Why was there a recorded image of Nagato appearing on that screen spanning the heavens?
He was the one who destroyed Konoha!
Wasn't he supposed to be the villain who brought pain to others?
Kakashi: "Judging from the distance of this footage, it feels very close. And surveillance like this hasn't really been widespread, has it?"
Shikamaru: "Right. The Land of Rain is poor—even getting food is difficult. The chances of having surveillance equipment at home are extremely low."
Senju Hashirama: "What are you all even doubting? I'm dead, and you can still hear me talking—and you're still analyzing this and that!"
Senju Tobirama: "Big Brother's right. Madara, why aren't you saying anything? If you stay silent, I'll suspect you're up to something."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "I agree with my teacher. If you don't speak, I'll suspect you're plotting something."
Orochimaru: "Interesting. Based on historical records I've seen, this isn't like Madara's personality."
Mei Terumī: "Curious +1."
Gaara: "Curious +1."
Ōnoki: "Curious +1."
Uchiha Madara: "Whether I talk or not has nothing to do with you. Are you all sick or something?!"
Damn it.
What was he supposed to say?!
Could he dare analyze this too deeply?
His Rinnegan were still in Nagato's possession!
Would that part be exposed?
Even if it was… no one would guess, right?
The voices in the chatroom continued to echo in everyone's minds, while the scene on the massive screen pressed forward without pause.
[Inside a pitch-black room, the door was suddenly pushed open, and light flooded in.]
["Did you find anything?" someone rummaging through the kitchen asked.]
["Found a can. Haven't eaten in four days."]
["What are you talking about? It's only been three days," another replied.]
["Whatever—just eat quickly. I can't hold on much longer."]
["We still need to check other places later."]
[Inside the room, the family of three—Nagato and his parents—were terrified. Their faces were pale, their eyes filled with fear. They didn't dare make the slightest sound.]
[They knew—the ones who had come were shinobi.]
[Nagato's father: "Take this chance and run."]
[Nagato: "I'm scared… what if we're discovered?"]
[Beads of sweat formed on his father's forehead as he spoke softly and gently: "It's alright. As long as we stay quiet and don't make a sound."]
[Nagato's father stepped forward to observe. Seeing that the shinobi outside were busy eating, he hurriedly signaled his wife and child to move—but at that critical moment, Nagato, in his nervousness, bumped into the table.]
[The kettle on the table wobbled, then fell to the ground.]
[Clatter!]
[The crisp sound instantly caught the attention of the shinobi outside.]
["Who's there?!"]
[Judging by their attire, they were clearly shinobi from Konoha.]
Naruto: "It's really dark inside—they need to be careful."
Neji: "Those two aren't from the Hyūga clan. Otherwise, they would've activated the Byakugan already."
Mei Terumī: "Being discovered at a time like this… the situation looksXuanyuan bad."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "The room is unlit and completely dark. Even if there's no danger, hearing a sound like that would make anyone stay on high alert."
Orochimaru: "Necessary vigilance is fine—but going too far is another matter."
Fourth Raikage A: "Isn't this a war zone? Why are there still civilians? Your Konoha and Sunagakure ninjas fought too fiercely."
Fourth Kazekage Rasa: "If we're talking about which of the Five Great Nations is the most aggressive and domineering, it's your Land of Lightning. You grab anything good you see."
Fourth Raikage A: "Nonsense! Our Kumogakure shinobi are united!"
"Xuanyuan Clan": "The secret techniques of Sugino Village were stolen by you personally. Have you forgotten the giant spider on your chest?"
Fourth Raikage A: "..."
How could he forget?!
That condition had only been cured by the current Hokage—Tsunade.
And the person involved was still right here!!!
Nagato: "Raikage… the sudden destruction of the Uzumaki clan—did you have something to do with that as well?"
Fourth Raikage A: "What kind of joke is that?! Our Kumogakure shinobi have always been upright and honorable!!!"
Yagura Karatachi: "I was being controlled back then. Somehow, I ended up participating alongside Kumogakure in destroying the Uzumaki clan."
Everyone was shocked.
There was something like that?!
The annihilation of the Uzumaki clan had been a major event at the time.
After all, their ability to control tailed beasts was among the most effective in the entire shinobi world.
Konoha had been able to suppress the Nine-Tails precisely because of an Uzumaki jinchūriki.
And other nations—wanting to weaken Konoha while also gaining or studying the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques—naturally seized the opportunity to destroy them.
Mei Terumī: "Former Mizukage-sama, being this frank makes things difficult for me…"
Yagura Karatachi: "No need to worry. The Land of Water is far from the mainland."
The Raikage was furious.
Why were all these dead people here stirring up trouble?!
If he could move right now, he would've smashed the desk in front of him to pieces!
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "I sensed something was wrong back then and brought Kushina back. I didn't expect it really was you all. It's all Danzō's fault—if he had listened to me, the Uzumaki clan wouldn't have been destroyed!"
Danzō ground his teeth in secret.
What the hell did you ever say?!
Sure, I bear some responsibility—but is all of this really on me?!
Nagato listened coldly to their conversation.
This was what the great nations were like.
Anything valuable—they would seize.
Any good resource—they would claim for themselves by force.
As for the lives of smaller nations' shinobi and civilians—
They didn't care in the slightest.
Nagato: "That is why the Akatsuki… will conquer the world through force—and create peace through fear!"