Nagato and Konan fled into a remote cave.
Konan's eyes were red with tears as she helped bandage Nagato's severely burned legs. Due to forcibly controlling the Gedo Statue, Nagato was now dangerously weakened, his body gaunt and emaciated.
Nagato stared blankly ahead, uncontrollable grief filling his eyes.
Konan's tears kept falling silently.
Everything had happened so suddenly.
Hanzo of the Salamander, whom they had respected as an ally, had betrayed them, slaughtered their comrades in the Akatsuki organization, and tried to force Nagato to kill Yahiko with his own hands.
Now, even Yahiko's body was missing.
Konan felt lost, extremely confused about their future, unsure how they would continue.
Nagato's hoarse voice broke the silence: "Don't cry, Konan. We must go on and inherit Yahiko's legacy. I will become a god. Only gods can bring peace to this desperate world."
He continued, his voice growing stronger despite his weakened state, "People who don't know pain cannot understand true peace. To break this cycle of hatred and make the world feel real pain... only then can the fear of suffering suppress war and bring stability and peace."
His Rinnegan eyes gleamed in the dim light of the cave. "I have now transcended mortality through infinite pain, and I am qualified to become a god."
He reached out a skeletal hand toward Konan. "So, Konan, join me. Let us fulfill Yahiko's wish and lead this broken world to peace."
Konan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her gaze filled with determination and loyalty to Nagato.
"Nagato, I will always be by your side!"
Nagato nodded slightly. After a moment of silence, he said, "Konan, though only two of us remain in Akatsuki, I will not abandon the organization because Yahiko founded it."
He looked down at his useless legs. "My legs can no longer carry me. I will use the Rinnegan to create six corpse puppets to act on my behalf. I need you to help me find suitable bodies first."
His voice grew colder, more resolute. "Once I have created the Six Paths, I will kill Hanzo of the Salamander, seize control of Amegakure, and rule over the Hidden Rain."
Nagato's thin fingers curled into a fist. "Then we will recruit S-rank missing-nin from various villages to strengthen Akatsuki and realize Yahiko's ideals."
Konan's expression hardened with determination. Yahiko was gone, and now she only had Nagato. She would protect him at all costs.
At the same time, she desperately wanted Yahiko's dream to become reality.
Konan nodded firmly. "I understand. I will immediately begin searching for suitable bodies for your Six Paths!"
After Sora and Danzo returned to Konoha, the Third Hokage immediately dispatched ANBU to summon them to the Hokage Building.
When they arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi fixed them with a stern look. "Danzo, where did you take your Root operatives?"
Danzo replied calmly, "I merely led my people to eliminate an organization that could potentially threaten Konoha."
Hiruzen slammed his palm on the desk. "How could an organization far away in Amegakure possibly threaten Konoha?!"
Danzo maintained his composure. "I would rather eliminate a threat unnecessarily than allow one to persist. If anything endangers Konoha, I will eradicate it. That is Root's purpose."
Hiruzen glared at Danzo, who acted dismissively, ignoring the Hokage's intense gaze.
Finally, Hiruzen compromised with a heavy sigh. "Danzo, the political situation is precarious. Amegakure sits at the junction of the Earth, Fire, and Wind Countries. Its strategic position is vital."
He leaned forward. "Your rash actions in Amegakure send a message to other hidden villages that Konoha intends to seize this strategic position, which will only accelerate the war."
The Third Hokage continued, "Sunagakure is too preoccupied with internal affairs, Iwagakure has been denied benefits for too long and grows restless, not to mention Kumogakure's ambitions."
He puffed on his pipe. "Perhaps soon everyone might be willing to negotiate and potentially end this war."
Danzo snorted coldly. "Negotiate to end the war? Hiruzen, are you delusional? This war will never end that way. You know full well how much Konoha has lost."
His voice hardened. "If the war ends now, our losses will never be recovered. The current situation favors Konoha, with initiative gradually shifting to our hands."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "As long as the war continues, we can recoup our losses. If this war must end through negotiation, it should only happen after we've secured sufficient benefits!"
Hiruzen frowned deeply. "Danzo, if this war continues, Konoha cannot sustain such losses. Our shinobi ranks thin with each battle. If this continues, we won't recover for generations."
Danzo countered with cold analysis: "If we end the war now, we'll struggle to recover regardless because our resources are insufficient."
He gestured dismissively. "But with adequate resources, we needn't worry. Being able to train shinobi without resource constraints is better than being stretched thin."
His voice lowered. "And Hiruzen, do you truly believe other villages will negotiate in good faith?"
Danzo leaned closer. "Don't be naive. The war has reached a point where negotiation is futile. Every village shares my thinking: they watch for weakness. Whoever shows vulnerability will be swarmed like prey by jackals."
His eyes bored into Hiruzen's. "Whoever proposes peace negotiations first admits they can no longer endure. So, Hiruzen, by seeking peace talks, you place Konoha in grave danger!"
Hiruzen puffed thoughtfully on his pipe, considering Danzo's analysis.
Though Danzo's logic made sense, the daily casualties in Konoha pained Hiruzen deeply. Konoha had nearly exhausted its wealth funding this conflict.
The Third Hokage sighed and changed the subject. "Let's set this aside for now. Sora, why did you accompany Danzo? Weren't you assigned to the Land of Hot Water?"
Sora replied respectfully, "I received orders from Lord Danzo and returned to Konoha from the Land of Hot Water immediately."
Danzo turned to Hiruzen. "Hiruzen, I've already informed Sora about the Uchiha situation. He has agreed to join Root as my subordinate."
His voice grew serious. "The time has come, Hiruzen. We must apply pressure to the Uchiha clan."
Hiruzen's eyes flashed with recognition, and he nodded. "Indeed, it is time."
He looked directly at Danzo. "What do you propose we do about the Uchiha?"
Danzo's expression turned grim. "Kirigakure is snapping at everyone like a rabid dog. Let's send Sora to the Land of Waves and transfer a large contingent of Uchiha shinobi there as well. Sora will lead them into battle!"
He added with finality, "Leading Uchiha shinobi is something Sora has experience with!"
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