By the late hours of the night, the excitement of the group had nearly faded. Some people had directly collapsed onto the tables or sat on the floor, leaning against the walls and fast asleep. Yahiko, who had drunk a fair amount of alcohol, was now feeling drowsy, sitting on a stool in a daze.
Asahi, on the other hand, was wide awake, standing alone in the corridor outside.
The rain had lessened significantly, now only a light drizzle, the sound no longer as loud and bothersome.
"Asahi."
Kyusuke, still dazed, stumbled out and stood beside Asahi, casually undoing his pants and relieving himself right there.
"What are you doing standing out here alone?"
"Thinking about meeting Hanzō tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
Kyusuke followed Asahi's gaze but was obstructed by the thick night, seeing nothing in the darkness.
"What are you worried about?" he asked.
"Do you think we can really succeed?"
They had only been struggling at the bottom for a few years, having helped many, but with no truly impressive results. If tomorrow's negotiations went well, it would be a huge leap for the Akatsuki.
Kyusuke chuckled, "Don't be so pessimistic. There's no reason for Hanzō not to accept us. Maybe, as you said, his promises seem too idealistic, but maybe he already sees our potential and is choosing to invest in us early."
"Kyusuke, what kind of person do you think Hanzō is?"
Kyusuke paused for a moment, furrowing his brow and thinking carefully. "Although I think his approach is too passive, he's still a visionary leader. Without him, the situation in the Land of Rain wouldn't be any better than it is now."
The Land of Rain had already suffered greatly under the ravages of war.
Hanzō, in his earlier days, chose the path of external expansion, waging a grand and intense war across the ninja world. At that time, the entire ninja world became aware of the name Hanzo the Salamander. Although he ultimately failed, for these small countries, there was no other way forward.
Today, some so-called small countries still exist, but most of them lack the ninja forces to truly govern themselves. How many of them are truly able to lead?
Hanzō is still regarded as the pinnacle of the ninja world by countless ninjas, and has been the goal pursued by the Akatsuki since its founding. Such a person, now in his later years, has started to become consumed by the power in his hands…?
While Asahi's thoughts were in disarray, a figure suddenly flew towards them, and Asahi immediately looked up. His gaze met the other's in mid-air. In that instant, a heavy weight in Asahi's heart was lifted.
"Konan !" Kyusuke exclaimed in surprise.
"Didn't you go to patrol the seventh district? Why are you back so early?"
Konan first glanced at Asahi, then spoke gravely, "Something happened. Where is Yahiko?"
Upon hearing this, Kyusuke quickly turned around and ran into the room to call for Yahiko. Konan and Asahi followed him inside.
Yahiko, awakened from his sleep, groggily lifted his head and was surprised to see Konan return.
"Konan ? Why are you back? Where's Nagato?"
"We were ambushed," Konan said in a low voice.
Yahiko froze for a moment, then suddenly stood up, his mind clearing instantly.
"What happened? Are you injured? Where's Nagato?" His voice was urgent and tinged with panic.
"We're fine. Nagato is behind us, bringing the bodies of those who ambushed us. He's just a bit slower."
Kyusuke widened his eyes in shock. Konan was ambushed?
He stiffened, staring at Asahi. The kid was right!
Yahiko felt a pang of fear, staring blankly for a moment before sitting back down. He looked at Kyusuke and murmured, "Kyusuke, it's thanks to you…"
Kyusuke remained silent.
Yahiko then turned to Konan , "Who ambushed you?"
Konan paused for a moment before speaking.
"It was... a Leaf Village ninja."
"Leaf Village?!"
"They disguised themselves as our Rain ninjas and had been lying in ambush there since early morning."
"Leaf Village... Leaf Village... Why would ninjas from the Leaf come here...?" Yahiko muttered, his mind racing with thoughts.
The so-called "Seventh District" was an area that the Akatsuki had designated as their own. In reality, it was just an ordinary village.
The Land of Rain was still in a state of chaos. Bandits, rogue ninjas, and defectors ran rampant within the country's borders, and foreign ninjas could often be seen at the edges of the land.
This Seventh District was an area that the Akatsuki protected, driving away these dangers for the local people.
For ninjas from the Leaf Village to travel all the way to the Land of Rain and stage an ambush in an ordinary village—it was clear they were targeting the Akatsuki! Before long, Nagato returned, bringing with him two corpses.
The Akatsuki members had all gotten up and gathered around the two bodies. They had always adhered to the principle of "no killing," engaging in peaceful negotiations, but when faced with danger, killing was sometimes unavoidable.
"These really are Leaf Village ninjas."
"Why would ninjas from the Leaf Village come here?"
"Could they be planning to attack the Land of Rain?"
"Yahiko."
Yahiko furrowed his brow. The timing of the Leaf ninjas' arrival seemed too coincidental. He was already forming some bad suspicions in his mind.
"Yahiko, what about your meeting with Hanzō tomorrow?" Konan asked.
"...I'll think about it."
Yahiko lightly patted Nagato on the shoulder before turning and heading back to his room.
Kyusuke then called over Asahi and Daibutsu to help move the two bodies. They couldn't just discard and bury them right away; for now, they had to store them.
"Asahi, you really did predict this correctly." Kyusuke couldn't help but speak.
"It was just precautionary. I didn't expect Konan to actually encounter danger. Thankfully, she returned safely." Asahi replied.
"But why would ninjas from the Leaf Village come to the Land of Rain?"
"...I don't know."
"This timing is just too coincidental."
"Yeah."
Kyusuke looked at Asahi and said, "Asahi, do you think so too?"
His face was grim. If their suspicions were true, it would undoubtedly be the worst-case scenario.
Hanzō was undoubtedly the highest authority in the Land of Rain. If he harbored ill intentions toward the Akatsuki, they would have no place to hide in the Land of Rain!
"Dammit, why is this happening?!" Kyusuke couldn't help but curse.
Everything they had done was for the Land of Rain. They all looked up to Hanzo the Salamander. Didn't Hanzō understand that?!
"What we need to consider now is tomorrow's meeting," Asahi said.
Kyusuke furrowed his brows and said, "No, Yahiko can't go to this meeting anymore, it's too dangerous!"
Asahi replied, "Regardless of whether this is related to Hanzō, if he doesn't know about this and we miss the meeting without a valid reason, Hanzō might think we're neglecting his goodwill and that could change his attitude toward the Akatsuki."
Kyusuke angrily questioned, "Are you really going to let Yahiko take this risk?!"
Asahi gently shook his head. "There's another way to resolve this."
Kyusuke froze for a moment and asked, "What did you say?"
Daibutsu also turned his gaze toward Asahi.
Kyusuke quickly asked, "What's the solution?"
After saying this, he was about to pull Asahi away. "Let's go. We need to talk to Yahiko."
Kyusuke felt that if Asahi could predict Konan 's encounter with danger, then the solution he was about to offer might actually be more reliable.
But Asahi stood still and, after some thought, said, "Kyusuke, I'll tell you the solution. You should be the one to explain it to Yahiko."
"Why?" Kyusuke asked, confused.
Asahi appeared hesitant. "Konan is there. It's difficult for me to speak openly in front of her."
Kyusuke was a bit angry.
"Of all times, now?!"
Asahi lowered his gaze and said, "Anyway, just tell them it was your idea."
Daibutsu silently watched everything from the side.
Asahi slowly asked, "Kyusuke, do you remember why we decided to follow Yahiko in the first place?"
Kyusuke answered matter-of-factly, "Of course, it was because of Yahiko. We agree with his ideology."
"What else?"
Kyusuke froze at this question, his eyes widening in realization.
"You're saying... Nagato?"
Nagato's Rinnegan was not a secret within the Akatsuki. Some members were captivated by Yahiko's charisma, but others believed that with Nagato's Rinnegan, he could lead them to accomplish great things.
However, this matter was classified outside of the Akatsuki, even Hanzō was unaware.
What Asahi was considering was having Nagato meet with Hanzō alone before the official meeting.
The Rinnegan, belonging to the Land of Rain and the Hidden Rain Village—Asahi didn't believe that Hanzō wouldn't be moved by it and would continue his ties with Shimura Danzo.
Meanwhile, on Yahiko's side, the three were discussing the matter.
"Perhaps Hanzō doesn't know about this, and it's all unrelated to him," Yahiko sighed, speaking wearily.
"Yahiko..." Konan 's expression was complex.
The Akatsuki had finally found a glimmer of hope, and everyone was happy about it, but
Yahiko was reluctant to think negatively.
"Regardless, the risk of the meeting tomorrow is still too great," Nagato said. "Yahiko, you can't go."
Yahiko sat silently, not speaking.
They were powerless to oppose Hanzō. The Akatsuki was too small, and if Hanzō wanted to crush them, it would be as easy as crushing ants.
"What will happen if I don't go?" Yahiko asked, his voice low.
"If Hanzō really does have ill intentions toward us, does that mean we'll spend the rest of our days hiding and running?"
The Akatsuki's current actions were aimed at helping the people of the Land of Rain.
Before, they hadn't been recognized by Hanzō, which wasn't too bad. But once Hanzō began to see them as rebels, then all the people of the Land of Rain would view them as such.
They'd be shunned, and they would lose their right to help others.
Yahiko wanted to find a way out for the Akatsuki. He couldn't bear the thought of leading them to live that way. Not only would it betray those who followed them now, but it would also dishonor the comrades they had already lost.
Yahiko suddenly said, "I believe that even in the worst-case scenario, Hanzō might have just misunderstood us. Once I meet with him tomorrow, I'll explain things, and I think he'll understand us."
"Yahiko!" Nagato exclaimed, growing anxious.
Yahiko fell silent for a moment, seemingly making up his mind. "Nagato, I'll go alone to the meeting tomorrow. That way, we can show our sincerity. And as for the two Konoha ninja who died, I was the one who killed them."
"I disagree!" Nagato said urgently.
At this, Yahiko let out a soft laugh, sounding carefree. "Don't act like it's a life-or-death matter. We were just overthinking things. Don't you remember the Iwa ninja we encountered earlier? Given the current state of the Land of Rain, it's not that surprising to see Konoha ninja here."
"But this time is different from our encounter with the Iwa ninja!"
Yahiko shook his head and stood up. "I'll go and talk to everyone."
"Yahiko, you…"
Just then, Kyusuke's figure appeared at the door.
"Yahiko!"
"Kyusuke, have the bodies been dealt with?" Yahiko smiled.
Kyusuke entered along with Daibutsu, while Asahi stood at the door.
Nagato then said, "Kyusuke, you need to talk some sense into Yahiko. He insists on going to see Hanzō!"
Kyusuke smiled bitterly in his heart, thinking to himself that this was just like Yahiko.
"Yahiko doesn't need to rush. I have a plan."
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan all froze at these words.
"What plan?"
Kyusuke glanced at Asahi by the door, took a deep breath, and said, "Let me go!"
Asahi, upon hearing this, froze for a moment.
What is this kid talking about...?
Yahiko frowned and asked, "What are you saying?"
Kyusuke grinned and said, "Big brother, don't rush. Let me finish."
"I'll deliver a message to Hanzō, letting him know that we possess the Rinnegan. Whether he believes it or not will depend on his character. Even if Hanzō doesn't have good intentions toward us, he should reconsider. If he's unaware of this, then all the better—it will give us more leverage. Once I've gauged Hanzō's attitude, we can proceed with the negotiations."
"I'm just an insignificant person, so the worst-case scenario won't be too damaging for the Akatsuki. Besides, Hanzō likely won't kill me outright and risk alarming others."
The room fell silent.
Kyusuke slowly wiped the smile from his face. "Yahiko, you're our leader. Don't always think about sacrificing yourself for us. Losing you is much harder to bear than losing our lives. Don't forget why we followed you in the first place. No one else can lead us to fulfill that dream except you."
Yahiko's fingers trembled slightly.
"Kyusuke..."
Kyusuke turned to Nagato and said, "Nagato, you don't mind if I reveal that you have the Rinnegan, do you?"
Nagato pressed his lips together and silently placed his hand on Kyusuke's shoulder.
"Wait!"
Yahiko suddenly touched his temple, as if wanting to say something more.
"Although your plan is good, I…"
Before he could finish, the Akatsuki members poured into the room.
"Yahiko!"
"Yahiko!"
Kyusuke shrugged and said with a victorious smile, "Big brother, even though you're the leader, the will of the people must be followed."
Yahiko's gaze swept across everyone in the room as he muttered, "You kid…"
Kyusuke, on the other hand, tilted his head back and laughed heartily.
Asahi stood alone, leaning against the wall outside the door, his expression calm as he gazed into the thick night.
The rain had not yet stopped.