The first Akatsuki organization was founded by Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, inspired by the teachings of Jiraiya.
Back then, the organization believed in peace without violence. As long as people trusted each other, the world could achieve peace. And for a while… that naïve dream actually worked. More and more people believed in it and joined Akatsuki.
Then reality kicked in—hard.
Hanzō colluded with Danzō Shimura, set up an ambush, and slaughtered Yahiko along with many of the original Akatsuki members.
That day, Nagato's faith in humanity died along with Yahiko.
After that, he became "Pain"—a god who would make others understand suffering. If people couldn't be trusted, then fine… he'd just beat the idea of peace into them with overwhelming force.
From then on, whether it meant starting wars or destroying peace, he wouldn't hesitate—as long as it led to his version of peace.
That was the belief of "God" Pain.
And he had followed that belief… right up until he met Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, in the Land of Waves.
Naruto wasn't just strong—he was a walking, talking roadblock to the entire Tailed Beast Plan.
The moment Nagato realized he couldn't crush him outright… the plan was already hanging by a thread.
Unless he gathered the rest of Akatsuki for a full-on gangbang—which would instantly alert the Five Great Nations—this whole operation was basically screwed.
Nagato stopped thinking about it and looked at Naruto coldly.
"It seems you know more about the original Akatsuki than I expected. But that ideal… has already been proven wrong. Only absolute power can maintain lasting peace in the ninja world."
Naruto looked at him… then suddenly laughed.
"So you went from blindly trusting everyone… to trusting absolutely no one? Damn, your Akatsuki really speedran the entire 'idealism to depression' arc, huh?"
He continued, voice calm but sharp:
"Even if your Tailed Beast deterrence plan succeeds, what do the people of the Land of Rain actually get?"
"They're still stuck in that damp, miserable hellhole. Still poor. Still treated like a dumping ground by the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth."
Nagato frowned.
"That's not a reason to reject peace. Absolute peace brings absolute order."
Naruto shook his head.
"And that's where we're different."
"I'm not the Sage of Six Paths. I don't care about perfect peace. I just want the people around me—the people who follow me—to live better lives."
He paused, then added:
"Even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't guarantee eternal peace. You just inherited his eyes… so what makes you think you can do better?"
Nagato fell silent.
Since Yahiko's death, almost no one had dared to say things like this to him.
Maybe it was because… ever since he became "Pain," a so-called god… he stopped listening.
Only someone as strong as Naruto could force him to sit down and actually hear another perspective.
After a moment, Nagato asked:
"So that's why you annexed the Land of Waves? How are you any different from the Five Great Nations?"
Naruto nodded without hesitation.
"I'm not different."
"But the people under me will live better than those under the Five Nations—and that's enough."
He smirked slightly.
"And if I keep that up, talented people from those nations will naturally come to me. Then the Five Nations will be forced to change… or get left behind."
"That's my philosophy."
Nagato fell silent again.
Not because he fully agreed—but because he remembered something.
The villagers in the Land of Rain.
While he obsessed over Akatsuki and world peace, their lives hadn't improved much in ten years.
Yeah… maybe he had been neglecting them.
After thinking for a while, Nagato asked:
"Then why expose yourself as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki? Why not stay hidden and develop slowly?"
Naruto grinned.
"Because fighting you was part of my plan."
"I needed a heavyweight opponent to show my strength—so no one gets funny ideas about messing with me."
He shrugged.
"And yeah… I also need to stop Akatsuki."
Then he added, with a teasing tone:
"Though honestly, after risking my life for this… you're a bit weaker than I expected. Kinda disappointing."
Nagato blinked… then let out a rare, helpless smile.
"Sorry to disappoint you."
"I didn't expect the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki to be this strong either. If the others are even half like you… my plan was doomed from the start."
At that moment, Naruto suddenly extended his hand.
"Ever thought about joining Uzumaki Village?"
"You could be the deputy leader. Together, we'd be the strongest force in the ninja world—strong enough to steamroll everyone."
Nagato shook his head.
"No… the Land of Rain and your country are different. And I abandoned the Uzumaki name long ago. I'm not truly one of you anymore."
Naruto snorted.
"Funny coming from you, acting like I'm some 'orthodox' Uzumaki."
Then, without warning, he stabbed a black receiver into his own arm. Using it, he quickly locked onto Nagato's real body nearby.
Nagato's expression changed instantly.
Without hesitation, he formed hand seals, recalled all Six Paths of Pain, summoned a massive sea creature, and retreated—diving deep into the ocean inside its belly.
Naruto didn't bother holding back.
A Rasenshuriken roared into existence and shot straight into the sea.
BOOM!!!
The explosion crushed the surrounding water, sending massive waves—over ten meters high—crashing toward the shore, along with a bunch of very confused fish who absolutely did not sign up for this shit.
Of course, it wasn't enough to kill Nagato.
This was just a "farewell gift."
Naruto could've tried harder… but forcing the fight further wasn't worth it.
Nagato's Rinnegan was dangerous—but not worth going all-in right now.
Canceling Nine-Tails Mode, Naruto picked up a black receiver from the ground.
These Yin-Yang Release constructs could pierce chakra defenses with ease… not bad loot at all. At least he could study them later.
Then—
A voice rang out in his head:
"Nagato's favorability has been recognized. You have obtained 'Nagato's Ninjutsu Training Experience.'"
Naruto paused.
"…Wow. That's… kinda useless."
With his current level, did he really need Nagato's training notes?
Still… maybe they'd come in handy someday. Worst case, he'd improve his Talk-no-Jutsu.
Then, instead of checking the reward, Naruto turned his head toward a nearby rock crevice.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Stop hiding and get your snake ass out here…"
"Orochimaru."
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