Has Orochimaru defected?
Akihara Kagura and Nagato shared the same doubt.
Why don't we know about this? Does Orochimaru himself know? Why weren't we consulted about this?!
However,
Konan handled this matter well, even going so far as to cast Orochimaru out specifically to prove to Jiraiya that the Akatsuki had no intention of being enemies with the other major nations.
"Is Orochimaru going to the Sand Village to assassinate the Kazekage?"
Jiraiya's expression changed immediately, and he said in a deep voice, "I will handle this matter with Kagura. You two don't need to worry about it."
"However…"
Jiraiya seemed not to plan to let these two disciples off the hook: "Why does the Akatsuki recruit these dangerous rogue ninja? Is it for revenge? Do you want to eliminate Hanzo of the Salamander?"
"Yes."
Konan nodded without denying.
Because the Akatsuki recruited S-rank rogue ninja, they couldn't deny it either, as Jiraiya had seen with his own eyes.
"We want to avenge Yahiko."
Konan looked towards Yahiko's tombstone and said softly, "Teacher Jiraiya, will you stop us from taking revenge on Hanzo of the Salamander?"
"…"
Jiraiya fell silent.
"Can I help?"
Akihara Kagura stepped forward to offer his help, even giving his own reason: "The last time I saw him, I wanted to try if I could kill him…"
"You want to kill everyone you see!"
Jiraiya grabbed Akihara Kagura by the shoulder!
After reprimanding Akihara Kagura, Jiraiya looked towards Konan and Nagato, speaking of Hanzo of the Salamander and what he had mentioned: "Hanzo of the Salamander and I have mentioned…"
"Let the old man talk to them!"
An elderly voice sounded in their ears.
The person who came was Hanzo of the Salamander himself.
This demi-god ninja had also infiltrated here unnoticed.
Hearing Hanzo of the Salamander's voice, everyone on site couldn't help but become alert, especially Nagato and Konan, who had long harbored such psychological shadows!
Akihara Kagura raised his finger!
Two vines suddenly shot out from the ground!
However, the targets of these two vines were not Nagato and Konan, but rather Hanzo of the Salamander, who had suddenly appeared here. The vines quickly wrapped around Hanzo of the Salamander's arms!
Clang!
Hanzo of the Salamander raised his scythe, drawing an arc in the air, and managed to sever the two vines, then flipped to land on the ground!
"Hanzo of the Salamander!"
Everyone present recognized this demi-god ninja.
Especially Nagato and Konan. When Nagato looked at Hanzo of the Salamander, his face remained calm, but his palms were slightly trembling. In Konan's eyes, there was an undisguised hatred!
"Do not be nervous."
Hanzo of the Salamander put down the scythe in his hand and looked at Nagato and Konan: "I have not come here to repeat the mistakes of the past..."
Hanzo of the Salamander looked at them and softly said, "In fact, I have always been here, giving that young fellow Yahiko a proper burial, to prove to the people of the Land of Rain that I would not be an enemy of the Akatsuki, and also to attract you to come and talk..."
"Do we even need to talk anymore?"
Nagato, who was sitting in a wheelchair, clenched his fists slowly, his head drooping: "Since the day Yahiko died, every night, I have deeply felt the pain of losing him, and I have never forgotten it to this day..."
In this world, there are two things that cause Nagato the most pain: the first is the murder of his parents by the Leaf ninja; the second is Yahiko's death due to Hanzo of the Salamander's conspiracy.
"This... is also the biggest mistake I have made."
Hanzo of the Salamander slightly bowed his head and said softly, "At this point, I do not expect your forgiveness, only wishing to atone for my sins with death..."
Nagato and Konan sharply turned to look at Hanzo of the Salamander.
This guy...
What kind of joke is he making!
The enemy of many years willing to die, making their hatred and pain seem like a joke. What a joke is he playing!
It seemed that Hanzo of the Salamander was not joking, his voice became serious and stern: "When I negotiated with the Akatsuki, allowing you to join the Rain Village, I hoped you would bring peace to the Land of Rain. However, there was an accident, and I was forced..."
Jiraiya's expression immediately became awkward.
Because the matter Hanzo of the Salamander was about to mention, he had also heard of before, definitely another issue with Shimura Danzo. Once this is explained...
"It was all Danzo's doing."
Jiraiya finally let out a long sigh, taking over the conversation from Hanzo of the Salamander: "I learned that Konan was still alive and sought to investigate your matters, coincidentally encountering Lord Hanzo, from whom I learned the truth..."
"When Lord Hanzo wanted to negotiate with the Akatsuki, Shimura Danzo disobeyed the Konoha's orders, acting on his own, forcing Lord Hanzo to cancel the negotiations in favor of an ambush..."
"This led to Yahiko's death..."
Jiraiya said this with some unease: "Nagato, Konan, this matter was entirely Danzo's personal action from beginning to end..."
"I am also to blame."
Hanzo of the Salamander interrupted Jiraiya, continuing solemnly: "At that time, under Danzo's coercion and enticement, I only thought of avoiding war and not provoking hostility from neighboring countries, forgetting my initial pledge to protect all citizens of the Land of Rain..."
Hanzo of the Salamander, seemingly remorseful, said: "These were all my mistakes, all because I was too arrogant when I received the title of demi-god ninja, thinking I could subdue the three great ninja villages with my power. I did not expect the war to end in a disastrous defeat, the Land of Rain suffered heavy losses, unable to recover, and I had no choice but to agree to Danzo's demands..."
Nagato, feeling somewhat powerless, loosened his fists.
Hanzo of the Salamander personally told him the truth about those years, and with Teacher Jiraiya also mentioning it, it meant what he said was true.
In that case...
Could he really blame him?
Hanzo of the Salamander looked at Nagato and continued, "I have come here not to seek forgiveness, but to offer apologies. Before I die, I only have one request..."
"You may speak."
Nagato's eyes seemed to regain some color.
As expected!
I knew this guy had an issue!
If he makes an unreasonable request, I'll have a new reason for revenge!
"Do not start a civil war in the Land of Rain."
Hanzo of the Salamander bowed his head, pleading in a low voice, "I have already instructed all my loyal followers. You can immediately take over as the leader of the Rain Village, and you may even spread the ideology of the Akatsuki organization that Yahiko spread in the Land of Rain. The Land of Rain can no longer afford any turmoil..."
"..."
Nagato felt a twinge of guilt in his heart.
This old man, Hanzo of the Salamander, was someone who was willing to sacrifice his life and honor for the Land of Rain, while I, on the other hand, had become someone willing to start a civil war for power...
The reason for revenge...
Disappeared...
"After the tragic incident, Danzo persuaded me to continue pursuing you, but I knew his ill intentions..."
Hanzo of the Salamander looked at Nagato and said softly, "After Danzo left the Land of Rain, I've been looking for an opportunity to talk to you..."
"Over the years, I've been tracking your whereabouts, hoping to explain things clearly before I die, in hopes that you would take on the future of the Rain Village..."
"Why..."
Nagato looked at Hanzo of the Salamander, his voice somewhat uncertain, "Why tell me all this, saying that you want to hand over the Rain Village to me..."
"You are the most suitable candidate."
Hanzo of the Salamander looked into Nagato's eyes and said gravely, "The Land of Rain is at the junction of three great nations: the Konoha, the Rock, and the Sand. Every conflict between them turns the Land of Rain into a battlefield, bringing a storm of blood and carnage to the Land of Rain..."
"After being hailed as a demi-god of the ninja world, I wanted to solve this problem, but ultimately I was powerless to change the course of events. I could only rely on this reputation to keep the Land of Rain from being annexed, but one day, I too will grow old..."
Hanzo of the Salamander openly acknowledged Nagato's abilities, "You possess the Rinnegan, capable of maintaining peace in the Rain even after the death of the ninja demi-god!"
"If you are willing to agree, I am ready to commit suicide in front of you, to atone for the sins I committed in the past..."
"Also..."
"After death, I wish to be buried nearby..."
"Let me be buried here alongside the lad named Yahiko, so that I may atone to him in the afterlife..."
After Hanzo of the Salamander finished speaking, he suddenly pulled on the chains, raising the scythe as if ready to pierce his own body the moment Nagato spoke.
"Commit suicide!"
Nagato suddenly spoke out.
"..."
Jiraiya looked shocked, as if he wanted to say something to dissuade him.
However, Jiraiya didn't even have time to open his mouth before Hanzo of the Salamander had already raised his scythe, about to fiercely stab into his own body!
Bang!
Suddenly, Nagato raised his hand!
A repulsive force exploded out, instantly sending Hanzo flying!
This demi-god ninja tumbled and fell to the ground, even losing grip of his scythe, which was flung away, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"I will not kill you."
Nagato slowly closed his eyes, whispering, "Because if I had died back then and Yahiko were still alive, he certainly wouldn't have killed you either…"
Silence.
Hanzo remained silent for a while.
The demi-god ninja slowly shook his head, persuading, "At least use my death to quell your hatred. Do not start a purge within the Rain Village…"
Nagato glanced at Hanzo, softly saying, "I am aware of the message you spread within the Land of Rain, that anyone associated with the Akatsuki organization could be pardoned. We will not start a civil war within the Land of Rain…"
"Thank you."
Hanzo fell silent again, whispering, "Then I shall leave this place. You go directly to the Rain Village…"
"I will not take the position of leader in the Rain Village."
Nagato shook his head, seemingly indifferent: "Even if I became the leader of the Rain Village, the situation in the Land of Rain would not change. Wars would still break out continuously in the ninja world, and people would still die. What I want to do now is not just stabilize a village but to transform the entire ninja world. I want to create a world without wars…"
"How is that possible?"
Hanzo looked at Nagato, slowly shaking his head, seemingly in disbelief: "As long as there are people, wars in the ninja world will never end…"
"It will."
Nagato's eyes were full of determination, as if he firmly believed in his plan: "As long as…"
"As long as you kill everyone…"
Akihara Kagura spontaneously added.
Jiraiya angrily restrained his disciple.
"Nagato."
Konan, catching on to Akihara Kagura's hint and realizing the problem of Nagato revealing the plan, stopped Nagato from continuing, adding, "If everyone could understand each other, could the ninja world truly achieve peace?"
Ever since Hanzo appeared, Konan had remained silent. She had been waiting for Nagato's decision, not wanting her thoughts to influence him.
But…
Nagato was influenced by the appearance of Hanzo, even about to reveal the true plan of Akatsuki. Fortunately, Akihara Kagura timely interrupted him.
"The ninja world will be at peace."
Nagato took a deep breath, calming his emotions, without saying more.
"But, the Land of Rain will not be at peace."
Hanzo of the Salamander shook his head and sighed, saying, "Without a strong power to keep them in check, the recently restored peace in the Rain Village will sooner or later be disturbed again due to the disagreements between the Akatsuki organization's ninja and the village's own ninja..."
"You are a demi-god of ninjas..."
"I can only keep them in check for a while."
Hanzo of the Salamander looked at Nagato and continued, "However, I am already old, and I worry that after my death, the ninjas from the two different factions will fight each other. No one would be willing to submit to a successor from another faction. To ensure the peace of the Land of Rain, the next leader must be someone from the Akatsuki organization. You are the most suitable candidate..."
When Hanzo of the Salamander reached this point, he brought up a story: "Many years ago, the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan jointly founded Konoha. With the position of Hokage in Konoha changing hands, the First Hokage, Hashirama, planned to pass it down to his brother, but did not give it to Uchiha Madara, leading to Madara's defection from Konoha..."
"Since then."
"The internal strife between Konoha's higher-ups and the Uchiha clan has never ceased."
"During this time, I have been able to take the time to observe and resolve the civil strife, all thanks to the severe internal situation in Konoha. Danzo was too preoccupied with dealing with the Uchiha clan to continue suppressing the Rain Village..."
"..."
Jiraiya's eyebrow twitched.
What exactly was the old man up to, with Konoha's internal struggles being known by so many, now truly embarrassing us internationally!
"At least... after you die."
Nagato still had some hesitation in his heart.
Even though Hanzo of the Salamander said a lot, Nagato still didn't quite see himself as the person who could succeed as the leader of the Rain Village.
"I can die now."
Hanzo of the Salamander even took out a kunai, and even planned for him: "After my death, there will surely be chaos in the Rain Village. You can use this opportunity to quell the turmoil..."
"Universal Pull!"
An attractive force burst out from Nagato's palm, suddenly pulling Hanzo of the Salamander's body towards him, and taking the kunai in his hand.
"At least..."
Nagato shook his head, thinking that the Akatsuki organization's future efforts to capture the Tailed Beasts would definitely provoke other major ninja villages. He didn't want to bring trouble to the Rain Village: "At least... after I finish important matters, I promise you, it will definitely be done."