The Sage Truly Never Deceives Me!

Year 64 of Konoha.

Valley of the End.

A violent tremor swept in all directions, and the surrounding air began to warp under the intense heat.

With the sound of space being torn apart, three people appeared out of thin air.

"Phew... is this... the Valley of the End?"

Nagato's eyes were somewhat gloomy.

"So this really is another world! It's quite a novelty to see such a desolate Valley of the End for the first time."

Obito excitedly scanned his surroundings.

"Interdimensional travel... I can't believe Orochimaru actually succeeded..."

Kakashi's eyes were filled with undisguised shock.

Within the Empire, the Valley of the End was one of the Fire Province's most famous tourist attractions. It was packed with visitors every day, generating a large amount of GDP for the Fire Province each year and creating more than ten thousand jobs.

Now, within a hundred-mile radius, there was nothing but the statues of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju.

Desolate. That was the first impression these three had of this world.

In the distance, Jiraiya was using a monocular telescope and the geographical advantages of the Valley of the End to gather material when he suddenly sensed a spatial fluctuation. Three powerful Chakra signatures then appeared.

He reluctantly glanced at the several young women playing in the river, his expression turning gloomy.

"Who is it? Could I have been discovered?"

Feeling somewhat guilty, he formed a hand seal and used the Transformation Technique, turning into a toad.

He was somewhat puzzled. These three Chakra signatures felt unfamiliar, as though they did not belong to the Hidden Leaf Village, yet they also seemed somewhat familiar.

He slowly approached the three people.

As the distance narrowed, his pupils began to contract violently.

"These three Chakra signatures... they're beyond Jonin level!"

Remembering how turbulent the Hidden Leaf Village had been recently, with the surrounding villages all eyeing it covetously, he boldly moved closer.

"Let's all try and see whether we can contact the Emperor's side."

Kakashi issued an order.

"Wait! Kakashi, are we really going to contact them just like this?"

Nagato spoke up to stop him.

"It's fine, Nagato. The fact that we were able to come to this world proves that interdimensional travel is feasible and successful. That alone is already a great achievement."

Obito comforted him. He thought Nagato was worried that the three of them had not accomplished anything yet.

"No, that's not what I'm worried about. Are we really going to bring the flames of war into this world? Everyone knows how brutal the Emperor is. I don't want to see him sacrifice countless people to achieve his own goals again in the future! This world is innocent!"

Although he had never experienced war, he had been an observer of the Second Ninja War and had also been taught by Jiraiya. He knew deeply how precious peace was.

The Nagato he was now was the Child of Prophecy from before Yahiko's death.

Kind and gentle, he considered others in everything he did. In two words, he was a bleeding heart.

"Nagato, we're carrying out a mission. I hope you'll listen and do as you're told. Coming to this world isn't necessarily a mistake. The Emperor also said that if this world is on the correct path, then we're here to seek cooperation."

Kakashi looked at Nagato.

Nagato was silent for a moment before giving a self-mocking smile.

"Right or wrong, isn't it all decided by the Emperor? In all these years, when has he ever truly sought everyone's opinion?"

"The war has only just ended, and the entire Shinobi World needs repairs. He keeps saying that he longs for peace, yet after unifying the Shinobi World, he immediately disregarded the people's livelihood and mobilized the entire nation to research Interdimensional Teleportation Ninjutsu, deluding himself into thinking he could bring the flames of war to parallel universes. I really don't understand!"

Nagato's tone began to carry resentment.

"How vast does his territory have to be before it can satisfy that arrogant and domineering heart of his?"

Obito's emotions grew complicated as he listened.

"That's right. The Emperor is obstinate and self-opinionated, with every decision controlled entirely by him. That so-called republic is nothing more than an excuse for his dictatorship."

"All right, stop talking about it. The Emperor trusts us, which is why he made us the Vanguard Force. At least everyone is well-fed and living in peace now, aren't they?" Kakashi urged.

"Living in peace? All I see is everyone being crushed by life as they strive to realize his grand ambitions."

Kakashi fell silent.

"Enough. I'll contact the Emperor."

After a large amount of Chakra was injected into the wristband, a phantom image appeared before the three of them.

Uchiha Senju looked at the three people who had successfully arrived in the parallel world, a smile appearing on his face.

"You've worked hard, everyone!"

His deep, authoritative voice came from the wristband.

"Reporting to the Emperor, we have crossed over safely. Our current location is the Valley of the End."

Kakashi reported honestly.

"Good. I've already transmitted your detailed mission through the wristbands. Whatever happens, remember to place your own safety first!"

Uchiha Senju glanced at Nagato, whose expression was as wilted as a frostbitten eggplant, and sighed.

"Remember, we're here to correct an erroneous world and seek peace and cooperation, not to kill and plunder. So don't burden yourselves psychologically."

Seeing that Nagato still remained silent, Senju spoke:

"Nagato! Do you still remember the standard for determining whether a world is correct?"

His tone turned cold.

Nagato had naturally not forgotten. This principle had been repeatedly promoted since the Emperor unified the Shinobi World. He answered through gritted teeth.

"The shinobi village and nation system is wrong. A unified republic and the path of communism are correct!"

"Do you still remember the core socialist values?"

"I remember."

"Good. Then I have nothing more to say."

"Nagato, complete the mission properly. Think more about your former self and your family."

The communication ended, and Orochimaru could not help speaking up: "Emperor, although Nagato is powerful, aren't you afraid he might betray you at any moment? Besides, I don't think he'll understand what you said at the end. He never experienced that period of turmoil. At most, he just went hungry for a few days."

"Betray me?"

Senju smiled.

This Shinobi World had achieved unification only because of him. How could he not understand how sick and ruined a world without unification would be?

The current Nagato was a typical armchair strategist. He had never personally experienced the tragedies of war, death, and shattered families that Jiraiya had instilled in him. His parents had even been saved by Senju in the past, so this boy simply did not understand the pain of losing his family and companions at any moment.

The ideals of communism had already taken deep root in people's hearts. When the two systems were compared, he did not believe Nagato would still abandon such an excellent system to restore the old shinobi village system.

Even in the worst-case scenario, what could Nagato do if he truly betrayed him when Senju possessed Six Paths-level strength?

Of course, Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, was an excellent blade. After being sharpened through this mission, he would be even easier to use in the future.

Looking at the communication that had already ended, Kakashi sighed.

Nagato, meanwhile, had clenched his fists, his heart filled with fury.

Just as I thought! The Emperor is still the same! What did he mean by those last words? Is he threatening me with my parents?

Heh, I, Nagato, accepted this mission to protect world peace! I am the Child of Prophecy chosen by the Sage! Now that I'm in this world, Emperor, don't even think about bringing the flames of war here again!

Nagato had previously wondered why Jiraiya said he was the Child of Prophecy and that the peace of the future world would depend on him.

During his years at Hokage University, he had constantly pondered it. He was just an ordinary university student, and the Shinobi World had already been unified. How could there possibly be an opportunity for him to save the world in the future?

At this moment, Nagato, his heart filled with fury and his dissatisfaction with Uchiha Senju reaching its peak, suddenly understood.

The Sage truly never deceives me! I am the Child of Prophecy spoken of by the Toad Sage! A hero who will save the world!