara conjures up another one."

"I agree. It's better to strike first," Onoki added. He didn't understand why Shinki seemed hesitant. They had the information, and acting first was always better than waiting for the enemy to make the first move.

That's because they don't understand—Uchiha Madara is far more terrifying dead than alive.

An alive Madara could suffer injuries, fatigue, and chakra depletion. But a resurrected Madara? The Impure World Reincarnation technique could make him practically unstoppable.

"I concur," the Third Kazekage said simply. He was more straightforward in his thinking—if Madara needed the Rinnegan to become the second Sage of Six Paths, then denying him the Rinnegan was the most logical step.

No Rinnegan? No Sage of Six Paths.

Even if Madara caused chaos, the Five Great Ninja Villages united would not fear him.

With the Third Raikage, Onoki, and the Third Kazekage all in agreement, Yagura's opinion no longer mattered. Even if he objected, it wouldn't make a difference.

Moreover, Yagura's voice carried the least weight in the room. The others weren't likely to take his advice seriously.

Good grief, was Yagura just here to fill a chair?

"What do you think, Mizukage?" Shinki asked, maintaining a sense of fairness despite the consensus already forming.

Yagura was silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts. Then he asked, "If Madara Uchiha's goal is to become the second Sage of Six Paths, the Rinnegan is the key, correct?"

"Correct," Shinki confirmed. The Rinnegan was indeed pivotal. Without it, controlling the Ten-Tails and becoming its jinchūriki was impossible.

"In that case, we should act now. Regardless of the risks, we must secure the Rinnegan first."

Four-to-one. What else could Yagura say?

Everyone turned their attention to Shinki, who spread his hands and said, "Acting first is fine, but I should remind you all—Uchiha Madara likely controls the Impure World Reincarnation technique. This forbidden jutsu resurrects individuals in a state immune to injury and death."

"Madara Uchiha in that state will be extraordinarily difficult to deal with."

"Why does Konoha always come up with these bizarre forbidden jutsu?" the Third Raikage muttered with a frown.

Immune to injury? Immortal? What kind of sorcery is this?

"It's something you'd have to ask the Second Hokage," Shinki replied. "This forbidden art wasn't my doing."

"Is there no way to counter it?" Onoki asked. Every jutsu has its flaws—finding them is the key to defeating it.

"There are ways," Shinki explained. "Those resurrected by the Impure World Reincarnation can be sealed. Additionally, if the caster ends the jutsu, the reincarnated individual will return to the afterlife.

"However, the Uchiha clan also has a forbidden technique capable of canceling it, but no one in the current Uchiha clan has the strength or skill to carry out such a task."

"Then we'll focus on sealing. Let's gather the sealing teams from all five villages," Onoki said decisively. Securing the Rinnegan came first—any other complications could be dealt with later.

"In that case, I have no objections. When do we move out?" Yagura asked. As long as they blocked Uchiha Madara's plan, he had no complaints. After all, with the five major villages united, there was safety in numbers.

"Tomorrow. We leave early to avoid drawing attention," Onoki replied. The Third Raikage nodded in agreement, equally eager to act.

The plan was set.

First, the sealing teams from the five villages would be summoned to Konoha. After preparing, they would secure the Rinnegan from the Land of Rain. Once the Rinnegan was in their hands, they would strategize against the Impure World Reincarnation and Madara's other moves.

With the plan finalized, the Four Kage left to rest and prepare for the mission. Shinki, however, headed to the Hokage's office.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Mitokado Homura were already there, awaiting his report.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi and Utatane Koharu—sorry, they had no part to play in this.

"Have you decided?" Tsunade asked as Shinki entered.

Shinki nodded. "Yes. We'll gather the sealing teams from all five villages and leave tomorrow for the Land of Rain to secure the Rinnegan. Once we have it, we'll deal with the rest as it comes."

"As long as the Rinnegan is in our possession, Uchiha Madara won't be able to execute his plans."

"What about me?" Jiraiya interjected, his eyes darting anxiously. He winked repeatedly at Shinki, trying to signal his eagerness to join the mission.

Are you unwell?

Orochimaru instinctively stepped away from Jiraiya, his face filled with disdain.

Shinki, amused by Jiraiya's antics, reassured him. "Relax. Get some rest tonight and be ready before sunrise."

Jiraiya would definitely come along—and Orochimaru too.

"I'll be there early!" Jiraiya shouted enthusiastically, practically rubbing his hands together in excitement.

"Don't overdo it," Shinki said with a smirk, nodding toward Orochimaru. Orochimaru responded with a faint smile, acknowledging the plan without a word.