Chapter 503: The Three Little Ones Have a Deep Love

"If I say this is all a misunderstanding, would you believe me?"

White Zetsu managed an awkward, nervous smile as he faced Orochimaru.

"I believe you," Orochimaru said with a sly smile, nodding as if in understanding.

Of course, I believe everything you say. But that doesn't mean I'll let you escape becoming my test subject. Be a good experiment and follow me quietly.

In a hidden cave, Yahiko knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that his teacher's friend, Shinki, would suddenly appear, attack Nagato, and gouge out his eyes.

If that wasn't bad enough, the attacker had kidnapped all three of them.

What devastated Yahiko the most was waking up to see his beloved teacher, Jiraiya, standing right there, seemingly complicit in the betrayal.

Konan sat nearby in a daze, tears streaking her face, while Nagato lay motionless on the ground, his body limp like a lifeless doll.

Nagato wasn't dead, just unconscious. Jiraiya had chosen to wake Yahiko and Konan first—Nagato would stay unconscious for a while. Better he remain that way; waking up to such pain would only break him further.

"The teacher didn't want this," Jiraiya said, his voice filled with bitterness.

"According to the village's investigation, Nagato's eyes weren't his to begin with. They originally belonged to someone named Uchiha Madara, who transplanted them into Nagato and used the Uzumaki clan's vitality to nurture and sustain them," Jiraiya explained, his face etched with regret.

"Uchiha Madara is a scourge upon the ninja world. To fight him, we had no choice but to take the Rinnegan from Nagato first."

Jiraiya spoke earnestly, hoping to calm his disciples and ensure they didn't misunderstand Konoha's intentions. He feared they might think this was a selfish act to seize power rather than a desperate move to counter Madara's schemes.

"Hateful!"

After a long silence, Yahiko suddenly pounded the ground in fury.

"Why? Why would this guy, Uchiha Madara, do something so horrible?"

The revelation left Yahiko reeling. If the Rinnegan wasn't Nagato's, then it meant Madara had stolen Nagato's original eyes as a child, replacing them with his own.

How could anyone be so monstrous?

"Don't lose yourself in anger," Jiraiya said, sighing deeply.

"To become the second Sage of Six Paths, Madara made all these plans. In fact, you've been under surveillance by his agents the entire time. If not for Shinki uncovering the truth, I wouldn't have known any of this either."

Jiraiya's voice trembled as he confessed his ignorance.

"I once naively believed the Rinnegan belonged to Nagato. I had no idea he was just a pawn in someone else's game."

"Teacher, will Nagato be okay?" Konan asked hesitantly.

Though losing eyes wasn't immediately fatal, Konan's heart ached with worry. After hearing the truth, her and Yahiko's anger toward Shinki began to dissipate—they realized he wasn't acting out of malice.

"I… I don't know," Jiraiya admitted helplessly.

He shook his head. "There's a special curse mark on Nagato's heart. It seems Madara used the Rinnegan to implant it. As long as that curse mark exists, Madara can control his life and death at will."

At that moment, Shinki entered the cave, his presence calm and composed.

"Can Nagato be saved?" Yahiko asked immediately. His voice trembled, but his resolve was firm.

Shinki glanced at Jiraiya before replying, "Theoretically, yes. But it's not that simple."

He elaborated, "The Rinnegan and Tenseigan may be of similar levels, but they operate differently. For instance, just as Sharingan genjutsu can't be undone by the Byakugan, the curse mark left by the Rinnegan can't be removed using the Tenseigan."

Jiraiya's shoulders slumped. "Then… there's no way to save him?"

Shinki shook his head. "It can't be removed conventionally. But there is one option—using the Tenseigan, I can protect his heart, destroy it entirely, and then forcibly destroy the curse mark."

"What? No!" Yahiko shouted, jumping to his feet. "Destroy his heart? How could he survive that?"

Konan didn't react as strongly. She looked at Jiraiya, her eyes filled with silent hope.

Jiraiya, grimacing, asked cautiously, "Shinki… if his heart is destroyed, will Nagato survive?"

"Yes and no," Shinki replied seriously.

He explained, "Normally, destroying the heart would be fatal. But with the Tenseigan's power, I can shield his body. Even if his heart is reduced to pulp, the Tenseigan will sustain him in a state of suspended animation. Whether he ultimately survives will depend on luck—and your determination."

Hearing this, Jiraiya's heart sank.

Replacing a destroyed heart wasn't impossible—transplanting new organs and even creating artificial ones were within the realm of ninja capabilities. Orochimaru, for instance, could likely perform such a procedure.

Still, the process was incredibly risky.

"What do you need me to do?" Jiraiya asked after a moment, his expression resolute.

"I'll do anything," Yahiko added immediately. He bowed deeply to Shinki, desperation clear in his voice.

"Me too!" Konan exclaimed, wiping the tears from her face.

Shinki crossed his arms, looking unimpressed.

"Oh? You'd do anything? Even sacrifice yourselves?"

Yahiko didn't hesitate. "If my life can save Nagato, then please—take it."

He bowed his head again, resolute in his offer.

Shinki turned his gaze to Konan.

"Me too," she said without a moment's hesitation.