Chapter 166: Chapter 166 – A Warning
After chasing for a while and realizing he truly couldn't catch up to Satori Hyūga, Hanzo of the Sanshōuo called off his subordinates' pursuit.
If they couldn't defeat him in battle and couldn't even catch him during a chase, what was the point of continuing the hunt?
It was just unfortunate for the Akatsuki organization. After such extensive preparation, they had failed to capture all their targets at once.
Had they captured everyone together, they could have sold them all to Danzō Shimura in one transaction, making a huge profit.
Recently, cooperation with Danzō had brought in quite a lot of money.
Properties that were once unaffordable now filled his portfolio—luxurious mansions beyond count. Gourmet delicacies and expensive clothing were also piling up—far more than he could ever enjoy.
"Since when had the ninja world gained such a powerful figure?" muttered Hanzo of the Sanshōuo in confusion.
As for this sudden appearance of someone named Satori Hyūga who had taken Yahiko away, Hanzo combed through decades of memories but couldn't recall anyone similar.
He might not know, but that didn't mean no one else would.
Inside a remote and concealed cave,
Madara Uchiha sat in apparent meditation, his aged form radiating a deep, tiger-like aura. Long, slender tubes pierced his back.
Behind him stood an enormous stone statue within the cave, constantly channeling life energy into his body.
"Something terrible has happened, Lord Madara! The White Zetsu monitoring Nagato are all dead."
"The prison where Yahiko was being held had also descended into chaos. Nagato's close friend, Yahiko, has been taken away by a mysterious stranger and is now unaccounted for."
A White Zetsu rushed in urgently, reporting the grim news to Madara Uchiha.
The half-dozing Madara suddenly snapped his eyes open, a fierce light blazing in his gaze.
"What?! All the White Zetsu watching over Nagato are gone?"
Madara's eyes widened, his jet-black pupils flashing dangerously as a sense of foreboding surged within him.
It felt as if something had slipped beyond his control.
"You," Madara commanded, "go bring me Black Zetsu."
Following Madara's order, it wasn't long before a dark-skinned creature appeared before him.
This was Black Zetsu, the third son of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—the most dutiful of children.
Having spent a millennium setting everything in motion, he was now deceiving Madara Uchiha himself, secretly advancing the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan to rescue his mother, who was trapped on the moon.
"Lord Madara, what's the matter?"
Black Zetsu asked upon arriving, clearly unaware of what had happened.
Madara gestured for the White Zetsu to explain again, which finally made Black Zetsu understand—the Rinnegan's host had become the issue.
Concerned about the Rinnegan's safety, Black Zetsu immediately grew anxious.
That eye was a crucial key to gathering the Nine Tailed Beasts, reviving the Ten-Tails, and triggering the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan.
If it were lost, the project might stall indefinitely, delaying their plans for untold years more.
He immediately proposed an idea to Madara Uchiha.
"Let me go check things out in the Land of Rain."
"The Rinnegan is of utmost importance. If anything really went wrong, the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan could face indefinite delay, along with all our carefully laid schemes."
Seeing Black Zetsu's anxious expression, Madara sensed something amiss—but couldn't yet pinpoint why.
He said in a deep voice, "A mysterious stranger has appeared in the Land of Rain. It might be connected to Nagato—it could be the one who killed White Zetsu."
"I plan to go there myself and see just who this person is that managed to snatch someone straight from Sanshouo Hanzo's clutches."
Thanks to his sharp sixth sense, Madara Uchiha sensed something was off.
Besides, he wasn't fully aged yet and still had the strength for battle. This trip would even be a good opportunity to stretch his legs.
Seeing this, Black Zetsu made no further attempt to stop him.
If Madara Uchiha himself decided to go, things would naturally be better handled.
His strength ranked among the very top in the ninja world.
Even if some demon or monster showed up in the Land of Rain, he wouldn't fear it.
Black Zetsu would show no mercy to anyone or anything standing in the way of saving their mother.
As Black Zetsu led Madara Uchiha toward the Land of Rain, Satori Hyūga brought Yahiko into the Akatsuki organization.
Yahiko was still confused when Satori casually tossed Yahiko into the cave.
"The promise I made to you has been fulfilled. Once I finish the eye transplantation for Nagato, I'm leaving this country—hurry up and bring out Nagato."
Satori's straightforward approach temporarily earned the recognition of Konan and Nagato.
They realized he truly only wanted the eyes, which gradually increased their trust in Satori.
Nagato approached Satori with a puzzled look and asked, "Why do I feel like you're so eager to leave the Land of Rain? It feels like something is chasing you."
"Did you bring that Semi-Immortal, Sanshouo Hanzo, here?"
Satori scoffed coldly and disdainfully replied, "What joke is this? Would I ever fear a mere Sanshouo Hanzo?"
"If not for staying low-key, I could easily defeat—or even massacre—that so-called Semi-Immortal with a single hand."
Listening to Satori's dismissive tone, Nagato felt increasingly puzzled.
"If you're already that strong, then what exactly are you afraid of?"
"Hanzo may be old and decaying, but his power shouldn't be underestimated—he once led the Land of Rain in repelling Konoha."
"If you aren't even scared of him, then what are you afraid of?"
Constant talk of fear angered Satori.
During the eye removal process, Satori deliberately left Nagato's optic pain nerves intact.
Caught completely off guard, Nagato let out a pained scream.
Hearing Nagato scream in agony, Satori chuckled.
"Kid, stop talking nonsense. I'm not scared—I simply want to avoid unnecessary trouble."
"That Rinnegan you have? Like I said, it's the source of all trouble—a harbinger of calamity and misfortune. It will cost you everything and lead you down a path of darkness."
"Once I take it, the trouble will follow me instead."
"There's an old man who might come looking for me. While I'm not afraid of him, I'd prefer not to reveal my full strength just yet."
"And you guys from Akatsuki—after the eye transplant, I suggest you escape while you still can."
"Better yet, disappear completely—flee under new identities and vanish from sight."
Truth was, Satori wanted to leave quickly precisely to evade Madara Uchiha.
But avoiding him didn't mean he feared Madara.
Satori planned to adopt the role of the sparrow watching behind the mantis, quietly build up his strength until the final act, while seizing chances to stir chaos from the shadows.
After all, revealing oneself too early only leaks intelligence and allows others to develop countermeasures early.
Better to play the part of a crafty old fox.
After hearing Satori Hyūga's words, Nagato only now realized just how much trouble those eyes of his could bring.
Whoever gave him those eyes certainly had no good intentions—and possessed great strength.
Look at this Mysterious Stranger before you. He possesses power akin to that of a god, and he, too, does not wish to be discovered.
Satori's words left Nagato in deep turmoil.
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