In the rain-soaked forest, the scent of burning flames filled the air, while the ground was transformed into a dark scorched earth due to the previous bombardment.
Large amounts of wood debris remained in place, remnants of the Wood Style: Wood Man after being attacked.
Kakashi appeared here, picking up some wood fragments, sensing the extraordinary life force different from ordinary trees emanating from these fragments.
He carefully placed the debris into a transparent bag, conducting battlefield collection work.
"What's the point of collecting these?"
Pakkun approached Kakashi, asking somewhat puzzled.
Kakashi glanced at Pakkun and said, "Just evidence to mislead. I'll take them back to the Third Hokage to prove I acted on my own, against orders, thereby reducing my presence in this incident."
Konoha will certainly focus on these Wood Style remnants at that time.
"But you can't avoid punishment, right?"
Pakkun remarked.
After all, Kakashi's action, similar to Obito's, was unauthorized, without orders from superiors.
If Konoha doesn't administer some punishment, it wouldn't seem appropriate.
Kakashi sighed softly, saying, "I want exactly that. My father chose to save his comrades over completing the mission, leading to his suicide — a unanimous view among the upper ranks. Now, what I must choose is the same, proving I've been successfully molded under Minato-sensei's guidance. This way, they can use this event to hold me to some degree, ensuring their grip on me, this weapon. Then they'll trust me, preparing for my future promotions in Konoha, meaning I must hand over my leverage to them."
Therefore, trivial punishments, what of them?
Because this is only the illusion I want the Konoha leadership to perceive.
Everything is proceeding toward the outcome he desires.
"…You're truly frightening, Kakashi."
"Being flawless and keeping a distance from everyone is the biggest flaw. Doing something unexpectedly understandable can reduce their doubts. The crucial thing is to let them think they have me fully controlled, that I'm their perfect weapon. This is just the fundamental course for being an intelligence officer."
"Does this mean Obito and Lin are also just your pawns?"
Pakkun looked directly into Kakashi's eyes.
Kakashi avoided Pakkun's gaze, murmuring quietly after some silence:
"Connections are the most laughable thing; everything I do is mere disguise. People like them, naïve fools, can only be used by me. Their sole value to exist is just that. The path my father took is not the road I walk now."
With that, Kakashi turned and left, his slight figure disappearing into the vast wind and rain.
Pakkun sighed lightly.
Really, just like before, still not very straightforward.
After all, if he truly didn't care, no matter the disguise, the flaw would eventually show, unable to proceed naturally.
If he merely wishes to be a transparent, unnoticed character by the higher-ups, mere disguise could suffice.
However, if he wants to engage with Konoha's core, he must accept Konoha's so-called connections and give genuine feelings.
Thus, Pakkun thought Kakashi was a terrifying person.
Whether it's as a Ninja in talent or as an intelligence officer in acting skills.
Both are 100% invested in real emotions and energy, able to precisely grasp the difference between the two, making the best choice befitting his role as an intelligence officer.
If someday the blade faces Konoha, he can, with sincere emotions, without any malice, hurt his comrades.
With limbs in motion, Pakkun went off to catch up with Kakashi's steps and vanished alongside him.
◎
Pain swept in, especially the back.
There, it felt as if constantly scorched by flames.
In this agony, Nagato awoke from unconsciousness.
The surrounding light was extremely dark, his Rinnegan surveying this strange environment, trying hard to recall what happened before passing out.
— Everyone in Akatsuki was killed, Yahiko was murdered, all turned into cold, speechless corpses.
And the one responsible, from the same Ninja Village as his esteemed teacher Jiraiya — Konoha.
Later, when he tried to save Konan, the entire back was injured by Explosive Tags, the burning sensation in the back was due to this.
Then he summoned the Gedo Statue to devour the souls of the Konoha Ninja who killed Akatsuki, leaving none behind.
Finally, a dark figure emerged from the ground, appearing before him, and due to severe injuries, he passed out.
Recalling all the events before losing consciousness, Nagato breathed heavily, his body releasing a sinister, terrifying aura, struggling to calm his mood.
From the dark came the sound of footsteps, someone approaching.
Nagato looked up, breathing lightly, asking:
"Is it Konan?"
No one replied.
The footsteps in the dark drew near, Nagato involuntarily tensed his body, showing vigilance.
This pace and sound weren't from Konan.
Then a slightly hunchbacked figure emerged slowly from the darkness, holding a candle, pale long hair draping down, the murky red Sharingan gazing at Nagato.