Chapter 124: The Prophecy's Chosen – Nagato, the World's Protector

Chapter 124: The Prophecy’s Chosen – Nagato, the World’s Protector (Gratitude to Patron Silentforget)

While Izayoi waited for the Rinnegan’s awakening to complete over that week, the commotion caused by the Akatsuki leader and the Otsutsuki Clan didn’t fade – it intensified.

Amegakure, home to the Akatsuki – one of the central figures in this conflict and a faction representing the Ninja World – didn’t become a forbidden zone. Instead, it transformed into the hottest tourist destination.

Rain poured constantly, yet visitors kept arriving, eager to tour the territory once ruled by a “demigod” and now governed by the New Era’s Ninja Deity – a title that echoed through the storm-soaked streets like a sacred decree.

Indeed, Nagato’s reputation had skyrocketed in recent days. Many now hailed him as the Ninja World’s new deity. After all, the Otsutsuki were outsiders. While Nagato led both the Akatsuki and Amegakure, he was undeniably one of their own.

Though no one fully understood what the Ten-Tails’ Statue truly was, ordinary citizens agreed it was better kept in familiar hands. Even if war erupted, it would remain a conflict between the Five Great Nations’ shinobi – irrelevant to commoners.

Thus, Nagato became a hero in their eyes: the savior destined to protect their world.

Small neighboring nations secretly contacted Amegakure’s daimyo, offering vassalage. The daimyo awoke to this unexpected fortune, bewildered—when had his military stronghold undergone such a transformation? And instead of a demigod, they now had a Ninja Deity of the New Era—a power upgrade beyond comprehension!

In an era where even warring shinobi avoided harming nobility, Amegakure’s daimyo had truly become the chosen son of heaven.

“Nagato…”

Equally astonished was Nagato’s mentor, Jiraiya, who wandered the Ninja World gathering intelligence on mysterious figures. Studying detailed reports, he beamed with delight: “So this is what you meant by our limited perspective, Nagato? The Ten-Tails’ Statue, the Otsutsuki Clan, the Rinnegan – this is why you collected the Tailed Beasts? To single-handedly oppose the Otsutsuki’s lunar descendants and protect our world… Nagato, you truly are the child of prophecy!”

Jiraiya’s burden lifted instantly. The disciple he’d worried had grown cold and extreme was, in truth, unchanged – still that lovable idealist. Their shared dream had always been peace: ending war itself.

Perhaps collecting Tailed Beasts wasn’t about domination, but protecting the Ten-Tails’ Statue against the Moon’s Otsutsuki. With Nagato’s current power – Rinnegan and Wood Release combined – he could conquer the Ninja World alone. The Tailed Beasts were mere trinkets now.

The Five Great Nations simply lacked vision to understand the Rinnegan’s mysteries and the Ten-Tails’ Statue. Without “Shinkuro Otsutsuki” revealing himself, who would’ve believed humans lived on the Moon – or that ancient sage descendants had colonized it?

Yet Shinkuro’s emergence, his Human Puppet Legion, and ruthless actions branded him the villain. Compared to the Akatsuki’s territorial restraint, this unscrupulous outsider became the universal threat.

Consequently, Nagato’s subordinate Pain (Deva Path) and Sasori of the Red Sand had their bounties lifted from the Black Market. In their place: a fifteen billion ryō bounty on Shinkuro Otsutsuki – a sum that would make even Five Nations’ daimyos weep. Clearly, this was a joint international reward.

The Ninja World now shared a common enemy – unity was inevitable.

…

“Wait… weren’t we Akatsuki the feared terrorist organization of renegade ninja? How did our leader suddenly become the world’s savior?”

In Amegakure, Akatsuki members gathered for a meeting, utterly baffled.

Just days ago, they were S-Rank Missing-Nin – fugitives hissing under straw hats. Now their leader, once the Ninja World’s most wanted terrorist, had become its protector. They’d transformed from outlaws to heroes overnight.

Even Kakuzu, the old-timer, felt disoriented after decades as a villain.

“It’s just politics,” Black Zetsu stated bluntly.

Sasori, hiding within Third Kazekage’s body, added darkly: “Decades later, they’ve forgotten the Sage’s legacy and Asura’s power. Now witnessing this god-tier battle, the Five Nations’ leaders must be sleepless.”

Kisame smirked: “The Akatsuki’s a Missing-Nin organization. The elites fear our retaliation, so they’re branding our leader as a hero to sway public opinion.”

Deidara grimaced: “Politicians have nerves. Glad I left Iwagakure – those old men are too scheming.”

Hidan grinned: “I’d love Fourth Great Ninja War carnage. My god would adore rivers of blood.”

Ignoring the fools, Itachi focused on Pain (Deva Path). This meeting wasn’t for chatter – major news loomed.

Nagato finally spoke, his gentle tone contrasting Pain’s usual godlike authority. “I apologize for using a puppet before. My body wasn’t strong enough.”

Silence fell. They’d assumed Nagato was unstable, but his loyalty moved them.

Then Nagato revealed new rings: “I’ve embedded summoning techniques using Rinnegan and Wood Release. Replace your old ones. Shinkuro’s Rinnegan has likely evolved.”

“What?!”

Kisame gasped: “Can the Sage’s Eye evolve like the Sharingan?!”

“I don’t know.”

Nagato shook his head, offering his analysis. “But when he chose to leave, it wasn’t because he was my equal. Rather, his brain suddenly secreted an immense amount of chakra, converging into his eyes, temporarily rendering his dōjutsu abilities useless.”

“His Rinnegan possesses abilities similar to mine. Both are likely forms of the Sage’s Eye. However, his Rinnegan only has Repulsive Force and Gravity Release. It lacks the Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release of a true Rinnegan, and even the full power of the Deva Path.”

“In hindsight, it’s not that he lacked the Six Paths Technique—it simply hadn’t awakened yet.”

As he spoke these final words, Nagato’s expression grew heavy.

Yet this gravity wasn’t directed at Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki, but at Uchiha Madara.

The evolution of the Sage’s Eye had shocked not only the Akatsuki members but also Nagato himself, forcing him to confront a grave realization.

The Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release weren’t secret techniques created by the Sage of Six Paths for the Rinnegan alone. They were likely innate abilities of the Rinnegan itself.

So… why had he, as a Rinnegan wielder, needed to obtain these techniques from another?

Other than sensing the Ten-Tails’ statue, Nagato had never noticed any changes in his own Rinnegan. He had assumed the Sage’s Eye was simply meant to be this way, never giving it much thought.

But now, he had witnessed the Sage’s Eye evolving.

If another’s Sage’s Eye could evolve while his own could not, and his abilities required external granting, what did that imply?

Nagato had never understood Uchiha Madara’s intentions before. Now, he seemed to grasp them.

This eye was either transplanted directly from Uchiha Madara or obtained from the ruins of the Sage of Six Paths, which Madara had discovered.

The Uchiha Clan’s bloodline lacked the vitality of the Uzumaki or Senju Clans. Even with Hashirama’s cells granting Wood Release, Madara couldn’t fully harness the Rinnegan’s power.

Combined with Madara’s advanced age, the solution was clear: transplant the Rinnegan into Nagato’s body and wait for the right moment to bestow the Six Paths Technique and Yin-Yang Release.

What moment would be ideal?

The Ten-Tails’ statue.

Considering Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki’s words, Nagato now suspected the Ten-Tails’ statue was far more than a mere vessel for sealing tailed beasts.

This treasure, guarded by Moon’s inhabitants for a millennium and now worth exposing their identities to reclaim, must conceal secrets only a true Sage’s Eye wielder could uncover.

At this moment, Nagato’s wariness and dread of Uchiha Madara reached their peak.

Even the tailed beast collection plan began to waver.

If Uchiha Madara and White Zetsu were enemies, they would surely strike the moment all tailed beasts were gathered. His body might even harbor hidden contingencies from them.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t dare assist in restoring his strength.

Of course, Nagato kept these thoughts from Konan, burying them deep.

In his heart, his greatest enemy was no longer Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki, but Uchiha Madara.

The Akatsuki members, naturally, remained unaware of Nagato’s suspicions.

Hearing his words, they instead felt relieved.

“So you’re saying this brat’s evolution is akin to the Six Paths of Pain—just making him more versatile?” Sasori of the Red Sand rumbled. “Next time he appears, his Human Puppet Legion’s strongest won’t be Danzō Shimura, but the Six Paths of Pain.”

“Correct,” Nagato nodded. “Even if his Rinnegan evolves, he still won’t defeat me. To seize the Ten-Tails’ statue, he’ll need to weaken Akatsuki first, hunting you all aggressively—just as he ignited the ninja world’s flames, forcing Kumogakure to bomb Amegakure.”

“I’ve restored my prime strength and enhanced the Deva Path, removing all range limitations.”

“If you face danger, channel chakra into the ring’s summoning technique formula. This will summon the Six Paths of Pain, who can in turn summon me via their own summoning technique.”

“This way, even if you act separately, you won’t fear being targeted.”

As he finished, Nagato radiated the aura of a true summoning master.

“Truly reassuring.”

A faint smile returned to the Akatsuki members’ faces.

Their earlier dread of this overpowered foe vanished instantly.

They had considered removing their uniforms, hiding their identities, and fleeing Akatsuki to avoid Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki’s hunt.

Or staying in Amegakure until White Zetsu located the enemy, then retaliating under their leader’s command.

But now, with the ability to summon the Six Paths of Pain—and even Nagato himself—at any moment, fear dissolved. They no longer needed to cower in Amegakure, free to resume their reckless lives as rogue ninja.

Thus, the Akatsuki members donned their new rings and dispersed.

Soon, only Nagato, the Deva Path, and Konan remained in the chamber.

“Konan, Amegakure will have many visitors these days. I’ll handle village affairs,” Nagato smiled. “Focus on nothing else—I’ll have the Six Paths of Pain manage the rest.”

“I understand,” Konan replied with a gentle nod.

With Nagato restored to his prime, Konan’s mood brightened.

Especially now that Nagato was hailed as the ninja world’s hero and savior—though it was a political ploy by the Five Great Nations, it reminded Konan of their youthful ideals.

Perhaps… they had been wrong before.

But no matter—now they were on the right path.

Nagato would surely make this world better!

With this thought, Konan departed, her smile angelic.

The Deva Path followed closely behind.

Alone at last, Nagato settled into the central seat, his presence commanding without effort. “Come out.”

As the words fell, the space at the right seat twisted, forming a fist-sized black hole.

Obito Uchiha’s figure emerged, landing on the stone chair.

White Zetsu, who had just left, also surfaced from the ground.

“Have you located the passage to the Moon?” Nagato asked White Zetsu.

“The passage is likely sealed with hidden chakra. With his Flying Thunder God Technique, he leaves no trace or scent,” White Zetsu shook his head.

Nagato wasn’t surprised. He turned to Obito. “Where did you obtain the Four Violet Flames Formation? Uzumaki scrolls? Konoha’s jutsu archives or Forbidden Scroll? Or Kumogakure’s library?”

“If you need Uzumaki sealing techniques, I can acquire them,” Obito replied flatly. “Your Wood Release, combined with Uzumaki sealing and the Preta Path’s Rinnegan, could replicate true Wood Release.”

Seeing Uchiha Madara evade the question, Nagato abandoned hopes of obtaining Konoha’s Forbidden Scroll. He pressed, “I need more Hashirama cells. Can you obtain them?”

Previously, Nagato had viewed Wood Release naively, like Mei Terumī. But after donning Obito’s armor and wielding techniques like Forest of Death and Wood Golem, he grasped the Sage of Six Paths’ might.

Even with Almighty Push, he couldn’t rival Hashirama Senju.

His “New Era Sage of Six Paths” title rang hollow.

Thus, Nagato craved more Hashirama cells to strengthen his Wood Release.

Even if his Wood Release lagged behind Obito’s, the armor would amplify its power.

Obito hadn’t expected this request, falling silent.

His Sharingan glanced at White Zetsu beneath his mask, as if exchanging silent signals.

Then, slowly, Obito spoke. “After creating White Zetsu, my Hashirama cells are nearly depleted. However… I know someone who still possesses a large supply.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end