Mizuki Ryosuke had once entertained the thought of obtaining Uchiha Madara's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, but Madara himself had clearly anticipated such an attempt.
Even though Ryosuke managed to get his hands on Uchiha Madara's body, its remaining value was minimal. The moment he acquired it, he conducted a thorough examination, but his initial hopes of claiming Madara's Eternal Mangekyō were soon crushed.
As it turned out, after Uchiha Madara's death, his Eternal Mangekyō had lost its function entirely. This was undoubtedly a precaution Madara had taken before dying—an intentional failsafe that rendered his eyes unusable to anyone else.
This meticulous preparation was entirely in line with Uchiha Madara's personality.
Even though his body had been infused with Hashirama Senju's cells, those cells had fully merged with Madara's physiology, leaving no possibility of reuse. In essence, Madara's corpse was now nothing more than a regular body.
However, that did not mean his remains were worthless.
There was still one powerful technique in the ninja world that could fully utilize this corpse—Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei).
In the original timeline, Yakushi Kabuto used Uchiha Madara's body as a bargaining chip in his negotiations with Uchiha Obito during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Now that the corpse belonged to Ryosuke, he naturally intended to preserve it carefully.
But while his ambitions for Madara's Eternal Mangekyō had failed, Ryosuke had already set his sights on an even greater prize—Rinnegan.
At this thought, Ryosuke's expression darkened.
If he could acquire the Rinnegan, everything else could be postponed.
However, locating Uzumaki Nagato was no simple task.
Finding a single person in a vast land was like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially within Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village)—a region that was not under Kirigakure's influence.
Moreover, Nagato himself, as a direct descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, had fled from Uzushiogakure (the Village Hidden in Whirlpools) to Amegakure under mysterious circumstances. There was a high likelihood that this migration was not random but carried hidden motives.
That alone suggested that Nagato's family had concealed their whereabouts with extreme caution.
Thus, the only way to uncover his location was to rely on the underground intelligence networks in Amegakure.
Ryosuke understood the significance of Rinnegan, which was why he had not disclosed his true intentions to anyone—not even to his three closest subordinates.
As for why he had to come to Amegakure personally, his subordinates did not question him. They knew better than to overstep their boundaries. If their leader did not wish to explain, they had no right to pry.
"Kisame, if I need to track someone down in the Land of Rain, where should I go for information?"
Ryosuke shifted his gaze to Hoshigaki Kisame, who was standing beside him.
"Sir, you're searching for someone?" Kisame's expression showed slight surprise, but he quickly responded with enthusiasm. "Just give the order. Even here in Amegakure, the White Shark Unit can locate them immediately."
"No, I will handle this personally."
Ryosuke shook his head slightly, rejecting Kisame's proposal.
It was not a matter of distrust—he had full confidence in Kisame and the White Shark Unit. However, this time, the target was Black Zetsu, a being infamous for its unparalleled stealth and reconnaissance abilities.
Black Zetsu was no mere observer.
If the White Shark Unit made any moves, Black Zetsu would undoubtedly detect them. That risk was too great.
To minimize unwanted complications, Ryosuke had to act alone.
Kisame did not press the issue. Instead, after a moment of contemplation, he answered in a serious tone.
"In that case, there is one place within Amegakure where intelligence flows like water."
"Good. Lead the way."
Ryosuke nodded in satisfaction.
To maintain secrecy and avoid attracting attention, he decided against bringing his entire group.
His "Number One Confidant," Kaguya Yuta, and "Second Confidant," Momochi Zabuza, were instructed to remain behind at their designated safehouse.
The moment Ryosuke and Kisame departed, Kaguya Yuta's face darkened considerably.
The reason?
It was obvious.
On the other hand, Momochi Zabuza merely sat cautiously, as if trying to avoid provoking the dangerous individual beside him.
But then, all of a sudden, Kaguya Yuta turned his head toward Zabuza, his sharp gaze flashing momentarily as if he had remembered something important.
A dreadful smile—one more unsettling than outright anger—crept onto Zabuza's face.
Meanwhile, in a bustling part of Amegakure…
"Hahaha!!!"
"Bet big or go home!"
"Lend me just a little more! Just one more wager, and I'll turn my luck around!!!"
"Get lost! No money, no play! Scram!"
A rowdy crowd filled the dimly lit, smoke-filled casino, their frenzied voices overlapping in the air.
The narrow space was packed with gamblers pressed shoulder to shoulder, creating an almost suffocating atmosphere. The air was thick with desperation and manic excitement, as gamblers hung onto the outcomes of their bets.
At the heart of it all, the sound of dice rattling in a dealer's hands rang out, creating a hypnotic rhythm.
From time to time, victorious cheers would erupt at one table, only to be followed by wails of despair at another.
The scene made it clear—this was not just any ordinary gambling den.
This was an underground casino in Amegakure.
Mizuki Ryosuke furrowed his brows as he took in the chaotic environment surrounding him.
"Are you sure this is where I'll find the information I need?"
He glanced at Kisame, doubt flickering in his expression.
"Rest assured, my lord." Kisame spoke in a hushed tone. "The intelligence trade here is handled directly by Amegakure's officials."
"The owner of this casino is one of the highest-ranking figures in the village."
"As long as you have the money, you can buy whatever information you need."
Ryosuke was not particularly surprised.
It was common for intelligence networks to operate in the shadows, shielded by those in power. However, he had not expected Amegakure's intelligence brokers to double as casino owners.
It was a clever scheme.
Still, he could not help but wonder—how exactly did this rowdy, deafening environment allow for discreet information exchange?
Noticing his concern, Kisame elaborated.
"This is just the first floor of the casino."
"Only those who prove their wealth are invited to the second level."
"That's where the real negotiations take place."
At this explanation, Ryosuke's expression relaxed.
"I see."
He nodded, his eyes gleaming with understanding.
"So, to prove my financial resources… I need to gamble?"
A wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Indeed, my lord. You grasp the situation quickly."
Though Kisame maintained his usual serious demeanor, he did not miss the opportunity to flatter his leader.
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