With the pressure of survival lifted, Konan's speech became much lighter, and she quickly spoke about Black Zetsu's situation, including how after obtaining the Rinnegan, a Sharingan appeared in his body and used Obito's phasing ability. Natsuro also realized, "So it was Black Zetsu?"
If it was indeed Black Zetsu, then everything made sense. After all, he had survived for so many years in hiding, and even Nagato with the Rinnegan couldn't sense his presence, which was normal.
It could be said that currently, no one could detect Black Zetsu when he chose to hide, not even Natsuro.
Black Zetsu had even deceived the Sage of Six Paths; Natsuro, no matter how confident, couldn't believe his senses were sharper than those of the Sage of Six Paths.
"Transcription Seal." Natsuro, hearing about the Sharingan that appeared within Black Zetsu and the use of Obito's phasing, was not surprised.
Although this sealing technique is a unique ability of the Sharingan, he felt it wasn't something that normal sealing techniques couldn't achieve; it's just that no one had started to research it yet.
Natsuro believed that if researched properly, this sealing technique could potentially create special ninja tools that even ordinary people could use to perform ninjutsu.
For instance, like the cellphone, it might be possible to develop a unique communication device for the Naruto world, utilizing the essence of shadow clones exploding and sending information back to the original body, creating a communication device specific to certain groups of people that could connect as long as a chakra mark was left...
However, Natsuro hadn't proposed these ideas in Konoha yet. He had ideas, but he thought it best to propose them during a peaceful period. Research requires time and investment, and currently, Konoha couldn't afford to focus on these.
"Since the Rinnegan has been taken away, let it be. I'll start treating Nagato." Natsuro looked at Nagato's still-bleeding eyes and spoke, feeling no covetousness for the Rinnegan with his current power.
"Okay… okay." Konan was somewhat excited and quickly responded.
Then, Natsuro began examining Nagato's body, his brow furrowing.
"What's wrong?" Konan, seeing Natsuro's expression turn pale, asked with a hint of anxiety. Was there another complication?
"His body is too severely depleted. He must have forced himself to use more chakra than his body could handle countless times, right?" Natsuro inquired.
"Yes." Konan was somewhat silent, having witnessed all that Nagato had done but not knowing how to stop him.
"Natsuro, just say it." Jiraiya, sounding a bit sorrowful, spoke.
"A depleted body can't be replenished, even if Nagato's body has the Uzumaki clan's constitution," Natsuro said.
"Uzumaki clan?" Nagato sounded surprised; he knew of the clan but didn't realize he was a member.
"Yes, the Uzumaki clan. If you weren't from the Uzumaki clan, you wouldn't be able to use the Rinnegan at all without that naturally immense chakra. Normal people using those eyes would do more than deplete their bodies; they would likely die from exhaustion immediately after using them," Natsuro explained.
"Is that so?" Nagato sounded intrigued, not expecting to learn about his heritage here.
"Also, your hair was originally red like a chili pepper, right?" Natsuro inquired again.
"Yes," Konan answered for Nagato.
"That's a trademark of the Uzumaki clan. At least currently, that unique hair color is only found among the Uzumaki clan. Not everyone without this hair color is necessarily not an Uzumaki, but anyone with this hair color is definitely from the Uzumaki clan," Natsuro explained.
"Well, but what does that mean now? The Uzumaki clan was destroyed, right? Being a small nation, even if attached to a major country, couldn't prevent their own demise," Nagato couldn't help but comment cynically.
"…" Natsuro was silent, then firmly knocked on Nagato's head, saying, "Don't twist everything to fit your broken theories. Keep twisting it, and I won't treat you, nor will I let anyone from Konoha treat you."
Nagato hadn't expected to be hit and was about to get angry but found his arm being held, probably by Konan.
"Nagato, don't say anymore," Konan's voice carried a plea.
Immediately, Nagato fell silent and said no more.
Natsuro then nodded in satisfaction and continued, "The Uzumaki clan, although destroyed, had a leader with foresight who dispersed some of their people before the clan's demise, so there are Uzumaki clan members scattered around the world."
"So, my mother was also dispersed at that time?" Nagato realized.
"Correct. Now, there are two people from the Uzumaki clan in Konoha, Naruto and Karin. Including you, that makes three," Natsuro said.
"Heh…" Nagato wanted to say more about the meaninglessness but, recalling the recent conversation, just chuckled twice and held back.
"The Uzumaki clan naturally has large chakra reserves and strong life force, which is why you've managed to live until now. However, even so, with your body so depleted, you won't last much longer," Natsuro continued.
Natsuro felt that, given Nagato's condition, even in the original story, if he hadn't performed the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, he wouldn't have lived much longer.
Just looking at Nagato's body, one could tell the signs; his emaciated appearance was enough to frighten children.
"Is that so?" Nagato's tone didn't change much; he wasn't particularly concerned, only thinking about fulfilling his ideals in his lifetime. As for his life, it didn't matter to him.
"Natsu… Lord Sixth Hokage, how long can Nagato still live?" Konan asked, her voice trembling.
"If he continues to expend chakra like this, he probably only has a few years left," Natsuro replied.
"And if he stops using chakra?" Konan's face turned pale as she asked.
"If he stops using chakra, with careful care and convalescence, he might live another decade or so," Natsuro estimated.
"That's enough," Nagato said then.
Konan opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing further.
"So, you can spend more time with Nagato, and later on, you might consider getting a wheelchair for him so you can push him around Konoha. Even though Konoha might seem like a false peace to you, at least the atmosphere here is quite pleasant," Natsuro said with a smile.
"Okay," Konan responded, imagining that scene and gradually smiling as she looked at him.
"Decades, huh..." Jiraiya sighed beside them, a bit melancholy. Would he be around by then, having to see another generation pass before him?
"There's another thing, Nagato. Due to the unprofessional method used to extract your eyes, it would be difficult to transplant new ones in the future. You should prepare for the possibility that you might not regain your sight," Natsuro added.
"It doesn't matter. If the eyes are gone, they're gone. Losing those eyes, I feel liberated. And I never considered transplanting others," Nagato said with a hint of defeat. "All my misfortune revolved around those eyes. What have they really brought me?"
"Power?" Nagato said with irony. Was that what he wanted? Besides, what kind of power was it if even ordinary humans couldn't overcome it?
"Indeed." Natsuro glanced at Jiraiya but chose not to discuss the Rinnegan in front of him, such as how the Rinnegan evolves from the Sharingan and how Nagato's destiny seemed preordained.
Even if Danzo's schemes weren't at play, someone like Hanzo might still have appeared to kill those close to Nagato.
It could be said that from the moment Nagato inherited Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan, his life was manipulated.
"Don't worry, from now on, I will be your eyes, Nagato," Konan said, seemingly unconcerned by the situation.
Instead, Konan felt that perhaps this was for the best. Without the Rinnegan, Nagato no longer had the power to pursue other ventures, which meant she didn't have to worry constantly.
"Jiraiya-sensei, I'll treat Nagato first. Please arrange two rooms next to your place. After I'm done with the treatment, I'll bring them over," Natsuro said, handing Jiraiya a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
"Okay." Jiraiya also had a lot he wanted to say to Nagato and Konan, but since Natsuro had made such arrangements, there would be time later. He didn't refuse and left with the kunai.
After Jiraiya left, Nagato suddenly spoke.
"So, is there anything else you can say now? Lord Sixth Hokage."
"Hm?" Natsuro raised an eyebrow, also a bit surprised.
"No wonder he was the overt leader of the Akatsuki."
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Currently on Chapter 356 - Madara vs Natsuro