11 11 Nagato

They were in a place that was quite dark for the memory. There was just enough light to see by. There was an anorexic man attached to a contraption with a bunch of rods sticking out of his back. He was talking about his past.

When he was done he asked, "I've told you my story just as you've asked. Now lets hear your response." He rasped out. His words were met with silence as the young blonde from the memory thought over his words carefully.

Younger Naruto reached to his weapons pouch and pulled out a brown cased book. He looked at it with sad eyes and it was clear that the novel held great meaning to the boy. "You may be right." He finally spoke, "Truth is; I think the same way you do."

"I see." Replied the red-head.

"But even if I understand you now," He continued. "That doesn't change how I feel. There is no way I can forgive you! I still hate you!" The blonde spat at the one responsible for the killing of his beloved master.

"Then you want to settle things with me?" Presumed Nagato in a tone that suggested he had expected this very outcome. However what Past Naruto said next left not only him, but the two onlookers, with wide eyes.

He said, "I do. But Pervy Sage believed in me and wanted me to continue his quest, and for those reasons I choose to believe in 𝘩𝘪𝘮 and follow what 𝘩𝘦 taught me. So that's it. That's my answer. That's why I'm not going to kill you guys."

When Nagato next spoke it was in a quiet voice. "After everything that's happened you still believe in Jiraiya-Sensei's teachings?" He sounded disbelieving. "And you expect us to wait until you've somehow magically transformed this world into a peaceful place? No! Never! How can I still believe in Jiraiya's words after all this?! There will never be such a thing as true peace! Not as long as we are forced to live in this accursed world! Peace is impossible! Impossible!"

Well I'm gonna break that curse one day. If there really is such a thing as peace in this world then I'll find it! I'll never stop looking!"

Nagato let out a gasp. "You're. . . but that's. . . it can't be." He sputtered dramatically. Naruto held the book so Nagato could see it clearly.

"That's right, you know them. All those words are taken right out of this book; the first novel Pervy Sage ever wrote. He was seriously trying to change the world with his message. And in the back he wrote about a student who helped provide him with inspiration. It was you, Nagato." Again the young boy's words left silence in their wake.

"But. . . " Nagato's eyes gained distance in them as if reliving a past thought or memory of his own. The minutes ticked by and his resolve shook and wavered and was replaced by doubt.

"The name of the hero in this book. . . his name is. . . his name's Naruto." Past Naruto exclaimed jabbing a thumb to his chest. "Listen; my name is a precious heirloom that has been passed down to me by my master. There is no way I'm gonna just give up and dishonor my master's gift. I will become Hokage, and I will bring peace to the Hidden Rain! I will! I'm asking you to believe in me."

"Why should I?" Screamed a man desperate to solidify his own ideals. "How can you stand there and tell me you'll never change your mind? Do you think that you'll never stray from that ideal no matter how much pain befalls you? You think you will always believe in yourself? Can you guarantee it? How can you possibly have such faith that life won't change you?" He demanded.

"And you said I ask too may questions at a time?" Murmured Inoichi earning three glares that effectively shut him up.

Silence once again had the air in its clutches. "I've felt pain too. You're not the only one." Past Naruto said softly. There were flickers of different things as they passed through the memory Naruto's head. Firstly, there was him standing alone facing a crowd of hateful glares. Second was of him and the raven-haired Uchiha in battle with one another, and Naruto losing. Third was of him sitting alone on a bench in the night with an untouched and melting popsicle in his hand, he was mourning Jiraiya's death. "There's still pain buried deep down inside of me, and there is no telling what kind of pain I may face down the road." Again the face of Sasuke Uchiha appeared. "But if I stop believing just because things get difficult - if the hero in this book were to change who he is. . . then is would become a whole different story. It sure wouldn't be the story our master left behind, and it wouldn't be about Naruto! The thing is, I can't write books like our master so any sequel has to come from the life 𝘐 live. That's why no matter how much pain my own path brings I'll keep walking. Because that's who Naruto is!"

Nagato's eyes widened once more and a look of awe replaced their malice. "If the hero changes it would be a different story. We are sibling students, sharing the same master, we ought to understand each other. When I said that earlier I meant it as a joke. . . You really are a curious fellow, you remind me of myself when I was much younger. I wasn't able to keep believing in myself but your ideals give me a different vision of the future than the path I've walked." He started to tug his arms free from the contraption. "I think I shall believe in you after all. . . Naruto Uzumaki." There was shock present on all faces from past and present save the Nine-Tails and the young man who's memory it was. "I will use Getto Art: Renni Rebirth."

"Nagato you can't." Gasped a purple-haired lady.

"It's alright Konan." He assured. He brought his hands together to make hand signs. He looked to be struggling with his chakra after the battle they had.

"What are you doing?! What kinda jutsu is this!?" Demanded the teen.

"It's alright, Naruto. Maybe this way I can right some of the wrongs I've done. I can't bring Jiraiya back but those I killed in the recent battle in your village. . . " He trailed off but his meaning was still heard. One last wave of chakra expelled from the man and green orbs flew in the direction of the village. His hair was turned white and after a few more muttered words his breath stilled and his heart stopped and the people faded into blackness.

"That was amazing." Commented Inoichi in am awed voice.

"Indeed you have proven yourself a better man than I." The Hokage praised. Naruto didn't respond with words, instead he gave the men a small smile. Kurama's tails were swinging contently, he was proud of his jinchuuriki who possessed a bigger heart than any human he had ever known.