What is the biggest advantage of a transmigrator?
Besides knowing the future trajectory of the world, the most important thing is understanding the personalities of the major players!
Hypocrites, heroes, schemers – no matter how well they hide, they can't escape the eyes of a transmigrator.
– After all, they've read the original story.
The course of events may change due to the transmigrator's involvement, but the core personalities of the main characters are hard to alter.
Hyuga Yuto knew exactly what Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were like deep down.
At least for now, these three were on the side of good.
Among them, Yahiko, the founder and leader of the Akatsuki, could almost be seen as a beardless Naruto Uzumaki! Passionate, valuing friendship, persistent in his dreams, incredibly tenacious, and also very... naive.
Hyuga Yuto knew there wouldn't be any danger in meeting these three.
He looked at the tense Takeda Segen and Asano Kaoru in front of him and smiled faintly:
"Do you know why I came to Amegakure? And why I want to meet your leader?"
Takeda Segen's answer contained undisguised pride:
"In recent years, no foreign ninja who has come to our Land of Rain hasn't been interested in our leader. Even assassins here for jobs wouldn't mind getting information about our leader… It's more valuable than a bounty."
He spoke frankly and openly.
"The Akatsuki, huh… Alright, you've convinced me." The veins on Hyuga Yuto's forehead slowly receded, and he took a few steps back, creating a safe distance.
"I'll spare your life for now."
Takeda Segen and Asano Kaoru simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. That close proximity was far too dangerous when facing a Hyuga clan member, known for their close-combat expertise.
"It's great to resolve things without fighting…" Takeda Segen muttered, then corrected himself after Kaoru subtly pinched him.
"This friend from Konoha, where would you like to meet? We can leave a radio transceiver."
"There's no need for that." Hyuga Yuto shrugged.
"I can just go with you. Is that alright?"
"..." Takeda Segen was stunned. Did this guy trust them that much? Wasn't he afraid of being ambushed? Had their dream of world peace come true already?
"What? Is it not okay?"
"It's fine. Kaoru and I are heading back to base to treat our injuries. If you don't mind, you can come with us."
He and the woman helped each other into the alley, with Hyuga Yuto following behind, looking even more relaxed than the two in front.
The architecture of Amegakure was unique. Towering, sharp steel buildings contrasted with narrow alleyways. The alley walls were straight metal, creating a claustrophobic, tunnel-like atmosphere.
They navigated through the alleys, eventually entering a massive underground pipeline, where they walked for over thirty minutes.
"Don't worry, Amegakure's underground network is vast." Takeda Segen kindly explained.
"We have a year-round rainy season here, with extremely high precipitation. The city's underground drainage system has to be the best in the world. It's been expanding for years, and there are many hidden areas that even maintenance workers don't know about."
"Why do you hide underground?" Hyuga Yuto was curious. He knew that at this time, the Akatsuki and Hanzo of the Salamander were still on good terms and weren't being targeted.
"It's not really hiding…" Takeda Segen said casually.
"The rent above ground is too expensive."
"Huh?" Hyuga Yuto didn't react for a moment.
"You're a Konoha ninja, and from a prominent clan, so it's normal that you wouldn't know the value of money." Takeda Segen was a very patient and approachable person.
"Ninja tools cost money, treatment costs money, training costs money, food costs money, publicity and battles cost even more… Our Akatsuki is quite large now, and there are so many expenses. Where would we get the money to rent such a large space? Luckily, the village's underground structure is vast, and it's very convenient here, though it's a bit like living like rats…"
Takeda Segen suddenly grunted and fell silent.
– He had been pinched hard by his female subordinate again.
Hyuga Yuto wanted to laugh. This pair was quite interesting: the honest and simple captain and the cold, sharp-tongued subordinate. In the words of his past life, they had a strangely "shippable" dynamic.
He felt that this period of financial hardship would definitely leave a deep impression on Konan and Nagato. Otherwise, they wouldn't have become obsessed with squeezing their subordinate Kakuzu and hoarding wealth after their descent into darkness.
As they spoke, they arrived at a steel gate.
"This is it. I sent a message to the leader while we were on our way. They'll be waiting for us inside."
"They?" Hyuga Yuto's tone and expression were worthy of a professional actor, perfectly portraying surprise and curiosity.
"Yes, officially, our Akatsuki only has one leader, but in reality, all three of them are worthy of our loyalty."
Takeda Segen pushed open the steel gate and walked in first with Asano Kaoru, followed by Hyuga Yuto without any hesitation.
Inside, three young people stood waiting.
The leader had orange hair, a tall stature, and handsome features. He looked like an upright and honest person.
Next to him was a young woman with purple hair. She was beautiful but had a cold expression, with a paper flower pinned to her hair.
Standing last was a young man with crimson hair, his head lowered, his long bangs covering most of his face, leaving only his pale skin, nose, and lips visible.
– Yahiko, Konan, Nagato!
"They're so young, only four or five years older than me…" Hyuga Yuto thought to himself, calmly observing them.
"Leader…" Takeda Segen, supported by Asano Kaoru, walked over and addressed Yahiko.
"This is the ninja from Konoha. He…"
Hyuga Yuto removed his dark goggles, revealing his pure white eyes.
"My name is Hyuga Yuto."
"Oh… from the Hyuga clan? This is the first time I've seen these eyes up close." Yahiko smiled.
"Thank you for trusting us. You know, even in Amegakure, many ninjas describe the Akatsuki as rats."
"Rats don't protect civilians. I saw what Takeda Segen did. He's a ninja with a strong sense of responsibility and courage."
"Haha… uh." Takeda Segen chuckled foolishly, only to receive another thunderous pinch from his subordinate.
Yahiko checked Takeda Segen and Asano Kaoru's injuries and then sent them off for treatment.
Only the Akatsuki trio and Hyuga Yuto remained in the massive steel room.
When interacting with outsiders, Yahiko usually took the lead. He coughed lightly and smiled.
"Hyuga Yuto… I know you. The genius of the Hyuga branch family, the Byakugan, and a student of Tsunade of the Sannin."
Hyuga Yuto's expression remained calm. It had been three months since he became Tsunade's student. If the Akatsuki still didn't know this information, it would mean Konan was nothing more than a freeloader, good for nothing but spending money.
"I didn't expect Segen to run into you. What incredible luck…" Yahiko paused, then said solemnly,
"Hyuga-kun, I'd like to ask you to deliver a letter… to one of the Sannin of Konoha."