The Land of Rain.
The new Amegakure.
Ever since Chihane killed Hanzō, Amegakure had been thrown into turmoil. Hanzō's death had also stirred ambitions that many people should never have entertained.
Led by the few remaining Jonin, Amegakure's ninja split into several factions, each governing itself and treating the others as enemies. Every petty leader wanted to swallow up the rest and become the new ruler of the Land of Rain.
But then the Akatsuki stepped in. With the power of Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, and "Yahiko," Amegakure was soon unified once more.
Nagato had also learned from the Rain Ninja that Chihane had killed Hanzō-that Chihane had avenged Yahiko.
Unaware of White Zetsu's existence, Nagato even believed that Chihane had saved them after killing Hanzō.
He did not know why Chihane had left them in that cave, or why he had departed without waiting for them to wake up.
But their only connection was Jiraiya. Back when they had provoked Chihane, he had spared them out of respect for Jiraiya.
Perhaps he had saved them this time out of respect for Jiraiya as well.
Nagato stood at the highest point in the Land of Rain, but his thoughts drifted to the deceased Yahiko.
Before Yahiko died, he had told Nagato that Chihane was right. Only absolute military might could bring peace to the shinobi world.
After what had happened in Amegakure, Nagato had come to understand that too. If he had possessed the strength to kill Hanzō with ease back then, Yahiko would never have died.
But now that Yahiko is dead, I have to fulfill his dream for him. I have to bring lasting peace to the shinobi world.
Through his pain, Nagato had developed his own understanding of peace. The great ninja villages were all greedy;