Naruto: North and South

It was precisely because he didn't want things to reach that point, that he had come here. In the decades of Nagato's life, he had come to divide mistakes into two kinds, those that could be made, and those that absolutely could not. And anything involving the Otsutsuki clan fell into the latter. On that point, he had not been wrong. Just how far does this despair go?

Nagato refused to dwell on the battle that had just ended. The reality before him left no room for reflection. Not long ago, their clash with Otsutsuki Urashiki had already pushed them to the brink. But Otsutsuki Isshiki, no, that opponent had been on an entirely different level. If Urashiki was like a genin, then Isshiki was a chunin, though in truth, Nagato had thought him closer to a Kage-level existence.

And yet, the being now standing before them made Isshiki seem like nothing more than a chunin at best. This one, Otsutsuki Shibai.

In Nagato's understanding, the Otsutsuki did not age. Those he had seen, Urashiki, Isshiki, even the figures glimpsed through Kaguya's memories, were all eternally youthful. Youth meant peak strength. But this one appeared as an old man. White hair. White beard. A long, pale robe like the others. A pair of Byakugan. But on his forehead, a Rinnegan unlike any Nagato had seen. Not purple. Not red. Gray.

Floating in the air, Shibai emitted no detectable chakra, no killing intent, nothing measurable. And yet, just his presence alone made breathing feel impossible. The situation was hopeless.

During the battle with Isshiki, Itachi Uchiha was gravely wounded, life or death uncertain. Kakuzu had lost a heart. Hidan's abilities had proven completely useless, and worse, his body had lost its ability to regenerate. The rest had no strength left to fight.

As for Nagato, he still had chakra left. But only enough for a single Shinra Tensei. And even that would not be enough.

"Your kind fights well." Shibai's voice was deep. Calm. Slow. If not for the crushing pressure suffocating them, it might have even sounded kind. But none of them could even stand properly, let alone fight.

Nagato couldn't move a finger. If I move, I die. Everyone felt it.

Zaraki Kita stood frozen, sweat dripping down her face. No openings. And I am full of them. One breath, and I'm dead.

Don't move. Nagato's voice echoed in their minds.

Shibai smiled. A gentle smile. And that made it worse. He heard that. Of course he did. Chakra itself originated from the Otsutsuki. Even at our peak, we couldn't win.

"Slayers of gods," Shibai said, "you have broadened my view. Return now, and I shall not pursue your transgression." A merciful offer. No insults. No contempt. But Nagato understood, there was no negotiation. Not after seeing that wasteland. Those bones. If they live, our world becomes that.

He had to say something. They came here ready to die, I can't trample that resolve. "What if I refuse?" His voice was hoarse. Not fearless. He was afraid. But he could not step back.

Shibai did not grow angry. He had expected this. Looking up at the blood-red sky, he spoke again. "Mortals live but fleeting lives, like passing clouds. Such brevity condemns you to insignificance. How dare you oppose gods?"

"Gods?" Nagato echoed. Strangely, the fear lessened. Even with only one attack left, he stepped forward. Hands behind his back. "In our world, I am called a god as well."

Shibai turned his gaze back to him. Studying. Silent.

"A 'god' is merely one who stands beyond others, named so by those who cannot reach them," Nagato continued. "And what of fleeting lives? Isn't that what makes them meaningful?"

Shibai did not react. "State your intent."

Nagato met his gaze. "To drag you down, from your throne."

It was almost absurd. Akatsuki stood broken. Exhausted. Insignificant before him. Yet Shibai did not laugh. Unlike Isshiki. I will take your head. Back then, Isshiki had laughed until he doubled over. But Shibai did not.

"Your power is insufficient to destroy me."

"Not now," Nagato said. "But that doesn't mean never." He took another step. "If we don't do this, our home will become a wasteland. This isn't about whether we can do it." "It's about whether we must."

Shibai's gaze swept over them all. Then paused briefly on Konan. And returned to Nagato. "You will regret this."

Nagato shook his head. "On this matter, I won't."

Shibai sighed softly. "I have seen your deaths." "Return."

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