"What did you think of Konoha's recent actions?"
In the Land of Rain, inside Akatsuki's meeting room, Konan had been sorting through the documents in her hands when she suddenly brought up the recent situation in the Shinobi World.
"They've finally shown some courage."
Nagato Uzumaki did not answer Konan's question directly. His gaze remained fixed on the rain shrouding the window.
"Jiraiya-sensei has recently been in Mist Village, and he even helped them capture the Three-Tails."
Jiraiya-sensei? That was a name from so long ago. Compared to the hatred they now carried, the bond between teacher and students from the past no longer seemed so important.
"No matter how strong Konoha is, even if Impure World Reincarnation summons the First Hokage, it doesn't matter. My eyes will crush every enemy!"
Nagato closed his eyes, then opened them again.
He had absolute confidence in his eyes. After all, these were the eyes of the legendary Sage of Six Paths!
But these Rinnegan were not Nagato's own eyes, and using them placed a tremendous burden on him. If not for the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline, he might not have been able to use the Rinnegan at all.
Forcibly summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had drained a great deal of his life force.
Still, the Rinnegan were the Rinnegan. With them, Nagato's strength was at the Super-Kage Level.
Especially when one did not know the abilities of Nagato and the Six Paths of Pain, fighting him presented countless difficulties.
"..."
Konan set down the documents in her hands, her thoughts drifting far away.
The Land of Rain was already under Akatsuki's control, but that was not enough. Far from enough!
For now, she could only choose to trust Nagato.
Konoha's actions had made Nagato even more resolute in his goal.