What Kind of Future Could Possibly Be Worth the Bloodshed and Burden Along the Way

"His life is hanging by a thread; his body is on the verge of collapse."

Hagoromo's tone was very calm. She had already used the Amenonuhoko to break the Chibaku Tensei, and the impact it caused was enough for Nagato to suffer.

Moreover, Nagato's emotions have been fluctuating greatly ever since he met Jiraiya.

In addition, he had just used his clones to eliminate the Naraka Path and the Preta Path, using Yin Release.

The signal returns, and a portion of the Yin Release damage will affect Nagato.

In addition, he had been using Six Paths abilities continuously while fighting Jiraiya.

At this moment, Nagato can be described as a leaky balloon.

Once the gas has been released, it will be his death sentence.

It's hard to say who played the biggest role, as all three of them had their own reasons.

"What?!"

Jiraiya looked at Nagato in disbelief.

He was almost killed by Nagato just now, but now Hagoromo says that Nagato is on the verge of death.

Nagato, panting Nagato, stared at the blurry figure before him, his memories involuntarily drifting back to those days.

If they had found a place and lived ordinary lives back then, would Yahiko have been spared from death?

If...

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".

"Sawada Hagoromo, what do you think constitutes lasting peace?"

As Nagato approached the end of his life, looking at the enemy who had created this situation for him, he couldn't help but ask a question.

"Peace?"

"Permanent?"

Hagoromo was speechless at Nagato's words.

Peace, and forever? That's practically a joke in the Shinobi World.

"In the Shinobi World, never harbor the idea that true peace exists; it neither does nor is it possible."

Hagoromo stood atop the boulder, looking down at Nagato. Jiraiya, wanted to speak but didn't know what to say.

"It doesn't exist, and it's impossible..."

Nagato fell silent. If anyone else had said those words, he would have used his Six Paths powers to make it clear to them that they absolutely existed.

However, it is Sawada Hagoromo who is saying these words now, even though the way she defeated herself was somewhat opportunistic.

But does this mean that Hagoromo's strength is lacking?

No, quite the opposite.

Judging from his condition and Hagoromo's condition, Hagoromo was obviously very relaxed, without even the slightest bit tired.

Without the burden of the Rinnegan?

Nagato couldn't help but chuckle. It was already a miracle that an ordinary person could fight against the Rinnegan with their own strength.

"Then what's your solution?"

Even at the end of her life, Nagato still wanted to know what Hagoromo could do to ensure that there was no eternal peace.

Way?

Hagoromo Hiruzen Sarutobi had asked him the same question.

It's fair to say that almost all of the older generation share this sentiment; after all, having played their entire lives, they'll inevitably have moments to reflect on their actions.

"If we exclude your naive idea..."

"Absolute power, and this power cannot be severed, and then, guided by this power, a brief period of mutual understanding and empathy..."

"After that, we focused on systems and cooperation, using a long period of time to erase the hatred of the past..."

"Finally, under the suppression of this absolute power, each shadow confronts history and hatred head-on..."

Hagoromo finished speaking calmly; this was something he had already told Hiruzen Sarutobi before.

At that moment Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time, only uttering one sentence.

'I hope I can see it in my lifetime.'

Nagato endured the excruciating pain throughout her body, looked up at Hagoromo, and was momentarily stunned.

Under the sunlight, Hagoromo's figure seemed to be draped in a dazzling radiance.

"If we had met you sooner, would things have been easier?"

Nagato said in a low voice.

Hagoromo merely pursed his lips at these words; even if Nagato came looking for him, he wouldn't pay any attention.

They might even run as far as possible.

Damn it, if that old sly fox Black Zetsu had targeted us a few years ago...

He was definitely trying to find a way to leave or fake his death.

"Alright, I've said my piece. You should know your fate now."

Hagoromo said calmly that his long-held idea regarding Nagato was to seize the Rinnegan.

We absolutely must not let Obito or Black Zetsu take it.

As for using such things myself, I don't need them.

With his current strength, the Rinnegan can only serve as an added bonus.

While it might allow him to master all seven attributes directly, it would also limit his progress.

"Ah, whether you kill me or torture me, it doesn't matter. I only have one request: spare Konan."

"She never lived her life the way she wanted."

Hagoromo smirked. "You actually know that?"

"Hagoromo, could I speak with Nagato for a moment?" Jiraiya approached and asked from behind Hagoromo.

Hagoromo frowned. "Again?"

"Take my Rinnegan," Nagato said.

Upon hearing this, Hagoromo did not hesitate. In the instant she swept her hand across Nagato remained were a pair of empty eye sockets.

After putting the contents of the glass bottle into his Hagoromo, Hagoromo stood up and looked at Jiraiya: "Brother, without the Rinnegan that doesn't belong to him, he should be able to hold on for a while longer."

So please tell me as soon as possible.

It must be said that the vitality of the Uzumaki Clan is truly formidable.

Even though he was as fragile as a candle flickering in the wind, Nagato stubbornly held on until now.

Jiraiya's pupils contracted; Hagoromo's words sent a jolt through him—a Rinnegan that didn't belong to Nagato...

But now is not the time to talk about this, Jiraiya stepped forward.

With her arms crossed, Hagoromo's Rinnegan had been taken, rendering the remaining three Pains of Konoha useless and turning them into corpses.

Now, we'll see if Black Zetsu and Obito can't resist and rush out to steal it.

Thinking of this, Hagoromo's lips curled up. If they really dared to do that, then he could take the opportunity to capture them directly.

"Cough... cough cough..."

Nagato, having lost his Rinnegan, breathed heavily. Although he felt much better, his body was already exhausted after so many years of plundering.

"Why... teacher... why did you still not believe in us when we held onto that hope back then?"

Jiraiya took a deep breath, his voice hoarse, and at that moment he understood.

"I'm sorry, Nagato... Back then, your teacher didn't teach you how to discern other people's hearts; he only thought that having the ability to protect yourself was enough."

These words sent a jolt through Nagato, who was already in low spirits.

"I once believed you were the Child of Prophecy, that you could bring about change to the Shinobi World..."

"They thought that according to the prophecy you needed to forge your own path, and they never taught you about the wickedness of the shadows."

Jiraiya and touched Nagato's slightly graying hair. "I never imagined that this so-called Child of Prophecy..."

"What kind of future can possibly match the blood and hardship endured along the way?"

"My failure lies in not protecting you, not guiding you towards a more ordinary life. This... is my sin!"

Splash--

As if sensing something, the sky began to pelt down with raindrops.