Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 224: Preach to Me

Black Zetsu never expected Hagoromo Gengetsu to act so swiftly, precisely, and unexpectedly.

With one move, he struck Akatsuki's weak point.

Now, Nagato and Konan's fates were uncertain; the Rinnegan and the Gedo Statue had likely changed hands; Kisame, Sasori, and others had possibly been attacked and were missing.

The once formidable Akatsuki, known for capturing Tailed Beasts and feared by the great ninja villages, had suddenly become an empty shell.

The only ones left were himself and Uchiha Obito.

It felt like they were back to square one.

This perfectly described Obito's current situation.

Black Zetsu couldn't help but consider running away.

However, he quickly realized that if he abandoned Obito, his disguise as the embodiment of Uchiha Madara's will would be exposed.

Moreover, it was unlikely that Hagoromo Gengetsu would accept someone with an unclear background like him.

So, Black Zetsu decided to stay with Obito for now.

After all, they've worked together for many years, and he knew Obito was deeply committed to the Eye of the Moon Plan.

Although Hagoromo Gengetsu had shown impressive capabilities and had now taken action, Black Zetsu still had reservations.

After lurking for a thousand years, he couldn't easily trust anyone.

Unlike Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Obito, Black Zetsu couldn't be sure if Hagoromo Gengetsu fully supported and would implement the Eye of the Moon Plan.

"Let's wait and see. If things get really uncertain, I still have a backup plan."

Black Zetsu thought of the burial site of Uchiha Madara, known only to him, which gave him some reassurance.

He then looked at the confused, then grimacing Obito.

Worried that Obito might act recklessly and die pointlessly, Black Zetsu quickly said:

"Lord Madara—I mean, Lord Madara left me with another plan before he died. Obito, don't lose heart; we still have a chance."

The battle outside Mount Katsuragi had indeed shaken the ninja world.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, who had successfully seized the Rinnegan and the Gedo Statue, and dismantled Akatsuki, did not care about the outside world's commotion.

After extracting the chakra of the Five-Tails and Six-Tails, he did not immediately continue with the Tailed Beast capture plan.

Whether it was Uchiha Izumi, Uchiha Kei, Kisame, Sasori, or Kakuzu, they had all gone through a major battle and then consecutively participated in the extraction of Tailed Beasts. They needed time to rest and recover.

Thus, Hagoromo Gengetsu led everyone back to Lockfront Village.

To be safe, he did not bring the newly captured Kisame, Sasori, and Kakuzu into the village. Instead, they rested at a hidden intelligence base within the Land of Fire, not far from the Land of Waves.

As for Hotaru, Tonbee, and the otherwise aimless Hidan, they were brought into the village.

Unlike Kisame and the others, who still had tasks ahead, these three would be staying in the village for the foreseeable future.

"It's really a city in the sky! So beautiful! So grand!"

Hotaru, who was a bit anxious about leaving home for the first time, was filled with surprise when she first saw the village in the sky.

"Am I going to live in this city from now on?"

It was her first time living with so many people, and it was especially in a city in the sky.

This made her think of the fairy tales she read as a child.

All her anxieties vanished, replaced by joy and eager anticipation.

Beside her, Tonbee and Hidan were equally awestruck.

After answering a few simple questions from Hotaru, Hagoromo Gengetsu had Hanare lead the three to handle the necessary settlement procedures.

He then sent a shadow clone to the office to deal with related matters, while his main body took Hidan's head and body to the research base for study.

As a considerate leader, Hagoromo Gengetsu understood the hard work and determination of his subordinates.

So, upon returning, he immediately resumed his research work, eager to get the new recruit Hidan back to his duties to contribute to the organization.

"Boss! Boss! Slow down! Really! There's no need to rush! I can wait!"

Hidan, whose head had been transferred from Uchiha Izumi's waist to Hagoromo Gengetsu's hand, watched as door after door with sealing techniques opened.

Next came disinfection, deodorization, sterilization, and various white sprays that covered his body.

Then he saw many unfamiliar but intimidating instruments being activated in front of him.

Finally, he witnessed several White Zetsus soaking in nutrient tanks, which looked extremely eerie.

Despite his immortality and usually fearless nature, Hidan finally panicked and quickly told his new boss that he could wait longer.

The boss understood his employee's concerns but still had to fulfill his responsibilities.

Hagoromo Gengetsu placed Hidan's head and body on the operating table, telling him to "stay calm," and began his work.

Two hours later.

After fully analyzing Hidan's immortality, Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the now silent, dazed Hidan and then turned his attention to the reports.

"His blood, bones, organs, brain, and other parts are no different from a normal person. He still bleeds, breaks bones, and damages organs when injured. But there's a strange energy, unlike chakra, maintaining his life force. Moreover, his healing speed is far above normal. However, there's a condition—he needs to consume a large amount of nutrition, meaning he needs to eat a lot."

After reading the analysis report, Hagoromo Gengetsu had a clear understanding of the immortality ability.

However, understanding it was one thing; developing this ability into a technique was another challenge.

Just as the Eye of the Moon Plan required the Rinnegan, obtaining immortality also required the entity Hidan worshiped, known as the Jashin.

"A being similar to the Shinigami?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu became intrigued and approached Hidan, patting his head.

"Hidan, stop pretending to be dead. Preach to me."

"Preach?"

Hidan's eyes instantly sharpened.

Hagoromo Gengetsu was terrifying.

Even though he had suffered pain far beyond that of ordinary people over the years, the so-called scientific research he had just experienced was a new level of torment he couldn't have imagined.

Who said Jashinists are all madmen?

He thought people like Hagoromo Gengetsu, the scientists, were the real lunatics!

Just seeing Hagoromo Gengetsu made him shiver involuntarily now.

But preaching?

Hidan's eyes lit up quickly.

Preaching is good!

Preaching is very good!

Once they're in the Jashin cult, bound by its rules...

As the current leader of the Jashin cult, he would make sure to pay back this insubordinate fellow in kind!

Without needing another word from Hagoromo Gengetsu, Hidan immediately began preaching the teachings of the Jashin cult with all his might.