Time flew by, and three years passed in a blink.
During these three years, the ninja world achieved a rare peace. Although there were frictions and conflicts between the various nations, they unusually chose restraint and concession, especially when dealing with the Land of Fire.
Konoha Village was managed in an orderly manner by Sakumo Hatake during these three years. The number of ninjas, and even the population of the Land of Fire, grew rapidly in these three years. This thriving scene made most people feel optimistic and intoxicated, but only those who truly understood the truth knew that the current prosperity might only last for another seven years.
In the original timeline during this period, the ninja world was precisely in the most brutal period of the Third Great Ninja War. But the current ninja world, because of the coercion by an ultimate powerhouse, reached a certain strange, false peace among the major nations.
This ultimate powerhouse, who single-handedly created this peace, was revered as 'God' in the ninja world. His title was closely related to his abilities. Ninjas in private named him: 'Illusion Sun Dragon God'.
There were far too many stories and legends about him. Some said he was a demon, whose true form under his human appearance was a ferocious black dragon. Others said he was a god, whose true body was a brilliant, blinding sun that could not be looked upon directly.
Many, many people believed these two rumors. It was said that the sources of these two claims were not ignorant ordinary people, but powerful elite jonin, or possibly even a Kage from a major nation.
The 'Illusion Sun Dragon God' suppressed the entire ninja world single-handedly, which made the major nations dare not lightly start wars. The minor nations also gained precious breathing space and thus more hope for survival.
Regardless of its authenticity, this peace was created by the 'Illusion Sun Dragon God' himself. Precisely because of this tangible achievement, the various minor nations located in the buffer zones of the ninja world praised the greatness of the 'God' and sincerely extolled his good name.
In a certain town within the Land of Rain, a red-haired young man was staring blankly at a painting in his hands.
This red-haired young man was named Nagato. The painting in his hand depicted a black-clothed youth about his own age, with a very striking and handsome appearance.
He was called striking because his features were painted as exceptionally outstanding and handsome. He was called unusual because his pupils were different colors: the left eye was ash-white, while the right eye was pitch black.
The black-clothed youth in the painting gave off a very special feeling. His appearance, demeanor, and expression all had a sense of transcendence, as if he had surpassed the mundane. This made him seem like a god, or perhaps an immortal from legends.
Nagato had bought this painting from a market. It was not expensive, being a mass-produced, standardized product. The original artist was unknown, only that the painter seemed to be from Konoha.
The seller had tricked Nagato, saying this was a deity who truly existed in the ninja world.
Legend said the deity's white left eye represented Yin, and the black right eye represented Yang. It was because of this deity's existence that the ninja world had achieved peace and prosperity in recent years. The seller said hanging this painting at home could protect the household and ensure safety, so Nagato bought it on an impulse...
Actually, Nagato didn't buy the painting because he believed in some deity, but because he had seen the black-clothed youth in the painting before.
This person had once passed by the Akatsuki base on a rainy day, came in to shelter from the rain, and engaged in a long, friendly conversation with them, with peace as the main topic. He had left a very deep impression on Nagato back then.
"Ryun... God..."
Nagato murmured to himself, looking at the painting in his hands.
Just as he was lost in thought at home, three strange pairs of eyes were watching him from afar outside the window.
"Lord Madara, how is the awakening of Nagato's eyes progressing..."
Black and White Zetsu stared intently at Nagato inside the house through the pouring rain. Next to them was the aged Uchiha Madara.
This was his last time observing Nagato. After this, he would no longer appear in the ninja world. In the future, he could only hide in the dark depths underground and remotely control Black and White Zetsu to handle matters, because he needed to borrow the power of the Gedo Statue to hold on for a few more years.
"Less than twenty percent of its power has awakened. It's still a long time until the Outer Path fully awakens..." Uchiha Madara's voice held a trace of regret.
In his view, the awakening speed of the Rinnegan was still too slow. Who knew how many years it would take for the power of the Outer Path to fully awaken.
"Let's take it slow... The Outer Path will awaken one day. If Lord Madara really can't hold on someday, there's still me..."
Black and White Zetsu seized the chance to express great loyalty. Unfortunately, Uchiha Madara's expression remained cold and indifferent. In his view, Black and White Zetsu was merely a creation born from his use of Yin-Yang Release and the statue's power. This creation was imbued with his own will from birth, so its every word and action being entirely for him was only to be expected.
"Lord Madara, look at that painting in Nagato's hand. Isn't it Uchiha Ryun? The seller said this is a deity, named something like... Illusion Sun Dragon God."
White Zetsu suddenly pointed at the portrait hanging on Nagato's wall.
"Hmph, what nonsense Illusion Sun Dragon God. He's just a pitiful fellow who unlocked a Mangekyo Sharingan... Learned a bit of superficial Sage Art from Ryuchi Cave and really thinks he's a deity?"
Uchiha Madara sneered at the figure in the painting.
In terms of Sharingan development, his Rinnegan was two whole levels above that ordinary Mangekyo. In terms of Sage Art, the level of power Uchiha Ryun displayed during their battle years ago was far inferior to Hashirama's.
How could someone like this be revered as a god in the ninja world? Back in the day, only Hashirama Senju held the title 'God of Shinobi'. Uchiha Madara himself only had the title 'Ghost of the Uchiha'... What right did Uchiha Ryun have?
In Uchiha Madara's view, this young descendant from his own clan was indeed outstanding (otherwise, he wouldn't have tried to recruit him back then), but his overall strength was only at the Kage level.
Such a person might be a nuisance to the current Uchiha Madara, but to him and Hashirama in their prime, he would have been a minor character.
The Mangekyo is ultimately just the Mangekyo. Uchiha Ryun has no siblings, so it's impossible for him to awaken the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. In Madara's view, Uchiha Ryun has plateaued at the Kage level.
At this time, Uchiha Madara's understanding of Ryun's combat power and impression still remained from years ago. If he could have witnessed Ryun's spectacular battle against the Five Kages, he might not have thought this way...
The ninjas of the world hadn't seen much. That they would be conquered by Ryun's military power wasn't surprising to Uchiha Madara.
Mangekyo Sharingan, Sage Mode, Tailed Beasts... These three powers combined in one person would indeed allow that person to sweep through the current ninja world without issue.
"Mangekyo, Sage Art... One must admit that guy is remarkable. Either of those abilities alone is considered a top-tier force in the ninja world. If only he had a Sage Body and another matching Mangekyo, then..."
Black Zetsu only spoke half of this sentence before stopping. Uchiha Madara, hearing this, trembled slightly.
If Uchiha Ryun had a Sage Body and another Mangekyo matching his own, then awakening the Rinnegan would not be impossible. This pawn, who had miscalculated back then, indeed had a shocking growth rate, no wonder he could suppress the entire ninja world.
"I don't believe he would know about the 'All Creation' principle. In the end, it's just luck..." Uchiha Madara spoke lightly, still as arrogant as ever.
'Heh... Is it really just a coincidence? Mangekyo Sharingan, Sage power, plus Tailed Beast power... If these powers are stacked on one person, it's almost like a lesser version of the Sage of the Six Paths. That Uchiha Ryun might become a second substitute for Madara...'
Black Zetsu sneered coldly in his heart.
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