The battle between Edo Tensei Nagato and Uchiha Madara took place in an area about 50 kiloters outside Konoha Village.
This distance was actually beyond the sensory range of most ninjas. But because their battle was too devastating and far-reaching, the energy waves were still detected by Konoha ninjas.
As a result, Naruto, who had just returned to Konoha and was greeted by the cheers of the villagers—and hadn't even had a chance to sit down peacefully—was imdiately taken by Kakashi, Yamato, and the others to the battle location.
Of course, by the ti they arrived, Nagato and the others were already gone. All that remained was the terrifying aftermath of the battle that had ravaged the area.
Seeing the giant crater left by Shinra Tensei, the deep chasm caused by Susano'o's sword, and the giant rocks from Chibaku Tensei scattered around... The level of destruction here was even worse than in Konoha, which had only suffered from one Shinra Tensei, leaving Kakashi and the others stunned.
"W-what... what happened here?"
"It looks like so Bijuu fought in this place?"
Yamato and the others trembled, cold sweat pouring down their backs due to the horror they witnessed.
"The pattern of destruction is similar to Pain's attack. It's highly likely this was also caused by Shinra Tensei!"
Kakashi, who was calr, quickly analyzed the situation.
"Impossible! Nagato... Nagato is dead! How could he use the Rinnegan again?"
"Then who did this?"
"I... I don't know..."
Naruto might be strong in a fight, but asking him to analyze like this was like torturing him!
"So soone obtained his Rinnegan, and then fought soone with even more devastating power?"
"Huh? There's an enemy that strong?"
"Not necessarily an enemy. The point is, we must increase our vigilance! We can't let an attack from an opponent this strong happen again. By the way, Naruto, why didn't you take his Rinnegan?"
"Ah! I forgot...!"
╯°□°╯
Naruto slapped his forehead, finally realizing.
Everyone sighed, but seeing the giant crater in front of them, their hearts trembled.
The joy of Naruto defeating Nagato and reviving the entire village slightly faded.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other hand, Agakure.
Edo Tensei Nagato looked around, surprised to realize they were already in his secret base—in the center of Agakure's tallest tower.
"He... moved here in an instant?"
This wasn't just ordinary Space-Ti Ninjutsu—even the Flying Thunder God couldn't do this without preparation!
This was truly a miracle!
Nagato's last doubts disappeared. If Lux could forcibly move him to Agakure, it ant he could also send him anywhere.
What else could he resist?
It was better to surrender and cooperate.
Moreover, Lux's offer to see the future truly tempted Nagato.
"It should be safe here. No one will disturb us, right?"
"No. This place is very secret, and there's my barrier. No one can enter."
"Alright, now let's talk seriously."
"Nagato, I'll ask you one more ti—do you still want to die?"
Lux stared directly at him.
Nagato was stunned, his face turning pale.
Previously, he did intend to die and leave everything to Naruto. But now, after knowing the bleak future of Agakure, Zetsu and Obito's dark plans, and Konan's death...
Everything had changed.
He had a reason to survive, a grudge to settle, and a reluctance to let go.
How could he still want to die so easily?
"No! At least... I have to change all of this first!"
"Good. That's the basis of our cooperation. If you still want to die, I don't mind sending you to the afterlife either."
Lux needed a living, passionate, and determined leader of Akatsuki—not a desperate leader who only wanted to die.
Such a Nagato was not worth supporting. It was better to just eliminate him directly.
Whether it was canceling his Edo Tensei or destroying him with a Truth-Seeking Ball, it was easy for Lux.
"No, no! I understand now. Please forgive my foolishness!"
"Good. You didn't make the wrong choice."
"Sir, about your offer earlier... can I really see the future?"
"That wasn't nonsense. I can indeed take you to the future. But rember my condition?"
"Conquer the entire world?"
Nagato hesitated. That wasn't a task that could be completed in a short ti!
"No need to rush. Currently, Akatsuki and Agakure are not strong enough for that. But at least show your commitnt."
"How about this—consolidate Akatsuki first. If you succeed, I will take you to the future. Agreed?"
Nagato thought for a mont, then decided.
Consolidating Akatsuki actually ant uniting two factions:
- The Nagato faction, the official leader.
- The Obito faction, working behind the scenes.
That ant, just eliminate Obito and Zetsu, and Akatsuki would be united.
Of course, fighting Obito and Zetsu wasn't easy, but with information from Lux, the chances of winning still existed.
Besides, even without Lux's request, Nagato himself would no longer let Obito and Zetsu go free.
They had played him like a pawn, even killing many of the early Akatsuki mbers—including Yahiko—on the day of his death.
He would never forget that grudge!
"Alright! I agree!"
"I will try my best to eliminate Obito and unite Akatsuki as soon as possible!"
Nagato accepted firmly. This task benefited him in every way—there was no reason to refuse.
"Good. The first stage of the contract is reached. You won't regret it."
Lux was quite satisfied. This was why he chose Nagato.
He knew revenge, was firm with enemies, and didn't hesitate to kill if necessary.
Like Orochimaru in Parallel World 3, Nagato could be directed with gradual transactions and missions—even easier than dealing with Hashirama in Parallel World 1.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After the initial agreent, Nagato breathed a sigh of relief. Then he mustered the courage to express another desire he had been suppressing:
"Sir, there's one more thing..."
Lux already knew what he was going to ask.
"You want to go back to the past, change Yahiko's death, or save your parents, right?"
"Yes! Is... is that possible?"
Nagato pleaded hopefully. Ever since he learned that Lux could travel through ti, that thought had been haunting him.
Even knowing the slim chances, he still wanted to try.
"Forget it. You can't. Or even if you could, your life would be the price."
Lux refused directly.
"I'm willing to die!"
"Then what about Konan? What about Agakure?"
"What?"
"Changing the past will only lead to your death and ss up the tiline. Without you, could Hanzo defend Agakure? Would Yahiko and Konan et Jiraiya? They might die earlier in the middle of the Second Great Ninja War..."
Nagato froze. He understood.
If he disappeared, the future would change completely.
Agakure could be destroyed by the great nations, and Konan's fate might be even worse...
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