Madara in the Cave

Yahiko's ideal world was one where everyone could understand one another and achieve peace without bloodshed.

But both reality and the Sarutobi Hiruzen he had met not long ago had told Nagato that this was an impractical fantasy.

Nagato gradually became lost.

Yahiko had said that the three of them shared the same beliefs and ideals, so they would not drift apart like Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo.

But Nagato knew very well that the three of them did not share the same beliefs. Yahiko's ideal was to bring true peace to the Ninja World without bloodshed.

Konan's and his own ideal was to help Yahiko achieve his dream.

I don't have a dream, but I can protect someone else's dream!

Did that really count as being like-minded?

Nagato did not think so. Konan and he merely approved of and helped Yahiko as a person; they did not truly agree with Yahiko's ideals.

Konan was easier to explain. She had never had much of an opinion of her own, nor did she think there was anything wrong with Yahiko's ideals.

Nagato was different. He had already begun to doubt Yahiko's ideals. But Nagato could not bring himself to admit it, much less voice a better idea.

Nagato began desperately denying himself. He realized a terrifying fact: the three of them, who had depended on one another since childhood, all had different thoughts and beliefs. How could they make the people of the Ninja World believe in Yahiko?

Support Yahiko! I have to support Yahiko!

In an underground cave somewhere in the Land of Rain.

An elderly man whose skin resembled withered tree bark sat quietly in a stone chair. His dry, pale, wild long hair covered half his face.

His breathing was exceptionally calm. If his chest did not occasionally