Konan soon found Reiki and led him to the Akatsuki organization's hidden base.
"Yahiko was captured?" Reiki asked, glancing at Nagato's injuries and the sorrow etched on Konan's face. It was clear—this was Akatsuki's secret base, yet Yahiko, their leader, wasn't here.
"Yes," Nagato replied bitterly. "Hanzo has been waiting for an excuse to come after us. This time, he finally found one."
With the alliance between the Land of Rain and Konoha broken, their connection to Jiraiya no longer held any sway. Hanzo took advantage of the shift to strike at them.
"So, what's the plan now?" Reiki asked. "And if any Akatsuki members are injured, send them to me for treatment."
As he approached Nagato, Reiki raised his hands, activating his healing abilities.
"The teacher sent you ahead… but will he come himself?" Konan asked anxiously. "With Yahiko captured, we don't have the strength to save him alone."
"It's unlikely," Reiki said, frowning. "Even if Jiraiya comes, he won't be able to bring much support from Konoha—maybe a few allies, maybe some backup medics…"
Reiki wanted to reassure them that Konoha might send reinforcements, but realistically, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't risk significant forces over this. If anything, he might even try to prevent Jiraiya from coming altogether. If the situation continued as he feared, Yahiko might not survive, and Akatsuki would be forced underground. Nagato might still summon the Gedo Statue… Everything could unfold as it did in the tragic future Reiki wanted to avoid.
"We can't depend on Konoha for this," Konan said helplessly. "And Hanzo won't give us time."
Reiki could see how overwhelmed she felt. They were young, still building their strength and alliances. Facing this crisis so suddenly, they felt ill-prepared and underpowered.
"But we have to save Yahiko," Nagato said urgently. "Hanzo would never let someone like him, someone he sees as a threat, live."
"Brother Nagato is right. We must rescue our leader!"
"He covered our retreat, so we owe him everything. I'll go, even if it's my last act!"
"Count me in! The Akatsuki don't abandon our comrades!"
The assembled Akatsuki members shouted in solidarity, ready to risk it all.
Reiki admired their unity, but he knew that a reckless approach would just lead them all to their deaths.
"Can you all be quiet for a moment?" Reiki's voice, though calm, carried through the room, silencing the crowd. "Let me finish the treatments first, and then we can strategize."
However, the silence didn't last long.
"Konoha ninja?" one of the Akatsuki members scoffed. "It's because of Konoha that Hanzo suspects us!"
"Yeah, why is a Konoha medical ninja here anyway?"
"I don't need treatment from Konoha. Even if I'm barely hanging on, I'd rather fight than let him treat me!"
In moments, the room grew chaotic again.
"If you're that eager to die, go ahead," Reiki responded coolly. "If you want treatment, sit down and be quiet. Or, you can try taking me down—a medical ninja." He released his healing energy and stood, a slight smirk on his face, surveying the dozen or so gathered ninjas.
"Reiki, you…" Nagato started, but Konan held him back, shaking her head.
"You're just a medic! Don't look down on us!"
"Typical Konoha arrogance… Even their medics are this conceited!"
"Get him!"
As one ninja moved to attack, the others followed suit, fists and weapons raised.
Within moments, chaos erupted into a full brawl. It was hard to distinguish friend from foe as bodies clashed. Reiki stood at the center, barely visible in the whirlwind of movement.
"Nagato wanted to step forward to break it up, but a body landed in front of him.
"Kazama?" Nagato gasped, examining him. Kazama's arm was dislocated, and his chest bore signs of heavy impact—completely out of commission. Could it have been a mistake?
Soon, one by one, ninjas were thrown from the fight, each more battered than the last.
"If you're this weak, don't try to play the hero," Reiki's voice called out, ending the brawl ten minutes later. "Better to rest and recover. Then, maybe I can treat you without any interruptions."
Nagato watched in amazement as Reiki dragged two injured Akatsuki members aside. Despite Reiki's seemingly modest status as a medical ninja, he had dispatched the rowdy fighters with ease.
"Nagato-sama… is he really a medical ninja?" one of the battered ninjas beside Nagato whispered, shocked. "His punches are harder than anything we've dealt with in battle."
"Two hits from him, and I was out," another added, wincing.
Nagato, barely suppressing a smile, shook his head. "Yes… he's a medical ninja," he replied, unsure how else to describe Reiki's unique approach. But at least now, he could focus on their next steps in the calmer environment Reiki had forcefully established.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 320 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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