Naruto: Swarm System

"Amegakure."

On top of a high tower.

"Nagato."

Konan was the first to greet him.

For some reason, she felt an unspoken rift between them, despite their once close relationship.

Nagato withdrew his gaze from Konan and said calmly, "It seems you've chosen him over me."

Konan looked at Nagato and replied firmly, "I see hope for peace in him!"

Nagato replied slowly, "I see. That's quite impressive."

"Both he and I share the same dream of peace, but our methods differ. This inevitably leads to conflict, Konan. You don't have to feel sad about it."

"Because this means that no matter who wins, the world will gain peace."

Konan bit her lip and asked, "Nagato, does it really have to come to this?"

Despite having the same goal, Shishou and Nagato were on opposing sides due to their differing ideologies, causing Konan great pain.

Nagato looked into the distance, his gaze unwavering, and answered, "Human beings are selfish, cowardly creatures who only understand strength, not virtue. Without experiencing pain, they can't truly appreciate peace."

"The Five Great Nations start wars to protect their own interests, ensuring peace in their lands."

"However, the battlegrounds are always in small nations like ours. After they wage war on our lands, our people are left in ruins, while the great nations remain prosperous."

"Such countries, such people, will never understand the suffering of those in small nations. Naturally, they can't truly understand peace."

"And what I must do is make them feel pain, to understand the value and significance of peace."

Hearing this, Konan shook her head in pain.

Nagato continued, "To achieve this, I must gather the Tailed Beasts, acquire a power capable of destroying a nation with a single blow, and make the world feel pain."

"After the world experiences pain, there will be a period of peace."

"But as time passes, the fear of pain will fade, and people will wage war again. Then, the fear of pain will strike once more, bringing another period of peace."

"In the endless flow of time, using pain to bring temporary peace again and again, that is my dream!"

As Nagato finished speaking, dozens of puppet figures, each with black rods embedded in them, emerged from the room behind him and stood behind him.

They looked at Konan in unison and said, "This is our dream too!"

Yahiko, the Animal Path, Asura Path, Preta Path, Human Path, Naraka Path, Kyūsuke, Daibutsu, and Hana Bi...

Seeing the figures behind Nagato, Konan was stunned, tears streaming down her face.

These were their comrades from the original Akatsuki, led by Yahiko, who had all died fighting for the idea of peace.

Their presence rendered Konan speechless.

Seeing Konan in tears, Nagato pointed at Daibutsu and said with a smile, "These are puppets that Sasori made for me. Don't they look just like they did in life? They have almost the same structure as real bodies, making them very easy to control."

"With them here, I feel like I've gone back to the old days."

Nagato couldn't help but smile as he spoke. Those early days of the Akatsuki, though challenging, were his happiest times.

There was a goal to strive for and comrades who helped each other.

It was truly wonderful!

Konan sniffled and nodded vigorously. "They do look alike."

Then Konan said, "I want to come back."

Seeing their fallen comrades brought back to life, Konan felt a wave of guilt, as if she had betrayed them.

Nagato smiled and shook his head. "What a foolish thing to say."

"So many people have died here. Their deaths have made me stronger, but they've also brought me immense pain."

"You managed to escape and find your own path, living a happy life. How could I let you come back and suffer again?"

"But..." Konan started.

Nagato interrupted her, "No buts."

He walked to her side, handed her a letter, and said with a smile, "As long as you're happy, even if we fail, it means our sacrifices were worthwhile."

"From now on, you'll be the one to protect Amegakure. Your task now and in the future is to live well and be happy."

Nagato patted Konan on the shoulder and walked out of the tower.

He would bear the fate of the Akatsuki alone.

Then, the Deva Path Yahiko also approached Konan, patted her shoulder with a smile, and followed Nagato.

Next were the Animal Path, Asura Path, Preta Path, Human Path, Naraka Path, Kyūsuke, Daibutsu, and Hana Bi.

One by one, the cold hands gently patted Konan's shoulders, and one by one, the figures walked past her and away.

Konan turned to watch the departing figures, tears streaming down her face as she cried out in sorrow.

"Nagato, Yahiko, wait for me..."

Crying out in grief, Konan tried to follow them.

Nagato stopped and looked back with a smile, then continued walking with the group, disappearing from sight.

"Wait for me..."

Watching the figures vanish into white smoke, Konan collapsed to the ground, her hand reaching out helplessly.

At that moment, she felt completely abandoned.

Swoosh!

Shishou appeared instantly, gently holding Konan's outstretched hand.

Having listened through the phosphorescent insects on Konan, he knew that Nagato had essentially entrusted Konan to him.

Seeing Shishou, Konan's tears flowed even more as she said, "Shishou, Nagato and the others have abandoned me..."

"They haven't abandoned you. They've entrusted you to me," Shishou said, holding Konan in his arms and gently patting her back to comfort her.

As Nagato had said, too many people had died here, too many comrades had sacrificed.

Their deaths haunted Nagato, driving him forward relentlessly.

Nagato now was less an individual and more a vessel of the Akatsuki's long-held obsession with peace.

To make their sacrifices meaningful and achieve their dream, Nagato had no choice but to continue down his path with no possibility of turning back.