I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

Chapter 440: The Coming Turmoil

The Five Great Nations had once again held the Five Kage Summit, and Konoha’s resurgence was causing discontent among some. They wondered why Konoha, after being strong for so long and finally experiencing decline, was suddenly becoming powerful again.

Shortly after the Five Kage Summit ended, while the shinobi world was in turmoil and doubting the truth of the information being spread, the Five Great Shinobi Villages simultaneously released a message.

The message was concise. First, it stated that during the Five Kage Summit, the Five Great Shinobi Villages had reached a consensus condemning the devastation caused by war and the suffering it brought to the people of the Shinobi world. They pledged to work together to build a peaceful Shinobi world.

This message was straightforward. It essentially implied that the Five Great Shinobi Villages would stop fighting and work towards peaceful coexistence, urging smaller villages to also maintain peace and refrain from causing trouble.

The second part of the message was more puzzling: the establishment of the Shinobi Trade Alliance by the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Most people focused on the first statement. They were sceptical about the sincerity of the major villages, suddenly claiming to have realised the horrors of war. They found it hard to believe that the same villages that had fought for so long had now reached such a consensus, mainly since these wars had primarily been fought on the lands of smaller countries, not their own.

In the harsh reality of the shinobi world, they understood that interests drove everything. There were no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. The Third Shinobi World War had just ended a few years ago, and Konoha and Kumogakure had even fought another battle after the war ended.

Under normal circumstances, even holding a Five Kage Summit wouldn’t have resulted in peace, as the hatred ran too deep, and Konoha suffered severe losses during the Third Shinobi World War. Both Iwagakure and Kumogakure would not have maintained peace with Konoha, given the opportunity to exploit its weakened state.

However, peace had indeed been achieved, with even Kirigakure, who generally remained aloof from shinobi world affairs, joining in.

Eliminating all other possibilities, they concluded that the previously mentioned information must be accurate, no matter how unbelievable. The new reality was that the shinobi world was entering a period of significant peace.

Yet, this impending peace brought mixed reactions.

Not everyone desired peace; there were always hawks and doves. The sudden peace was disastrous for smaller hawkish villages like Kusagakure, which harboured grand ambitions. They had hoped for the Great Shinobi Villages to weaken each other, giving them a chance to rise. Peace dashed these hopes as a chaotic world presented more opportunities.

Conversely, weaker small nations welcomed the peace, which meant that the Great Shinobi Villages would no longer wage wars on their lands, allowing them to live undisturbed lives.

In addition to ambitious smaller villages, some shinobi organisations also found the peace troubling, as a peaceful shinobi world was not conducive to their profit-making activities. One such organisation was Akatsuki.

Akatsuki’s motto was to break the control of the Great Nations, plunge the world into chaos, monopolise war commissions from small nations, and thus accumulate wealth.

Akatsuki thrived on chaos and war; peace undermined their operations and thwarted their plans to break the hold of the Great Nations.

"It seems we’ve reached this point. We need to find a way to deal with Konoha and that Fujimura Nagasawa," Nagato mused, brows furrowed as he reviewed the latest intelligence, making a resolute decision.

Nagato wasn’t a bloodthirsty person or a maniacal destroyer. Everything he did was realise Yahiko’s vision, which was to achieve world peace and end wars. However, he was no longer a man of indecision. He was willing to eliminate anyone in his way to achieve this goal.

Initially, Nagato had planned to gather powerful shinobi through Akatsuki, accumulate strength, and then send teams to capture the Tailed Beasts across the shinobi world. This would avoid confrontation with the Great Nations, as two-person teams would be more challenging to detect and more efficient in capturing the Tailed Beasts.

However, after seeing the recent intelligence, Nagato realised that his previous plan wouldn’t work under the new peace established by the Five Great Nations. He wouldn’t be able to accumulate the necessary strength.

The only solution was breaking this new peace, plunging the shinobi world into chaos.

Additionally, Fujimura Nagasawa was an obstacle that needed addressing. Nagato had to become stronger than Nagasawa. In this new, peaceful world, the strongest had to be him and his weapons.

"This temporary peace won’t bring true happiness. Only by gathering the Tailed Beasts and creating an ultimate weapon that can obliterate nations will those who love war experience true pain. Only then will true peace come," Nagato resolved, his eyes filled with determination despite his haggard appearance.

He had accepted Zetsu’s proposal to use the Gedo Art of Rinne Rebirth to absorb bloodline limits and enhance his power.

Without this, his path to peace might be permanently blocked.

"Yahiko... I will fulfill your vision," Nagato murmured, his determination burning.

Nagato used a secret technique to summon Zetsu.

Zetsu arrived quickly, emerging from the ground beside Nagato.

Sensing that his proposal had been accepted, Zetsu grinned, "Nagato, are you ready to use my plan to enhance your power? Madara has already prepared a vessel for you. Absorbing it will make you much stronger."

The vessel was a White Zetsu infused with Hashirama’s cells, which would significantly boost Nagato’s chakra, vitality, and power.

After this absorption, Nagato would no longer rely on the Six Paths of Pain alone. He would regain his ability to fight personally.

Zetsu predicted that after the absorption, no one in the shinobi world, except the mighty Fujimura Nagasawa, would be able to stop Nagato.

Whenever he thought of Nagasawa, Black Zetsu felt it was unbelievable. How could someone so powerful suddenly appear? Even if Nagato was the second strongest in the shinobi world, the gap between him and Nagasawa was significant.

To surpass Nagasawa, Nagato would need to absorb the powers of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans and perfect his bloodline.

Black Zetsu had considered this, but Konoha’s constant vigilance and activities made acting difficult. However, he believed there would always be a chance; shinobi would eventually have to leave the village on missions.

He had also thought of other methods—Gedo Art of Rinne Rebirth could absorb bloodlines, and it didn’t necessarily require the targets to be alive.

"Yes, I’ve thoroughly studied the Gedo Art of Rinne Rebirth," Nagato replied calmly.

Due to his leg injuries, Nagato couldn’t travel far, so he performed the ritual in a hidden underground chamber in Amegakure.

He wasn’t making excuses; he had studied the technique carefully, considering it was a matter of altering his body and preventing potential sabotage.

Despite his inconvenience, Nagato personally prepared the ritual, understanding its significance.

After setting up the ritual, Nagato dismissed Zetsu, wanting to complete the absorption alone.

Nagato wheeled himself to the bound White Zetsu, ignoring its nonsensical chatter. Taking a deep breath, Nagato activated his Rinnegan, his hands glowing with chakra as he thrust his hand into the White Zetsu’s body.

As he began the absorption, the White Zetsu’s body gradually faded until it became a limp, crumpled mass.

Ignoring the remains, Nagato focused on the power surging through him. He felt rejuvenated, filled with unprecedented energy and chakra.

Gazing at his legs, injured long ago in Hanzo’s ambush, Nagato marvelled at the sensation returning to them.

He stood slowly, his face breaking into a vast, triumphant grin, then a wild laugh. His legs were healed!

Attempting to walk, Nagato stumbled and fell, but instead of frustration, he continued laughing, ecstatic at the return of his mobility.

With his strength and chakra, it didn’t take long for Nagato to regain complete control over his movements, walking, running, and even jumping quickly.

"This power... I wonder how far it can take me," Nagato thought, clenching his fist, his pale skin a stark reminder of his long confinement.

His mind was already formulating plans to counter the new peace established by the Five Great Nations, and he felt stronger than ever.

Sensing movement, Zetsu re-entered the chamber, smiling upon seeing Nagato standing.

"Congratulations, it seems Madara’s plan was successful," Zetsu remarked.

"Focus your intelligence efforts on the Five Great Nations. I need detailed information," Nagato commanded.

Zetsu, though cautious, warned, "Madara advises against acting recklessly against Konoha. Fujimura Nagasawa’s strength is beyond what absorbing a single bloodline can match."

Maintaining his cover as Madara, Zetsu aimed to keep Nagato grounded, preventing overconfidence.

But Nagato shook his head, "Konoha will be dealt with last. I have a plan. The new order cannot coexist with Akatsuki. I must disrupt this new order."

Nagato wouldn’t face the most significant threat—Konoha—directly yet. With only the Nine-Tails, he could focus on capturing the other Tailed Beasts first.

His plan took shape: He controlled Amegakure and Tanigakure, formed a new shinobi village in Tanigakure, and rallied more forces to challenge the Five Great Nations.

"If the Great Nations won’t fight, I’ll bring the fight to them," Nagato resolved.

He planned to exploit the Great Nations’ arrogance and challenge their dominance, showing they weren’t invincible.

"True peace requires necessary sacrifices," Nagato muttered as Zetsu left, preparing to meet with Konan and set his plan into motion.