It was a procedure that took hours, and once it was finished, Ryu needed to remain at rest for a while. Regardless, the Rain Village was successfully reclaimed, to the joy of everyone in the Akatsuki, especially Konan. Ryu was happy for her and was escorted to Hanzo's former office, a space akin to a Kage's quarters.
Ryu leaned against a wall, still with bandages over his eyes, and asked.
"Why did you bring me here? I was going to rest after my surgery."
"Leader… we wanted to discuss something." Musashi was the one who spoke. Ryu recognized his voice.
He sighed before replying. "Speak, Musashi."
Musashi, one of Akatsuki's most loyal members, hesitated for a moment before continuing. His voice carried a seriousness that thickened the room's silence.
"Leader… now that the Rain Village is under our control, many of us believe we should do more than just maintain it. There's an entire world at war out there, and we believe that with the power you now wield, we can become more than just liberators of this country."
Ryu, his eyes still covered, tilted his head slightly. He could feel the tension in the room, the sound of each breath, and even the racing hearts of some present.
"And what exactly do you mean by 'be more'?" Ryu asked, his voice calm but filled with authority.
Musashi took a deep breath before answering. "We want to expand Akatsuki, make it a global force. Not just liberate nations like ours from oppression but reform the shinobi system itself. To end the great villages that perpetuate war. With you leading us and with the Rinnegan, we can achieve that."
Silence returned to the room. Ryu remained motionless for a moment, processing Musashi's words. Then, unexpectedly, he let out a short laugh—not of mockery, but intrigue.
"So, you believe I can change the world?" he asked, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"Yes, Leader," Konan responded this time, her voice resolute. "From the beginning, you were the pillar that held this organization together. And now, with the power you possess, we believe it's time to take the next step."
Ryu remained silent a while longer, considering their words. Slowly, he stood up, using the wall for support as his body was still weak.
"If you believe we can change the world, then I accept this challenge. But know this…" He paused, turning his head slightly in Musashi's direction. "It won't just be my power that changes things. It will be the determination and sacrifices of every one of you. If you're ready for that, then so am I."
The room filled with murmurs of approval. Ryu could feel the energy rising around him, like a new flame ignited within the Akatsuki.
"Konan," he called, his voice softening.
"Yes, Ryu?"
"Prepare the people of the Rain Village. From now on, they will not just be the inhabitants of an oppressed land. They will be the symbol of a new world."
Ryu smiled faintly, though a melancholy shadow lingered in his expression. This seemed like the Akatsuki that had succeeded. As someone from another world, he remembered that the original Akatsuki had failed, becoming a criminal organization hunting Bijuu for Black Zetsu's plans. He knew he still had to deal with Kaguya, Madara, Black Zetsu, and Obito.
Ryu chuckled softly, his laughter echoing faintly in the room. He ran a hand over the bandages covering his eyes, feeling the symbolic weight of what he had gained and what he had yet to confront.
"And as the leader of the Akatsuki, we would like you to be the Leader of Amegakure and this new world!"
"Musashi, that was always the idea. Akatsuki and Amegakure as the pillars of a new world… but this is only the beginning."
He straightened, still leaning slightly on the wall. Even with his recovering body, his presence was overwhelming, each word carrying the weight of destiny.
"You know there are greater forces out there. Forces that won't allow us to change the world without resistance. Madara, Black Zetsu, Obito… and ultimately, Kaguya."
Konan's eyes narrowed, while the other members exchanged confused glances. They had always known Ryu seemed a step ahead, but this revelation caught them off guard.
"Madara? Black Zetsu? Who are they, Leader?" Musashi asked, clearly intrigued.
Ryu gave a melancholic smile, though there was a predatory glint in his expression. "They are pieces in a much larger game than anyone here can imagine. As we rebuild Amegakure and expand the Akatsuki, we must prepare for the real enemy. It's not the Great Nations or even the wars we're familiar with. It's something far older… and far more dangerous."
Konan, standing beside him, lightly touched his arm. "Ryu, you've known about all of this from the beginning, haven't you?"
He turned to her, his gaze softer. "I did, but I couldn't face it alone. I needed all of you, something stronger than any organization or nation. And now, we have that."
Ryu raised his hand, feeling the resonant energy of the Rinnegan now within him.
"From today on, we will not just be a rebellious organization or a small village trying to survive. We will be the force that challenges destiny and rewrites this world's history. But that means the road ahead will be the hardest we've ever faced."
The Akatsuki members looked at him, their faces resolute, inspired by their leader's vision.
"Musashi, begin preparing the village's defenses. Konan, organize the people and ready them for the changes to come. And the rest of you… spread the word. Akatsuki is not just a symbol of rebellion. It is the dawn of a new era."
As everyone nodded in agreement and began to leave to carry out their orders, Ryu remained where he was, feeling the rain gently falling through the open window. He looked at Konan one more time, a determined glint behind his serene expression.
"I just hope we can be better than the history I know."
...
Yahiko jumped from branch to branch at high speed.
"The day everything changed…" He remembered that moment perfectly, the day he met Ryu and Konan. The sky was heavy with dark clouds, and the rain fell relentlessly over the deserted streets of Amegakure. He had found Konan in an alley, alone and lost, and from then on, everything began to take an unexpected turn.
But before he could make any move, before extending his hand to her as he always imagined he would, Ryu appeared. He had that calmness, that magnetism that was impossible to ignore. It was as if Ryu already knew what he was thinking, what he felt, as if he already knew the future before it happened.
And at that moment, Yahiko knew he had lost.
"Ryu always had that aura… that ability to manipulate situations in his favor. Even back then, he was more than just a boy with good intentions." Yahiko thought, his breath quickened as he moved swiftly through the trees, but his mind always circling back to that crucial point.
Konan, with her distant gaze, always seemed to carry a peace he could never reach. She didn't speak much about that day, but she always recalled it as a mark, as if she too knew there was something inevitable about what had happened between them—between him and Ryu.
"Why not me?" Yahiko wondered as his feet touched the branch of a tree with agility. "Why did Ryu have to be the one chosen to guide her, to take the lead? Everything was stolen from me that day."
But the truth was that he knew, deep down, that no matter what he tried, he would never have the same power, the same control that Ryu possessed. The boy who always seemed one step ahead, the leader who had known what to do from the very beginning.
Nagato, on the other hand, was a reflection of that. He had the potential, the strength, but not the will to lead, to make hard decisions. Yahiko had always known this, but even so, he considered him a friend. And now, without Nagato, without his ideals, he felt lost. His own fight was slipping away as he watched Ryu's grip on Amegakure solidify.
"Maybe I lost my way… or maybe this path was never mine," Yahiko reflected, melancholy filling his thoughts. "But even so, I can't let Nagato and Konan's legacy die. I need… I need to find a new purpose."
He stopped for a moment, looking down at the city below, his hands clenched into fists.
"Ryu, you might have everything now, but I still have something to prove. I won't let it all end like this."
Yahiko closed his eyes and prepared for what was to come. The war against Ryu might be impossible to win, but he knew he had no more choices. He had to try.
And to begin again, he needed to return to Jiraiya. He needed to reach Konoha.
Meanwhile…
Ryu slowly removed the bandages covering his eyes. The soft light of the room pierced through for the first time since the transplant, and he opened his eyes with calm deliberation. The brilliance of the Rinnegan emerged in all its splendor, the mysterious ripples in the center of his irises reflecting an ancient power. It was as if the very world around him was aware of the new force he now possessed.
Konan, standing by his side, watched him intently. Even with her usual composure, she couldn't suppress a shiver upon seeing Ryu's now fully transformed gaze. He was no longer just a leader; he was something far beyond that.
"Konan," he called, his voice firm yet laced with curiosity and command. "How is everything progressing?"
She inclined her head slightly, her tone respectful yet confident. "The village is stabilizing, Ryu. Akatsuki's squads are patrolling strategic areas to ensure there are no remaining loyalists to Hanzo. Security is under control."
Ryu nodded, still adjusting to the new vision the eyes granted him. He could perceive every detail of the surroundings as if he could see beyond the obvious. It was a strange sensation, yet intoxicating at the same time.
"And what about public support?" he asked, his voice carrying a subtle expectation.
Konan smiled faintly. "The people have started to recognize Akatsuki as the saviors of the Hidden Rain. Many already see us as the new leadership. With Hanzo's fall, there's no organized resistance left. But…" She hesitated for a moment, looking at him.
Ryu raised an eyebrow. "But?"
"Yahiko escaped," she said, a hint of concern in her tone. "He managed to flee during the battle. We don't know where he went, but he could become a problem in the future."
Ryu closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Yahiko…" He opened his eyes again, the Rinnegan glowing with intensity. "He's stubborn, but not an immediate threat. Let's focus on consolidating our control. If he shows up, we'll deal with him."
Konan nodded in agreement. "Yes, Ryu. What should we do now?"
Ryu rose slowly, still feeling the effects of the procedure, but his posture radiated authority. "Now? We'll use this moment of peace to prepare. We have enemies beyond this village. Danzo will be the first among them, Konan."
He looked directly at her, his Rinnegan eyes seeming to pierce her soul. "Akatsuki will be the dawn of a new world, but we must be ready for the shadows that still lie ahead."
Ryu closed his eyes, focusing briefly before opening them again. The rippling pattern of the Rinnegan vanished, reverting to his original scarlet eyes. He lightly ran a hand over his face, feeling the natural flow of control.
"Interesting… It seems I can deactivate the Rinnegan by halting the chakra flow to my eyes," Ryu remarked, a slight smile of satisfaction on his lips. "That could prove quite useful."
He stood with determination, adjusting his cloak. Turning to Konan, his expression softened slightly. "Konan, I'm leaving things in your hands. I need to go to Ryuchi Cave. My Sage Mode training isn't complete yet, and I sense it will be vital for what's to come."
Konan watched him intently, recognizing the seriousness of his words. Although the burden of leadership would temporarily fall on her, she knew Ryu was preparing for challenges greater than just controlling the Hidden Rain.
"All right," she replied confidently, stepping closer to Ryu. She pulled him into a brief kiss. "Be careful, Ryu. And come back soon. We still have much to build together."
Ryu smiled, returning the gesture with a soft touch to her face. "I trust you, Konan. I know you'll handle everything."
As Konan moved to inform the squad leaders of their new responsibilities, Ryu headed toward the village's exit. Each step seemed to echo with the weight of his determination. He knew the training in the Snake Sage Mode was a dangerous path, but a necessary one.
With that, Ryu disappeared in the direction of Ryuchi Cave, while the clouds above briefly parted, letting the morning light illuminate his path.