Salamander Hanzo seemed somewhat regretful as he spoke: "These were all my mistakes. All because I became too arrogant when I was granted the title of Ninja Demigod, thinking I could subdue the Ninja Villages of the Three Great Nations with my own power. I never expected the war to end in such a disastrous defeat. The Land of Rain suffered heavy losses and has never been able to recover, leading me to reluctantly agree to Danzo's demands..."
"..."
Nagato slowly unclenched his fist.
Salamander Hanzo had personally revealed the truth of the past to him, and with sensei Jiraiya having spoken of it as well, it meant that what he said was true.
If that is the case...
Can I really blame him?
Salamander Hanzo looked at Nagato and continued, "I did not come here to seek forgiveness, but to atone. Before I die, I only have one request..."
"Speak."
There seemed to be a flicker of color in Nagato's eyes.
As expected!
I knew this guy had issues!
As long as he makes an unreasonable request, I'll have a new reason for revenge!
"Do not stir up a civil war in the Land of Rain."
Salamander Hanzo lowered his head, softly begging, "I've already instructed all my confidants. You can take over the leadership of The Hidden Rain Village immediately. You could even spread the ideals of the Akatsuki Organization that Yahiko once disseminated in the Land of Rain. The Land of Rain can no longer endure any upheavals..."
"..."
Nagato felt a pang of guilt.
This old man, Salamander Hanzo, was someone who paid his life and honor for the Land of Rain, whereas I became a person who would start a civil war for power...
The reason for revenge...
Has disappeared...
"After that tragedy, Shimura Danzo urged me to continue hunting you down, but I knew his intentions were not good..."
Salamander Hanzo fixed his gaze on Nagato and spoke softly, "After Danzo left the Land of Rain, I had always hoped to find an opportunity to talk to you..."
"All these years, I have been tracing your whereabouts, only hoping that my useful body could clarify the events of the past, hoping that you can take up the future of The Hidden Rain Village..."
"Why..."
Nagato looked at Salamander Hanzo, his voice somewhat wavering, "Why are you telling me all this, about handing over The Hidden Rain Village to me..."
"You are the most suitable candidate."
Salamander Hanzo looked into Nagato's eyes and said solemnly, "The Land of Rain sits at the junction of three Great Nations: Konoha, The Hidden Rock Village, The Hidden Sand Village. Each of their conflicts turns the Land of Rain into a battlefield, bringing bloodshed and chaos to the Land of Rain..."
"After being hailed as a Ninja Demigod, I once wanted to solve this issue, but ended up powerless, only able to rely on this title, struggling to keep the Land of Rain from being annexed. However, there will come a day when I grow old..."
Salamander Hanzo did not shy away from Nagato's abilities, saying, "You possess the Rinnegan, the one person who can uphold the peace of The Hidden Rain even after a Ninja Demigod is gone!"
"If you would agree, I am willing to take my life before you, to atone for the sins I've committed..."
"Also..."
"Please bury me nearby after I die..."
"Bury me alongside that little fellow named Yahiko, so that when I arrive in the Netherworld, I can atone to that little fellow named Yahiko..."
After saying this, Salamander Hanzo suddenly dragged the chain, raising the scythe upside down, as if in the next moment he would pierce his own body if Nagato spoke!
"Then go ahead and take your own life!"
Unexpectedly, Nagato suddenly spoke.
"..."
Jiraiya was shocked, as though he wanted to say something in dissuasion.
But before Jiraiya could say a word, Salamander Hanzo had already raised the scythe, about to plunge it mercilessly into his body!
Bang!
Nagato suddenly raised his palm!
A repulsive force erupted suddenly, instantly blasting Salamander Hanzo away!
The Ninja Demigod rolled and fell to the ground, unable even to hold onto the scythe, which flew out of his hand, leaving him looking rather disheveled!
"I will not kill you."
Nagato slowly closed his eyes, speaking softly, "Because if I had died then and Yahiko was still alive, he would certainly not have killed you either..."
"..."
Salamander Hanzo was silent for a while.
The Ninja Demigod slowly shook his head and said to Nagato, "At the very least, let my death extinguish your hatred. Do not incite a purge in The Hidden Rain Village..."
Nagato glanced at Salamander Hanzo and said softly, "I know you've spread the message within the Land of Rain. Those associated with the Akatsuki Organization will be pardoned. We will not incite a civil war in the Land of Rain..."
"Thank you."
Salamander Hanzo fell silent once more, speaking softly, "Now, I shall take my leave. You may head directly to The Hidden Rain Village..."
"I will not go to The Hidden Rain Village to take the position of leader."
Nagato shook his head, seeming indifferent, "Even if I become the leader of The Hidden Rain Village, the situation in the Land of Rain will not change. The Ninja World will continue to wage wars, people will still continue to die. What I need to do now is not maintain peace in one village, but bring change to the entire Ninja World, to create a world where war does not exist..."
"How is that possible?"
Salamander Hanzo looked at Nagato, slowly shaking his head, seemingly in disbelief, "As long as people exist, the wars of the Ninja World can never end..."
"They will."
Nagato's eyes were full of determination, as if unwavering in his plan, "As long as..."
"As long as you kill everyone..."
Akihara Kagura followed up with a line.
Jiraiya angrily pressed down on his disciple.
"Nagato."
Konan understood Kagura's reminder, realizing that Nagato was about to reveal the plan, and stopped him from continuing with, "Would peace in the Ninja World be possible if everyone could understand each other?"
Konan had remained silent since Salamander Hanzo appeared, waiting for Nagato's decision, not wanting her ideas to influence him.
But...
Hanzo's appearance had affected Nagato, prompting him to nearly divulge the Akatsuki Organization's true plan. Fortunately, Kagura interrupted him just in time.
"The Ninja World will be peaceful."
Nagato took a deep breath, calming himself, saying no more.
"But, the Land of Rain won't be at peace."
Salamander Hanzo shook his head and sighed, "Without great power to deter them, the peace just restored to The Hidden Rain Village will soon return to chaos due to the discord between the Akatsuki Organization and the village ninjas..."
"You are a Ninja Demigod..."
"I can only hold them off for so long."
Salamander Hanzo looked at Nagato, continuing, "However, I am already old, I worry that after my death, the two different factions of ninjas will fight against each other, no one willing to submit to a successor of another faction. To ensure the peace of the Land of Rain, the next leader must be someone from the Akatsuki Organization, and you are the best choice..."
Salamander Hanzo brought up a story at this point: "Many years ago, the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan founded Konoha together. Within Konoha Village, the succession of the Hokage position, First Hokage Senju Hashirama intended to pass it to his brother. Not giving the position to Uchiha Madara led to his defection..."
"Since then."
"The internal strife between Konoha's higher-ups and the Uchiha Clan has never ceased."
"During this time, I could spare time to observe the situation and quell the internal strife, all due to Konoha's severe internal issues. Shimura Danzo was preoccupied with managing the Uchiha Clan, unable to suppress The Hidden Rain Village..."
"..."
Jiraiya felt his eye twitching.
What on earth was happening, the internal struggles of Konoha Village being known by so many people, it really is embarrassing worldwide!
"At least... until after you pass away."
Nagato was still somewhat hesitant in his heart.
Although Salamander Hanzo had said a lot, Nagato still did not fully believe himself capable of becoming the leader of The Hidden Rain Village.
"I can pass away now."
Salamander Hanzo unexpectedly pulled out a kunai, even strategizing for him, "After I die, there will inevitably be chaos in The Hidden Rain Village. You could take the opportunity to quell it..."
"Heavenly Attraction!"
From Nagato's palm burst a gravitational force, abruptly pulling up Salamander Hanzo's body, effortlessly grabbing the kunai.
"At least..."
Nagato shook his head, considering the future capture of Tailed Beasts by the Akatsuki Organization would inevitably provoke other Great Country Ninja Villages. He did not want to bring trouble to The Hidden Rain Village, "At least... let me finish the important matters. I promise you, it will be done in the future."