As a ninja, kindness was always relative. Without profit, even ordinary bandits would not lift a finger.
And now, being able to earn some money while lending a hand to the weak — why not?
Along the way, after pocketing a few sums of money.
Nagato arrived at Kirigakure. No identification was needed. The gate sentries recognized him and let him through immediately.
Both Nagato and Konan were well-known figures among Kirigakure's ninja.
More precisely, anyone with ties to Yuto was a celebrity in Kirigakure.
You might not know them personally, but you had to know of them!
Nagato strolled down a street in Kirigakure. Civilians passed by from time to time, an ease on their brows that the people of Amegakure never wore.
A light rain was falling over Kirigakure at this hour.
If one ignored the distinctive landmarks, it actually looked quite a bit like Amegakure.
But even with his eyes closed, Nagato could clearly sense this was not home. The greatest difference lay in the atmosphere that permeated the very air.
This feeling set Kirigakure apart from Amegakure in a fundamental way.
Nagato appeared to be taking a leisurely walk, but his pace was not slow. Before long, he had arrived at the Mizukage office building.
A familiar figure was already standing there waiting.
"Kirigakure's Ao."
Nagato looked at Ao, who seemed to have been expecting him, without a hint of surprise on his face.
The moment he had entered Kirigakure, Terumi Mei must have received word.
"Welcome, Lord Nagato. The Mizukage has been waiting for you."
Ao wore a faint smile and gave a slight bow. Then he turned and led Nagato toward the Mizukage's office.
Nagato was essentially the Kage of Amegakure. The fact that he had come alone warranted proper respect.
Click!
The door swung open. Ao watched Nagato enter the Mizukage's office before quietly stepping away.
As for the Mizukage's safety — so long as Nagato did not suddenly lose his mind, he would not attack. And he had no reason to.
Besides, the Mizukage herself was no pushover.
"I didn't expect you to come in person. Has something happened?"
Terumi Mei looked at Nagato, her expression shifting to one of concern and gravity.
For Nagato to make the trip personally, this matter must be pressing indeed.
"Uchiha Madara plans to make a move on the One-Tail Jinchuriki of Sunagakure. And this information was relayed to me by Uchiha Madara's own people."
Nagato's expression was detached. He came straight to the point with no intention of wasting words.
Terumi Mei froze for a moment, then her expression turned deadly serious.
Whether it concerned Sunagakure's Jinchuriki or Uchiha Madara, both were grave matters that demanded the utmost caution.
"Why would Uchiha Madara send someone to tell you such critical information? What's the purpose?"
Terumi Mei steepled her fingers, her gaze flickering as she murmured the question to herself.
The alliance between Amegakure and Kirigakure was hardly a secret. So Uchiha Madara would certainly know of it.
Which meant that by passing this intelligence to Amegakure, Uchiha Madara was essentially sending them a message.
"His true purpose — only Uchiha Madara himself knows."
"Under Akatsuki's previous plan for capturing Tailed Beasts, two members would normally be dispatched. But this time there are three, one of whom is Uchiha Sasuke. As for the other two..."
Nagato trailed off here and shook his head gently.
Akatsuki had been taken over by Uchiha Madara. Whoever he sent to capture the One-Tail Jinchuriki would likely not follow the old plan.
In Nagato's original plan for capturing Jinchuriki, the One-Tail had been assigned to Sasori and Deidara.
One was a former Sunagakure defector who naturally possessed knowledge of the village.
The other, Deidara, had aerial mobility — a decisive advantage for both reconnaissance and retreat.
But now, aside from Uchiha Sasuke, Nagato could not be certain whether Uchiha Madara would dispatch two members or more.
Given Uchiha Madara's style, however, Nagato suspected he would not stick to the old plan.
"Uchiha Sasuke, huh?"
Terumi Mei glanced at Nagato, a wry look in her eyes.
She couldn't divine Uchiha Madara's other intentions, but using Nagato to provoke Uchiha Sasuke into awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan — that was brazen and completely unhidden.
That was likely also the reason Nagato had come to Kirigakure in person. Uchiha Sasuke awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan would be a good thing for Nagato as well.
Therefore, Nagato would involve himself in this matter no matter what.
"This cannot drag on too long. Uchiha Madara likely won't give you much time to prepare."
Watching Terumi Mei deep in thought, Nagato reminded her in his usual detached tone.
Terumi Mei gently rubbed her forehead. Nagato's words were blunt, but they were the truth.
This matter involved Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. And right now, their two villages had numerous cooperative arrangements. More importantly, Kirigakure had its own clandestine plans in motion regarding Sunagakure.
Suddenly, a memory struck Terumi Mei — words Lord Yuto had once spoken. Her eyes lit up. Perhaps this was exactly the opportunity Lord Yuto had spoken of.
"I need to confirm a few things first. Please wait a moment, Lord Nagato."
Terumi Mei looked up and addressed Nagato before bowing her head again. She swiftly picked up a special sheet of paper from beside her and began writing.
Watching her movements, Nagato's gaze flickered. He gave a slight nod and found a seat, settling in casually.
When Nagato had first entered Kirigakure, he hadn't sensed that familiar, terrifying Chakra signature. He had assumed the person was absent.
But now it seemed they were still in Kirigakure — just in a remote or concealed location beyond the range of his sensory perception.
Before long!
Terumi Mei's hand stilled. She folded the paper on her desk several times using a special technique, then raised a finger and tapped the table twice.
Click!
Almost the instant the tapping stopped, the door to the Mizukage's office opened. Ao stepped in respectfully. "Mizukage!"
"Deliver this information to Lord Yuto. Quickly."
Terumi Mei flicked the specially folded paper into Ao's hands with a snap of her finger.
Ao nodded and immediately left the office.
Through his sensory perception, Nagato tracked Ao's Chakra signature moving swiftly in a particular direction. Moments later, it vanished from his range — clearly, Ao had moved beyond what Nagato could detect.
[
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