After a while, Edo Tensei Jiraiya slowly regained his composure.
What else could he do? The information was simply too shocking. Even Jiraiya, the intelligence master, was left dizzy and disoriented.
Fortunately, thanks to the mental buff of death and his strong resolve, Jiraiya withstood the barrage of explosive information and began probing for more.
"So, you've already killed Obito and Black Zetsu, Uchiha Madara can't be revived, and the Rabbit Goddess can't be sealed. Now, you're the true leader of Akatsuki?"
"Correct."
"And you killed the Five Kage?"
"Correct."
"Then Tsunade? No, the Fifth Hokage? Her?!?"
Jiraiya grew agitated, mistakenly assuming the Hokage representative at the Five Kage Summit was Tsunade, as Nagato hadn't detailed how they eliminated the Kage.
"The Fifth Hokage? That foolish old lady? After the last battle, she's probably still unconscious in Konoha. The one who died this time was the newly appointed interim Hokage, Shimura Danzo."
"So it was Danzo who died?"
"Correct."
"Good, that's good…"
Jiraiya unconsciously let out a sigh of relief, though it was somewhat impolite and disrespectful to Danzo, who had just sacrificed himself.
But such is human nature.
Sacrificing Danzo was far more acceptable than losing his beloved Tsunade.
Besides, Jiraiya never really liked Danzo or approved of his methods…
"Jiraiya-sensei, you still love Tsunade so much?"
"Don't talk nonsense, I, I just…"
His secret love exposed, Jiraiya's aged face flushed, and he tried to deny it, but the truth couldn't be faked.
"After all these years, you still haven't confessed your feelings? Jiraiya-sensei, you're pathetic."
"I've been traveling nonstop, I didn't have time, I—"
"All just excuses, right?"
"Nagato!"
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"Enough, casual talk ends here. Time to discuss serious matters."
"Serious matters? Right, Nagato, since you're already dead, who revived you? Who's really behind you?"
"A Sennin."
"How's that possible? Could it be the legendary Rikudo Sennin?"
"There's no point telling you the Lord's name, Sensei. You don't need to dig further."
"Then what's his goal?"
"To unite the entire world and achieve eternal peace, of course."
"What? Uniting the entire ninja world? Such a terrifying ambition? Could they be using you?"
Jiraiya was stunned.
Uniting the world was an overwhelming concept for a ninja born and raised like him.
Especially since it seemed to be an order from a legendary deity.
"Using me? That's fine. As long as I can protect my village and the entire Land of Rain."
"Used or not? It doesn't matter."
Nagato looked at it calmly.
Who isn't used by someone?
Besides, he had already failed once. If not for Tenshou Sennin, he wouldn't even have the chance to be revived via Edo Tensei.
This was a tangible favor, far better than Madara, Black Zetsu, and their ilk.
Moreover, that person could traverse space and time at will; even if they were using him, the benefits and rewards would surely be immense.
Nagato had no reason to refuse.
"If they're a Sennin, why didn't they appear sooner? Why not change the world earlier?"
"I don't know, but it's not too late for them to act now."
"Nagato, you killed the Five Kage. That's tantamount to opposing the entire ninja world. The world won't let Akatsuki off! All that awaits Amegakure is a path to destruction…"
Jiraiya muttered sadly. To him, Nagato killing the Five Kage was like poking a hole in the sky.
The Second and Third Ninja World Wars nearly destroyed Amegakure.
Now, Amegakure wanting to take on the entire world alone—wasn't that suicide?
"The entire world?"
Nagato almost laughed.
He used to think the world was vast, but now, the ninja world seemed insignificant.
The strongest Five Kage had already fallen—what was there to fear?
Numbers? National power? War potential?
Sure, the five great nations had these advantages. But even combined, could they withstand his Edo Tensei army and White Zetsu forces?
Could they resist his super Chibaku Tensei and Shinra Tensei?
Utterly ridiculous…
"If necessary, I don't mind wiping out a few nations! Let's see how tough this 'entire world' really is."
Seeing Amegakure's tragic ruins in the future, Nagato had no mercy for enemy nations.
He pitied them, but who among them would pity Amegakure?
"No! It shouldn't be like this!"
"Starting another war will only kill more people!"
"Nagato, don't do this. Didn't you acknowledge Naruto's ninja way? You even sacrificed yourself to revive all of Konoha!"
"The you now shouldn't be like this, right?"
"Let's discuss this again. There must be another way to achieve peace. As long as we sit down and negotiate properly, we can understand each other, change the world, and achieve true peace…"
Jiraiya grew impassioned, desperately trying to persuade Nagato.
Otherwise, once the Fourth Ninja World War began, Konoha and other villages would suffer heavy casualties.
This was what Jiraiya feared most and wanted to avoid.
"Understand each other? Sensei, even now, you're trying to sway me with such feeble reasoning?"
"As a disciple, a teacher, or a ninja, you've always failed from start to finish. What right do you have to lecture me?"
"You, who've never felt the pain of a destroyed village, could never understand!"
"You can't even understand me now, let alone the entire world understanding each other?"
Jiraiya was silenced by Nagato.
"I…"
Lies don't hurt; the truth is the sharpest blade.
Jiraiya, who wandered for years, had indeed missed too much. He knew full well he was a failed ninja.
The defeated have no right to speak.
If Naruto had lost to Nagato back then, his talk-no-jutsu would never have worked…
"Enough. Sensei, no matter how much nonsense you spout, it won't change this world."
"Let's talk specifics. I revived you with Edo Tensei to use your identity."
"In a week, I want you to persuade Konoha to surrender!"
"If Konoha, the leader of the five great villages, surrenders willingly, recruiting other villages and nations will be much easier."
"This is also the way with the fewest casualties."
Nagato spoke faintly, explaining Jiraiya's purpose.
"Persuade them to surrender? You want to annex all of Konoha?"
"Not just Konoha, but the entire Land of Fire!"
"You… what if the persuasion fails?"
"Then I and all of Akatsuki will act, directly crushing Konoha and killing all who resist! Of course, you'll be part of Konoha's destruction."
"What? Impossible! I'd never attack the village…"
Jiraiya was shocked and terrified. Persuading Konoha to surrender was already unacceptable, let alone destroying the entire village!
Konoha was his lifelong conviction and sacred ground. He wouldn't allow anyone to destroy it—not even his own disciple!
Jiraiya erupted, trying to resist. He knew he wasn't Nagato's match, but he had to escape and relay this information to the village!
Unfortunately, as soon as Jiraiya moved,
Nagato formed the 'Snake' hand seal, activating Edo Tensei's binding power, freezing Jiraiya in place.
Even Senju Tobirama couldn't break this bind, let alone Jiraiya in his normal state.
"Nagato, you—!"
"Jiraiya-sensei, sorry, you have no right to refuse."
Jiraiya struggled with all his might but couldn't move.
"I'll never submit to a forbidden jutsu's control. Even if you bind me, I won't harm the village…"
Though he couldn't control his body, he'd never hurt Konoha.
"Really? That's no longer your concern. This talisman can fully control an Edo ninja's body and personality. Can your resolve withstand it?"
"Sensei, I'm going to insert it!"