UK:GSW Chapter 404 – Nagato's Imagination, the Strength of Naruto and Kakashi
"Nagato, Konan…"
"It's been a long time, Jiraiya-sensei."
In the mountains, Nagato's side and Konoha's No. 2 team faced each other from a distance.
On the Konoha No. 2 side, aside from Jiraiya and Naruto, there was also the future Sixth Hokage, Hatake Kakashi. This was essentially deploying nearly all of Konoha's current Kage-level combat power—only the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, remained behind to guard the Hidden Leaf Village.
However, in this meeting, Nagato and Konan's attention was undoubtedly focused most on their teacher, Jiraiya.
For both sides, this was an encounter that carried heavy and complicated emotions.
Although both sides had prepared themselves to face each other and engage in a fierce battle, once they truly met, they still couldn't suppress the emotions in their hearts, each feeling an unsettled heaviness.
Thus, the conversation began.
Jiraiya spoke again, attempting to dissuade Nagato and Konan, hoping the two could turn back before it was too late—just like in the original events, when he discovered that the leader of the Akatsuki was his own disciple, his first reaction was to try to talk them down.
This time, compared to the "original," Jiraiya already knew all the intel, becoming what fans once dubbed the "God of Information" — the Intel God Jiraiya.
With this, Jiraiya was even more determined to persuade his two disciples who had strayed from the right path.
And now that he had the key facts, he spoke the critical truth.
"Nagato, Konan, do you know? Yahiko died because you were manipulated. From the very start, the Akatsuki was targeted, which is why Uchiha Obito came to you. And in that incident when Konan was kidnapped, that same Uchiha Obito attacked the original members of the Akatsuki, killing them all, preventing their reinforcements from ever arriving."
"So Yahiko's death, and the injuries you suffered later, Nagato, were all because of that Uchiha Obito!"
"As for Uchiha Obito's identity—I think you've realized it already. Yes, he is the Konoha missing-nin who has been appearing before you under the name 'Uchiha Madara,' the man in the mask."
"His true identity is Uchiha Obito, a former ninja of the Hidden Leaf and a member of the Uchiha clan. During the Third Great Ninja War, he survived in secret until he was found by Uchiha Madara, who brainwashed and controlled him into becoming his subordinate and successor. That's why he's been using the name of Uchiha Madara."
In one breath, Jiraiya said many things, and all of it was heavy, earth-shaking intel. Nagato and Konan both looked shocked. They were deeply stunned by the hidden truths behind all of this—because they had been completely unaware.
Yet Jiraiya wasn't done. He continued with an even more shocking revelation:
"And Nagato, do you really think the Rinnegan is your own? No—you're wrong! The Rinnegan can only be obtained by combining the Yin and Yang powers of the Sage of Six Paths, and at the core of that is an extremely powerful bloodline of the Six Paths."
"Although the Uzumaki clan are descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, compared to the Senju and Uchiha, they are still far behind. The Uzumaki have only an 'immense life force' like the Senju—they cannot possibly have the Sage's eyes, the Rinnegan."
"So think carefully, Nagato! Even with the Uzumaki life force, no matter how great your talent, you could never awaken the Rinnegan on your own!"
"The truth is cruel. Your Rinnegan was transplanted into you. The true owner was Uchiha Madara, who, after the battle at the Valley of the End, obtained the flesh of the First Hokage. Over decades, he fused with that flesh to gain the Yang power of the First Hokage, then combined it with his own Yin power to awaken the Rinnegan."
"As for why Uchiha Madara transplanted the Rinnegan into you—it was because at that time he was already on the brink of death. To carry out his plan, to nurture the Rinnegan, and to preserve the chance and conditions for his own revival, he transplanted them into you. Only someone of the Uzumaki clan could withstand the Rinnegan's power without being drained dry."
"In other words, you were the carefully chosen vessel for the Rinnegan!"
Jiraiya's words were calm but heavy, filled with sincerity and without a trace of falsehood—laying out every piece of intel he knew.
He was speaking from the heart, hoping to stop his disciple from continuing to be used.
Naturally, his words delivered an unparalleled mental shock to Nagato and Konan, leaving them stunned in place, momentarily unable to react.
After all, Jiraiya's revelations overturned their understanding and worldview.
The Rinnegan wasn't Nagato's—it was Uchiha Madara's. Madara hadn't died but had hidden for decades, fused with the First Hokage's flesh, awakened the Rinnegan, then deliberately transplanted them into Nagato to execute his sinister plan!
It sounded like a fantasy story—but with Jiraiya's grave expression and the tense atmosphere of the scene, they couldn't help but feel a pull toward believing it.
So… Jiraiya-sensei was telling the truth!?
Nagato was stunned, dazed, and then slightly lost.
He had no choice but to carefully consider the credibility of these words. If they were true, it was terrifying—it would mean his entire life had been watched and manipulated.
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu, secretly attached to Nagato's body, was also rattled.
Just as Uchiha Kei had guessed, Black Zetsu's relationship with Nagato was pure exploitation, with plans to backstab him at any moment.
While modifying Nagato's body, Black Zetsu had indeed left a secret mark on him, attaching himself in preparation to deliver a fatal blow at the critical moment.
And so, he had heard every single word Jiraiya said—and was deeply shaken, because all of it was true.
But many of these secrets were so hidden—how could Jiraiya know? Even with his top-class intel-gathering skills, without decisive proof or total knowledge, such details would be impossible to uncover.
For example, much of what Jiraiya just said was something he couldn't possibly have known—Konoha shouldn't have known either. So how did he find out?
Wait… White Zetsu knew these things. Could White Zetsu have told Konoha?
But why would White Zetsu do that?
Wait… could one of Mother's kinsmen have found Konoha and allied with them?
The thought sent cold chills down Black Zetsu's spine—nearly making him gasp, contributing to global warming in the ninja world.
As Black Zetsu's mind spun, Nagato came back to his senses, instinctively reaching up to touch his eyelids—clearly shaken by the truth about the Rinnegan.
Still, Nagato was Nagato—especially now that he believed himself to be a god and firmly believed his path was correct. He wouldn't be swayed by a few words.
Even in the "original," Nagato only accepted Naruto's Talk-no-Jutsu after being defeated by him—otherwise, he would have ignored him and taken him away by force.
Thus, his will quickly steadied again. He fixed his gaze on Jiraiya and coldly asked:
"Jiraiya-sensei, where did you get this intel? Even you shouldn't be able to gather such extremely secret information."
Nagato's focus on the source rather than the truth revealed his mindset—true or not, his plan to capture the Tailed Beasts would continue, because their enemy now wasn't Madara or Hashirama, but a terrifying threat from outside the ninja world.
So even if his life had been manipulated, until that greater threat was dealt with, he had no time to dwell on it.
Jiraiya couldn't reveal the truth about the main world's Konoha, so he simply replied:
"I have my own intel network, Nagato—don't underestimate it!"
Nagato's eyes narrowed. "So, Jiraiya-sensei… you've received help from someone outside this world, haven't you?"
This time, it was Jiraiya's group's turn to be shocked—even the masked Hatake Kakashi's eyes widened.
None of them expected Nagato to see through the truth so easily. This was something never made public—he shouldn't know another ninja world existed.
Seeing their reactions, Nagato was certain—Jiraiya and the others had indeed allied with someone from outside this world.
And at this moment, who from beyond the ninja world could it be? In Black Zetsu's words, the most terrifying of all—the Sage of Six Paths' kinsmen from beyond this world, beings with his power who cared nothing for ordinary humans.
Nagato's expression turned colder still. In his eyes, Konoha working with such outsiders was inviting disaster—betraying the entire ninja world, betraying humanity itself!
Unforgivable.
He would not tolerate this. Even if Jiraiya and the others didn't know the truth, their actions were aiding the enemy.
With that thought, Nagato decided to stop talking. He raised his hand, and to the confusion of Jiraiya's group, immediately commanded the Six Paths of Pain's jinchuriki to attack.
His intent was utterly ruthless—finish them all in one strike, leave no survivors.
Jiraiya's group didn't understand why he suddenly turned hostile—but they didn't just stand there. They instantly split apart, drew their weapons, and prepared for battle.
Though they'd hoped for diplomacy, Konoha's No. 2 team had been prepared for this outcome all along.
Jiraiya immediately used Summoning Jutsu, bringing forth three giant toads, and also summoned the Two Great Toad Sages to enter Sage Mode.
At the same time, he told Naruto and Kakashi to support him in the fight.
Clearly, in Jiraiya's eyes, he was still the strongest of the three—Naruto and Kakashi had grown, but were still not on his level.
Then—
"Kurama!"
"By the Emperor's will—Lightning Release: Raijin Mode!"
Golden chakra surged, forming the godly robe of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
Blue lightning flashed, forming armor that made its wearer resemble the god Takemikazuchi.
This was Naruto's Perfect Jinchuriki Nine-Tails Mode, and Kakashi's lightning armor powered by pure faith and Lightning Release mastery—transformations akin to a Super Saiyan's awakening.
The sudden display left Jiraiya stunned. The terrifying chakra they radiated made him feel like the world had changed overnight—like he no longer recognized them.
Without further explanation, Naruto and Kakashi spoke in unison: "Jiraiya-sama (Jiraiya-sensei), we'll leave the support to you."
Then, as golden and blue streaks of light, they vanished—and in the blink of an eye, were upon Nagato and the Six jinchuriki.
Their speed shocked even Nagato—his Rinnegan's supreme perception could barely track them.
Nagato gave a sharp order—the Six jinchuriki instantly erupted with Tailed Beast chakra cloaks, beginning their transformations.
Naruto didn't waste time—he and Kurama entered full Tailed Beast Mode. For the first time in this No. 2 ninja world, the magnificent golden chakra Nine-Tails form appeared, reaching for two transforming jinchuriki.
As for Kakashi—he drew his blade. A forty-meter lightning blade cleaved down, slicing the Four-Tails jinchuriki's massive form in half mid-transformation.
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