Nagato had sent the Animal Path here not to deal with the people dispatched by Konoha or Kumogakure. Still, the fact that they had found this place so quickly had indeed caught him off guard.
He was only here as insurance. If Uzumaki Reikawa really belonged to Genkyo, then judging by Kakuzu's earlier description, his strength should amount to more than this.
Besides, they had no idea where the other members of Genkyo were. In a situation like this, involving something akin to an undercover agent, Nagato refused to believe Genkyo had no backup plan!
At that thought, Nagato's real body suddenly coughed uncontrollably several times. His eyes flickered, and his already skeletal frame looked even more fragile.
The black rods embedded in his back stood in stark contrast, making anyone who saw him wonder whether he might drop dead at any moment.
Of course, if anyone saw Nagato's "frailty" and decided to cause trouble, the price they paid would be their life.
"Uzumaki Reikawa..."
Inside a dilapidated cave, whose original inhabitants had long since been driven out, Muren and Bone Lord exchanged looks as they regarded the White Zetsu laid out before them.
Muren said, "Are you sure you want to perform Impure World Reincarnation now?"
Bone Lord raised an eyebrow. "We share the same thought process. Do you even need to ask?"
Muren said, "Did you forget how we tripped last time?"
Bone Lord said, "...Unless something unexpected happens, the original won't have much free time lately anyway. Besides, it'll only take an instant."
At that, Muren lowered his head and thought for a second. "Yeah, fair point!"
Fragments scattered through the air. Once the technique was complete, Muren looked at the figure before him, whose eyes were closed and whose face was identical to his own.