Traveling through Nagato, from conquering Konan to dominating the ninja world

Perrin summoned the Yatagarasu and rode on it with Pei Ai, flying towards the sky northwest of Yuyin.

Konan and Nagato stood side by side on the tongue of the tower's relief, looking at the silhouette disappearing in the rain in the sky.

"The strength of Iwagakure is quite strong. Are two enough?"

"The goal is not to engage in a full-scale battle. These two paths with the greatest mobility are more important. If necessary, Perrin will communicate with the other paths."

Konan turned his head and looked at Nagato's profile: "The distance of the destination this time should be much beyond the limit of the chakra signal transmission, right? Could it be that the power of the Thousand Hands has awakened?"

Nagato reached out and stroked the back of his neck.

"No... So, I took some classes, technology and hard work."

"Swoosh!" The Yatagarasu flew across the sky at high speed, and soon it was twenty kilometers away. This was already very close, and it was now the limit of Nagato's control over Pain!

On the back of the bird, Pei Ai's Samsara Eye scanned the ground below and locked onto a high mountain.

"Just there!"

Perrin controlled the Yatagarasu, circled, and approached the top of the mountain.

Pei Ai jumped down and looked around, his eyes fixed on a relatively hidden rock covered with weeds.

Pei Ai squatted down and pulled out the weeds, clearing out a space in the grass. He pressed his palm on it, and his Rinnegan was shining.

"Click!" A mechanical column rose up while rotating.

Pei Ai took out a pre-processed large-caliber black rod from the ninja tool bag and inserted it into the hollow groove at the top of the mechanical column.

"Buzz!"

The mechanical column was activated, and several small black sticks emanated from the top, radiating outwards like umbrella ribs.

"Yaoxi, it's done. The 'Chakra Signal Relay Tower' made by Shurado can effectively extend the control distance of the main body over all Pains!"

"However, the prerequisite for this to take effect is that Pain Shurado must survive!"

"If it weren't for this impeccable Pei Ai, I really wouldn't be able to use this kind of black technology with confidence."

Pei Ai jumped onto the Yatagarasu and murmured, "However, the Dust Release of the Tsuchikage Ōnoki is still a threat to me. If necessary, I may have to summon the 'Hungry Ghost Realm'..."

The Yatagarasu flew across the sky, and would install a 'relay tower' at a suitable place every certain distance. In this way, on the same night, it successfully arrived at the airspace of the Land of Earth, which borders the Hidden Rain Village to the northwest!

……

At this moment, just as at that moment.

In Konoha Village, in a warm little home.

After a busy day at work, Minato was wearing his home clothes and sitting quietly at the table reading a book.

A steady and powerful hand was gently placed on his shoulder, and a deep, yet tender voice sounded.

"Oh~! Are you reading my "Strong and Perseverant Ninja Transformation"?!"

Jiraiya was delighted, and at the same time he said to his beloved disciple self-deprecatingly: "But, this is my debut work after all, so my writing style is still immature, and many parts are not handled well."

Minato's eyes moved from the book to his teacher's face, and he winked and said playfully, "That's not the case. This story is very exciting. Many of the stories in it are adapted from the legends left by the teacher. It feels like your autobiography~!"

"The protagonist of this book, who never gave up until the end, is so cool. He is very much like the teacher, the protagonist."

Minato's praise made Jiraiya feel embarrassed: "Yes, really…"

Minato narrowed his eyes, his face filled with an infectious smile: "So I've thought about it, my child who will be born in less than half a year, it would be great if he could also become a ninja like this protagonist!"

As he said this, he put down the "Strong Willpower Ninja Transformation" in his hand, and spoke seriously under Jiraiya's flattered gaze.

"So, can I borrow the name of the protagonist in this novel?"

"Eh?" Jiraiya's eyes widened, and he gestured awkwardly in front of his face, "Is this really okay? I just came up with this name while eating ramen!"

"Naruto." The gentle voice was refreshing.

"Kushina."

Kushina, under Jiraiya's gaze, held her pregnant belly and walked to Minato's side.

"Yes, it has been decided. This is the name. Even if it is a name that the teacher came up with casually while eating ramen, it is better than those weird names that Minato came up with after racking his brains."

"There's no need to say the second half of the sentence, Kushina." Minato said helplessly and lovingly.

Even so, Jiraiya was still flattered: "Kushina...is it really okay?"

"It's okay, Sensei. Minato and I share the same hope that this child will grow up to be a great ninja like you."

"Really? Does that mean I am the father of this child's name?"

"Is it really possible for someone like me?"

Kushina held onto Minato's shoulders and they both faced their teacher.

Minato smiled and said, "That's because it's you, Sensei!"

"When it comes to great ninjas with true ninja skills, there's no one else but you."

"Thank you." Jiraiya smiled and accepted the proposal of his beloved disciple and his wife.

Naruto's name was decided in this warmth several months in advance.

After dinner, Kushina went back to her room to rest.

Jiraiya and Minato sat face to face in the living room, and the book "Ninja Transformation with Strong Willpower" was temporarily put away.

"Teacher, you came back this time, not only to visit Kushina and me, but also because you heard that the village was attacked not long ago."

"Yeah, I just learned the news not long ago." Jiraiya shook the teacup gently and said in a deep voice: "The enemy is really extraordinary to be able to escape unscathed under the joint efforts of Sarutobi Sensei and you."

He raised his head and swallowed the tea in the cup, but his mind was still hanging in the air: "I wonder... Is there any connection with Orochimaru?"

Minato said in a low voice: "Yes. It is indeed a very powerful enemy. After the war, we held an intelligence analysis meeting and successfully uncovered the truth about some of the enemy's abilities. However, we still have no clue about the enemy's true identity. But I think... it should not be Mr. Orochimaru's doing."

"Isn't it?" Jiraiya was slightly surprised: "Why can you say that? I'm not surprised at all that those guys can manipulate corpses."

Minato said: "I have also heard about Mr. Orochimaru's ability... It has been less than a year since he defected from Konoha. Such a short time is not enough for such a qualitative change in the way of fighting."

"Besides, there is another more important point that makes me make such a judgment."

"Hmm? What?"

Minato's azure eyes became deep: "Teacher, you once mentioned that you had accepted three disciples in the Hidden Rain Village in the past, and one of them had a pair of special 'eyes', right?"

Jiraiya's hand clenched the teacup unconsciously: "Why... are you saying this suddenly?"

Minato supported his chin with both hands, and traced his gaze: "The rain blocked my view at that time, so I didn't see it clearly, but afterwards I recalled the scene at that time, and that subtle feeling always lingered in my heart."

"After thinking it over, I still think that I am not mistaken! That background color and texture should be consistent with what you once said about the disciple named 'Nagato' and the Six Paths Sage - the same "Samsara Eye"!"

"!!!" Jiraiya's pupils trembled suddenly!