Chapter 213: 213.Sacrifice Yourself
A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of The "ANBU" Member:
-YoungPhxntom
-Abel Yapura
-Robert Thompson
-ar4ngel
-Jay Singh
-Cain
-Ta-Seti
-Ryan biggins
-Nithin Shajan
-Sergio Lukin
-Goha21
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hidden Rain Village, Land of Rain.
Inside the tower, Pain and Konan walked one after the other through a dimly lit corridor.
"The sealing of the Six-Tails is complete. Next, our targets are the Seven-Tails, the Eight-Tails, and finally, the Nine-Tails," Konan said softly. "Who will you assign to capture the Seven-Tails?"
"Send Sasori and Deidara," Pain replied coldly. "They are the last remaining complete team."
"Understood."
Konan agreed but expressed concern. "However, capturing the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails might prove very difficult."
Pain paused briefly before continuing forward.
"The Eight-Tails will be left to Tobi. As for the Nine-Tails, I will handle it personally."
"That seems appropriate."
Konan's body dissolved into countless paper sheets.
"I'll inform Sasori and Deidara to begin their mission."
The white paper dispersed, leaving Pain to walk alone into the darkness.
---
Creak.
A door opened. Pain stepped into a room and, after closing the door, stopped moving.
Inside, Nagato rose slowly from a mechanical contraption surrounded by the Six Paths of Pain.
From the wall, a pale, deformed figure emerged, kneeling respectfully on one knee.
"Lord Nagato."
"Yes, you've arrived," Nagato said, stepping forward.
"Indeed."
The pale figure raised its head, revealing eerie purple eyes with concentric rings. Two short black rods protruded from its forehead, and a chilling grin stretched across its face.
"It's confirmed, Lord Nagato," the figure said in a stiff voice. "Obito has been secretly scheming behind Black Zetsu and your back."
"Oh?" Nagato bent down, ruffling the figure's orange hair. "Good child, tell me everything he's been doing."
The pale figure's grin widened, rubbing its head against Nagato's hand.
"Every time someone captures a Tailed Beast, Obito appears to secretly extract its chakra."
Nagato's hand paused, then he straightened.
"Extracting Tailed Beast chakra? I don't doubt he has the capability."
Walking to the small window, Nagato stared into the dim, rainy light outside.
"But the Five-Tails and Six-Tails were handled by Pain personally. So, Sophon, how could he extract chakra from them?"
"I suspect," He said, standing, "he stealthily obtained the chakra before your intervention. After all, using the Mangekyo Sharingan against Tailed Beasts is incredibly convenient."
"I see."
Nagato extended his hand out the window, letting the rain fall into his palm.
"It seems Obito is also attempting to escape Black Zetsu's control."
"Likely so. But they don't realize you've already seen through their deception."
Sophon mimicked Nagato, extending his hand out the window, his expression momentarily blank.
"The Eye of the Moon Plan, the resurrection of Kaguya."
Nagato withdrew his hand, pressing the cold, rain-soaked palm to his forehead.
"How pathetic. Amid endless schemes, whether it's Madara Uchiha, Obito, or the Akatsuki, they're all just pawns of Black Zetsu."
"Things are different now, Lord Nagato," Sophon replied, shivering slightly as he pressed his hand to his forehead.
"Thankfully, I have you, Sophon."
Nagato turned, placing both hands on Sophon's shoulders.
"You've been of great help to me."
"It is my honor, Lord Nagato," Sophon replied, grinning wider, his smile disturbingly exaggerated.
"Continue to monitor Obito. Make sure Black Zetsu doesn't detect you," Nagato instructed, releasing his grip and returning to the massive mechanical device to sit down.
"I will do my best, Lord Nagato."
With his eerie smile, Sophon sank into the floor.
---
Nagato rested his head on one hand, gazing silently out into the rain. After a long moment, he turned toward Pain.
"Yahiko," he whispered, his tone resolute.
"This world has never been kind to us," he said coldly. "Now, even your dreams seem impossible to achieve."
"But I will make them pay for it," he murmured, closing his eyes. "For using us."
A manic smile crept across his face, as though speaking to someone who wasn't there.
"Don't worry. I won't tell Konan," he added in a pained tone. "After all, this is all too cruel."
"Without secretly controlling Sophon, all our life's efforts would have been a joke."
He smiled gently. "Don't worry. Once I've finished everything I want to do, I'll bring Konan to you… Then, we can all be together again."
---
"Nagato," Konan called as she entered the room, her voice filled with concern at the strange smile on Nagato's face.
He beckoned her closer, taking her hand in his.
"I'm fine," he reassured her, his expression softening. "Sophon was here just now."
"Sophon? Did he discover anything?" Konan asked, covering his cold hand with her own.
"Nothing significant," Nagato replied. "Until the Tailed Beast collection is complete, Tobi's goals align with ours. For now, there won't be any actions."
"Then we only need to guard against them seizing our ultimate weapon at the critical moment," Konan said, her worry easing.
"Indeed. Once we discovered the White Zetsu, we gained the upper hand. My body is fine now, and we've secured Sophon for intelligence gathering."
Pain joined them, placing his hand atop theirs.
"I will fulfill Yahiko's dream," Nagato declared firmly.
Konan nodded resolutely, her serene face reminding Nagato of the little girl who once saved him and his dog.
So many years had passed…
"I'll rest for now," Nagato said, closing his eyes.
"Rest well. I have other matters to attend to," Konan replied, draping a blanket over him before leaving quietly.
---
Forgive me, Konan.
Nagato opened his eyes, listening as her footsteps faded and the door closed.
Forgive me.
Perhaps this world was inherently malicious. Kind souls like Yahiko and Konan could never find happiness here.
I will destroy it all.
Nagato laughed soundlessly.
Kaguya…
I will offer myself as a sacrifice to summon that apocalyptic demon. When everyone becomes like White Zetsu, the world will finally achieve peace.