I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 331 Uchiha Yoru's Gedo Mazo

Leaf.

Naruto Uzumaki, feeling dazed and confused, walked onto the street. Ordinary civilians didn't seem to mind, but the ninjas seemed to be avoiding him as if he were a plague.

Now that Naruto's senses are heightened, he can clearly perceive the whispers and pointing behind the backs of these ninjas.

"It's Naruto Uzumaki. This guy acts recklessly because his father is the Fourth Hokage."

"What happened?"

"You don't know, I'll tell you in a secret, it's because this kid's father is a fourth-generation descendant, otherwise most people would have..."

"It was Naruto Uzumaki who secretly taught others A-rank ninjutsu, and he was also a rogue ninja."

"I heard that this kid has a reckless personality and is known as the 'accidental ninja' who even killed his own teammate. If he weren't the son of the Fourth Hokage, he would have been imprisoned long ago."

These days, no matter where Naruto goes, he can see his fellow village ninjas secretly pointing and whispering about him. He wants to argue back, but when faced with those eyes that he used to reject when he was a child, he becomes somewhat timid.

That look reminded him of his childhood. Just as Naruto was feeling down and pushed open the door to his luxurious home, a white-haired figure appeared in the living room.

"Naruto, you're back."

Jiraiya sat leisurely in the living room, his eyes half-closed, holding a cup of sake and enjoying its nourishing effects.

"The Lustful Immortal"

Naruto Uzumaki seemed to have been hit hard, weakly raising his hand as he spoke. Jiraiya, however, seemed not to notice, instead raising his eyebrows and teasing, "Naruto, pack your things, we're going to Mount Myōboku to train later."

"Go cultivate?"

Naruto, devoid of his usual carefree attitude, only showed a rather indifferent curiosity.

Jiraiya squinted, toying with his wine cup, and said, "Indeed, the Fourth Shinobi World War is imminent. Once it breaks out, this war will be the most intense in nearly a hundred years."

"And you are the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of the village. According to Nagato's information, Obito has already summoned the Gedo Mazo through the Rinnegan. The Nine-Tails inside you is Obito's target."

When Naruto heard this, he didn't shout. Instead, he frowned and said in a low voice, "Perverted Sage, isn't there Gaara too?"

This time, Jiraiya rarely showed a hint of appreciation. It seems that this setback has also helped Naruto grow, and he has even learned to think.

"Indeed, there are indeed perverted sages, but Gaara is different from you. Shukaku's power is not too strong and he is not the main target. Also, Gaara and Shukaku get along well, so he can be considered a perfect Jinchūriki."

At this point, Jiraiya glanced meaningfully at Naruto, "And Karin Uzumaki is also a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I can tell you that this little girl had already achieved peaceful coexistence with the Nine-Tails before Gaara, becoming a perfect Jinchuriki."

"So once war breaks out and the front lines need your strength, Naruto, if you haven't mastered the Nine-Tails' power yet, it will be difficult for you to cope with the danger."

Upon hearing this, Naruto showed a hint of disappointment and said in a low voice, "Perverted Sage, am I really that bad?"

At this moment, Jiraiya's face showed a complicated expression, while Naruto Uzumaki sat down at the table and picked up a glass of water, drinking it with a dejected expression.

"Everyone is talking about me behind my back. I can feel it. All I see in their eyes is distance, like when I was a child. There's even a hint of jealousy. I understand that this is what Sasuke meant when he said that everything I have now is thanks to my parents."

"Even among Jinchūriki, I'm almost the worst one. Gaara and Karin are both stronger than me. I've hardly grown at all over the years and have been stagnant."

Naruto, growing increasingly agitated, looked up at Jiraiya and solemnly asked, "Perverted Sage, tell me! Was I wrong? Then what should I have done to be right?"

Faced with Naruto's gaze, Jiraiya remained silent for a long time. After savoring the sake in his mouth, he finally spoke after a long while.

"Naruto, maybe you don't need to think so much. Just be yourself and be a good, simple ninja."

At this point, Jiraiya immediately revealed an exaggerated smile, "Naruto, I'm really looking forward to seeing you get married and have children. I wonder what kind of woman you'll marry in the future."

"Perverted sage." After being interrupted by Jiraiya, Naruto regained some of his energy and couldn't help but show a helpless expression.

"Haha, come here, Naruto, tell your teacher what kind of woman you like, and I'll give you some advice."

"A lecherous immortal!"

"Don't be embarrassed, Naruto. Your father told you back then..."

And so, Naruto's life seemed to have returned to square one.

……

Inside the dark cave, Obito let out a cold laugh.

"Heh heh, it seems that Uchiha Yoru has discovered the secret of the Rinnegan. After all, Nagato still has one Rinnegan, and Konoha still has Orochimaru, that freak."

Black Zetsu said hoarsely from the side, "Most of Konoha's strongmen have rushed to the front line, but Uchiha Yoru has rarely shown his face in the village recently. According to intelligence, Uchiha Yoru claims to be practicing forbidden techniques."

Upon hearing this, Obito scoffed, "Forbidden technique! What forbidden technique does Uchiha Yoru need to learn? He's probably discovered the secret of the Rinnegan and is secretly plotting to obtain it."

Faced with Obito's guess, Black Zetsu remained silent for a long time before finally saying in a hoarse voice, "Obito, Nagato led Amegakure to join Konoha. For a period of time, there was almost no news from Konoha, and then Nagato went to the front line."

"I'm afraid it's just as you think. The secret of the Rinnegan has been exposed. Uchiha Yoru has discovered that the Rinnegan exists above the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"Hmph! With Orochimaru around, and considering the Sharingan and Wood Release powers within the Rinnegan, it's normal for it to be discovered. What I'm more interested in now is whether Uchiha Yoru will succeed!"

Obito's eyes flashed with anger. "Zetsu, tell me the information about when Madara awakened the Rinnegan. I now suspect that Uchiha Yoru was secretly injecting Wood Release cells, and even! This is the best time to kill Uchiha Yoru."

"Obito, Madara paid a heavy price to awaken the Rinnegan. After all, it was made of Wood Release cells. Even if Uchiha Yoru's body could succeed, he would still need a period of time to adapt to the backlash from the Wood Release cells."

As Zetsu recounted the circumstances of Madara's awakening, Obito couldn't help but reveal a playful smile.

"Injecting Wood Release cells, let's not even talk about whether we can withstand the backlash. Even if we can, Uchiha Yoru will be at his weakest during this time. Perhaps we can eliminate this most threatening enemy ahead of time."

"Obito! What do you plan to do?" At this moment, Black Zetsu couldn't help but feel a hint of worry. Uchiha Yoru was extremely dangerous, and he was worried about Obito.

After all, it seems that Obito never gained any advantage from Uchiha Yoru.

Obito sneered, "Don't worry, I'm not that stupid. Uchiha Yoru has been cunning since he was a child. Since he is hiding in the village, if I launch a surprise attack, he will definitely have a strategy to counter me. After all, the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques have all fallen into Konoha's hands."

Seeing that it wasn't Obito who was going to take the risk himself, Zetsu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said in a hoarse voice, "Most of Konoha's ninjas have been transferred to the front lines, leaving only regular defensive ninjas in the rear."

"Especially the Jonin, almost all of them were transferred away. Kakashi, Guy, Jiraiya and other strong people were almost all transferred to the front line."

Upon hearing Black Zetsu's report, Obito frowned and said in a deep voice, "Where are the three Fifth Hokage, Mei Terumi, Pakura, and Tsunade? And how many Kage-level fighters are left in Konoha?"

"Tsunade, Mei Terumi, and Pakura are still stationed in the village as the Fifth Hokage. According to intelligence, almost all the Kage-level shinobi have been deployed to the front lines, leaving only Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha in the village."

Upon hearing this, Obito narrowed his eyes. "Tsunade Senju, Mei Terumi, Pakura, Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha—five people! Three of Yoru Uchiha's women, and two of Yoru Uchiha's disciples. This time, I'll see how long Yoru Uchiha can hide!"

"Zetsu, continue to secretly gather intelligence on the Konoha ninja on the front lines, especially paying attention to the movements of Kage-level fighters. This time, I'm going to invade Konoha!"

When the mysterious purple Rinnegan appeared in his left eye, Obito revealed a bloodthirsty and ferocious smile.

……

Leaf, the base of the roots underground.

The space was dark and vast, with countless barriers set up all around.

Within the vast space, there was a colossal monster with nine terrifying eyes. Its appearance resembled a giant humanoid figure with nine eyes, and its color and body were like withered wood. Ten pillar-like objects protruded from its back.

At this moment, not all nine eyes were open; only half of them were open.

This is the Gedo Mazo, but it's slightly smaller than the original.

At this moment, in front of the enormous demonic statue of the Outer Path, sat a huge golden nine-tailed creature, though this nine-tailed creature seemed to be malnourished.

"Damn it, if this goes on any longer I'll be drained dry."

Kurama opened its mouth and shouted loudly in dissatisfaction, while Karin Uzumaki, enveloped in golden chakra, glared at Kurama and scolded it directly: "What's wrong with using a little of your chakra? Stop whining, you stingy fox."

"Just a little bit of chakra!" At this moment, Kurama's fox eyes widened as it looked at its shriveled and thinner body and roared in frustration.

"Open your eyes and look! It's been three years! I just recovered my chakra and you dragged me out like this! This Gedo Mazo was created by absorbing a portion of the chakra of the other eight tailed beasts. Back then, this thing's nine eyes were barely open, and now look at them!"

Looking at the nine large eyes that were half-open, Karin Uzumaki stared wide-eyed. "What's wrong! You used a tiny bit of your chakra for Lord Yoru?"

"Is this just a little bit? For the past three years, whenever I had free time, you dragged me here to channel chakra into this thing!"

The Nine-Tails has had a tough three years. It was forced into a corner. It was either a three-year laborer or to be absorbed by the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Even a fool would know which choice to make.

In the end, he chose the first option.

Karin and Kurama were bickering again, while in the research room, Orochimaru looked at the data and smiled with excitement.

"Night Lord, that's about enough. Although it's not perfect, that's precisely why the danger has been minimized."

At this moment, Orochimaru was looking at the Gedo Mazo as if it were a perfect work of art, his golden snake eyes filled with admiration.

"A perfect Gedo Mazo is like a strong adult ninja, while this one is like a teenager. The risk is reduced, and it works perfectly with your perfect Oni-Garuru, Night Lord."

"Yoru-kun, do you know that if this Gedo Mazo were any stronger, your Oni-Garra Forbidden Technique might not be able to absorb and fuse with it, and you might end up like a Jinchūriki instead?"

At this point, Orochimaru shook his head, revealing a hint of disdain.

"In my opinion, the Jinchuriki is a failed creation. Although they can utilize the power of the Tailed Beasts, it is ultimately not their own. On the other hand, your forbidden technique, Oni-Garara, allows you to fuse the power of the Tailed Beasts into one's own body."

"Even!" Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked his lips in a perverse manner, greedily staring at Uchiha Yoru's body.

"The cells within Night Lord's body, having awakened the power of all things, seem to have reverted to their ancestral state. I've discovered that Night Lord's cells are actually somewhat similar to this monster, the Gedo Mazo! Haha! Night Lord, do you know what this discovery means?!"

Seeing Orochimaru's excitement, Uchiha Yoru smiled. Orochimaru was getting more and more outrageous, but that was just right. This pure scientist's mentality was the key to their cooperation.

"What exactly happened a thousand years ago, and what the Sage of Six Paths was all about, are things we can't verify. But I think these secrets won't be long, and one day we will uncover them all."

As Uchiha Yoru spoke, Orochimaru revealed an expression of admiration for his kindred spirit.

They are both the same kind of people, the kind who are obsessed with power, but too many people do not agree with their ideas and consider them heretical.

Although the two are the same type of people, and even pursue the same goal of exploring and discovering the true meaning of this world, their methods are different.

Orochimaru uses scientific research methods, while Uchiha Yoru uses power. It's a win-win situation for the two of them, with no conflict between them.

"However, Lord Night, the power of the Gedo Mazo is far too immense. In fact, it's almost not even a creature from the ninja world in our understanding. Based on our analysis, it will take at least three months for the forbidden technique, Oni-Garra, to be perfectly integrated!"

Orochimaru paused here, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "In other words, Night Lord, your physical body must remain here for the next three months, and I will be constantly monitoring your physical changes."

"Understood."

Uchiha Yoru smiled; his long-planned goal was finally about to be mostly achieved.

The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path! Or perhaps the Ten-Tails, sealed within his body to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, so that he could master the power of the Six Paths?

To become a Jinchūriki, and given the instability of the Ten-Tails, Uchiha Yoru had his own plan from the beginning: to cultivate a Ten-Tails himself.

Then, he merged with and absorbed the Ten-Tails, rather than becoming a so-called Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.

The Ten-Tails is a unique creature of the Otsutsuki clan. It is both a sapling of the Divine Tree and the origin of chakra. Some even say that only by having the Ten-Tails devour an Otsutsuki can it become the Divine Tree.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Yoru smiled.

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(End of this chapter)