Chapter 119: Boosted Nagato!

"Madara, what are you doing here?"

At this moment, Nagato was far more wary of Obito—who was masquerading as Uchiha Madara—than he was of "Ōtsutsuki Toneri," the Tenseigan wielder.

At least Toneri—or Izayoi—had voiced his intentions: he was here to recover the Gedo Statue. But Nagato still had no clue what Obito-in-disguise actually wanted.

Especially since the Yin-Yang Release black rods and the Six Paths technique all came from "Uchiha Madara," who had also assisted him, apparently without conditions, in capturing Tailed Beasts. That was altogether too suspicious.

Nagato did not believe that the legendary "Ashura of the Ninja World" would be so benevolent. And now, with Konan not around, and the Paths of Pain down to only Tendo and Asura, Obito had suddenly appeared before him. It was very hard for Nagato not to suspect Obito might be making a move.

Yet Obito showed no concern about Nagato's wariness. Emerging from the Kamui space, he assumed "Uchiha Madara's" stance and spoke in a low voice:

"Nagato, you can see now that Pain is not a match for that kid."

"So what?" Nagato said impassively. "Do you want me to retreat, or are you finally dropping all pretense and fighting in person?"

"My injuries aren't healed yet. I can't use my ocular power much." Obito gave the same old excuse but continued with an oddly significant tone, "However… I can restore you to your prime."

Nagato countered:

"If you really had a way like that, why not use it on yourself?"

"Precisely because this method exists, this old leftover relic that I am can still stand before you." Obito laughed.

"...What method?"

Calculating Uchiha Madara's age in his head, Nagato believed the story. Among the Five Kage, the oldest was Ōnoki at seventy-six, yet he was but a junior to Madara. Kakuzu, who hailed from the same era as Hashirama and Madara, was already eighty-eight. Without Earth Grudge Fear (Jiongu), he would likely have died long ago.

But this "Uchiha Madara" in front of him still looked like a young man. Under Nagato's Rinnegan vision, the left half of Obito's body radiated potent Yang chakra, while his right eye radiated potent Yin chakra. Plainly, he possessed a secret jutsu similar to Earth Grudge Fear that prolonged life.

Suddenly Obito said,

"Tobi."

Without waiting for Nagato's confusion, Obito's body quivered, white matter extended from him, and ultimately formed a separate White Zetsu clone at his side. This one differed from the other White Zetsu clones; its face was a spiral vortex with just one eyehole, but no visible eye behind it.

"Heeellooo, I'm Tobi!"

As soon as Tobi spawned from Obito's body, he saluted Nagato and asked a bizarre question:

"Boss, it's our first time meeting—tell me, what does having the urge to poop feel like?"

From tone to voice, he was identical to the usual, clownish "Tobi" Obito had played up until now.

At that, Nagato immediately realized why this "Ninja World's Ashura" had sometimes acted so frivolously and unscrupulously. The "Tobi" persona was actually this peculiar White Zetsu clone.

He stared at Tobi—apparently pure Yang Release chakra in humanoid form—and then looked back at Obito.

"So this 'Tobi' is the method you speak of?"

"Tobi's only part of it. You'll also need this…" Obito retrieved from his Kamui dimension a test tube of green fluid.

"What… is that?" asked Nagato.

Obito's next words made Nagato's expression instantly change.

"Cells of Senju Hashirama. Or you might call them White Zetsu cells."

"...I see."

Nagato again sized up the Tobi clone, finally grasping the secret behind these non-human creatures brimming with Yang Release chakra. They were all derived from Hashirama's cells!

"You want me to inject Hashirama's cells?"

Nagato's face grew guarded.

"I know Konoha once attempted Wood-Style experiments. Everyone who took Hashirama's cells ended up exploding and dying. How can you be sure I won't share that fate?"

"Because you have the Rinnegan, plus Tobi and the Gedo Statue, and your bloodline." Obito raised his hand, causing a seedling to sprout, half-truthful as he said:

"Hashirama's cells and the Sharingan balance each other, a fact I learned after the battle at the Valley of the End. I transplanted Hashirama's cells into myself, which kept me alive, led to awakening Wood Style, and produced Tobi."

"The Rinnegan stands above the Sharingan. Its ocular power dwarfs ordinary dojutsu; the Preta Path can absorb all energy, including Hashirama's cells. Even if any unexpected reaction arises that Preta Path can't handle, you still have the Gedo Statue."

"You also descend from the Uzumaki clan, close kin to the Senju. In the Warring States era, Senju and Uzumaki families intermarried constantly. So each family's descendants carried blood from both lines—some so strongly they show 'reversion.' Like you."

"Chosen by the 'Sage's Eye,' your chakra surpasses any average Uzumaki or Senju by far. Undoubtedly, your Senju blood is highly awakened, so you'll have extraordinary compatibility with Hashirama's cells."

"With the Rinnegan, Tobi's help, plus the Gedo Statue if needed, you won't just fuse with Hashirama's cells—you'll awaken an even more powerful Wood Style than mine!"

Those words finally swayed Nagato.

Ordinarily, no matter how Obito sugarcoated it, Nagato would remain cautious and refuse. He wanted Yahiko—not himself—to become God, forging a "new world" under the name Pain. By his own power, he might well have done it.

But the appearance of "Ōtsutsuki Toneri" had put real pressure on him for the first time. That other man's Tenseigan, equal to his Rinnegan, came with no crippling disability. His Six Paths of Pain, broken down from Rinnegan's power, couldn't even slow that foe.

Once that man finished off the Paths, he would surely come after Nagato, the Outer Path.

At that point, how would a feeble invalid hold out against someone in full health?

Thus Obito's "rescue" arrived precisely when Nagato needed it. Still, Nagato suspected Obito might booby-trap the cells or kill him under cover of the operation. He'd always kept his guard around Obito and Zetsu.

Seeing Nagato still hesitate, Obito dropped the clincher:

"Don't you want to protect Yahiko and Konan?"

At that, Nagato instantly decided. Face resolute, he said:

"Fine. What's the procedure?"

"Tobi…"

"Got it!"

Obito handed the tube to Tobi, who hopped to Nagato and said with a grin,

"Boss, I'll have to attach myself to you now—please don't fight back."

"Do it." Nagato nodded.

In the next moment, Tobi's body spread open like a carnivorous blossom, enveloping Nagato's figure but leaving his head exposed.

Then Nagato's palm, beyond his own control, lifted the test tube. A tendril of vine sprouted from his fingertip, inserted itself into the tube, and sucked out the fluid within.

Thump—

Next second, a mighty heartbeat echoed through the dimly lit chamber, fitted with barrier seals, so loud in the hush:

Nagato's eyes flew wide. A sharp object had pierced his left chest, as if that invasive fluid was being pumped directly into his heart. His weakened, slowing heart suddenly leapt violently, not with panic but a surging, revitalizing power.

"Boss, use Preta Path to absorb my Wood-Style chakra."

Tobi's voice sounded in his ear. Nagato quickly activated Preta Path, drawing in Tobi's Yang Release chakra. An invisible white aura took shape—like a glass bubble around him.

A miraculous scene occurred:

Inside that aura, Nagato's emaciated, skeletal frame, sunken cheeks, pale skin, and brittle red hair started changing at a speed visible to the naked eye. As if turning back from old age to youth, in moments he became a fair-skinned man with healthy coloring, glossy red hair, and a handsome, youthful face.

He was originally only 32 years old. Before, he'd looked like a frail old man. Now, he truly resembled a man in his prime.

Seeing Nagato in this state, Obito's single eye behind the mask filled with shock and dread.

He had underestimated Nagato's synergy with Hashirama's cells. With the slightest help from Tobi and that test tube of high-purity cells, Nagato had rapidly cast off his crippled form and returned to the prime he never truly experienced—far stronger than before.

Even Obito, with his unbeatable Kamui, felt helpless if he had to fight Nagato at this level.

"Unbelievable…"

Nagato himself felt stunned. Before, having his chakra devoured by the Gedo Statue had made him only able to use Shinra Tensei in crisis, while normally any large jutsu required splitting power into the Paths. But now, he sensed a massive new reservoir of vitality and chakra—and even an additional nature transformation.

His eye power soared as well.

"I'm… about to be drained, Boss," Tobi said weakly.

Nagato smiled gently, "Thank you, Tobi."

Crack, snap—sounds echoed as the wheelchair (also his remote link for controlling the Paths) fractured. The black rods impaling him ejected. Yet Nagato felt only a faint sting, and the injuries promptly healed.

He stepped free of the broken wheelchair. After so many years of paralysis, he again stood upright—indeed, no sign of any infirmity, as if he had never been crippled at all.

Had he not known Preta Path or used the Gedo Statue, or if he'd not carefully endured, it would've been impossible. But now, thanks to Tobi, it was instant.

"Summon!"

Nagato quickly formed seals. In a burst of smoke, Tendo Pain reappeared—a lifeless corpse (Yahiko's body). Having lost the remote link via black rods, it lacked Rinnegan as well.

He gazed at Yahiko's face like a dear friend, softly saying:

"Yahiko, at last I can protect you and Konan again. Once I've dealt with that threat, you'll remain Pain, still the god of this new world."

Closing Yahiko's eyes, Nagato rose. His aura had changed profoundly. For the first time in decades, a man truly worthy to be called beyond Kage level—an absolute apex had been born.

Obito, seeing this, asked:

"Want me to take you there?"

"No need. I'd like to get used to this body—and this power."

Nagato shook his head, then vanished in a blur of speed. Obito also slipped back into the swirling Kamui dimension.

"So there was that kind of turn of events?"

Meanwhile, back on the battlefield in the Rain Country, Izayoi—currently in the midst of fighting as "Toneri," easily defeating Tendo Path and pinned by the A-B Combo—suddenly turned his head toward Amegakure, eyes lighting up in surprise.

Because the secret chamber was so dark, and the Tenseigan lacked eavesdropping powers, and his main attention was on the battlefield, Izayoi had been unaware of the conversation between Nagato and Obito. He only now sensed Nagato's chakra growing stronger.

Yet as he looked more carefully, he saw Nagato—restored youth, wearing the Tobi "battle suit," stepping out from the secret hall.

"He's got red hair, a handsome young face," Izayoi thought. "So that's the real Nagato… Instead of being alarmed, I'm rather pleased!"

Distracted, he gave the Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee an opening. Their joint elbow strike hammered forth:

"Lightning Release: Double Lariat!"

But while Izayoi let them come close, his eyes barely shifted away from Amegakure's direction. Next moment, the pair's bodies catapulted backward like arrows from a drawn bow.

"Originally I planned to see if the 'System' had new mechanics, using everyone's presence… But it looks like I've triggered an unforeseen butterfly effect." A smirk pulled at Izayoi's lips as he reflected,

"This just gets more and more interesting!"

~~~

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