Chapter 313: Madara: The Time for Hyuga Fuji to Arrive… Is Now!
"I am now the second Sage of Six Paths!"
As Nagato made his declaration, the space behind him began to distort, as if torn apart by an invisible force. One by one, six black Truth-Seeking Orbs emerged, seemingly birthed from the void.
Madara was the first to recover from the overwhelming presence of the Ten-Tails' power. Hearing Nagato's words, he sneered, "It's nothing more than incomplete power. Don't get too full of yourself!"
One Rinnegan, three Tailed Beasts, and a mix of Tailed Beast chakra with additional ninja chakra—it was clear that this Ten-Tails was far from its perfect form.
After all, no amount of chakra could compensate for the essence of the Tailed Beasts. Without that, the Ten-Tails could never be complete.
"I understand," Nagato said, suppressing his excitement. He focused on the information flooding his mind and the overwhelming power of the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, his expression darkening. He turned to Madara with an eerie gaze. "The Infinite Tsukuyomi… is that your ultimate goal?"
Becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki granted Nagato not only immense power and nearly infinite chakra but also access to the stored knowledge within the Ten-Tails' soul. With this newfound insight, he now understood Madara and Obito's intentions.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi!
Their goal was to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Using genjutsu to dominate the world and end all wars—this aligned perfectly with Obito and Madara's ideals…
Recalling their pasts, Nagato narrowed his eyes.
Two men who had despaired of the world, choosing to immerse themselves in a false reality—it wasn't surprising in the slightest.
Under the watchful eyes of the surrounding "comrades," Madara chuckled unapologetically. "That's correct. The Infinite Tsukuyomi is the path to peace envisioned by the Sage of Six Paths. It's written in the true history of the Uchiha clan, and it is infallible. This is the only way for the world to find salvation!"
"Nagato, think about it. You are now the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki. You have the power to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi and reshape the world into the image the Sage of Six Paths envisioned. The choice is yours. Will you seize this chance?"
Like a devil enticing its prey, Madara raised his arms dramatically, his voice filled with emotion. "As long as you're willing, you can become the savior of a new world!"
"…"
Nagato furrowed his brows in silence, briefly glancing at Konan.
So that's why Madara hadn't resurrected himself immediately—he intended for Nagato to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki. This was his plan all along.
If not for the influence of his companions, Yahiko's guidance, and the ideals once upheld by the Akatsuki, Nagato might have been swayed by Madara's vision of the future.
But he wasn't the same as Madara.
"You're overthinking it. The Ten-Tails is incomplete. I can't use the Infinite Tsukuyomi as I am now," Nagato said flatly. "The priority remains collecting the remaining Tailed Beasts."
He continued, his tone firm, "Besides, your so-called 'new world' is nothing but an illusion built on falsehoods.
"The Infinite Tsukuyomi may bring temporary peace, but it's merely an escape from reality. I want real change, not a fabricated dreamland!"
Madara raised an eyebrow at Nagato's retort but simply smiled. "You'll understand eventually."
With that, he fell silent.
Seeing that the exchange between the two most powerful figures in the Akatsuki had ended, Orochimaru stepped forward, licking his lips with interest. "Leader, now that you've become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, perhaps…"
Before he could finish, Nagato raised a hand in a swift motion, severing his right arm. As the limb regenerated, he tossed the severed arm to Orochimaru.
"This is your payment. It contains the Ten-Tails' chakra. Do your best with it, no questions asked," Nagato said calmly.
Orochimaru caught the arm, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Naturally."
The body of a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, combined with parts of the Gedo Statue, was perhaps the most precious research material in existence. Nagato had already provided an incredibly generous payment for Orochimaru's assistance. Anything more would be excessive greed.
Nagato nodded in acknowledgment and cast his gaze over the other Akatsuki members, his eyes calm yet commanding. "Begin."
Under the suffocating pressure of Nagato's aura, no one dared to disobey. One by one, they vanished from the scene.
Even Otsutsuki Shinichi avoided meeting Nagato's gaze, his expression conflicted as he hurried toward the Land of Lightning.
Witnessing the birth of the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki with his own eyes—what bitter irony.
Once the other members had departed, only Madara and Orochimaru remained.
"Then, Ideal City is in your hands, along with Obito's. Ensure that Hyuga Fuji is stopped!" Nagato instructed before vanishing as well.
With the strongest shinobi of the ninja world trapped in a virtual space, now was the perfect time to capture the remaining Tailed Beasts.
Orochimaru and Madara silently watched him leave. After exchanging a brief glance, they each headed deeper into Ideal City.
When the area was completely empty, Black Zetsu emerged hesitantly from the ground.
"Lord Madara, is this really wise? If Hyuga Fuji doesn't come to Ideal City and instead targets Nagato, won't our entire plan collapse? Isn't it best to keep all the strongest fighters together?"
After waiting for a thousand years, Black Zetsu was unwilling to let Nagato take such a risk—especially against a formidable foe like Hyuga Fuji.
Hyuga Fuji's power was so overwhelming it made Black Zetsu tremble—it was no exaggeration to say he feared him as much as he feared his "second brother."
Even though Nagato was now the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki and possessed near "Six Paths-level" strength, Black Zetsu still doubted he could defeat Hyuga Fuji.
"A mobile target who can escape versus a fixed stronghold that can't be moved—which do you think makes the better target for an attack?" Madara retorted with a cold laugh.
"The entire ninja world is already under the influence of Hikari's dojutsu. A small team of elites can quickly capture the Tailed Beasts—Nagato doesn't need to act himself. His departure is deliberate, to draw Hyuga Fuji's attention away from him as the newly minted Ten-Tails Jinchūriki and instead lure him to Ideal City."
Madara gestured toward their surroundings. "This is the core of the virtual God Tree. To undo Hikari's genjutsu, Hyuga Fuji must come to Ideal City.
"If necessary, Nagato can return here. In the worst case, we may be sacrificed as pawns to buy him time to collect the Tailed Beasts. Ideal City is our stronghold, and it's only here that Nagato can confidently face Hyuga Fuji."
"I see…"
Black Zetsu pondered this explanation, his unease growing. "Then, Lord Madara, when do you think Hyuga Fuji will arrive?"
"If Hyuga Fuji has spies near Ideal City," Madara said, "then the time is… now!"
Madara and Black Zetsu stepped toward the edge of Ideal City, pausing just short of the barrier. At that moment, Madara stopped, raising his gaze to the starry sky above.
"The power of the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki is immeasurable. Eliminating us and breaking Hikari's genjutsu is his most logical first move."
Before his words fully settled, a spatial distortion appeared above Madara.
From the swirling portal, an overwhelming presence poured out, instantly engulfing Ideal City and the surrounding area.
The air seemed to grow heavy under the weight of this aura, and even the wind came to a halt.
Madara's Sharingan locked onto the figure emerging from the portal, whose Byakugan glowed with a radiant, otherworldly light.
Their eyes met, Sharingan and Byakugan both transforming as the battle loomed.
(End of Chapter)