Inside the tree disguised by Konan's paper, a person, bony and covered in black rods, sat on a machine, quietly awaiting Neji's arrival.
Though only in his thirties, he looked as if he were eighty years old.
"Am I attacking Konoha, or is Konoha attacking me?" Nagato held his forehead, his expression incredibly sad.
When Neji deflected his Almighty Push back, he knew the mission had failed.
Who could have imagined that the kid who was once fighting him evenly would have grown to this extent?
Was this growth rate even something a human could achieve?
But he still didn't want to give up just yet. He knew his body was weakening further after this attack on Konoha, and he didn't have much time left. So, he wanted to complete the mission as much as possible and capture the Nine Tails.
To build the peaceful world he yearned for.
However, when Neji appeared alongside the First Hokage, he knew this mission was impossible for the rest of his life.
Even Uchiha Madara probably couldn't complete it.
So, he surrendered. For Konan, he decided to abandon the mission and planned to use his own life to earn Konoha's forgiveness for her.
Using the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, he'd revive the Konoha ninjas who died in this battle. That way, Konoha should not make things too difficult for Konan.
After all, Konan was the sister he and Yahiko loved the most, and he couldn't let her suffer even the slightest harm.
Even if it meant betraying Uchiha Madara and abandoning his lifelong dream of peace, he had to ensure Konan's safety.
"I called myself a god, but in the end, I'm just a mortal who can't stand by and watch their loved ones die," Nagato said with a bitter smile. "Perhaps I was never truly a god."
Black rods were stuck all over him, looking bleak in the dim environment.
Just then, Neji tore through the bark surface, pushing through the layers of paper. Behind him, Konan slowly followed, quickly moving to Nagato's side to prevent Neji from suddenly attacking him.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't make things difficult for someone who is about to die," Neji said, seeing Konan's action.
In his past life, Konan was also a woman he liked very much. He wouldn't be foolish enough to completely antagonize her.
"You don't seem surprised."
Unlike Konan, Nagato was very interested in Neji. Generally, someone who could control the Six Paths of Pain would be a very powerful figure. How could it be this emaciated person?
Therefore, for most people, seeing Nagato's true form would at least cause a slight pause, if not complete shock. But Neji seemed to have expected it, as if he had seen it many times.
This feeling was strange.
However, Nagato would never know that Neji was a transmigrator.
"There's nothing to be surprised about. If your body were intact, you wouldn't have dispatched six puppets to act in the ninja world. After all, when the Six Paths of Pain's abilities are concentrated in one person, that is the most terrifying power," Neji said indifferently, dispelling Nagato's doubts.
"Is that so? What do you want from me?"
"I want to make a deal with you," Neji said calmly, looking at Nagato.
"You... you..." Nagato narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Konan. "What do you want to do?!"
A murderous aura suddenly flashed in Nagato's eyes.
"Don't be so nervous. Konan has already agreed," Neji said gently.
"Konan, what did you agree to?" Nagato asked sternly, making Neji feel as if his sister was about to be eloped with.
Wait!
What a strange feeling this was?
Why did he suddenly feel like a scumbag?
Uh... Neji didn't know about that. His reputation had been spreading quickly recently, but along with it came his reputation for being a flirt.
After all, the incidents in the Land of Snow and the Land of Demons had already been announced to the ninja world.
In short, you understand.
"I, I..."
Facing Nagato's questioning, Konan's face turned red. She lowered her head and stammered, unable to answer, completely losing her previous strong demeanor.
This was because what she had promised Neji was too embarrassing to speak of.
"I'll say it for her," Neji said, stepping forward. "The deal is, I will help you revive Yahiko. In return, you need to provide the Rinnegan, and Konan will come to live at my place."
"What?!" Nagato was stunned.
Revive Yahiko. Nagato hesitated for a moment, but then looked at Konan beside him and refused.
"Konan, Yahiko wouldn't want you to use yourself as a bargaining chip to revive him. I have the Rinnegan, we don't need his help at all."
Nagato urged anxiously. He naturally understood Neji's undertone. If Konan really came to live at his place, she would probably have to change her name to Hyuga.
"Heh heh, your Outer Path Samsara of Heavenly Life can revive him, but you will die. However, with me... neither of us will die," Neji said confidently.
"So what? I will absolutely not let you bully Konan," Nagato said angrily.
"Nagato, you and Yahiko are the most important people to me, like my two elder brothers. I won't trade your life to bring Yahiko back," Konan said.
"It's okay, I can't live much longer anyway."
"Still no!"
"..."
Looking at the two who seemed to be heading to an execution ground, Neji's mouth twitched.
Was it necessary?
Was entrusting Konan to his care that unsettling?
Neji felt his character and integrity were being questioned.
(Nagato: Do you even know how many flirtatious women you have? It's a nightmare to be at ease.)
"This is getting off-topic. Let's put this aside for now. I have something else to discuss today," Neji's tone was very cold.
This was natural. After what just happened, with his temperament, how could he speak calmly with Nagato?
"What is it?" Nagato hesitated for a moment before asking.
He had already decided that if Neji said anything nonsensical again, he would risk his life to seal him.
"I'm just here to tell you a truth. Otherwise, if you troublemakers continue to mess around, it will be very annoying for me," Neji rubbed his temples and sighed deeply.
"The truth?"
"Yes, you are collecting the Tailed Beasts to create weapons, using these terrible weapons to control the various countries, thus achieving peace through mutual restraint." Neji organized his words as he spoke.
"How do you know that?"
"That's not the point. The point is, you are being used."
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