Nagato's Predicament
About a week passed quickly, and during that week, the changes in the Ninja World were dazzling due to the emergence of the Chakra Network Space.
The two most obvious changes are: First, the strength of the lower-level ninjas has increased. A large number of lower-level ninjas have increased their proficiency in the Chakra Network Space and learned a large number of advanced Ninjutsu and Secret Technique that can be called secret transmissions, so their strength has naturally increased significantly.
Another change is that... the number of missions in the Ninja World has decreased, while the number of Rogue Ninja has increased!
The decrease in the number of missions is due to the expansion of the Chakra Network Space. Many ordinary people have also Awakening their Chakra and gained a certain level of strength. Although they may not be as strong as Genin or even ninja trainees, they have at least gained some ability to protect themselves.
They might have little recourse against equally strengthened bandits, but ordinary people would no longer be afraid of wild beasts or similar creatures.
The number of Rogue Ninja has also increased, because ninjas are now much less dependent on ninja villages.
Originally, the most important thing for ninja villages to control ninjas was the advanced Ninjutsu they possessed. Generally, only after reaching a certain ninja level and completing a lot of ninja village missions could one exchange for certain advanced Ninjutsu from the ninja village.
Therefore, apart from some clan ninjas, the vast majority of ordinary ninjas are attached to the entire ninja village system in order to obtain those advanced Ninjutsu.
Otherwise, given the nature of the ninja profession, where wouldn't they be able to survive? Especially since many ninjas are orphans, with no ties to their families.
As for being hunted down by the ninja village after becoming Rogue Ninja... to put it bluntly, unless there are special reasons, such as having classified information or knowing certain important details, then to enjoy the treatment of being hunted down by the Anbu, one must at least be a Special Jonin!
Ordinary Chunin might get a little investigated by the ninja village, but as for the Genin are practically like leeks... which ninja village has that many Anbu to care about these Genin who die or go missing every year?!
Most Genin aren't Konoha 12, nor do they possess particularly high moral character. They become ninjas primarily because they earn enough money, and secondly, not for the sake of greater power!
Now that we have a learning channel like the Chakra Network Space, who would be foolish enough to exchange Ninjutsu with ninja villages?
Not only has the number of Rogue Ninja increased, but the Ninja Academy has also encountered great difficulties in recruiting students. Chakra Network Space can teach everything that the Ninja Academy can teach, and it can also teach things that the ninja academy cannot teach, all free of charge!
In this situation, everyone naturally chose the Chakra Network Space, while the Ninja Academy was ignored.
Faced with this situation, the leaders of the ninja villages were naturally very anxious. However, faced with such an epoch-making Ninjutsu as the Chakra Illusion Network, the high-ranking officials of these outdated ninja villages could not come up with any solutions. Moreover, Major Ninja Villages were in chaos, and just sorting out their own internal problems was enough to give them a headache.
Of course, the improvement of a ninja's strength through the Chakra Network Space also has a period of explosive growth and a period of gradual improvement. After all, within the Genjutsu space, one can only cultivate technical skills. Once the skills have reached their peak, there is no further room for advancement.
As for the advanced Ninjutsu within, not to mention that even the top-tier Ninjutsu requires Contribution Points, in reality, most of the top-tier Ninjutsu, even if they were made available, would be impossible for ordinary ninjas to master. This is not a problem that can be solved by spending time in the Chakra Network, but rather because those ninjas simply do not have the talent.
Once the explosive growth period is over, these ninjas will have to rely on honing their physical bodies and training in Chakra Nature Transformation —methods that require arduous practice in the real world—to increase their power.
Even so, the strength of ninjas throughout the Ninja World has increased significantly. Even the most ordinary Genin can learn a few secret Ninjutsu in the Genjutsu space and can unleash the power of an elite Chunin in a short period of time.
As Jonin Chunin and Jonin, their strength naturally increases even more, especially those who have a massive amount of Chakra but are weak in Ninjutsu; they can almost reach Kage Level in just a few days.
In the Rain Country, in a mountain cave.
"Nagato, are you alright?"
A cool-looking girl with purple hair asked with a worried expression.
Nagato, who was covered in serious injuries, had just opened his eyes with a blank expression. It took him a moment to come to his senses.
"It's okay, I'm fine..."
Nagato Uzumaki doesn't look emaciated now, but his injuries are far more severe than in the original story. Both of his legs have completely disappeared, his body has many signs of decay, and his wounds are stained with faint black blood.
Fortunately, it seems that his wounds have begun to heal; otherwise, he might have suddenly died at any time.
Just recently, a conflict occurred between the Akatsuki and Hanzo the Salamander. Unlike in the original story, this time, because Madara Uchiha had already been killed and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had been absorbed, Nagato naturally could not summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to save his life.
The White Zetsu, who was supposed to protect him, abandoned him— Madara Uchiha's chosen tool for resurrection—because of Madara Uchiha's death and Kaguya Otsutsuki's appearance. Naturally, his final fate was even more tragic than in the original story.
Although the Nagato Uzumaki, spurred by Yahiko's death, unleashed the full power of his Rinnegan, he was unable to defeat Hanzo the Salamander Nagato Uzumaki overwhelming force without the support of the Gedo Mazo. In the end, he could only flee in disarray with Konan.
Hanzo the Salamander, of course, wouldn't let it go so easily, especially since he had already seen Nagato's Rinnegan, and considering that Nagato was only a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy...
If he develops for a few more years, will I even have a chance to survive? I have to chase him! I have to finish him off before this Rinnegan ninja fully develops!
Nagato injured and in dire straits from the relentless pursuit, was suddenly caught off guard when Vegapunk unleashed the Infinite Tsukuyomi, affecting everyone in the world.
On the contrary, Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, was able to ignore the power of the Infinite Tsukuyomi and took the opportunity to kill his pursuers, which gave him and Konan the chance to hide in the deep mountains and forests.
Inside the cave, the aloof, purple-haired girl, Konan, after hearing Nagato's reply, stretched out her hand again, her palm faintly glowing with green light, and began to treat Nagato.
This is Medical Ninjutsu that Konan learned in the Genjutsu space. Unfortunately, her Yang Release level is very low, and she can't hone her Chakra nature transformation in the Genjutsu space. So she can't learn any more advanced Medical Ninjutsu and can only barely use some hemostatic Ninjutsu to treat Nagato.
Fortunately, Nagato, being a member of the Uzumaki Clan, possessed strong vitality, and this time, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was not present. Therefore, despite being severely injured, he was able to catch his breath and even showed signs of recovery.
"It seems that not many Rain Ninja have been hunting us down lately."
After catching her breath, Nagato glanced at the cave entrance outside and spoke to Konan in a weary voice.
"Heh, that Hanzo the Salamander is probably already overwhelmed with his own problems, he wouldn't have the mind to hunt us down!"
Konan's voice was still cold, but her tone still carried a hint of schadenfreude.
Hanzo the Salamander exercised a high-pressure rule over Amegakure, which naturally put a lot of psychological pressure on the Amegakure ninjas, and their mental state was not good. Initially stimulated by the Dream World Space of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, many madmen with self-destructive tendencies emerged, wanting to perish together with the entire ninja village.
After this wave was suppressed, the second launch of the Chakra Network Space gave many Shinobu a chance to turn the tide, resulting in Rogue Ninja in Amegakure during this period.
Previously, defections occurred one by one, but now they are happening in entire groups. Hanzo the Salamander is currently preoccupied with his own problems. Even though he knows that Nagato poses a great threat, he can only deal with the problems of the ninja village first.
Large ninja villages like Konoha, in addition to Ninjutsu and platforms, also have spiritual cores such as the Will of Fire to unite their ninjas. Regardless of whether the Will of Fire is reliable or not, or whether the village's leadership can actually fulfill its will, at least they have a spiritual guideline.
However, these Shinobu villages are products of violence and self-interest, and they have not developed their own unique spiritual core. Naturally, under the impact of the Chakra Network Space, they tend to fall apart.
"This is the best news I've heard recently," Nagato said with a slight smile.
"What a pity, if the Akatsuki still existed... maybe we could have really achieved our goal..."
Konan suddenly lowered her head and said in a somewhat somber tone.
As a newly established organization dedicated to maintaining peace, Akatsuki is composed entirely of idealists with virtually no vested interests.
In this situation, the Chakra Network Space would only benefit them, and the emergence of the Ninjutsu platform would not cause the entire organization to lose its cohesion. Perhaps the Akatsuki would truly usher in a golden age of development.
Upon hearing Konan's words, Nagato's expression immediately darkened. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "I will avenge Akatsuki and Yahiko no matter what!"
Although he said that, Nagato didn't actually have much confidence. This time, he neither summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, nor did he suffer injuries far more severe than in the original story. He even had both legs amputated due to the severe injuries caused by the continuous pursuit. So even having the Rinnegan couldn't give him much confidence.
"Don't worry, Nagato... All you need to do now is rest well. Perhaps you can go to the Chakra Network Space to study more. I believe that with your abilities, you will soon be able to fully develop the power of the Rinnegan!"
Konan also encouraged Nagato, saying that while those who possess the Rinnegan can resist the Infinite Tsukuyomi, they can also immerse themselves in it if they wish.
In particular, if one draws Sealing Array on their body, then anyone of any level can enter. At most, the cyberspace might appear somewhat distorted to some powerful individuals.
After Konan discovered the benefits of the Chakra Network Space, Nagato, naturally eager for revenge, didn't care about anything else and similarly inscribed a seal on his body, connecting it to the Chakra Network.
After coming into contact with the Chakra Network, Nagato's strength increased by leaps and bounds. Many people thought that Nagato's power came entirely from the Rinnegan, but in fact, being able to develop the Rinnegan to this extent already demonstrated his talent.
Or how about trying a regular Uzumaki Clan? I guarantee they'd die on the first try, Rinnegan corpse by the Rinnegan.
Nagato's excellence came from himself, not from the Rinnegan. Even without the Rinnegan, with a good education, he could still become a top-tier ninja.
Therefore, after coming into contact with the Chakra Network, Nagato's strength has improved by leaps and bounds. However, in reality, his body is still seriously injured and he is unable to show his strength, which is why he is somewhat uneasy now.
Just as Nagato and Konan were chatting, Nagato's expression suddenly changed, and he looked towards the cave entrance. Konan, belatedly realizing what was happening, also looked towards the cave entrance.
The entrance to this cave was concealed by Konan's own Paper Secret Technique, making it impossible for ordinary ninjas to find. Moreover, Konan had set up many Explosive Tag Trap along the way to the entrance. Konan was even confident that even if Hanzo the Salamander came, he would not be able to sneak in silently.
This time, however, Konan was proven wrong. A ninja, as blurry as a phantom, easily passed through the illusions and traps Konan had set up and appeared before them.
"Who are you?!"
Konan, like a bristling hedgehog, stood in front of Nagato, holding Kunai in her hand. Although her expression was fierce, it couldn't hide her unease.
"Don't worry, I'm not your enemy!"
The ninja who burst in spoke casually, and as he spoke, he transformed into a blur, passing right through Konan and arriving in front of Nagato, placing a hand directly on his chest.
"Not to mention, if I were truly your enemy, you wouldn't be able to resist me!"
Nagato's face was ashen. Although he wanted to resist, before the ninja could place his hand on his chest, many vines had already grown from the wooden bed he was sleeping on, directly binding his hands and even absorbing his Chakra, making it impossible for him to use Rinnegan Ninjutsu.
"Nagato!"
Konan turned around in surprise, looked at the ninja who had placed his hand on Nagato's chest, gritted her teeth, and put down the Kunai in her hand:
What exactly do you want to do?
"That's good, that's more like it."
The ninja smiled and said, "I have important business to discuss with Nagato, and I will definitely ensure his safety. You can rest assured."
As he spoke, the ninja's hand, which was pressed against Nagato's chest, flashed with green light. After a moment, Nagato's wounds began to heal, and his breathing stabilized.