Uchiha Yoru agreed with Black Zetsu's words, at least the first half of them—becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki was indeed an incredibly tempting goal.
However, as for the second half, the Infinite Tsukuyomi... he scoffed at the idea.
Now that he had a system, why would he bother with the Infinite Tsukuyomi?
Uchiha Yoru gave a cold laugh, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "Did they think I'd waste this cheat of mine for nothing?"
Kaguya was, after all, a woman consumed by her obsession. Perhaps she understood that those White Zetsu transformed from humans were nothing before the true Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Yet she remained fixated on making preparations that served no purpose. Perhaps she was deluding herself, or perhaps it was simply a source of comfort.
White Zetsu?
When the true Ōtsutsuki arrived, those things wouldn't even qualify as cannon fodder!
Still, Uchiha Yoru wasn't worried.
He believed that, with the system, he would eventually become the true—God of the Ninja World!
The Land of Rain.
The weather here was nothing like Konoha's distinct four seasons. It rained ceaselessly throughout the year.
The pattering rain tapped against the dilapidated eaves, slid down the dark, mossy tiles, and gathered into tiny streams that wound through the narrow alleys.
The entire village was shrouded in damp mist, the air heavy and humid.
However, this rain wasn't entirely natural.
Some of it came from the weather, while the rest was caused by Nagato continuously using the Rain Tiger at Will Technique to sense every disturbance in the village.
Deep within this town, beneath the curtain of rain, a towering structure rose like a cold, indifferent deity.
Uchiha Yoru strolled along the slick stone path.
The rain should have fallen on him, but an invisible repulsive force pushed it aside inches from his body, sending it sliding down to the ground along the edge of the force field.
He gazed quietly at the tower, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"The Akatsuki..."
He murmured under his breath, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
At the top of the tower, Nagato's Rinnegan narrowed slightly.
Konan, concealed in the shadows, also changed expression as she watched the figure slowly approaching through the rain.
Inside the tower.
Nagato stared down at the man through the layers of rain, his brow furrowing slightly.
"His chakra... is powerful."
Konan's gaze shifted, her voice solemn. "Who is he?"
"Uchiha Yoru."
Nagato's voice was low, tinged with thought. "Someone we can't afford to ignore."
White Zetsu had already reported the relevant information to him, so he knew that this Uchiha Clan member was an arrogant madman who believed in the supremacy of strength.
He certainly seemed to fit the Akatsuki's ideals.
However, Nagato wasn't afraid.
He was "God."
Konan's eyes turned cold. She slightly raised her sleeve, a few explosive tags concealed between her fingers.
The door swung open.
Uchiha Yoru stepped inside, his pace steady and his expression indifferent, as though this weren't the Akatsuki's main hideout but a courtyard he could enter and leave at will.
Nagato had wisely dismissed the guards. He understood that they had no chance of stopping Uchiha Yoru.
Nagato silently watched the newcomer.
"What have you come here for?"
Uchiha Yoru looked straight at Nagato, the corners of his mouth curving faintly.
"To take you in."
Konan's gaze turned icy, the explosive tags between her fingers trembling slightly.
Nagato narrowed his eyes a little, his voice calm. "Do you want to become the Akatsuki's leader?"
Uchiha Yoru smiled indifferently. "Something like that."
His gaze swept over Nagato and Konan, his tone unhurried.
"I'm going to unite the Ninja World."
"Establish a unified system for allocating resources and a scientific model for development."
"So that shinobi are no longer mere tools of war, but can contribute to society."
"For example, there's a shinobi in Konoha's Anbu who uses his abilities as a construction worker. He's several times more efficient than an ordinary person."
"That's the best example."
"And while we're at it, we can develop technology and increase food production, so fewer people go hungry."
"I want to make this cannibalistic world a little better..."
His voice was low and firm.
"In that respect, my goal isn't all that different from the Akatsuki's true purpose."
Nagato remained silent.
The Akatsuki's original plan was to make the world feel pain, using the Tailed Beasts as a deterrent to forcibly put an end to war.
However, while this approach might work for a time, it would also put the organization under immense pressure.
The great ninja villages of the Ninja World had always seen the Akatsuki as a thorn in their side, vowing to eliminate it.
Yet the world this man described seemed to reach further than their own vision.
However—
Uchiha Yoru paused, his gaze turning sharp.
"There are only two paths before you."
"Submit."
"Or die."
The air froze instantly.
Nagato's gaze tightened, and his chakra surged in an instant.
The Six Paths of Pain appeared, their cold killing intent spreading through the rainy night.
"Then, are you ready to face the judgment of 'God'?"
Uchiha Yoru scoffed.
"God?"
He slowly raised his head, his Rinnegan suddenly shining with brilliant light.
"Before me, you're nothing but an incomplete puppet."
"What?!"
Nagato and Konan were shaken to the core, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The man before them... had awakened the Rinnegan too?!
Nagato called himself God because he possessed the Rinnegan, revered as the "eyes of God." He firmly believed that he was destined to change the Ninja World.
Yet now, everything he believed in had been shaken by another pair of the same eyes.
Their raging chakra collided fiercely in the rainy night, kicking up a storm of immense proportions.
The entire tower was instantly caught in the eye of the storm!
Meanwhile, somewhere hidden away.
Black Zetsu's body was covered in cracks, its presence weak. It slipped quietly through the shadows and finally crept into a dark cave.
Inside the cave, in front of the rock wall.
Uchiha Obito stood motionless, his expression cold.
This was the hideout where he was recovering. Ever since Uchiha Yoru had gravely injured him with a genjutsu that night at the Uchiha Clan Compound, he had been lying low here.
"What happened?"
Suppressing the pain roiling inside it, Black Zetsu spoke urgently. "Uchiha Yoru... is making contact with the Akatsuki."
Uchiha Obito's pupils contracted. Killing intent surged in his Sharingan.
"What is he trying to do?"
Black Zetsu gritted its teeth, its voice low and resentful. "He says... he's going to unite the Ninja World!"
Its injuries were severe, and it had no other choice now.
If Uchiha Yoru really fought Nagato, and Nagato lost, then everything it had painstakingly planned would come to nothing!
For now, perhaps it could only make use of this useless man...
The air suddenly grew still.
Uchiha Obito's expression turned even colder, killing intent churning in the depths of his eyes.
This man... one move from him had left Obito unable to recover even now, and he was already trying to interfere with his plan?
"He thinks he can—"
His words cut off abruptly.
Obito slowly raised his head, his Sharingan glinting with a chilling light.
"Then let's see if he's worthy."
After a moment's thought, he said quietly, "We... need to make some preparations in advance."
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