Nagato's Return

"I'm sorry, Lord Kazekage, that female ninja who can fly has escaped!"

A Hidden Sand Village ninja reported the progress of the pursuit to Rasa.

Rasa nodded without saying anything.

It doesn't matter anymore; the Akatsuki is no longer a threat.

As the Akatsuki members scattered and fled, the Hidden Sand Village also dispersed to begin their pursuit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Itachi Uchiha, and Sasori were informed beforehand, so the pursuit by Hidden Sand Village was just a formality, allowing the three of them to escape successfully.

Black Zetsu was taken away by Nagato, but Konan managed to escape thanks to her ability to fly.

Only Kakuzu and Kisame Kakuzu had neither the ability nor the background, were captured alive by Hidden Sand Village and became prisoners.

The Akatsuki's massive operation to capture the One-Tail has come to an end.

Besides making a lot of noise but accomplishing little, the Akatsuki was also left in disarray.

A month passed slowly.

Aside from Tobi occasionally revealing his training life to prepare for his debut, the Shinobi World is peaceful.

Amegakure.

For the past month, Konan has been frantically sending Amegakure ninjas everywhere to search for traces of White Zetsu.

After escaping the Land of Wind with severe injuries, Konan rested for three days and returned to Amegakure after her injuries had begun to heal.

She searched the entire Amegakure but couldn't find Deva Path Pain or Nagato.

Konan may seem indecisive in front of Nagato, but she is actually very resolute.

In the original story, after Nagato's death, Konan was able to plan an attack on Tobi on her own, successfully causing Tobi to waste a Resurrection Coin.

This shows that Konan is not a weak woman who needs to be protected.

But now, Nagato's fate is unknown; we don't even know if he's alive or dead.

Konan spent the past month in endless worry and anticipation. Not only was her body not fully recovered, but she was also experiencing a constant interplay of two conflicting emotions.

She looked at least ten years older.

Konan is the same age as Nagato, born in Konoha year 33, and is now almost thirty.

However, judging from his appearance alone, he looks at least forty-five or forty-six.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her, and Konan turned around with a look of anticipation in her eyes.

"Nagato!"

A voice filled with surprise and delight came from Konan.

The one who just arrived here is Nagato, who was on the Nagato of death in the Land of Wind a month ago and then disappeared without a trace.

At this moment, Nagato was dressed in a white robe, which perfectly matched his gray-white hair with streaks of red.

His height was the same as usual. Konan didn't know why Nagato wasn't a halfling, but none of that mattered; Nagato was still alive.

That's perfect!

Nagato's makeup and styling are somewhat different from before; she no longer sports the emo look with thick bangs covering her eyes.

Instead, he changed to a dapper style with long hair covering his right cheek, revealing the left half of his face and a Rinnegan.

Two seconds after Konan's delighted call, Nagato's left side of his face suddenly contorted into a hideous grimace.

"Konan, run!"

A near-screaming shout came from the Nagato.

However, in the next instant, Nagato became unusually calm again, just like always.

Nagato's unusual behavior Konan alerted Konan.

However, Konan was a competent ninja; her face remained Fudō, still filled with joy, as she slowly approached Nagato.

"Nagato, what did you just say?"

"Nothing."

Nagato said calmly.

But just as Konan was about to approach Nagato...

Nagato's face contorted in a grimace once more, unleashing a massive burst of Chakra as he extended his left hand toward Konan.

Shinra Tensei!

Surprisingly, despite Nagato's astonishing Chakra burst, the power of Shinra Tensei was surprisingly weak.

He simply and gently pushed Konan away.

As the Chakra surged, Nagato, which had been hidden by his long, gray hair, was revealed.

Pitch black!

Except for that Rinnegan that emits an eerie purple light.

This is...

"Black Zetsu, what did you do to Nagato?!"

Such honor! Konan had seen Black and White Zetsu before, so how could she not know what this represented?

Nagato stood still, his left cheek shifting between a ferocious expression and a calm one.

About ten seconds later.

Nagato's calm voice rang out.

What did I do?

"I saved Nagato from those monsters in Sunagakure!"

There's no doubt that the person speaking to Konan right now is Black Zetsu.

"What about Nagato? What did you do to him?"

"He's fine, just a little disobedient."

After answering Konan's question, Black Zetsu continued.

"As Nagato intends, I won't harm you. You can stay in Akatsuki or leave, provided you don't get in the way. Otherwise, even Nagato can't protect you."

Konan wouldn't listen to Black Zetsu, and was silently Chakra in preparation for her attack.

Nagato's face contorted with rage once more, and he spoke urgently.

"Quick, Konan, let's go find the teacher!"

Then the calm voice rang out again.

"What a hassle."

Konan wouldn't listen to a word Black Zetsu said, but after several exchanges, Konan came to understand the situation.

Filled with endless worry, Konan watched as Nagato slowly flew backward.

Konan would never trust Black Zetsu, but she would never go against Nagato's intentions.

After the two could no longer see each other, Nagato's —no, it should be said Black Zetsu's —voice rang out on the empty platform.

"Finally solved!"