[Deidara]: "Hmm. Looks like Leader's been recruited too."
[Nagato]: "Seeing the light in our eyes back then… I really want to know what knowledge those books contained."
[Yahiko]: "They must have been filled with hope."
[Konan]: "Yes. A world of peace."
[Tsunade]: "Deal with the daimyō…?"
Tsunade's expression grew complicated.
After all, she was the granddaughter of the First Hokage—and, in name at least, a princess of the Land of Fire. She even had distant familial ties to the daimyō.
[Orochimaru]: "Tsunade. If they are not dealt with, the root of the problem will never be removed. Otherwise… tragedies like Nawaki's will happen again."
[Tsunade]: "..."
After holding hands for a long moment, the four finally let go.
Yahiko asked humbly,
"Sir, where should we begin?"
Nagi smiled.
"Start with what you know best—the Land of Rain. Seek truth from facts. Only through concrete practice can we determine what works."
"Understood. Leave it to us."
Nagato's eyes burned with renewed hope.
Nagi raised a hand.
"Not so fast. Your recovery comes first."
Nagato paused, only then realizing how difficult even basic movement had become for him.
"The Rinnegan drained too much of your life force. And your legs… we'll need major surgery to restore you. There are risks."
Nagato didn't hesitate.
"So be it. Better to risk death than sit idle while you reshape the world. If I must, I'll wait in the Pure Land."
Nagi nodded approvingly.
"Very well. Allow me to introduce your attending physician."
He opened the door.
Two figures entered.
"Heh heh heh… Nagi moves quickly. How interesting."
"Orochimaru?!" ×2
Nagato and Konan stared in confusion.
Yahiko's last memory of Orochimaru was from years ago—when the young Sannin had suggested killing the three war orphans instead of sparing them.
Orochimaru smirked at Yahiko.
"That look on your face is most amusing."
After all, Yahiko looked nearly identical to the Deva Path—whom Orochimaru had known within the Akatsuki. The stoic expression, the occasional grandiose proclamations…
Seeing Yahiko's shock now was oddly satisfying.
Orochimaru stepped before Nagato.
"So you are the true leader of the Akatsuki. A pity about the Rinnegan… though I must admit, I'm quite curious what would happen if the power of the Senju were combined with that of the Uzumaki."
Konan's voice sharpened.
"What are you planning?"
Orochimaru extended his tongue slightly, smiling.
"Simply to restore the life force he has lost… using Hashirama's Cells. And perhaps to observe the results of a true fusion between Senju and Uzumaki vitality."
There had been marriages between the Senju and Uzumaki before.
But Orochimaru believed that was merely lineage blending—not the direct fusion of power.
He intended to transplant diluted, stabilized Hashirama's Cells to reconstruct Nagato's legs and replenish his vitality.
"Hashirama's Cells?" Konan frowned. "Isn't that dangerous?"
Having worked with human puppet modifications, she understood the risks of cellular transplantation.
"Heh. The Uzumaki and Senju are distant relatives. The rejection response will be weaker. And I will not use raw cells. They will be diluted and carefully activated.
"Given Nagato's current state, using the original cells would cause immediate fatal rejection."
Nagi added calmly,
"I understand your concerns. Konan, since you possess knowledge of the human body, you may observe the procedure."
After a moment of silence, she nodded.
"Then I'll stay."
Yahiko raised his hand.
"And me? I should stay too."
Konan immediately refused.
"If you see the surgery, you'll panic and disrupt the operation. You're staying outside."
"…."
Nagi suddenly spoke again.
"It's time I fulfill my promise."
He instructed Kabuto to summon the others.
…
After a while, Kabuto returned—this time with four more people behind him.
Nagato and Konan were momentarily startled. They quickly understood.
Nagi had long had his eyes on the Akatsuki.
Strangely… that now felt fortunate.
Deidara exclaimed,
"Leader! Konan! He really recruited you!"
Sasori narrowed his eyes.
"Something's off. Leader's condition seems strange… almost like Impure World Reincarnation. And the facial piercings and Rinnegan are gone."
Deidara circled Yahiko.
"Master Sasori, it is Impure World Reincarnation! Leader must've refused to surrender, so they had no choice but to kill you first. As expected—unyielding to the end!"
He patted Yahiko's shoulder solemnly.
Yahiko blinked in confusion.
"…Do we know each other?"
"?!"
Deidara froze.
"Wait—Leader, did they knock your memory out of you? It's me, Deidara!"
Yahiko looked helplessly at Nagato and Konan.
Konan stepped forward and briefly explained the connection between Yahiko, the Deva Path, and Nagato.
Deidara turned to Nagato.
"So you're the real leader! Even in this condition, you continue pursuing the Akatsuki's ideals. Truly inspiring!"
He gave a dramatic thumbs-up.
Nagato wasn't sure whether to laugh or sigh.
"I've accepted Nagi 's recruitment. From now on, the Akatsuki's priority is assisting him."
All eyes turned toward Nagi .
"You're the one who brought us here that day…?"
Nagi lifted the fox mask.
Recognition dawned.
Deidara stared at him.
"You're even younger than me… and that strong? And those glasses—very scholarly. Hmm."
"No need to flatter me, Deidara. By the way—how are you progressing with the books?"
"Hmm… I'm still working through some theoretical sections. The practical applications are… challenging."
"That's fine. There are many scientists in this world. In time, I'll invite them to assist you."
In Kumogakure, Mabui narrowed her eyes.
"…Invite scientists here?"
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