Nagato's Change

Nagato's gaze was as dim as the stars under the night sky. After killing two ninjas, he personally buried his parents in the dust.

Having completed this poignant ceremony, he ignored the muddy ground beneath his feet and silently sat down before his parents' gravestones.

The cold rain relentlessly soaked his clothes; tears mingled with the rain, making them indistinguishable.

From that time on, he became an orphan, wandering alone in this vast world.

Until they met Yahiko and Konan, they supported each other and weathered life's storms together.

However, he kept this unforgettable past deep in his heart and never mentioned it to anyone.

He feared the memory of that painful moment, feared reopening the still-unhealed scar.

In a quiet corner, Nagato's heart was like a lake ruffled by a gentle breeze, its surface rippling with waves.

He heard Koki's sigh, a sigh that suddenly made him tense, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind, wondering if Koki had already figured out that the boy in the story was himself.

He was also worried about Koki would view this past event, after all, Konoha was Koki's hometown, and he had accumulated too much bitterness and hatred with this place.

Thinking of this, Nagato lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and slowly closed them, trying to sink herself into that familiar darkness.

In that darkness, he could temporarily escape the chaos of reality and lick his wounded soul in solitude.

This time, however, the darkness did not bring him peace as usual; instead, it made him even more anxious and uneasy.

Suddenly, he was startled awake again.

That warm, smooth touch flowed like an electric current through every inch of his skin, and the boy, as hot as a furnace, held him tightly in his arms.

Koki's slender arms gently embraced him, their intimate posture reminiscent of the embraces of his parents in his childhood memories.

Nagato could clearly feel his body freeze at that moment; he had never imagined that someone would embrace him in this way.

Strangely, he didn't dislike this intimacy.

Instead, a sense of peace and tranquility quietly spread through my heart.

That was the warmth he had never felt since the war took his parents away; it was as if he had found a warm haven in this cold world.

This sudden warmth left him somewhat bewildered; he didn't know how to accept this unexpected comfort.

Night had fallen, and a light drizzle was falling, the raindrops tapping on the ground with a crisp rhythm.

Nagato opened her eyes, her gaze as gentle as a breeze, lightly brushing across Koki's cheek. Koki's face appeared even more gentle in the dim light.

Nagato found it difficult to describe the feeling in words; she only felt that at this moment, the world seemed to have become peaceful and beautiful.

He suddenly had a thought that it wouldn't be so bad to live like this for the rest of his life.

The moment the thought crossed his mind, even he was surprised, and then he couldn't help but laugh at himself.

A gentle breeze, carrying a hint of coolness, swept by like a fine beaded curtain in the sky, lightly brushing across their hearts, yet unable to quell the burning passion deep within them.

"I will protect you, Nagato." Koki's tone was resolute, his eyes shining with sincerity and determination as he made a solemn promise to Nagato.

Koki doesn't know how long he will stay in the Land of Rain, but as long as he is with Nagato, he will spare no effort to protect this boy whose heart is full of scars but who is resilient and unyielding.

The future is like a vast and boundless ocean, full of unknowns and miracles. Koki gazes into Nagato's eyes, she glimpses a mysterious and powerful force within them.

He could deeply sense the boundless potential hidden within Nagato, an energy powerful enough to overturn the world.

"Go change this world, Nagato!" Koki's voice resonated in the air, his grand ambition like the dawn's first light, and he firmly believed that Nagato possessed this power.

Change the world...

Nagato lowered his head. "Can I do it?" His voice was low and deep, revealing his deep doubt.

Deep down, he saw himself as just an ordinary person, an orphan struggling to survive amidst the ruins of war. "I'm just an ordinary person, I'm sure..."

Don't underestimate yourself! Everyone has the potential to change the world; the difference lies only in whether they are willing to take action.

Nagato possesses a power that others can hardly match. As long as he dares to believe in himself and bravely takes that decisive step, he can become a key figure leading the world to change.

"I will support you!" Koki reached out and grabbed Nagato's shoulder tightly.

Nagato's heart raced, and he didn't know why, but his intuition told him that he should trust Koki.

Nagato grasped Koki's hand, and the warmth of their palms touching felt like the warm sun in the dead of winter.

"Mm," Nagato responded softly, a rare, genuine smile appearing on her face.

At that moment, Nagato seemed to have found his direction and discovered his own value.

"Ha, how come I've become Koki's little tail again?" Konan, with her flowing purple hair and a warm, sunny smile, asked playfully.

A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she looked behind Koki, where Nagato stood, her Nagato with embarrassment.

Koki glanced at Konan, while Nagato shyly hid behind Koki, her fingers nervously twirling on the hem of her clothes, speechless.

His heart pounded like a drum. He avoided Konan's probing gaze, hoping only to find a moment of peace under Koki's protection.

Since that long conversation that night, Koki has noticed a significant change in Nagato's attitude towards him.

If Nagato had only cautiously tried to trust him in the past, occasionally offering a smile, then Nagato now seems to trust him completely.

Nagato's smile grew even brighter, and every time she saw Koki, she would blush shyly, her adorable appearance making one unable to help but smile.

What's particularly noticeable is that Nagato seems to have become an inseparable companion.

He always stayed close to Koki, unwilling to leave her side, which reminded Koki of Itachi clinging to her at home.

Nagato's change sparked much discussion among the Akatsuki members, Konan frequently teased him, making him even more uneasy.

Just like now, Koki was going out to buy things as usual. He straightened his clothes and prepared to step out of the room.

Nagato suddenly blocked the doorway, his lips pressed tightly together, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Koki stopped and looked at Nagato with a puzzled expression. Under Koki's questioning, Nagato clutched the hem of her clothes and asked nervously if she could come along.

He lowered his head and remained silent, waiting for Koki's response.

Faced with Nagato's voice weakening with fear of rejection and his refusal to look her in the eye, Koki naturally agreed without hesitation. After all, having another helper was always a good thing.