Jiraiya:
"I didn't expect Nagi to bring Yahiko back with Impure World Reincarnation…"
Madara Uchiha:
"Hmph. Of course. The best way to deal with Nagato is through Yahiko and Konan. A resurrected Yahiko is the most lethal weapon against him."
Gengetsu Hōzuki:
"Heh. As expected of Tobirama's disciple."
Shamon:
"Psychological warfare—he's mastered it thoroughly."
Ōnoki:
"True. Even Hiruzen learned plenty."
Hiruzen Sarutobi:
"…What exactly do you mean by that?"
Chiyo:
"Impure World Reincarnation… Sunagakure suffered greatly because of that technique."
Jiraiya:
"With Yahiko brought back, the chances of persuading Nagato and Konan increase dramatically."
Nagato:
"..."
Konan:
"..."
At the moment Yahiko was summoned, their resolve had already begun to waver.
Yahiko stared at Nagato in disbelief.
"Nagato… what happened to you?! And… is this the world of the dead? Konan, did you both die too?"
Seeing Nagato's emaciated frame and unfamiliar eyes, Yahiko had nearly failed to recognize him.
Before Nagato or Konan could answer, Nagi spoke first.
"My apologies for the abruptness, Yahiko. I used Impure World Reincarnation to manifest you here in the world of the living. The reason is simple—I'd like you to help me persuade these two.
And rest assured, I have no intention of using you as leverage."
He stated his purpose plainly.
Yahiko frowned slightly. Though he didn't grasp every detail, he understood the gist: he had been revived to influence Nagato and Konan.
"You want me to persuade them? You appear to be a shinobi from another nation. I'm sorry—but until I understand the full situation, I won't help you."
"That's reasonable," Nagi replied calmly. "First, I am a shinobi of Konohagakure. Second, just moments ago, I rescued Jiraiya from near death."
Yahiko's eyes widened.
"What?! Jiraiya-sensei—what happened to him?! Is he safe?!"
"Relax. He's out of danger."
Yahiko let out a breath of relief.
"Thank goodness… But what happened?"
Nagi turned his gaze toward Nagato and Konan.
"As for why Jiraiya nearly died… I believe the two of them can explain better than I can."
Yahiko looked at them.
Both lowered their heads, unable to meet his eyes.
Since Yahiko's death, Nagato had understood that his path had diverged from Jiraiya's. He had long resolved to personally eliminate his former teacher if necessary.
But now—Yahiko stood before him once more.
The pillar of his spirit had returned.
And Nagato could not bear to let Yahiko know he had nearly killed Jiraiya.
Konan felt the same.
But Yahiko knew them too well.
He immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Nagato… Konan… Jiraiya-sensei wasn't… you two…?"
Silence.
And silence was confirmation enough.
Yahiko stared at them in disbelief.
"How could you…? What happened? Even if it was because of opposing positions, you didn't have to kill Jiraiya-sensei! Answer me!"
Neither spoke.
Though they were leaders within the Akatsuki, in their hearts, Yahiko had always remained their true leader.
Nagi stepped in.
"Calm down, Yahiko. Jiraiya is safe. As for the reason… allow me to explain from the beginning."
Yahiko turned to him and bowed deeply.
"Regardless of anything else, thank you for saving Jiraiya-sensei. As for the rest—I can handle the truth."
He wanted to know what chain of absurd events could have led Nagato and Konan down such a path.
Nagi nodded.
"Very well. Then we must begin fifty-six years ago—with the battle between the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha at the Valley of the End."
The three of them blinked in confusion.
Wasn't this about Jiraiya? How did it reach the Valley of the End?
Nagato and Konan quickly connected the dots. After all, within the Akatsuki was a man claiming to be Madara Uchiha.
Nagi continued.
"The world believes Madara died at the Valley of the End. That is not true.
He had prepared the Uchiha clan's forbidden technique—Izanagi—in advance, sealing it within a Transcription Seal. By sacrificing one Sharingan, he rewrote reality, turning events unfavorable to him into illusions and preserving only outcomes beneficial to himself.
Thus… he survived."
He glanced briefly at Konan before continuing.
"Madara went into hiding. After years of research and effort, in his old age, he awakened the Rinnegan."
"What?!" ×3
The three were stunned.
The Rinnegan was Nagato's eyes—or so they had believed.
Konan's mind raced. If Nagi began the story here…
Then—
She spoke carefully.
"Are you saying… Nagato's Rinnegan… belonged to Madara Uchiha?"
Nagi nodded.
"As expected of you, Konan. You grasp it quickly."
Yahiko and Nagato froze.
"That's impossible!" Yahiko exclaimed. "Do you have proof that the Rinnegan weren't Nagato's?"
Nagato instinctively touched his current eyes—ordinary ones.
Suddenly, clarity dawned on him.
His voice turned hollow.
"…I understand. Those Rinnegan… may never have been mine.
All these years… I've been living in a lie."
Being ambushed. Losing the Rinnegan. Being captured.
None of that had shaken him deeply.
But learning that the very power he believed marked him as chosen by fate had never belonged to him—
That struck far harder than any blade.
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