Nagato Arrives at Konoha

Amegakure.

The first thing Nagato saw upon returning was Konan.

Nagato naturally remembered his previous attitude towards Konan perfectly.

When facing Konan again, Nagato was somewhat at a loss.

I think I acted a bit impulsively before.

Nagato thought this to himself, but his face remained impassive, still bearing the expression of a dead man.

Konan was overjoyed to see Nagato again.

Because Nagato has recovered again, although his hair, which is Nagato a mix of gray and red, doesn't look like he's fully recovered.

But Nagato's health had indeed recovered, Konan was happy for Nagato.

Compared to before, the strong body and the eerie Rinnegan didn't seem as incongruous.

Perhaps I'm just overthinking things because I care too much.

Konan looked at Nagato now and thought to herself, then smiled.

"Nagato, you're back!"

Konan's joy was palpable, but what made Nagato's heart race even faster was Konan's smile.

Similar to Nagato, Konan rarely smiles as she grows up.

The last time was during the time when Jiraiya was Jiraiya pursuing Nagato, Konan would sometimes slightly curl the corners of her mouth, revealing a faint smile.

Such a radiant smile is a distant memory for Nagato.

They hadn't had one since they grew up. Looking at Konan, Nagato felt like he couldn't breathe properly.

"Um!"

As if he had lost his own will, Nagato nodded to Konan with a straight face, then quickly walked past Konan and into the room.

Smiling, Konan watched Nagato's retreating figure until it completely disappeared into the darkness.

Konan was genuinely happy, especially when Nagato walked by; the strong, powerful heartbeat made Konan realize that Nagato was in excellent condition.

Nagato's departure, looking withered and lifeless, without taking her with him, filled Konan with complex emotions of regret, self-blame, and resentment.

But more than anything, she was worried about Nagato. After seeing Nagato again, Konan's worries disappeared, and she revealed her most sincere side.

After calming herself down, Konan regained her cool expression and prepared to deal with some matters within Amegakure.

However, at that moment, Nagato's voice came from inside the room.

"Konan, send a letter of invitation to Konoha. I will be visiting the Hokage of Konoha soon."

"OK!"

The familiar voices, the familiar way of interacting—everything seemed unchanged.

Konan didn't ask Nagato what his plans were; she just needed to do it.

Sensing Konan's departure, Nagato closed his eyes and focused his attention on the entire Amegakure.

The trip to Konoha, though ostensibly a challenge, was ultimately a duel.

However, Nagato did not intend to go directly to them, but instead planned to go through the normal diplomatic process.

This alone shows that Nagato has grown a lot.

Konoha's response was swift, and Nagato received a precise reply the very next day.

The meeting is scheduled for a week from now, at which time the Hokage will make time to meet with Nagato.

This was all by accident for Nagato; if he had gone to Konoha without saying a word, he probably wouldn't have even been allowed to enter.

Of course, the use of violence is an exception.

Konoha used formal diplomatic means to maintain the illusion that Ren had not disappeared.

They wouldn't refuse such a thing, because Konoha has its own pride.

Whether it was their confidence in Fugaku's Dōjutsu or their disdain for Amegakure, Konoha accepted Nagato's visit without the slightest hesitation.

Time flies, and a week passes in the blink of an eye.

In the dense forest of Konoha, a group of about ten people was moving quickly.

Since he followed proper procedures, Nagato naturally wouldn't come to Konoha alone, like a commander without any troops.

However, since he came to Konoha with other intentions, Nagato did not choose to bring Konan with him, but instead formed a team in Hidden Rain Village.

Half an hour later, at the main gate of Konoha.

"You must be Nagato from Amegakure. Please come in. The Lord Hokage is already waiting for you!"

Xuanyue looked at the Hidden Rain Village ninjas one by one and spoke to Nagato, who was in the center and leading them.

As someone who had served in the Allied Shinobi Forces, Konoha naturally possessed detailed intelligence about Nagato.

Although Nagato's appearance differed slightly from what was reported in the intelligence, Xuanyue did not delve into it further.

Does Konoha have to meddle with someone dyeing their hair?

Led by Xuanyue, Nagato made his way unimpeded toward the Konoha Hokage Building in Konoha.

Before the two arrived, Nagato's information was already on Fugaku's desk.

Nagato had kept it well hidden all along, and Jiraiya was not a blabbermouth either, so Nagato's secret of possessing the Rinnegan was not exposed.

However, Konoha was not to be trifled with either, and Nagato was the one who was to meet with Fugaku.

The moment he entered Konoha, he was the focus of countless eyes.

"Fugaku, this Nagato is no ordinary person. His eyes, hidden by his white hair, may also be a powerful Dōjutsu. The power contained within his eyes is simply terrifying!"

Tongren Hyuga, who was originally sent by Hiashi to the Uchiha Clan as a liaison, was completely controlled by Ren after Ren became Hokage.

Tong Ren's thinking was very simple: since he was destined to be a caged bird, why not get a bigger cage?

Having been by Ren's side for several years, he has a unique advantage.

"How much worse is it than my Sharingan?"

Fugaku was equally cautious and asked Tong Ren for his opinion.

Tong Ren, whose temples were bulging with veins, hesitated to speak. Seeing this, Fugaku spoke again.

"Tong Ren, don't hesitate, just say it!"

"Lord Fugaku, his eyes are many times more powerful than your Mangekyou Sharingan!"