Nagato

One day later, Uchiha Akira had just led his squad into the Land of Rain.

"So it was Konoha's Anbu, disguised as shinobi from the various nations, who had been pillaging and slaughtering people in the Land of Rain!"

Deep inside a towering building, Nagato looked like a withered husk. Black Receivers protruded from his back, and a cold glint shone in his purple Rinnegan.

Not far from his feet lay a ninja in Konoha Anbu garb, wearing a cat-faced mask. He had already stopped breathing.

"So Konoha joined forces with Hanzo to attack us!" A murderous chill filled Konan's pretty face, and killing intent surged uncontrollably in her heart.

"Konoha!" Remembering Yahiko's calm acceptance of death, Nagato's eyes filled with murderous intent.

Konan looked at Nagato and asked, "Nagato, did the Human Path uncover any other information?"

"Konoha is making another move. The Third Hokage sent an elite squad into the Land of Rain to help Hanzo destroy Akatsuki." A cold smile appeared on Nagato's face as he spoke.

"Konoha plans to help Hanzo destroy us?" Konan's eyes brimmed with killing intent, and her expression darkened.

"Who's leading them?" Konan asked, looking at Nagato.

"The leader is from the Uchiha Clan. His name is Uchiha Akira. The others aren't worth worrying about," Nagato said casually.

"Uchiha Akira?" Konan nodded slowly. "I heard he made a name for himself on the battlefield between Konoha and Kirigakure. He took down four of the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist all by himself. We shouldn't underestimate him."

Nagato nodded. "He's certainly strong. According to Mr. Madara, he also defeated Kirigakure's Six-Tails Jinchuriki. That's what caused the Six-Tails to break free of its seal and fall into Mr. Madara's hands."

"Nagato, what should we do now?" Konan looked at the gaunt Nagato, her expression grave. "Can you handle him in your current condition?"

Just then, footsteps sounded from the direction of the building's entrance.

Uchiha Obito, disguised as Uchiha Madara and wrapped in Tobi, appeared before Konan, accompanied by Zetsu, who resembled a pitcher plant, and Deva Path Pain, who walked at the front.

Pain spoke in a detached tone. "Konan, it's convenient that Konoha's men have arrived. Mr. Madara just taught me the Six Paths Technique, so I can use Uchiha Akira to test how well it works."

"Are you sure that's wise? I heard the Six Paths of Pain need all six bodies to be complete. We only have Deva Path, Animal Path, and Naraka Path right now. Isn't it too risky? Our opponent is powerful enough to take on the Six-Tails." Konan looked at Nagato anxiously.

"Konan!" Nagato raised his head, his expression unchanged. "Don't worry. I've completely mastered the eyes of the legendary Sage of Six Paths. I've transcended humanity and become a god. How could a mere mortal stand against a god?"

"Nagato, I should warn you," Uchiha Obito said. "Uchiha Akira probably isn't an ordinary Uchiha. He may have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"The Mangekyō Sharingan?" Nagato looked at Uchiha Obito, who was wrapped in Tobi. "Mr. Madara, are they the same as yours?"

"Heh." Uchiha Obito let out a scornful laugh. "Of course not. Mine is the Uchiha Clan's highest ocular technique, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. The Mangekyō Sharingan can't compare!"

"So the Sharingan has different levels," Konan murmured.

"Of course," Uchiha Obito said with a chuckle. "The Mangekyō Sharingan may not match the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, but it's still incredibly powerful and shouldn't be underestimated. Its wielder is no weaker than a village's Kage."

As he spoke, his scarlet Sharingan fixed on Nagato. "Once the Mangekyō Sharingan awakens, its wielder gains two immensely powerful ocular techniques. Only the person who awakened it knows exactly what they are."

"Don't let your guard down, Nagato," Uchiha Obito said meaningfully.

"Mr. Madara, you have nothing to worry about." Nagato remained calm, his voice detached. "No matter what ocular techniques he has, they're nothing before the divine power of the Rinnegan!"

"Then we'll await your news." As Uchiha Obito finished speaking, he vanished into thin air before Nagato.

After Uchiha Obito left, Zetsu spoke. "Nagato, I'll provide intelligence this time."

With that, he slowly sank into the building and disappeared.

Konan stared for a long while at the place where the two had left, then turned to Nagato. "Nagato, I still can't trust this so-called Uchiha Madara. They say he was the Asura of the Ninja World, but I can't believe a man who hides his face and won't show who he really is could be him."

"It doesn't matter, Konan." Nagato shook his head. "We're only using each other, and we both know it. Once we've captured the Tailed Beasts, it'll be time to lay our cards on the table."

Nagato looked at Konan. "There's no doubt this Masked Madara wants the Tailed Beasts. He needs our help to capture them, and I need his Yin-Yang Release, the Six Paths Technique, and his intelligence-gathering skills."

Konan fell silent for a while, then said, "Nagato, while we're working with him, I hope you'll stay wary of this so-called Madara. We can't believe everything he says."

"Of course. Since the moment Yahiko died, you've been the only person in this world I can trust completely, Konan," Nagato said in a low voice.

Hearing Nagato's words, Konan looked sorrowful. Yahiko's death was a pain that would never leave their hearts.

Seeing the sorrow on Konan's face, Nagato spoke solemnly:

"Konan, we'll make Yahiko's dream come true. People can't understand each other because they haven't shared similar experiences or felt the same pain. They can't truly empathize with one another.

"If we revive the Ten-Tails and make the Five Great Nations experience true pain, then they'll be able to understand people from small nations like ours, and peace will finally be possible."

"Nagato..." Konan looked bewildered as she listened to him.

After Yahiko's death, Nagato's personality had changed drastically. Jiraiya's belief that people could bring true peace by understanding one another had taken on an entirely new form in Nagato's mind.

Konan sighed inwardly. After seeing things play out in reality, she had long since realized how naive Jiraiya's theory was.

People understanding one another didn't make their needs disappear. It didn't stop them from drawing their weapons, prevent hatred from taking root, or mean they would let go of their grudges.

Konan pushed her thoughts aside and looked at Nagato. "Nagato, you can't move around easily right now. I'll go with you this time."

Nagato didn't refuse her offer. His body was indeed in poor condition.

Ever since he had forcibly summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and attacked with the Chakra Dragon, the Statue had drained most of his life force. He still hadn't recovered.

More importantly, Hanzo's explosive tag trap had injured his feet and left him unable to walk. He needed someone to help him get around.

Nagato looked at Konan. "Let's go. According to the intelligence we just received, the squad led by Uchiha Akira has already entered the Land of Rain."