The three of them couldn't help but be curious, but none dared to pry into Shin's mysterious incident.
In this world, people hold intelligence in high regard, and personal secrets are respected in a way quite different from other worlds. If Shin chose not to divulge, no one would dare press him. Even if he turned hostile, they would have no grounds to complain.
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees"
In a secluded forest, Nagato formed hand seals, activating his jutsu. The earth began to swell, and trees surged as if alive, tearing apart the ground and spreading throughout the forest.
"So, this is Wood Release?" Nagato lowered his hands, examining the forest's transformation. "It's truly a powerful force. Though not as overwhelming as the Rinnegan, it's remarkably practical."
"Naturally," Shin said with a grin. "My body modification techniques far exceed crude procedures like simple eye transplants. You and the Hashirama cells I transplanted have fully merged as if you were born with the Sage Body."
While this Sage Body might lack Asura's chakra and was derived from Hashirama cells, it undoubtedly surpassed the unstable effects of ordinary cell transplants. Nagato, who already possesses the natural vitality of the Uzumaki clan, could likely achieve proficiency in wood release at the level of Yamato (Tenzo).
Madara Uchiha chose Nagato to host the Rinnegan due to his Uzumaki heritage and talent. His long coexistence with the Rinnegan had drained his body but granted him valuable abilities. His potential was now greater, free from the burden of the Rinnegan, having shed his previous physical deficiency and enhanced his versatility.
Among an ordinary ninja's arsenal are ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu—taijutsu serves as the foundation of all combat skills. Even the most advanced shinobi may specialize exclusively in ninjutsu or genjutsu, but mastery of taijutsu is nearly indispensable. Without it, surviving as a ninja becomes almost impossible.
Of course, there are rare exceptions. Such cases generally involve individuals who have embraced extreme, unconventional transformations, like the missing-nin Sasori of the Red Sand. Having turned his body into a puppet, Sasori has abandoned most human limitations, sacrificing typical physical capabilities for his puppet modifications.
Nagato's use of the Six Paths of Pain in the past stemmed from similar physical limitations, serving as a workaround for his lack of strength in close combat. However, the strategy came with risks. If an enemy managed to locate his original body, even an average Jonin could exploit this vulnerability and pose a substantial threat.
While Nagato and Konan celebrated the strength this gave him, Jiraiya stood to the side, a faint worry crossing his face.
In the Naruto world, the Wood Release is akin to a panacea. If anyone successfully integrates it, they can potentially achieve Jonin-level combat power. Shin now possessed the skill to integrate the cells perfectly. Provided the cells can be produced quickly enough, Shin could theoretically mass-produce Jonin. Combined with his immense combat ability, he could soon raise a force on par with, if not superior to, the five great ninja villages.
Jiraiya hadn't forgotten Shin's ambitions. With each increase in Shin's power and capabilities, his potential to reshape the world grew. Jiraiya couldn't be sure whether Shin's vision would benefit the world, but it was certainly a risk to Konoha, leaving Jiraiya understandably concerned.
One small consolation to Jiraiya was Shin's moral character. While ambitious, Shin wasn't a maniac who sought chaos, nor was he an extremist like Uchiha Madara. He was rational, and rather than overturning the existing order through brute force, he chose to build strength quietly, biding his time.
Though this rational approach was good for the world, it heightened Shin's threat to the status quo. Armed with future knowledge and careful planning, Shin posed a challenge to the existing power structure—particularly the five great ninja villages.
The so-called "Child of Prophecy" prophecy now seemed almost irrelevant. To Jiraiya, Shin appeared more like the Child of Prophecy than anyone else. Instead of clinging to the idea of some foretold hero, it might be more realistic to keep a close watch on Shin.
Observing Jiraiya's concern, Shin appeared indifferent. If Jiraiya wanted to monitor him, Shin had nothing to hide. However, since Jiraiya's presence could interfere with his plans, he needed to act strategically. Shin wanted to fully adopt Nagato's appearance and identity, and if Jiraiya was too close, he might blow his cover before he could deceive Obito and Black Zetsu. So, he subtly encouraged Jiraiya to leave.
Jiraiya could do little but agree, knowing he was no match for Shin if it came to confrontation, and he reluctantly departed.
Once he returned to the hidden underground base, Shin finalized preparations. Although disguised as Nagato, he didn't merely sit and act incapacitated; instead, he continued to exercise, revealing his formidable physical prowess.
'I should probably set up some spatial barriers here. It would be troublesome if Obito spotted me training,' he thought. 'I can always leave a Wood Clone to maintain the act if necessary. This body won't need to enter direct combat anyway, as Pain's Six Paths can handle it all.'
With the Rinnegan, Shin could control Pain's Six Paths as effectively as Nagato but with greater range and flexibility and less chakra consumption.
While Nagato had to rely on a black chakra rod embedded in his body to control the Six Paths, Shin only required a few chakra-infused rings for complete control.
'Most importantly, the Rinnegan's gravitational control harmonizes perfectly with the powers of the Dark-Dark Fruit,' he mused.
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