Anger.
It was the feeling Ryu felt, and Yahiko was the source of it.
The anger stemmed from knowing what might happen—Yahiko would undoubtedly convince Nagato and Konan because of the way he was. His charisma remained intact, his dreams were as wild as ever, but his determination was even more captivating.
Yet, Ryu swallowed all the anger he felt. He looked at Yahiko before performing a series of hand signs and summoning two long cloaks from a seal on his arm. He handed one to Konan and then donned the other himself.
"Thank you," Konan said, smiling as Ryu returned her smile, his anger subsiding slightly.
"My name is Yahiko, and this is Nagato. We want to join you!"
Ryu took a deep breath, trying to organize the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. He knew he needed companions for his journey, but Yahiko presented a unique challenge. It wasn't just about a difficult personality—Yahiko was the kind of person who changed everything around him, as if bending fate itself to his will. To Ryu, this was both fascinating and frustrating.
There was a persistent fear: what if bringing Yahiko into the group cost him his place as leader? Ryu could almost predict what would happen: others, drawn to Yahiko's magnetic aura, would naturally see him as the leader. After all, Yahiko was too captivating. His smile had the power to dissolve tension, and his words always seemed to resonate deeply with people, even when he wasn't trying.
It was this irritating magnetism that bothered Ryu.
"Alright, but why join us?" Ryu's question cut through the silence like a blade. His gaze remained fixed on Yahiko, waiting for a meaningful answer.
Yahiko smiled with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what to say.
"I want to create a world without wars, without hunger, without death! A better world for the Rain Village. And for that, I need you!" His voice was firm but carried a passion that was almost impossible to ignore as he extended his hand toward Ryu.
For a moment, Ryu remained silent, letting Yahiko's words echo in his mind. They were powerful yet all too familiar. He remembered saying something similar once, though in a different way. It stirred something in him—anger, frustration, or perhaps just doubt.
Konan, standing beside them, narrowed her eyes at Yahiko's words. A shadow of indignation crossed her face.
"Stop copying Ryu." Her voice carried an icy contempt, each word striking like a blow. Her piercing gaze fixed on Yahiko, who immediately seemed to lose some of his confidence.
Yahiko was stunned.
'Why? Why is she acting like this?' he thought, confused. He couldn't understand the reason behind the blue-haired girl's disdain, but the intensity of her words hit him deeply. For the first time, the certainty he carried began to waver, and he wondered if his idealism, so pure in his eyes, was being misinterpreted by those around him.
"You're a naive fool," Ryu said coldly, his voice like steel slicing through the atmosphere. His eyes, filled with disdain, locked onto Yahiko, leaving no doubt about the gap he saw between them. "Do you really believe you can change the world with the weak determination I see in your eyes? Using my words only makes you look even more ridiculous."
Yahiko flinched slightly, surprised by the intensity of Ryu's words, but he said nothing. The confident smile he had worn earlier was beginning to falter.
Ryu crossed his arms, as if weighing each word before releasing them like stones. "The Rain Village? I'm going to change the entire world, Yahiko. I won't limit myself to a forgotten village ravaged by war. But the world isn't what you imagine. It won't applaud your ideas like in a fairy tale. It will laugh. It will mock you. And, in the end, it will crush your hope mercilessly."
The silence that followed was heavy, but Ryu wasn't finished. His expression hardened even more, as if determined to extinguish any flame of optimism in Yahiko. "In these times, peace is impossible. You still don't understand that. I don't need fools in my group, much less someone who thinks pretty phrases can change fate."
For the first time, Yahiko was at a loss for words. His mind spun, searching for a response, while the disdain in Ryu's eyes felt like a mountain he could never climb.
"But... Wait a moment, please—"
Tired of the argument, Ryu performed a series of hand signs and slammed his hand onto the ground.
Reverse Summoning Jutsu!
Ryu and Konan disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
...
With the Barrier Seal and the Barrier Key in hand, Ryu activated the Reverse Summoning Technique, vanishing in an instant. Moments later, he reappeared in his hideout, the air around him adjusting as the barrier's symbols slowly faded.
"Are you alright?" Konan asked, her voice tinged with concern as she approached. Her eyes scanned Ryu, searching for any signs of injury or exhaustion.
"I'm fine," he replied, his calm tone masking his mental fatigue. "I just didn't expect you to be so aggressive with that guy." Though his words sounded like criticism, there was a subtle hint of satisfaction in his voice. Deep down, he was glad. Konan's attitude made any relationship between her and Yahiko unlikely, something he oddly found comforting.
Konan gave a small smile before removing her cloak, letting it fall to the side. "He was using your words, Ryu. To me, they were just empty lies. Because... when you said those same words, you looked into my eyes. I saw a fire in them. An unshakable determination. You know what you're doing, how to change the world. That's why I choose to stay by your side. Because I know you won't fail."
Konan's words carried unwavering faith, a confidence that made Ryu feel something rare: genuine gratitude. He smiled—a barely perceptible, but sincere smile. Raising his hand, he gently placed it on Konan's head, softly brushing her hair.
"Thank you," he said, his voice quieter but full of sincerity. "I appreciate your trust, Konan. I promise I won't let you down."
...
Years passed.
Ryu and Konan continued to grow stronger. Ryu mastered techniques of every element, pushing his taijutsu and body to their physical limits. Konan finally perfected the Kamineton and became skilled in taijutsu. Now, at 15, Ryu and Konan took their first action.
Running through a canyon, Ryu and Konan suddenly encountered ninjas from Hanzo's forces. Ryu glanced at them and made a single hand sign.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
He spat out flames that took the shape of a dragon's head. The enemy ninja countered immediately.
"Water Style: Water Wall Formation!"
The two techniques collided, creating a dense mist. Ryu touched Konan's shoulder, signaling the next move.
"Kamineton: Shikigami Dance."
Paper sheets emerged from Konan's body as Ryu quickly formed hand signs.
"Earth Style: Domu!"
Ryu's arms darkened, hardening like steel as he punched two ninjas who had leaped into the air behind the first. The sickening sound of bones breaking filled the air as Ryu left the rest to Konan.
"Kamineton: Paper Blade Blossom!"
A spear of paper manifested, a budding flower at the opposite end of the spearhead.
"What?!"
The spear flew toward the ninja, piercing his stomach. Slowly, the white spear turned red, and the flower bud bloomed into a crimson flower.
"Are you okay?" Ryu asked Konan.
"Yes. Let's move forward!"
The two ninjas leaped, and as they passed the canyon, Ryu and Konan found themselves on a battlefield.
This was the beginning of the Third Great Shinobi World War!