Fleeing from Konoha-Chapter 556 - 76: Nagato and the Six Paths_2

Not only the elderly and children, but even the young have begun to beg by the roadside.

They have the strength but no work. This is only natural, as the Land of Rain has become extremely impoverished. Many factories and companies have gone bankrupt, and there are no institutions to employ the local people, let alone pay them salaries.

In addition to begging, there are those working hard, hoping to earn food and wages, hanging signs that say ’Do anything for money’.

Among them, mostly women stand by the roadside, indifferent and vacant-eyed, wearing thin and bright clothes, under broken umbrellas that cannot shield them from the wind and rain, with hair and clothes wet from the rain, looking pitiable.

It may not even be money they need; perhaps just a piece of biscuit or a packet of candy would be enough to bring them along.

Yet no one is willing to do so.

In situations where one cannot even take care of oneself, helping others brings only embarrassment and nothing else.

Konan, draped in a hooded raincoat, reached into her pocket, wanting to give the last bit of money left on her to those begging by the roadside.

A cold, unfeeling voice sounded beside her:

"Even if you give to them now, it’ll only let them live one more day."

Nagato, wearing the same attire as Konan, with a black hooded coat covering most of his face.

His words carried no emotion, and he watched these displaced, unemployed people without a trace of sympathy.

Konan bit her lip, finally sighed softly.

"If it were Yahiko, he would probably do so."

Whether out of remembrance or self-mockery, Konan slightly lowered her head, face filled with pain and regret.

Having lost the organization and the leader, the Land of Rain became a vassal of the Land of Fire, and even Hidden Rain Village could not return home.

Because it was no longer their Pure Land, like this Country, becoming trampled by others.

"That’s why he failed."

Nagato’s voice still carried no emotion, simply stating a fact that could not be more correct.

"This is the fate of failures, Yahiko, Lord Hanzou, the Country and the Village alike."

He should naturally feel resentment towards the Land of Fire and Konoha, yet Nagato’s face lacked any hatred, even sorrow or joy had vanished.

Indifferent, eyes viewing everything as equal, like a deity overlooking this hellish world.

"I know."

Konan’s body trembled, eventually suppressing the last kindness in her heart, not looking at these begging people, not looking at those standing by the roadside, who would surrender dignity for a mere slice of bread.

For the first time, she felt the sorrow of being weak was such a painful lesson.

The peace Yahiko spoke of never existed; peace is forged through battle and bloodshed.

"If you cannot let go of the obsession in your heart, you’d better find a place to hide your identity, Konan."

Nagato looked at Konan seriously, sighed.

Among all companions, Konan was the kindest girl he had seen, her kindness and compassion clashed with this Ninja Realm.

But precisely because of her kindness and compassion, she was more vulnerable to harm from this cruel world. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Nagato hoped she wouldn’t tread this bloody path.

This road is destined to be accompanied by endless hardships.

Even in the future, she might have to go against her mentor, and perhaps... confront them directly.

He worried that when the time came, Konan wouldn’t have the heart.

"Nagato, you don’t need to persuade me, I’ve already decided, I want to fulfill Akatsuki’s dream with you. Because it’s just the two of us left."

Konan put away her complex expression, took a deep breath, and tried to make her expression cold.

The forced cold expression made Nagato feel extreme pain and concern.

If he could, he wouldn’t want Konan to walk the same path as him.

But Konan was right, the past Akatsuki only had the two of them left.

Having lost their homeland and companions, the two of them had no place in this Ninja Realm.

"Then let’s go, I hope you won’t show this kind of empathy for others again, because it is meaningless."

Having said this, Nagato walked forward in the rain.

Konan watched Nagato’s back and resolutely followed.

Treading this path meant abandoning all kindness and compassion, becoming cold-blooded, and ruthlessly severing anyone standing in the way, no matter how deep the past bonds.

◎

The sound of the rain rustled, and the vast earth confronting the heavens had countless channels due to the rain.

The scenery of the Land of Rain lacked color, the world turning black and white.

Nagato and Konan walked ahead towards the direction of the Land of Rivers.

Two hours later, they reached the border of the Land of Rain, a little further and they would enter the territory of the Land of Rivers.

When they reached here, the rain had stopped, and the blue sky began to appear.

The sky without dark clouds and torrential rain was very wide, the sunlight full and bright, like preaching equality to all things, illuminating everything on earth.

This colorful world sharply contrasted with the Land of Rain.

Entering the mountains of the Land of Rivers, dazzling sunlight shone upon the cascades flowing.

Nagato and Konan crossed over the waterfall, revealing a cave behind it.

The space inside was large, the floor and stone walls very level, showing signs of artificial excavation.

Inside were many rooms, and a gigantic training room specially for practice, all results of White Zetsus’ hard labor.