As soon as I leave, they will definitely laugh heartily and learn about the lives of the three with Orochimaru.
This woman's smile is too fake.
Just like that White Zetsu who always follows his orders.
"Miss Ayane, I'm sincerely requesting."
Even while requesting, Nagato appeared neither humble nor arrogant, showing neither contempt nor self-deprecation, merely speaking of a trivial matter.
Akatsuki is in the process of forming, and both Orochimaru and Sasori are rare talents. If Ayane eliminates them here, Akatsuki's subsequent actions would be severely hindered.
"I am sincerely agreeing as well."
Ayane nodded her head, displaying a sincere smile on her face, adding a touch of brightness.
Nagato fell silent, then blandly responded, "Hidden Star Village should be a crucial part of your plan."
Ayane continued to smile formally, showing no flaws.
"Since I've already learned of this, killing the three of them would be pointless."
"Oh, such notable confidence."
"It's not confidence; I'm simply stating facts. I don't want us to fight to the death now. After all, the Land of Rain is openly visible. If the Hidden Star Village's matters leak, you can retaliate against Hidden Rain Village at any time."
Nagato knew this retaliation would be scarier than the previous invasion of Hidden Rain Village by Konoha.
He didn't want to incite conflict with Ayane now; this was Nagato's genuine thought.
Even though both sides believed their threats exceed those of the Five Great Nations, no one took the initiative to break this deadlock.
Because the consequences were unbearable.
"So what then?"
"Not long ago, I reached a tentative deal with Mr. Hakushi."
Nagato calmly locked eyes with Ayane.
Ayane's smile slightly diminished. She gestured as the ninjas behind her dispersed, forming a defense around them.
"A deal?"
"Yes, a deal Mr. Hakushi cannot refuse."
Ayane didn't know the content of the deal, but if Nagato spoke so confidently, he must have had his reasons.
Moreover, Nagato wouldn't dare lie.
The plan for Hidden Star Village's failure would only delay the expansion of the Land of Demons. Ultimately, using Land of Shadow as a springboard still achieves strategic aims, albeit the Land of Bear being more convenient.
But if Nagato lied, it would bring unimaginable calamity to Hidden Rain Village and Akatsuki.
Nagato may not be killed, but for Nagato, the very important Hidden Rain Village wouldn't withstand an invasion from these three.
Having inherited Hanzou's and Akatsuki's past aspirations, Nagato wouldn't joke about such things.
"The message should not have come from Mr. Hakushi yet, but this contract cannot be falsified."
Nagato formed seals, a scroll appeared before him, which he held and offered forward.
Ayane took it, carefully scrutinized Nagato's face, then opened the scroll to see the contract's contents.
And the two Chakra Marks on it.
One of the Chakra Marks was undoubtedly left by Hakushi.
Impossible to fake.
The contract's content was simple: Akatsuki and Hidden Rain Village would not interfere with their affairs, and similarly, they wouldn't meddle in the affairs of Akatsuki and Hidden Rain Village. The agreed duration was ten years.
And this contract seemed to have been actively entered into by Nagato.
What made Ayane curious was what kind of interest Nagato offered to make Hakushi relent.
Then Ayane saw the answer in the final column.
——Yin-Yang Style.
Ayane chuckled lightly, closed the scroll, and handed it back to Nagato.
"Mr. Nagato really is generous."
Yin-Yang Style... a legendary technique for creating life from nothingness. This technique is exceedingly important for Hakushi.
Because Hakushi couldn't master Yin-Yang Style, he resorted to other methods for artificial creation, but those replicas were not very perfect.
If they are recreated based on Yin-Yang Style, each replica's power would grow significantly again.
Nagato indeed was generous.
Studying Madara's corpse, Hakushi could only uncover some secrets about Wood Style and the Sharingan.
But regarding life creation with Yin-Yang Style, Hakushi had searched far and wide, to no avail.
Nagato's offering of Yin-Yang Style can be said to solve Hakushi's current research problem, a timely assistance.
"Those odd summoning beasts are Mr. Hakushi's clones, right?"
Nagato calmly revealed this secret, surprising Ayane.
"The battle you three had with Mr. Madara, I understood it briefly afterwards."
That's why Nagato was sure Hakushi would cooperate with him.
Yin-Yang Style was the secret technique Hakushi urgently needed, impossible for him to refuse.
"To understand things so thoroughly from just one battle... your Rinnegan is truly extraordinary."
Ayane didn't believe in Nagato's notion of a brief understanding.
Yet to what extent Nagato knew and what secrets he discovered, Ayane had no confidence.
The opponent is Nagato; he even tolerated and recruited Orochimaru, whom he had a deep blood feud with, and they got along well... Ayane had the thought to eliminate him directly here.
But she immediately abandoned this thought, as working together with Hakushi and Ruri might make it possible, but alone was impossible.
The abilities of the Rinnegan still contained many unresolved mysteries for them.
Furthermore, the current plan should focus on expansion, not on confronting Nagato, adding chaos to the plan.