Chapter 510: Genius, Nothing More Than That

The transplantation of the Rinnegan was successful, but the consequences were swift and brutal.

As soon as the eye connected to Mangetsu Hozuki's chakra system, it began to draw from his vitality and chakra reserves like an insatiable beast. Within seconds, his skin began to pale, and his once-muscular body began to wither.

"Damn!"

Shinki, who had been watching closely, acted quickly. He immediately reached in and removed the transplanted Rinnegan, expertly severing the nerve connections and placing the eye back into its nutrient-filled glass container.

It was too late.

In less than two minutes, Mangetsu Hozuki had been reduced to a skeletal husk. His skin clung tightly to his bones, and his body barely seemed alive.

The room fell into a stunned silence.

"Hiss~~~"

Even the Five Kage, hardened by years of war and death, couldn't suppress their audible gasps.

Ao, who was meant to be the next test subject, stepped back instinctively, his face drained of all color.

If Mangetsu Hozuki—a genius of the Mist Village—couldn't withstand the Rinnegan's power, what chance did he have?

"It... it drained him," Tsunade said, stepping closer to inspect Mangetsu's lifeless form. "All of his chakra, his vitality... It's like it devoured him."

Shinki calmly secured the Rinnegan back in its glass container, then turned to the room.

"Who's next?" he asked nonchalantly, holding up the container. "Anyone else want to try? I only transplanted one Rinnegan. Imagine what two would do."

The Five Kage collectively took a step back.

"No, thank you," the Third Raikage said, his usual bravado replaced by caution.

"I think we've seen enough," Ohnoki added, his expression grim.

Even Yagura, who had been pushing for the experiment, said nothing. His face was an unreadable mask, but the tension in his body spoke volumes.

"Mizukage, you're a Jinchuuriki, aren't you?" Shinki asked, his voice laced with dry humor. "You've got more chakra than most people. Maybe you should give it a shot."

"...You must be joking," Yagura replied, his tone clipped.

Ohnoki chuckled darkly. "Mizukage, you're not going to back out now, are you? You were so eager before."

The Third Raikage added with a sly grin, "What's wrong? Afraid you'll end up like him?"

Yagura's glare could have cut steel, but he wisely said nothing.

A Grim Reality

Tsunade stepped forward to examine Mangetsu more closely. After a moment, she shook her head and turned to Yagura.

"Prepare for his funeral," she said flatly. "There's no coming back from this. His body's been irreparably damaged. Even if he's still breathing now, it's only a matter of time before he succumbs."

Yagura nodded stoically.

He had gotten what he wanted: proof that the Rinnegan was beyond the reach of ordinary ninjas. The price, however, was high.

For Mangetsu, this was the end. For the Mist Village, it was a bitter reminder of the Mizukage's ruthless pragmatism.

"What if an Uchiha tried it?" Tsunade asked, breaking the silence.

Shinki shrugged. "An Uchiha would survive the initial transplant. Their chakra and bloodline are better suited to handle the Rinnegan. But..."

"But?"

"They wouldn't be able to fully utilize it. Without a significant amount of vitality—like Nagato's Uzumaki blood—they'd just be a living battery for the Rinnegan's power. At best, they'd be crippled. At worst…"

He gestured to Mangetsu's withered form.

The Reality Sinks In

No one spoke for several moments. The weight of what they had just witnessed pressed heavily on everyone in the room.

The Third Raikage finally broke the silence. "So... this isn't just a weapon you can hand out to anyone."

"Exactly," Shinki replied. "The Rinnegan isn't some trinket you can hand off to just any ninja. It's a tool of immense power, but only for those who are either born with it or prepared to pay a heavy price."

Yagura stared at Mangetsu's lifeless body, his expression unreadable. Tsunade, however, couldn't hold back.

"Was it worth it?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "You've just sacrificed one of your most talented ninjas for nothing."

Yagura didn't answer.

A Shift in Focus

In the Hokage's office later that day, the Five Kage gathered once more to discuss their next steps.

"The Rinnegan has been secured," Ohnoki said, his tone serious. "But now we have to prepare for Uchiha Madara's response."

"He won't let this slide," the Third Raikage agreed.

Shinki leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but calculating. "The initiative is no longer ours. Madara knows we've taken his most valuable asset. He'll come for it sooner or later. The question is when—and how prepared we'll be when he does."

Meanwhile, in Madara's Lair

In the dark recesses of his hideout, Uchiha Madara's body sat lifeless, the tubes connecting him to the Gedo Mazo severed.

Black Zetsu worked frantically, performing the Impure World Reincarnation technique to revive him.

A faint glow surrounded the corpse as the jutsu took effect. Slowly, Uchiha Madara opened his eyes.