The One-Eyed King

"Go on. Tell them to hurry up. We can't let this delay our trip to the Land of Iron." Nagato waved his hand, shooing away the aloe-headed weirdo.

Once White Zetsu had left, Nagato turned to Konan beside him. "With your chakra control, it's not impossible for you to learn these techniques. You should focus on training from now on. The people below you can handle the village's affairs."

Although the original Amegakure had been destroyed by the Pains, its ninja system had been preserved. Konan, the "Angel," had always handled the village's internal affairs. But times had changed, and Nagato thought she'd be better off focusing on improving her strength.

Konan quietly nodded in agreement. Nagato glanced at Tsunade with a look of disdain. "So, what do you say? You teach Konan ninjutsu, and Amegakure will feed you?"

Nagato's words made Tsunade's eyes widen. She stared at him as if asking whether there was something wrong with his head.

"Don't be ungrateful! Do you know how expensive things are in Amegakure? And look at you two..." Nagato pointed at the pile of dirty bowls and plates on the table, gesturing for the two gluttons to take a good look at the mess they'd made.

Hinata lowered her head, a little embarrassed. At least she still had a precious shred of shame. There was hope for her yet!

Tsunade, on the other hand, snorted and picked her nose with the swagger of an old man, one foot propped arrogantly on a chair.

"Have you thought about what I mentioned last time, about joining the Akatsuki?" Nagato pulled up a chair and sat down, trying to persuade her. "We don't have many official spots in the Akatsuki—only ten in total. There are countless talented people eager to join. Plenty would risk their lives just to work as a temp for a day. Think it over carefully. If you miss this chance and someone else beats you to it, you'll regret it."

Nagato had come to realize that Tsunade was quite talented. She was worth recruiting.

Tsunade looked at him as if he were an idiot.

"I've even thought of your title once you join the Akatsuki." Nagato paused, as if considering his options. Then his face lit up like he'd just had an idea. In a thoroughly halfhearted tone, he said, "How about the One-Eyed King? A title that imposing isn't for just anyone. Someone else could snatch it up if you're not careful."

As he spoke, Nagato glanced at Hinata, signaling to Tsunade that she was the competition for the title of "One-Eyed King."

His knack for rubbing salt in the wound was truly exceptional. Tsunade stopped picking her nose and glared coldly at him. Did that redhead want to pick a fight? Had he forgotten how she'd become the "One-Eyed King"?

"How about this..." Nagato tried to persuade her again, but Tsunade quickly raised her right hand, palm facing him, and gestured for him to shut up.

Nagato obediently closed his mouth. A medical expert like Tsunade deserved some respect. The old woman could save someone's life in a pinch. He didn't need her help himself, but Konan did.

"For a ninja, death is commonplace," Tsunade said with utmost seriousness. "I've fought in many wars and lost many people I cared about, but I've never hated anyone for a comrade's sacrifice. To do so would be to dishonor their death."

Then Tsunade suddenly raised her voice. "But that does NOT mean I'll ever work with someone like you!"

She glared furiously at Nagato, who remained impassive. Her aura was astonishing, and her whole body radiated the righteous conviction of one who would never stand with a traitor. Even Konan couldn't help but look at her with newfound respect, while Hinata gazed at Tsunade with admiration, thinking that Lord Hokage truly lived up to her reputation!

Nagato was at a loss. He glanced at the bristling Tsunade and wondered if the old woman had forgotten how she'd left Konoha to gamble her way around the world. If her status hadn't been so solid, she'd have been a rogue ninja long ago! Who was she trying to impress?

After thinking it over, he decided to try a different way to "persuade" this stubborn woman. "Heh. Naruto was right. You and Jiraiya aren't the same kind of person."

He deliberately mentioned Jiraiya with a scornful tone, making Tsunade's expression even more severe. The air around them grew tense as her eyes narrowed. Everyone there knew Jiraiya had died at the hands of the Pains.

Nagato acted as if he hadn't noticed Tsunade's expression and continued, "I once saw Naruto's memories"—that was, of course, complete nonsense—"and he said this to you, didn't he? If Jiraiya had been Hokage, he never would've sent you on such a dangerous mission."

Tsunade clenched her fists, holding back her anger as she waited to hear what other nonsense the redhead would spout. The fury in her eyes burned hotter and hotter. She seemed close to losing control.

Nagato just smiled. "I was wondering what Jiraiya would have chosen if he'd been in your place. Jiraiya was willing to sacrifice his life to obtain intelligence on the Akatsuki. And your Konoha ninja, Itachi Uchiha, spent years undercover within the Akatsuki, making a tremendous contribution to Konoha. But you? Did you ever even consider using my invitation to join the Akatsuki as a chance to gather intelligence on us?"

"You silver-tongued bastard!" Tsunade couldn't take it anymore. She slapped the table and sprang to her feet. "I am the Fifth Hokage of Konoha!"

Nagato blinked, then immediately understood what she meant. The Hokage was Konoha's symbol, representing the entire village. Whether dying in a foreign land for intelligence like Jiraiya or joining an enemy organization under a cloud of disgrace like Itachi, those clearly weren't things a Hokage should do. Nagato narrowed his eyes. So trying to sway Tsunade with Jiraiya and Itachi hadn't worked. The old woman wasn't stupid after all. How had he failed to notice that before?

"So what? There's already a Sixth Hokage, and it won't be long before they choose a Seventh. That is, if Konoha still exists by then..."

"Are you going after Danzo?" Tsunade looked at Nagato with a hint of anticipation.

Nagato suddenly thought Danzo was a fine fellow. Should he consider going easy on him and letting him live during the operation to deal with the Five Kage Summit?

"It's not us. It's Sasuke Uchiha. Haven't you heard? He wants revenge on Konoha!" Nagato quickly distanced himself from the matter, explaining that Sasuke was the one who wanted to kill Danzo. He didn't want to lose face if Danzo survived. Sasuke was another story. That kid was used to getting humiliated, so he should understand his leader's good intentions.

Tsunade calmed down and stared at Nagato without a word. She didn't know the truth behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre, and now Nagato's mention of Itachi's sacrifice, followed by Sasuke's revenge, gave her a bad feeling.

Nagato didn't notice Tsunade's expression. He still thought everyone already knew the truth behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre by now. Seeing the old woman fall silent again, he continued, "Of course, I don't think Sasuke is strong enough to take revenge on Konoha yet. But if he joins the Akatsuki, that could change. If I help him, it won't be long before Konoha disappears from this world. You know I have the power to do it."

Nagato looked at Tsunade and spoke more emphatically. "As far as I know, Sasuke's goal is to execute everyone in Konoha—ninja and civilians alike, young and old."

Tsunade, who'd been silent until then, went pale. She clenched her teeth, seeming to want to say something but holding back. She didn't want Nagato to know that the Hokage knew less about the Uchiha than a foreigner like him. Besides, her instincts told her he was telling the truth. Konoha had changed a long time ago. Any kind of dark deed could happen there.

Hinata, who'd been listening the whole time, couldn't help covering her mouth. Her wide eyes were full of shock. She could hardly imagine that Sasuke Uchiha, who'd graduated from the Ninja Academy the same year she had, would one day want to do something like this to Konoha.

"Fine. I understand." Tsunade still hadn't said a word, so Nagato nodded, convinced he'd understood her. "You're bound by your position as Hokage, so you can't join the Akatsuki, right? Then once Konoha's destroyed and the position of Hokage no longer exists, there'll be nothing stopping you from joining us."

He stood up, as if the conversation were over.

"Wait!" Tsunade was practically ready to explode with anger again. "What are you planning to do now?"

She was convinced that Nagato wasn't quite right in the head. They'd been having a perfectly good "chat" in Konoha, then he'd suddenly blown it up. She had no idea what frightening plan he might have now.

Nagato ignored her and strode to the door.

"Come back!" Tsunade called out quickly. "Let's talk this over. How about we both compromise?"

She'd thought it through. Konoha was already in this state, and she was a prisoner now. Why worry about all that? She'd first figure out what the Akatsuki was all about.

Long ago, when the young Sannin encountered the demigod Hanzo of the Salamander in Amegakure, Jiraiya chose to stand his ground, while Tsunade had held him back, urging him to stop.

Years later, the Sannin had become famous across the world. When they encountered Nagato one after another in Amegakure, Orochimaru chose to defect to the Akatsuki before going rogue, Jiraiya chose to fight to his last breath to obtain the intelligence needed to defeat Pain, and Tsunade, now, would have to make her own choice.