Chapter 125: Izayoi: Right, Obito Uchiha. Nagato:?

Chapter 125: Izayoi: Right, Obito Uchiha. Nagato:?

"Storm Release!"

A boy's cry rang out across the training ground at Izayoi's estate.

A massive beam of light erupted, slamming into the transparent barrier surrounding the arena. It then narrowed into a thin line through Shape Transformation, carrying astonishing cutting power and speed that split both the rising circular platform and Izayoi's Wood Clone in half.

After the Storm Release beam vanished, the barrier enclosing the arena finally dissolved.

The severely damaged platform descended back into place.

"Not bad... You've mastered Storm Release this quickly. It seems your Sharingan development is progressing well", Izayoi said, clapping in approval.

"Tch... Still took a lot of effort to take down just one of your Wood Clones", Sasuke Uchiha muttered, lips curling in mild frustration though his mood was clearly elated.

Though it was only a Wood Clone, and he'd used his information advantage to deploy Storm Release at the final moment, this was the first time in years he'd managed to defeat Izayoi.

"Defeating even one of my Wood Clones is already quite impressive", Izayoi admitted truthfully, though his clone had clearly been holding back significantly.

"With my current strength... could I kill that man now?" Sasuke asked eagerly, his usual overconfidence resurfacing.

"It's unlikely."

Izayoi shook his head, deciding to reveal Itachi Uchiha's true power. "According to intelligence gathered by the village, the Mangekyō Sharingan not only surpasses the Tomoe Sharingan in perception and copying abilities, but its Genjutsu Eye has undergone qualitative improvement. It can even control Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki."

"And that's just the basic capabilities. The reason the Mangekyō Sharingan is considered legendary is because each eye—left and right—contains a unique, powerful ability when awakened."

"When a Mangekyō Sharingan user becomes familiar with their eyes' power, they can activate a hidden third ability—the same force that allowed the Asura of the Ninja World, Uchiha Madara, to rival the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju: Susano'o."

"Susano'o?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

Before he could voice his confusion, Izayoi smiled. "You're familiar with the recent ultimate showdown, right?"

"Yeah!"

Sasuke nodded vigorously. By now, everyone—ninja or civilian, elder or self-aware child—knew about that battle that ended the new era.

Even people from distant countries had traveled to Rain Country to witness the scarred battlefield, just as countless others had once visited the Valley of the End to see the stone statues.

"The Uchiha Clan's Susano'o is called the divine power that guarantees death to anyone who sees it", Izayoi explained. "In that ultimate showdown, it was the counterpart to the wooden Buddha statue."

Hearing this, Sasuke's pupils constricted. His voice trembled with disbelief. "You're kidding... Can the Mangekyō Sharingan really reach that level?"

"Of course, provided you have sufficient Dōjutsu Power", Izayoi simplified. "Wood Release uses Yang Release chakra as its life source—the more Yang chakra consumed, the greater the quantity and quality of trees produced. As long as my chakra, along with my Nature and Shape Transformation skills meet the requirements, I can create wooden statues of that magnitude."

"Similarly, Susano'o centers on Yin Release chakra, materializing it into a giant humanoid form. The stronger your Yin Release chakra, the larger the giant you can manifest."

"If your Yin Release chakra were infinite, you could even create a titan larger than the wooden Buddha statue in those photos."

"Conversely, insufficient Yin Release chakra means you can't form the full body—only skeletal structures or partial forms. That's why Susano'o has different stages."

"Only the complete giant form qualifies as true Susano'o."

"I see..." Sasuke quickly grasped the concept. "So that's why he desires the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan? He wants eternal Dōjutsu Power to wield the true Susano'o like our ancestor Uchiha Madara, capable of rivaling the God of Shinobi."

"Perhaps", Izayoi shrugged, choosing not to reveal the harsher truths yet.

"Then... do I need to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan before seeking revenge against him?" Sasuke's expression darkened, his earlier confidence deflated by Izayoi's words.

"Not necessarily", Izayoi countered with a smile. "Itachi Uchiha awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan at age seven. Unless he's implanted with Hashirama Cells, his Dōjutsu Power diminishes with each use. His current reserves might not even sustain a half-body Susano'o anymore."

"What you should truly fear now are his Genjutsu Eye and the unique abilities of his left and right eyes."

"If you master the Sage Techniques from Ryūchi Cave, or develop Dust Release through Super Hurricane Barrage's three Nature Transformations, you'll have the strength to oppose him."

After speaking, Izayoi added, "If you want to be cautious, I recommend mastering both before seeking revenge."

"Fine, teach me Dust Release then", Sasuke demanded confidently.

"I'm busy lately. Go learn Sage Techniques from Orochimaru first", Izayoi replied, rolling his eyes dramatically.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Izayoi's expression shifted.

Noticing this, Sasuke asked, "What's wrong?"

"My Wood Clone just relayed information—Orochimaru's encountered trouble. I'll check it out", Izayoi said before vanishing without warning.

Sasuke's pupils contracted in shock. "Flying Thunder God Technique... That guy Izayoi..."

Recent events surrounding the ultimate showdown had made Rinnegan, Wood Release, and Flying Thunder God Technique hot topics across the Ninja World.

Sasuke immediately recognized this sudden body flicker as Space-Time Ninjutsu.

Yet he didn't suspect Izayoi was Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki. After all, as Izayoi's close friend and "adoptive son", Sasuke knew Izayoi possessed special privileges to access the Forbidden Scroll.

What truly shocked him was Izayoi's ninjutsu talent.

Not only had he mastered all Five Chakra Natures and various Nature Transformation fusions, but he'd also quickly mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique—a technique currently mastered by only three people?

What a terrifying talent!

...

In an underground base somewhere in the Rice Country.

Inside the laboratory, Orochimaru, who had been analyzing White Zetsu cells with Kabuto Yakushi, now found himself drenched in cold sweat.

His golden eyes locked onto three figures who had appeared as if from thin air—more specifically, onto the red-haired youth standing center stage. His voice came out hoarse and mocking. "I never imagined a minor nuisance like myself would warrant a personal visit from Akatsuki's true leader. What an honor."

"Orochimaru, you're not getting away this time", White Zetsu quipped with a teasing grin. "The Six Paths of Pain have already set up the Four Violet Flames Formation outside. Unless you've mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, you might as well surrender quietly."

Orochimaru fell silent, his gaze shifting to Nagato—barely aged a day since their last encounter—and sighed. "Never thought those three brats from back then would grow this strong."

Flight was pointless now. Unless Ryūchi Cave activated the Reverse Summoning Technique to yank him away, facing Nagato—the so-called "God of Shinobi" of this new era—left him no escape. And that masked figure beside them? Definitely using space-time ninjutsu.

Akatsuki's depth ran far darker than he'd imagined.

Just as Orochimaru braced for death, Nagato finally spoke. "Orochimaru-senpai, by Akatsuki's rules, traitors get executed and their rings reclaimed. But for Jiraiya-sensei's sake, I'll spare your life if you hand over your Hashirama Cells."

This was why Nagato came in person. If Deva Path Pain had arrived instead, he'd have slaughtered Orochimaru without hesitation, using Human Path's soul extraction and Animal Path's summons to seize the cells.

In Izayoi's past life, they'd call this "dissociative identity disorder."

Orochimaru blinked in genuine surprise. He never expected such mercy from Akatsuki's leader—the man who enforced uniform dress codes and nail polish. Still, his golden eyes narrowed with suspicion. "So it's the Hashirama Cells you want. Fine, but first let my subordinates go."

Seeing Orochimaru's concern for his men, Nagato allowed himself a faint smile. "I understand your hesitation, senpai. But my Rinnegan grants Human Path—the ability to extract and read souls—and Animal Path, which turns targets into human puppets to summon through."

"So even if you hid the cells in the Summoning Realm, I could kill you and retrieve them from your corpse."

Orochimaru's sweat turned icy. As long as Kabuto lived, death held no terror. Even if both died, Anko Mitarashi's Cursed Seal would trigger resurrection. So long as no one uncovered that secret...

But now? Rinnegan could devour souls and read minds. Would his very essence be stripped bare?

Black Zetsu's raspy voice cut through the tension. "Looks like this legendary Sannin hides more than meets the eye."

"Chief, shall we extract his thoughts?" White Zetsu suggested with a grin.

Nagato's expression remained serene. "Your choice, Orochimaru-senpai?"

"Simple—refuse."

A new voice answered for him.

From Orochimaru's side, a branch erupted from the ground, morphing into Izayoi's form.

"Who are you...?"

Nagato's eyes narrowed at the black-haired youth.

"Konoha's Wood Release wielder", White Zetsu identified. "Izayoi."

"Izayoi!" Orochimaru's usually composed facade cracked—positively elated to see the man who'd once saved him from Tsunade.

"Orochimaru-sama", Izayoi teased, "you look positively shaken."

"Hardly", Orochimaru chuckled, though his relief was palpable. "Few could remain calm before this 'God of Shinobi'—except perhaps you and Ōtsutsuki-sama."

Nagato's gaze sharpened. "You bypassed the Four Violet Flames with Wood Release alone?"

"Just a Wood Clone", Izayoi shrugged, "yet you praise me so highly, 'Savior of the World.'"

"Your chakra reserves alone justify it", Nagato admitted. "True Wood Release mastery is rare."

"Flattery won't save him", Nagato turned back, voice steady. "Orochimaru-senpai is Konoha's S-Rank missing-nin. Why does Konoha's future Sixth Hokage protect a traitor? Unless... his betrayal was staged?"

"Traitors can be pardoned", Izayoi countered. "Orochimaru-sama is a once-in-a-millennium scientific genius. Killing him would be... shortsighted."

Orochimaru's eyes widened—had Izayoi just defended him so openly? Was this the man who'd later become Hokage?

Nagato showed no disdain for the Wood Clone. "Hand over the Hashirama Cells, and I'll honor my word. The strongest in the ninja world doesn't break promises—unlike the Senju."

The warmth in Nagato's tone—so different from Pain's cold authority—lent weight to his words.

Orochimaru reached for his final vial, ready to sever ties with Akatsuki.

Then Izayoi spoke again. "Hashirama Cells? You're standing beside a walking supply."

All eyes followed Izayoi's smirk toward the silent figure at the edge—Obito Uchiha.

"Half his body's made from them", Izayoi continued. "Plenty to spare for boosting your Wood Release, don't you think... Uchiha Tobi?"

Nagato: "?!"

White Zetsu: "?! !"

Obito Uchiha: "?! ! !"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end