"Let go of Nagato!"
"Why are you attacking us out of nowhere?!"
"So-called senior of the ninja world? I don't accept that!"
The members of Akatsuki were all shocked by the sudden assault. Instinctively, they raised their kunai, ready to retaliate against Kakuzu. However, before they could act, a stern voice rang out, halting them in their tracks.
"Stand down!"
The members of Akatsuki were stunned, turning their eyes toward Yahiko, who had spoken. He ignored their confusion and quickly stepped forward, looking directly at Kakuzu.
"Nagato and I grew up together. We were both students of Jiraiya-sensei. He is not a bad person… I believe this is all a misunderstanding. Please, let him go!"
"Oh?" Kakuzu cast a sidelong glance at Yahiko.
This young man was still inexperienced in the ways of the world, but Kakuzu had to admit he possessed a natural charisma. He was bright, optimistic, and articulate, maintaining his composure even in a crisis. Such qualities were commendable.
Slightly withdrawing his killing intent, Kakuzu observed Nagato. Despite having the opportunity to complete a hand seal in under a second, Nagato had hesitated at the final moment, ceasing his jutsu.
Nagato's eyes, filled with pain and unwillingness, stared at Kakuzu, as if he could not understand what he had done wrong.
Given all these factors, Kakuzu decided it was worth exchanging a few words with these young upstarts. He loosened his grip slightly, allowing Nagato's feet to touch the ground, easing his suffering somewhat. Then, he met Nagato's gaze head-on.
"Everything… all of this… is because of your eyes. If anything in this world should be called cursed, it is those eyes!"
Kakuzu's words were firm and absolute. He knew well that those eyes belonged to Uchiha Madara. Without them, the aged Madara would never have had a chance to return to the ninja world. His time would have long since ended. Even if he were to be revived through Edo Tensei, Kakuzu wouldn't be overly concerned.
But to Yahiko and Konan, his words were utterly shocking.
After a long silence, Konan suddenly raised her voice in protest.
"No! Jiraiya-sensei once told us that these are the Sage's eyes! Only the legendary Sage of Six Paths possessed them! Ancient texts and legends across the ninja world all record this!"
Konan's voice was loud and determined—she had finally found a way to defend Nagato.
However, Kakuzu merely shook his head and shifted his gaze back to Nagato.
"If these are truly the Sage's eyes, then why do they reside in your body? Do you think the world simply hands out such gifts for free?"
Nagato's Rinnegan flickered.
He was a member of the Uzumaki clan, a people known for their immense chakra reserves. As a child, he had once questioned his parents about his unusual eyes. They had told him that when he was born, his eyes had been normal. But one night, when he was three years old, after his chakra had matured, his eyes had inexplicably transformed into the Rinnegan.
A sudden realization struck him.
As Konan was about to argue further, Nagato raised his hand, stopping her.
He focused his attention on Kakuzu.
"Lord Kakuzu, when we lived with Jiraiya-sensei, he often spoke of you. We've also heard many stories about you from the ninja world. I choose to believe that you are not someone who kills the innocent without reason… But will my death truly bring peace to the ninja world?"
"Nagato…"
Konan's voice wavered, on the verge of tears.
But Nagato simply shook his head.
"Jiraiya-sensei once told me that I might be the Child of Prophecy—the one destined to bring great change to the world, whether for good or for evil. Now, it seems I am the harbinger of disaster… I do not want to become the demon who brings ruin to the ninja world."
Hearing this, Kakuzu narrowed his eyes slightly.
Willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of peace in the ninja world—Nagato, at such a young age, already had this level of awareness?
Though his childhood had been marked by the loss of his parents to Konoha shinobi, Jiraiya's years of teaching had clearly soothed his hatred. Living alongside Yahiko and Konan, he had led a humble yet fulfilling life. His decision to join Akatsuki had never been about power or conquest. He never sought to dominate with his so-called Sage's eyes, nor did he harbor any illusions about achieving peace through sheer will. He had merely been following Yahiko's ideals.
And now, he was willing to pay the price for those ideals.
Much like how, in the original course of history, Yahiko had willingly thrown himself onto Nagato's kunai for Konan's sake.
Nagato had done all of this simply to protect the bond he cherished most.
Just as these thoughts crossed Kakuzu's mind, Yahiko stepped forward.
He had no intention of attempting a reckless rescue. He knew full well that Kakuzu's seniority exceeded even Jiraiya's. They stood no chance against him, and forcing a fight would only lead to unnecessary deaths.
And so—
With a loud thud, Yahiko dropped to his knees, bowing deeply until his forehead touched the ground.
"Lord Kakuzu, the matters you and Jiraiya-sensei spoke of are far beyond my comprehension. I do not know what the future holds. If Nagato truly changes, if he ever becomes a monster that endangers the ninja world, then I beg you—kill me in front of him. Let my death be forever etched into his memory, so that whenever he wavers, he will recall this moment."
"This is the only thing I can do. Please, grant me this request!"
His words stunned everyone present.
Konan burst into tears, clutching at Yahiko, pleading with him to stop. But Yahiko remained firm.
He raised his head, looking at Kakuzu with unwavering determination. Then, he turned to Nagato, whose entire body was trembling.
"Nagato, remember—no matter what happens in the future, use the unity and love I taught you to change this world. No matter how hard it gets, I will always be watching over you… from another world."
"Yahiko! Don't do this!"
Nagato's voice broke.
Kakuzu watched the scene unfold, and for the first time in a long while, he felt something stir within him.
A lifetime of bloodshed had numbed him to the meaning of life and death. People chased after power, wealth, influence, and companionship. But few were like Yahiko—willing to lay down everything for their comrades.
Perhaps this was the true power of bonds.
The friendship between Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan might even be purer than that of Naruto and Sasuke. These were children who had grown up in war and loss, ones who understood the true value of companionship.
In this world of bloodshed, they had created something warm and unbreakable.
Kakuzu turned his gaze to Nagato.
With everything that had transpired, would he choose to kill—or not?
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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