"Uncle Sosuke, do you know about the Rinnegan?" Nagato, after a moment of silence, chose to trust Mokgetsu.
"Yes." Mokgetsu nodded with a smile, "It's the eyes of the Six Paths Sage, and they're right in front of me."
Nagato looked at Mokgetsu in shock, realizing that Mokgetsu had already recognized his Rinnegan without him knowing.
"No need to be too surprised; actually, there are quite a few descendants of the Six Paths Sage in the world. Those familiar with the sage's history can recognize your eyes," Mokgetsu reminded.
Nagato showed a knowing expression and realized it was his turn to tell his story to Mokgetsu when Mokgetsu didn't speak further.
"Although these are my eyes, I still can't fully control their power. I first discovered I had this kind of power on the day my parents were killed by Konoha ninjas." Nagato's expression darkened as he mentioned his parents' death.
This was still a painful memory he couldn't forget; he was once a child with both parents.
Mokgetsu gently patted Nagato's back. In the original story, Nagato's life, even among the Hokage characters, was one of the more tragic ones.
Chosen by Uchiha Madara for Rinnegan transplantation, his entire life was orchestrated, always losing important people.
"Because of my parents, I really hated Konoha ninjas, but one Konoha ninja changed my view of them, and that was Jiraiya-sensei." Nagato's expression improved slightly at the mention of Jiraiya.
If Nagato had a list of important people in his heart, Yahiko would be first, Konan second, and Jiraiya third.
Jiraiya taught Nagato many ninjutsu to help him better control the Rinnegan's power, and he often encouraged Nagato and comforted him in his moments of despair.
Even today, Nagato occasionally dreams of his time with Jiraiya, those truly relaxed and happy times without too much to think about.
Jiraiya helped them realize that not all Konoha ninjas are bad; it depends on the individual.
"The Sannin Jiraiya, I know him, he's an extraordinary ninja," Mokgetsu responded with a smile.
"Jiraiya-sensei taught me many things. Last time, because Yahiko was attacked by ninjas, I couldn't control the Rinnegan's power and killed the opponent directly, although deep down, I didn't want to kill, because there must be a better solution than killing.
But back then, my mind was full of hatred, and by the time I came to my senses, the opponent was already down, and it was too late." Nagato slightly lowered his head.
Nagato doesn't like killing. He thinks it's the worst scenario, so killing due to the Rinnegan's outburst caused him an identity crisis.
"Even though Jiraiya-sensei taught me so much ninjutsu, I'm still like this. Maybe I'm the only one he misjudged, someone like me can't save anyone, let alone save the world." Nagato's mood grew increasingly dejected.
"Don't deny yourself like that. If it weren't for your intervention, Yahiko and the others might have been hurt; you protected your companions," Mokgetsu said, looking into Nagato's eyes.
"Moreover, since they attacked you, fighting back is the natural thing to do. Their deaths aren't your fault."
Nagato looked at Mokgetsu, and behind Mokgetsu, he seemed to see a familiar figure with white hair.
"Uncle Sosuke, how do you think peace can be achieved?" Nagato asked impulsively.
He wondered if Mokgetsu's answer would match Jiraiya's.
"If you're asking for a sure plan to achieve peace, then no, I don't have one," Mokgetsu replied.
"But if you're talking about working towards peace, then that's what we're already doing."
"Spreading the idea of peace, raising public awareness, improving personal abilities..."
Nagato looked at Mokgetsu again, and the white-haired figure behind Mokgetsu disappeared; they were ultimately different.
The answer Jiraiya gave back then was vaguer than Mokgetsu's.
Jiraiya said he hadn't thought of an answer, then said that feeling pain would make people grow and think about how to treat others kindly. If everyone understood each other, maybe peace would come.
Before Jiraiya left, he entrusted the task of seeking peace to Nagato, believing that Nagato with the Rinnegan might be the reincarnation of the Six Paths Sage, and the hope for peace lay in Nagato's eyes.
Nagato felt Mokgetsu was more like the savior that Jiraiya spoke of.
The Six Paths Sage traveled the Ninja World spreading peace and creating the Ninja Sect, while Mokgetsu traversed the Land of Rain spreading peace and creating the Ninja Sect.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself; even if you have the same eyes as the Six Paths Sage, you don't need to measure yourself against him. You are you, you are Nagato, and no one else," Mokgetsu said earnestly.
In his view, Nagato was the type to put a lot of pressure on himself.
This kind of personality is troublesome because there's a limit to human endurance, and too much pressure will eventually lead to a breakdown.
If it were Obito losing control and resolving all the enemies, he definitely wouldn't feel guilty, instead, he'd boast in front of Nohara Rin and Kakashi.
Of course, Mokgetsu wasn't saying Obito's way was good, just that blending both their approaches might be better.
Nagato trembled; these were words Jiraiya never said to him.
Compared to Jiraiya saying he was the reincarnation of the Six Paths Sage, the savior, Nagato found he surprisingly preferred Mokgetsu's words: you are you, you are Nagato.
The image of Mokgetsu in Nagato's mind gradually enriched, marking him as someone worthy of respect.