The relentless cold rain battered the windowsills of Amegakure Tower.
Nagato's emaciated body sank into his mechanical support frame. The vivid red hair of the Uzumaki Clan was now dull and dry, a few strands hanging down to half-cover his cheeks.
His Rinnegan glowed faintly purple, concentric rings covering his pupils.
His cheekbones jutted out above hollow cheeks.
"Black Zetsu said Jiraiya was coming to Amegakure."
Konan stood beside him. At those words, memories surged up-the teacher who had taken them in and taught them ninjutsu amid the wars of their youth...
A faint sadness settled over her features. "Perhaps I could go and ask him to leave."
If possible, she truly did not want to fight her teacher.
Nagato lowered his eyes, the scene of Yahiko's death flashing through his mind.
Their old bond as teacher and students remained, but their ideals and paths had long since diverged completely.
"They aren't coming with good intentions. For our ideal of peace, Konan... our old bond with our teacher must end here."
Although Jiraiya had once been their teacher, no one could be allowed to stand in the way of their ideal of peace for the Shinobi World!
Konan's chest rose and fell, hesitation and resolve intertwining within her.
Still unable to entirely harden her heart, she spoke softly.
"Shall I go see Jiraiya-sensei? Perhaps I could persuade them to turn back."
Nagato shook his head gently, his voice calm. "Since they've set foot here, they should be prepared to die."
Their plan to capture the tailed beasts was destined to pit them against the Shinobi World.
Facing them sooner or later made no difference...
Seeing his firm stance, Konan opened her mouth but said nothing more.
Outside the window, the cold rain continued to pour, shrouding all of Amegakure in