Border of the Land of Fields.
Hearing Konan’s question, Uchiha Natsuki chuckled softly.
“This question has many answers,” Natsuki said, “but I’ll give you one that you two can accept.”
Konan and Pain both showed attentive expressions, waiting to hear him out.
“Nagato, your so-called method of achieving peace is based on deterrence.”
“According to your plan, if you succeed, you’ll threaten every nation. Anyone who refuses peace will be destroyed.”
“This kind of thinking is theoretically feasible.”
“However… the one to wield this threat shouldn’t be you.”
Konan and Pain couldn’t quite understand what Natsuki meant.
Natsuki poured himself a cup of cold tea, took a light sip, then continued.
“Earlier, I told you about the Otsutsuki Clan, but what I didn’t mention is this: in the future, the Otsutsuki will continually invade this planet.”
“The Otsutsuki are the greatest threat. When a threat from the heavens looms over the entire world, who would still have the will to wage war?”
Konan and Pain fell silent.
If what Natsuki said was true, that the God of the Shinobi World, the progenitor of Chakra, was merely one member of the Otsutsuki Clan…
If the Otsutsuki truly intended to invade this planet repeatedly, then all of the wars taking place now would seem utterly ridiculous.
“I don’t believe it,” Pain said.
Natsuki understood.
“I know. You don’t believe it. No one does. Before the Otsutsuki arrive, everyone thinks it’s just a myth.”
“That’s why the Otsutsuki must descend, only then will the world experience true pain.”
Natsuki’s words circled back to align with Nagato’s original ideology, except the one creating pain wasn’t Nagato, but an external enemy.
“And as for me…”
Natsuki tapped the table with his finger.
“I intend to create the strongest organization, to become the most powerful force in the world, existing solely to resist the continuous invasions of the Otsutsuki.”
“If I die, then my successors will continue this fight. It doesn’t matter what selfish ambitions they may have.”
“Because the extinction-level threat of the Otsutsuki is unavoidable, only by uniting all power can they be resisted.”
“Before the Otsutsuki arrive, we will be the strongest force, capable of intervening in any conflict in any country. And once they descend, we will be the warriors on the front lines.”
“When everyone experiences the threat of the Otsutsuki, countless people will join our cause, because only then will the world have a future.”
“Even if I die, my organization will continue, generation after generation.”
Natsuki’s words left Konan and Pain inwardly shaken.
If what Natsuki said was true, then perhaps… it was really possible!?
Though Pain controlled only a corpse body, even his voice trembled slightly as he asked:
“How do you know the Otsutsuki will invade? And how can you guarantee what you say is true?”
Natsuki shook his head.
“I know you don’t want to believe it, and you don’t dare believe it. But you can keep developing your Akatsuki, stall for time against Obito.”
“Obito will definitely be more anxious than you. After all, your ideals are completely opposed. Sooner or later, you two will fight. Deal with Obito first, then you can see for yourself whether what I said is true.”
“However, to suppress Obito, I will publicly reveal his identity when I return to the clan. That will put both you and Konan in extreme danger.”
Obito wanted to use the Tailed Beasts to enact the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.
Nagato wanted to use the Tailed Beasts as a “nuclear deterrent.”
The two were destined to be incompatible.
Even the so-called “nuclear weapon” plan was something Obito instilled in Nagato.
In reality, Nagato didn’t even understand the true purpose of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path at first.
At this point, both Nagato and Konan had mostly believed Natsuki’s words, though Nagato still clung to a sliver of hope that what Natsuki said wasn’t true.
However, the Akatsuki was indeed not yet at the time to fully reveal themselves, continuing to grow in the shadows wouldn’t be a problem.
As for danger, where in the Shinobi World was truly safe?
If what Natsuki said was true, if the Rinnegan had hidden traps, then where could Nagato possibly hide?
Both Nagato and Konan fell silent.
Today’s conversation had impacted them deeply.
Nagato even felt a little lost.
If everything he had done was ultimately part of a conspiracy, what was the meaning of his efforts?
Natsuki continued:
“Though your Six Paths are powerful, Obito’s Mangekyō is a direct counter to you. If he avoids fighting and just drags it out, he could still kill you.”
“And there’s also Zetsu, very likely able to find your real body.”
“You might even have leftover control seals from Madara embedded in you.”
“I can only hope you’re fully prepared before confronting Obito.”
Pain remained silent.
Back when Yahiko died, the pain Nagato endured was beyond measure.
He once believed in Obito’s manipulation.
Even the process of creating the Six Paths was something Obito and Zetsu witnessed in full.
Obito had even seen his true body.
But over the years, Nagato had gradually begun to guard against Obito, suspecting that Madara’s identity was false.
However, as he grew more confident in the Rinnegan’s power, Nagato began to believe that even Madara wouldn’t be his match.
Now it seemed, if Natsuki was right…
His Rinnegan came from Madara.
Then Madara definitely left backdoors in it.
In the battle between him and Obito, victory or defeat was uncertain.
“I understand.”
Pain gave Natsuki a deep look, preparing to leave.
He didn’t know whether he would win or lose in the end, but that didn’t mean he would abandon his past hatred.
On the contrary, if his future was uncertain, he would at least seek revenge on those who hurt him.
Hanzō, one of the masterminds, was already dead.
But the other, Danzō, was still alive and well.
“Wait.”
Natsuki saw their intention to leave and called out.
Pain turned back.
Natsuki continued:
“Jiraiya is your former teacher. His ideals may not be correct, but he will not obstruct your path.”
“At least, before you’ve settled things with Obito, I hope you won’t come into conflict with him.”
Konan glanced at Pain.
They had considered this issue before, and according to their original plan, they would likely clash with Jiraiya.
But if what Natsuki said was true, then there was no difference between Nagato and Jiraiya.
Both had ideals that were flawed.
Pain said nothing, but Konan spoke for him:
“As long as what you say is true, we naturally won’t clash with Jiraiya-sensei.”
“However, Danzō, we will definitely kill him. At that time, perhaps Jiraiya-sensei won’t let us go.”
After all, Danzō was one of Konoha’s high-ranking officials.
If Danzō died by their hands, Jiraiya might pursue them.
However, they clearly didn’t understand Jiraiya’s nature.
Jiraiya didn’t like Danzō, even hated him.
Even if Danzō died by their hands, Jiraiya definitely wouldn’t interfere.
In the previous timeline, Danzō stayed hidden within Konoha for years, rarely stepping outside, let alone leaving the village.
Unless they attacked Konoha directly, Nagato had no chance to exact his revenge.
Though Konan and Nagato were focused on revenge, their greater concern was their ideal of peace, which was why they prioritized capturing the Nine-Tails.
Ultimately, Jiraiya would confront Nagato anyway because of Naruto.
Unexpectedly, Nagato was defeated there, forced to use the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, and lost his life.
In Natsuki’s view, Nagato only accepted Naruto’s ideology because he had no other choice.
Unable to win, he could only give Naruto’s way a try.
In the end, Danzō escaped scot-free, only to be killed by Sasuke.
But this time, everything was different.
The Uchiha Clan had not been massacred.
Sasuke wouldn’t be hunting Danzō.
Nagato and Obito would fall out earlier than before.
If Nagato couldn’t deal with Obito, he probably wouldn’t pursue the Nine-Tails.
Without the Nine-Tails, then Danzō’s head… would be his priority.
Natsuki laughed.
“Our Uchiha just so happen to have a grudge with Danzō.”
“I wonder… are you two interested in working together?”
Become a Patron read up to 30 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
