"Distrust is only right. The bond between master and student from back then has long passed. We now stand on opposing sides. If personal feelings get mixed in, we might lose everything..."
Wuye was not surprised by Nagato's concerns.
After all, after Yahiko's death in the original timeline, Nagato had not hesitated even to strike at his own teacher...
Konan's gaze inside the room grew increasingly complicated.
She did not know where such cooperation would lead, or what their relationship would become.
"What do you need me to do to earn your trust?" Wuye asked.
Nagato considered it for a moment before looking up. "Sensei, do you truly intend to unify the ninja world?"
"Yes," Wuye replied. "I've given myself fifteen years."
"Then how do you intend to deal with small countries like the Land of Rain? Annex them directly? If so, how will our civilians live? Will they be exploited by the Land of Fire?" Nagato fired off one question after another.
Wuye paused briefly. "Then let the Land of Rain serve as an example for the next few years. Let the ninja world see how the Land of Fire operates."
He told Nagato, "Have the Land of Rain form an alliance with the Land of Fire and open itself completely to us. I will show you the Land of Rain being built up."
"If we open ourselves to you, how can we still be developed? Wouldn't we just be stripped bare?"
Naturally, Nagato could not understand this at all.
Not just him—no one else in the ninja world would have such an understanding either.
"No. A great number of merchants from the Land of Fire will enter the Land of Rain and establish factories, providing jobs for your civilians," Wuye said.
Nagato was puzzled. "Why would merchants do