"The Uchiha Clan possesses a dōjutsu called Izanagi—it can rewrite reality itself, turning unfavorable outcomes into favorable ones."
"Uchiha Madara used this technique to fake his death and escape."
After a brief pause, Uchiha Ren continued,
"However, by the time Madara fused with Hashirama Senju's power and awakened the Rennegan, he was already old."
"He no longer had the strength to carry out the peace plan recorded on that stone tablet—a plan that requires the Rennegan."
"So, after implanting the Rennegan into Nagato, he began searching for a successor."
"The masked man you met… is the unfortunate soul Madara chose."
"Unfortunate?" Yahiko frowned. "Why say that? Isn't inheriting Madara's legacy a good thing?"
In Yahiko's view, one's will belonged to oneself. Even if trained by Madara, that didn't mean inheriting his ideology.
Greater strength simply meant a better chance to realize one's own ideals.
Ren shook his head.
"Madara's way of choosing a successor is… different from what you imagine. To ensure that person inherits his will, he planned everything meticulously."
He glanced at Yahiko.
"It would be something like—first letting you die once… then making you watch Konan die by Nagato's hand."
Yahiko shuddered.
He instantly understood.
That kind of reality… was utterly unacceptable.
Ren continued,
"In short, Madara isn't raising a successor—he's cultivating a pawn."
"Being his 'successor' means you don't even have basic autonomy."
Yahiko nodded stiffly.
Any envy he might have had for Uchiha Obito vanished.
That man really was unlucky.
After a long silence, Nagato spoke,
"Ren… I want to know what Madara's plan is."
As a pawn, he wanted to understand the goal he was being pushed toward.
Ren didn't hide it.
"The Eye of the Moon Plan—a plan to cast a Genjutsu called the Infinite Tsukuyomi over the entire world."
"Each person would experience their own illusion, becoming a 'victor' surrounded by love."
Nagato: "..."
Yahiko: "..."
Konan: "..."
Some things were simply too absurd for words.
This so-called plan might only fool children.
Yahiko asked hesitantly,
"Then… what happens to people in reality?"
Ren replied calmly,
"They'd be suspended in trees, transformed into humanoid weapons called White Zetsu… losing their will entirely."
Silence fell.
Perhaps they shouldn't have asked.
Ren continued,
"Regardless of what you think, that masked man won't give up on you."
Nagato shook his head firmly.
"No matter what, I won't accept his ideology."
"You don't need to," Ren said.
"In Madara's plan, you're just a vessel—a tool. At the right moment, you're meant to use the Rennegan to revive him."
"He's likely left contingencies inside you. Your will doesn't matter."
Nagato froze—then anger surfaced in his expression.
So that was all he was to Madara.
Yahiko exclaimed,
"Then isn't Nagato in danger? Ren, can you help him?"
"Not yet," Ren shook his head.
"And Madara is already dead. His contingencies may never activate."
"What you should worry about now… is the masked man."
"Why?" Yahiko asked.
"Because he's already gone mad," Ren replied.
"According to Madara's plan, he shouldn't have approached you like this."
"But now, he wants to drag Nagato into the same darkness."
"Yahiko, Konan—you may become tools to push him there."
Nagato frowned.
"You mean… he might target Yahiko and Konan?"
Ren nodded.
"It's possible. And his ability is extremely strange—he appears and disappears unpredictably. You may not be able to defend against him."
After a pause, he added,
"More importantly, for certain reasons, I won't act against him for now. I can't eliminate this threat for you."
"So you'll have to stay cautious. Avoid acting alone."
"He wants to lead Nagato into darkness—not provoke hatred directly."
"As long as you stay together, it'll be difficult for him to act."
Yahiko nodded seriously.
"Understood. We'll be careful."
Ren smiled reassuringly.
"And before I leave the Land of Rain, I'll leave you with a safeguard."
"A safeguard?" The three were puzzled.
"You'll see when the time comes."
He changed the subject.
"That's enough for today. Are you heading back, or staying the night?"
Yahiko shook his head.
"We should return. Akatsuki can't function without us right now."
"There will be more chances to talk," Ren said.
"When Danzō makes his move, I'll notify you. Stay alert."
"Got it."
As they prepared to leave, Ren suddenly took out three small red booklets and handed them over.
The covers were plain, marked only with a strange symbol.
"What are these?" Yahiko asked.
Ren smiled.
"My thoughts on this world—combined with the ideas of a certain predecessor. Read them when you have time."
Night fell over the Akatsuki camp.
After hours of travel, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan finally returned from Amegakure.
After confirming everything was normal, the three gathered in Yahiko's room.
There was no way they could sleep after everything they had learned.
An oil lamp flickered, casting a warm glow.
They sat around a table as Konan handed out food and water.
Yahiko spoke first.
"Nagato, Konan… what do you think about Ren?"
Though he had a good impression, this was their first meeting—some thoughts couldn't be voiced in front of Ren.
With them, there were no such reservations.
They were closer than family.
Konan spoke after a pause.
"He doesn't seem hostile… but what he said is too shocking. We need time to verify it."
She wasn't accusing Ren of lying—just that the truth itself was hard to accept.
Nagato said,
"There's no reason for him to deceive us—especially about the Rennegan."
He pressed a hand to his eyes.
"I've always felt… these eyes reject me."
"I can't draw out their true power."
"They aren't mine."
He continued quietly,
"I have enormous chakra, strong vitality, and endurance… I should have a powerful body."
"But instead, I'm thin and frail."
"It's like scoring perfectly in every subject… yet failing overall."
"These eyes are draining me—consuming my life force."
"In the past, I thought I was simply too weak."
"But I've never even used their full power."
"Now I understand… I'm just a vessel."
"A vessel can't wield what it contains."
He gave a bitter smile.
"I can barely face my own existence now… raised as someone else's pawn, for such a ridiculous goal."
Yahiko said firmly,
"Don't think like that! No matter what others did, you've always acted on your own will."
"You are you. You are Nagato."
"Maybe…" Nagato nodded, then steadied himself.
"But now, I've found my own path. I won't be controlled anymore."
Yahiko frowned.
"Don't decide so quickly. Decisions made in the heat of the moment aren't always your true will—especially about something like this."
Nagato replied calmly,
"Don't say that, Yahiko. You agree with Ren too, don't you?"
Yahiko froze—then scratched his head awkwardly.
"Is it that obvious?"
Nagato rolled his eyes.
Yahiko sighed.
"Fine… I admit it. His ideas are compelling. I can't think of a better solution right now."
"But…"
"But what?" Nagato pressed.
Yahiko hesitated.
"They're… extreme. That scares me."
Nagato frowned. "Why?"
Yahiko explained,
"Jiraiya once told me about Konoha—about the Uchiha Clan."
"He said Uchiha are proud… and prone to extremes."
"I didn't think much of it before, but after meeting Ren… I understand."
"Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan is basically world destruction."
"And in a way, Ren's ideas are even more radical."
"One wants to destroy the world. The other wants to destroy the existing order."
"Both are… opposing the entire world."
"I'm worried…"
He didn't finish his sentence.
Saying he feared Ren might be unstable felt disrespectful.
Nagato shook his head.
"Yahiko… your concern is unnecessary."
"Yes, Ren's ideas are extreme—maybe even insane."
"But that doesn't mean they're wrong."
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