The Demon King, reborn in Japan as a monk

"I had no idea when I had a man," Konan said calmly, her gaze fixed intently on Nagato.

Although her relationship with Nagato was merely that of childhood friends and disciples of the same master, with feelings akin to family, it's unlikely that she wouldn't have any other thoughts after taking care of him for so long.

Especially after Yahiko's death, Konan placed almost all her hopes on Nagato.

Or rather, Nagato is now not only family and companion, but also the embodiment of her and Yahiko's wishes!

Even if Nagato is special, he's not so special that he can arbitrarily decide her marriage.

Most importantly, I didn't even discuss it with her.

What do they take her for? An ordinary Akatsuki member, someone who has to obey every order?

“It was my decision just now,” Nagato sighed.

"Why?" Xiao Nan asked, her eyes filled with even more sorrow.

“Because I’m about to die,” Nagato replied.

"What?" Xiao Nan exclaimed.

"I'll come back later." With that, Ishihara Sho activated his ability and left Amegakure.

……

“I’m about to die, not because of him, but simply because my life force is almost exhausted, so I’m handing you over to Ishihara,” Nagato explained to Konan with an air of seriousness.

"Who is he? Why haven't I seen him before?" Xiao Nan asked, frowning.

"His name is Ishihara Akira. As for his identity... you can think of him as the ruler of the world, a god, an immortal, whatever you want. Just know that he is a being who transcends us and can influence the operation of the world. And the reason I know him... do you remember the period of depression I experienced after Yahiko's death?"

Xiao Nan nodded.

"That's when I met him, and it was because of him that I wanted to become the new world's Kami. Unfortunately, I underestimated the drain the Rinnegan would have on me... Just as he told me, these eyes are not my own, but were implanted in me by someone else."

What does that mean?

Chapter 250 Taking Over the Akatsuki Organization

"It means exactly what it says. Ishihara told me that my eyes weren't mine, but Madara Uchiha's. The reason he gave them to me wasn't out of kindness, but because I'm a member of the Uzumaki clan, possessing vitality far exceeding that of others, which allowed him to nurture these eyes, prevent them from developing problems, and make it easier for Madara Uchiha to retrieve them in the future. At first, I didn't believe what Ishihara said, thinking he was just a liar, but the result... you've seen it. Have you ever heard of anyone's eyes endangering their owner's life due to overuse?"

Xiao Nan shook her head.

Although something went wrong when Itachi Uchiha was alive, he hid it very well and didn't let anyone know that he was dying. So apart from Zetsu, Obito Uchiha, and Kisame Hoshigaki was the only one in the Akatsuki organization who knew his condition best.

"If Ishihara is truly, as you say, an existence beyond the norm, a god, then why doesn't he come out to stop the war?" Konan asked again after a moment of silence.

"Have you ever seen a human pay attention to the fight between ants?" Nagato retorted. Without waiting for Konan's reply, Nagato continued, "Although we are not ants, it doesn't really matter to him what the world becomes. As long as the world doesn't end, he can watch us fight to the death for our so-called ideals, interests, and hatred, just like an audience member in a movie theater. Perhaps, to him, our struggles are just a theatrical performance for his entertainment."

"Then why is he showing up now?" Xiao Nan asked again.

"Because of the previous anomaly, it seems to have affected the safety of the world. As the master of this world, he needs to come out and deal with the aftermath. Then he found that I was still alive, so he came to see me."

"So you gave me to him?" Xiao Nan asked angrily, "Isn't he a god? Why would he like women?"

Nagato remained silent.

"What about the Akatsuki?" After a long silence, Konan asked again.

“Like you, I entrusted it all to Ishihara,” Nagato replied.

"You!" Xiao Nan was furious, but she couldn't find any words to refute him.

After all, Nagato is about to die. To think of finding her a home and a backer for the Akatsuki is already more than enough, and it's more than satisfactory. Asking for more...

She simply couldn't bring herself to say those words.

"If you have any other questions, just ask him yourself." After saying that, Nagato's chakra surged, and Ishihara Sho's figure reappeared in the dark and damp cave.

"Finished talking?" Ishihara Akira said with a smile.

"What are your plans to do with the Akatsuki?" Konan asked bluntly.

"Isn't your plan to capture the Tailed Beasts? Then let's continue. I also need the energy of the Tailed Beasts to repair this world, which coincides with your plan," Ishihara Akira replied with a smile.

"Are you really a god?" Xiao Nan asked, frowning.

“No, I am a celestial demon. However, in terms of rank, I am equivalent to the gods you understand,” Ishihara Akira said with a smile.

"Since you are a god, why do you want me to be your woman?" Xiao Nan asked again.

"Because I'm bored."

"..." Xiao Nan remained silent, truly not expecting that the final reason would be such an absurd and helpless answer.

"Any more questions?"

Xiao Nan shook her head.

"Oh, by the way, I've already taken down Zetsu from your Akatsuki organization and that Uchiha Obito who went by the alias Madara, so don't be surprised if you can't contact them."

"You killed them?" Xiao Nan asked in surprise.

It didn't matter to her, but that class was someone she had been wary of for countless years, treating as a hypothetical enemy. She had even spent most of the organization's funds to buy materials to make explosive tags, with the ultimate goal of giving them a big surprise when they faced off.

Now, that person was killed by some random guy, which made Xiao Nan feel empty inside, as if all her efforts had been in vain.

Then it dawned on them that this was the intelligence chief of their Akatsuki organization. If he were also killed, it would be as if their Akatsuki had gone blind. Although they wouldn't be completely unable to operate, it would be impossible for them to be as invincible as before.

Even to fill this gap, more manpower needs to be recruited for construction, and who knows when the intelligence system will be able to return to its former state.

"Any more questions?"

Xiao Nan shook her head.

"Then let's carry it out."

Konan glanced at Nagato again, and seeing that he didn't object, she turned and left to relay the latest operational instructions to the other members of the Akatsuki.

……

Then, Ishihara Akira left a clone behind as a figurehead to act as commander, activated his ability, and returned to his own palace.

This is the palace originally used by the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

After all, the Land of Fire no longer exists. Although outsiders still refer to this region as the Land of Fire, it is actually the territory of the Land of Water. In addition, in order to facilitate the unified management of Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools, Ishihara Akira moved the entire administrative system here.

Anyway, the Land of Water has radio and telephones, but they haven't been fully deployed in the newly acquired Land of Fire yet, so communication is not a problem at all. In addition, with the teleportation array that can transport troops, even without building roads, Ishihara Akira is not worried about any forces emerging in the Land of Water to seek independence without him in charge.

He probably wouldn't show his face that day; he'd be beheaded by Zabuza and Haku, who were based in the Land of Water, the very next day.

By the way, the new Hokage of Konoha is Tsunade, the Sixth Hokage. The Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, ran away, but considering that he and Tsunade were classmates and friends, and that Tsunade personally pleaded for him, Ishihara Sho didn't issue a warrant for his arrest. So he's living a pretty carefree life now, either gathering materials in the Land of Fire or going to other countries to gather materials, living a very carefree and free life.

Danzo is gone, and the two advisors have also been dismissed, so now the entire Hidden Leaf Village is under Tsunade's absolute control!

Of course, it was also a one-man show by Ishihara Akira.

After all, Ishihara Sho's Wood Release had captured many Konoha elites and Jonin, so in order to save their lives, they had no choice but to offer benefits or perform good deeds...

For example, selling one's son or daughter.

But Ishihara Sho can't be too obvious about it, can he?

After all, his wife is Mei Terumi. If he really gets angry, Ishihara Akira won't be able to keep quiet.

So, Ishihara Yu's current plan is to keep the red flag at home flying high while also flaunting his colorful flags outside.

It could be said that he lived a life not much worse than Jiraiya, who traveled everywhere to gather materials.

Chapter 251 Untitled

While Ishihara Akira was pondering whether to stay home with Hongqi or continue coloring Caiqi outside, Konan, who thought that nothing would happen after leaving, found her clone again.

Unsure of what Konan was planning, Ishihara Akira didn't act rashly. He simply focused his attention on Konan, preparing to switch between his real body and clone using a method similar to a substitution technique after understanding her intentions.

"Is there something you need?" Ishihara Akira asked, looking at Konan in front of him.

"Since you are a god, you should have a way to help Nagato prolong his life, right?" Konan asked after a moment of silence.

“There is indeed a way.” Ishihara Akira nodded.

Moreover, it's not difficult. Just capture a few White Zetsu, extract their purest life force, and then inject them into Nagato's body along with Hashirama's cells. Even if it doesn't awaken his ancestral body, it will definitely change his current skin and bones appearance.

Since the real Nagato is already dead, and what controls him now is the demonic thought that I have separated, I don't need to worry about whether Nagato will cause trouble or rebel after he recovers.

"But why would I do that?" Ishihara Akira asked meaningfully.

"Aren't you friends?"

"When did I ever say we were friends?"

"..." Xiao Nan remained silent for a long while before asking again, "Then what will it take for you to save Nagato?"

"That depends on your performance."

"I?"

"Don't forget, you're officially my woman now."

"You are despicable."

"So, are you going to save him or not?" Ishihara Sho asked with great interest.

"You save people first. As long as you can restore Nagato to health, I'll do whatever you want." After a moment of silence, Konan solemnly promised Ishihara Akira.

"You seem to have forgotten my introduction to you at the beginning. I am a Heavenly Demon. Do you know what a Heavenly Demon is? In Buddhist scriptures, it is a demon that hinders the Buddha's attainment and transcendence. In reality, it is a ghost, a bad guy, a scumbag. Do you think someone like me is the kind of person who would get up early for no reason?" Ishihara Akira questioned Konan with some amusement.

In any case, apart from certain issues regarding his realm and level of life, he can now be considered a proper Heavenly Demon, so naturally he will no longer label himself with any moral tags or impose unnecessary social constraints on himself.

Moreover, this is the Naruto world, a dream world that he can conquer completely in no time. There's no need for further consideration; he can do whatever he wants!

As for whether my true nature is becoming increasingly unscrupulous and unlike myself...

It's enough to maintain one's own consciousness and prevent one from acting recklessly and lawlessly in reality. Anything more... Do you really think Mara's influence is so easy to eliminate?

Even if he has now obtained the inheritance of Mara and subdued the beast of Satan with the power of Mara, what about the other intangible influences, such as the demonic thoughts contained in the inheritance of Mara and the inner demons aroused by the Five Aggregates Blazing Great Law? These are not things that you can completely shield yourself from just because you are well prepared.

That's why there's the old saying, "The human heart is like a demon; human desires have no end."

"Then how can you guarantee that my efforts will be rewarded? After all, you said yourself that you are a demon, a scumbag, a villain, and an untrustworthy bastard. What if I follow you now, but you go back on your word later?" Xiao Nan questioned.