Originally, Nagato had been planning to break ties with Uchiha Obito… but the moment he heard Namikaze Kirito speak, he froze.
It felt as if Kirito had said something even more painful than killing Obito outright.
More importantly—Nagato had already chosen to follow Namikaze Kirito. There was no way he could act without permission now.
So he simply stood to the side with Konan, silently, respectfully.
"Let's go…"
Namikaze Kirito walked straight out of the cave with his two new subordinates.
He completely ignored Uchiha Obito behind him.
If Obito's glare could kill, Kirito and the other two would've died a thousand times over.
On the way back to Konoha, Uzumaki Nagato suddenly spoke more than he ever had before.
It was as if something inside him had finally been released.
For years, he had lived under the crushing weight of Yahiko's will… of that promise… of that purpose. He had been suffocating in it, drowning under it.
But now, after choosing to follow Namikaze Kirito… that pressure was simply gone.
Besides—Namikaze Kirito could bring people back to life.
Effortlessly.
If that was true, then Nagato and Konan's parents… and Yahiko… they would all meet again in the near future.
Just the thought filled both Nagato and Konan with indescribable anticipation.
"What? Looks like you've already sorted out your thoughts."
Namikaze Kirito smiled lightly.
The first reason he wanted Uzumaki Nagato was simple: the Rinnegan must be under his control.
But the second reason was even simpler—he actually had a good impression of the two.
"Thank you, Leader. If not for you, we would've continued being deceived by that Uchiha Obito. Even if we completed collecting the Tailed Beasts, we would've been handing everything to him."
Nagato had heard Obito reveal everything earlier.
Even if they succeeded… it would all become Obito's wedding dress.
And Rinnegan?
It wasn't even his to begin with—just like Obito said.
Konan didn't speak, but the gratitude in her eyes was obvious to anyone.
"It's good that you understand," Kirito said calmly. "What I told you earlier wasn't an empty promise. As long as you serve me well, you'll definitely see your deceased loved ones again."
If one wished to control a person, one must understand their weakness.
For Nagato and Konan, death itself wasn't frightening. What they cherished… were their family and companions.
And Kirito, who possessed the ability to resurrect the dead, couldn't have had an easier handle on them.
"Leader… once we return to the village, remove my eyes."
"Nagato…"
Konan's voice trembled slightly, but Nagato cut her off before she could say more.
"Konan, don't worry. These Rinnegan were never mine. Even if they're removed, it doesn't matter."
Kirito nodded.
"Alright, Nagato. Then hold onto them for now. The Rinnegan doesn't have much use for me yet."
Kirito did want the abilities of the Rinnegan—but a transplant wouldn't give him the full power.
After all, look at the disaster Nagato became after his transplant.
He could only use the basic functions, never unlocking the Rinnegan's true depths.
For Kirito, the best path was clear:
Use the Dark-Dark Fruit's ability to absorb Indra and Asura's chakra…
Then absorb Sharingan…
And evolve the Rinnegan himself.
Only then would he awaken a version perfectly suited for him.
Nagato was stunned.
To be honest, he had always believed Kirito only recruited him for his eyes.
After all, Kirito's abilities—Wood Release, that terrifying darkness, that strange quake-force, the chakra absorption—were monstrous.
So Nagato had offered to hand them over first, to avoid creating discord later.
But he never expected Kirito to reject them outright.
"But… Leader—"
"Enough," Kirito waved off calmly. "Since I accepted you as my subordinate, then you already have what I need. If I wanted your Rinnegan, I would've taken them earlier. Why bother waiting?"
"…Thank you, Leader."
"…Thank you, Leader."
Even Konan bowed slightly. Relief washed over her the moment she heard Kirito didn't want Nagato's eyes.
But when she looked up, she saw Kirito studying her with a strange expression.
Her mind blanked.
He spared my life once in Konoha…
Now he's taking us in…
He doesn't need Nagato's eyes…
…is it me?
Her own thought startled her. The normally calm and cold Konan suddenly felt her ears turn bright red.
Nagato blinked in confusion.
"Konan? What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing."
Her panicked denial only made things more suspicious.
Even Kirito gave her a skeptical look, deepening her embarrassment.
Though all three were extremely powerful, they traveled slowly only because Kirito wanted to examine the surrounding terrain.
After about half a day, as the sun dipped lower, Nagato suddenly stopped and turned with a cold expression.
"Come out."
Swish—swish—swish—
Several figures appeared around them.
"That's… the Rinnegan?!"
"Red hair… Kirito of the Namikaze clan!"
"Inform Lord Raikage immediately!"
Their uniforms and forehead protectors clearly marked them as shinobi from the Hidden Cloud.
The elderly captain instantly recognized Nagato's Rinnegan and Kirito's identity.
As an intelligence officer, knowing major figures in the shinobi world was standard.
And once he realized who they were facing, he made the correct decision—two men flee to report, the rest stay behind.
But before the runners could escape—
Nagato extended his hand.
"Universal Pull!"
WHOOSH—
A terrifying gravitational force erupted. Trees bent, stones tore loose, and the two escaping shinobi were yanked backwards helplessly.
"Alright, Nagato."
Kirito gently pressed down on Nagato's arm.
"Leader?"
Seeing Nagato's confusion, Kirito smiled.
"I've been looking for a reason to visit the Hidden Cloud. Looks like an opportunity came to us."
The Cloud captain's expression changed immediately.
He tried to shout for the escaping teammates—but before he could, countless sheets of white origami fluttered through the air.
Swish—swish—swish—
Konan, sharp as ever, instantly understood Kirito's intention.
To dominate the shinobi world, Namikaze Kirito needed legitimacy—not just power.
The Hokage of Konoha was Namikaze Minato, Kirito's father.
If Kirito wanted to unify the world, he couldn't rely solely on violence.
The other villages would stand tall unless he had a reason… a justification.
And now...
A reason had just delivered itself.
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