In the forest outside Konoha village, one tree stood out from the rest.
Inside the tree.
Nagato, after being affected by Hatake Satoru's domain, took a long time to recover.
"Konan, if we really meet someone who can fulfill the peace we three once hoped for, can we try entrusting it to them?"
"Nagato, you need to let go of your hate. The death of Yahiko has affected you and me deeply."
Konan had never trusted Obito. Seeing someone before her who could help Nagato let go of his hate and bring peace to the Hidden Rain Village, Konan naturally wouldn't object.
"Nagato, do as your heart desires. I support you in everything."
"Is that so? Then... that's truly wonderful."
Nagato re-infused Chakra, regaining control of the Heavenly Path. He still had questions to ask.
"It seems your true body has recovered."
"Naruto, I have a question for you."
"From now on, no matter what pain you face, you won't give up on the path you've chosen. Can you do that?"
"Ah, of course, I can."
Naruto placed his hand on the seal of the Nine-Tails.
"My heart has always harbored immense pain, but from now on, I will surely turn this pain into my strength. It will serve me in future battles."
"I don't know what other pains await me."
Naruto thought of the time he couldn't stop Sasuke from leaving the village. He knew a fight with Sasuke would likely be unavoidable in the future.
"But if I don't believe in myself because of these things, how can I contribute to peace?"
A faint smile appeared on Nagato's lips.
It seemed the person who better fit the title of "Child of Prophecy" than himself had appeared. His task was done; now, all that remained was to trust them.
Nagato saw Itachi standing in front of Shisui and suddenly thought of something.
"It seems I can still help one last time."
"Trust what I'm about to do."
"Universal Pull."
The Heavenly Path attracted Itachi to him and pulled a black rod from his sleeve, preparing for battle.
Hatake Satoru and Shisui instantly appeared behind the Heavenly Path, intending to stop him.
"Don't act rashly! I told you to trust what I'm about to do."
Hatake Satoru stopped and signaled for Shisui to retreat with him.
"But, Itachi..."
"Don't worry, he'll be fine against the Seven."
Since Nagato said so, Hatake Satoru chose to believe him. In the current situation, if Nagato truly wanted to fight, he would start with him, not the least threatening Itachi.
"I'm entrusting Naruto to you from now on. His strength is still weak, and he needs your power."
"You truly have a good mind and a pair of good eyes."
"Nagato, you..."
The black rod in the Heavenly Path's hand then pierced Itachi's heart.
"Itachi!"
Shisui couldn't bear to see the scene. He had finally managed to save him.
Everyone present widened their eyes, not understanding Nagato's actions, including Hatake Satoru.
Hatake Satoru quickly moved next to Itachi, intending to use the Reverse Cursed Technique to heal him, but was stopped by the Heavenly Path.
"Teleport to my true body. You should be able to do that."
Hatake Satoru looked into the Heavenly Path's eyes and seemed to understand.
"Shisui, it's alright. I'll save Itachi."
With that, he vanished from the spot, along with the Heavenly Path.
Leaving everyone else bewildered.
"Is this the place?"
Hatake Satoru arrived at the tree disguised by Konan's Divine Paper Technique.
The Six Paths ninja collapsed on the clearing in front of the tree. Hatake Satoru walked up, cut a slit in the tree, and went inside.
"Is your true body already this weak? It seems the power of the Rinnegan is consuming you."
"I've long forgotten physical suffering."
"That's right, it really is like you."
Nagato extended his hand from the machine controlling Pain.
"I'm leaving things to you from now on. With your strength, it won't be difficult to help Naruto stop that person from achieving their goal and bring about true peace."
"Don't worry. I'll protect Konan and let him witness the arrival of peace for you and Yahiko."
Nagato prepared to form hand seals, and Konan saw this, becoming flustered.
"Nagato, you..."
It was the Outer Path Samsara of Life Technique. Using this Ninjutsu in Nagato's current state might mean...
"Don't stop me, Konan. You said it yourself earlier. No matter what decision I make, you'll stand by my side."
Konan had no choice but to stand by Nagato's side and accompany him through his final moments.
"Outer Path Samsara of Life Technique."
Konan's eyes were filled with reluctance. From this day forward, she would be alone. All her companions from that time were gone.
In Konoha village, a giant Yama rises from the ruins destroyed by the summoned beasts.
Its tightly shut mouth slowly opens, and a large number of souls fly out, returning to the bodies of those who sacrificed themselves in this battle.
"Huh? Where am I?"
Shizune woke up in the ruins.
"Shizune?!"
Yamanaka Ino, who had found Shizune's body in the ruins, couldn't believe her senior's death and persevered in her rescue efforts.
She had lost hope, but Senior Shizune miraculously came back to life.
Kakashi was also overjoyed to see his companions in the village brought back to life.
"You've done something amazing, big brother."
Joyful cries of the reunion of lost companions echoed throughout Konoha village.
Not far away, Sasori, who was fighting Gyuki on Konoha's outer wall, was also drawn by the commotion.
Did something happen in the village?
"Got it. Ten Thousand Puppets Reincarnation Art: Scorching Iron!"
Sasori's body was instantly blown to pieces.
"If you don't take a fight seriously, this is what happens~ you bastard, you idiot. Yo~"
Killer Bee, thinking he had dealt with Sasori, was slowly retracting his Tailed Beast cloak when he suddenly felt a chill behind him. Killer Bee dodged downwards just as a giant blade cut through the air behind him.
"The same goes for you."
Killer Bee turned around. The puppet that had thrown the giant blade before him was clearly Sasori, whom he had just killed.
"Hmph, is that not your true body?"
Killer Bee looked at the still-vast army of one hundred puppets before him.
"You're mistaken."
"All of these are my true body."
Sasori waved his hand forward, and all the puppets behind him rushed towards Killer Bee, pulled by Chakra threads.
"You truly underestimate me."
Killer Bee's skin began to burn and rise with Chakra. Facing the army of one hundred puppets rushing towards him, Killer Bee activated his partial Tailed Beast transformation.
He created a shield similar to Rotary Shell, crushing the approaching puppets one by one.
"Bee!"