Konoha Crush Plan Preparations

"However, Deidara said in the Canopy Screen that Naruto Uzumaki would become the inheritor of my will in the future. Who is Naruto Uzumaki now?" Pain's question echoed through the damp air, carrying a hint of probing.

Konan pondered briefly, a look of understanding flashing through her light-purple eyes.

She calmly stated, "Naruto Uzumaki is currently a Genin of Konoha. He is also a disciple of Teacher Jiraiya."

"Teacher Jiraiya?"

The cold, mask-like face of Deva Path Pain seemed to loosen ever so slightly.

So it was him.

That man's disciple.

Jiraiya—the hero who had once taught them, firmly believed that people could understand one another, and traveled throughout the world in search of the "Child of Prophecy."

In an instant, countless fragments seemed to connect in Pain's mind.

Why Naruto Uzumaki?

Why could this boy end the catastrophe caused by the Fourth Shinobi World War?

Why could he become the cornerstone of peace that even Kumogakure in the future would fear?

If he was truly the "Child of Prophecy" Teacher Jiraiya had been searching for, then everything seemed to have a reasonable explanation.

The mutual understanding and revolution that man had firmly believed in might truly have taken root and sprouted in this boy named Naruto Uzumaki, even blooming into flowers unlike any other.

He pursued peace by forcibly imposing the pain of a Deity upon the world, while Naruto Uzumaki seemed to be walking down another path—one that came from the same teacher, yet was entirely different.

Deva Path Pain slowly turned around. He no longer looked toward the endless curtain of rain outside the window, instead directing his gaze toward the distant direction of Konoha.

That gaze held less of the indifference of a Deity looking down upon the mortal world, and more scrutiny and anticipation.

His