Chapter 128: The Tempest of a New Era, The World's Truth

Chapter 128: The Tempest of a New Era, The World's Truth

Watching Obito Uchiha's frenzied expression, Nagato frowned deeply. "Have you lost your mind? Putting everyone into eternal slumber within a Genjutsu world - how is that different from wiping out humanity entirely?"

"The difference is that in one scenario, people die peacefully in their dreams, living full, happy lives where every wish is fulfilled without fatigue, betrayal, suffering, or disease. In the other, they're slaughtered cruelly, enslaved by the strong, betrayed by loved ones, or consumed by illness..." Obito countered passionately. "With the average lifespan of a ninja being so short, why make them suffer through war, aging, sickness, and all the darkness of human nature? Let them experience endless beauty in the Genjutsu world before passing away peacefully without pain."

Nagato stared at Obito in silence before scoffing. "Hmph... Coward."

"Isn't this what you wanted? To see Yahiko again?" Obito snapped, clearly offended.

"Of course."

Looking into the darkness of Kamui's Dimension as if seeing their youthful past, Nagato spoke softly. "For years, I've dreamed of Yahiko countless nights. Dreamed he never died, that he changed this world, even that he achieved his ideals - eliminating war to bring lasting peace to the ninja world, being hailed as the savior."

"But when I wake, it all vanishes."

His purple Rinnegan eyes gazed down at Obito. "Even an eternal dream cannot change one truth... the Yahiko in dreams is false!"

"But Yahiko's will and ideals - those are real."

Clutching his fist, Nagato's expression hardened. "If mutual understanding cannot achieve peace, then I'll inherit Yahiko's original ideal. I'll bring everlasting peace to everyone through absolute power, even if it means ruling them under constant pressure."

Obito's voice turned icy. "And what happens when you die? Even the ninja god couldn't achieve immortality. How can you? When you're gone, the ninja world will burn just as it did during the First Ninja World War."

"When I die, I'll leave the Ten-Tails' Statue for all nations to wield", Nagato replied. "With this power balanced among all countries, no nation will dare act recklessly."

"Hmph, do as you please."

Obito scoffed. "The Uchiha clan's mission is to guide the Rinnegan's wielder correctly. If your path is wrong, the Six Paths Sage's will within you will naturally choose a new heir. Then the stone tablet's teachings will prove correct."

Nagato's skepticism showed. "Where is this Uchiha stone tablet?"

"It's beneath the Hidden Leaf Village - you can't see it." Obito sneered knowingly. "Only those with Mangekyō Sharingan can decipher those divine words. As Rinnegan's wielder, you must grow from weakness to strength, experiencing all aspects of life. You can't evolve like that other Rinnegan bearer."

"And the evolving Rinnegan cannot summon the Ten-Tails Statue, making it impossible to become a jinchūriki. Those eyes are truly the eyes of a failure!"

Nagato fell silent.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Let's go."

Obito exhaled inwardly in relief. Whether Nagato believed him or not, their crisis with White Zetsu had passed. He could remain in Akatsuki.

Still wary of betrayal, Obito prepared to activate Izanagi as he approached Nagato.

Thankfully, Nagato didn't use the Human Path to attack him. Instead, they both left Kamui's Dimension together.

Even after returning to the forest world, Nagato didn't confront him. He summoned the four Pain bodies that had accompanied him.

"Leader."

White Zetsu emerged from the ground, still respectfully addressing Nagato.

He didn't even glance at Obito during this exchange.

"Return, continue as before."

With those words, Nagato and his four Pain bodies vanished in puffs of white smoke.

Clearly summoned away by the Reverse Summoning Technique.

Once powerful sensing confirmed Nagato's departure, Black Zetsu demanded, "Obito, what did you tell Nagato?"

"Nothing that reveals his existence. Nothing that jeopardizes our plan." With that, Obito vanished through Kamui.

White Zetsu asked cautiously, "Can we trust him?"

Black Zetsu scoffed. "It no longer matters. He was never reliable to begin with."

...

"Thanks for your help today, Izayoi."

Elsewhere, Orochimaru was thanking Izayoi.

"Just a small matter." Izayoi smiled. "Though you might need a new base, Lord Orochimaru."

"Not a problem. Everything important is stored in scrolls. A shame about the equipment - will cost considerable time and money to replace." Orochimaru chuckled dismissively.

"That black-and-white creature can merge with earth and plants. If my Wood Release hadn't countered him, you'd likely have died today." Izayoi admitted his surveillance before warning, "Sasuke Uchiha will begin learning Sage Techniques soon. You'll accompany him to Ryūchi Cave for this training. Once he masters Ryūchi Cave's Sage Techniques, I'll give you the Shinigami Mask. Then you'll have the power to protect yourself."

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement, his tongue flicking out unconsciously. "He's ready for Sage Training already? Seems the compatibility between Hashirama Cells and Sasuke-kun is even higher than I imagined."

"Lord Orochimaru, Sasuke is the second-in-command I've cultivated over many years. He's Hidden Leaf's future 'Uchiha Madara.'" Izayoi's voice turned ominous as he warned, "Don't disappoint me. Even if I greatly admire your talents, I'll erase both you and Anko Mitarashi from this world if you become a hindrance."

Orochimaru's pupils contracted sharply, his expression shifting to shock as he stared at Izayoi.

After a moment, he forced a stiff smile, his voice trembling slightly. "Izayoi... how did you discover this?"

"There's no perfect Ninjutsu. Every technique has weaknesses, just as the five chakra natures counter each other." Izayoi's voice carried clear disdain. "When you were a child, adults seemed unbeatable. When you became a Genin, Jōnin and the Five Kage seemed unreachable. But when you reach a level where both ordinary men and prodigies struggle to stand, you'll realize their techniques and powers were truly childish and weak."

Izayoi pointed at his own heart, staring at the sweating Orochimaru without hesitation. “The first Hokage’s wife, as the Nine-Tails’ jinchūriki, possessed the Kagura Shingan—a divine eye capable of sensing good and evil. As for me, I merely cultivated the Soul Specter Technique, granting me the ability to perceive spiritual auras.”

“Your current soul state, and the fragmented soul concealed within your cursed seal, are completely exposed to my spiritual perception.”

“So don’t disappoint the expectations I have for you.”

As he finished speaking, Izayoi’s body rapidly expanded, transforming into a colossal tree—a mere Wood Clone.

“Orochimaru-sama, are you unharmed?” Kabuto Yakushi supported Orochimaru, his own body soaked in cold sweat.

Though this was just a Wood Clone, the sheer intimidation Izayoi had unleashed surpassed even Nagato and Obito Uchiha’s combined presence.

Nagato, Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki, Izayoi, Obito Uchiha… Uzumaki Clan, Ōtsutsuki Clan, Senju Clan, Uchiha Clan… Rinnegan, Rinnegan, Wood Release, Mangekyō Sharingan… Hashirama Senju, Uchiha Madara, Nagato, Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki, Izayoi—transcendent power…

Orochimaru ignored Kabuto, his gaze fixed on the towering tree as inspiration surged through him. “What connects these four ninja clans and their bloodlines? Why do only these four clans reach levels far surpassing even the Kage? Why do Sharingan and Hashirama Cells balance each other? What ties the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki to the Six Paths Sage? And are the Ōtsutsuki allies or enemies to the Sage?”

Suddenly, a white-hot realization struck him, his eyes widening.

“The Ten-Tails’ Statue! The Tailed Beast Project!”

His body trembled with excitement.

“Orochimaru-sama, are you—” Kabuto began, concern etched on his face.

“I’m perfect,” Orochimaru hissed, his sinister smirk returning as he gazed at the massive tree. “Kabuto, a new storm is coming—a fortunate yet cursed era. We’ll uncover the world’s truth, only to find ourselves powerless.”

“Because… we’re all just mortal.”

---

After dealing with Orochimaru, Izayoi kicked Sasuke Uchiha out, ordering him to meet Orochimaru at Ryūchi Cave alone. Then, Izayoi and Hinata Hyuga resumed missions with Team 8 to build combat records.

Leveraging his insider knowledge of the upcoming Chūnin Exams in March, Izayoi knew this month was critical. The annual assessments would determine top graduates for each academy grade, while sixth-year students faced their graduation exams. Unannounced Chūnin Exams added pressure—making it the perfect time to boost their records for Jōnin promotions. Team 8 abandoned C-rank missions, starting at B-rank instead.

Izayoi refused escort missions entirely. Escorting foreign clients wasted weeks, sometimes months. Instead, he focused on assassinations and espionage.

Though he’d hoped for warfront assignments, the world had fallen into uneasy peace. Nagato and Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki’s clash had driven smaller nations to seek Rain Country’s protection, while the Five Great Nations avoided provocations, fearing Ōtsutsuki’s retaliation.

Thus, assassination contracts surged—Team 8 completed thirteen B-ranks in a month, an unprecedented feat for genin. Shino Aburame’s record rivaled legendary ninjas. Izayoi and Hinata needed only a few A-ranks to qualify for Jōnin promotions, delighting Tsunade with visions of retirement.

Meanwhile, Nagato’s dominance over Amegakure reshaped the world. Akatsuki, now Rain Country’s de facto protectors, attracted clients seeking powerful yet affordable shinobi. The black market branded them the ultimate mercenaries. Ordinary citizens and ninja alike prospered, though Nagato knew this prosperity was temporary—a bribe from the great nations to distract him. But unlike a petty warlord, he sought global peace. These missions merely funded Akatsuki’s next move: the Three-Tails’ revival.

As Hidden Leaf’s Chūnin Exams approached in the 61st year, the ninja world stirred again, poised for upheaval.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end