After a while, Nagato walked out of the rogue ninja stronghold, holding the corpse of a rogue ninja in his hand, his expression extremely ugly.
According to the rogue ninja's confession, the attack on Yahiko not only involved Amegakure shinobi, but was also connected to Kumogakure.
The higher-ups of Amegakure were dissatisfied with the growing reputation of the Akatsuki organization. They believed Akatsuki threatened their rule over the Land of Rain and could potentially spark a military coup.
Kumogakure, on the other hand, was simply stirring up trouble—trying to drag the Land of Rain into the war to relieve pressure on their western front.
Thinking back to the Sand ninja he encountered more than ten hours ago, the Akatsuki organization had faced difficulties and suppression from both internal and external forces since its founding. It wasn't surprising that, in the future, it would be jointly targeted by Hanzo and Danzo.
Letting out a light sigh, Nagato turned around and looked at the Akatsuki members searching for him, his gaze locking onto Yahiko.
"Yahiko… you're here..."
Yahiko stared at Nagato for a long time, then nodded. "It's raining outside. Whatever it is, we can talk after we get back to base. Don't catch a cold standing in the rain."
From the rogue ninja stronghold to the nearest Akatsuki base—
Yahiko and Nagato walked shoulder to shoulder, chatting and laughing. But the other Akatsuki members felt something was off. Yahiko spoke less than usual, while the normally quiet Nagato had suddenly become confident.
After arriving at the Akatsuki base, Yahiko dismissed the others. Then he looked at Nagato and said:
"You're not the Nagato I know. Who are you?"
Nagato knew he had been exposed, so he replied calmly, "I am Nagato."
"I already know what you did to the Sand ninja. In my impression, Nagato isn't that cold-blooded. He may be a little timid and cowardly, but he's always kind-hearted."
Yahiko's eyes turned cold as he spoke word by word:
"More importantly, Konan sent me a letter. She's currently with Nagato."
Hearing this, Nagato sighed softly. "I am Nagato from ten years in the future. I came to this time by accident."
Yahiko snorted, distrust written all over his face. "You expect me to believe that nonsense? Going back to the past—how could something like that be real?"
Without changing his expression, Nagato recounted several childhood memories. Yahiko's guarded eyes gradually softened.
"Are you really the future Nagato? What did you go through to become like this? When we first met, you almost scared me. And what about the future Akatsuki? How did you… respond to the past?"
After confirming Nagato's identity, Yahiko started asking questions nonstop.
Nagato answered selectively. When it came to how he traveled back in time, he said:
"I crossed time and space during my revenge. My enemy might also appear in this era."
"Who is your enemy? Why would they want revenge…"
Yahiko seemed to realize something, his voice softening.
"Nagato… are you trying to avenge me? Can you tell me how I died?"
"Forget it." Yahiko shook his head. "That's not important. Let's talk about our plan. How is it progressing? The Akatsuki's philosophy should have been accepted by many people by now."
Nagato fell silent, not knowing how to answer.
The Akatsuki's philosophy had long since changed.
To achieve the goal of creating Ten-Tails-level weapons to deter the ninja world, the Akatsuki had become a notorious mercenary organization. They even deliberately provoked wars in small countries—and had recently annexed Kusagakure.
Seeing Nagato's expression, Yahiko stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly:
"It seems life hasn't been easy for you after my death. And Konan… she's still alive, right?"
"Konan is alive. She's helping me manage Amegakure and has maintained peace for five or six years."
Hearing this, Yahiko's eyes lit up. He smiled.
"That's good… that's really good. I thought Akatsuki would collapse after I died. I didn't expect you to become one of Amegakure's leaders. Our dream actually came true."
"Our dream didn't come true…"
In front of Yahiko, Nagato could no longer maintain his Pain persona. His voice grew emotional.
"Konan and I did bring peace to Amegakure—but not through mutual understanding. I used the Rinnegan to eliminate all opposition in the village and intimidated the daimyo of the Land of Rain. My rule is even more brutal than Hanzo's."
"And after that, I cooperated with Uchiha Madara. We turned Akatsuki into a rogue organization, planning to capture the Nine Tailed Beasts and create weapons capable of destroying entire cities in a single blow—to enforce peace between nations."
"Using absolute deterrence to maintain peace in the ninja world?"
Yahiko thought for a moment, then said calmly:
"Nagato, your idea isn't bad. But the process sounds even harder than mine. So… how's it going?"
Nagato froze, staring at Yahiko in disbelief.
"You're not blaming me? I completely abandoned your ideals and chose violence. That approach will only deepen hatred and lead to more wars."
Yahiko sat beside him and replied calmly:
"If I was dead, then it means my philosophy no longer suited Akatsuki at that time. If you had stubbornly stuck to it, Akatsuki would have failed again—and might not even have achieved peace in the Land of Rain."
Nagato's mindset seemed to regress to the past, his voice much quieter.
"I thought you would blame me… for betraying your ideals."
Yahiko shook his head, pointing at himself with a light smile.
"Nagato, have you forgotten something? We were only eleven when we founded Akatsuki. We're not even fourteen now."
"What kind of perfect philosophy could kids like us come up with? Ideas need to evolve step by step. As long as you're still trying to change this terrible world, I'll support your decisions."
After a pause, Yahiko added:
"By the way, how is your deterrence plan going?"
Nagato's face darkened, his earlier emotions vanishing instantly.
"Before I could fully implement the plan, I met the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. He left Konoha and founded Uzushiogakure."
"More importantly, he led the people of the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves to live the kind of life the Land of Rain has always dreamed of."
"He also proposed many new ideas. He believes a country only needs to manage its own citizens well. There's no need to control other nations. If one country becomes strong and prosperous enough, others will naturally follow and reform."
"Jiraiya-sensei even chose to become the Fifth Hokage after visiting Uzushiogakure."
"It seems the ninja world after my death has become much more interesting…"
Yahiko smiled, then continued:
"I'd really like to meet that Jinchūriki and exchange ideas with him—but unfortunately, we're from different eras."
"And from what you've said, the Third Great Ninja War must have ended long ago. The Five Great Nations seem to understand each other's suffering and are holding back. I'd love to see what true peace looks like."
Hearing this, Nagato couldn't help but say:
"Yahiko… you might not have to die. I know who killed you. We can avoid that tragedy. With this knowledge, we can develop the Land of Rain better."
"In a few months, you'll accept Hanzo's invitation. It's a trap."
"Then I'll go kill Hanzo right now so he can't attack Akatsuki!"
Nagato was about to continue, but Yahiko covered his mouth and said seriously:
"Nagato, knowing that you and Konan are alive in the future—and that Amegakure eventually finds peace—that's enough."
"That alone is enough. I don't need to know anything else. And you shouldn't stay here. You need to return to your own time."
"But those tragedies can clearly be avoided—"
Nagato tried to argue. At this moment, he was no longer the god-like Pain, but the weakest Nagato of the trio.
With a solemn expression, Yahiko stood up.
"Nagato, you're already the leader of Amegakure. You should have your own ideas. Focus on developing your village instead of clinging to the past."
"As for me, I'll stick to my beliefs and negotiate with Hanzo."
"Even if it's a trap? Even if it leads to Akatsuki's destruction? Leaving only you and Konan from the original group?"
"No. With the information you've given me, I'll be careful. I won't let the future repeat itself."
"Right now, Akatsuki doesn't have the strength to fight Hanzo. You're no match for him."
Nagato couldn't accept Yahiko's stubbornness and said firmly.
Yahiko shook his head slightly.
"That may have been true before. But now, with what you've told me, I won't make the same mistakes. I'll train my Nagato properly—help him grow faster—and continue pursuing our ideals."
"You're still sticking to your philosophy?" Nagato asked.
Yahiko looked at him calmly.
"Yes. But I won't oppose your ideas either. Your world and mine are completely different."
"I'm grateful for your help. But you're not the Nagato I know. You need to find a way back to your own world—where you truly belong."
"If your plan fails and something happens to you, what will happen to Konan and Amegakure?"
Nagato answered resolutely. He wanted to stay in this past—this world where Yahiko was still alive.
Sensing his thoughts, Yahiko turned and left the room without looking back, heading toward the Akatsuki members. There was a hint of helplessness at the corner of his mouth.
Even after more than ten years, Nagato was still as childish as ever.
...
A few hours later, Nagato put on a hat and a mask to conceal his identity and left the Akatsuki base.
Since Yahiko wouldn't allow him to interfere as Nagato, he would act as Pain and investigate the masked man in this era.
In his memory, the masked man—Uchiha Madara—was not only mysterious, but his timing was far too perfect.
He and Konan appeared at Akatsuki's lowest point, offering them a plan to create Tailed Beast weapons—right when they had lost their ideals and begun doubting Yahiko's vision.
Soon, Nagato sensed the presence of White Zetsu and began chasing one of them.
After several dozen minutes, he detected the aura of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path—and saw an old man covered in tubes. The man opened his eyes, revealing a strange three-tomoe Sharingan.
Why would an old man with a Sharingan possess the Demonic Statue?
Nagato's expression changed.
Just as he tried to gather more information, his body began turning into particles of light.
His expression darkened, but he still activated the power of the Rinnegan, transmitting this information to his past self.
It could be considered his final contribution… to the Akatsuki of this era.
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