When would war end?
That was a hard question.
Especially when the one asking was Nagato—
A "child of prophecy" with the potential to fall into darkness.
Rei narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, then countered:
"Nagato—are you trying to condemn Kirigakure for starting this war?"
"A little." Nagato sighed. "But not entirely."
"In the past few years, I've seen Kumogakure provoke Sunagakure, Kumogakure provoke Konoha, Iwagakure provoke Konoha… and now Kirigakure provoking Konoha."
"Every time a war looks like it's about to end, the countries that were watching from the sidelines jump in and ignite a new one."
"The chain of war and hatred spreads, dragging more and more people into disaster—driving them from their homes, tearing families apart."
"I thought… once Kirigakure—the last of the Five Great Nations to join—finally fought Konoha to a conclusion, this long war might finally end."
"But Iwagakure and Kumogakure, who were already defeated, and even Sunagakure—who can barely protect itself after losing the Third Kazekage—are becoming restless again because of Kirigakure's move."
Nagato's voice turned into something between a bitter laugh and self-mockery.
"War has brought Akatsuki many comrades who crave peace."
"But if war continues…"
"Forget the new members who join us carrying hatred and pain… even Yahiko and I might eventually begin to doubt our faith."
"…Nagato." Rei cut in, his expression strange. "Instead of telling me Akatsuki's ideals and asking a random ANBU-type about when war ends…"
"Why don't you first think about something simpler?"
"Think about why I'm standing here listening to you in the first place."
"Huh?" Nagato blinked. "Why does that matter?"
"It matters." Rei rolled his eyes. "If you understand that, you've already found a key."
"Really?"
"Really. Here, I'll give you a hint."
Rei lifted a finger and pointed to his own eyes, motioning for Nagato to mirror him.
Nagato raised his hand uncertainly—
Then his expression shifted.
"…Because," he murmured, "I have the Rinnegan?"
"What else?" Rei dropped his hand. "Do you even know Kirigakure's reputation in the shinobi world?"
"Cold. Brutal. Emotionless. Completing missions without hesitation. Leaving no prisoners."
"In that environment, do I look like the kind of person who stops to have a friendly chat with a stranger?"
Nagato smiled faintly.
"No. When we first met, you were about to ambush me with Shikotsumyaku."
"Exactly." Rei's tense nerves eased a fraction. He avoided meeting Nagato's Rinnegan directly and spoke with a tone that held both envy and caution.
"I didn't do it. I listened to every word you said. I even exchanged names with you."
"And it's because you have eyes I don't know how to handle."
Nagato didn't insist on eye contact. He looked interested now.
"So you mean… if I become strong enough—stronger than the Five Kage—then they'll stop ordering wars?"
"Not exactly." Rei shook his head. "A Kage carries too much to withdraw a war command that casually."
"But if you really were that strong, the Five Kage couldn't ignore Akatsuki's demands and ideals."
Nagato's brows tightened.
"But that would just be intimidation based on my personal strength."
"If I died… or if a stronger shinobi appeared in one of the Five Great Villages… war would return anyway."
Rei answered smoothly, as if he'd expected this.
"But in the meantime, you'd spread your ideas and buy the world a period of peace."
"Isn't that already enough?"
He pointed toward a nearby building that still bore the Uzumaki crest.
"The last person who intimidated the entire shinobi world with sheer power and dragged history into a new era…"
"Was Konoha's First Hokage, Senju Hashirama."
"While he lived, the other four great countries didn't dare start a war out of fear."
"The shinobi village system spread across the world. And the institutions created by the Second Hokage—like the ninja academy and ANBU—were absorbed and adopted by other nations."
"I didn't live in that era, so I can't say how strong Hashirama truly was."
"But you, Nagato… your Rinnegan is the ultimate dōjutsu passed down from the Sage of Six Paths."
"If you use it well…"
"Maybe you can do what Hashirama did—and win decades of peace while the world changes."
"Decades of peace…"
Nagato closed his eyes, trying to imagine a span that long using the short life he'd already lived as a ruler.
"If the world could truly have decades of peace… even if it's only superficial peace…"
"Then I wouldn't have shamed these eyes… or Jiraiya-sensei's teachings and trust. Right, Yahiko?"
With resolve on his face, Nagato opened his eyes to thank Rei—
Only to find Rei was gone.
In less than ten seconds, he'd vanished into the autumn wind without a trace.
"He ran?" Nagato shook his head. "What a pity. I wanted to thank you properly, Rei."
He used Body Flicker and returned to the area where Rei had first spotted him.
A few short, clear whistles—
And a red-haired woman, slightly older than Nagato, rushed out from a concealed building, worry written all over her face.
"Nagato-sama! Did you drive away that awful Kirigakure shinobi? Thank goodness…"
"Are you hurt? If you are, bite me—it'll heal right away!"
"Alright, alright, Karin." Nagato awkwardly dodged her. "I'm not hurt. I don't need treatment. Don't—don't get so close…"
Seeing him uninjured and clean, Karin finally relaxed. She pushed up her glasses and sighed.
"If I hadn't met you, Nagato-sama, that Kirigakure guy might've found me and taken me…"
"I just wanted to see Uzushiogakure one last time before leaving the Land of Whirlpools… why did I run into Kirigakure? Haven't they already taken anything valuable?"
"…Maybe it's fate," Nagato said quietly.
He thought of the coincidences.
He'd come out to clear his head because of a casual rumor from comrades. He'd saved a fellow Uzumaki. And he'd gained a path—an interesting idea—from Kaguya Rei, who didn't act like any Kaguya descendant Nagato had imagined.
If he brought these gains back—
Yahiko and Konan would be shocked.
"Karin," Nagato said, "I'm returning to the Land of Rain to rejoin my comrades."
"What about you? Will you stick to the plan and leave the Land of Whirlpools for another country…"
"Or would you consider coming with me to the Land of Rain—and joining Akatsuki?"
"I choose the second one!"
"That fast?!"
"Because if I choose the second one… the Nagato-sama who recruited me will probably take care of a fellow Uzumaki a little, right?"
"…That's fair."
Nagato turned and looked toward the direction of the Land of Water.
If I truly become someone stronger than the Five Kage…
If Yahiko's ideals become known…
If we buy the world time for peace and progress…
Then when we meet again—
What will you be, Rei?
The head of the Kaguya clan?
Or…
The Fourth Mizukage?
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