After his identity was exposed, Nagato didn't panic at all. He simply said calmly:
"This isn't Uzushio Village. This is the Land of Waves. You and I are both outsiders here."
Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a faint chuckle.
"Is that so? Then go ask the people out there whether they support Uzushio Village… or that bastard Gato who sucks people dry and doesn't even spit out the bones."
He paused, then smirked.
"Actually, I should thank your Akatsuki. If your masked idiot hadn't manipulated Gato into attacking us, I wouldn't even have had a proper excuse to take over this place."
Naruto's tone suddenly turned colder.
"Let's not pretend you guys are clean either. Attacking Konohagakure and releasing the Nine-Tails… controlling the Fourth Mizukage… stirring up wars for other villages…"
"Given all that shit, I think my caution toward Akatsuki is more than reasonable. Especially since you people just tried to mess with Uzushio Village not long ago."
Nagato fell silent.
Even if some of those actions were done by the masked man without approval, the fact remained—they all served Akatsuki's goals.
After a moment, Nagato spoke again, trying to keep things steady.
"The attack on Uzushio Village was Orochimaru's personal decision. At that time, your village didn't even formally exist—it was just a gathering of rogue ninjas."
"As for the rest… those are internal matters. No comment."
Naruto snorted.
"No comment? What, you think I don't know? You're collecting Tailed Beasts to revive the Ten-Tails. That masked clown already told me everything months ago."
Nagato's expression finally shifted.
"He told you…?"
That was classified information. If this spread to the Five Great Nations, Akatsuki would instantly become public enemy number one.
Naruto didn't give him time to process.
"You don't need to explain. Those Rinnegan eyes of yours already say enough. The Sage of Six Paths didn't leave that power behind for someone to sit quietly forever."
"But even with those eyes… your plan is doomed to fail."
Nagato frowned.
"Why? Are you saying the Ten-Tails deterrence plan doesn't work? This is the only way small nations can stand against the great powers."
Naruto shrugged casually.
"Sure, deterrence works. But collecting Tailed Beasts like that? That's basically declaring war on the entire ninja world. You're not avoiding war—you're starting a bigger one."
Nagato's voice remained emotionless.
"Temporary sacrifice. Once the Ten-Tails is revived, true peace will come."
Naruto glanced at him, unimpressed.
"And what about the daimyo and nobles? The real parasites?"
Nagato answered without hesitation:
"Those who obey live. Those who resist… die."
Naruto suddenly laughed.
"Hah… good. At least we agree on something. If you can't fix them mentally, then you just wipe them out physically."
Nagato took a step forward and extended an invitation.
"Then join us. Work with Akatsuki."
Naruto shook his head immediately.
"Nope."
From a certain perspective, Naruto actually understood Nagato's logic. Use overwhelming force to suppress war—brutal, but effective.
But there were two massive problems:
One—he didn't trust Nagato.
Two—the whole Ten-Tails plan was built on bullshit from Black Zetsu, with even Madara Uchiha being played like a damn puppet.
Nagato frowned.
"Why refuse? Don't you believe in deterrence?"
Naruto raised a finger.
"First, deterrence is fine—but I don't trust you. What's stopping you from turning that power on everyone else later?"
"Second, your so-called Ten-Tails weapon isn't even guaranteed to suppress top-tier fighters. If it could, the existing Tailed Beasts would've already done that."
"And third…"
His voice dropped.
"I won't let your collection plan succeed."
Nagato's eyes sharpened.
"Why? You clearly understand the logic. Why stop it?"
Then suddenly—he sensed it.
That massive chakra.
Nagato's face darkened.
"…That chakra. You're the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki? That's impossible—the previous one died. The current host should still be a child."
Naruto grinned and spread his hands.
"Well, now you know why I'm not supporting your plan. I am a Jinchūriki. And you're not taking me down."
"Because I'm a perfect one."
Nagato stared at him, feeling that ocean-like chakra.
He knew… Naruto wasn't bluffing.
After a brief silence, Naruto spoke again, tone playful—but sharp as a blade.
"Try collecting even one Tailed Beast, and I'll leak everything about Akatsuki to the world. You'll go from shadow organization to everyone's punching bag overnight."
He stepped closer.
"So what now?"
"Do we go all out right here—flatten the Land of Waves, kill a bunch of civilians, and see who walks away alive…"
"Or do we stop here… and you go back to pretending Akatsuki is some 'peace organization' again?"
Naruto's gaze locked onto him.
"My dear clansman… Nagato."
Nagato's pupils shrank.
He knows… everything.
His identity. His plans. His past.
For the first time since becoming Pain… he felt completely exposed.
Before Nagato could respond, Naruto had already turned and walked out of the restaurant.
He headed straight toward the coastline.
"Come on," Naruto said without looking back.
"The Land of Waves just became mine. If we wreck it and kill a bunch of civilians…"
He smirked.
"…that'd be one hell of a loss."
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