Shinobi World No. 1.
Winter, Year 46 of Konoha.
A side hall in the Jashin Cult headquarters, Land of Rain.
The winter sunlight could not penetrate the perpetual leaden clouds over the Land of Rain. Only dark red crystals of evil power cast a faint glow inside the side hall. Nagato sat cross-legged on a stone platform, his dark red hair gleaming purplish-black in the light. Yahiko stood beside him with his arms folded, his short orange hair particularly striking in the gloom. Konan sat by the window, folding a paper crane, her cool face expressionless.
"Nagato, how strong are we now?"
Konan's voice was soft as the paper crane took shape between her fingers.
Nagato opened his eyes, his Mangekyō Sharingan slowly rotating in the gloom.
"With our own strength and our weapons combined, we're all at the... threshold of what Teacher calls Super Kage level."
Yahiko frowned slightly.
"The Super Kage threshold?"
"Yes. The Super Kage threshold." Nagato nodded. "Put it this way-the three of us together could probably defeat Hashirama Senju."
A glimmer flashed in Yahiko's eyes.
"Probably?"
"Probably." Nagato's voice was calm. "The Sage of Six Paths might strengthen Hashirama Senju, just as Teacher strengthened us."
Konan set down the paper crane and looked at Nagato.
"So Konoha now has One Village, Three Shadows. Danzo has the Impure World Reincarnation Hashirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi has the Impure World Reincarnation Tobirama Senju, and Minato Namikaze has even become the so-called Child of Prophecy. Who do we attack?"
"Sarutobi."
Nagato answered without the slightest hesitation.
Yahiko frowned slightly.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
"Yes. Hiruzen Sarutobi." Nagato nodded. "Danzo has Hashirama Senju, so he's difficult to fight. Minato Namikaze has Flying Thunder God, so he can run fast. Only Hiruzen Sarutobi has no trump card."
A flicker of understanding crossed Konan's