I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

They looked at Nagato as if he were a monster. This was not the Nagato they knew. The Nagato they knew was just as powerful, but he would not take the initiative to attack unless he was provoked, much less show such a strange smile.

After a while, Taro said cautiously, "Nagato, you shouldn't have made a move. If our actions provoke a war between Sunagakure and Amegakure, the people of the Land of Rain will suffer because of us."

Nagato said calmly, "The people of the Land of Rain have just suffered, and I helped them. Your weakness will only embolden them. Only by eliminating them can we prevent the villagers from being harmed again."

Nagato's words made a lot of sense, but Taro and the others disagreed. After exchanging glances, they all spoke in unison:

“Then you shouldn’t have killed anyone. If the Sand Village finds out, they definitely won’t let it go. If you have a proper discussion, the Sand Village should understand our good intentions.”

"That's why I spared them. If we can get rid of them all, it will just be an accident."

"You people lose your lives because you trust others too easily."

Nagato looked at the Akatsuki members before him and spoke expressionlessly. He understood why they opposed him. The Akatsuki's philosophy was to promote mutual understanding between people, and while his methods could solve the problem, they violated the Akatsuki's philosophy.

However, in his view, Yahiko's ideas back then were too idealistic.

If you only have ideals but no corresponding strength, no matter how big you make a fuss, it's just child's play.

Chapter 207 Nagato and Yahiko (Part 2)

On the way back, Nagato escorted eight Sand Ninja prisoners alone, while the remaining bodies were buried on the spot.

The reason for keeping these eight prisoners was not only because Taro and others opposed killing them, but also because he wanted to use the Human Path's abilities to obtain more useful information from the Sand Ninja.

While Nagato was interrogating the Sand Ninja, Taro and the others also began a discussion.

They were discussing Nagato, whose personality had drastically changed. Nagato's behavior was as if he were a completely different person, showing no trace of his previous cowardice and timidity.

But no matter how they discussed it, they couldn't explain Nagato's strange behavior and could only suppress their doubts.

Taro and the others' actions did not escape Nagato's notice. After hearing the discussion, Nagato sighed softly. He remembered what Menma Uzumaki had once told him: "Nagato, you are too extreme."

That's right, the Akatsuki organization is too extreme.

From unreserved trust in others to stubbornness and distrust of everyone, the Akatsuki organization seems to have never been normal.

He had considered guiding Akatsuki onto the right path, but if Akatsuki became like other major powers and ninja villages, would it still be the Akatsuki that Yahiko founded? It would simply be a copy of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

But Menma's suggestion was also extremely tempting to him... leaving him unsure of what to choose.

Upon returning to the temporary base, Nagato obtained the information he wanted.

It is currently the middle of the Third Shinobi World War. Due to the unfavorable situation in the war, Sunagakure has sent people to the Land of Rain to create chaos and conflict, attempting to drag Amegakure, which has been adhering to neutrality, into the Third Shinobi World War.

In addition to creating chaos, Sunagakure also planned to assassinate a high-ranking Jonin from Amegakure in order to provoke trouble.

Upon hearing this information, Taro and the others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a newfound respect for Nagato. Had Nagato not intervened, they would likely have already fallen into the Sand Village's trap.

It seems that even Nagato, the least prominent of the three leaders, should not be underestimated.

Looking at the Akatsuki members in front of him who had become much more reserved, Nagato sighed helplessly. He knew that these former comrades had begun to doubt his identity.

But after playing Payne for so many years, he had long since become accustomed to Payne's identity and tone, and was no longer the cowardly Nagato.

However, what Nagato was more concerned about was whether this was a genjutsu world that even the Rinnegan couldn't stop, or whether they had really returned to the past more than ten years ago.

If it's an illusion, would it be Uchiha Shisui who cast it?

If we go back in time, Danzo would have come along too; he's an enemy we can't afford to ignore.

And what extraordinary things would happen if I were to actually meet Nagato from this era?

At this moment, Taro mustered up his courage and walked over cautiously, saying, "Nagato, what do you plan to do with those Sand Ninja? Will you continue to imprison them, or release them?"

"If it were me, I would probably frame Iwagakure to make Sunagakure and Iwagakure fight each other."

Nagato explained his solution, then smiled and said, "However, I'd like to hear your opinions. After all, we're all comrades in the same organization, and we're all working for peace within the Land of Rain."

Peace within the Land of Rain... Isn't Akatsuki dedicated to achieving peace throughout the entire ninja world?

However, this ideal is too grand. It would be better to achieve partial peace in the Land of Rain first. The fact that Nagato could say these words shows that he has not betrayed their dream, but only his methods are slightly different.

After suffering so many losses over the years, they realized that it was unrealistic to talk about ideals and expect people to understand each other. Otherwise, the Akatsuki would not have encountered setbacks everywhere. It is a good thing that Nagato, one of the three leaders, was able to make changes.

After some discussion, the Akatsuki members decided to hand over the decision-making authority to their leader, Yahiko.

Upon hearing Yahiko's name, Nagato fell silent for a long time, recalling the moments he shared with Yahiko and his optimistic smile that remained unchanged no matter the difficulties he faced.

"Taro, did Yahiko say where he went?"

"Leader Yahiko said he went to negotiate with the higher-ups of Amegakure. Our Akatsuki organization has done a lot for the Land of Rain over the years, but when it comes to conflicts between villages, we must get the recognition of the higher-ups."

Upon hearing this, Nagato's expression changed.

In his memory, Yahiko's negotiations with Amegakure this time not only failed, but also aroused the suspicion of Hanzo of the Salamander. On his way back, he was attacked by wandering ninjas, which indirectly led to the subsequent siege of the Akatsuki organization.

Thinking of this, Nagato said in a cold tone, "How long has Yahiko been gone?"

Taro paused for a moment, then said, "He's been gone for several days now, he should be back soon. With Chief Yahiko's abilities, he should have earned Lord Sanshoku's approval."

Nagato's face darkened, and he said to the Akatsuki members behind him, "Assemble immediately, we're going to find Leader Yahiko."

The Akatsuki members also realized something and, after gathering together, followed in Nagato's footsteps.

Braving the torrential rain, Nagato, wearing a straw hat, sped through the forest, glancing back every now and then to see if any Akatsuki members had fallen behind. His expression was already extremely grave.

Even knowing that this might be an illusionary world, he still wanted to save Yahiko and stop him from doing anything foolish.

Half a day later, Nagato and the others met Yahiko and the others in a valley.

Yahiko held a bloodstained kunai in his hand. They had been attacked by wandering ninjas and had repelled their attack at the cost of losing several comrades.

Upon seeing Nagato and the others who had come to provide support, Yahiko, though somewhat puzzled, still walked over with a frown.

"Didn't I tell you to stay where you are and wait for orders? Why did you come here? If something happens to me this time, as long as you are still alive, the Akatsuki will still have a spark of hope."

“Nagato brought us here. He said the leader might be in danger.”

Taro was taken aback. They had actually been following orders all along and had been brought here by Nagato.

When Nagato summoned them, he exuded the aura of a superior, making it impossible for them to refuse.

Nagato sent you here... Yahiko fell into deep thought. He could sense Nagato's familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar chakra, but when did Nagato become so opinionated?

Meanwhile, Nagato was hunting down a wandering ninja.

After activating Kagura's Mind's Eye, Nagato caught up with the wandering ninja, easily ending his life with a kunai. He then interrogated one of the ninjas alive to extract information.

Upon learning that the wandering ninja had a base nearby, Nagato's eyes blazed with fury as he continued his advance.

They quickly located the roaming ninja's stronghold, and without hesitation, stepped inside and disappeared into the rainy night.

Chapter 208 Nagato and Yahiko (The End)

Some time later, Nagato emerged from the roaming ninja's hideout, carrying the corpse of a roaming ninja in his hand, his face grim.

According to the confession of the wandering ninja, the attack on Yahiko involved not only Jonin from Amegakure but also Kumogakure.

The higher-ups of Amegakure were unhappy with the growing prestige of the Akatsuki organization, believing that Akatsuki's existence threatened their rule over the Land of Rain and was a potential threat that could lead to a military coup.

The Hidden Cloud Village, on the other hand, was simply stirring up trouble, wanting the Land of Rain to join the war and relieve the pressure on their western front.

Considering the Sand Ninja encountered a dozen hours earlier, it's no wonder that the Akatsuki organization faced difficulties and attacks from both internal and external forces from its inception, and was later attacked by Hanzo and Danzo in alliance.

With a soft sigh, Nagato turned to look at the Akatsuki members who had come looking for him, his gaze fixed on Yahiko.

"Yahiko, you've come..."

Yahiko stared at Nagato for a long time, then nodded: "It's raining outside. We can talk about it when we get back to the base. Don't catch a cold because of the rain."

From the outpost of wandering ninjas to the nearest base of the Akatsuki organization.

Yahiko and Nagato were chatting and laughing with their arms around each other's shoulders, but the Akatsuki members felt that the atmosphere between the two was a little strange. Yahiko became much quieter, while the usually taciturn Nagato suddenly became confident.

Upon arriving at the Akatsuki base, Yahiko dismissed his attendants and then looked at Nagato, saying, "You are not the Nagato I know. Who are you?"

Knowing he had been seen through, Nagato calmly said, "I am Nagato."

“I already know what you did to the Sand Village. In my memory, Nagato wasn’t that cold-blooded. Although he was usually a bit cowardly and timid, he always had a kind heart.”

Yahiko's eyes were cold as he said, enunciating each word clearly, "Most importantly, Konan sent me a letter. She's with Nagato right now."

Hearing this, Nagato sighed softly: "I am Nagato from ten years in the future, and I came to the present by accident."

Yahiko snorted coldly, his face full of distrust: "Do you think I would believe your nonsense? How could going back to the past be possible?"

Nagato, without changing his expression, recounted some amusing anecdotes from his childhood, and Yahiko's gaze softened from wary.

"Are you really Nagato from the future? What did you go through to become so cold and ruthless? I was quite startled when we first met. By the way, what's the Akatsuki organization like in the future? How did you travel back in time?"

After confirming that Nagato came from the future, Yahiko became very talkative, asking many questions about the future.

Nagato answered selectively, saying when asked how he traveled back in time, "I traveled through time on my way to revenge, and my enemy may have also come to this era."

"Who is your enemy? Why does he want revenge...?"

Yahiko seemed to have realized something, and his voice softened: "Nagato, you wouldn't happen to be seeking revenge for me... Could you tell me the reason for my death?"

"Never mind." Yahiko shook his head slightly. "None of that matters. Let's talk about our plan. How is it going? The Akatsuki's ideology should have been accepted by many people by now."

Nagato was speechless for a moment; he didn't know how to answer Yahiko's question.

The Akatsuki's ideology has long since changed. In order to achieve its goal of creating the Ten-Tails weapon to deter the ninja world, the Akatsuki has long become an unpardonable mercenary group, even deliberately provoking wars in small countries, and recently annexing Kusagakure.

Seeing Nagato's expression, Yahiko walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "It seems you've had a hard time since I died. As for Konan, she shouldn't be dead, right?"

“Konan is not dead. She is currently assisting me in managing the affairs of Amegakure and has maintained peace for five or six years.”

Upon hearing this, Yahiko's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "That's good, that's good. I thought the Akatsuki would decline after my death, but I didn't expect you to become high-ranking members of Amegakure. Our three wishes have come true."

"Our wish has not been fulfilled..."

In front of Yahiko, Nagato could no longer maintain his Pain persona and said with an agitated tone, "Konan and I did bring peace to Amegakure, but it was not a peace brought about by mutual understanding. I used the Rinnegan to kill all the opposition in Amegakure and intimidated the Daimyo of the Land of Rain. It was even more brutal than the rule of Hanzo of the Salamander."

"After that, I collaborated with Madara Uchiha to turn the Akatsuki into a rogue ninja organization. Our plan was to steal the nine tailed beasts and create weapons that could destroy cities in one strike, in order to maintain peace between nations."

"To maintain peace in the ninja world through absolute deterrence?"

Yahiko pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "Nagato, your idea is not bad, but the implementation process is no easier than my concept, is it? How is your plan progressing?"

Nagato paused, staring at Yahiko in disbelief: "You don't blame me? I completely abandoned your ideals and chose to solve problems with violence. This method will only exacerbate hatred and lead to more wars?"

Yahiko sat down next to Nagato and said calmly: