Yes, I'm Bluffing

"I obtained the clan leader's token from the Uzumaki ruins, and now I'm gathering the surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan."

"What do you plan to do when you find them?"

"Bring them back to Konoha."

"So you intend to bring me back too?"

"As for you, that's up to you. You have plenty to deal with, and the Rinnegan qualifies you as an exception."

"Are you really sure those are the Rinnegan?"

Before Nagato could answer, Tsunade couldn't help interrupting. She had been uncertain ever since she saw those eyes.

"You can ask Jiraiya-sensei. I believe he knows best."

"They're the Rinnegan."

"So they really are."

"I'm not surprised that Jiraiya-sensei and Lady Tsunade recognized them, but what about you, Tamaki? How did you recognize them?"

"I read a lot."

Would I just go around telling you I'm a transmigrator?

"Besides, I have this."

"Wood Release!"

Nagato was no complete novice. He could recognize a top-tier Kekkei Genkai famous throughout the Shinobi World.

"But there's one thing I'm curious about. Where did your Rinnegan come from?"

"Kid, do you even need to ask? He was born with them."

"I've come across some secrets before. Don't ask where I heard them."

"According to legend, the Sage of Six Paths possessed the Rinnegan. You should know that."

Seeing Tsunade and Jiraiya both nod, Tamaki continued bluffing. This time, his goal wasn't to pull Nagato back to Konoha, but to make them wary of those eyes and Hanzō.

"But as far as I know, there's never been a Rinnegan Kekkei Genkai in history."

"Not even the First, Hashirama Senju, who mastered Sage Mode, had them."

"You've been laying the groundwork for so long. What are you trying to say?"

"Were you really born with those eyes?!"

Bang.

"Don't you think you're going too far?"

Nagato was a little angry now. Anyone would be angry if someone suggested their power didn't come from themselves.

"Nagato, don't get worked up yet. Let's hear what Tamaki has to say."

"Tamaki, you wouldn't make such a groundless guess without any basis at all, would you? How could a top-tier Kekkei Genkai like the Rinnegan not be inborn?"

"Of course I have my reasons, Lord Jiraiya."

"Then I'll give Jiraiya-sensei face and hear what you have to say."

"The absence of an inborn Rinnegan Kekkei Genkai is one thing. Another is, what makes these eyes something you can be born with? I'm more inclined to believe they're the mark of a powerful person who has reached a certain level. As for why..."

"Sensei and Lord Jiraiya both know about Sage Mode, right?"

"We do. What about it?"

"I looked into it carefully. Why exactly was the Sage of Six Paths called a sage? Was it because he was strong enough? Then what does it take to be strong enough? Wasn't the First, Hashirama Senju, strong enough?"

"So I focused on the word 'sage.'"

"Sage Mode." X2

"That's right, Sage Mode. So I made a bold guess: the Rinnegan is also a kind of 'Sage Mode,' except its focus is on the eyes rather than the body."

"The Rinnegan, the Byakugan, the Sharingan, and so on—the Shinobi World's Kekkei Genkai can basically be divided into eye-type Kekkei Genkai and release-type Kekkei Genkai."

"Sage Mode should also be divided into two types: eyes and body."

"So the Rinnegan are a sage's eyes, not a ninja's eyes. Is that what you mean, kid?"

"Yes, and that's the problem I'm worried Nagato will face."

"What problem?"

Nagato was starting to wonder too. He was somewhat convinced.

"Since they're a sage's eyes, they naturally need a sage's energy, just as Sage Mode needs natural energy. I don't know exactly what they need, though. I've never seen how someone trains to obtain a sage's eyes."

"But one thing is certain: if these eyes really did come from elsewhere, they'll definitely wear down Nagato's body over time, because he doesn't have the corresponding energy to supply them."

For a moment, Nagato fell silent too.

None of those present would believe Tamaki on the strength of a few brief words, but they were enough to plant a seed of doubt.

After a while, Jiraiya brought the conversation back on track.

"Nagato, how have you all been these past few years?"

"We've been doing all right. We've gradually gathered quite a few people, and as long as everyone works together, we can get by."

"That's good to hear."

"Lord Jiraiya, you're forgetting about Hanzō."

At Tamaki's words, Jiraiya's expression darkened. He had finally managed to lift his student's spirits, and now this kid was stirring up trouble.

Of course he knew about that bastard Hanzō. If his student only caused a little commotion like this, Hanzō might not care.

But how could Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, possibly be content with causing a little commotion?

The still-young Nagato, however, clearly hadn't realized that.

"Hanzō? What do you mean?"

"It's simple. Hanzō can't tolerate you growing in power forever, Nagato. Sooner or later, you'll come into conflict with him."

"How could that happen?"

"If Hanzō tried to drive you out, would you stand against him? What if he wanted to kill Yahiko and Konan? Hanzō is capable of doing something like that."

"I..."

For a moment, Nagato was at a loss for words.

"Also, Nagato, if you don't mind, you can raise the Uzumaki banner."

"Why did Hanzō give Sensei, Lord Jiraiya, and Lord Orochimaru the title of Sannin back then? Wasn't it because he couldn't afford to provoke Konoha?"

"And now that I've caused an uproar in the Land of Grass under the name Tamaki Uzumaki, I believe word will soon spread throughout the Shinobi World. People will also learn that the Uzumaki Clan has settled in Konoha."

Tamaki said no more after that.

Nagato fell into thought. He began considering whether Hanzō would tolerate them, and what they should do if he didn't.

But he soon stopped thinking about it. As a wielder of the Rinnegan, he had his own pride and confidence.

Meanwhile, Tamaki began chatting with Jiraiya.

"Speaking of which, Lord Jiraiya, have you had Nagato sign a contract with Mount Myōboku? If he runs into danger, he could use Reverse Summoning to hide there."

"Right, right! Nagato, we'll go sign the Summoning Contract in a bit."

"Tamaki, thank you."

Seeing Nagato's response, Tamaki felt that his trip to the Land of Rain had come to a satisfactory end.

Nagato and his two companions were no weaklings either. It would be best if Tamaki could gather them around him, but it wouldn't be bad to stay on good terms even if they weren't at his side.

As for the Rinnegan, he wasn't fortunate enough to enjoy them. Leaving Madara Uchiha aside, the way they wore down the body and consumed vast amounts of Chakra was enough to make anyone keep their distance.

Next, all he had to do was follow Tsunade and study diligently.

That night, inside the space.

Looking at the adult of seventeen or eighteen who had suddenly appeared before them.

"A newcomer?"

"It's me, Under One Person Wang Chuan."

"Wait, has the difference in the flow of time gotten this ridiculous?"

"The light screen helped adjust the flow of time on my side. Nothing much is going to happen here for a while anyway, so I figured I might as well speed things up and share more power with everyone."

"Then we can all adjust ours too."

-_-

"I wouldn't recommend everyone doing that. The world over there is relatively peaceful, and its development will benefit all of you. People from the other worlds are better off coming here more often. We should be able to connect to a few more worlds after a while, and you'll all get another boost."