First Cooperation with Nagato (Part 1)

"Who did this? Bring him to me!" Hétián roared again. Hétián was furious. The Ninja World War was nearing its end, and rewards would surely be distributed. This was why he was still taking on missions at this stage; he was just a little short of merit that would secure him a better position back in the village after the war. Only with a higher position could he obtain better resources for cultivation. If he didn't work harder, in a few more years, he might never have another chance to reach the Kage level in his lifetime. This was the main reason he was working so hard in this war.

Although the team he was leading was essentially crippled, just like the person in front of him had said, if he could bring back the Rinnegan, these losses would be acceptable. However, if it were exposed that his team had attacked civilians, while his merit wouldn't decrease and his status wouldn't change much, it would mean he would have to operate in the shadows from then on. He'd either have to find a position in the Kirigakure Anbu or somewhere similar. In short, he could forget about openly receiving respect from others.

And now, Hétián's chances of becoming Mizukage were probably completely gone. He had to settle for second best. Besides pursuing his own strength, he also wanted to create a good environment for his descendants. For a ninja, a good starting point could create a significant gap in strength, and a good starting point depended on him to fight for it.

Furthermore, Hétián's strength, when he first encountered the Rinnegan, had cost him quite a few subordinates. Although he had saved a few people, the remaining ninjas were basically all saved by him. While Nagato's current lack of strength was also a factor, his ability to survive until now was his own skill. Look at Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, who paid with his life to understand the abilities of the Rinnegan. And "understanding" it merely meant not having a true body. At that time, Nagato's abilities were distributed among six bodies. Now, Nagato possessed all the abilities of the Rinnegan, which was not as simple as adding those six abilities together.

The combined abilities of the Rinnegan were at least ten times stronger than when they were split among six bodies. Later, Nagato, in the initial battle, had to forcibly use the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to save Konan and Yahiko when his strength was insufficient. This resulted in the lower half of Nagato's body becoming disabled. The final outcome was still unknown.

At least, this situation showed how terrifying the Rinnegan was. It was the final period of the Second Shinobi World War, and any Jonin who survived on the battlefield was not to be underestimated. Ninjas brought out on missions by Jonin at this time were at least Special Jonin, or at least elite Chunin. Even so, they were almost wiped out by Nagato and the other two, with the remaining ones all injured.

From what Ye Wuji saw upon arriving at the battlefield, combined with the Kirigakure corpses lying on the ground, it was evident that most of them died under the Rinnegan. At this time, Konan and Yahiko's strength, compared to ordinary ninjas of the same level, was considerable, but they were still weaker than these elites who had experienced the battlefield. In fact, if not for the two of them holding him back, Nagato could have annihilated these Kirigakure ninjas from the start. Unfortunately, by the time they were on guard, the battle had dragged on to this point.

Seeing his subordinates' delayed reaction, "Hurry up!" Hétián roared.

"Sir, that person... he's already dead. He was killed by them during the initial engagement. It was Neiliang, who just fell here with us." Hearing Hétián's roar, the subordinate quickly replied.

Hearing that the troublemaker was dead, Hétián, who had been holding back his anger, turned red in the face. Hétián took a few deep breaths and then said, "Since he has fallen in battle, let it be for now."

"Sir," seeing Hétián's expression after hearing about the death, the subordinate continued, "It can't really be said that we attacked them. It was mainly Neiliang... no, it was Lord Shangben and Lord Caobu. They saw that dog and wanted to catch it to make some hot dog soup to restore everyone's energy, so they asked Neiliang to kill the dog. But who knew that the dog had an owner, and that's how this situation arose." As he spoke, the ninja pointed to the dog Konan was holding.

"What did you say? Are you saying that it was because of that dog that this result occurred?" Hétián's face darkened further.

"Actually, it wasn't. Neiliang thought it was just an ordinary dog, so he prepared to kill it with a shuriken. But who knew that the girl suddenly ran out to protect the dog, so the shuriken didn't hit the dog but injured the girl. When the girl was injured, that Rinnegan demon suddenly rushed out, and that's how the fight started. Lord Shangben was also ambushed by that Rinnegan demon at that time. Later, when you returned, sir, it was already too late to stop it."

"No wonder. When that dog ran over earlier, Caobu actually made a move against it. Was he trying to vent his anger? But I didn't expect that he would provoke the other party again, and that's why he fell."

"Yes, originally, when the dog disappeared at first, and then suddenly ran back, Lord Caobu might have been trying to divert their attention by making a move against the dog. But who knew that all three of those demons would desperately protect the dog? Although it caused them some injury, Lord Caobu also seemed to have fallen."

"Don't put it so nicely. I can't believe so many elites from our dignified Kirigakure village have fallen like this because of an ordinary dog. However, it wasn't without gain. If we hadn't made a move, who would have thought that such a remote place would hide the supreme dōjutsu, the Rinnegan?" Hétián seemed to have recovered, speaking calmly.

Then, Hétián ignored his subordinates behind him and turned to Nagato and the others, saying, "I have a general understanding of what happened. Although they were somewhat in the wrong, you killing so many of our people cannot be let go. Otherwise, I cannot account for it. Now, your chakra must be depleted, right? Don't say I didn't give you a chance. If you surrender now, I guarantee your safety, and you just need to come with us. I can let your two companions go.

Aren't you fighting so desperately precisely to save them? As for yourself, don't worry, I will report your situation. As for how it will be handled by the higher-ups, it's not something I can decide. However, I can guarantee your safety now. And with your aptitude for the Rinnegan, I don't think they will do anything to you if they aren't short-sighted. At the very least, your life will be guaranteed. Do you understand what I mean now? So, what is your decision, Rinnegan demon?" Hétián originally wanted to kill them directly and take the Rinnegan, but he was afraid they would fight to the death. Moreover, if he could bring back a living Rinnegan user, it would be much better than just bringing back the Rinnegan.

Nagato hadn't said anything yet. "No, you just want Nagato's Rinnegan. Don't trust him. Once they capture you, they will definitely dig out your Rinnegan."

"They definitely have ill intentions. Who knows, if you resist even a little, they might kill us later," Konan also said.

Nagato pondered in silence. Seeing this, Hétián thought there might be a chance. "Don't worry about their issues. I won't kill you now, nor will I restrain you. As long as you agree to come with us, we will leave immediately. And since I've decided not to kill you, their threat can't compare to your Rinnegan, right? If I don't kill you, there's no need to kill them unnecessarily."

Nagato considered for a moment and then said, "Alright, but you have to heal their injuries first and let them leave before I agree to go with you. How about that?"

Hétián hadn't said anything yet when a voice from behind him came, "No, you must all come with us. Otherwise, none of you will leave."

The few of them looked towards where the voice came from. The ninja who had been lying on the ground earlier had stood up, although he was being supported by the person next to him.

"Caobu, you're awake! Stop talking. Your injuries are very serious, rest quickly." Hétián's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly when he saw who was speaking, and then he said with concern.

"Senior Hétián, you are too kind. They are definitely completely incapacitated now, there's no need to compromise. However, it seems Senior Hétián doesn't know enough about the Rinnegan. You know, these are the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths! If our Kirigakure can obtain them, then our Land of Water can completely destroy the other four nations and unify the ninja world. Such a great opportunity is right before us, how can we let it go? As for my life, it's completely expendable. As long as we get the Rinnegan, I suggest Senior Hétián kill them quickly and take the Rinnegan back. You know, it's not just us Kirigakure here. What if other villages discover this, it won't be good. As for us, we can stay behind and help you delay for some time," Caobu said with righteous fervor and fanatical eyes.

"I knew this would happen." Hétián's eyebrows twitched again. This guy was a fanatic of Kirigakure, always thinking about Kirigakure unifying the ninja world. The problem was, things weren't that simple. Although Hétián had a direct understanding of the Rinnegan's combat power, it seemed even the Sage of Six Paths himself couldn't unify the ninja world. How could he expect to do so with just the eyes left behind by him? In any case, Hétián didn't hold out such hopes.

In Hétián's eyes, the Land of Water could at most be at the top among the five great nations. As for annihilating the other four nations, he didn't have such grand ambitions.

Hétián carefully glanced at Nagato and the others again and found that their emotions had changed. It seemed his efforts were in vain. This idiot Caobu... but then again, there were many such idiots in Kirigakure nowadays.

"Senior Hétián, if you are afraid of those eyes, let me take the lead. As long as Senior Hétián can bring the Rinnegan back to the village, I, Caobu, will die without regret." Saying this, Caobu popped a few pills into his mouth.

At this moment, seeing Caobu's actions, Hétián shouted, "Caobu, you—" But Caobu had already quickly formed a few hand seals and chanted, "Water Style, Water Clone Technique!" Then, four identical Caobus appeared beside Caobu, and these four clones began to charge towards Nagato and the others.

Nagato saw the figures charging towards him and couldn't tell if they were clones or the real body. However, Konan behind Nagato was already incapacitated, and Yahiko seemed to be in a similar state. Therefore, Nagato had no intention of dodging, nor could he dodge. If Nagato couldn't stop them, Yahiko and Konan behind him would be in trouble.

Nagato gripped the kunai in his hand tighter, staring intently at the four figures charging at him, while also closely watching Hétián on the side.

Over there, Hétián saw that Caobu had made his move. He took a deep breath and quickly found a place to hide. He was indeed a Jonin. Although he seemed indecisive in his actions, once he entered combat mode, he immediately adjusted his mood and cooperated with his companion.