Chapter 181: 177: Madara and Nagato

Chapter 181: 177: Madara and Nagato

The rainy forest was filled with the smell of burning flames, and the ground was turned into a pitch-black scorched earth due to the previous bombardment.

Countless wooden fragments remained in place, which was the trace left after the wooden man was attacked.

Kakashi was present here, carefully picking up some of these unusual wood chips. He could feel that these wood chips were different from ordinary trees and had extraordinary vitality.

He meticulously placed these wood fragments in a transparent bag, collecting them as battlefield evidence.

"What's the purpose of gathering these?" Pakkun asked, puzzled, as he approached Kakashi.

Kakashi glanced at Pakkun and replied, "It's just to create a trail of evidence, to make it appear as if I acted against orders but didn't return empty-handed. This will help me minimize my presence in this incident when I hand them over to the Third Hokage."

At that time, Konoha would definitely focus on these residues of Wood Release.

"But your punishment can't be avoided, right?" Pakkun was skeptical.

After all, Kakashi's operation this time, like Obito, he acted without the order of his superiors.If there was no corresponding punishment in the village, it would a bit unreasonable.

Kakashi sighed softly and explained, "That's exactly what I want. My father abandoned a mission to save his comrades and in the end he committed suicide. This is the unanimous opinion among the high-ranking officials. Now, I'm making the same choice to show that I have changed successfully under Minato-sensei's guidance. This will allow them to use this incident as leverage to control me more effectively. They'll feel more secure having me in their hands."

Hence, a few minor punishments won't matter. This was all part of the illusion he was crafting to manipulate Konoha's senior leadership.

"...You're quite scary, Kakashi."

"If I have no shortcomings, keeping a certain distance from everyone is the biggest flaw. Acting out unexpected and performing reasonable deeds will help reduce their doubts. The key is to give them the impression that they have complete control over me and that I am a perfect weapon in their hands. This is the most basic lesson for a spy."

"So, does that mean you're using Obito and Rin as well?" Pakkun asked, staring into Kakashi's eyes.

Kakashi avoided Pakkun's gaze. After a moment of silence, he whispered, "Attachments are the most absurd thing. Everything I do is just a facade. Naive fools like them can only serve as tools for my use. Their sole purpose is to serve this role. My father's path is different from what I'm currently following." nove(l)bi(n.)com

With that, Kakashi turned and left, his slim form disappearing into the wind and rain.

Pakkun let out a faint sigh. Kakashi hadn't changed at all, he still wasn't honest.

Ultimately, true emotions couldn't be concealed, and any pretense would eventually reveal itself. Sometimes, it was best to let nature take its course.

Camouflage and a low profile were fine if the aim was to remain inconspicuous.

However, to access Konoha's core, one needed to embrace the so-called attachments and express genuine feelings.

Therefore, Pakkun considered Kakashi as a terrible person.

Whether as a ninja or as a spy, he poured his emotions and energy entirely into his work, expertly distinguishing between the two and making the best decision.

If a day came when he faced Konoha, he could inflict harm upon his comrades with genuine feelings and without any ill intent.

Pakkun moved his limbs, catching up with Kakashi's footsteps and disappearing alongside him.

....

Pain coursed through him, particularly in his back. It felt like an unending fire was burning within him.

In this pain, Nagato woke up from his unconscious state. The environment appeared strange, with dim light surrounding him.

The world seemed to be in a state of darkness. Nagato tried to recollect what had occurred before his fall into unconsciousness.

Everyone in Akatsuki had died, Yahiko included. They all lay as silent, lifeless corpses. The assailant had hailed from Konoha, the same village as his once beloved sensei, Jiraiya.

To protect Konan, Nagato had suffered extensive injuries from exploding tags that left his back in constant pain. The burning sensation he now felt was likely the reason of these injuries.

He had summoned that Gedo Statue and devoured the soul of the Konoha ninjas responsible for Akatsuki's destruction, he left no alive.

Finally, a dark figure had emerged from the ground and appeared before him. Because of his serious injuries, he couldn't hold on, he passed out losing consciousness.

Recalling these memories, Nagato's breathing grew heavy as a gloomy and ominous aura enveloped him. Gradually, he managed to calm himself.

Footsteps echoed in the darkness as someone approached.Nagato lifted his head and, gasping, and asked in a low voice.

"Is that you, Konan?"

However, there was no response.

The approaching steps drew nearer, causing Nagato to tense up with a vigilant expression. The footsteps and sounds indicated that it was not Konan.

A slightly hunched figure emerged from the darkness, holding a candle. Hi long pale hair cascaded from his head, and muddy red Sharingan eyes fixed upon Nagato.

This person was Madara.

However, he didn't sit on his usual wooden chair, powered from the Divine tree to sustain his life force. Despite his weak state, he stood on his own and approached Nagato.

"If you're searching for the girl with blue hair, she's asleep in the inner room, and I haven't done anything to her."

Nagato was left momentarily speechless, his eyes locking onto Madara's Sharingan. He tensed and began gathering chakra, preparing to release potential ninjutsu.

The Sharingan, a Kekkei Genkai unique to Konoha's Uchiha clan, carried a sense of danger.

"I would advise you not to move. Your health is bad currently, and ordinary medical ninjutsu won't heal you. Besides, I'm not your enemy. I'm just like you. A sad old man striving for peace."

Madara's voice possessed a subtle, captivating charm.

Nagato remained silent for a while before asking, "Who are you?"

"I'm the ghost of Uchiha... Uchiha Madara."

Nagato's eyes widened in shock upon hearing Madara's declaration.

Madara... Uchiha Madara? 'What was this old man talking about? Wasn't Madara a legendary ninja who had died decades ago. He was said to have been defeated by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama?'

"Are you joking?" Nagato's tone brimmed with anger.

Holding a candle with dim light, Madara responded, "I'm not playing games with you. My defeat by Senju Hashirama was a carefully calculated plan on my part. It was a last-ditch effort to attain greater power."

"A trump card?" Nagato inquired instinctively.

"It's your Rinnegan." Madara affirmed, in his usual monotone.

Nagato sitting was stunned, his mouth agape, it took a long time to close, then he sighed with a headache and said, "Is there any good in lying to someone like me? Or, do you think I really wouldn't kill you?"

Nagato hesitated for a moment before responding from the depths of his heart, resisting Madara's will, "Even though your words are good, I refuse."

Nagato's answer didn't make Madara feel angry, but looked at Nagato with interest.. "Can you explain why you refuse?"

He expected Nagato to yield due to what had happened, but Nagato's resistance was unforeseen. Despite the urgency of their situation, there was time for a brief conversation.

"Yahiko and the others are already dead. Even if they were resurrected in the genjutsy world, it wouldn't change the fact of their deaths. The Infinite Tsukuyomi you speak of denies their existence. I may no longer agree with Akatsuki's past actions, but it doesn't mean I will blaspheme their will."

Nagato's face regained some composure. Madara's Infinite Tsukuyomi world might seem like a beautiful world, where everything conformed to one's desires, but it remained a dreamlike fantasy.

Nagato's dream had ended, starting with Hanzo's sacrifice, the destruction of Yahiko and Akatsuki, and the realization of the hypocrisy of the belief that mutual understanding among people could bring peace.

He awoke from his dream, resolved to stop dreaming, no matter how enchanting, joyful, or beautiful it might be; that was not his desire now.

His goal was to change the harsh reality he lived in. Instead of following in the footsteps of Yahiko, Hanzo, and the Land of Rain, he wanted to forge a new, sustainable path towards peace using his own methods, without relying on the dream world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Failing to do so would equate to a denial of his past, the existence of humanity, and history itself. Even his actions seemed futile and absurd, but this was Nagato's unwavering determination.

Madara also recognized Nagato's unwavering determination. There was no doubt that Nagato had rejected his will, as their wills were fundamentally incompatible.

"So, even if this ninja world inflicts pain upon you, you insist on enduring it? Do you cling to this boring reality with extravagant hopes?"

Madara's face remained void of emotion.

"Yes. Without it, everything would be meaningless."

."If you persist down this path, you will encounter even more suffering."

"If suffering is an inevitable part of my life, then it, too, must have meaning. Madara, you should not underestimate the strength of humanity!"

Nagato's resolute words prompted a sigh from Madara, who questioned, "Do you truly believe that?"

Madara took a deep look at Nagato, as if he wanted to see through Nagato's true thoughts.

"....yes.. I do."

Nagato didn't shy away from Madara's gaze.

"Your chances of failing is high.."

"Even if I fail one day in the future, it's the same. Don't try to use your will to control me. Those who escape from reality have no place here."

Nagato believed that true humans can truly grow up when they experience pain. No matter how painful it became, they had to persevere, stand tall, and forge ahead despite the burdens of grief. Taking pain was a tool to sharpen oneself, to become stronger, and ultimately, to emerge undefeated in the face of any reality.

This was Nagato's choice and the will of Akatsuki.

Madara burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Even though his aged face contorted into an unsightly expression during his fit of laughter, Madara couldn't restrain himself. His laughter lasted for an extended period before slowly stopping.

"What's so funny?"

Nagato thought that there was something wrong with Madara.

"No, no, no, you really went beyond my expectations, Nagato. There's something about you that I find interesting. I never expected you to reject my ideals. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when you fail. It will most certainly be a pleasing moment."

"If you want to kill me, you better do it now. or I'll definitely kill you if you don't. You won't see me fail."

Nagato looked at Madara nervously.

Nagato was so concerned about Madara's dangerous thoughts that he considered eliminating the threat. Allowing such a person to exist posed a catastrophe to himself and the entire ninja world.

"Why would I kill you? Just because you've rejected me? There's no necessary casual connection between those two."

He observed Nagato with a smile, which only deepened Nagato's confusion.

"What I said is true, Nagato. Before your arrival, Nagato, I never expected you to reject my plan. In my view, the Infinite Tsukuyomi was the perfect solution for someone who had suffered greatly in the real world. But now that you have different ideas, I'll consider it a whim. I'm eager to see how far you can go in the end." Madara smiled.

"What are you talking about?"

"You mentioned that pain in this world holds meaning. From now on, the Rinnegan truly belongs to you."

"My own?" Nagato covered his eyes and muttering to himself.

"That's right... Before you fail.... I won't interfere with your actions. But..if you fail, I will use my way to cut off the cause and effect of the world."

Madara's smile vanished entirely as he locked eyes with Nagato's eyes, his sunken eyes and cracked lips lending his words a profound weight. He then turned his gaze to the ground.

"Black Zetsu."

Black zetsu's figure emerged from the ground, with a respectful attitude and a hoarse voice: "Madara-sama."

Madara then turned to Nagato and said, "Black zetsu here is equivalent to my half body. From today, he will remain by your side and follow your commands. Time is running out, and he will explain to you the remaining doubts."

Pointing to Black Zetsu, Madara instructed Nagato.

After speaking, Madara turned and walked into the darkness.

"Where are you going?"

"Off to deal with the three mice who have found this place."

Madara's calm words sounded, and his body completely merged into the darkness as he disappeared.

After Madara left, Black zetsu looked at Nagato, and said respectfully: "Nagato-sama, from now on, I will exist as your subordinate. Moreover, I will not betray you until you fail. My power will be used by you."

"I can understand that if I fail, you will take action?"

"It is Madara-sama's will. Please follow me. I will help you transplant the cells of the First Hokage's, further increasing your strength. I will also tell you knowledge about the Rinnegan and the tailed beasts. Regardless of your future choices, power is essential. Only the will of the strong can illuminate the entire world."

The candle flames extinguished naturally, and darkness enveloped Nagato and Black Zetsu.

----

You can support me and read 100 advanced chapters on my Patreon.

patreon .com/chizihn