Night fell, and the sky was studded with diamond-like stars.
A round moon hung overhead, spilling its light across the land and illuminating the entire battlefield.
Jiraiya stared at the moon for a while before his gaze fell on Nagato. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but when the words reached his lips, nothing came out.
After a moment of silence, he turned to the person beside him and asked,
"Konan, what are you going to do? I don't think you'll be returning to Akatsuki, will you?"
At those words, Konan's hands paused as she bandaged the wound, then resumed as normal. "To me, Nagato and Yahiko were everything. Their dream has failed, and they never entrusted that dream to me."
At that point, her voice paused, and she said calmly,
"I'll leave Akatsuki."
"A person with the Rinnegan can not only use the various ocular techniques bestowed by the Rinnegan, but also gain the power to transcend the cycle of life and death."
An aged voice suddenly shattered the silence in the air.
Jiraiya looked toward the sound and saw the Great Toad Sage trembling as he slowly rose to his feet, hopping over to them.
"One who possesses the Rinnegan can control life and death." Gamamaru's gaze landed on Nagato as he continued, "In other words, he has the power to bring the dead back to life."
In an instant, a violent gust erupted around Jiraiya, blowing his long hair back.
In front of him, Konan suddenly burst forth with killing intent. Her petite body blocked Gamamaru's and Jiraiya's line of sight, as if silently warning them not to set their sights on Nagato.
Nagato had never hidden the Rinnegan's abilities from her.
The Rinnegan could indeed revive the dead, but it required a terrifying