Nagato was completely dumbfounded upon hearing this.
His mind went blank for an instant; he couldn't help but point a finger at Uchiha Jin, but for a long while, he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.
There was nothing he could do!
He never imagined that Uchiha Jin would be so shameless.
Wasn't it obvious he wanted to keep Konan as a hostage?
Although he didn't know exactly what Uchiha Jin's endgame was, he knew that as long as Konan was in Konoha's hands, his hands would be tied whenever he dealt with Konoha in the future.
In his heart, he was naturally unwilling!
However, he also understood that he didn't seem to have much of a choice.
After all, Konan had already fallen into Konoha's hands, and Konoha's strength was a bit too exaggerated. At the very least, he truly didn't have the ability to rescue his Konan.
Besides that, he was alarmed.
Uchiha Jin's understanding of the Akatsuki Organization, himself, and Konan was too deep; the man even knew a great deal about the Rinnegan.
Especially—the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique!
It had taken him years of digging into the Rinnegan to finally uncover this technique from its depths. He had only ever mentioned it to Konan once, as he had considered whether or not to resurrect Yahiko at the time.
However, after discussing it with Konan, they decided not to resurrect Yahiko for the time being!
Because this world was too filthy.
Specifically, what Nagato and Konan were doing now was, frankly, a bit unsavory. If they truly resurrected Yahiko, knowing him as they did, Yahiko would certainly be unwilling to let the Akatsuki Organization walk this path.
Therefore...
The two decided to proceed with the Tailed Beast Deterrence Plan first. Once they had truly turned the Ninja World into a world of peace, they would resurrect Yahiko so he could enjoy eternal peace.
Logically speaking, this should have been a top-secret matter.
How did Uchiha Jin know about it?
Thinking of this, the look in Nagato's eyes as he watched Uchiha Jin began to grow increasingly profound.
However...
Considering Uchiha Jin only wanted to resurrect a single Chunin, it really wasn't a big deal for Nagato. After all, in the original work, Nagato was able to resurrect so many people in Konoha all by himself!
Although that large-scale resurrection cost Nagato his life, considering he was at his limit at the time, it was enough to prove how terrifying Nagato's power was...
Thus, resurrecting just one Chunin was no great task for him!
After a long while.
After some consideration, Nagato spoke slowly: "Fine, I agree. But you..."
"Don't worry, I am the Hokage!" Uchiha Jin interrupted before Nagato could finish. "With Miss Konan in Konoha from now on, I guarantee no one will make things difficult for her."
"Furthermore, I won't place restrictions on her. She can go anywhere within Konoha's borders. This is also a sign of my, Uchiha Jin's, sincerity!"
Hearing these words, Nagato relaxed.
Even though they were enemies, he felt there was no issue with Uchiha's credibility.
After all, they were Uchiha.
You could call them foolish, extreme, or stubborn, but as long as an Uchiha gave their word, they would keep it even at the cost of their lives.
Not to mention that the current Uchiha had even secured the position of Hokage!
So from that perspective, although Konan would become a so-called hostage, her safety would not be an issue.
"Fine, agreed!"
"Then let's go."
Uchiha Jin's expression remained calm at Nagato's nod.
He wasn't surprised!
Uchiha Jin understood the bond between Nagato and Konan better than anyone.
Now that the deal was struck, the tense atmosphere on the scene naturally began to ease. Subsequently, Minato Namikaze and Senju Tobirama used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring the group directly back to Konoha.
...
Hokage Office.
Uchiha Jin once again sat upon his Hokage throne, while Nara Shikaku took his place at the secretary's seat. The others sat on the guest sofas on either side.
Yes, guest sofas!
The Old Konoha didn't have such things. In Hiruzen Sarutobi's Hokage Office, there was only his single Hokage seat; others coming to report on work could only stand or kneel on one knee.
Uchiha Jin, however, scoffed at that.
He had no interest in such superficial nonsense. Therefore, when the New Konoha Building was being constructed, Uchiha Jin had two full rows of guest sofas placed on either side of his Hokage Office.
Thus.
Almost everyone present was seated on the guest sofas, and even Konan was given a seat.
Only Nagato didn't need one!
Because he had come in a wheelchair.
A short while later.
With a soft creak of the door, the Edo Tensei Rin Nohara walked in.
She first respectfully bowed and greeted everyone before finally speaking with a face full of confusion: "Hokage-sama, is there a mission?"
"No mission," Uchiha Jin said with a smile. "It's a good thing. Just wait!"
Looking at Rin Nohara before him, Uchiha Jin was quite satisfied.
Even though the two had become very close through their time together, Rin Nohara still maintained her role as an 'ordinary Ninja' in a setting like the Hokage Office.
This was quite impressive!
Thinking back to when Hiruzen Sarutobi was Hokage, which of those close to him would have such awareness in the Hokage Office?
Jiraiya, Tsunade, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado...
Almost all of them put on an air of 'close relations'; only Orochimaru would maintain a shred of respect.
In this regard, Rin Nohara was very sensible.
So.
Uchiha Jin gave Rin Nohara a brief word of comfort, then turned his gaze to Nagato in the wheelchair.
"Your turn!"
"Fine. I hope you treat Konan well!"
Nagato's expression was serious as he sat in the wheelchair, and he didn't try to pull any tricks.
Of course.
Nagato wasn't that kind of person. Even though he had now darkened, he was still a man of his word.
He pressed his palms together, fingers interlaced.
'Snake'
After forming the hand seal, Nagato gave a low shout: "Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique!"
Almost instantly.
Fine white smoke began to rise from Rin Nohara's entire body. Immediately after, the Edo Tensei cracks on her body began to gradually fade away. Rin was shocked to find that she could breathe fresh air and could smell the scent of the wooden furniture in the room.
"This..."
She instinctively pinched herself and found that she could feel pain again.
Rin Nohara spoke in bewilderment: "Hokage-sama, what is this?"
"Your senses aren't wrong; you've been resurrected," Uchiha Jin said with a smile.
Next.
Because Nagato and Konan were still present, he didn't say much more to Rin Nohara. After a brief pause, he just said with a smile: "I still have some matters to attend to here for now. Rin, why don't you head back to the Uchiha Clan Compound first."
"Whatever you don't understand, we'll talk about it privately tonight!"