Chapter 534: Nagato's Visit
The Sixth Hokage, exhausted from a long day of work, returned to his home.
This mansion was built by Naruto himself using Wood Release Ninjutsu.
It was extremely sturdy and durable, earthquake-resistant and windproof, and expanding or remodeling it was also exceptionally convenient; all he had to do was inject Chakra to guide its growth.
Wiring and the like would have to be added later, but Naruto had left spare space, so there was no need to worry about the hassle of installing wiring.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, the warm light and the aroma of food from inside the mansion rushed to greet him, slightly dispersing Naruto's fatigue from the day and the Spiritual sting accumulated from the failed Shadow Clone cultivation.
Walking into the dining room, Karin was placing the last dish on the table.
She took off her apron, her long red hair tied back simply, and her eyes behind her glasses smiled. "Naruto-kun, you're back! The food is just ready, eat it while it's hot."
The table was laden with a rich variety of dishes, appealing in color, aroma, and taste, showing that Karin had clearly put a lot of thought into it.
Naruto glanced around and noticed that Hinata and Hanabi were not there.
Karin seemed to sense his confusion and explained, "Hinata and little sister Hanabi went back to the Hyuga Clan's place, saying they felt embarrassed staying here for too long.
Today, it's just the three of us at home."
She pointed to Uchiha Hikari, who was sitting quietly nearby. Hikari nodded to Naruto as a greeting.
The young girl had intended to just nod and leave it at that, but for some reason, she couldn't tear her gaze away.
Naruto smiled at her, and the corners of the girl's mouth curled up slightly.
Then, the three of them sat down, ready to eat.
Just then, faint footsteps came from the porch.
Naruto turned to look and saw two figures who surprised him slightly.
Konan and Nagato.
Konan's change was quite obvious.
Compared to the gloomy, vigilant, and somewhat aloof coldness she had when she was first 'invited' to Hidden Leaf Village, she now looked much more peaceful. The gloom between her brows had faded, and her attire was more elegant and simple, no longer that iconic black robe with red clouds of the Akatsuki Organization.
Most noticeably, the labret piercing under her lip, which had once added a touch of cold elegance, was gone.
And though Nagato's face was still sickly pale, his overall spirit and energy were much better than the Nagato from the original storyline.
It was just not as good as when Naruto had last seen him.
Judging by his current strength, Nagato should be around the level of an Elite Jonin to a Kage. The Rinnegan was his usual tool, but not his only one.
He was, after all, proficient in all five nature transformations; logically speaking, he would have been the best candidate to succeed the Third Hokage.
Nagato's eyes were no longer the Rinnegan filled with paranoia and Pain, but had reverted to a slightly tired yet clear red.
His dark red long hair also seemed to have been groomed; though a bit dry, it looked relatively decent.
"Actually, I've wanted to have a proper talk with you for a long time, Sixth Hokage."
Nagato's voice was slightly raspy, but his tone was calm, carrying a sense of detachment after having experienced life's vicissitudes.
Naruto looked at them, thoughts racing through his mind.
The 'placement' of Konan and Nagato in Hidden Leaf Village had always been rather special, somewhere between house arrest, observation, and limited freedom.
They lived at Jiraiya's house, under a certain amount of surveillance, but were also allowed to move around in specific areas of the village.
Naruto had been busy with various affairs and indeed hadn't set aside specific time to have an in-depth conversation with them.
"Welcome."
Naruto nodded, his face wearing his usual, relaxing smile. "Where is Miharu? Since the two of you are here, how come I don't see that child?"
He remembered that child, 'created' by Orochimaru and possessing the cells of both Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who usually lived with Nagato and Konan.
At the mention of Miharu, Nagato's expression became somewhat subtle, seemingly carrying a hint of helplessness.
"Miharu... well... was picked up by someone sent by his 'mother'."
Nagato weighed his words carefully, clearly still not quite used to this form of address.
After learning that Miharu was a life 'manufactured' by Orochimaru using Teacher Jiraiya's cells combined with her own, both Nagato and Konan had been shocked for a long time.
From a biological perspective, calling the current female Orochimaru Miharu's 'mother' didn't seem incorrect either?
Orochimaru had previously coveted Pain's Rinnegan, and the three of them had even been colleagues, though Orochimaru later betrayed the Akatsuki Organization.
Now, Orochimaru's body had become female, and she even had a child with the teacher of Nagato and Konan...
Just bringing it up gave Nagato a shiver of disgust.
Konan added, "The one who picked up the child was Tayuya."
Naruto understood.
Orochimaru had many subordinates. Usually, the busiest was Kabuto. As her loyal subordinate, it was quite normal for Tayuya to come and pick up Miharu.
Mainly, aside from Kabuto and Tayuya, the other subordinates currently under Orochimaru, Kidomaru, Jirobo, and Sakon and Ukon—looked far too hideous.
Zaku, Dosu, and Kin Tsuchi were all over at Otogakure, and the Land of Rice Fields had long been secretly protected by Hidden Leaf Village.
"I see."
Naruto asked no further questions. He stepped aside to clear the path and made an inviting gesture.
"Since you're here, it happens to be dinner time. Why don't we eat and chat?
Karin's cooking is actually very good."
Nagato and Konan exchanged a glance and did not refuse.
Karin also set out two more sets of bowls and chopsticks.
The five of them sat around the dining table.
The light was soft, the food was steaming hot, and though the atmosphere was slightly subtle, it was at least harmonious on the surface.
Naruto was the first to use his chopsticks, picking up a piece of braised pork carefully prepared by Karin and putting it into his mouth.
The meat was tender and flavorful, perfectly balanced in sweet and savory, and the heat control was excellent.
He nodded approvingly and cast a praising look at Karin, whose cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her head happily.
After briefly tasting the dishes, Naruto put down his chopsticks, looked calmly at Nagato and Konan sitting opposite him, and asked straight to the point, "So, what did you come here specifically to talk to me about today?"
He knew very well in his heart that this meal probably wouldn't be just a simple catch-up or a free meal.
These two former core members of the Akatsuki Organization, the actual leaders of the Hidden Rain Village, once harbored the dream of bringing peace to the Ninja World in an alternative way.
After spending this relatively peaceful observation period in Hidden Leaf Village, they were bound to have many observations, reflections, and even doubts about this rapidly changing 'New Ninja World' that he had personally driven forward.
Their experience and perspective might hold a unique, irreplaceable value for Naruto.
Nagato didn't beat around the bush either; he coughed slightly, his pale fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his chair, and his red eyes stared straight at Naruto, getting right to the point.
"Sixth Hokage, you unified the Ninja World with thunderous methods, bringing the Five Great Nations and their ninja villages under the management of Hidden Leaf Village, initially achieving a 'unification' of military force.
However, peace obtained through military conquest is often the most fragile and the hardest to sustain.
Because people from the old nations will constantly launch counterattacks, trying to reclaim their former homelands.
This is also one of the important reasons why the Ninja World has still had so many nations after all these years."
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