At dawn...
A bright sunrise illuminated the sky, and against the clear azure background, the sun appeared, bathing the Village Hidden in the Rain in its warm rays. Residents began to emerge from their homes, slowly making their way towards the Kage's residences, having heard the sounds of the bloody battle during the night.
Yesterday's battle had been tough on the revolutionaries; out of a hundred, only about fifty remained. The cries and sounds of flesh being pierced and slashed echoed through the houses, preventing the inhabitants from even venturing out to seek shelter.
Standing beside Yahiko were Obito, Konan, and Nagato, and Sam, who smiled slightly at the joyful looks on the villagers' faces. Suddenly, he spat out a large amount of blood and began to collapse. Obito managed to catch him, preventing his fall.
Sam: Take me into your measurement., let me rest, - Sam said, starting to lose consciousness.
Obito snorted. You were too overconfident, - he said, and absorbed Sam into his Kamui measurement..
Yahiko: Madara? - he asked the masked man.
Obito slowly turned to look at Yahiko with his Mangekyo Sharingan. The aura emanating from him instantly made everyone tremble with fear. Madara said nothing and disappeared, absorbing his body into the Kamui measurement.
Three days later
In a hospital room, Sam lay on a bed. His torso was bare, connected to medical tubes displaying his condition. Yahiko sat beside him, serious and contemplative. Suddenly, Nagato and Konan entered the room.
Konan: Is his condition not improving at all? - she asked softly.
Yahiko: The doctor said he might not wake up at all... - Yahiko replied, adding: But he can't die. I believe that.
Nagato, in an uncertain voice, said: Yahiko, the village affairs are waiting for you. We must go.
Yahiko: Alright, - he replied. He got up from the chair and headed for the exit, but feeling a tremor, he turned back with a smirk and said: It seems you'll wake up soon. - Then he left the room.
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan walked through the hospital corridors. Konan pulled out a notebook and said: As the Plant said, the war is indeed nearing its end.
Yahiko: What about the shinobi from other countries who are skirmishing at our borders? - he asked.
Konan: The shinobi skirmishes haven't decreased since the power shift and your ascension as Kage, - she continued: There's a lot of work regarding trade routes, supplying granaries for emergencies, missing border guards, and decreasing stocks due to the damaged agriculture.
Yahiko: Are those all the problems? - he asked.
Konan: For today, yes. There are some issues that can be handled without your involvement, - she replied.
The three reached the Kage's residence. Opening the door, Yahiko saw a large stack of papers and exclaimed: A-ah, there weren't this many papers yesterday! - he gasped, astonished by the quantity.
Konan: I skimmed through these papers. Most of them concern foreign policy.
Yahiko sat down and took the first paper, reading aloud: Permission to enter the village?
Yahiko: They have over nine carts of goods, - he said, pondering the decision. After reviewing their goods, he added: Spices, medicinal herbs, alcohol, clothing, everyday items, and cotton.
Yahiko: I grant permission. Nagato, assign one of your people to thoroughly check the goods before they enter.
Nagato: Understood, - he replied.
Yahiko took the next paper and said in surprise: Rice purchase? The Tsuchikage from the Hidden Stone Village wants to buy 15 tons of rice? - He turned to Konan.
Yahiko: How much rice do we have in stock?
Konan: No more than 27 tons. I think their military camp is running low on supplies, - she replied promptly.
Yahiko: I refuse. We need to feed our own people. No matter how high a price they offer, I refuse! Does the Tsuchikage want my people to starve for six months until the next harvest?
Yahiko spent the entire day in the Kage's office, studying the papers and consulting with Nagato and Konan. He stayed at the residence until late at night, planning further actions together with Nagato and Konan.
In the kitchen of the Kage's residence, Yahiko sat on a chair, staring at the ceiling, clearly exhausted from the day's events. With a heavy sigh, he looked at Nagato and Konan.
Konan, with a scarf tied over her head and an apron on, was cooking something on the stove. Meanwhile, Nagato was carefully studying a map provided by Sam, scrutinizing every detail.
Yahiko: Konan, what are you making? - he asked, yawning and looking back at the ceiling.
Konan: An omelet and three cups of tea, - she replied, smiling slightly.
Her happiness was evident she was genuinely pleased that things had turned out relatively well.
White Zetsu: It smells delicious, - he said with a broad smile. Hearing Zetsu's words, the three of them turned around in alarm.
They saw Madara and Black-White Zetsu stepping onto the balcony. Madara, surveying the room, seemed somewhat surprised. The repairs Yahiko had made were indeed an improvement over the ruin left by Hanzo.
Madara: Not bad, - Madara said in a low, raspy voice.
Yahiko: Madara? Why are you here? - Yahiko asked, wide-eyed with surprise.
Madara: About my proposal, - he replied.
Yahiko glanced at Nagato and Konan, who nodded at him. With a heavy sigh, he said: We accept your proposal to work together.
Madara: Good news, - Madara said, stepping further into the room. He noticed the map Sam had shown and saw his real name on it.
Picking up the map, he turned and said: Quite the toy you got from Sam, - then placed it back.
Yahiko: What now? - he asked in surprised.
Madara: When Sam wakes up, we'll discuss the next steps for Akatsuki. For now, all you need to know is to hold onto power until Sam recovers. I have matters to attend to in the Hidden Mist Village, so you'll be without my supervision, - Madara said in his raspy, low tone. His body disappeared into space like a vortex.
Madara and Zetsu left, leaving the teenagers in confusion. Yahiko was a bit stunned that they had come for an answer so soon.
After a few moments of confusion, they finally pulled themselves together. Konan placed breakfast on the table, and they all sat down to eat. They had no time for sleep morning came too quickly, and they got back to work.
Yahiko stepped out onto the balcony and saw the rising sun. Holding a cup of hot tea, he sipped it while watching over the village. After finishing it, he went to the kitchen, washed the cup, and put it away. He then stretched his neck, shoulders, arms, and legs before heading to the Kage's office. Opening the door, he saw Nagato and Konan sorting through and studying documents.
Seeing him, Konan smiled slightly, and Nagato, noticing her smile, lowered his head but still felt happiness and pain for them. Yahiko sat down in his Kage chair and, leaning over the table, began studying the documents.
Yahiko: The job of leading a village is very tough, even with the three of us, - he smirked a bit.
Konan: Yahiko, several elders want to be your advisors. They say you lack experience in governance and are too young.
Yahiko: Then I want to see an advisor chosen by the people. This advisor will be the voice of the people, their words will be the words of my people.
Yahiko: Konan, tell Mikoto to inform all residents about the advisor election and any requirements that arise to be passed on to the chosen person.
Konan: Understood, - she replied, and continued: Why not make the second advisor the person managing the treasury?
Nagato and Yahiko's eyes widened in surprise, and after a few seconds, they exclaimed in unison: Exactly!
Several hours later.
Yahiko's face was quite tired and weary, with bags under his eyes, as he sipped his fifth cup of tea. Konan and Nagato, sitting nearby, were also incredibly exhausted.
Yahiko picked up one of the documents and began reading aloud: Shortage of building materials? - he said in surprise,
Yahiko continued: Shortage of building materials. In the construction and repair of many houses, roads, and roofs, there is a significant lack of materials. We ask the honorable Kage to help with this issue.
Seeing Yahiko's expression, Nagato smiled slightly and said: Why don't we take a break? - he suggested to Yahiko and Konan.
Konan: A one-hour rest wouldn't hurt; we've been working here for four days straight without rest or sleep.
Yahiko, delighted, said: Why don't we take a walk around the village?
Konan: I thought you'd suggest taking a nap.
Yahiko: My head is splitting, I won't last even five more minutes in the Kage's office, - he said, looking tiredly at the ceiling.
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato left the Kage residence and began walking through the village. The villagers, seeing them, expressed their gratitude and blessings. Yahiko noticed the reconstruction work in full swing, with residents repairing homes and roads damaged by the fighting.
In the early days, the villagers had to wash blood off the walls of their homes, and some had the misfortune of clearing away the bodies of their own sons, fathers, and husbands. Despite this, the change in leadership and the transition to the young Yahiko gave them hope for a better life.
Suddenly, a child ran up to one of the Rain shinobi and, crying, said: Shinobi-sama! There are some ninja from another village wreaking havoc in my village! They are extorting our money and food, - he shouted, attracting everyone's attention.
Yahiko saw the boy's disheveled appearance, torn clothes, bare feet, and a large scratch from which blood was oozing.
The shinobi was surprised and asked: Where?! - His comrades standing nearby nodded and drew their weapons. The young boy pointed towards the northeast, and the Rain shinobi dashed in that direction.
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan immediately followed them, running alongside the boy at great speed. Yahiko began to accelerate, leaving Konan and Nagato behind and easily overtaking the Rain ninja. Yahiko rushed, running on the ground with his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. He bit his lip, determined to make it in time.
Yahiko saw the forest opening up ahead, revealing a cliff. Without hesitation, he leaped and started to plummet down. The ground under his feet vanished, and he fell rapidly from the cliff. Suddenly, below him, a village consisting of five to nine houses came into view. Yahiko realized he was close to his goal.
Boom.
With a loud crash, he landed on the ground, kicking up a large cloud of dust. Without delay, he charged toward the village. Finally, standing before it, Yahiko's eyes widened in shock, and he froze in place.
The village had been looted and burned, the residents killed, and blood splattered on the walls. Yahiko looked at the burning village. His body froze; he couldn't move, gripped by horror.
A few seconds later, Konan, Nagato, and four Rain shinobi appeared behind Yahiko. They saw the nightmare before them. One of the shinobi felt a wave of nausea, covered his mouth with his hand, and fell to one knee, tightly closing his eyes.
Yahiko fell to his knees and screamed with all his might, looking up at the sky. At that moment, rain clouds began to form. Yahiko slowly turned his head to Konan and, with a choked voice, said: Konan... gather everyone!
All six of them noticed the rage filling Yahiko's eyes. Their palms sweated, their hearts pounded with fear, and chills ran down their spines.
Nagato, mustering all his will, objected: These are not just bandits, but one of the five great nations. We will lose if we fight!
Yahiko: They spared no one! The elderly, men, women... they didn't even spare the children! - Yahiko shouted, consumed with fury.
Nagato: There are too few of us. We can't muster even two hundred capable fighters! The rest are genin and chunin. The village is gripped with fear. Two hundred against several thousand? They will all perish.
Yahiko: Then I will die with them! - he shouted, his words hitting like a tidal wave.
Yahiko stood up and began to walk away. Nagato wanted to apologize, but Konan stopped him.
The next morning...
In the morning, there was no dawn, and at night, there was no sunset, for the entire sky was covered with storm clouds. On this gloomy day, everyone gathered in the central square. The villagers stood under the rain with umbrellas, watching as the Rain shinobi carried the coffins of the deceased villagers from the ravaged settlement on their shoulders.
Yahiko stood on the podium, and thanks to the rain, no one noticed his tears. The surviving child cried out, calling for his parents, knowing they were dead. The nearby villagers tried to comfort him, but his cries continued to echo, piercing the depths of everyone's hearts. Yahiko, hearing these cries, felt an unbearable pain in his heart so intense that he couldn't bear to look into the faces of his people.
Each cry of the child was like a knife in his heart, a reminder of his responsibility and inability to protect those he had sworn to defend. The rain concealed his tears but could not ease the torment of his soul.
Behind him, ten meters away, at the entrance to the Kage residence, stood Konan, and beside her was Nagato, holding an umbrella, shielding both himself and Konan. The Rain shinobi, carrying the coffins, proceeded towards the cemetery for burial, a process that took a considerable amount of time.
Yahiko personally participated in digging graves for his fallen villagers.
The burial came to an end, and the grief-stricken villagers began to return to their homes. The Rain shinobi continued to patrol the borders, striving to maintain at least a semblance of security.
Mikoto approached Yahiko and quietly said: I will stand by you, whatever you decide. - Bowing, he returned to his post.
Yahiko's eyes became lifeless; his once bright hazel eyes turned into dark voids. He slowly walked towards the doors of the Kage residence, and with dead eyes, he glanced at Nagato, pushed his shoulder, and entered inside.
Konan, observing this, quietly said: It seems he still cannot accept your words, but he is not a fool. I believe in him.
Nagato, biting his lip, felt tears starting to run down his cheeks: If they attack again... Yahiko will break.
Yahiko, closing the door behind him, felt the world around him collapsing. The silence of the room was deafening, and his thoughts drowned in an endless void. He sank to his knees, unable to hold back his tears.
At Night
In the forest, amidst the ruins of a house with a large hall, over twelve shinobi—the most experienced and powerful ninja of the Hidden Rain had gathered. All of them were jonin and commanders of their squads.
Standing before them, Yahiko asked: Was it them? - His loyal subordinate, Mikoto, nodded in response.
Mikoto confirmed: Undoubtedly, we tracked them by the footprints leading to the Hidden Stone Shinobi camp. Their priority was food, they mostly ignored money and other items.
Yahiko lowered his head and quietly said: This is my fault. - Upon hearing these words, the other shinobi also lowered their gazes.
Mikoto, analyzing the situation, concluded mentally: Nagato-sama said that our Yahiko-sama refused to collaborate by declining to sell food to the Hidden Stone. It seems that's why he blames himself for the villagers' deaths.
Mikoto, looking at the map, thought: It's extremely difficult for him to make a decision now. Even for me, seeing this situation, it's almost impossible to find a way out. The guilt is weighing on our leader, preventing him from making the right choice.
—He must be thinking: If he had agreed to the deal with the Hidden Stone, would the deceased villagers still be alive?—
After several minutes of silence, they began to plan their next steps. Soon, the group of twelve divided into two camps: some suggested increasing patrols, while others insisted on relocating the villagers from small settlements to the main village of the Hidden Rain, into their stronghold.
But the deciding voice belonged to Yahiko. He suddenly said: An eye for an eye, blood for blood, a tooth for a tooth. We will repay them in kind. Let them drown in the swamps of pain and suffering. - After these words, everyone sided with Yahiko.
One of the jonin slammed his fist on the chair and exclaimed with a smile: Why didn't my dumb head think of this plan? Damn it! - he shouted, pacing around, and some smiled at his outburst.
Suddenly, one of the jonin, sitting in a hood, declared, That's because you have a dumb head, only muscles, no brains.
A burly man named Haito responded seriously: Hey, watch your mouth.
Riria, a girl with dark hair and violet eyes, stood up from her chair and haughtily replied: Do you want to die?
Even though all twelve jonin were under Yahiko's command, there were former revolutionaries and Rain shinobi among them, which bred rivalry. No one wanted to forgive each other, but still, they were united in their goal.
Mikoto, observing the situation, thought: I think I'm the only sane one in this room. Yahiko was my last hope, but alas, he made a decision, going against all twelve jonin.
Yahiko had not told Konan and Nagato about his plans, keeping them in the dark. Minutes, hours, and days passed after the village was burned. Every day, Yahiko remembered the horror that had happened for the sake of food.
A week had passed since then. All preparations for the diversions were completed, and they only had to wait for the perfect moment.
And so, the fateful night arrived. Yahiko stood in the ward where Sam lay. His condition was terrible; he was in a coma and had not woken up. With a heavy sigh, Yahiko turned and left the ward.
At that moment, thirteen shinobi stealthily made their way to the village gates, evading all the sentries unaware of Yahiko's plan.
In the deep night, nothing foretold disaster. That evening, a severe thunderstorm was approaching, and the cool air blew against the gate walls, brushing the faces of two guards patrolling the entrance to their village. They were discussing how to spend their time after their shift ended. Suddenly, they felt someone's presence behind them, but before they could even turn around, they were knocked out and fell unconscious.
Thirteen people, including Yahiko himself, gathered at the gate. They adjusted their black cloaks and headed towards the Hidden Stone's military camp.
Yahiko spoke in a stern voice: An eye for an eye.