Naruto: Help Madara rejuvenate and launch a counterattack on Konoha

The ritual procedures within the shrine were performed one by one.

The purification ritual, the presentation of prayers, the toasting ceremony...

Finally, the last jade string was offered as a sacrifice.

Candy took two bundles of willow branches wrapped in white paper and handed them to Liao Wu and Tsunade in turn.

Liao Wu and Tsunade walked to the statue of the god Indra and became husband and wife under the witness of the god.

Candy said to Tsunade, "Senju Tsunade, with Indra as your witness, you will become Uchiha Ryougo's wife."

"From this day forward, you will abandon the Senju surname and join the Uchiha clan. From now on, you will be called Uchiha Tsunade!"

Tsunade shouted, "I refuse! I have been a member of the Senju clan and a ninja of Konoha for all my lifetimes. I will never become a member of the Uchiha clan!"

Ryuusei was bewildered: "Teacher, if Lady Tsunade doesn't want to, isn't Lord Ryouu forcibly taking a woman from a commoner?"

Hagi Chiho covered her face, feeling somewhat embarrassed to attend this wedding.

This is not a normal wedding ceremony; its essence is that of a bandit leader abducting his wife.

Ignoring the candy, he continued reciting the blessing.

What can you do if you don't want to? This is how the Uchiha clan does things.

Steaming buns, are you not using the utensils?

Those who attended the ceremony dared not speak out and say that it was a case of coercion and inducement.

Madara Uchiha sat on the right, legs crossed, watching idly. He was tired of the tedious procedures he had seen before.

Right now, Tsunade is happy that Madara doesn't want her to.

He enjoys seeing the Senju clan's unwillingness.

During the Warring States period, whenever the Senju took action, the Uchiha would follow suit.

If someone hires a Senju clan ninja, the opposing faction will hire an Uchiha.

The Senju hold joyous occasions, while the Uchiha hold funerals.

The Senju wanted to leave, but the Uchiha blocked their way and wouldn't let them escape.

In short, the Uchiha clan would rush to do anything that would displease the Senju clan.

……

Nagato and the ninja cat guarding the gate led the way for Jiraiya.

The two masters and disciples didn't have many opportunities to reminisce about their past relationship.

Nagato realized that Jiraiya had entered Amegakure with a death wish, and he tried his best to persuade Jiraiya to leave, but Jiraiya would not leave no matter what.

The third stage of personal growth involves understanding that some things are neither right nor wrong, yet still firmly doing what you believe in and taking responsibility for it.

Along the way, Nagato recounted what had happened to them after Jiraiya left the Land of Rain.

Jiraiya was full of pride when talking about the Akatsuki organization founded by the three of them, and how they achieved understanding through dialogue and built bridges of peace through mutual understanding.

That's why he stayed behind to take care of Nagato and the other two.

Jiraiya always believed that love could help people let go of hatred.

Ah~~ If everyone gives a little love, the world will become a better place.

Then they talked about their collaboration with Amegakure Hanzo.

Nagato and Yahiko both mistakenly trusted Hanzo, believing him to be the hero who defended the country and secured independence and peace for the Land of Rain amidst the clash of powerful nations.

In truth, the aging Hanzo had become a vulgar man who craved power.

He had long ago joined forces with Danzo to prepare to destroy Akatsuki...

Ultimately, Yahiko was forced to his death by Hanzo and Danzo, and most of the Akatsuki members were killed by Root and Amegakure's Anbu.

Akatsuki failed; the Akatsuki that built bridges of peace through dialogue perished.

"..."

Jiraiya fell into a deep silence. Danzo was a ninja of Konoha, and Root was an organization of Konoha.

No matter how bad Danzo was, he was still the Hokage's assistant in Konoha.

Moreover, Danzo acted in order to prevent the Rinnegan from falling into the hands of Madara Uchiha.

Was he wrong to do this for Konoha?

Minato was also on Danzo's side at the time. Was he wrong too?

They were all right, and Nagato and the others were not wrong either.

Blame it on this damned fate!

Perhaps, he shouldn't have...

Nagato looked at Jiraiya: "Jiraiya-sensei, Yahiko loved peace. He vowed to bring peace to the whole world, but he died in the midst of conflict."

"Looking back, we were somewhat naive to think that we could build a bridge of hope to world peace through communication between people."

"Pride, envy, wrath, lust... everything in the world boils down to self-interest."

"The world is bustling with activity, all for the sake of profit."

"If we want everyone to stop fighting, if we want the world to become peaceful, our greatest enemy is the human heart."

Jiraiya felt that Nagato had changed. The old Nagato was introverted and didn't talk much when talking to people.

Nagato has actually said so much in one go, it seems that Yahiko's death has been a huge blow to him.

Jiraiya also noticed that Nagato's eyes were light brown, which were Yahiko's eyes.

Did Nagato transplant Yahiko's eyes and use them to see the road ahead?

Nagato then asked, "Jiraiya-sensei, you've already heard about Madara Uchiha's Eye of the Moon Plan, right?"

Jiraiya nodded, then realized that Nagato seemed to believe the solution to the curse on the ninja world lay in a dream.

"Nagato, the Eye of the Moon Plan is unacceptable; a false peace is always an illusion."

Nagato shook his head: "Madara Uchiha showed me the world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. It was an extremely realistic world, and my parents were still alive in that world."

"Yahiko is here too. I have family and friends. Everyone lives in a wonderful world."

"Most importantly..."

Xiao Nan will become his wife, and he will have a wonderful and happy family.

Even Nagato can't protect Konan now, and the evil Uchiha Ryogoku is still not satisfied even with Tsunade-sama.

He still misses his Xiao Nan.

Nagato was utterly despairing of this world.

"Nagato—"

Jiraiya wanted to offer some advice, but Nagato interrupted him.

"Jiraiya-sensei, there's no point in saying more. We used to act according to your principles, which is why Yahiko died."

"That cowardly, indecisive Nagato is dead. Akatsuki will now follow Uchiha Madara and create a perfect world."

Fukasaku sighed, "Little Jiraiya, stop talking. There's a saying that goes, 'Don't advise others to be kind if you haven't experienced their suffering.'"

"Nagato's experiences led him to follow Madara Uchiha."

"Jiraiya, if one day everything you cherish is destroyed, will you still have hope for this cold world?"

"..."

Jiraiya remained silent, while Minato, hidden in the shadows, thought of Kushina.

If Kushina died, Minato didn't know if he would still have the courage to live in this world.

Just as Nagato said, there is a world where he can continue to live happily with Kushina.

Naruto will grow up under their care and become a healthy person.

If Minato had experienced that world, he might have become a follower of Madara!

Because I still possess it, I refuse the Infinite Tsukuyomi. But when I lose it all, perhaps I will become a puppet of my dream!

The ninja cat leading the way finally realized what was happening and immediately hissed, "Damn it, you guys are here to ruin the General's wedding!"

Master Shima made a hand seal on the ninja cat, and the ninja cat immediately lay down on the ground and fell fast asleep.

Nagato led Jiraiya toward the temple, encountering only Jonin along the way.

No, they were all Hakimi with the rank of Jonin.

Shima the Sage used illusion magic to put all the ninja cats to sleep.

Nagato pointed to the temple gate and said, "Jiraiya-sensei, I'm currently working for Madara Uchiha, so this is the far I can take you!"

Jiraiya nodded: "Thank you, Nagato! But you should still have more hope for reality; you still have Konan by your side."

Nagato said sadly, "Jiraiya-sensei, that beast Uchiha Ryou was planning to marry Konan as well this morning."

Jiraiya roared, "You little brat, you're going to take my first love and my apprentice, aren't you! You're targeting me alone, I can't stand it anymore!"

"Master Fukasaku, Master Shima, let's go, let's kidnap the bride!"

"Good! Little Liao Wu is too outrageous. We have to teach him a lesson."

Jiraiya's journey to Indra Shrine seems to mark the beginning of a path of no return.