"Akatsuki..." Black Zetsu repeated the name. "Is it to commemorate Yahiko?"
"No, it's to remember the pain of the past!"
The Akatsuki was founded by Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato together, originally meant to be the dawn light that changes the world's tragedies.
Nagato himself never had the idea of changing the world. He didn't think he was that great; he just wanted to help his most important friend in the world… Yahiko.
But now it's different.
Having experienced the loss of his parents as a child, endured hunger and wandering, and then losing a friend... Nagato has deeply felt the pain war brings to people.
He wants to change the world, to eliminate war forever.
The Akatsuki created by Yahiko was destroyed by Sunagakure.
Therefore, Nagato named the newly established organization aimed at world peace 'Akatsuki' as well, signifying the inheritance of Yahiko's will.
But this isn't to commemorate Yahiko...
Alright, there is an element of commemoration, but more so to remind himself not to be as naive as Yahiko.
When questioning Ryuji about why he launched the war against Amegakure and how he could invade another country with a clear conscience, the other party's words made him understand the nature of war.
In the end, everyone has a different self. Under different self-concepts, the paths taken will also be different.
Some paths are the same; everyone can coexist peacefully or support each other to move forward together. But some paths will cross each other, becoming obstacles to others' paths.
To clear one's own path, others' paths are destroyed.
And at this time, war breaks out.
There is no justice or evil, no right or wrong.
What you think is justice is evil to others. What you believe is right is wrong to others. Just like Sunagakure's war against Amegakure a few months ago.
To protect the country from invasion, Yahiko led the Akatsuki to resist Sunagakure's invasion. But their act of defending the country was actually aiding Hanzo's invasion of the Land of Iron.
In the end, humans are not gods. They will always encounter situations where, if not resolved, they will die, but the only way to resolve them is through violence.
In the face of life and death, mutual understanding is useless. Only stronger violence, violence that crushes both sides, can suppress war.
It is precisely because he understood this that Nagato cooperated with Madara. Even if he was the one who killed Konan, even if this was all his scheme, it didn't matter.
Yes, Nagato had seen through everything.
Konan's strange death, the timely assistance from someone completely unrelated… it was all too obvious.
Unlike Obito, who did nothing and just let the tide of the times and harsh reality drown the Akatsuki, Madara's hasty move made in desperation couldn't be perfect. Although Ryuji's actions weren't successful, they still created obstacles for him!
But Madara was already dead. No matter how much Nagato hated him, he couldn't take it out on a dead man.
At the same time, in his view, Madara was also a distorted product born from this cruel world. Without changing this world, there would be another Madara, and the same tragedies would happen again to those around him.
Therefore, cooperation was only natural.
No, not cooperation, but utilization.
Madara utilizes his power, and he utilizes the secrets Madara knows.
Using each other to achieve the final goal… that is Nagato's plan.
First, establish an armed organization, carry out terrorist activities everywhere to provoke wars between small countries.
Then, break the monopoly of the Five Great Shinobi Villages with low prices, damaging the economic systems of the Five Great Nations.
Finally, take swift action amidst the chaos, capture the Tailed Beasts before the Five Great Nations react, and create weapons powerful enough to suppress war, thereby achieving world peace.
As for the Eye of the Moon Plan...
If you want to daydream, why not just go wash up and sleep? Why go around harming others?
"So what about Jiraiya?" Black Zetsu asked again.
"...Have White Zetsu transform into my appearance and put on a good show in front of Jiraiya." Nagato pondered. "The power of the Rinnegan is too conspicuous. Operating under the name Nagato will attract the attention of those who know the secrets. So, let Nagato die completely. From now on, there is no Nagato, only Pain!"
"Understood!"
With these words, the pitcher plants on both sides of Black Zetsu's head closed, and he slowly sank into the wall.
…
"Ah! So comfortable!"
Ryuji sat up in bed, stretching luxuriously.
Over the past six months, he was either experimenting, running around outside, or in someone else's village, never able to sleep peacefully.
Now, the mission was complete, and there was nothing else in the village requiring his attention. He could finally sleep in.
The door quietly opened.
Aka entered carrying toiletries.
"What would Master like to eat later?"
"Anything is fine."
"Then I'll make what Master usually likes."
"Hmm!"
After a few minutes of washing up, Ryuji got dressed and left the bedroom, enjoying breakfast in the dining room outside.
During the meal, Aka asked, "What are Master's plans next?"
"Rest for a couple of days first, then continue with experiments." Ryuji responded while eating.
Village matters were handled by the Third Kazekage and Ebizo. Right now, he only had his own tasks.
Creating new mechanical birds, Iron Fortresses, Armor; researching the essence of Chakra, the Dragon Vein, Sage Mode, the monitoring system covering the Mechanical City...
"Why do you ask?" Ryuji was somewhat curious.
Although Aka also had curiosity, she never pried into his schedule.
"Karura asked me to ask."
"..."
Ryuji was speechless.
'You just sold out your master like that?'
Aka couldn't help but laugh, explaining, "This concerns Master's happiness. As Master's servant, Aka naturally spares no effort to help."
"But I already have Pakura."
"But doesn't Master also maintain an ambiguous relationship with Kana?"
Ryuji was left speechless.
Although it started as a transaction for the power of the Hawk Eyes and Kagero Clan with no other intentions, continuing to be entangled after the transaction was completed was blatant cheating.
"Master and Pakura have only been in a confirmed relationship for a short while; they're not married yet. Who Master ends up with is still unknown!"
Hearing this, Ryuji felt somewhat puzzled and hesitated. "...Do you dislike Pakura?"
"I don't dislike her."
"Then why are you speaking up for Karura like this?"
"Naturally, it's because I like Karura-san more. She's so gentle, kind, considerate, and understanding. If she were with Master, Master would surely be very happy!"
"..."
Ryuji opened his mouth, wanting to say something but stopping.
After a moment of silence, he continued, "But compatibility in a relationship isn't about how good each other's personalities are, but about whether their personalities are suitable for each other!"
"Karura-san's personality is definitely suitable for Master." Aka smiled. "Even knowing about Master's unclear relationship with Kana, Karura-san still boldly confessed to Master. Her love for Master must surpass her own feelings, which is why she is so tolerant. In the future, no matter what emotional betrayals Master commits, she will choose to forgive. Don't you like a woman like that, Master?"
"This..."
Ryuji was left speechless.
'Gentle, kind, tolerant of a man having other women, beautiful herself, and seemingly a legal loli... What man wouldn't love a woman like that?'
'Probably none!'
'But wouldn't that be too much of a scumbag move?'
'And even if Karura doesn't mind, wouldn't Pakura mind?'
'Huh?'
'Why am I thinking about this?'
'Could it be that deep down, I really want to embrace two women at the same time?'
Ryuji couldn't help but feel confused.