Naruto: Zanka No Tachi

"Zetsu, what's your plan? Is it the Rinnegan?" Nagato, his body controlled by Black Zetsu, asked gravely.

They were far from Konoha, not heading towards Amegakure. Nagato knew Zetsu had his own plans. His most valuable asset was the Rinnegan.

"The Rinnegan? Yes and no. You'll soon know my purpose."

"I didn't expect you to lose to Yusuke, and Obito is probably dead. The plan is ahead of schedule; we need to revive him early," Black Zetsu said.

"Him?"

Black Zetsu said darkly, "Yes. Someone who can defeat Yusuke. The Rinnegan's true owner!"

Nagato was shocked, "What do you mean? Aren't these my eyes?"

Black Zetsu laughed. When he stopped, he said, "The Rinnegan is the final form of the Sharingan. You, not an Indra descendant, couldn't have Rinnegan."

"The Rinnegan's true owner is the strongest Uchiha ever, Madara Uchiha!"

Black Zetsu paused. He wasn't sure if Madara could defeat Yusuke; only a fight would tell.

"Maybe I shouldn't have chosen Obito, but Yusuke?"

Black Zetsu thought. But it was fortunate he hadn't; Yusuke, knowing their plans, would have killed him years ago.

Black Zetsu then explained how Madara gave Nagato the Rinnegan, and how he and Obito guided Nagato to master it and execute the "Infinite Tsukuyomi" plan—things Nagato didn't know.

Nagato felt cold; his plans and power were orchestrated by others; he was just a pawn.

Nagato remembered the scroll Yusuke left in the Rain Country cave after sparing him and Konan:

"Those coming for you will use you. If you want true peace, come to the Land of Fire."

The scroll held only two sentences, but Yusuke seemed to know about Obito and Black Zetsu's plans. Nagato, overconfident in his power, believed he could conquer the ninja world with Akatsuki and chose Obito and Zetsu's "Infinite Tsukuyomi" plan.

"Maybe I'm not the 'Child of Prophecy' Jiraiya-sensei talked about. Maybe it's Yusuke," Nagato thought.

"If I'd listened to Konan and gone to the Land of Fire, this wouldn't have happened. I need to tell Konan!"

Nagato knew he was doomed; his greatest concern was Konan.

He tried to use chakra, but Black Zetsu absorbed it; he couldn't resist.

"Nagato, don't struggle. It'll soon be over,"

Black Zetsu said. He took Nagato to Madara's hidden cave, a secret base for Obito and Black Zetsu.

Black Zetsu opened a mechanism; a two-foot-wide hole appeared, and a coffin rose. Inside was Madara's corpse.

"You want me to use Rinne Rebirth?" Nagato asked.

Black Zetsu smiled darkly, "Yes. Luckily, your Rinnegan has three tomoe; a normal Rinnegan wouldn't suffice."

Black Zetsu controlled Nagato's hand seals. Nagato struggled, but couldn't resist. Sweat poured from him; bloodshot filled his Rinnegan. He wasn't afraid of death, but of Konan.

"Samsara of Heavenly Life!"

Black Zetsu finally completed the jutsu. Nagato's red hair turned gray as his life force drained.

Bright white light shone into the coffin; Madara's body revived; his gray hair became black, his muscles filled out.

Madara opened his eyes—empty black sockets. He moved, sensing his surroundings.

"Samsara of Heavenly Life? Zetsu, where's Obito? How's the tailed beast collection?" Madara asked.

Black Zetsu reported everything. Madara showed no emotion.

He approached the dying Nagato, took back his Rinnegan, and implanted it into his own eye sockets.

Normally, an eye transplant requires surgery. Even limbs need surgery. But Madara's Hashirama cells allowed him to self-repair. The cells connected the nerves, and in seconds, Madara controlled the Rinnegan.

"Nagato, considering your contributions to the organization, I'll let you leave a final message," Madara said calmly, looking at the frail Nagato, who looked even weaker than after the Gedō Mazō had drained his life force. He could barely speak.

"Tell Konan…ten years ago…her decision was right…Yahiko and I's dream…she must protect it…"

Nagato, his eyes vacant, looked at Madara, awaiting a response.

"Fine,"

Madara said briefly, agreeing to spare Konan and deliver the message.

Nagato smiled, relieved, and closed his eyes, lifeless.

"Master, should we spare Konan? She's a key Akatsuki member; she knows much," Black Zetsu asked.

"My word is absolute. Once the Infinite Tsukuyomi is complete, all life will be under my control! She's just living a little longer."

"Let's get the tailed beasts in Amegakure, then deal with Orochimaru and take the other Rinnegan. And the Uchiha clan head, Yusuke…"

"Does he dare dance before me, Madara Uchiha?!"

Days after Akatsuki and Sunagakure attacked Konoha, the news spread, causing a sensation. The ninja world was shocked by this powerful organization; five S-rank missing-nin appeared, and their leader possessed the Rinnegan.

What shocked everyone was that even with Sunagakure, they couldn't defeat Konoha, not even a draw.

Konoha announced that Nagato was defeated and escaped, Obito was dead, Sasori and Orochimaru escaped, Kisame and Kakuzu were captured, and Rasa and Gaara were captured. Many Akatsuki and Sunagakure ninjas died or surrendered; Konoha's prison was full, with prisoners held in an old abandoned prison.

The ninja world now feared Konoha's power, raising its prestige to its peak, like the Konoha ruled by the Senju and Uchiha clans after the Warring States Period.

The Uchiha clan's prestige also reached its peak, without the Senju clan to rival them. The Uchiha became the strongest clan.

Yusuke and Nagato's battle was hailed as the greatest since Hashirama and Madara's fight at the Valley of the End. Yusuke, the victor, solidified his position as the strongest.

The final Chunin Exam matches weren't held, but rankings were determined. Konoha gave assessments and promotions to all participants (except Sunagakure and Amegakure). Konoha promoted its genin to chūnin.

Yusuke and Minato didn't hold back; all the Konoha 11 were promoted. Their experience was limited, but their strength was at chūnin level. Ino Yamanaka was promoted to jōnin.

Days later, some ninjas stayed to exchange ideas with Konoha, including Kumogakure.

Samui, Omoi, Darui, and Atsui visited Yusuke. They wanted Killer B and Yugito back.

"Yusuke-sama, congratulations on defeating Nagato. We didn't want to disturb you during your busy post-war period,"

Samui said respectfully.

Having seen Yusuke's power, especially against Nagato's Chibaku Tensei, they were cautious. Even the hot-headed Karui was subdued.

"Samui, I thought you returned to Kumogakure. What brings you here? Want to join Konoha for world peace?"

Yusuke asked, feigning ignorance.

Samui chuckled awkwardly, "We're here about Killer B and Yugito. Could you help us?"

Yusuke smiled, "But you didn't place in the top three in the Chunin Exams. That's against our agreement."

Omoi stepped forward, "Yusuke-sama, I, Omoi, was in the top four. But the attack prevented the final match."

Yusuke stroked his chin, "So you want to finish the match. Your opponent was my student, Ino, right?"

"I'll have her spar with you. If you win, Kumogakure fulfills the agreement."

The Kumogakure ninjas looked at each other, knowing Omoi couldn't beat Ino.

Yusuke smiled, took out a letter, and gave it to Samui.

"I was joking. Minato and I agreed; Kumogakure can redeem Killer B and Yugito. This letter is for your Raikage."

The Kumogakure ninjas were surprised. They thought they'd failed, but now they had a chance.

They bowed again. Samui said excitedly, "Thank you, Yusuke-sama and the Hokage. Kumogakure will be Konoha's strongest ally!"

Yusuke smiled, "I believe Kumogakure knows how to treat Konoha."

The Kumogakure ninjas felt threatened, but they had no power to oppose Konoha.

They left with the letter for the Raikage. Samui would inform the Raikage and Tsuchikage, reconsidering their foreign policy towards Konoha.

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