Chapter 3: Ten Days Later!
After falling into a coma, Lin Feng had a dream—a very long dream.
In the dream, he experienced everything from Nagato's perspective, living through his life from childhood in the Land of Rain. He lived peacefully with his parents until the Second Shinobi World War broke out, turning the Land of Rain into a battlefield for the great nations.
His parents were killed by Konoha ninjas, leaving him a war orphan. He wandered until he met two other war orphans, Konan and Yahiko, in the war-torn Land of Rain. Together, they supported each other through a difficult yet warm childhood.
They encountered the Sannin and became disciples of Jiraiya, beginning their training.
After parting with their mentor, they gathered like-minded companions and embarked on the journey of Akatsuki...
The dream finally froze at the moment Yahiko fell at the cliff's edge!
That was also the point of his transmigration.
The scene shifted, and he found himself in a world of ethereal light and shadows, his own form becoming a blurred silhouette!
Nagato, wrapped in white light, was hovering above, looking down at him expressionlessly.
"Is this also a dream?"
"This reality, I do not accept, how could I possibly accept it." Nagato's eyes were filled with a chilling ferocity.
"Boom!" A fierce wind arose, and Nagato attacked!
"Damn it!" Just like in a nightmare, Lin Feng was completely unable to move, having no idea what would happen next...
Nagato's hand, reaching for his life, paused just half a step away.
At that moment, a swirling vortex of dark purple appeared behind him, emitting an irresistible pull that Nagato couldn't resist. As he was being sucked in, Nagato was still muttering, "I will never accept this..."
"Boom!"
The vortex vanished, and the illusory world of light and shadows cracked like glass, shattering into dead silence with a 'crack'!
"Ah!!!"
In the dim cave, Nagato screamed, waking from his coma.
"Huff, huff, huff, huff..."
He clutched his bandaged forehead, breathing heavily.
"Nagato!!" Hearing the commotion, Konan hurried over. "You're finally awake. Are you feeling unwell?"
Lin Feng... no, now I have truly become Nagato!
Lin Feng... is now truly a thing of the past!
"No, I'm fine..." Nagato slowly lowered his hand, calming himself. "Konan, how long was I unconscious?"
"Ten days and nights," Konan said worriedly.
"What, only ten days and nights?" Nagato's eyes widened.
"Eh?" Konan looked at him in surprise. "Why do you say that?"
"No, it's nothing, I was just confused from sleep..." Nagato quickly changed the subject.
So that's how it is. After passing out, I had an extremely condensed dream, experiencing nearly twenty years of Nagato's life in just ten days and nights...
The level of detail in that experience was far beyond what the manga and anime depicted.
But what was that final scene all about?
He couldn't figure it out at the moment.
But at least this dream filled in the gaps, allowing him to truly inherit Nagato, including... up to this point, Nagato's accomplishments as a 'ninja.'
Otherwise, he would have a hard time explaining to Konan. With six chakra natures and mastery of all mainstream ninjutsu by the age of ten, deemed the Child of Prophecy by Jiraiya-sensei, how could he suddenly not know any ninjutsu?
Hit on the head by a rock, causing all ninjutsu to be lost? Who would believe that?
This cave was dark and cramped. For ten days and nights, Konan stayed by his side in this harsh environment, constantly on guard against Hanzo's pursuit. The pressure was unimaginable...
Looking at Konan's weary face, he felt a pang of heartache.
"Konan, you haven't closed your eyes for a moment these days, have you? Look, you even have panda eyes."
"It's okay." Konan leaned against the wall, slowly sitting down, hugging her legs wrapped in black stockings, and softly said, "I'll rest for a while before we continue... is that okay?"
"Konan, go to sleep. I'm here."
"Thank you..." Konan didn't even have the strength to adjust her position, closing her eyes and falling asleep against the wall.
Outside the cave, the rain fell steadily.
Nagato looked at Konan's angelic face, so close, and couldn't help but reach out, gently brushing her cheek with his fingertip.
Is the skin of a girl really this soft?
He wanted to protect this beauty before him.
"Wait for me."
After observing the surrounding terrain outside the cave, he took out blank talismans and made five sealing charms, placing them in five different locations.
Then he formed hand seals.
—Five-Seal Barrier!
With the activation of the charms, the cave became the center of a pentagonal barrier, sealing the entrance.
This would ensure Konan's safety.
Nagato leaped to the mountaintop, gazing into the distance.
"In my memory, there are several small villages destroyed by war around here. I'll go there to find some food."
He moved swiftly through the rain, and when he passed the mountain where he had fought Hanzo, he caught sight of a white-haired figure standing there!
He stopped at a high point, staring intently.
"Jiraiya-sensei, so he came here at this time..."
He must have come to investigate after hearing the news of our 'deaths.'
The memories of spending time together in the ten-day dream deepened Nagato's feelings for Jiraiya...
A sudden impulse flashed through his mind.
"If I go to him now and tell him everything, will fate change from this point on?"
But after careful consideration, he couldn't take that step.
"The path I want to walk is different from the old Nagato's, but it's also not what Jiraiya-sensei hoped for."
"This time, I'm not going to make the world feel pain, but to give the world a 'final answer'!"
"The only thing I can ensure is that sensei won't end up sinking into the depths of the silent sea like before."
Nagato vanished in a flash.
"Hmm?" Jiraiya turned his head, sensing something, catching a glimpse of red, "Nagato...?"
Then he shook his head, smiling bitterly, "No, how could that be? That child is already..."
"The Land of Rain holds nothing but bad memories. I probably won't return here for the rest of my life."
Jiraiya turned and left, his figure in the rain appearing desolate, as if he were crying.
...
Late at night, Konan awoke in the cave.
Nagato immediately handed her bread and a water bottle. "Konan, you're awake. Have something to eat."
These past days, Konan hadn't dared to leave the cave for fear that Hanzo's pursuers would take advantage of any slip-up.
The water and ration pills she had brought were long gone, and she hadn't eaten for several days.
"Have you eaten?"
"Don't worry, I have."
Konan took the bread and ate it with the water.
"When I went out to find food, I saw Jiraiya-sensei."
Konan's eyes widened.
"He must have come to check after hearing the bad news. I... didn't tell him we're still alive."
"I see..." Konan's gaze lowered, absentmindedly chewing the bread.
Nagato spoke in a low voice, "The path we will take from now on is certainly not what sensei hoped for, so... I think it's better not to meet him now."
"Nagato." Konan slowly raised her eyes, speaking with determination, "No matter what you do, I will support your decision. Even if no one else acknowledges it, I will stand firmly by your side."
"Thank you."
Konan possessed a selfless personality and a spirit of sacrifice, holding onto the bond and dreams of the three, following Nagato without regret, believing in his beliefs.
Her actions and beliefs once depended on Nagato, and now, they depend on Nagato.
Konan thought back to the conversation between Nagato and 'Madara' ten days ago.
At that time, she was immersed in the grief of Yahiko's death, unable to consider much, but now...
"Nagato, there's something that's been on my mind."
"Ah, I know. Before that, let me take care of a problem."
Nagato raised his hand, aiming at the dark corner of the cave.
"Whoosh!" The White Zetsu hiding there was pulled out from the wall, flying towards Nagato!
"You, you can sense me!?" The White Zetsu was shocked.
Nagato grabbed its head with his hand.
In a desperate bid for survival, the White Zetsu hurriedly said, "Wait, I'm on your side, I'm on your side, I'm..."
Nagato coldly thought: Ah, of course, I know, you're sent by Obito. You've come at the right time because I was just wondering where to find Orochimaru!
His Rinnegan glowed with light.
—Human Path!