Their Respective Ideas
The first Akatsuki organization was founded by Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, guided by the teachings of Jiraiya, who believed in fostering peace through mutual understanding. Inspired by their sensei, the group sought to end conflict in Amegakure without resorting to violence, believing that if trust flourished among people, lasting peace could be achieved. As time passed, many oppressed individuals, yearning for an end to constant warfare, rallied behind the Akatsuki's cause.
However, Hanzo of the Salamander, fearing their growing influence, conspired with Danzo Shimura of Konoha's Root to eliminate them. In a brutal ambush, Yahiko was forced to take his own life to prevent Konan from being used as a hostage, while several of their comrades were slain.
This event shattered Nagato's faith in their idealistic approach. Awakening the full power of his Rinnegan, he slaughtered Hanzo's forces and adopted the persona of Pain, believing that only through overwhelming force could the world understand suffering and be coerced into peace. Since trust had failed, he resolved to impose order through fear, systematically eliminating war-driven leaders and ensuring stability through sheer might.
On his path to achieving this vision, Pain showed no hesitation in inciting wars or dismantling existing peace if it served his ultimate goal: the Tailed Beast Collection Plan. He sought to use the power of the Tailed Beasts as a deterrent, unleashing controlled destruction to make nations fear the consequences of conflict.
This was the doctrine of Pain, and the method Nagato relentlessly pursued—until he encountered Naruto Uzumaki in the Land of Iron.
Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, not only rivaled him in power but also posed the greatest threat to the Akatsuki's ambitions. Nagato understood that the failure to decisively subdue Naruto meant the collapse of his plan unless he could mobilize the remaining Akatsuki members for a full-scale assault. However, he also knew that such actions would provoke retaliation from the Five Great Shinobi Nations.
Casting aside these thoughts, Nagato regarded Naruto solemnly and sneered:
"The ideals of the original Akatsuki… You possess more of their spirit than I expected. But those ideals were naïve. Only absolute power can enforce true peace in the shinobi world."
Naruto met Nagato's gaze and smiled slightly. "Your Akatsuki has swung from blind trust to utter cynicism. Isn't that just as extreme and unrealistic?"
"Even if your plan succeeds, what will happen to the people of Amegakure? The Land of Rain will still be a desolate, war-torn country, caught between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth. Their suffering won't end just because the larger world fears you."
Nagato frowned. "That is no reason to reject peace. Absolute peace brings absolute order."
Naruto shook his head. "That's where we differ. I don't seek absolute peace. I just want to protect the people around me and those who follow me. Even the Sage of the Six Paths couldn't secure eternal peace, so why should you, merely inheriting his eyes, expect to?"
Nagato fell silent. Since Yahiko's death, few had challenged his ideology so directly. Perhaps, since becoming Pain—a self-proclaimed god—he had stopped listening to others. Yet, Naruto's strength commanded his attention in a way no one else had.
Nagato finally spoke: "Then why did you seek me out? Why reveal yourself as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? Wouldn't it have been wiser to remain hidden and build your forces?"
Naruto smirked. "Fighting you was always part of my plan. I needed an opponent powerful enough to make the world take me seriously—to deter unnecessary threats."
"Besides, stopping Akatsuki's plans is personal for me."
"But honestly, I expected more from you, Nagato. Your strength isn't as overwhelming as I imagined. That's… a little disappointing."
Nagato chuckled bitterly. "My apologies for failing your expectations… If all Jinchuriki were as strong as you, my plan would have been doomed from the start."
Naruto extended his hand. "Have you considered joining me? In Uzushio, you could be my second-in-command. Together, we'd be the most powerful force in the shinobi world, enough to reshape it entirely."
Nagato shook his head. "The Land of Rain and Uzushio are separate. Besides, I discarded my Uzumaki heritage long ago. I am not truly one of your clan."
Naruto smirked. "You talk like there's some 'true' Uzumaki out there."
Without another word, Naruto activated his sensory abilities, pinpointing Nagato's real body hidden nearby.
Realizing he had been detected, Nagato's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he formed hand seals, recalling the Six Paths of Pain and summoning a colossal sea creature to envelop them before vanishing beneath the ocean's surface.
Naruto remained unfazed. Forming a Rasenshuriken infused with Sage Chakra, he launched it at Nagato's retreating form. The impact caused an explosion so powerful it sent massive waves crashing onto the shore, scattering stunned sea creatures in all directions.
Of course, this alone wouldn't stop Nagato. This attack was merely a farewell gesture. If circumstances allowed, Naruto would have eliminated him then and there—after all, the Rinnegan in Nagato's possession remained a significant threat.
As his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode dissipated, Naruto picked up one of the black rods left behind from their battle. These weapons, formed from Yin-Yang Release, could bypass traditional chakra defenses. Studying them could prove valuable.
At that moment, a voice rang in his mind:
"Nagato's acknowledgment has been earned. You have gained 'Nagato's Ninjutsu Training Experience.'"
Naruto blinked. Another minor reward.
Did he really need training from Nagato? His current mastery of ninjutsu was already formidable. Still, peering into Nagato's techniques might prove useful—especially for countering future encounters with Rinnegan users.
For now, he set that thought aside and turned toward a rocky outcrop. Smirking, he called out:
"Stop hiding, Orochimaru. I know you're there."
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