章節 161: Stubborn Fool
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Koushin glanced over at Tsunade, and with a quick nod, she walked over to Nagato. As the legendary medical ninja, Tsunade began her work with practiced efficiency. In the quiet forest, only the sound of rustling leaves and Tsunade's soft commands broke the silence.
Koushin watched as Tsunade skillfully removed Nagato's eyes, her hands steady despite the immense pressure of the task. When the eyes were finally extracted, she placed them carefully into a vessel filled with a special preserving liquid.
"Are you sure they will be safe behind your seal?" Tsunade asked, her voice measured as she handed the vessel to Koushin. Her concern was valid. After all, those eyes held an immense power that could potentially turn the tide of the war.
Koushin responded with a confident grin. "No one in the whole world can take something I don't want them to take. You don't need to worry, Lady Tsunade."
With that, he raised his hand and the pair of Rinnegan disappeared into his personal inventory. He shifted his focus internally, visualizing the list of items in his inventory. The Rinnegan now took their place among them, their description detailed and informative.
[Uchiha Madara's Rinnegan, created by his Indra Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and Hashirama Senju's Ashura Genes. These pair of eyes do not carry the reincarnations anymore. Can be implanted.]
Koushin shook his head at the description. Despite its power, he still had no interest in the eyes. He closed his inventory mentally and turned back to the now eyeless Nagato.
With a wave of his hand, Konan and the six Paths of Pain appeared before them. The six Paths of Pain were lifeless, a stark contrast to their previous threatening demeanor. Konan, despite looking beaten and exhausted, seemed to emanate an undying spirit.
As soon as Konan spotted Nagato in his eyeless state, she went into defensive mode. Ignoring her exhaustion, she lunged at Koushin, her face a mask of fury. But Nagato stopped her, his voice a calming presence despite his physical disadvantage.
"Konan, stop." He instructed. "These people are here to help."
Nagato, despite the fresh void where his Rinnegan once resided, began to recount his tale. His voice carried a hollow tone, one of regret and quiet resignation. Konan listened attentively as Nagato painted a vivid picture of Itachi's manipulative schemes, how the Uchiha had woven intricate webs around him, pulling his strings as if he were a mere marionette.
Koushin's gaze then darted to Konan, her akmond eyes brimming with unshed tears. To his surprise, Konan hadn't been under any control, no genjutsu, no coercion, nothing. She had stood by Nagato, followed his every word, even though the decisions were not his own. The depth of her loyalty was overwhelming. Yet there was a flicker in her eyes that wasn't just loyalty. It was fury, a controlled flame ready to engulf her enemies.
"Itachi... and Obito," she hissed through gritted teeth. Her voice was a quiet storm, laced with an icy wrath. One was responsible for Yahiko's death, the other puppeteered Nagato, turning him into a living weapon of destruction.
Koushin leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Konan-san," he started, his voice an even baritone. "I won't stand in your way if you're seeking revenge, but... they're not easy targets." His eyes held a sincere seriousness. "Rather than chase a fight you might not win, live your life with Nagato-san. Leave them to us."
Konan shot a glance at Nagato, her brows furrowed in thought. She then nodded hesitantly. "Where can we go? We're not free... never truly free."
A smile graced Koushin's lips. "I know a place. A safe haven, if you will. But once you step foot there, there's no coming back. I can arrange for your journey if you decide to go."
Sensing their unease, he quickly added, "Take your time to decide. First, bring Nagato-san to Orochimaru-san. He should be able to help with Nagato-san's eyes."
The discussion drew to a close. Konan and Nagato shared a quiet conversation, their voices barely reaching Koushin's ears. With a final nod, the duo turned to leave. But just as she was about to disappear from their sight, she turned back, her face solemn. "Jiraiya is dead," she said, her voice was somber, carrying a sadness that was contagious.
The clearing was still, the words hanging in the air like a specter. "He was too stubborn to wait, he attacked your dragon with everything he had, and... in the end, he died of chakra exhaustion."
Shock painted itself across Koushin and Tsunade's faces, their disbelief echoed as they both cried out, "What?"
With a heavy sigh, Koushin dropped onto the forest floor, cross-legged, his palms braced against his knees. He titled his head back and muttered, "That obstinate idiot," under his breath. The news of Jiraiya's death was a surprise, but not one that stirred feelings of sorrow within him.
When he had trapped Jiraiya, the Six Paths of Pain, and Konan with Paarthurnax, the aim was simple — to buy time, to keep them occupied while he held a potentially world-altering conversation with Nagato.
"Well, that's out of the way," Koushin began, standing up from his cross-legged position on the forest floor. He dusted off his trousers, his tone surprisingly light for the gravity of their current predicament. "Let's get to business. With Nagato out of the way, Obito and Itachi will take more drastic measures. We need to be prepared."
Tsunade nodded in agreement, her gaze taking in the faces around her. Her eyes settled on Karin and Ino, then drifted to Sakura. The three women, each formidable in their own right, bore the weight of the ongoing conflict in their eyes. Yet, there was a steady determination there as well. "We need to protect Karin," she stated, her voice clear and resolute.
From the sidelines, Karin objected. "I can fight, Teacher," she protested, her eyebrows furrowing in a frown.
Koushin, however, shook his head, his fingers tracing invisible patterns on Ino's arm, who snuggled into his embrace after pinching his arm "Karin, your ability to free people from Itachi's control is unique." he paused, locking eyes with her, "once they realize you can do that they will seek out you to destroy you."
At his words, the color seemed to drain from Karin's face. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked far too young and vulnerable to be involved in this war. But then, she nodded, her jaw set in determination, an unspoken promise to follow their guidance.
Koushin continued, "I'll ask Naruto to take you to the Tengu Realm. They have an affinity with the Uzumaki Clan. They may allow you to stay there."
The prospect of retreating to the Tengu Realm, hidden and secluded from the world, came as both a relief and a challenge to Karin. The thought of an escape from the impending battle was indeed tempting, but the realization of her importance in this conflict, and the potential danger she faced, was a cold slap of reality.
Yet, as Koushin mentioned Naruto's name, Karin's eyes instantly lit up, her earlier fear momentarily forgotten. In her heart, Karin had always harbored a fondness for Naruto. Since the day they met years ago, she had been drawn to his warm chakra and gentle spirit, much like a moth to a flame. Yet, she remained silent, keeping her feelings locked away, as Naruto was happily with Hinata.
The mere idea of spending time with Naruto, however, was undeniably appealing to Karin. As Koushin continued with his plan, she found herself imagining days spent in the Tengu Realm, learning about their culture, sharing stories, and most importantly, being in Naruto's company. The thought was enough to bring a small smile to her face, even in the middle of their grim conversation.
After Koushin's announcement, the group gradually began to disperse, returning to Konoha that was now starting to wake up to the light of a new day. It was a scene that could have been starkly different if Nagato had arrived unimpeded. A morning that could have been filled with the smell of blood and the cries of the wounded and dying was instead filled with the sounds of merchants setting up their stalls, children laughing and playing, and the all-too-familiar noise of everyday life.
As they walked, Koushin wore a thoughtful expression. It was clear that their work was far from done. Itachi, Obito, and the elusive Zetsu still remained. Even with the Rinnegan removed from Nagato, they were formidable adversaries. This war was far from over.
"Koushin," Tsunade called out, her tone somber as she walked beside him. "How likely do you think it is that Obito and Itachi will strike immediately, knowing we have the Rinnegan?"
Koushin tilted his head slightly, considering her question. "It's hard to say," he responded, "But I'm sure they aren't thrilled about losing such a powerful asset. We need to be ready for anything."
Tsunade nodded, looking ahead. "We'll protect Konoha at all costs. We can't afford to lose."
Just then, Karin approached Koushin, a light blush dusting her cheeks. "Thank you for... for keeping me safe," she stammered, "I... I'm glad Naruto will be there. I feel safer with him."
Koushin gave her a warm smile, patting her shoulder. "Naruto has that effect on people. Don't worry, Karin. You're important to us, and we'll do everything in our power to keep you safe."
Koushin turned to face his companions, his face mirroring their resolve. "Alright, let's get to work. We have a lot to prepare for. Remember, stay vigilant. Keep your guard up."
With a collective nod, they walked through the gates, each carrying the weight of the looming conflict.
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