"Uchiha Kawasaki nominated himself. Given his status as an honorary elder, it requires a vote to be official."
"Kawasaki has been winning over many ninja clans recently. That might be why the Uchiha clan was nominated for the Fifth Hokage candidacy."
The Raikage's thick fingers drummed against the table, producing a series of dull thuds. "Does Uchiha Kawasaki truly want the position of Hokage?"
Dodai, who always had a keen political sense, replied, "Based on his past behavior, it doesn't seem likely. But it's unclear what his true intentions are right now."
"But one thing is certain," Dodai said calmly. "The Third Hokage's sudden resignation was likely due to pressure from Kawasaki behind the scenes."
The Raikage frowned and nodded. "Yugito and Killer Bee's safe return this time is entirely thanks to the Uchiha."
"Although the deal fell through, the Hidden Cloud owes them a favor. If Kawasaki needs anything in the future, we must provide our full support."
Dodai was already well-informed about the battle. He knew that without the Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan, it was hard to say if those two Jinchūriki would have made it back.
"I understand." After acknowledging the order, Dodai produced a file. "Lord Raikage, this is all the information we have gathered on the Akatsuki."
The Raikage opened the file, which contained information on numerous Akatsuki members. The details on individuals like Kakuzu, Sasori of the Red Sand, Deidara, and Jūzō Biwa were relatively extensive. These men were already infamous rogue ninja before joining the Akatsuki, so it was natural to have more information on them.
However, the files on other members, like Hihō and the man suspected to be the Akatsuki's leader, were sparse, containing only a portrait and a brief description of their jutsu.
Hihō's entry noted his mastery of Water Release, a secret technique that could instantly boost chakra levels, and his knowledge of the Hozuki Clan's secret arts, suggesting he might be a member of the clan.
Pain's entry described him as having a mysterious origin and possessing a powerful dōjutsu capable of wiping out an army with a single attack.
Beyond the Akatsuki, the file also included information on Hyōrei and Kyōkotsu. However, the Hidden Cloud had only managed to gather their physical descriptions and the possibility that they were remnants of the Kaguya and Yuki clans. Like Hihō, these two also used the same secret technique, but the connection between them remained unknown.
The Raikage scanned the documents, the faces of these individuals leaving a deep impression on him.
"For now, we can only focus on recuperating our strength," the Raikage sighed with a hint of frustration.
With the Hidden Mist having such powerful allies and hidden cards, the Hidden Cloud couldn't think of starting another war anytime soon. At the very least, attacking the Mist was no longer a viable path.
...
In the Land of Whirlpools, inside a seaside cavern.
Nagato and Konan remained hidden there.
The dōjutsu power he had lost from using the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique had gradually started to recover over the past few days. Nagato could even sense that ever since he stopped supplying energy to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the improvement in his physical health had played a key role in the restoration of his Rinnegan's power.
The resonance from the statue made Nagato feel an intense sense of urgency. Although his dōjutsu power had not fully recovered, his strengthening body filled him with confidence. He decided to proceed with the injection of the Hashirama cell solution immediately.
Anticipating this due to Nagato's previous condition, Konan had already prepared basic medical equipment, nutrient solutions, and medicine. Thanks to Kawasaki, Konan was not short on funds, and she carried everything they needed in storage scrolls.
Konan spent some time setting up the cavern and placed warning traps around the perimeter.
Nagato, meanwhile, used this downtime to test the other five Pains. Even with the black receivers removed from their backs, Nagato could still control the remaining five bodies. However, his control range was limited, and Yahiko's revival had greatly diminished the power of the Six Paths. There was no time to create a new Six Paths. At best, they could be used for diversions, which was better than nothing.
Konan prepared a cot, and Nagato lay down on it. He let out a breath, feeling the surface against his back. Though he had lain down a few times recently, the hardship of the past fifteen years spent unable to do so still made him cherish the feeling of a bed.
Konan knew well the suffering Nagato had endured over the years. "Do you want to rest for a while first?" she asked.
Nagato affectionately rubbed his cheek against the bed before his expression turned resolute. "We'll have plenty of time for that in the future."
Konan's eyes filled with hope. "Yes, we'll have plenty of time in the future."
She then laid out all the necessary medicines and nutrient packs. The future was uncertain, so it was always best to be prepared. Next, she connected the basic monitoring equipment. Having cared for Nagato for so long, Konan was intimately familiar with these devices. However, medical equipment could only do so much—monitor his vital signs at most. The most critical factor was the power of his Rinnegan.
Konan took out the glowing vial of Hashirama cell solution. She drew it into a syringe, flicked it a few times, and carefully expelled the air bubbles without losing any of the precious liquid.
"Nagato, although we've seen this done before, injecting such a large amount of the cell solution is still risky."
"The time it will take to integrate is unknown. You need to be mentally prepared." Konan raised the syringe. "Nagato, I'm starting."
Nagato didn't speak, only nodding slightly.
Konan took a deep breath, inserted the needle into Nagato's arm, and slowly pushed the plunger.
At first, there was no reaction.
As the solution entered his bloodstream, the veins beneath Nagato's skin began to slowly writhe. Nagato let out a muffled grunt as a faint purple glow emanated from his Rinnegan. As time passed, the pulsation of his veins intensified, especially around his heart.
"Ugh... ugh..."
Nagato let out a pained groan. Even he, a man who had endured years of agony, could not withstand the invasive nature of the Hashirama cells. The pain seemed to originate from the depths of his very soul, making it almost unbearable.
Konan watched with a worried expression, her eyes fixed on the fluctuating numbers on the monitor. Soon, the instruments became useless. Trusting in Nagato, she could only stand by and watch silently.
Time crawled by. Five minutes, ten minutes, twenty minutes...
Nagato's voice grew hoarse. He had never felt time pass so slowly. He could feel the Hashirama cells gradually merging with his own blood. A sliver of relief washed over him as he thought the ordeal was almost over.
But in that instant, the will of the Hashirama cells erupted violently.
An immense wave of pain crashed over him, causing his body to convulse. A tortured scream escaped his lips. "Aaargh!"
Konan was startled but remained helpless.
Enduring the soul-tearing agony, Nagato forced his Rinnegan to activate. The very air seemed to tremble as an immense dōjutsu power poured down into him. A flood of complex and chaotic information surged through Nagato's mind, accompanied by a series of fragmented images.
He pushed his Rinnegan to its limit, and under the suppression of its power, the rampaging will of the Hashirama cells finally began to subside. The pain vanished from his body in an instant.
He gasped for air, his body finally relaxing after what felt like an eternity. Sweat soaked his clothes, and his mouth was parched. He felt as if he had just been pulled from the water. Only after the torment ceased did he realize how much his throat hurt as well.
Nagato's mouth hung open, like a fish gasping for air out of water. Just then, Konan administered a potion, feeding it into his mouth. It was like a godsend. Nagato greedily swallowed it down. As he continued to pant, the burning in his throat began to ease slightly.
"Hah... hah..."
A look of joy appeared on Konan's face. "Did it work?"
Nagato gave a wry smile. "This is just the beginning..."
...
After Black Zetsu issued the order to find Nagato, the White Zetsu clones mobilized at once. Besides searching for the Rinnegan, they were also to report any other valuable intelligence they found. Countless White Zetsu used the Mayfly technique to scout in all directions.
Soon, a White Zetsu discovered some important clues at the Fire Temple in the Land of Fire. He immediately returned to report his findings.