"Don't look so surprised."
"You've seen your fair share of rough times."
After closing the door, Nagato walked over and took a seat across from Elder Genji at the table.
"Have you come here to kill me today?"
Elder Genji's knuckles turned white as he gripped his cane, the veins on his hand bulging even more.
"If I wanted to kill you, would I go through all this trouble?"
Nagato leaned back in his chair — it was surprisingly comfortable.
"Then what do you want?"
Elder Genji remained cautious, his tone unwelcoming.
"Have a seat first."
"What kind of confidence does that cane really give you?"
Nagato gestured for Elder Genji to sit. He felt the tense atmosphere wasn't conducive to the conversation he wanted to have.
"You're invaders."
"What on earth could we possibly have to talk about?"
Elder Genji looked genuinely embarrassed.
With that said, he simply returned the cane to its place and sat back down with a cold expression.
He knew full well that if Nagato had truly wanted to kill him, that cane wouldn't have offered any real protection.
"See? Isn't this better? Face-to-face chat."
"After all, we're old acquaintances."
"Back in Kiri, I was grateful for your hospitality."
Nagato gave Genji a pointed look, emphasizing the word "hospitality" rather heavily.
"There's no need to bring up old memories between us."
"Just say whatever it is you came here for."
Elder Genji twitched an eyelid, almost believing Nagato had come to settle an old score with him — that today was the day this old man finally paid for past sins.
Back then, he hadn't shown Nagato the slightest kindness — had it not been for orders from the Third Mizukage, he would've made sure Nagato never forgot him.
Of course, had that happened, he wouldn't be alive today.
"I thought old folks liked reminiscing about the past — but Elder Genji, you're surprisingly straightforward."
Nagato smiled faintly — whether it was sarcasm or genuine, no one could tell.
"If you were really catching up, I wouldn't see any reason why you'd spare my life."
"Get straight to the point."
Looking at Nagato strangely, Elder Genji thought this kid clearly didn't understand much about social customs.
Not every old friendship is worth revisiting.
What if you got angry halfway through the story? Wouldn't that be pointless?
"All right then."
"I'll get straight to the point."
Sitting upright now, Nagato's expression turned serious.
"Elder Genji, I only have one request for you today."
"I want you to surrender every ninja in Kiri."
After saying that, Nagato simply watched him calmly, waiting for a response. His gaze was calm, showing neither threat nor killing intent.
"Surrender?"
"Are you serious?"
Genji didn't seem particularly surprised — as if he'd already anticipated something like this.
"Which would you prefer: the truth or a lie?"
Rather than answering directly, Nagato asked back, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"What do you mean?"
The tension between them gradually eased as they exchanged words, and Elder Genji slowly returned to his usual self.
"The ninja in Kiri are exceptional warriors, many of them highly skilled."
"A few days ago, I saw a little girl with Dual Bloodline Limits."
"We would very much like to recruit such an outstanding talent—including all the Mist ninjas."
Nagato praised his defeated opponent and offered a polite smile to Elder Genji.
"That girl is Mei Terumi; she's a promising child."
"You're lying, right?"
Elder Genji briefly mentioned Mei Terumi, knowing full well these were empty pleasantries.
With Konoha behind the Akatsuki ninja, there was no reason for them to absorb the weakened Mist Village.
If the Fourth Mizukage and the Six-Tails Jinchūriki were still alive, this claim might have carried some credibility.
"Your Mist Village now is meat on the chopping block."
"The only reason we haven't wiped you out completely is out of some compassion."
"How could you bear to send elderly people and children to the battlefield?"
"Could it be your heart is made of stone?"
Each word from Nagato pierced through Elder Genji's soul like sharp blades, brutally cutting into his soul.
In an instant, it felt as though his heart had been sliced by a knife.
Yet he hadn't expected an Akatsuki ninja to show mercy.
"I never thought you'd actually show compassion."
Elder Genji's thoughts were perfectly reasonable. Right now, he couldn't possibly sit idle and wait for death.
If the Akatsuki kept pushing forward aggressively, the Mist Village would have no choice but to resist until their last breath.
"Hehe~"
"Now choose wisely and answer me after considering carefully."
"If you refuse to surrender, then just wait in your Mist Village for news of total annihilation at the front line."
Elder Genji had already been offered a way to save face, and Nagato didn't intend to waste more words.
He stared fiercely at Elder Genji, and the atmosphere in the room turned frigid.
"What are your plans for our ninjas after surrendering?"
After a long silence, Elder Genji finally broke the quiet.
"Those who surrender become part of the same family."
"We've always treated our own very well."
"As for that extremely talented little girl, we can even provide specialized training."
"Perhaps she'll be sent to Konoha for advanced training in the future."
Without hesitation, Nagato spoke of Konoha as if it were perfectly natural.
"And why should I believe you?"
Elder Genji didn't dare hope for much better treatment after surrendering—just avoiding death would already be good enough.
How could he truly wish to see Mist ninjas slaughtered on the battlefield by Akatsuki?
Such an unequal battle simply held no real significance anymore.
From the moment the Fourth Mizukage was defeated, the Mist Village had already lost any real choices.
"You shouldn't ask me that."
Oh no~
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"Do you really think you still have a choice?"
A smirk curled at Nagato's lips. Since Elder Genji asked like that, it meant he was actually tempted.
"Hmph... you're right."
"Yeah, I indeed have no choice left."
"I'll call our ninjas back to the village. The gates of Kirigakure will open to you."
Elder Genji bitterly shook his head and quickly gave Nagato the desired response.
He wasn't one to hesitate. This was likely the best possible outcome for the Mist Village at the moment.
"Good. All the Mist ninjas will come to thank Elder Genji for this decision tonight."
"Should I remain to assist?"
Nagato didn't mean to keep an eye on Elder Genji. It was just that this decision might not be accepted by all Mist ninja.
If there were any objections, he could help Elder Genji deal with them.
"No need. My word still holds sway in Kiri."
Elder Genji politely turned down Nagato's offer. Since he now ruled over Kiri completely, there was naturally no need for Nagato's involvement.
"Fine."
"Then I won't bother you further."
"We'll follow behind the Mist ninja. Hopefully, there won't be any more complications."
As he spoke, Nagato stood up, his words acting as a subtle warning to Elder Genji.
"Don't worry about it."
Without a hint of arrogance, Elder Genji rose to his feet as well, personally opening the door to escort Nagato out.
"Oh, by the way, don't forget to thank my teacher for this."
"If it weren't for him mentioning you beforehand, things might have turned out differently."
With that, Nagato left immediately using [Body-Flicker Technique], not waiting for Elder Genji's response.
"Kawaki Hatake?"
"He may succeed where the First Hokage once refused to act."
Looking down the empty corridor, Elder Genji fell into deep thought. Putting together Konoha's military movement toward the Land of Earth and the Akatsuki ninja's performance, all the intelligence swirling in his mind coalesced into a tightly woven strategic plan.
...
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