Chapter 120: Enhanced version of the peak Nagato

"Madara, what are you doing here?"

At this moment, Nagato's vigilance toward Uchiha Obito was even greater than toward 'Otsutsuki Toneri', the owner of the Samsara Eye.

At least Izayoi had openly declared his purpose—to retrieve the Outer Path Demon Statue.

But Uchiha Obito's disguise as Uchiha Madara? Nagato still didn't know his true intentions.

Especially since the abilities like Yin-Yang Release, black receivers, and the Six Paths Technique had all been given to him by "Uchiha Madara," who even helped him capture the Tailed Beasts for free—far too suspicious.

Nagato didn't believe that the legendary Shura of the Ninja World was such a generous person.

Now that Konan wasn't around, and the Six Paths of Pain were down to just Deva Path and Asura Path, Obito suddenly showing up—Nagato couldn't help but think he might be making a move.

Obito didn't mind Nagato's suspicion. As soon as he came out of the Kamui space, he maintained the demeanor of Uchiha Madara and said in a low voice, "Nagato, you should already see that Pain is no match for that brat."

"So?" Nagato said expressionlessly. "Are you telling me to retreat? Or are you finally going to stop hiding and make your own move?"

"My injuries haven't healed yet. I can't use much ocular power," Obito replied, but his voice carried deeper meaning. "But… I can return you to your prime."

Nagato narrowed his eyes. "If you had that ability, why not use it on yourself?"

"It's precisely because of that method that I—a relic of the old era—can still stand here today." Obito smiled.

"…What method?"

Nagato mentally calculated Obito's supposed age. Compared to Ōnoki, the oldest of the current Five Kage at 76, "Madara" was a senior by a wide margin.

Kakuzu, who had lived since the era of the First Hokage, was 88.

Without Earth Grudge Fear, he would've died long ago.

But "Uchiha Madara" stood before him with a youthful appearance. In the vision of the Samsara Eye, the left half of his body radiated strong Yang chakra, while the right eye carried intense Yin chakra.

There was no doubt—he had some secret technique like Earth Grudge Fear to maintain his life.

"Afei."

Obito suddenly said the name of his alter ego, and before Nagato could respond, a strange white substance wriggled out of his body and quickly took shape beside him—a White Zetsu clone.

However, unlike other clones, this one had no face. Its face was a vortex with a single eye socket, yet no eye inside.

"Hello, I'm Afei!"

As soon as Afei separated from Obito's body, he saluted Nagato and asked something completely off-topic: "Chief, it's our first time meeting—what's it feel like to poop?"

Same tone. Same voice.

Nagato instantly understood why this legendary Shura had acted so absurd at times—turns out, Afei wasn't him at all. He was this special White Zetsu.

Staring at Afei, who seemed to be a materialization of pure Yang chakra, Nagato narrowed his eyes and asked Obito, "Afei—is this the method you mentioned?"

"Afei is just part of it. You also need this..." Obito took a test tube out of the Kamui space, filled with glowing green liquid.

Nagato asked, "What is it?"

Obito's answer made his expression shift instantly.

"Hashirama Senju's cells. You can also call them White Zetsu cells."

"…I see."

Nagato looked again at Afei, and it finally made sense—this strange creature possessed such powerful Yang chakra because it came from Hashirama's cells.

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

Nagato became alert. "As far as I know, Konoha once tried Wood Release experiments. Those who received Hashirama's cells ended up exploding. How can you be sure I'll survive?"

"Because you have the Rinnegan. And Afei. And the Outer Path Demon Statue. And your bloodline." Obito raised his hand and grew a small sapling with a chakra burst. "Sharingan and Wood Release counterbalance each other. I discovered this after transplanting Hashirama's cells following the battle at the Valley of the End. Thanks to them, I'm still alive, awakened Wood Release, and created Afei."

"The Rinnegan surpasses even the Sharingan. With the Hungry Ghost Path, you can absorb any form of energy—even Hashirama's cells. And if the Hungry Ghost Path fails, you still have the Outer Path Demon Statue."

"You're also a descendant of the Uzumaki clan. The Uzumaki and Senju are distant relatives and frequently intermarried. So most of them carry both bloodlines. In your case… there's likely a high degree of Senju reversion."

"You were chosen by the Sage's Eye. Your chakra far surpasses ordinary Uzumaki or Senju. You must have highly awakened Senju blood. With that, plus the Rinnegan and Afei, you can not only absorb Hashirama's cells but also awaken a stronger Wood Release than mine."

This time, Nagato was finally moved.

Normally, no matter how much Obito boasted, Nagato would have refused. His dream was for Yahiko to become a god and use Pain to build a new world. He disdained relying on outside help—especially from enemies.

But Toneri's appearance placed a heavy burden on his shoulders.

That man had the same-level Samsara Eye… but wasn't crippled.

Pain's Six Paths, even with the full Six Paths Technique, couldn't match him.

Once those six were destroyed, he, as the Outer Path, would be next.

At that time, how could he face a perfect "Outer Path"?

Obito's offer was timely.

Yet Nagato still sensed danger. He didn't trust Obito. Or Black Zetsu. They had always been guarded toward them.

Seeing that Nagato still hesitated, Obito finished him with one sentence:

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

That one line made Nagato make up his mind.

With firm eyes, he said, "Alright. How do we begin?"

"Afei—"

"Understood!"

Obito handed the test tube to Afei, who took it, walked up, and grinned: "Chief, I'll attach myself to you. Don't resist."

"Do it." Nagato nodded.

Afei's body opened like a carnivorous flower, wrapping around Nagato.

His head remained exposed, while Nagato's hand moved involuntarily to unseal the test tube. A vine sprouted from his finger, plunging in and absorbing the green fluid.

The next moment, a violent heartbeat echoed through the dim secret chamber, loud and strong.

Nagato's eyes widened.

A sharp needle had pierced his left chest.

That aggressive liquid had entered his heart.

His heart had been weak—barely beating.

But now, it thudded powerfully. Not from panic, but from new, overwhelming strength.

"Leader, use the Hungry Ghost Path to absorb my Wood Release chakra."

Afei's voice rang in his ears.

Nagato instantly activated the Hungry Ghost Path.

A white energy shield formed around him like a glass dome.

Then, something miraculous happened.

Inside the light, Nagato's emaciated body, his pale skin, sunken cheeks, and withered hair… all began to change at visible speed.

Like an old man reversing through time.

Though he was only 32, he'd looked like a paralyzed husk. But now, he turned into a healthy, handsome youth with fair skin, vibrant eyes, and flowing red hair.

He didn't just look his age—he looked younger.

Even Obito, hidden behind his mask, was startled.

He had underestimated how compatible Nagato—who carried both Uzumaki and Senju bloodlines—was with Hashirama's cells.

No need for the Outer Path Demon Statue.

No need for backups.

Just one tube of Hashirama cells, at full potency, with the aid of Afei, and Nagato had returned to the peak state he was meant to have.

Before this, Nagato already gave Obito immense pressure.

Now, with youth restored and armor from Afei, Obito felt suffocated—if not for Kamui, he doubted he could last even a moment.

He suddenly questioned if he'd done the right thing—raising such a monster.

"Incredible…"

Nagato himself was stunned.

Even more than Obito.

Before being drained by the Outer Path Demon Statue, he could only unleash Shinra Tensei under emotional breakdown.

His Rinnegan could barely use six types of chakra change.

After getting the Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release, he divided his power into six to manage.

He never had a "prime".

But now, he could feel it.

Vast chakra. Overflowing vitality. New nature transformation. A surge of ocular power...

At this moment, even he was afraid of his own strength.

"I… I'm about to be sucked dry, leader…"

Afei's weak voice pulled Nagato back.

Nagato smiled gently for the first time in years. "You've done well, Afei."

Snap—crack—

The wheelchair under him shattered.

The black rods embedded in his spine—the signal receivers for the Six Paths—shot out.

Nagato barely felt pain, and the wounds instantly healed.

He stepped down from the broken chair.

After so many years, he stood once again.

It felt like… he had never been paralyzed.

His body remembered walking.

His regeneration flushed out the rods.

All thanks to Afei.

"Summoning Technique!"

Nagato suddenly clapped the ground.

Boom—smoke billowed.

Tendo Pain—blown away by Izayoi earlier—appeared in the secret chamber.

With the receiver destroyed, the corpse lay silently, the eyes returning to normal.

Nagato looked down into Yahiko's eyes, and gently whispered, "Yahiko… I can protect you and Konan again. Once I deal with that threat… you are still Pain, and still... the god of the new world."

He closed Yahiko's eyes.

Nagato stood up, exuding an entirely different aura.

A power above the Five Kage.

In this era, a unique, explosive combat force—

In three words: Super Kage level.

Obito looked at him and asked, "Want me to give you a ride?"

"No. I want to get familiar with this body… and this power."

Nagato vanished in a blur.

Obito also disappeared into a swirling black Kamui vortex.

"…So that's what happened?"

On the battlefield, Izayoi had just crushed Asura Path and was now facing off against the Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee.

But suddenly, he turned and looked toward the Hidden Rain Village, his face showing genuine surprise.

Because the room Nagato was in had been too dark—and Izayoi hadn't been eavesdropping, nor had his Wood Clone.

He had only now noticed the sudden spike in Nagato's chakra.

And when he saw Nagato, now armored with Afei's suit, stepping out…

Looking at the red-haired youth, Izayoi wasn't angry—but excited.

Raikage and Bee rushed in, launching a double attack.

"Lightning Style: Absolute Bull Thunder Blade!"

But Izayoi didn't even look at them.

In the next instant, the brothers were sent flying.

"I just wanted to see if the system had any new events," Izayoi thought with a smirk. "Didn't expect to accidentally trigger a butterfly effect…"

"Things are… getting more and more interesting."