Chapter 246
Naruto looked at Nagato in profound silence, his expression reflecting a mix of gravity and concern.
"Are you the true body of Pain?" he inquired, his voice cutting through the tension that hung in the air.
Before him stood a man whose emaciated form seemed to consist of little more than skin and bones, adorned with an array of ominous black rods protruding from his back.
Nagato's current state raised the unsettling question of whether the next moment might usher in his death, rendering any external intervention unnecessary.
The sight of Nagato in such a frail state was deeply unsettling for Naruto.
It forced him to grapple with the grim reality that this worn-out individual had been the source of immense turmoil for both Konoha and himself.
The actions orchestrated by Nagato, had nearly brought the destruction of the entire konoha village, demanding sacrifices from everyone in the village, if not for Carnes' intervention.
In contemplative silence, Naruto couldn't help but ponder the hypothetical scenario where Nagato's condition wasn't so dire.
What if, free from the shackles of pain and suffering, Nagato had orchestrated these catastrophic events that had befallen Konoha?
His village would be surely destroyed.
The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on Naruto's shoulders, amplifying the complexity of their current situation.
Indeed, Naruto acknowledged that Nagato, in his prime, possessed a strength far surpassing his current feeble state.
The difference between Nagato's formidable past and his present vulnerability was stark, leaving Naruto grappling with the realization that both he and Konoha were ill-equipped to contend with the might Nagato had once wielded.
Yet, amidst this apparent power disparity, Naruto saw a glimmer of hope—a singular exception to the overwhelming odds.
The key lay in Carnes, and as long as Carnes was willing to fulfill the daunting task set before him, the prospect of safeguarding Konoha Village remained viable.
In that unwavering commitment, Naruto found a bulwark against the looming threat of Nagato's resurgence, recognizing that even at the zenith of his strength, Nagato would be powerless against the watchful gaze of Carnes.
The gap between them, once insurmountable, now held the potential to be bridged by the unwavering resolve of a determined individual.
Naruto's gaze bore into Nagato standing before him, a torrent of emotions surging within him.
The memory of Jiraiya's death, the countless villagers and shinobi who perished in their village, and the peril Hinata faced lingered in Naruto's mind, casting a shadow over his heart.
Nagato, seemingly attuned to Naruto's shifting emotions, spoke with an icy edge, questioning.
"Do you hate me? Are you truly set on seeking vengeance in the face of the enemy?"
To claim Naruto harbored no animosity would be a facade, a self-delusion.
Someone had taken the life of the elder who cared for him the most, laid waste to his village, and inflicted harm upon those he held dear.
It was an affront that cut deep, leaving scars that mere survival couldn't heal.
Even if, by some twist of fate, Naruto spared the enemy's life, society would merely chalk it up to a momentary lapse, a moment where emotions took precedence over reason.
Yet, deep down, the truth remained – hate simmered within him, a searing flame fueled by the atrocities he witnessed.
To suggest otherwise would reduce Naruto to a saintly figure, a paragon devoid of moral imperfections, no longer tethered to the human experience.
In truth, Naruto craved Nagato's death, he wanted to kill Nagato.
The same fervor extended to every member of the Akatsuki, for they represented a faction of opportunists responsible for the suffering of Naruto's companions and mentors.
Were it not for these malevolent schemers, the losses Naruto endured might never have come to pass.
Concepts of justice blurred in a world where one's hero could be another's nemesis.
Defenders of their villages would inevitably cross paths with adversaries, perpetuating a cycle of retribution that Pain aptly dubbed the "chain of hatred."
This vicious cycle ensnared most, ensnaring them in a perpetual dance of revenge and remorse.
Recollections of Deva Path's earlier words echoed in Naruto's mind, further entangling his conflicted heart.
The prospect of relinquishing his animosity towards Pain seemed implausible. To slay Nagato and the Akatsuki was an ardent desire.
However, Naruto grappled with the realization that such an act would not validate the ideals he clung to.
It would signify an admission that the answers he sought were misguided, that Jiraiya's vision of mutual understanding among people was a fallacy.
The enormity of acknowledging conceptual errors loomed over Naruto.
Many drew strength from unwavering convictions, and to have those convictions rejected was akin to dismantling the foundation of one's will.
Naruto, like countless others, risked losing the ability to defy conventional understanding, finding himself adrift in a sea of misunderstood ideals.
In this critical moment, Konan chose her words wisely.
"Even if you were to end Nagato now and fulfill your vengeance, the world would remain unchanged. The cycle of hatred will persist, and suffering will endure. It's merely self-gratification," she declared with conviction.
Naruto found himself in a struggle, unlike any physical battle he had faced. His tenacity in combat was unwavering, but when it came to ideological conflicts, he was at a loss.
It wasn't a matter that could be resolved through sheer force.
A frown etched across Naruto's face as Konan's words lingered. The weight of the situation sank in.
His thoughts echoed the teachings of his father, the Fourth Hokage, who had emphasized that as long as the ninja system persisted, the seed of hatred would flourish, giving rise to new Pains, and ninja would continue battling against this deep-rooted animosity.
The confrontation extended beyond mere physical combat; it was a clash of ideals.
The mantle of understanding bestowed upon Naruto by Minato and Jiraiya was not a burden easily shouldered by any other.
It wasn't just a challenging task; it was an almost insurmountable responsibility.
At least, that was the case until now.
Naruto grappled with the enormity of the challenge before him. His brow furrowed in contemplation.
The emaciated Nagato fixed a scrutinizing gaze upon Naruto and retorted sharply.
"What good is searching for an answer if you can't find one? Your purpose is to sacrifice yourself for the peace I intend to create, and that is indisputable!"
Naruto sought to articulate his convictions, to use words as weapons, perhaps even obliterate Nagato verbally.
Conversely, Nagato seemed obstinate, unwilling to use his words to dismantle Naruto entirely.
This wasn't a confrontation between two individuals; it was a battle of ideologies.
The victor in this struggle stood to gain unprecedented rewards—not merely defeating a formidable adversary but fortifying their resolve and strengthening their innermost beliefs.
The triumph would transcend the physical realm, leading them to discover their life's true purpose—a rare feat in a world where few could discern the genuine meaning of their existence.
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