Block A — Preta Path
The Preta Path, who was separated, looked around and found himself in a city similar to Amegakure but grander and more bland. The highest building in Amegakure was only around ten stories tall—nothing comparable to these buildings—and there were no pipelines or sewage systems visible on the surface. Just by seeing the organized planning of the city, the wide roads, the systematic building order, and even the style of houses, the Preta Path was impressed.
If Itachi formed a city complex like this in the Hidden Rain Village, then after a few months of effort by Amegakure, they could build a city capable of housing millions, which could be considered the largest city in this world.
And this was built by Itachi within five minutes; if given more time, the Preta Path didn't know how magnificent a thing Itachi could build.
If previously Nagato was attracted by the strength and resources of the Uchiha clan, then now Nagato was attracted by the leader of the Uchiha clan—Uchiha Itachi. After he wins, even if the Uchiha clan is unwilling to surrender, he will definitely form a cooperative relationship with them.
"How is it, are you impressed?" Just then, Itachi's voice came from behind. Hearing this, the Preta Path calmly turned around.
"Is this structure permanent, and can it still stand without the use of chakra?" Most ninjutsu in the ninja world are temporary, and with the absence of supporting chakra, they dissipate like Fire and Lightning Release.
However, some do not require a continuous supply of chakra, like Earth Release. If this city requires a continuous supply of chakra, then Nagato will definitely be disappointed.
"Well, I learned this bloodline limit from your previous subordinate, and after a few months, I have mastered it to a high level. But, unfortunately, this structure is not purely Cement Release. I have used a high level of Fūinjutsu to make the structure stable and tough enough to withstand a Kage-level battle. This also requires a continuous supply of chakra, with a Jonin only able to sustain it for a few minutes.
Though, if I have the support of a hundred Earth and Water Release ninjas, within a month I can create such a structure which can support more than ten million residents if you can adjust, or one hundred thousand if you want it with a sustainable society.
That wouldn't require a continuous chakra supply and can be maintained by only a dozen Jonin every year."
At first, the Preta Path was disappointed, but he had also expected it. How could there be such a heaven-defying ninja? But hearing the latter sentence, Nagato became excited.
"What is a sustainable society?"
"Hmmm, before I explain that, Pain, tell me—is our society normal?" Itachi, though he didn't expect Nagato to not know such terms, asked calmly.
"Of course it's not normal. Large ninja villages like Konoha fight wars with other ninja villages for their petty gains, and our small ninja villages get punished for simply existing between their nations, acting as battlefields for them.
These large ninja villages have forgotten the true meaning of peace. It's my goal to let all these ninja villages know what true pain is so that they can understand the pain of small ninja villages like Amegakure.
Only after understanding such extreme pain will they understand how precious peace is. Only after such extreme pain will they fear even hurting another being. Only such extreme pain will bring long-lasting peace to the ninja world." Hearing Nagato's reasoning, Itachi nodded.
"That's one point. Let's view from another perspective.
The profession of ninja and the existence of ninja villages are deeply tied to conflict and instability. Ninjas are essentially tools of their villages, used to fight other villages for political power, economic gain, and national security. Although the profession appears noble—protecting one's nation and risking one's life for the village—the reality is that ninja systems thrive most during times of war and chaos. During wars, missions increase dramatically: escort missions, protection missions, intelligence gathering, assassinations, sabotage, and full-scale battles. In such times, villages prosper economically and politically, even though many ninja lose their lives. However, in long periods of peace, the number of missions drops significantly, and many ninja would struggle to earn even enough for basic living. This shows that the ninja profession is economically dependent on conflict, and in peaceful times, it relies on bandits, rogue ninja, and small missions to survive.
This raises the question of whether Hashirama Senju truly considered the long-term sustainability of the ninja village system, or whether he simply created temporary peace and trusted future generations to solve the structural problems of the system—something they ultimately failed to do. When one observes the system carefully, it becomes clear that ninja villages are dependent on war during times of chaos and on crime and instability during times of peace.
A truly sustainable society in the ninja world would be one that does not depend on war, conflict, or the existence of rogue ninja to survive economically. Instead, ninja would contribute to society through construction, medicine, agriculture, research, infrastructure development, disaster relief, transportation, and protection services rather than constant warfare. In such a system, ninja would be builders, healers, engineers, researchers, and protectors—not just soldiers and assassins.
The village economy would be supported by trade, technology, education, agriculture, and industry, with missions becoming a secondary function rather than the primary source of income. Only then would the ninja world achieve a stable system where peace does not lead to economic decline and war is no longer economically beneficial. Such a society would be self-sustaining, stable in times of peace, and resilient in times of war."
Hearing this, Nagato became silent, thinking about Itachi's words. Previously, he had thought of nuclear peace, but he hadn't thought of changing the ninja system at all or whether peace would affect the economy of the ninja world. Even during Yahiko's leadership, all they thought about was peace through mutual understanding, but now it seemed that peace was opposite to the ninja system and ninja villages, and only one could exist at a time.
"Then what do you suggest? Should we destroy all ninja villages and end the age of shinobi? Should we unify the ninja world so that there would be no wars between nations?"
"No, that's too extreme. You will just create another cycle of hatred, and we need strength as well to protect ourselves from those inside and those outside the ninja world. What we need to do is form completely new branches of ninjutsu, like the current Medical Ninja profession created by Tsunade, which can be used to treat not only the ninjas but also civilians all over the world.
We can create ninjutsu that can change the biosphere of an area, turning deserts into forests suitable for human survival. We can create ninjutsu that can form cities within hours instead of putting all effort and research into ninjutsu used to kill people. We have to change the profession of ninja and the mindset of ninjas."
"Anyway, enough talking for now. By now, you may have also found out the situation. Your other paths can't summon or contact you, so unfortunately you have to fight me and defeat me before regrouping." Hearing Itachi's words, the Preta Path sighed. He was stalling for time, but it seemed Itachi's words were true.
Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu
The next moment, Itachi spewed out three huge flame dragons toward the Preta Path.
Chakra Absorption Jutsu
Fire Style: Majestic Flame Jutsu
Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation
Lightning Style: Thunder Fang
Flying Thunder God
Contract Seal
While the Preta Path was busy absorbing fire and lightning chakra, Itachi suddenly teleported behind him and applied the Contract Seal.
As for what the Contract Seal does, it simply breaks the contract between two entities, such as between summoning beasts, between puppets of Sunagakure, and also the control of the Preta Path by Nagato.
The next moment, the Preta Path lost control of its power, becoming a corpse standing in the way of a huge torrent of flames, ready to be ground to ashes.
Flying Thunder God
The next moment, Itachi carried the corpse of the Preta Path and placed it on top of a building. He couldn't destroy Nagato's corpse, could he? He came for cooperation, not for a deadly feud.
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Block B — Naraka Path
Chidori Style: Chidori Katana
Itachi, who appeared in Block B after taking care of the Preta Path, closed his eyes and, after a moment, opened them, conjuring a three-meter-long thunder katana.
Flying Thunder God
The next moment, Itachi appeared in the middle of a tall building and then slashed forward without saying another word. The next moment, a huge corpse of a chameleon appeared.
Contract Seal
After performing the same procedure, Itachi left for the next block.
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Block C — Human Path
Contract Seal
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Block D — Animal Path
Contract Seal
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