The failure of his first mission left Guangtai feeling defeated, though seeing the true power of the Rinnegan had also amazed him.
The Sharingan's potential for evolution caught his attention, but it also left him faintly disappointed. He had not even awakened the first stage, the Mangekyo Sharingan.
All he could do was keep up appearances with the White Zetsu he wore. After spending months in the Underground Cavern, Madara's words had greatly broadened his horizons.
They had also left him dissatisfied with his own strength. He desperately wanted to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. According to Madara, only by killing the person closest to him might he awaken it.
He had many people close to him in Konoha, but the only person he truly considered closest to him was probably Fenghuo.
The thought that he might have to kill Fenghuo to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan made Guangtai hesitate.
For true peace in the Shinobi World, he could betray his clan, Konoha, and Fugaku. But Fenghuo had nothing to do with any of that.
Fenghuo was just an ordinary Uchiha ninja. Guangtai drove those thoughts from his mind and sat cross-legged on the ground. He was certain Nagato would come looking for him.
Yahiko was still alive, so Nagato might have reservations. But once Nagato felt truly devastating pain, the Rinnegan would become his only source of strength—and the power he would rely on for revenge.
White Zetsu kept constant watch over every move in Amegakure and reported back to Guangtai.
As the days passed, Hanzō sent word to Yahiko on the eve of the operation, asking to meet and discuss peace in the Land of Rain.
At Akatsuki's base, the three of them were delighted to receive Hanzō's message. It meant their efforts had not been in vain.
"Nagato, Konan,