Compared to the banter of the deceased legends, those in the real world focused on something else—
The Akatsuki.
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "So these are the original three members of the Akatsuki—Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan."
Nara Shikaku: "At this stage, Nagato hasn't shown leadership yet. Yahiko is the one leading—and that person is the Pain we're facing now."
"Could it be that Nagato's leadership ability awakens later?"
By now, the viewing had spanned over three years.
Three years later—
At just eleven years old, Nagato still stood behind Yahiko due to his personality.
But his strength and talent as a shinobi had already been fully awakened under Jiraiya's guidance.
His power was not to be underestimated.
Even without attending the Ninja Academy—
At around eleven years old, Nagato had already reached jōnin level.
In Konoha, only the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had reached jōnin at that age.
Even Uchiha Itachi only became a jōnin at thirteen!
Such talent was truly terrifying.
Not to mention—
With Yahiko's outgoing personality as leader, and Konan acting as the mediator—
This trio, growing up together with such deep bonds, created immense potential.
Perhaps only such a combination could allow the Akatsuki to grow step by step—
Until it became a force that threatened the entire shinobi world.
Hidan: "Hmph. With that kind of strength, he should be leading. That Yahiko guy is all talk—his ability can't compare to Nagato."
"If it were me, Nagato would've been leader long ago!"
For someone as hot-tempered as Hidan, Nagato's early personality was unacceptable.
Having strength but not taking the lead—
That was weakness!
Deidara: "True. I was recruited because of my kekkei genkai. He doesn't even have that kind of awareness yet."
Sasori: "In Sunagakure, ability is everything."
Nagato: "Back then… I really was too weak. Too introverted. I had no awareness of being a leader."
His tone was heavy.
Before, he hadn't thought much of it.
But now, seeing it with his own eyes—
He realized it clearly.
His personality had been his flaw.
Weak.
Burdened by guilt.
Completely unfit to be a leader.
If I had switched places with Yahiko back then… would Yahiko still have died?
Konan: "Nagato, none of that is your fault. If not for me… perhaps the will of peace passed down by Jiraiya-sensei wouldn't have changed…"
The moment Konan said this—
Everyone became curious.
What exactly had happened—
To turn Jiraiya's students into what they were now?
To turn the Akatsuki into an organization that hunted tailed beasts and accepted missions to destroy entire nations?
People asked—
But neither Konan nor Nagato answered.
And as for those truly responsible—
Hanzō of the Salamander, Danzō, and Hiruzen—
They remained completely silent.
Nagato's segment came to an end.
Naruto: "So that's how Nagato became Jiraiya's student… Next should be that boy named Kagerō, right? I wonder if he'll also need Pervy Sage to train him for three years."
Jiraiya: "Stop calling me Pervy Sage! I'm the Toad Sage! Do you realize how many people are in this chatroom?!"
Naruto: "Got it, Pervy Sage."
My reputation…
Jiraiya felt like crying.
Uchiha Sasuke: "Nagato had the Rinnegan, reached jōnin level in three years, and had Yahiko and Konan by his side—yet only became leader later."
"Then in the parallel world… how does Kagerō become the Akatsuki leader?"
The moment he spoke—
Everyone froze.
The usually silent Sasuke—
Had just raised a sharp and crucial question.
Everyone now knew this was a dual-world comparison.
Yet the Akatsuki leader of the other world—
Was neither Nagato nor Yahiko—
But an unknown boy.
In such circumstances—
How did he become the leader?
Everyone was curious.
Even Nagato himself.
[At the border of the Land of Fire, outside a small town, the forest was dense and the environment serene. A river flowed gently through the landscape.]
[Jiraiya and Kagerō stood facing each other atop the water's surface.]
[Holding a kunai, Kagerō dashed across the water, sending ripples outward as he charged at Jiraiya—his speed far beyond what an ordinary child could achieve.]
[Jiraiya stood still. Just before the kunai struck, he extended his hand and struck Kagerō's wrist.]
[With the force of the blow, the kunai flew from Kagerō's hand—but as his body spun, he planted his palm on the water and kicked out.]
["Bang!"]
["That strength… incredible!" Jiraiya leaned back, preparing to retreat—]
[But suddenly, hands shot out from beneath the water, locking his legs in place.]
["A clone? At the moment his hand touched the water?!" Jiraiya's heart tightened. The reaction speed was astounding.]
["Heh, let me show you Sage Art!" Jiraiya clapped his hands. Red markings spread across his face as his power surged. He struck Kagerō, sending him flying.]
["That's enough. In Sage Mode, you can't defeat me," Jiraiya said calmly.]
["Not necessarily!" Kagerō slid back across the water, then grinned.]
["Gate of Opening—open!"]
["Gate of Healing—open!"]
["Gate of Life, Gate of Pain—open!"]
["Gate of Limit—open!"]
[With the Eight Gates unleashed, a powerful green aura exploded around him, pushing the surrounding water away.]
["What?! I only taught you the Eight Gates yesterday—and now you've already opened five gates?!" Jiraiya screamed internally.]
["Are you kidding me?!"]
[What kind of monstrous talent was this?! Just one night?!]
[Compared to him—even Minato and Nagato seemed insignificant!]
["With five gates… I should be able to match your Sage Mode for a while," Kagerō grinned, his speed already reaching extreme levels.]
["Bang!" He kicked off the air itself, launching forward. The force of his movement carved deep trenches across the water's surface.]
["So fast!" Jiraiya shouted inwardly.]
["Bang! Bang! Bang!" Explosions echoed across the water, sending towering columns skyward.]
[Kagerō's movements were like artillery shells, striking relentlessly. Jiraiya struggled just to defend.]
["Ah!"]
[Jiraiya's body was suddenly struck in the abdomen by a small fist. His eyes nearly popped out, his face twisting grotesquely as his expression collapsed completely.]