Koushin: Konoha’s Dragonborn[Completed]

Tsunade's sharp gaze softened at the mention of his lineage, her eyes reflecting an understanding of the burdens that came with such heritage.

"Obito," Nagato continued, "orchestrated a terrible tragedy. He led the Konoha shinobi to my parents, knowing they would be killed and stoking the fires of hatred within me towards Konoha." His voice faltered for a moment, the painful memory etched deep in his psyche, yet he pushed on.

"My childhood friend, Yahiko, and I were manipulated into forming Akatsuki, under the guise of promoting world peace." Nagato's voice echoed in the silent forest, the words carrying the weight of regrets and broken dreams.

"But the reality was quite different," Nagato's words hung heavily in the air, his gaze focused on a point in the distance. "Our hidden agenda was to gather all the Tailed Beasts, leading to the casting of the Eternal Tsukuyomi upon the moon."

The forest was filled with a stunned silence, the reality of Obito's plan spreading a wave of disbelief among the group.

"But how..." Sakura started, her voice trailing off, unable to articulate the question hanging heavily in the air.

Koushin's gaze shifted back to Nagato. "The most important question, Nagato-san, is what you're planning to do now?"

Nagato looked at Koushin, the storm in his eyes quieting. His gaze seemed to penetrate Koushin, as though searching for an answer in the other's face. "I...I don't know yet."

"I cannot hide, can I?" Nagato asked. His words hung in the silence, a grim resignation echoing in his voice.

Koushin shook his head, his expression sober for once. "No."

Nagato released a sigh, his eyes displaying a strange blend of acceptance and sorrow. "Then the only option is death."

The forest was thrown into a stunned silence. Sakura, Ino, and Karin gasped, their eyes wide with shock. They had prepared themselves for this confrontation, steeling their nerves to face the notorious leader of the Akatsuki. Yet, the man before them was not the embodiment of evil they had envisioned, but a figure of melancholy, burdened by a legacy of manipulation and betrayal. And now, faced with the harsh reality of his existence, he was ready to sacrifice himself.

"Nah, you don't have to die," Koushin said, his tone light as if discussing the weather rather than life and death.

Nagato looked at him, his gaze hardening. "What do you have in mind?"

Koushin smirked, a twinkle of mischief flashing in his eyes. "Only those eyes need to go."

Nagato's eyes widened, the implication of Koushin's words sinking in. "You want to blind me?"

Koushin chuckled, his laughter rippling through the tense atmosphere. "Nagato-san, a moment ago, you were ready to cast away your life. What are a pair of eyes in comparison?"

The silence was deafening. Nagato stared at Koushin, his expression unreadable. His vibrant red hair, a testament to his Uzumaki heritage, seemed to glow against the contrasting quietude of the forest, his body emanating a resilient vitality.

"Living blind for the rest of my life...that sounds scarier than being dead," Nagato whispered, his voice echoing softly in the hushed forest, laden with a resignation too heavy for his age.

"Agree on that one," Koushin nodded, his usually jovial demeanor suddenly shrouded with a rare serious shade. "But, you have a Snake Sannin that can solve it pretty easily, right?"

Nagato turned his head slightly, his eyes, filled with a complex mix of emotions, landing on Koushin. "Orochimaru can do that? Also, would he help? Isn't he under Itachi's control?"

Koushin let out a sigh, shaking his head in amusement. "Nagato-san," he began, his voice calm and patient, as if he was explaining a simple concept to a child. "For someone who lived with borrowed eyes for so long, and who has seen many people put and remove Sharingan like lightbulbs, don't you think it would be easier for normal eyes?"

Nagato's crimson gaze faltered, his eyes widening in surprise before shifting to contemplation. The lines on his face seemed to soften as he weighed Koushin's words, the gears of his mind visibly turning as he mulled over this possibility.

"You do have a point," Nagato said, finally, his voice tinted with a newfound sense of hope, however faint. "But..."

Before he could voice his reservations, Koushin raised a hand to stop him. "Before you argue," Koushin interjected, his voice gentle yet firm. "Ask yourself, are your eyes truly yours, or merely a legacy of manipulation?"

The question hung in the air, a resonating echo that seemed to magnify the weight of the question. Around them, the members of the group looked on, their expressions reflecting their shared intrigue. Even the rustling of leaves seemed to halt, as if nature itself was holding its breath.

Koushin then added, "To answer your question, Orochimaru-san was the first to break Itachi's Genjutsu, although it was more of a serendipitous accident than a planned rebellion. Thanks to him, we gleaned some crucial insights about Itachi's machinations." He waved a hand dismissively, adding a casual spin to the high-stakes conversation. "Orochimaru will assist, if only to satisfy his curiosity regarding your transformation once the Rinnegan is removed."

Nagato considered this, his eyebrows knotted in thought. The prospect of Orochimaru's assistance, especially after being under Itachi's control, was undoubtedly surprising. However, it wasn't the first shocking revelation of the day.

"Will this stop the war? Halt the Eternal Tsukuyomi?" Nagato asked, his voice filled with a quiet desperation. This wasn't a plea but a man's attempt to understand the consequences of the decisions he was being asked to make.

Koushin shook his head, his laughter echoing softly through the quiet forest. "I wish it were that simple, Nagato-san. Delay the inevitable? Maybe. But stop it? No, that's a pipe dream."

A ripple of confusion clouded Nagato's eyes. "Without the Rinnegan, they won't be able to gather Tailed Beasts. Why do you say it's impossible?"

A knowing smirk played on Koushin's lips as he responded, "Did you forget where those eyes originally came from?"

Nagato's eyes widened, realization flooding them. "You're referring to... Madara? Can he really return?"

Koushin gave a nonchalant shrug, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Well, Nagato-san, if I've learned anything from my experiences, it's that Madara Uchiha isn't someone who's easily written off."

A shiver ran down Nagato's spine, the vibrant strands of his Uzumaki hair seeming to glow brighter as if matching his heightened alertness. He cast a sidelong glance at Koushin, a newfound respect evident in his eyes. Despite Koushin's unorthodox way of dealing with things, Nagato couldn't deny the sense in his words.

Nagato stared at the space where Koushin stood, the heavy revelation sinking in. After a long silence, he gave a stiff nod. "Alright. Remove the Rinnegan."