Bringing Nagato back to Konoha was a Jiraiya made after careful consideration.
There are too many mysteries surrounding Amegakure. Whether it's Hanzo's sudden attack or the mysterious figure who ambushed Nagato using an unknown Illusion Technique, the Akatsuki Organization alone clearly cannot unravel these secrets.
In Jiraiya's mind, the only person who could understand the mystery of Hanzo was his close friend.
This is a good opportunity to transplant a new pair of eyes into Nagato.
"I wonder if Kazashiro has returned yet."
Looking at the border of the Land of Fire so close at hand, Obito a sense of anticipation.
He had learned a lot of useful knowledge from the voyeur over the past year, and he was confident that he would make Kazashiro look at him in a new light!
"You two have such a good relationship."
Konan covered her mouth and chuckled as she watched Obito occasionally mutter a few words Obito Kazashiro.
"Of course! We've been best friends since we were kids!"
Obito raised his head, about to tell Konan about his friendship with Kazashiro, but was ruthlessly interrupted by Jiraiya: "Alright, kid, it's time to go!"
"Oh." Obito pouted and walked to the front.
Childhood friends...
Watching Obito's retreating figure, Konan subconsciously shifted her gaze to Yahiko.
"What are you thinking about, Konan?"
Seeing Konan looking at him, Yahiko asked with a smile.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking that if we hadn't met Jiraiya- sensei, the three of us might have died in the war long ago." Konan shook her head, looked away, and then looked at Nagato with a pained expression.
"Konan, don't be sad for me. In fact, losing these eyes has relieved me of a burden."
Sensing the other's emotions from Konan's tone, Nagato smiled and said, "To me, these eyes are far less important than you."
"You're always like this, silently protecting us." Hearing Nagato's reply, Konan sighed, her tone full of helplessness.
Taking Nagato from Konan, Yahiko said casually, "However, Konan is right. If we hadn't met Jiraiya- sensei, the three of us might not have survived the war, and this time is no exception."
Hanzo's strength was too great; even a manipulated Hanzo was beyond their ability to deal with.
Nagato has left the Land of Rain.
White Zetsu, who had been monitoring Nagato, immediately reported the news to Setsuna.
"Hmph, Nagato's whereabouts are no longer important. There are more important things waiting for me to do now." Setsuna ignored White Zetsu and fixed his gaze on Yaowan in front of him.
Seeing the figure blocking his way, Yaowan didn't react in any particular way, simply staring coldly at the other party.
"Hey boss, can I take this guy out?"
Hidan, standing to the side, was getting impatient and wanted to sacrifice the masked guy in front of him.
"Why did you take the Rinnegan?" Ignoring the restless Hidan, Setsuna asked Yaowan about his purpose.
"I should be asking you, why let an uncontrollable container continue to develop?" Yaowan tilted his head, utterly bewildered by Shana's foolishness.
"Besides Lord Madara, only Nagato can control the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path— " Setsuna shouted at Yowan, but was interrupted before she could finish speaking.
"There are many descendants of the Uzumaki Clan in the Shinobi World, and many of them are even more outstanding than Nagato. Why be fixated on him?"
Yaowan narrowed his eyes and pointed at the other person. "It's much simpler to raise an innocent Uzumaki Clan from scratch than to change Nagato, isn't it?"
Upon hearing Yaowan's words, he fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "This will waste a lot of time."
Nurturing a small vortex, and waiting for him to grow old enough to control the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, who knows how many years that would take.
However, after Yaowan's reminder, Setsuna had a new plan. "My Dojutsu can allow the controlled person to retain their abilities and Chakra from when they were alive. If we work together to kill Nagato, and then control his corpse..."
"Are we going to fight that guy named Jiraiya again? He's one of the Sannin, and I killed his disciple right in front of him..."
Yaowan frowned, which aggravated the scars on his face.
"We'll just wait for the right opportunity; we have White Zetsu anyway."
"That's right, surveillance is exactly what we're good at," White Zetsu said at the opportune moment, but was ignored by everyone.
After a moment's thought, Yaowan agreed to Shana's plan, "In that case, it's settled then. I have other things to do, you can step aside."
"I don't trust you to hold Lord Madara's eyes." Seeing Yaowan about to leave, he quickly reached out and stopped him.
"Hey, you bastard, do you believe I'll chop your hand off?!" Hidan couldn't understand what they were saying; he only knew that this incessantly chattering guy was seriously wasting his time, and he was about to explode.
Then, Hidan's head detached from his body.
Seeing his body crash to the ground, Hidan finally panicked. "Damn it, what kind of technique is this?!"
"Um?"
Even after Hidan split up and was able to speak for a moment, Hidan seemed a little flustered. "Immortality?"
Are there any other abilities this monstrous in the Shinobi World? It's truly Kuninotokotachi ".
In the instant Yaowan made his move, he foreshadowed the outcome of their fight.
Can the Mangekyō Sharingan fight against the Mangekyō Sharingan?
At this point, Yaowan was not absolutely certain that he could take down Setsuna directly. Without much hesitation, he ultimately chose to compromise.
The two divided the Rinnegan equally, one for each of them, until they found suitable hosts.
Several days have passed.
Jiraiya finally saw the gates of Konoha.
"Honestly, why do I keep feeling like someone's been watching us lately?"
The Obito was completely baffled.
His words startled the White Zetsu lurking underground.
This unassuming kid actually sensed me? That's impossible!
"What nonsense are you spouting? We've already entered Konoha's barrier area. The ones watching us are definitely the village's ninjas in charge of training!" Jiraiya slapped Obito on the back.
After all, they had three "strangers" with them, and the Barrier Team must have noticed.
Jiraiya's words temporarily dispelled Obito's doubts.
The group immediately located Orochimaru's Research Bureau.
After the Battle of Kikyo Pass, Orochimaru finally managed to dive into the ocean of research, but this caused great suffering for Anko, who was by his side.
Her free-spirited personality made it impossible for her to endure the monotonous research life, but Orochimaru was her respected teacher, so she could only grit her teeth and stay by his side, helping him with his Orochimaru.
When Jiraiya entered the Research Bureau, Orochimaru was instructing Anko to retrieve necessary materials for him.