Black Zetsu's words caused Nagato's heart to instantly turn cold.
"Why... betray... me?"
Nagato's voice carried a bone-chilling chill.
Now that the final battle had begun, he could not understand why Black Zetsu would suddenly attack him at such a critical moment.
"Betrayal? That wording is merely your own wishful thinking."
Black Zetsu acted as though he had heard something absurd.
"Did you really think that by joining the Akatsuki, I became your subordinate? Nagato, you are still as naive as ever."
Nagato's expression darkened.
"Is it that Masked Man... Is Uchiha Madara after my Rinnegan?!"
This was the only explanation he could think of.
Otherwise, why would Black Zetsu suddenly turn against him now?
"Heh, you have gotten two things wrong."
Black Zetsu's voice carried a trace of amusement.
"First, the Masked Man is not Uchiha Madara. His true identity is Fugaku. Fugaku is only a pawn of Uchiha Madara, and his position is no different from yours."
"Second, these Rinnegan are not yours."
Although Nagato's body was already in poor condition, he had not reached the point of complete exhaustion.
Black Zetsu still needed time to fully take control of his body, so he patiently explained the truth.
This was the arrogance of a victor.
After all, such a grand performance would be meaningless if there was no one left to appreciate it.
"What... how is that possible? What nonsense are you saying?!"
The impact of Black Zetsu's words caused Nagato's thoughts to become chaotic for a moment.
Black Zetsu immediately took advantage of the opening and increased his control over Nagato's body.
Nagato's expression changed drastically.
He attempted to activate the power of the Rinnegan, but nothing happened.
"Nonsense? Nagato, you are merely a member of the Uzumaki Clan. How could you possibly awaken the Rinnegan?"
Black Zetsu's voice became cold.
"Do you really believe Jiraiya's foolish story about the so-called Child of Prophecy?"
"There has never been any Child of Prophecy."
"If such a person existed..."
Black Zetsu's tone suddenly became fierce.
"That person would be me!"
After shouting, Black Zetsu quickly returned to his usual calm expression.
"These eyes were transplanted into you by Uchiha Madara when you were young."
"When I was young..."
Nagato's eyes widened.
"Could it be..."
"That's right."
Black Zetsu smiled.
"The attack on your parents was also deliberately arranged by Uchiha Madara. Even your encounter with Jiraiya was part of his plan."
"Everything you experienced was guided by Uchiha Madara."
Each of Black Zetsu's words struck Nagato like a blade piercing his mind.
His entire body became cold.
My parents...
Were killed by Uchiha Madara?
My entire life...
Was I nothing more than a puppet controlled by someone else?
"Why?!"
Nagato roared.
"Why me?!"
"I only wanted a simple, ordinary life. Why did you choose me?!"
"Why?"
Black Zetsu laughed softly.
"The reason is simple."
"Because you, Nagato, were the vessel Uchiha Madara selected from the very beginning."
"You are a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan and possess the Senju Bloodline. Those two Bloodlines alone are enough for you to control the Rinnegan."
"Uchiha Madara kept you alive not only so you could nurture these eyes for him, but also so that you could eventually use the Outer Path: Reincarnation of Heavenly Life Technique to resurrect him."
Black Zetsu's laughter echoed through the cave.
"So you..."
"Should simply accept your fate and die."
"Don't... even think about it!"
Driven by overwhelming emotions, Nagato suddenly regained control over his own body.
Black Zetsu's Hand Seals were interrupted.
"I would rather die..."
"Than become..."
"Someone else's..."
"Pawn!"
A black rod appeared in Nagato's hand.
Without hesitation, he thrust it toward his own chest.
However, the black rod stopped before reaching him.
His arm froze in midair.
"Unable to move anymore, are you?"
Black Zetsu chuckled.
"This is a binding Fūinjutsu that Uchiha Madara implanted within your body."
"Whether you attempt to remove the seal or take your own life, your actions will be restricted."
Black Zetsu laughed.
"In other words..."
"Even your death is controlled by someone else."
A trace of unwillingness appeared in Nagato's eyes.
He did not fear death.
But he refused to die without meaning.
"Unwilling?"
"No, no. Do not think that way."
Black Zetsu's voice was filled with ridicule.
"You are sacrificing yourself for someone worthy of that sacrifice."
"Even Uchiha Madara himself is the same."
"Beneath the masses, all are merely pawns."
Black Zetsu spoke as if reciting a grand declaration.
Then he formed the final Hand Seal.
"Snake."
"Outer Path: Reincarnation of Heavenly Life Technique!"
The two voices sounded at the same time.
A massive figure appeared behind Nagato amidst layers of smoke.
Only the upper body of the enormous ash-colored being was visible.
Its lower half remained buried beneath the ground, as though connected to the Pure Land itself.
This description was not inaccurate.
The existence known as the King of Hell truly possessed the power to return souls from the Pure Land.
After the Gedo Statue appeared, it slowly opened its mouth.
A roar erupted from within.
It sounded like a cry from the depths of the underworld.
Immediately afterward, a blue orb of light appeared inside the Gedo Statue's mouth.
The surface of the orb resembled a mirror, covered with mysterious ripples.
A figure suddenly broke through the mirror-like surface and emerged.
Although the figure was translucent, his appearance could still be clearly seen.
Wild, long hair.
A young face.
A powerful and murderous presence.
He looked to be around thirty years old.
The illusory figure stepped out from the Gedo Statue and slowly descended to the ground.
Then, he walked toward Nagato.
By this point, Black Zetsu had already left Nagato's body.
Nagato trembled violently, his entire body drenched in sweat.
After using the Outer Path: Reincarnation of Heavenly Life Technique, there was only one possible outcome.
Death.
Nagato stared blankly at the figure before him.
He could not understand why this person could be resurrected.
The Outer Path: Reincarnation of Heavenly Life Technique should only be capable of reviving those who had recently died.
Then why...
Why could Uchiha Madara be resurrected?
If Uchiha Madara could return...
Why could Yahiko not be revived?!
After Yahiko's death, Nagato had not yet fully mastered the Rinnegan.
Years later, when he finally possessed the ability to use the Outer Path: Reincarnation of Heavenly Life Technique, he had not forgotten Yahiko.
He had tried to bring Yahiko back.
But he had failed.
Then why?
Why was Uchiha Madara different?
Why was it so unfair?
No matter how unwilling he was, his life was already coming to an end.
"Konan..."
"I have to leave you behind..."
"Live on alone."
"I'm going to find..."
"Yahiko now."
Nagato slowly closed his eyes.
When a person died, only an empty body remained behind.
Uchiha Madara's choice of Nagato had never been accidental.
His original body had already aged, and after resurrection, he needed a new vessel capable of carrying his soul.
Nagato possessed the Bloodlines of both the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju.
Such a body was the perfect vessel.
Therefore...
Uchiha Madara directly entered Nagato's body.
Nagato's eyes suddenly became empty.
Then, his entire body began radiating a purple-gold light.
His eyes changed into a golden color, and his Aura became overwhelmingly majestic.
His body, even his face, began transforming.
From his forehead down to his neck, every part of him slowly changed.
Finally...
Under the power of the Outer Path: Reincarnation of Heavenly Life Technique, Nagato completely disappeared.
Uchiha Madara had been resurrected.
A younger version of himself.
With both Rinnegan intact.
"This child Nagato..."
"He has grown, hasn't he."
~~~
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