The red-haired child, the one called Nagato.
He turned around,
and stared solemnly at his companion.
"Yahiko, he really is strong, but he's a Konoha Ninja."
The blond child, Yahiko, narrowed his eyes:
"I know you don't like Konoha Ninja, Nagato. They did attack your parents."
"But didn't you protect your parents just fine? Since they're all right..."
His eyes gleamed as he continued:
"Then, Nagato... you shouldn't waste your incredible ability."
"Become this man's apprentice. He's the strongest ninja we could hope to find right now."
"Have him fully develop your abilities. Then... we'll be able to save this country."
The blue-haired girl beside them watched her two friends anxiously.
She was afraid Yahiko's suggestion would upset Nagato.
Then...
The home they had finally found might be lost again.
Konan and Yahiko had met Nagato in a village caught in the midst of war.
They had been fleeing the pursuit of ninjas from all sides.
In their desperation, they had stumbled into the village where Nagato lived.
That village...
At the time, it had not yet been touched by the flames of war.
But the effects of the conflict had already reached it, making life unimaginably difficult for the people of the Land of Rain.
And as orphans, she and Yahiko...
Had no one with the strength to take care of them.
Just as they were about to lose hope, Nagato's mother...
That warm, sunlike woman had taken them in.
The reason she could take in Konan and Yahiko was Nagato, that extraordinary child.
Ever since the markings on Nagato's body had turned white,
a strange power had begun coursing through him. He could use the markings on his hands...
To open portals through space and travel to the lands of the nobles.
That's right. The first ability of