"I will bring peace to this world - everyone will know one another's pain, as I have known, and they will lay down their arms, and any who try to raise an army against another will be laid low," Pain says, voice agitated.

"Pain - that's your big thing, isn't it. And yeah, I'm in pain! I'm mad! But that doesn't make me want to set aside my weapons or lower my fists - that - that makes me want to destroy everything you have - the only way to understand each other is to talk, that stuff about true warriors only understanding each other in battle is stupid!" Naruto declares, sharply. "You destroying Konoha because of what Konoha did to your village doesn't make things right or fair - it just worsens the cycle of hatred!"

Pain scoffs, and gestures. "Your answer is weak - " And a black bolt lances into Naruto's stomach. "You are under my control - "

Naruto stands, clenches his fists, and grits out, "No. I'm. Not. The only way - the only way to solve war isn't more war, it's healing. It's - it's what Sasuke was doing. You say his way's stupid - even some idiot like me knows everyone in Orochimaru's forces hated each other, and that Orochimaru was threatening them into line - even some idiot like me, who no one tells anything, knows his people aren't fighting themselves. Not like everyone thought they would. People are talking. Rice Fields is - is getting big - Sasuke talked a tailed beast into moving into his country and Sasuke quite frankly sucks at talking to anyone, except apparently he's the only leader willing to even try! We're not at war because human nature is just like that, we're at war because no one's trying! No one holds out their hand, or apologizes, or tries to help the people they hurt!"

He takes a deep breath. "I'm going to change that! I'm going to become Hokage, and I'm not going to fight a single war because I'm! Going! To! Try! I'll help everyone Konoha's hurt, I'll help us all grow together and be friends and heal of our pain, because pain doesn't make you understand, it makes you close off, and it's when we're happy and calm that we can look at each other without bias, without anger."

He points a finger at Pain. "I'll help you, too! I'll be Ame's ally, and Oto's, and everyone's! If some asshole like Sasuke can be friends with a tailed beast, then I'll be friends with everyone! And if there's such a thing as peace, I'll find it!"

Pain seems taken aback, to say the least.

He has spirit, at least. She wants to see how this plays out.

"Those were the words Jiraiya wrote in his book. He was my teacher too, and... That book was about you, wasn't it? He says at the end his pupil inspired him to write it. And he wrote it trying to change the world, to convince people to embrace peace and each other..." He draws the book out of his pocket. "And the name of the main character is Naruto! Like your name, isn't it Nagato? And I was named from this book, and that legacy carries on into me! I'll carry it strongly, and even if I can't bring true peace in my lifetime it's a legacy I'll pass on, and someone will!"

Nagato pauses, and a pensive look passes over his face. "We studied under the same master, and some would say that does make us better able to understand each other... You're an odd kid. Like myself, when I was young... I couldn't believe in that path Jiraiya preached... But you've chosen your own path, haven't you? I see a different future in you..." He looks up, then forms his hands into a seal. "I will believe in you, Uzumaki Naruto," he says. His chakra gathers, heavy on the air, and - "Gedo Rinne no Jutsu," he intones as it shapes itself, the world rippling around him.

"Nagato!" the paper woman says, sharply. "You can't - !"

"Konan, it's enough," Nagato says. "There's a new path now - or an old one, that I'd given up on."

"Wait - what's going on - ?" Naruto asks. "What is this - "

"The outer path," Konan says. "Life and death."

"Because there's still time for me to undo what I have done, and restore those slain by this fight," Nagato says, voice soft as he concentrates, before slumping.

"You..." Naruto says, voice upset. 

"War brings death and pain and wounds," Nagato pants out. "And death is the hardest of all, so you believe no one you love could ever die... That senseless death and pain is what you must face going forward, but for now... For now I can forestall it... With the last time given to me..."

A resurrection spell? Interesting.

Nagato crumples, and the life seems to leave him.

Konan catches his body in her paper, cradling him.

One reason why such a spell is not more common. How's the boy take it?

He's turned to Konan. "What're you going to do, now?" he asks. "Are you returning to Akatsuki?"

"I'm through with them," she says, as she wraps Nagato in her paper. "I'll return to Amegakure, now. They'll need a leader. Stability." She pauses, considering them both. "Nagato entrusted his dream to you. I don't know that I agree. But... I'll give it a chance. For now, consider Amegakure an ally to whatever peaceful endeavor you build." To Ellisaria, then: "Either of you. You fought well, and intelligently."

"I am no builder. What of your erstwhile comrades-in-arms?"

"I have ordered them to retreat. What they do past that is Madara's business."

"The one who wears a mask? That is not Uchiha Madara, if you care."

"Nagato might've. It's not surprising to me. Whoever he is, he's long been a driving force behind Akatsuki. He's more powerful than he pretends."

"I am aware."

"I won't betray Amegakure's secrets - but I'll send the information I do have on this 'Madara' and whoever remains loyal to him after this. To Konoha, and - you have allied yourself with Otogakure?"

"So it seems."

"Then I'll send that information to them."

"I'm sure they'll thank you."

"We'll see if anything comes of their peace attempts. Though they are doing well, for a nation that so recently suffered such a complete change of leadership." She tilts her head back. "I grow weary of this, and I need to return to Amegakure before any others do."

"Don't let us keep you."

She inclines her head, and vanishes in a swirl of paper alongside her friend's corpse.

"Well then. Shall we return ourselves, and see the results of your parlay?"

"Yeah. Konoha deserves an explanation... And I want to - make sure."

"Very sensible," she says, reverting her form.

Once the boy is aboard, she flies back to the village.

There seem to be people trying to get their attention, nearby a space large enough for Ellisaria to land in. They look mostly like Konoha shinobi.

She won't keep them waiting, then.

A bearded, dark-haired, pale man in a jounin vest steps forward when she lands. "I'm Nara Shikaku, jounin commander of Konoha," he calls out. "Thank you for your help."

"What's happened?" Naruto asks, jumping down.

"We could ask you that. People have started coming back to life - we haven't found everyone buried, but no one seems to be getting re-crushed by rubble," he says, voice casual.

"Yeah - uh, Nagato, the guy behind Pein, I kind of talked him into not attacking and I guess he decided to undo the attack? Did the Akatsuki withdraw, Konan said she'd get them to..." Naruto asks, bouncing.

"They all retreated," Shikaku confirms. "We'll want a full debrief from you, Naruto. I was instructed to get you to the command tent."

Naruto hesitates. "I mean, that doesn't say I can't take a detour..." Shikaku's lips twitch, and Naruto plows on with, "I really want to check on Hinata and Sasuke! They're close to here, and - " He goes quiet.

"That's acceptable," Shikaku says. Then, to Ellisaria, "Where are you planning on heading? You're welcome to stay the night in the area if you need to."