Inexplicable Behavior

"Destroy the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?" Konan lowered her gaze, seemingly letting out a silent sigh. "Have you truly reached such a resolution?"

The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was, after all, the vessel for the dreams the Akatsuki had held for so many years. Nagato saying he would destroy it so lightly left her feeling somewhat unwilling.

"It is merely a final resort. A person who is truly powerful and confident would not lurk in the shadows for so long," Nagato said dismissively. "Regardless of what is said, the Sage of Six Paths has already died once. If he possessed sufficient strength, he could easily obtain whatever he desired; there would be no need to act so furtively as he does now. His behavior is that of a loser, and this world ultimately belongs to the living."

"Destroying the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path offers no inherent benefits. Moreover, it could very well bring about unexpected trouble." Nagato looked up at the grotesque Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and thought, "Although I could take the lead and become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, ascending to the pinnacle of this world's power in one step, why would I do that? It's disgusting. To stuff such a thing inside my own body, with no chance to ever turn back—only a true pervert would want to do that."

"I understand." Konan watched the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path with Nagato for a while before asking softly, "Compared to the Sage of Six Paths, Madara is nothing, right? Do you think Madara knows of the Sage of Six Paths' existence?"

Nagato turned his head to look at Konan and smiled slightly, feeling that she had hit the nail on the head. "I don't think Madara knows. If it becomes necessary, I will tell him."

Having said this, he thoughtfully cautioned Konan: "Do not get involved in Madara's affairs; he is very dangerous right now."

The Madara that Konan referred to was, of course, Obito. But the person Nagato intended to inform was the real Madara Uchiha.

Given Obito's level and potential, he was no longer worthy of knowing secrets at the Six Paths level. Madara Uchiha, however, was; he had the strength to intervene in a war of that magnitude.

He was a chuunibyou patient who, if he went mad, might actually try to challenge the Sage of Six Paths to a duel.

This was also why the Sage of Six Paths dared not meet with Madara—or Hashirama—while they were alive.

Although the Sage of Six Paths had always been watching the reincarnates, and Black Zetsu understood that reincarnates who reached a certain level of power could see the Sage of Six Paths, the strength of Madara and Hashirama had clearly far surpassed that of ordinary reincarnates. The level of these two was simply not comparable to Sasuke and Naruto. Based on existing intelligence, Nagato felt that Madara and Hashirama were likely the strongest reincarnates in history, while Sasuke and Naruto were a pair of weaker ones—it was even uncertain if they had reached the average level.

If nothing else, Naruto, the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths' younger son, had been sealed with the Nine Tails for sixteen years and still couldn't control half of the Nine Tails on his own. Such a performance was not even as good as Kushina Uzumaki; it was truly pathetic, not even in the same league as Hashirama.

"Nagato, I won't make a move against Madara, and don't treat me like a child." Konan was somewhat dissatisfied. "Looking at you, you've already made up your mind. What do you intend to do?"

"Let's leave the matter of the Sage of Six Paths at that for now. The era he lived in is too far removed from the present; it is difficult to gather intelligence on him. Besides, with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path in our hands, we are the ones holding the initiative."

Nagato continued while thinking: "The current priority is to handle the Five Kage Summit. I intend to downplay the presence of Amegakure to the outside world and let everyone focus their attention on the Akatsuki."

"To achieve this, we must highlight the deterrent power of the Akatsuki and teach the Five Kage a profound lesson, making them understand that the Akatsuki is no longer a problem they can solve by holding a meeting on their own." In the dimly lit underground base, only Nagato's voice gradually remained. "The arrogance of the Great Nations ends here. If war must come, I will choose to strike first."

As he said this, his eyes turned completely cold: "This time, I intend to destroy the nation among the Five Great Nations that is most hostile to the Akatsuki. I will build it into the new headquarters of the Akatsuki and use it as a future battlefield. As long as the peace of Amegakure can be guaranteed, sacrificing the tranquility of other nations is worth it."

"Are we really doing this?" Konan's tone was somewhat helpless. The Land of Rain had once been used by the Great Nations as a battlefield, which was why its situation had been so tragic. She hadn't expected that one day they would inflict the same methods upon the Great Nations, though she would not feel pity for foreigners because of it.

"I understand. In that case, I need to prepare early as well," Konan said calmly.

"Yes, leave all the preparations within Amegakure to you. And you must hurry to rest and keep yourself in good condition."

Konan nodded. Having grown up in war, she naturally knew how precious time was now. Once they entered a state of war, it would be impossible to have such comfort as they did now, so she decisively transformed into paper and vanished from the spot.

In truth, Nagato knew very well that for him, obtaining intelligence on the Sage of Six Paths was not impossible. Katsuyu, that dead slug who had been a shut-in for a thousand years, certainly knew many secrets about the Sage of Six Paths.

Unfortunately, Katsuyu likely wouldn't tell him; the stinking slug clearly had some reservations. Or perhaps it simply said nothing because it was afraid of trouble? Given its hopeless personality, this was also very likely.

Nagato scratched his head helplessly. In fact, he was the same; even though he trusted Konan one hundred percent, he had no intention of telling her the true identity of the current Madara. Doing so was meaningless; Konan wouldn't gain any benefit from knowing, and it would only increase the risk of being discovered by Obito for no reason. A secret is a secret precisely because the parties involved feel that the fewer people who know it, the better.

After Konan left, Nagato stared at the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path for a while before walking out of the underground base.

The matter of the Sage of Six Paths could not be understood with the existing intelligence. Although he was certain that the one who orchestrated Kaguya's resurrection was the Sage of Six Paths, the one who ultimately stopped and sealed Kaguya was also the Sage of Six Paths. Sasuke and Naruto were merely two tools in his hands.

If the Sage of Six Paths had truly wanted to resurrect Kaguya, he could have done it long ago; after all, he was the first Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and didn't need to go through such unnecessary trouble.

Behind his contradictory behavior, there must be some logical reason that forced him to do so. And to know the answer to all of this, one only needed to possess greater strength.

After all, secrets at the Six Paths level could only be answered by figures at the Six Paths level. Once the strength was sufficient, wouldn't it be simple to know the truth? One could just fly to the moon and take a look; it was no big deal.

Thinking of this, Nagato quickened his pace, his expression somewhat solemn.

He remembered one very important thing: he hadn't been wearing any pants this whole time, only a red-cloud black robe.

And it was one he had stripped off the Asura Path.

No wonder he always felt a faint chill down there. Hopefully, no one had noticed?