Konoha is deep in a hidden underground facility far away from residential areas, inside the research institute of Orochimaru.
The air is filled with the faint smell of disinfectant, mixed with various herbs, chemical reagents, and a hint of the unique smell of life tissue culture fluid.
The cold metal instruments reflect the cold light under the shadowless lamp, and the screens of various instruments flash with green or light blue data streams, creating a calm and almost cold technological atmosphere that is completely different from the outside world.
Nagato was supported by Tayuya, slowly walking through the corridor filled with various Culture Jar and experimental equipment, and finally stopped in a spacious and well-equipped operating room at the end.
He refused Tayuya's support during the last part of the journey and walked into the brightly lit and spotless operating room by himself.
Operating Table is made of cold metal and covered with a white sterile sheet.
Nagato moved his body almost with a sense of ritual, with some difficulty but resolute movements, and lay down on Operating Table.
His health deteriorated further.
The coolness of the metal was transmitted to his back through the thin sterile sheet, causing his already hypothermic body to tremble slightly, but his eyes were extremely firm, even with a kind of relief-like calm.
"Oh oh oh oh,"
Accompanied by a slight sound of the sliding door opening, Orochimaru's magnetically hoarse and playful voice sounded.
She walked in, having already changed into a full set of sterile surgical clothes, wearing a mask and goggles, Golden Snake Eyes was shining with interest behind the lenses, and she was holding sterilized rubber gloves in her hands, which she was slowly putting on.
"What a rare visitor, Mr. Nagato.
What, you suddenly figured it out?"
Orochimaru walked to Operating Table and looked down at Nagato lying on it, his eyes filled with the excitement and desire to explore that a scientific researcher would have when seeing precious experimental materials.
She remembered clearly that she had made suggestions before when she helped Nagato check and remove the secret hands that Obito Uchiha might have left in his body.
Transplant the highly stable Hashirama Cells that she carefully cultivated to try to repair Nagato's body that was severely overdrawn and riddled with holes due to excessive use of Rinnegan and Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
However, this proposal was rejected by Nagato without hesitation.
The reason is also very simple and direct. Nagato has a deep psychological shadow on "Hashirama Cells".
Previously, Obito Uchiha tricked him into transplanting Hashirama Cells from White Zetsu, which resulted in his body being seriously eroded and becoming worse and worse.
Once he was bitten by a snake, he would be afraid of ropes for ten years, let alone this kind of "snake" that almost killed him and caused him endless pain.
Therefore, Orochimaru is full of curiosity about Nagato's behavior of actively lying on Operating Table at this moment.
Nagato didn't answer immediately. He slowly raised his right hand, which was as dry as a branch and the skin was close to the bones. He spread his five fingers and blocked the dazzling shadowless light above his eyes.
Through the gaps between his fingers, his Red Eyes eyes stared at the dazzling white light, but deep in his eyes was a silent determination, as if he had made up some unshakable determination.
"I want... to live a little longer."
Nagato's voice was very soft, but it echoed clearly in the silent operating room.
He moved his eyes away from his fingers and turned to Orochimaru. There was no hesitation or fear in Red Eyes's eyes, only clarity.
"I can feel that this body can't hold on much longer.
I thought it didn't matter before, but now... it doesn't matter."
Snake Eyes of Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly and keenly captured the subtle changes in Nagato's words. "Oh? What made Mr. Nagato change his mind about 'it doesn't matter'? Did he see the dawn of peace?"
Or do you have new worries?"
Her tone was teasing, as if she was spying on an interesting experimental variable.
Nagato was silent for a moment and put down his hand. His gaze seemed to penetrate the ceiling of the operating room, looking towards an unknown distance, or perhaps towards the blue-haired woman who was holding his arm tightly under Streetlamp.
"I also have people I want to protect."
He finally said, his tone was calm, but it contained great importance.
When Orochimaru heard this, a flash of understanding flashed through Golden Snake Eyes, and the corners of her mouth seemed to curve upward. Even through the mask, you could feel her playful smile, "Yeah... the power of love is really wonderful.
Even the 'god' who once intended to make the world feel pain will change his mind."
Faced with Orochimaru's ridicule, Nagato's reaction was very dull, even with a sense of correction.
He turned his head and Red Eyes's eyes looked directly into the eyes behind Orochimaru's goggles:
"It's family affection."
In his heart, Konan has never been the object of love.
They are companions who have shared the darkest childhood, walked the bloodiest road side by side, and supported each other to climb out of hell. They are a family-like existence that transcends blood ties and ordinary emotions.
Yahiko is the sun that illuminates them, and he and Konan are Survivor who cling to each other for warmth in the dark.
The sun fell seventeen years ago.
He and Konan are each other's only light and heat, each other's relatives, and his last and only bond in this world.
Orochimaru raised his eyebrows, seemingly uncommitted to Nagato's correction.
Whether family affection or love, to her, they are all interesting human emotional variables and one of the inducements that drive behavioral changes.
What she is more interested in is the reaction of Nagato's body after the transplantation of Hashirama Cells, the possible wonderful combination of two powerful blood vessels, and whether this traumatized body can regain its second spring with the power of new cells.
"Family love...
Not a bad reason."
Orochimaru said no more, put on the last glove and made a slight "pop" sound.
She walked to Operating Table and inspected the light green tissue prepared in a special culture medium on the tray next to it.
It was a high-purity Hashirama Cells active tissue that had been improved many times by her and eliminated most of the risks of rejection and runaway.
"Then, Mr. Nagato, please relax.
Although there may be some... well, a little discomfort in the process, trust me, it is much more interesting than if you continue to drag this broken body to survive."
Orochimaru's voice came through the mask, with the excitement unique to a scientific madman.
"Let's get started and see if God of Shinobi's cells can ignite the last embers of your 'Uzumaki' body."
The light of the shadowless lamp focused on Operating Table, and the cold instrument glowed with cold light.
Nagato slowly closed his eyes and completely handed himself over to this scientist who was both good and evil, but possessed Shinobi World's top biotechnology.
In order to live a little longer and to be with the person who said "I only have you", he was willing to embrace the power that once brought pain again.
The operation is about to begin.