As Nagato watched the unfolding scene on the screen, a flood of memories washed over him, vivid recollections of his past interactions with Jiraiya-sensei.
He vividly recalled the very words Naruto now spoke, words that had once been his own.
[The image continued]
[Naruto, clutching "The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi," addressed Nagato with earnest conviction. "Ero-Sennin truly poured his heart into this book, hoping to change the world with its message. At the very end, he wrote about the disciple who inspired him to pen this entire story."]
["And that disciple's name… is you, Nagato."]
[Upon hearing these words, beads of sweat dotted Nagato's forehead, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. "How… how can that be?" he murmured.]
[The scene transitioned, the passage of time revealing a younger Nagato, speaking with youthful idealism to Jiraiya.]
["Sensei," young Nagato declared, his eyes filled with a fervent hope, "I still haven't found the path to true peace, but one day… one day I will break this cycle of hatred!"
"If true peace exists, I swear… I will grasp it with all my strength."]
[Jiraiya, his face alight with inspiration, clapped a hand on the young Nagato's shoulder. "It seems, thanks to you, I might just have the makings of a truly great novel."]
["But first," he chuckled, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "we need to settle on the protagonist's name…"]
The exposure of this scene ignited an immediate and widespread uproar across the Ninja World.
For they, too, recognized the profound connection: the unwavering conviction that fueled Naruto was a direct echo of Nagato's own youthful aspirations.
And now, the roles seemed to have subtly reversed. This Nagato was no longer the idealist, while Naruto had become the embodiment of that earlier hope.
What resonated deeply with many was Jiraiya's act of immortalizing Nagato's words in his very first book, a clear testament to the immense expectations he held for his student, a fervent wish that Nagato would be the one to unravel the world's enduring curse of hatred.
Konan, her gaze softening with a poignant understanding, felt a pang of empathy for Nagato.
She knew precisely why these words would stir him so deeply. Nagato's initial philosophy had mirrored Naruto's almost perfectly. They were, in essence, kindred spirits.
It was only through a series of brutal encounters and the crushing weight of despair that Nagato's ideals had fractured and twisted, leading him down a path of destruction. Naruto, however, had somehow managed to cling to that original, unwavering hope.
[In the image, Naruto and Nagato stood face to face, their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills. In that moment, Nagato seemed to see a reflection of his younger self in Naruto's determined eyes.]
[Then, Naruto placed his left hand firmly over his chest, his thumb extended with resolute conviction. "The name of the protagonist in that book," he declared, his voice ringing with unwavering certainty, "will be… Naruto!"
"And because of that," he continued, his gaze intense, "I will never let Ero-Sennin down. I will become Hokage, and I will bring peace to Amegakure. You can believe it!"]
[Nagato's expression remained skeptical, tinged with a weary cynicism. "Why can you assert such a thing with such certainty?"]
["No matter how much pain the future throwsat you, you truly believe you won't change? Can you honestly believe in yourself? Can you truly trust your own resolve?"]
[At this, a shadow of pain flickered across Naruto's usually bright features. He lowered his head slightly, his voice softening. "I… I have my own share of pain, too."]
[Then, Naruto began to recount his difficult childhood, the profound bond he shared with Sasuke, and the burden of the Nine-Tails sealed within him.]
The exposure of this exchange sparked a fervent debate across the Ninja World, countless voices analyzing the poignant dialogue between the two figures.
"Doesn't their conversation feel less like a true exchange and more like a contest of who has suffered more?" one observer remarked, a hint of melancholy in their tone.
"Exactly!" another agreed. "It's almost a grim tally of misfortunes."
"Judging by the outcome," a third voice mused, "perhaps Naruto has indeed endured more."
"But that kind of 'victory'," someone countered, their expression thoughtful, "means his life has been even more harrowing. If it were me, I think I'd rather 'lose' that particular contest."
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Within the Akatsuki organization's tense atmosphere, Obito and Zetsu exchanged worried glances.
They would have far preferred Nagato to fall in battle rather than be swayed by Naruto's earnest words.
If Naruto managed to truly resonate with Nagato, wouldn't that directly jeopardize their carefully constructed alliance?
After all, the control of the Tailed Beasts currently resided with Nagato. Obito, with only his Mangekyō Sharingan, lacked the means to directly command the Gedo Statue.
If Nagato were to have a change of heart and embrace Naruto's ideals, their entire plan would crumble.
And within Zetsu's dual consciousness, an even greater unease began to fester.
Four thousand years of patient manipulation, dormant within the shadows of the Ninja World. This era presented the most opportune moment to revive their "mother." To miss this chance… who knew how many more generations would pass before such an alignment of circumstances occurred again?
Regardless of the risks, he had to seize this opportunity, even if it meant prematurely revealing some of his carefully concealed abilities!
Subsequently, Obito and Zetsu fixed their gazes intently on the screen, offering silent, desperate prayers that Nagato's resolve would prove stronger than Naruto's earnest pleas.
[After listening intently to Naruto's heartfelt recounting of his own pain, Nagato's solemn expression deepened.]
[Then, Naruto continued, articulating the core of his unwavering belief.]
["I may not be able to write a book as profound as Master's," Naruto declared, his voice filled with a quiet determination, "but my life, my actions… that will be the sequel. No matter how much pain life throws at me, I have to keep moving forward. That… that is myninja way!"]
[Nagato closed his eyes, a flicker of something akin to recognition crossing his features. He murmured to himself, his voice barely audible, "I am the elder, a fellow student who admired the same teacher. I said before that we should be able to understand each other… although that was initially just a jest."]
["You… you are truly an incredible individual," Nagato continued, his eyes slowly opening, a hint of awe in their depths. "You can't help but remind me of who I once was.
I… I can't bring myself to believe in Jiraiya-sensei anymore. No… perhaps more accurately, I can't even bring myself to believe in my own past self."
"However…" a new resolve seemed to solidify in his gaze, "I have a premonition… a sense that a different future awaits both you and me."
"I believe in you, Nar… Naruto!"]
At this pivotal moment, a collective gasp rippled through the entire Ninja World. In this grim contest of suffering, it was Naruto who had seemingly emerged victorious, not through the sheer weight of his pain, but through the unyielding strength of his self-belief.
No, perhaps it wasn't a matter of who had suffered more, but rather who possessed the more indomitable spirit.
Naruto clung fiercely to the belief that he could guide the Shinobi World toward peace, while Nagato had tragically lost his way, succumbing to despair and embarking on a path of destruction fueled by his own shattered faith.
The exchange between Naruto and Nagato, in its own somber way, represented a potential turning point, a flicker of hope in the encroaching darkness.
.....
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