This very ninja, who once condemned Sakumo Hatake for prioritizing his comrades over the mission, now found himself facing a life-or-death situation. His limbs had been severed by Kumogakure's shinobi, and true death loomed before him. Yet, it was Sakumo Hatake who saved him.
At this moment, his emotions were complex and conflicted. Perhaps the people of Konohagakure still debated whether Sakumo should have chosen the mission or his comrades. However, those engaged in such discussions had seemingly forgotten one thing—Sakumo Hatake was a hero of Konoha. The merits he had earned for the village were beyond the judgment of those who merely enjoyed the peace he fought for.
Yet, Sakumo himself said nothing. He simply nodded and walked out of the crowd.
...
The full-scale war between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire had begun. Sensing an opportunity, the Land of Earth also launched an invasion from the northwest. However, they did not deploy their full forces. From Ōhnoki's perspective, it was a calculated move—he sought maximum benefit but was unwilling to commit too much without a clearer picture of the battlefield.
On the other hand, Kumogakure was going all in. They had redeployed a large number of their border defense shinobi, intent on delivering a decisive blow to Konoha.
As for Kirigakure, their stance against Konoha was quite hostile as well. However, given their internal struggles, they could do little more than send assassination squads to harass Konoha from the shadows.
...
Mist swirled over the landscape, mountains stretched endlessly, and the water beneath rippled with ceaseless disturbances.
"Ugh… Ugh… Damn it!"
"H-how is he this strong?!"
"The gap in power is overwhelming…"
The bodies of numerous Kirigakure shinobi littered the ground, their groans of pain echoing across the water.
Nagato, walking atop the water, stepped onto a stone pillar at the shore.
"Kakuzu-sama, as per your request, the task is complete."
Kakuzu's cold, calculating gaze swept over the defeated Kirigakure shinobi.
"So this is your so-called belief?"
Fifty elite shinobi—essentially an assassination squad—were now incapacitated. Yet, despite possessing the Rinnegan, Nagato had deliberately chosen to spare them all, injuring rather than killing.
Nagato nodded. In truth, killing someone was far easier than rendering them severely injured while ensuring their survival. However, he was willing to go to great lengths to uphold his principles—to always retain a sense of compassion in his heart.
He would follow the ideals Yahiko had taught him, striving for true peace in this world.
"Very well. In that case, let's go," Kakuzu said, leaping from the pillar and motioning for Nagato to follow. Together, they disappeared into the dense forest, vanishing within the lingering mist.
"Kakuzu-senpai, there's something I don't understand."
"Speak."
"Kirigakure isn't part of the Land of Dragons' territory, so why did you insist on coming here?"
Nagato voiced his doubts. It was also a reason why he had refrained from slaughtering the Kirigakure shinobi outright.
Kakuzu halted and glanced at Nagato before responding, "If you were me, think carefully—what reason would I have to invade Kirigakure?"
Nagato pondered over the question for a moment.
"Kirigakure repeatedly sent assassination squads to harass the Land of Dragons. Kakuzu-sama, your actions were for the sake of the village."
Kakuzu stopped walking again.
"You're correct. That is one reason."
Nagato frowned slightly. "Kakuzu-sama, forgive me for my ignorance, but could you explain further?"
Rather than showing impatience, Kakuzu raised a single finger.
"The phrase 'for the village' is something not just you, but all Five Great Shinobi Villages frequently tell their ninja. On the surface, it seems like a just cause—after all, it means protecting one's home."
"But if we trace this back to the Warring States period, this phrase simply meant 'for the clan.'"
"Whether for the clan or the village, countless people have shed blood and fought to the death because of these words, fueling a cycle of hatred passed down through generations. Do you understand what I mean?"
Konoha shinobi fight for Konoha. Kirigakure shinobi fight for Kirigakure. Every village upholds the same ideology, perpetuating the cycle.
As the logic sank in, Nagato suddenly grasped the bigger picture.
Most shinobi took pride in fighting for their village, never realizing that this was the very root of war itself.
Nagato furrowed his brows, stroking his chin as he contemplated.
"If that's the case, then mutual understanding between people is nearly impossible. War only leads to bloodshed and suffering, which, in turn, breeds greater pain. If people could experience that pain beforehand, would they change? Only through pain can people reflect—only pain can make them consider their choices before they act… Only pain—"
"Stop. Stop. Stop right there."
Before Nagato could finish, Kakuzu raised a hand to interrupt.
If he allowed Nagato to continue, the next thing he'd say would probably be something about how much rice one person could carry up a flight of stairs.
Instead, Kakuzu decided to give Nagato the direct answer.
This very question had already been debated long ago, in his discussions with Tobirama Senju.
The shinobi world had been in turmoil for so long—hatred fueling hatred, vengeance breeding vengeance. Expecting people to suddenly abandon their grudges was an impossible dream.
To resolve personal grudges and reunite the shinobi world, a catalyst was needed. And that catalyst would be a powerful external enemy. In the original timeline, that catalyst was set to arrive in less than twenty years. Unfortunately, that fool Naruto ended up squandering the opportunity.
Just like the God of Shinobi—while he was alive, peace held firm, but the moment he died, the shinobi world plunged into chaos.
"Perhaps that Sharingan-wielding second brat truly saw through everything. But, heh..."
"Kakuzu-sama, what are you talking about? Who's the second brat?"
"It's nothing. For now, you can continue contemplating your grand vision of peace... or perhaps take this time to further develop your Rinnegan's abilities. After all, you have yet to reach your true limits."
Kakuzu was deeply curious about Nagato's potential. The Pain that carried the Akatsuki's banner was far from representing Nagato's full power. If there was any scene that truly showcased Nagato's combat prowess, it was when the so-called "Old, Weak, and Crippled Duo" made their move.
Though they had limitless chakra, they were still bound by their Edo Tensei bodies. And back then, Nagato had the misfortune of running into Kishimoto's golden boy, forcing him off the stage prematurely. His true peak had never been fully displayed in the original timeline.
In this life, Kakuzu was eager to see just how far Nagato could grow.
The two continued their rampage through Kirigakure. Sticking to his ideals, Nagato refused to take a single life. Kakuzu did not interfere—after all, his goal was merely to shatter Kirigakure's morale.
At first, the shinobi of Kirigakure were confused, but as they realized that Kakuzu and Nagato never actually killed anyone, their understanding shifted. This wasn't mercy—Kakuzu was mocking them, humiliating them, treating them as if they were beneath him.
The realization filled the shinobi of Kirigakure with rage. Someone had to step up and put an end to this disgrace.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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