The End, The Examination

Of course, while Minamoto Takuya reminded Nagato with a hint of amusement at watching the show unfold, it could not be denied that he genuinely held a rare degree of admiration for Nagato himself.

The ideal of "peace" that Nagato stubbornly pursued appeared so empty and illusory under Minamoto Takuya's scrutiny, almost like a fantasy.

Perhaps even Nagato himself was not entirely unaware of this deep down.

Yet, knowing full well it could not be done, Nagato still burned away his own life and stubbornly staggered toward that mirage-like goal.

Deep within his heart, Nagato had always retained an indelible warmth and kindness toward those close to him. Even after the drastic changes he had undergone, that trait had never completely vanished.

That kindness was not only reflected in his profound feelings for Konan. Even when facing his former teacher, Jiraiya, it remained the same.

Looking back on Jiraiya's infiltration of the Land of Rain, it was not difficult to see that Nagato had actually given his teacher multiple chances to leave unharmed.

At any moment before the final judgment descended, if Jiraiya had chosen to withdraw and flee Amegakure, Nagato would most likely have shown mercy and spared his life.

Nagato had never intended to drive the teacher who had taught him into a corner.

Yet regrettably, Jiraiya stubbornly refused those veiled chances at survival.

He pressed onward until he irreversibly stepped onto the final road leading to death.

With the power Nagato controlled at the time, especially the Rain Tiger at Will Technique that covered all of Amegakure, Jiraiya's whereabouts had been exposed the moment he entered the country.

If Nagato had truly wanted to take his life, killing him through a surprise attack would have been almost effortless.

But he had not chosen that most direct method.