Within the mist shrouded Kamui dimension, Ryun had been training arduously for as long as two years. During this period, he occasionally got up to stretch his limbs, or went home to have a meal with his wife and children. Almost all his remaining time was devoted to cultivation.
Half a year had passed since he last stood up. He seemed as if he had entered a deep meditative state. The Ten Tails power continuously circulated within his body. With each complete cycle, a small portion of the Ten Tails power diminished. What absorbed the most of this power were those Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
If undisturbed, it was unknown how long this fasting, waterless meditative training would have lasted. Over these two years, the Ten Tails power within his body had been forcibly depleted by more than half.
In this silent, otherworldly space, the figure that had remained motionless for a long time suddenly furrowed his brows almost imperceptibly.
On his finger, a ring marked with 'Zero' was vibrating incessantly.
Ryun took a deep breath, then slowly opened his eyes.
The moment his eyes opened, a brilliant purple light instantly shot forth from his pupils. Within the circular ripples, six black tomoe were clearly visible.
"They actually... opened."
Seeing the visual perception utterly different from half a year ago, Ryun knew, even without looking in a mirror, that his eyes had opened.
The world seen through the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan was vastly different from the world seen through the Rinnegan. Ryun's eyes now seemed capable of perceiving the very essence of heaven and earth. The difference between the Ten Tails power permeating the surroundings and natural energy could be observed through his Rinnegan.
This eye opening had occurred without any warning, just like when Uchiha Madara opened his eyes just before death. Almost inadvertently, the Rinnegan had suddenly emerged...
Suppressing the excitement and joy within him slightly, Ryun channeled a portion of his chakra and consciousness into the ring.
In almost the blink of an eye, his illusory figure arrived in a fantastical space.
In this space, all members of the Akatsuki organization were actually present.
"Boss."
"This is..."
"Your eyes."
The moment Ryun appeared, everyone in Akatsuki except Nagato showed astonished expressions.
Those bright and profound Six Tomoe Rinnegan were impossible to ignore or remain indifferent towards upon seeing them.
After two years apart, their leader's eyes had undergone yet another astonishing change.
Ryun's eyes had changed repeatedly, and each change brought a sense of pressure far surpassing the previous one.
Three Tomoe Sharingan, Mangekyo Sharingan, Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, Six Tomoe Rinnegan. They had personally witnessed four morphological changes of these eyes.
Nagato could not see Ryun's Six Tomoe Rinnegan. He spoke out in one breath about his ordeal and Obito's ambition.
"My Rinnegan was stolen by Uchiha Obito. This Phantom Dragon Array technique was activated using the residual Rinnegan power... He wants to seize the Divine Tree, then become the Ten Tails Jinchuriki. Finally, by projecting Rinnegan power towards the moon, he intends to drag all living beings into an illusionary world called 'Infinite Tsukuyomi'."
The Akatsuki members originally stationed at the foot of the Divine Tree all showed shocked expressions.
"No wonder... no wonder the Six Paths of Pain suddenly went out of control. So your Rinnegan were gouged out."
This news felt even more explosive than the boss's Rinnegan.
Everyone present stopped speaking, instinctively looking towards their leader.
"I... know."
Ryun's expression and voice seemed utterly unruffled.
The leader remained extremely calm even after learning of the enemy's insane plan. This seemed very wrong to everyone present...
From his demeanor, it seemed as if he had known this would happen all along.
"We must stop him. We cannot let him take the Divine Tree. We should find him before he adapts to the Rinnegan."
Nagato's emotions seemed agitated and urgent. The restlessness on his face now formed a sharp contrast with Ryun's calmness. The Akatsuki members watching this scene felt strangely unable to speak...
Only Nagato, having lost his eyes, could not see Ryun's expression. He could not even perceive Ryun's figure or presence, only hearing that familiar voice.
"I know about this matter."
Ryun repeated the statement.
"Teacher, find a pair of Sharingan for Nagato to use for now." Ryun instructed Orochimaru.
With the Uzumaki clan's physique, handling a pair of Three Tomoe Sharingan was relatively easy.
Orochimaru's collection included many pairs of Sharingan, all gathered from battlefields by his subordinates.
"Alright." Orochimaru nodded seriously, accepting the task.
"As for the others, there is no need to guard the Divine Tree anymore. All members return to Otogakure and resume normal life. Wait for my summons later."
After saying this, Ryun actively severed the connection. The entire Akatsuki membership was left somewhat looking at each other in confusion.
"Ryun, Uchiha Obito can summon at any time..."
"Nagato, Ryun has already left." Konan hurriedly explained.
Hearing this, Nagato visibly froze for a moment. Without his eyes, he had even lost the ability to sense Ryun...
"The boss already knows about this. He will deal with Uchiha Obito and retrieve your eyes for you..." Kisame Hoshigaki offered words of comfort.
"Judging by the boss's demeanor earlier, he simply doesn't regard Uchiha Obito as a threat at all..." Sasori of the Red Sand's voice quietly sounded.
"Nagato, how exactly were your eyes gouged out? That guy is clearly very weak..." Deidara couldn't help but ask.
He had personally witnessed the boss instantly defeat that guy back then. How could someone like Nagato have his eyes taken by such a character?
"Yeah. How were your eyes taken? He shouldn't possibly be a match for you, right?" Hidan also reacted now.
"Everyone, return to the village first... We can let Nagato explain the reason later..." Konan said, then actively cut the communication.
After returning to the real world, she used her Paper Style to gather the bodies of the Six Paths of Pain, then decisively spread her wings and flew towards Otogakure.
Nagato's eyes were gouged out. Konan needed to return to his side immediately to care for him.
"Let's talk back in the village..." After saying this, Nagato also severed the connection. Without the Rinnegan, this illusionary space was becoming unstable.
Nagato felt the urgent priority was to immediately stop Uchiha Obito's scheme. Unfortunately, he was not the one in charge of Akatsuki now. All actions required Ryun's approval.
Especially now that he had lost the Rinnegan, his strength had plummeted to Jonin level. He certainly couldn't command these proud Akatsuki members anymore.
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