Chapter 3: Absolute Honesty  

It wasn't Nagato who awakened the Rinnegan—it was Madara Uchiha!? Impossible!

This revelation shattered Konan's beliefs, leaving her unable to accept the truth.

Naruto added another blow: "Oh, and the 'Madara' I'm referring to isn't that masked man from the Akatsuki. He only claimed to be Madara. He deceived all of you."

Konan's spirit crumbled further. "One claims to be Madara, and the other says there's another Madara. You're both liars. I trust no one!"

Naruto frowned in thought, unconsciously tapping the table with his left fingers.

It's worth noting: in his previous life, during his final battle with Sasuke, Naruto lost his right arm. Although it was replaced with a prosthetic, he developed the habit of relying on his left hand, effectively making him a lefty. This habit followed him through time and into his current body.

Searching his memories, Naruto tried to recall something that could convince Konan. The details were buried deep in the recesses of his mind, and it took some effort to dredge them up.

"Oh, right! You meticulously prepared to kill that masked Madara, didn't you? If I'm not mistaken, you used… what was it again? Six hundred million—no, six billion explosive tags, correct?"

Konan's face instantly turned pale.

"How do you know about that!?" she demanded. Her carefully laid plans had been her most guarded secret, hidden even from Nagato himself.

"Did you read my memories?" Konan asked warily, suspecting genjutsu.

Naruto chuckled helplessly. "Come on now. I'm clueless about genjutsu! Without help from the Yamanaka clan, how could I pull off something like that?"

In truth, during the Fourth Great Ninja War of his previous life, Naruto had seen Obito's memories while extracting the Ten-Tails from him. That's how he knew about Konan's six billion explosive tags.

Seeing the turmoil in Konan's expression, Naruto seized the opportunity: "Doesn't this prove, at least a little, that I'm not just making things up?"

Konan worked to calm her emotions and restored her usual cold demeanor. "Even if you know that secret, it doesn't prove that everything you've said about Madara is true."

Naruto admitted openly, "You're right. Whether or not you believe me is up to you. But before deciding, could you at least hear me out?"

By revealing her greatest secret with pinpoint accuracy, Naruto had taken the upper hand in the conversation.

Konan hesitated before relenting. "Fine. I'll listen."

Naruto began his explanation: "Back when you were all still children, Madara Uchiha, after losing to Hashirama Senju, managed to acquire his opponent's power. This allowed him to awaken the Rinnegan—the final evolution of the Sharingan. To awaken the Rinnegan, one needs the combined powers of Uchiha and Senju."

(For simplicity, Naruto intentionally left out the reincarnation of Indra and Asura.)

"When Madara awakened the Rinnegan, he was already near death and couldn't fulfill his ambitions. So, during Nagato's childhood, Madara transplanted his Rinnegan into Nagato. Being a descendant of the Senju—specifically, the Uzumaki clan—Nagato had the ideal bloodline to wield the Rinnegan. His red hair, like my mother Kushina Uzumaki's, is proof of that heritage."

Naruto paused before continuing. "Madara's real purpose in giving Nagato the Rinnegan was to resurrect himself. He planned to use the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu, with Nagato as the executor. In other words, the real Madara is already dead."

Konan's expression tightened as she processed his words. "Then who is that masked man claiming to be Madara?"

"Uchiha Obito," Naruto revealed. "The supposed hero of the Uchiha clan who died during the Third Great Ninja War at Kannabi Bridge. In truth, Madara saved him and made him his pawn. Obito became the driving force behind the Moon's Eye Plan."

Konan's heart sank. He even knows about the Moon's Eye Plan? Could everything he's said… be true?

Even so, she couldn't fully accept it. The ideals they had pursued for years—could they all be nothing but a lie?

Seeing her despair, Naruto refrained from mentioning Black Zetsu, the mastermind lurking in the shadows.

"Konan-senpai," Naruto said gently. "I know this reality is cruel, but it's not too late to face the truth."

Konan's sharp gaze fixed on him. "There's something off about your perspective. The Akatsuki has investigated you. You've spent most of your life in Konoha, only leaving in the past three years to train with Jiraiya. How do you know all this?"

Naruto sighed inwardly. So it comes to this, after all.

He stood up, walked over to Konan, and untied her restraints. Extending his left fist, he said, "Let's share a fist bump. Then you'll understand everything."

Konan hesitated but couldn't resist the curiosity sparked by the complex emotions swirling in Naruto's right eye.

Taking a deep breath, she placed her palm against his fist.

Drip.

The moment they connected, ripples spread through her mind as countless vivid memories flowed into her consciousness.

This…

Konan's orange eyes quivered with intensity. "Is all of this real?"

"Every bit of it," Naruto confirmed solemnly. "This is the future I lived through. At the brink of death, I was sent back to this time. Ironically, it was only possible because of a relic from that clan. Without it, we couldn't achieve anything."

His voice grew firm. "Since I've returned, I have one goal: to defeat them and protect this world. But to do that, I need power—enough to take on those enemies head-on."

Konan, now mostly convinced, acknowledged his sincerity. Thoughts and emotions can't be faked.

"What's your plan?" she asked.

Naruto replied with resolve: "I'll do whatever it takes to grow stronger. That means collecting forbidden jutsu, kekkei genkai, and uniting the power of all the Tailed Beasts."

Konan frowned. "Those are the greatest secrets of the ninja villages, and the Tailed Beasts are the cornerstone of the Five Great Nations' military power. You'll be making enemies of the entire shinobi world."

Naruto laughed. "Exactly. First, I'll stand against the whole world to save it! Sounds absurd, doesn't it? No one would believe me. The only person I trust unconditionally isn't involved yet, and I want to keep it that way for now."

He grew serious again. "Also, I must defect from Konoha. If I stay, my actions will only bring trouble to the village."

Looking directly at Konan, Naruto said earnestly, "Knowing everything now, can you understand my decisions?"

Konan countered with a question: "Where is Nagato's body?"

"Follow me."

Naruto led her to a stone chamber where two coffins were displayed.

Konan walked forward and inspected them. In the first coffin, Nagato lay peacefully. Though his eyes were empty sockets, his face remained intact.

The second coffin contained the body of the Deva Path of Pain, which surprised her.

"That's Yahiko, isn't it?" Naruto said gently. "He was very important to you."

Konan touched Yahiko's face. "Yes, he was my comrade… and my love."

Naruto smiled warmly. "Only someone as amazing as Yahiko could be worthy of you, Konan-senpai."

For the first time, Konan smiled softly. It was her way of forgiving him.

Outside the cave, Konan surveyed the surroundings. Despite the protective barrier, the location was still at risk of being discovered.

"This is in the Land of Fire," Konan pointed out. "Konoha must be searching for you."

"My Sage Mode lets me sense any disturbance. I won't be found so easily," Naruto said, adjusting the bandage over his left eye. "I'll stay here until I've fully adapted to this Rinnegan."

"What about Nagato's other eye?" Konan asked.

"I've stored it for now. I heard that transplanting Rinnegan carries risks, so I thought I'd take it slow, one eye at a time. So far, I haven't felt anything unusual."

Konan was silent for a long time before finally speaking. "In that case… come with me to the Hidden Rain Village."

Naruto was stunned. "Konan-senpai, you—?"

Konan revealed her true intentions. "This dangerous plan of yours can't succeed with you alone. You've inherited Nagato's will and his eyes. I have no reason not to help you. The Hidden Rain Village will stand as your unwavering support!"

Naruto's gratitude was beyond words. With a deep, heartfelt tone, he said, "Thank you."

Konan's expression remained calm as she asked, "When will we leave?"

Naruto's gaze turned distant. "Not yet. There's someone I need to meet first."