This puppeteer is a bit... well...

Chapter 183 The True Nature of a Scumbag (Please Subscribe, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)

"Akatsuki..." Black Zetsu murmured the name, then asked, "Is this in memory of Yahiko?"

"No, it's to remember the pain of the past!"

Akatsuki was an organization founded by Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, originally intended as the dawn that would change the world's tragedies.

Nagato himself did not have any intention of changing the world. He did not think he was that great. He just wanted to help his most important friend in the world—Yahiko.

But now it's different.

Having experienced losing her parents at a young age, enduring hunger and wandering, and then losing her friends... Nagato has deeply felt the pain that war brings to people.

He wanted to change the world and eliminate war forever.

The Akatsuki, founded by Yahiko, was destroyed by the Sand Village.

Therefore, Nagato named the newly established organization, which aims at world peace, "Akatsuki," signifying that he inherited Yahiko's will.

But this is not to commemorate Yahiko...

Okay, there is definitely an element of commemoration involved, but it's more about reminding myself not to be as naive as Yahiko.

When he questioned Ryuji about why he launched a war against Amegakure and why he could invade another country with a clear conscience, Ryuji's words made him understand the true nature of war.

Ultimately, everyone has a different self, and with different self-concepts, the paths they take will also be different.

Some paths are the same, and people can live in peace and support each other to move forward together. But some paths will intersect and become obstacles for others.

In order to clear one's own path, one may disrupt the paths of others.

And at that point, war will break out.

There is no justice or evil, no right or wrong.

What you consider justice may be evil to others, and what you believe is right may be wrong to others. Just like the war between Sunagakure and Amegakure a few months ago.

In order to protect the country from invasion, Yahiko led the Akatsuki organization to resist the invasion of Sunagakure. However, their actions of protecting the country actually emboldened Hanzo to invade the Land of Iron.

Ultimately, humans are not gods; they will always encounter situations where failure to resolve them will lead to death, but the only solution is violence.

In the face of life and death, mutual understanding is useless; only stronger violence, overwhelming violence, can suppress the war.

It was precisely because Nagato understood this that he cooperated with Madara Uchiha, even though Madara was the murderer who killed Konan, and even though it was all a scheme he had orchestrated.

Yes, Nagato has seen through everything.

Xiao Nan's bizarre death, and the sudden intervention of a complete stranger at a crucial moment—it's all too obvious.

Unlike Obito Uchiha, who did nothing and simply let the tides of the times and the cruel reality engulf the Akatsuki, Madara Uchiha's hasty actions under duress could not be perfect. Although Ryuji's actions were unsuccessful, they still created obstacles for him!

But Madara Uchiha was already dead, and no matter how much Nagato hated him, he couldn't take his anger out on a dead man.

At the same time, in his view, Madara Uchiha was also a twisted product born from this cruel world. If this world is not changed, there will be another Madara Uchiha, and the same tragedy will happen again around us.

Therefore, cooperation is a natural choice.

No, it's not cooperation, it's exploitation.

Madara Uchiha used his own power, while I used the secrets Madara Uchiha knew.

Using each other to achieve their ultimate goal—that was Nagato's plan.

First, establish armed organizations to carry out terrorist activities and provoke wars between small countries. Then, break the monopoly of the five major ninja villages with low prices and destroy the economic system of the five major countries.

Finally, taking advantage of the chaos, they acted swiftly to capture the Tailed Beasts before the five great nations could react, creating weapons powerful enough to suppress war and thus achieve world peace.

As for the Eye of the Moon...

If you want to daydream, why don't you just go wash up and go to sleep? Why bother harming others?

"Then what about Jiraiya?" Black Zetsu asked again.

"...Let the White Zetsu take my form and put on a good show in front of Jiraiya." Nagato pondered, "The power of the Rinnegan is too conspicuous. Acting in Nagato's name will attract the attention of those who know the secret. So let Nagato die completely. From now on, there will be no Nagato, only Pain!"

"knew!"

As these words fell, the pitcher plants on either side of Black Zetsu's head closed and slowly sank into the wall.

……

"Ah! That feels so good!"

Long Er sat up in bed and stretched languidly.

For the past six months, he has been either conducting experiments, traveling around, or in other people's villages, making it impossible for him to sleep peacefully.

Now that the mission is complete and there's nothing else to do in the village, I can finally sleep in.

The door opened quietly.

Hong came in carrying toiletries.

"What would you like to eat later, Master?"

"Whatever."

"Then let's make what the master usually likes to eat!"

"Um!"

After spending a few minutes washing up, Ryuji got dressed and left the bedroom to have breakfast in the dining room outside.

During the journey, Hong asked, "What are Master's plans for the future?"

"Let's rest for two days first, and then continue the experiment," Ryuji replied while eating.

The village affairs are handled by the three generations of Kazekage and Ebizo; he only has his own things to do now.

Crafting new mechanical birds, steel fortresses, and augmented armor; researching the nature of chakra, dragon veins, Sage Mode, and a surveillance system covering the mechanical city…

"Why do you ask that?" Ryuji asked, somewhat curious.

Although Hong is curious, she never inquires about her schedule.

"It was Gallo who asked me to ask."

"..."

Long Er was speechless.

You just sold out your master like that?

Hong couldn't help but laugh and explained, "This is a very important event for Master's happiness, and as Master's servant, Hong will naturally do her best to help."

"But I already have Yekura."

"But didn't the master still maintain an ambiguous relationship with Wanlijiang?"

Ryuji was speechless.

Although the initial deal was made for Hawkeye and the power of the Kagero clan, and had no other intentions, continuing to entangle themselves after the deal was completed is blatant infidelity.

"Master and Yekura are just a couple who recently started dating; they're not married yet. Who they'll end up with is still unknown!"

Hearing this, Ryuji looked puzzled and hesitated before asking, "...Do you...dislike Yekura?"

"I don't dislike it."

"Then why are you speaking up for Carol?"

"Of course I prefer Miss Carol. She's so gentle, kind, considerate, and understanding. If she's with Master, he'll definitely be very happy!"

"..."

Long Er opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

After a moment of silence, she continued, "But relationships aren't about whether people have good personalities, but whether their personalities are compatible!"

"Miss Carolo is definitely a good match for Master's personality," Hong smiled. "Knowing about Master's complicated relationship with Wanlijiang, Miss Carolo still boldly confessed her feelings to Master. Her love for Master must surpass her own feelings, which is why she is so forgiving. In the future, no matter what emotional betrayal Master commits, she will choose to forgive. Wouldn't Master like such a woman?"

"this……"

Ryuji was speechless.

Gentle and kind, tolerant of men having other women, beautiful herself, and even suspected of being a legal Lolita... Is there really any man who wouldn't love a woman like this?

Probably not!

But wouldn't that be too scummy?

Moreover, even if Karura doesn't care, doesn't Yokokura care?

Huh?

Why am I thinking about this question?

Could it be that deep down I actually want to embrace two women at the same time?

Ryuji couldn't help but feel puzzled.

(End of this chapter)