Kakuzu chuckled as he listened to little Yahiko's admiration and praise for Hanzō.
Children were children. They always thought whatever they had seen was the best there was.
Still, Hanzo of the Salamander was fairly impressive. He ranked among the more powerful of the known strong figures in the Shinobi World today.
"Kid, why do you want to become a ninja?"
Kakuzu did not want to keep listening to a brat heap praise and admiration on his idol, so he changed the subject.
"Do you know how dangerous being a ninja is? You could die, just like in the war right now. People keep charging onto the battlefield, one after another, and so many of them die. Those people are all ninja."
"I know, but I'm not afraid to die!"
Yahiko tilted his head up, his voice firm.
Nagato, who had been sitting quietly beside them, suddenly began to tremble. His long bangs hid his eyes, but Kakuzu could tell he was agitated.
"It isn't just ninja who die. Civilians die too! My mom and dad weren't ninja at all, so why? Why did they have to kill my mom and dad?"
"It's okay, Nagato. I'll protect you!"
Seeing Nagato trembling all over, Yahiko stepped forward and put an arm around his shoulders.
Konan also came over to Nagato's side and comforted him.
"Me too. I'll protect everyone too."
Yahiko looked at Kakuzu and spoke.
"I'm not afraid of death. I'm only afraid I won't be able to protect Yahiko and Konan. I'm going to become a ninja, the strongest ninja there is. That's the only way I can protect everyone and change this country, change the Shinobi World! I'll make it so no one in this country, in this world, has to suffer anymore!"
Faced with Yahiko's lofty ambitions,