It had become inevitable that the Land of Rain would participate in the war.
Yahiko was powerless to change this, and it was precisely because of this that he struggled internally.
After returning to their base, Yahiko locked himself in his room and refused to see anyone, spending the whole day in isolation.
The next day, Kyūsuke brought back news.
"Lord Hanzō has declared war," he said with a solemn expression.
"Such determination," Asahi couldn't help but remark, considering he too had once sparked war. It wasn't surprising that he could make such a decision now.
What remained uncertain, however, was how long the Third Shinobi World War would last now that Amegakure was involved.
Kyūsuke continued, "But, Lord Hanzō has declared war on the Land of Grass. The reason is that the Grass ninjas repeatedly harassed the borders of the Land of Rain, harming our citizens."
Asahi pondered, it seemed the alliance between Amegakure and Konoha had not yet been formalized.
"Brother Yahiko still doesn't know about this," Kyūsuke added.
"It doesn't matter whether he knows now or later," Asahi responded.
After a brief silence, Kyūsuke said, "War is never a good thing. Brother Yahiko must be in great pain right now."
After hearing the news, the members of Akatsuki gathered around Kyūsuke to ask about Yahiko's stance. At a time like this, Akatsuki needed their leader's guidance more than ever.
Konan also came, but she was looking for Asahi.
"You... Can you try to talk to Yahiko?" she asked softly.
She had tried to deliver food to Yahiko but had been turned away. With Nagato not around, she could only think of Asahi.
During this time, Yahiko had been very attentive to Asahi's words.
"Konan, do you want me to convince him to accept the situation and support Lord Hanzō?" Asahi asked in return.
Konan lowered her eyes. "You have your own thoughts about this war, don't you? Just tell him what you think."
Kyūsuke added, "Asahi, give it a try."
Reluctantly, Asahi agreed, "Alright."
With that, he headed toward Yahiko's room.
At this moment, Tobi, who was next to Kyūsuke, muttered, "Kyūsuke-senpai, why do I feel like there's something going on between Konan and Asahi?"
Kyūsuke immediately slapped Tobi on the head. "Don't pry into other people's affairs!"
Asahi stood at the door, initially planning to knock, but after a moment's thought, he simply pushed the door open and entered.
Yahiko was sitting in a chair, lost in thought. His face looked somewhat haggard. When he saw Asahi enter without knocking, his gaze flickered briefly, but he didn't say anything to ask him to leave.
"Lord Hanzō has declared war on the Land of Grass. The Land of Rain will soon be drawn into the war," Asahi said.
Yahiko's face showed sorrow. "The Land of Rain can't withstand such a war."
The previous war had already left the Land of Rain severely damaged, and it had not yet recovered.
"Asahi, what do you think we should do now?"
Yahiko's expression was filled with confusion.
"Yahiko, don't you already know in your heart?"
"..."
Akatsuki now faced two paths: one was to support Hanzō and actively participate in the war, and the other was to remain a bystander, possibly doing what they could to protect the residents from harm.
Asahi continued, "Lord Hanzō, like us, is a person who seeks peace. Now, if we can't even persuade him, how can we persuade the leaders of the Five Great Nations?"
Yahiko couldn't help but ask, "Do you also think that what Lord Hanzō is doing is correct?"
Asahi shook his head gently. "When it comes to war, the concepts of right and wrong are too simplistic. No matter how noble the excuses for war seem, they all lead to one thing—killing. Countless people will die, and blood will stain the hands of those involved. The reason each person participates in the war may differ—some for more power, others to protect their homes, and some for revenge."
"Yahiko, you are different from all of them. Only you truly seek peace in your heart. You shouldn't hesitate about which path to take. The road is always winding and difficult. What matters is how to reach the end."
"If you stall in order to avoid the bloodshed, all you'll do is watch as those people slaughter each other and more lives are lost. If you reach the end first, peace will come sooner."
Yahiko lowered his head, biting his lip, and dejectedly said, "Asahi, I'm not cut out to be a leader."
He felt he lacked both vision and the ability to manage, and even as a ninja, his abilities were hardly exceptional. Was someone like him really capable of fulfilling that ideal?
Asahi tilted his head. "Is that how you see it, Yahiko?"
"..."
"In that case, why not just disband Akatsuki?"
Yahiko froze, his eyes widening in shock. "W-what are you saying?"
Asahi calmly responded, "If you feel you can't do it, then what purpose does Akatsuki still serve?"
Yahiko's voice carried anger as he retorted, "Akatsuki is the result of the ideals and efforts of so many people..."
But he suddenly realized that Asahi was provoking him, and his voice grew quieter.
"I mean, Akatsuki needs a better leader, someone like Nagato... someone like you."
Asahi remained indifferent, responding calmly, "But it was because of you that we came together and formed Akatsuki. We followed you because we believed in your ideals."
"Or do you think that the current Akatsuki is already your great achievement?"
"..."
Yahiko stared, his pupils widening slightly. He swallowed, but for a long while, he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Asahi then turned and walked to the door, fully opening it.
Outside stood Konan, and beyond her was the rest of Akatsuki. When they saw the door open, they all turned their attention to the room.
Yahiko glanced at Asahi, who had stepped aside. The faint light coming from outside shone into the room, but Asahi's figure was hidden from view.
Konan, with a worried look on her face, spoke softly, "Yahiko..."
Yahiko silently stood up and slowly walked out of the room.
"Brother Yahiko!"
"Yahiko, what should we do?"
"The war's about to start, Yahiko!"
As he emerged, Akatsuki's members could no longer hold their questions.
The constant rain poured down, as it always did in the Land of Rain.
Yahiko thought to himself, if only it were a sunny day now, wouldn't it make the atmosphere more fitting...
His gaze flickered slightly, and he took a deep breath before turning to face everyone. With a firm voice, he declared, "Everyone, let us fight for the Land of Rain, and for peace!"
At his words, countless voices echoed in agreement.
"We'll follow you, Yahiko!"
"Let them see our strength!"
Tobi, standing beside Kyūsuke, whispered, "It looks like Asahi-senpai persuaded Yahiko."
Kyūsuke nodded knowingly. "Of course. Asahi is someone who knows what he wants. And there's no way Yahiko would just give up like that. He's our leader."
Konan, standing closer to the door, glanced inside the room and met Asahi's eyes.
For some reason, she suddenly felt a wave of unease, quickly averting her gaze.