"Alright everyone, that's enough idle chatter."
It was Nagato who spoke, forcefully cutting off the discussion—otherwise, these people would probably talk until dawn.
Then Nagato looked at Naruto with eyes that carried a faint trace of affection and said,
"Naruto, tell us why you gathered us here."
With the founding of the Land of Whirlpools, this wasn't just the birth of a nation—it also marked the complete rise of the shinobi profession. More precisely, it opened a new door for all other ninja to walk through.
Ninjutsu didn't necessarily have to be destructive. It could be applied to create things of greater utility:
Wind Release to harvest crops, Earth Release for construction, Water Release for irrigation…
Even Fire and Lightning Release—the two most destructive of the five basic elements—could be harnessed in entirely different ways.
The explosive energy of these two far surpassed the previous three.
And as for kekkei genkai, those went without saying. Take the Byakugan, for instance—it could be used in surgical operations, practically making its wielder a born surgeon.
Because of all this, in less than a year since its founding, the Land of Whirlpools had already developed numerous highly advanced technologies: thunder-lamps, fire-boats, lightning-cars… their level of science and technology had skyrocketed in an explosive surge.
And coupled with the overwhelming pressure exerted by the Akatsuki—an organization capable of "nuking" the world—
In a sense, true peace had already been achieved.
How powerful was Nagato now that he had inherited Isshiki's strength?
His current power had already surpassed the limits of what ordinary people could imagine.
Even without relying on the tailed beasts, Nagato alone was enough to subjugate the entire shinobi world. In fact, even if all the tailed beasts (except the big lug, Kurama) stood against him, he could sweep through the world singlehandedly.
It was even more outrageous than Hashirama back in his day.
But Nagato was not Hashirama—he would not kneel before the other Kage to beg for peace. In his presence, no village dared provoke war. If anyone tried, Nagato would make them understand what it truly meant to "know pain."
This was a peace more real than the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
"Do you know of parallel worlds? Do you believe in other worlds existing?"
For the former Akatsuki members, joining the organization had partly been a way to escape their villages' pursuit and find a measure of safety, and partly because they wanted something thrilling to do.
Think back to what Akatsuki once planned: collecting the tailed beasts, forging a tailed beast weapon, conquering the world. How insane, how exhilarating that had been.
But with the arrival of peace, all of that was gone.
After their battle with Isshiki, Akatsuki had become invincible. While this meant no one dared oppose them, it also robbed life of its excitement. For restless types like Deidara and Hidan, the boredom was unbearable.
World peace was fine for slogans, but did you really expect anyone besides Nagato and Konan to take it as a true creed?
At Naruto's words, the members of Akatsuki exchanged glances—some looked thoughtful, as though they were seriously considering his question; some were indifferent, thinking parallel worlds had nothing to do with them; some looked utterly confused, having no idea what "parallel world" even meant.
So Naruto turned first to the bewildered Deidara and explained,
"It means another world where there's another you. He looks exactly like you, but his habits are completely different. For example—you like eating oden eggs, but he might like bibimbap instead."
At the mention of bibimbap, Deidara's face twisted with disdain, while Hidan snickered at him.
Then Naruto turned to Hidan and said,
"For example—you've got your slicked-back hair, but your other self might be a blonde twin-tailed girl… or maybe even a bald monk."
This time Deidara burst into loud laughter at Hidan's expense.
Two clowns.
"You've said so much…" Sasori finally spoke, his voice calm, as if he had already guessed what Naruto was about to reveal.
"Naruto, you've found a way to travel to another world, haven't you?"
Through the data left behind in Isshiki's abandoned base, Sasori had already gained some understanding of the concept of parallel worlds.
Naruto nodded to him, then turned to the rest of Akatsuki and said,
"So, everyone—would you like to go visit another world?"
He really did find a way to travel to another world.
Even though Sasori had guessed as much, hearing Naruto say it outright still surprised him.
"Another world? Another me?"
Kisame grinned, baring his sharp teeth as he looked at Naruto with interest.
"Of course I—"
"Of course I'm going!" Deidara cut him off before he could finish, blurting excitedly,
"To travel to another world, to meet another version of myself—how fun would that be?
I can't wait to show the other me the power of my art!"
"GKD! GKD!"
Naruto glanced at the eager Deidara, then turned to the rest.
"What about the rest of you?"
"If there are parallel worlds… then there would also be an Akatsuki there, right?" Nagato asked Naruto.
"Of course," Naruto nodded. "But the timeline might not match ours exactly. It could be a future, or a past. Everything you know would exist, but it wouldn't be quite the same."
For instance, the timeline they had reached through the Ryūmyaku had been the one where Rin had died.
"I see…" Nagato murmured, lowering his head. "Then there should also be a world where Yahiko is still alive…"
"Nagato!"
Hearing his murmur, Konan tugged at him gently and shook her head.
"The Yahiko we knew is already dead.
The Yahiko of another world wouldn't truly be the same one we knew, even if he had the same face and the same memories."
"I…" The word caught in Nagato's throat. After a long pause, he continued softly,
"I just wanted Yahiko to see with his own eyes the world he dreamed of, finally realized."
There were many ways to let Yahiko "see" it—Edo Tensei, Samsara of Heavenly Life, or even Edo Tensei combined with Fushi Tensei.
But in their hearts, Yahiko was already gone.
They were the inheritors of Yahiko's will.
Konan looked at Nagato tenderly, then turned her gaze toward the Deva Path of Pain and whispered,
"Yahiko has already seen it."
"Father… Mother…"
Sasori murmured words that only he could hear.
His parents—his deepest wound, still unhealed.
Even though he had remade his own body, even though he told himself he had erased all emotions—
In truth, beneath that cold and ruthless exterior, Sasori still longed for bonds the most. Family, friendship… those things mattered deeply to him.
"Village… Money…"
Even Kakuzu, who valued nothing but money, fell into silence.
If not for his village's betrayal, would he have ever stolen the forbidden technique Earth Grudge Fear? Perhaps his fate would have been completely different.
Though one thing was certain—he wouldn't have lived this long.
As he thought this, Kakuzu pulled a savings book from his robes.
Looking at the long string of numbers on the page, he broke into a satisfied grin.
Nor would he have had this much money.
"Another me, huh?"
Kisame seemed to recall that girl who hadn't feared his appearance.
Only at the moment of death does one truly see themselves.
Another image flickered in his mind.
Heh.
How he wished they could all see the shinobi world as it was now.
It was like something out of a novel.
Neji: Father… I've grown into an excellent Hyūga ninja.
Among everyone present, only Sasuke wore a strange expression.
Another Naruto…?
Blonde twin-tails?
Why am I suddenly imagining that?!
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