Chapter 75: Before the Battle
Two days later, in a hospital room in the Rain Shinobi Village.
A red-haired man lay on the hospital bed, a row of black ear studs embedded along the edges of his ears, giving him a unique aura.
Nagato slowly opened his eyes, the glaring light entering his vision causing him to instinctively close them again.
"I... I'm not dead?"
Nagato raised his arm with difficulty, the two rows of black metal studs on it catching his eye. Seeming to recall something, his eyes widened slightly.
He was lying flat! He hadn't experienced the feeling of lying flat in bed for over a decade. For the past ten-plus years, he had slept standing up, like a horse.
"It seems the surgery was successful. The creature in my chest cavity is gone, my organs have regained vitality, my spine... has returned to its normal state. The signal receiver is embedded in a perfect position. Did that close-combat powerhouse consider this long ago?"
Although Nagato's facial expression didn't show much fluctuation, imagine the feeling of a patient who has been nearly paralyzed for over a decade suddenly recovering their health and being able to walk freely.
That was Nagato's current feeling, though his youthful experiences ensured he wouldn't have emotions like ecstasy.
The hospital room door was pushed open, and Konan entered holding a glass bottle containing a nutrient solution prepared by Su Xiao. She administered the IV to him five times a day.
"Nagato, you're awake."
Konan quickly walked to the bedside. Though a smile appeared on her face, she also didn't show much emotional fluctuation.
Konan's personality was similar to Nagato's; neither of them would display expressions like hearty laughter.
"Mm, help me up."
Nagato gritted his teeth and sat up. No matter how successful the surgery, rest was necessary. Nagato struggled to get up now.
"You just had surgery two days ago, you shouldn't..."
Nagato waved his hand, and Konan could only help him up.
He tried to walk forward, but after just two steps, his legs gave way, and he vomited a large mouthful of blood with a "wah."
This startled Konan. She helped Nagato back to the bed and quickly walked out of the room, hurrying towards Su Xiao's room.
Meanwhile, Su Xiao was engaged in a "major event." In front of him lay the disassembled tablet computer.
His puzzle game progress had been "killed." If not for Obito holding him back, Su Xiao might have killed Sasuke. This was progress he had painstakingly cleared!
Su Xiao wasn't very proficient with electronic devices. Disassembling the tablet wasn't too difficult, but putting it back together was extremely hard, and he had no clue.
Bubu Wang glanced at Su Xiao, its gaze seeming to say: "Master, if you can put this back together, I'll perform a handstand and gnaw on a bone for you."
Su Xiao wasn't interested in Bubu Wang doing a handstand and gnawing on a bone, and he couldn't put the tablet back together either.
"Maybe a contractor in Reincarnation Paradise has a way. Ah..."
Su Xiao stored the "corpse" of the tablet in his storage space, declaring his repair plan a failure. He wasn't omnipotent; he was good at some things and not others. No one is perfect.
Bang.
The door was roughly pushed open, and Konan rushed into the room. Her loss of composure made Su Xiao frown.
"Is Nagato awake?"
"Yes, and he's vomiting blood."
"Vomiting blood?"
Su Xiao stood up and walked with Konan towards Nagato's hospital room.
A few minutes later, Su Xiao stood by Nagato's bed. After learning the cause and effect, he was a bit speechless.
"Vomiting blood is normal. I'm very surprised you didn't kick the bucket immediately."
Konan's expression wasn't very pleasant; Su Xiao's words were indeed not very pleasant to hear.
"That kind of major surgery can't be recovered from with just two days of rest. Being able to get up within two days is already good. First, restore the basic functions of the body. When the body's functions stabilize, recovery will speed up in the following days."
Su Xiao pressed his finger to Nagato's chest, sensing the situation inside his body.
"It's not a big problem, but recovery will require slow recuperation."
"Sorry for the trouble."
"Just don't forget your previous promise."
"Mm. After I recover, I'll attack Konoha immediately. Will you come along?"
"Of course."
If things had developed according to the original plan, it would have been somewhat difficult for Su Xiao to join the plan to attack Konoha. But now it was part of the deal, and Nagato wouldn't refuse.
After Su Xiao saved Nagato's life, the displeasure caused by the tailed beast incident between them had improved. Facts proved that his choice was very correct.
Joining Obito's faction might bring temporary benefits, but the main mission still depended on Nagato. Nagato was more straightforward, while Obito was too fond of putting on airs.
Just as he left Nagato's room, having nothing else to do, Su Xiao remembered he still had unused Akatsuki contribution points.
Akatsuki Contribution Points: 1720 points.
It was far less than he had expected. The [Space Secret Pattern] requiring 3000 points seemed out of reach.
The final battle was about to begin. After destroying Konoha, Su Xiao would leave the Naruto world immediately. By then, no matter how many Akatsuki contribution points he had, they would be useless.
After thinking for a moment, Su Xiao found Konan outside Nagato's room.
"Konan, I want something from the organization as a reward for always helping the Akatsuki."
"What do you want?"
"The Space Secret Pattern."
"Alright."
Konan was very straightforward, without any hesitation.
Before long, Konan brought a scroll. The scroll was only the length of a finger, with a faint golden light flowing on its surface.
Su Xiao's 1720 Akatsuki contribution points disappeared. The Space Secret Pattern, originally priced at 3000 points, he purchased for only 1720 points. This was the benefit of saving Nagato.
It was absolutely impossible to obtain the "Space Secret Pattern" without consuming contribution points. If other members of the Akatsuki found out, there would inevitably be objections.
[Space Secret Pattern]
Origin: Naruto · Uzumaki Clan.
Quality: Light Gold
Type: Inlay-type Secret Pattern.
Effect: Can be imprinted on equipment or a part of the body. After imprinting, gain the ability: Basic Space Imprisonment.
Basic Space Imprisonment: Can seal spatial fluctuations within a fifty-meter radius. Space-type skills below the fifth rank within this area become ineffective. Effect lasts 30 minutes. Cooldown: 2 natural days.
Rating: 285 (Note: Light Gold item ratings range from 260 to 310. Higher-rated items are more precious.)
Introduction: A secret pattern produced by the Uzumaki Clan. There is a certain chance of failure when imprinting. The consequences of failure are severe. Please consider carefully.
Price: 3000 points of faction contribution.
...
The 'Space Secret Pattern' was a scroll-type item that could be used immediately. Su Xiao hesitated about where to imprint it.
First, he ruled out body parts. The Azure Steel Shadow energy might devour this thing.
That left only equipment. As for which piece of equipment to imprint it on, Su Xiao couldn't decide for a moment.
Dragon-Slaying Flash was impossible. There was a chance of failure during imprinting. If Dragon-Slaying Flash was damaged, it would be a huge loss.
The equipment Su Xiao currently wore was:
Weapon: Dragon-Slaying Flash +8 (Dark Purple)
Scabbard: Divine Afterglow (Dark Purple)
Secondary Weapon: Spider Empress (Purple Sniper Rifle), Black and White Dual Pistols (Purple Dual Pistols)
Necklace: Mikasa's Feelings +5 (Blue)
Ring: Mithril Holy Ring (Purple)
Hands: Minotaur Lord Arm Guard + Realm Severing Thread (Purple)
Top: Lankai Windbreaker (Dark Purple)
Feet: Tactical Leather Boots (Purple)
Accessory: Destiny Redemption +7 (Blue)
Detection: Apostle's Eye (Light Gold)
...
Su Xiao suddenly realized that he had unknowingly become quite wealthy. All these pieces of equipment had decent stats.
After weighing it for a long time, he decided to imprint the [Space Secret Pattern] onto the Lankai Windbreaker (Dark Purple).
The reason was simple. The Lankai Windbreaker's Night Mist (Passive), Anti-Penetration (Passive), and Self-Healing (Passive) were all good abilities. It could be worn for a long time, and even if this windbreaker was damaged, it wouldn't cripple him.
He opened the Space Secret Pattern scroll, and a light golden mark floated in mid-air.
[Yes/No to imprint 'Space Secret Pattern' onto 'Lankai Windbreaker'.]
He selected Yes. The light golden mark floating in mid-air dispersed, eventually outlining a golden pattern on the cuff of the Lankai Windbreaker.
The Space Secret Pattern was not something ordinary items could bear. If the item's strength was insufficient, it would shatter the moment it was imprinted.
Su Xiao put on the Lankai Windbreaker. The Space Secret Pattern had disappeared, so he couldn't test it for now.
After that, he could only wait for Nagato's body to recover. Su Xiao occasionally wandered around the Rain Shinobi Village, but most of his time was spent practicing his blade and developing techniques.
...
Five days later, in Nagato's hospital room.
"I plan to head to Konoha in two days. I'll start making arrangements today to prepare for the attack two days from now."
Nagato sat on the hospital bed. Although his body was thin, it was no longer as emaciated as before. His complexion was normal.
"I've been waiting for you to say that for a long time."
Su Xiao gripped the hilt of Dragon-Slaying Flash. Although his gains in the Naruto world were good, this was not a place to stay for long.
The early and late stages of the Naruto world were fundamentally two different worlds. In the later stages, numerous super-Kage level characters appeared, and the power level skyrocketed.