a fateful night in Amegakure (part iv)

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eye, I don’t know whether or not I would have been able to believe it. So much power, from a single attack. Not only did he level the entire castle, but he also managed to decimate part of the mountainside as well.

All that power from just one person. Incredible.

I decide that now is as good a time as any to talk to him. He may have an abnormally large amount of chakra within him, but performing a jutsu of that level would wear anyone out. I decide that it’s best I talk to him when he’s not in any condition to fight, lest I end up like Hanzo.

I activate my Mangeykyo Sharingan in order to teleport closer to him. I focus my vision on his location and activate my ability. I can feel myself swirl inward, towards my eye; the Jutsu pulling me in like a black hole. One moment I am miles away, the next I feel myself rematerializing meters away from Nagato and his Six Paths.

Upon my arrival, I find Nagato on one knee, while the rest of his Paths are laid on the ground, face up. At first glance, it almost seems as though they’re sleeping, but in reality, they’ve reverted back to being regular corpses. Only one remained conscious, Yahiko. Or what used to be Yahiko.

This was my first time seeing him like this. The last time I saw them was before Hanzo of the Salamander got to them; before Yahiko was killed and Nagato was permanently immobilized due to the injuries he sustained. It was at that time that I tried to help them, tried to guide them towards the path to true peace.

But Yahiko didn’t trust me.

I can’t say that he was completely wrong for that.

However, with him out of the way, I imagine my proposal might go in a different direction this time around.

“You’ve seen better days, Nagato.” I say.

“What are you doing here, Madara?” he asks, annoyed.

Madara. I’m still not used to being called by that name. For so long I’ve been Obito Uchiha – future Hokage of the Hidden Leaf. To now become the antithesis of who I once was. Madara Uchiha – the man who tried to destroy the Hidden Leaf. But it’s a necessary role I have to play in order to bring the Moon’s Eye Plan to fruition.

“I’ve come to talk.” I say.

Just as I am about to continue speaking I see a piece of paper float by, followed by another, and another, until I’m enveloped in pieces of paper ranging from black to red to purple to yellow. The paper moves wildly about, and then begins to take the form of a beautiful woman with purple hair and yellow eyes who wears a cloak identical to Nagato.

“And hello to you too, Konan.” I say as she fully materializes, her Kunai held against my throat, “long time no see.”

“What are you doing here, Madara?” she asks.

“I’m simply here with a proposition.” I chuckle, “I know my timing may not be the best, but, seeing what Nagato here is capable of, I thought it might be best to catch him when he wasn’t at full strength. You know, self-preservation and all.”

I can feel the kunai teeter closer to my neck, “and what is this proposition you speak of?”

“I want to join the Akatsuki.” I say.

“Join us?” Nagato asks. “Why?”

“Because, like you, I have a dream of creating true peace for the world.”

“I’ve heard stories about you, Madara.” Konan says, “you could care less about peace. You crave power. That’s why you tried to usurp the position of First Hokage from Hashirama.”

I laugh, “I see you’re well versed on your history. Yes. I did do that,” I pause, “in another life. But I am different now. Time has a way of changing things. The two of you should know that better than most.”

The last part might have either pushed her too far or been just the right thing to say. Unable to tell whether or not she might slit my throat or let me go, I decide to use my Mangeykyo Sharingan to teleport a few feet away before she has a chance to decide.

“How do we know we can trust you?” she continues.

“I suppose you don’t.” I say. “But when have I ever done anything to betray you?”

“That might only be because we’ve never given you the opportunity.” She retorts.

Oh, I’ve had plenty of opportunities, Konan.

“That may be true.” I laugh. “well, how about this. I share with you my plan, and if you like it, then perhaps we can work together to achieve it. Work together to achieve peace.”

“No.” Konan says.

Just as stubborn as Yahiko.

“You don’t even want to hear me out?” I ask, trying not to sound to desperate. At the end of the day it was necessary that I had them working for me, even if to them it seemed as though I was working for them.

“I really don’t. Yahiko didn’t trust you. I don’t see why I should.”

“Because what I am offering is the true path to peace. And isn’t that what we want?”

“It is.” Nagato chimes in.

“Nagato!” Konan chides him, “this isn’t what Yahiko would have wanted. He didn’t trust this man.”

“Yahiko is dead,” he stands to his feet and turns to us both, “or don’t you remember?”

She remains quiet.

Good. Come now, Nagato.

“Do you think Yahiko would have wanted me to take all of these men’s lives? No. He would have found a different way. He wouldn’t have wanted me to choose revenge. But I did. Yes I did it to stop the unrest in our village, but I also did it because I know that it’s necessary. Because inflicting this pain was what was needed in order to pave the way for peace.”

“Nagato.” Konan whispered.

“Yahiko entrusted me to continue on in his stead. That means doing this the way I feel is best. And so, I at least want to hear what he has to say. I want to hear his idea on how to bring about peace to the world.”

Perfect.

Beneath my mask I can’t help but smile.

“Let me tell you both about the Moon’s Eye Plan.” 






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