Chapter 253 — The Death of Nagato
"Uzumaki Naruto, I have been waiting for you for a very long time," Nagato said as he lifted his head, his hollow cheeks tightening as he looked toward the young man who had just entered.
Even though Naruto had mentally prepared himself, seeing the true Rinnegan up close sent a chill through his body. Those eyes were terrifying—just being stared at by them made Naruto feel as if he were standing on the edge of death.
When Naruto finally saw Nagato's face directly, the anger he had been holding back flared up once more.
The man before him…
The man who destroyed the village he loved—Konohagakure.
The one who wiped out his home.
Naruto charged toward Nagato without hesitation.
Konan moved instinctively to intervene.
"Konan."
Nagato stopped her with a quiet command.
Naruto, who was already less than a meter from Nagato, came to an abrupt halt.
He didn't strike.
"Haa… even though I hate you, I know that if things continue like this, the chain of hatred will never end," Naruto said seriously, staring directly into those dreadful eyes.
Yet Naruto failed to notice that his own pupils had shifted into a cross-like shape.
Then the two—once students of the same master, Jiraiya—opened their hearts.
They spoke of their suffering, their paths, their beliefs… and for the first time, they truly saw each other.
"Come out," Nagato said, acknowledging Naruto's resolve.
"Hm? What is it?"
Hatake Yusuke and Toneri suddenly appeared in front of Naruto.
"Uncle Yusuke… and Shiren? Since when—?"
Naruto, even in Sage Mode with his heightened perception, hadn't noticed their presence.
That alone spoke volumes about the difference in skill.
"Hatake Yusuke, I wish to ask something of you," Nagato said.
"Oh? A request? I'm not so sure I'll agree to it," Yusuke replied lightly.
"Kuh…"
Nagato went silent with a frustrated expression.
"Alright, go on," Yusuke said, finally giving him his attention.
"I want you to take care of Konan. I know my life won't last much longer. And I know you actually have the ability to save me… but I am truly tired. Someone must take responsibility for the sins committed," Nagato said, suppressing a cough.
"Oh? So you intend to use that technique," Yusuke said, staring at Nagato knowingly.
"Yes. This disaster… requires someone to atone for it. Naruto, remember what you said earlier. As your senior under Jiraiya-sensei's guidance, I lack the strength to support you… but you can move forward by stepping over my body," Nagato said, looking straight at Naruto.
"Senior…?" Naruto looked confused.
"Naruto, the destruction of Konoha must be answered for—and the only person who can do that is Nagato," Yusuke said calmly.
"No… that isn't what I want! I won't let something like that happen!" Naruto protested, turning toward Yusuke.
"Naruto, not what you want? Then what do you want? Nagato didn't just destroy Konoha, he killed countless people. On what basis can you forgive him on behalf of the dead?" Yusuke replied.
"I…"
Naruto was speechless.
"Mutual understanding"?
Naruto himself had never been understood—his entire childhood was spent being hated for being the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.
What right did he have to forgive someone on behalf of others?
"Naruto, your naivety needs limits. You can forgive Nagato, but others don't have to. Never force others to forgive simply because you do. That's impossible. Just do what you believe is right," Yusuke said.
"But Uncle Yusuke… I don't understand. Why can't they try to understand one another?" Naruto asked.
"Naruto, I know what you mean. But you must also understand—even if you know Nagato's past, that doesn't mean others will. And even if they did know… so what? Would that erase their pain?" Yusuke asked.
"Jiraiya's wish was too idealistic. Ideals like that cannot be achieved. Even I cannot accomplish it," Yusuke added.
"Even if it's impossible… I'll show through my actions that Ero-Sennin's dream can come true!" Naruto replied firmly.
"Naruto, I believe you can bring peace to the shinobi world. But remember this—offering too much forgiveness will only make some people bold enough to cross the line again," Yusuke warned.
Naruto fell silent. Reflecting.
Maybe one day, he truly would change the shinobi world.
But wars would always exist—
as long as humans continued to fight for their own desires.
"Naruto, what Hatake Yusuke said is correct. Don't bind yourself too tightly to a single principle. To have you as my younger brother… I'm proud," Nagato said gently.
"Nagato… no…" Konan's eyes reddened as she looked at him.
"Please take care of Konan, Hatake Yusuke. For so many years, she has never truly been happy. Yahiko and I have always known this. From now on, she can entrust herself to you," Nagato said.
"Alright. As long as I'm here, I won't let any harm come to her," Yusuke said with a small smile.
Finally at peace, Nagato placed his hands together before his chest.
"Naruto, there are seven Paths of Pain. And 'I' am the final one—the Outer Path. Outer Path holds the true secret of the Rinnegan: the power to control life and death."
"Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique."
A spectral King of the Underworld manifested behind him.
Its massive jaws opened and unleashed a torrent of glowing spiritual blades—
souls rushing forth like countless streaks of light.
Those who had died in the attack were pulled back into the world of the living.
"Control Soul."
Within the flowing tide of resurrected spirits, Hatake Yusuke swiftly extracted the souls of a certain group—Root operatives—and altered the core of their spirits.
"That old geezer Danzo will probably die of rage," Yusuke said with a mischievous smile.
"W-What is this? What's going on?"
Shinobi who had just been revived stared around in disbelief.
"This… this is the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique…" Tsunade whispered, furrowing her brows.
At last, Nagato died in Naruto's arms.
"That was Yahiko, wasn't it?" Naruto asked when he saw Konan wrap the bodies of the Deva Path and Nagato.
"Yes… that was Yahiko," Konan said softly as papers gathered in her hand, forming a delicate flower.
"You are someone acknowledged by both Nagato and Yahiko… so I acknowledge you too. Do your best, Naruto," Konan said.
"Thank you… Konan-nee," Naruto replied, still drowning in sorrow.
"Konan, after you finish arranging Yahiko and Nagato… go to Konoha," Yusuke said.
Konan opened her mouth, ready to refuse.
"That's an order," Hatake Yusuke said, pointing at her, his unchanging, gentle smile still present.
"…Very well," Konan answered, though her eyes were still clouded with grief.
"Oh, and Eros, take Konan back," Yusuke said.
A tiny paper crane suddenly appeared on his shoulder.
"This is…?" Konan blinked, confused by the moving paper crane.
"Did you forget? This is the paper crane you gave me before. Let it escort you. I merely added a little something to it," Yusuke said.
"Let him accompany you. That way I'll feel more at ease. Besides, he's quite useful," Yusuke continued.
"Useful? For protecting me?"
Konan frowned skeptically.
She admired Yusuke's abilities, but she didn't believe something so small could protect her.
"Eros," Yusuke called.
"Yes, Master," the paper crane replied.
Countless sheets of paper appeared around it, merging with its body—
and in an instant, a massive paper crane burst into full form.
"Please board, Master," Eros said, bowing its head toward Konan.
Though it lived by Hatake Yusuke's power, its body was originally born from Konan—
which was why it called her Master.
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