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NBB Chapter 138: Let’s Crash the Chūnin Exams
🕑 Added 2025-08-09 21:49:52 +0000 UTCLand of Rain — Akatsuki Base.
“Ōtsutsuki Genshiki? Nine-Tails’ chakra?”
Nagato and Konan stared at Uchiha Obito and Zetsu standing before them, knowing these two seemed to be searching for the right allies.
But they hadn’t expected that the pair would bring with them such a terrifying piece of news!
“That’s right—a truly troublesome individual. And it seems his goal… is not so different from ours.”
Uchiha Obito actually had no desire to come here, but with both of them having been injured, even he had to speak up.
“His abilities are even similar to yours. Even if his eyes are different, I feel I have to warn you—you need to pick up the pace.”
“I’m already moving faster.”
Nagato frowned, giving a cold snort before replying in an indifferent tone.
“But the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path isn’t something that can recover easily. And don’t talk to me in that tone.”
“Hmph.”
Obito let out a cold snort, clearly unwilling to engage Nagato in conversation.
In his eyes, Nagato was nothing more than an arrogant fool.
“All right, you two—enough arguing.”
Seeing the tension between them, Black Zetsu immediately stepped in to smooth things over.
“Our goal is the same: to create a peaceful world. Even if there are some conflicts, we can tolerate them."
"Besides, the enemy we’re dealing with this time is truly formidable. We need to be united, or we’ll have an extremely hard time handling him.”
“Do you have any more information on him?”
Nagato’s attitude toward Black Zetsu softened slightly—after all, this was the one who had brought Yahiko’s body back.
“If I have enough intel to work with, I’ll find a way to deal with him.”
“Sorry, but we’ve already told you everything we know. The rest, we’re not sure about either.”
Black Zetsu shook his head. It couldn’t be helped—he truly didn’t know more.
Still, he was certain that Ōtsutsuki Genshiki hadn’t shown all his cards. Otherwise, the outcome would have been very different.
“But I do have an idea—something we might be able to do.”
“Let’s hear it.”
Nagato nodded. He knew these two hadn’t come without an agenda.
“One year from now, Konohagakure will be hosting the joint Chūnin Exams.”
Black Zetsu paused in thought before speaking in a low voice.
“When that time comes, shinobi from all the major villages will be participating. I think we should enter as well.”
“Konoha?”
Nagato frowned, while Konan spoke in surprise. Black Zetsu simply nodded.
“Yes—Konoha. We don’t know where he is, but we do know his objective. That means we should take the initiative.”
“The Nine-Tails?”
“That’s right. He appeared in the Land of Fire before for the Nine-Tails’ chakra. If Konoha’s Nine-Tails chakra were to erupt, there’s a high chance he’d come. And then…”
“I get what you’re saying.”
Nagato’s mind worked quickly, and he instantly grasped Black Zetsu’s meaning.
Use Konoha’s strength to draw out that mysterious man, then let Konoha test his limits. Ideally, they’d wear each other down.
Even if that didn’t happen, it could still remove some trouble—and that would benefit them.
“Besides, Danzō is in Konoha.”
Seeing Nagato’s interest growing, Black Zetsu pressed the point.
Sure enough, he caught the subtle shift in Nagato’s gaze.
“He’s deeply hidden. If we go in recklessly, we won’t be able to catch him. But with the joint Chūnin Exams, it’s the perfect opportunity."
"Once we’re inside, we can locate Danzō. And I’ve heard he’s a master of Wind Release chakra.”
Wind Release chakra.
At those words, Nagato glanced at Black Zetsu.
Kakuzu needed a Wind Release shinobi, and so did Sasori.
Whether or not those two would eventually come to blows over it, they would at least agree to join this operation.
On top of that, Nagato already bore a grudge against Danzō—he wanted nothing more than to personally cut him down.
This guy had clearly come prepared.
“I also heard the Fourth Raikage will be going to Konoha. He and Konoha have quite the score to settle,” Black Zetsu continued evenly.
“And there’s no need to worry about the Nine-Tails—we pulled off something similar over ten years ago, so…”
“But… isn’t this a bit too risky?”
Konan, noticing Nagato’s interest, couldn’t help but speak up. But Nagato shook his head.
“I understand. Go tell the others and have them start preparing.”
“Nagato—”
“Even if it’s risky, it’s worth it.”
Nagato shook his head again, cutting her off.
“I want to know exactly who’s competing with us for tailed beast chakra—and who also possesses abilities similar to mine. After all…”
He trailed off, but Konan understood without him saying more.
After all, he was the wielder of the Rinnegan—he was the ‘god’ who walked among men.
“And this is also a way to avenge Yahiko. It’s something we must do.”
“…I understand.”
Konan sighed and chose not to argue further.
Yahiko’s death was something they had to avenge.
“Looks like our objectives align. In that case, we’ll take our leave,” Black Zetsu said, nodding in satisfaction. This had been his plan from the start, after all.
He had seized upon Nagato’s weakness and kept pressing.
...
“That self-important fool…”
Once they had left Nagato’s hideout, Uchiha Obito let out a derisive snort.
“Who does he think he is? Does he really believe he’s a god?”
“At the very least, the Rinnegan is in his possession—and we truly do need him,” Black Zetsu reminded him.
“And don’t keep pressing him to speed things up. That could kill him. I know you’re impatient, but some things can only be done slowly.”
“Hmph.”
Obito snorted again, but didn’t refute Black Zetsu’s point.
Being beaten half to death by Kitagawa Gen had already been hard enough to stomach. Now, a far more despair-inducing ‘Ōtsutsuki Genshiki’ had appeared—how was he supposed to accept that?
If not for his unshakable conviction, he might have already collapsed.
“Let’s hope he pulls his weight. Still, I’d actually like to see him clash with that guy—at least it would teach him a lesson.”
More likely, he’d be killed outright. Might even lose the Rinnegan in the process… Black Zetsu thought to himself. He didn’t believe for a second that Nagato could stand against a true Ōtsutsuki.
“I’ll be off. I need to make preparations. Also, Uchiha Itachi and Kisame could use a good medical-nin.”
Obito was deeply frustrated, but forced himself to stay calm.
“I’ve heard Shinnō is skilled. I didn’t have the chance to deal with him last time, but this time, I’ll bring him back.”
“Suit yourself—but be careful.”
Black Zetsu couldn’t help but warn him. Lately, things had been far too strange—he kept running into all sorts of unpredictable people.
Caution was necessary.
“I know.”
Uchiha Obito gave a brief nod, and the next moment, his figure vanished from sight. Black Zetsu let out a faint sigh.
“I hope this works…”
He had already gone through every option he could think of—using both Konoha and the Akatsuki to make a combined attempt.
This was, in his mind, the best possible plan. Of course, there was one more method he could try—using White Zetsu’s cells.
But that was not something he dared to use lightly. That would remain the very last resort.
Lifting his gaze to the sky, he finally spoke softly.
“Mother… I will do everything within my power—everything I possibly can.”
...
While the Great Toad Sage was being pushed by Ōtsutsuki Genshiki to the point of considering taking the field himself…
While Black Zetsu was planning to drag the entire Akatsuki into stirring trouble during the Chūnin Exams…
The instigator, Kitagawa Gen, was at that very moment in the Hokage’s office—tormenting Sarutobi Hiruzen.
“So… you actually did it?”
Hiruzen stared at Kitagawa Gen in shock, then glanced at Kakashi and Jiraiya.
“That’s right—he really did,” Kakashi confirmed with a nod.
Jiraiya couldn’t help but add from the side, “Ice Release—absolutely genuine. And he’s fulfilled Minato’s wish, combining Ice Release with the Rasengan.”
Just remembering what they’d seen moments ago left both Jiraiya and Kakashi deeply moved.
That level of chakra control, that mastery over its flow—not a hint of hesitation or wasted force. It was something even they found hard to match.
“I see…”
Hiruzen took a deep breath, then gripped his pipe tightly, doing his best to keep his hands from shaking as he spoke in as gentle a tone as he could muster.
“Gen, I recall telling you not to take such risks—that you should let us know first so we can prepare. Why did you—”
“Honestly, I didn’t expect it to happen.”
Kitagawa Gen blinked, looking at Hiruzen with the clear, guileless gaze of a college student.
“I was just recalling that person named Haku, and the chakra ratio for his Ice Release. I didn’t expect that once I started channeling those two types of chakra, they’d just… merge on their own."
"And once it started, I couldn’t stop the process. But thankfully, it didn’t draw too much of my chakra, so…”
