"You said… an organization? A mission?"
Hearing these words, Nagato froze on the spot.
"That's right."
The young man nodded slightly, meeting the curious or scrutinizing gazes of the few people before him, and said calmly, "Guiding you onto the right path and bringing true peace to the world is a task that 'Eternal Day' has inherited and must complete."
Although his voice was muffled and strange due to the mask, there was no hint of malice in his tone; instead, it exuded a certain friendliness. He seemed to possess a kind of magic that made Nagato slowly let go of his tension and suspicion.
"As for me… I am the current leader of 'Eternal Day.'"
He slowly approached Nagato, his posture relaxed and natural, stopping at a distance that was precisely measured, allowing both parties ample space.
It neither further provoked Nagato's resistance nor subtly drew them closer, increasing a sense of intimacy.
"You can call me 'Jin,' as in the embers of ash."
As he stated his name, the young man spread his arms, once again using body language to suggest he was trustworthy.
"I will use the sparks remaining in the embers to light your way and disperse the fog."
"Why? Why me? Is it just because I have these eyes?"
Nagato's mind was in turmoil. The other party spoke with such certainty, confidence, and frankness. Combined with what Jiraiya-sensei had said back then, the various impacts left him completely bewildered.
Could it be true, as this person claimed, that the Rinnegan was born to bear some destiny of saving the world?
But all along, he had taken Yahiko's ideals as his life's goal, firmly believing that this was the true hope for the Ninja World to achieve peace.
What could make the world better was love, mutual understanding, not some Rinnegan.
Probably sensing Nagato's internal self-doubt, the young man deliberately slowed his tone and explained things more clearly.
"Nagato, there's no need to underestimate yourself. You are the reincarnation of the Six Paths Sage's will, and those Rinnegan are the proof."
"The Six Paths Sage desired the world to remain stable and prosperous, so he passed down this power. Whenever the Ninja World falls into turmoil, his reincarnation will awaken the Rinnegan to set the world back on track."
"Currently, the nations of the Ninja World are engaged in continuous warfare, and the common people suffer immensely. Even during truces, only the great nations bask in the sunlight and enjoy peace, while smaller nations are barely surviving in the shadows."
"It is precisely because of such suffering that you awakened the Rinnegan in your childhood, receiving the power bestowed by the Six Paths Sage."
"And 'Eternal Day' is another legacy he left behind, to ensure that his reincarnation can inherit his ideals and walk the correct path."
"So what you mean is," Yahiko was greatly shocked to suddenly hear such a secret of the Ninja World, but he still had some doubts, "you are here to help Nagato inherit the will of the Six Paths Sage and bring peace back to the Ninja World?"
"Exactly~" The young man snapped his fingers, reverting to his initial, somewhat less serious demeanor.
Yahiko pressed, "Then what is the ideal of the Six Paths Sage that you intend to uphold?"
"It's a long story."
The young man sighed, looking up at the void, as if reminiscing about that grand scene from long ago: "A thousand years ago, when the Six Paths Sage was still alive, there was no conflict, no war, no hatred in the Ninja World. But after he passed away, the world fell into a state of division."
"Where there is light, there must be shadow. As long as the concept of a winner exists, so too does the concept of a loser."
"Even to protect peace, people will wage war against each other, because once one wishes to protect love, hatred will inevitably be born. This is a cause-and-effect relationship that cannot be separated."
Narrating these sorrowful facts, the young man's voice rose and fell, filled with regret and indignation.
Outside the cave, the biting cold wind suddenly intensified, making a "whooshing" sound. Large raindrops were swept up, forming waves of water, reflecting the increasingly dim sky, together weighing heavily on their troubled hearts.
But as the wind and rain gradually subsided, the young man's tone subtly began to lift, drawing the bewildered eyes of his listeners towards him, awaiting the answer.
"As long as we emulate the Six Paths Sage, we can, like him, create a world with only winners, only peace, only love, a world where only these things exist."
"With the assistance of 'Eternal Day,' you will surely embark on the path to creating this world."
"The moment you gain the true power of the Rinnegan, you will immediately achieve this dream."
"Come, Nagato, you will become the savior of this world!"
The young man sincerely and solemnly extended his hand. Nagato could almost feel his burning gaze through the two holes in the mask, scorching his soul like fire.
"I…"
Nagato gasped nervously and urgently, his fingernails digging deep into his palms, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
The three words "savior of the world" were deafening, like a thunderbolt that jolted him awake from his stupor.
He couldn't believe that he actually bore such a heavy mission, and subconsciously wanted to deny it, but he also understood that if all of this was true, then he had no escape left.
Konan looked at Nagato with concern, unsure how to speak, as this was Nagato's own destiny to choose.
Ultimately, it was Yahiko who first composed himself and temporarily declined the invitation on Nagato's behalf: "This is a serious matter, and you have no proof. I'm sorry, but we cannot believe such a story, nor can we be sure whether you intend to use us."
"Even if what you say is true, whether Nagato chooses to inherit the Six Paths Sage's will is his own consideration; no one can force him."
"We already have our own path to follow and things to do, and we are working hard towards them. As long as people understand each other's pain, they can still approach a true world."
The young man listened to Yahiko in silence, not responding for a long time.
Just as the three worried that the other party, having failed to achieve his goal, would become enraged, and tensed their bodies, preparing for a fight, the young man sighed and shook his head, his tone betraying neither anger nor sorrow.
"Peace achieved through mutual understanding between individuals is like a flower in a mirror, a moon in the water—seemingly beautiful, but actually illusory."
"But no matter what I say, you won't turn back until you've hit rock bottom, will you?"
"Don't worry, I won't stop you from leaving, but if you need help, you can come find me here~"
The young man's tone of voice clearly indicated he was smiling, and he smiled gently and inclusively. The three even felt that he didn't sound like a young man, but rather an old man who had weathered many storms.
Yahiko signaled Nagato and Konan to leave first. After the two of them walked out of the cave, he slowly retreated as well.
Throughout the entire process, the other party remained still, watching them disappear into the rain curtain…