Chapter 131: The Pawn's Fate
To speak truthfully—
Even though his body was already running on empty,
Nagato still didn't want to die.
He was burdened with too much: Yahiko's ideals… and Konan, who had been captured by Konoha Village.
"If you resurrect Madara Uchiha using the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, we'll find a way to bring you back with Reanimation Jutsu."
At this moment, the masked man—Uchiha Obito—looked at the hesitant Nagato and said calmly, "To be honest with you, Orochimaru is currently optimizing the forbidden technique: Edo Tensei. As long as we achieve a high enough level of purity, we can reincarnate you almost immediately."
"At that point, you'll technically be dead… but you'll still live."
"Heh…"
Nagato glanced at Uchiha Obito, Black Zetsu, and White Zetsu with cold contempt. He was no fool.
Earlier, he'd been too emotional to notice anything was off. But now, it was clear—
Obito, Black Zetsu, and White Zetsu were nesting dolls within nesting dolls.
"Let's drop the act, Nagato," Obito said, no longer bothering to pretend. "You have to sacrifice yourself to bring back Madara Uchiha. That's the only way we'll have a fighting chance against the Fifth Hokage."
"Exactly…" Black Zetsu sneered. "You're just a pawn. Since the beginning. Accept your fate and make the sacrifice."
"For the Moon's Eye Plan… you must die!" White Zetsu added with a chilling tone. "Lord Madara will take revenge for you."
"Hahaha…"
Nagato's laughter was filled with grief, as if fueled by a final burst of energy. "So that's it… Once I'm no longer useful, I'm discarded?"
"Let me tell you something—the Rinnegan is still in my possession!"
BOOM!!
The moment those words left his mouth—
A terrifying surge of chakra erupted from Nagato's Rinnegan.
But just as he prepared to act—
Uchiha Obito's figure flickered behind him in an instant. Before Nagato could react, a wooden rod pierced cleanly through his back, exiting from his chest.
"Y-You…?"
Nagato stared down at the rod in disbelief.
He never imagined Obito would strike so ruthlessly. After all, weren't they all just pawns? Why destroy your fellow piece so quickly?
"I didn't want to do this," Obito said coldly as he withdrew the rod. "But since you wouldn't comply, I had no choice. For the Moon's Eye Plan… I'll do anything. If you won't cooperate, I'll 'help' you."
Splurt—
As soon as the rod was pulled out, blood gushed uncontrollably, soaking Nagato's robe.
"Urgh…"
With his life draining rapidly, the light in Nagato's eyes dimmed. His grip on the Rinnegan weakened as he coughed violently, unable to speak.
He had nothing left. And now, with this fatal blow from Obito, even his resolve couldn't keep him standing.
"Do you know the real truth behind the Moon's Eye Plan?" Obito said coldly as he gazed at the dying Nagato. "Collecting the nine tailed beasts to create a weapon… was just a cover. The true plan is to resurrect the Ten Tails, and use Infinite Tsukuyomi on the entire world."
"…So that's it…"
Nagato, paralyzed on the floor, felt a final moment of clarity.
He had long suspected that the Moon's Eye Plan was not what he'd been told. And now, that suspicion was confirmed.
"Let's begin."
Obito gestured to Black Zetsu.
"Got it."
Swoosh!
A sound of displacement echoed through the cave.
Under Nagato's weakening gaze, Black Zetsu burrowed into his body, quickly taking control.
"Is this… the fate of all pawns?" Nagato thought, as he realized he could no longer move. "In the end… I lost everything—even to myself."
The only small comfort left to him was knowing that Konan was in Konoha Village—which meant, for now, she was safe.
Looking back on it all… it was almost laughable.
"…All right."
Moments later,
Black Zetsu, now in control of Nagato's body, said grimly, "I've taken full control. We can begin."
"Good," Obito nodded with anticipation, though his heart remained filled more with hate than hope.
"I'm ready," White Zetsu added as he quickly pulled Madara Uchiha's body from the ground. "We're finally bringing him back."
And in the very next moment—
BOOM!!
A monstrous surge of chakra exploded from Nagato's body. Under the control of Black Zetsu, dozens of hand seals were rapidly formed.
"Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique!!"
RUMBLE—
The Rinnegan released a devastating wave of pupil force.
A moment later,
A strange green aura of life energy enveloped Madara Uchiha's old corpse.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the aged, lifeless body began to rejuvenate. The aura of death faded, and in its place, vitality surged, transforming the withered form back into youth.
"His body is actually getting younger?!"
"As expected of Madara Uchiha… his life force is terrifying!" Obito and White Zetsu couldn't help but exclaim.
And then—
As the green aura faded away—
Nagato's body collapsed to the ground. The price of casting the forbidden jutsu was clear: all of his chakra and life force had been drained. He was now—truly—dead.
But on the other side…
Madara Uchiha's eyes slowly opened.
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