"That concludes the entire negotiation," reported a Rain Shinobi within Hanzō's chambers, giving him a detailed briefing.
After listening, Hanzō paused before asking, "Who is this Asahi?"
The subordinate responded, "He was one of the first to follow Yahiko in Akatsuki and typically stays by his side."
Hanzō thought of the few individuals who were always around Yahiko and mused, "It seems he is a trusted aide. I didn't expect Yahiko to have such a person under his wing."
From the subordinate's report, Asahi's unwavering confidence had surprised Hanzō. The demand for conditions twenty times greater than normal was audacious. Even if Yahiko ultimately failed, Hanzō wouldn't be too disappointed.
As for Yahiko's reactions during the negotiation, Hanzō paid little attention. So what if Yahiko learned the truth? The control would always rest in Hanzō's hands, whether externally or internally. If Yahiko wanted to progress further in the Land of Rain, he would inevitably have to rely on Hanzō. If Yahiko couldn't reconcile this himself, then, in Hanzō's eyes, he was simply too stubborn and not worth further attention.
For a leader, personal charisma was undoubtedly important, but their ideology was even more critical.
Yahiko was still young. His strength, skill, and cunning could grow over time, but ideology was different. Some people never learn flexibility, no matter how long they live.
"Genma has sent word that he's preparing to return," the subordinate reported.
"I see. You will handle the next liaison with Konoha," Hanzō instructed.
Once the Rain Shinobi departed, Yahiko entered with Asahi and others in tow.
Yahiko reported, "Lord Hanzō, the alliance with Konoha has been successfully established, and the terms are exactly as you set."
"You've done well," Hanzō replied calmly, nodding. His gaze lingered on Asahi for a moment.
"Yahiko, you are fortunate," Hanzō suddenly remarked.
Yahiko froze briefly at the comment.
Hanzō continued, "At your age, you are already better than I was. You have trustworthy comrades by your side. I believe your future achievements will surpass mine."
"Lord Hanzō's contributions to the Land of Rain are unparalleled," Yahiko replied. "I dare not compare myself to you, but Akatsuki will always strive for peace."
Hanzō let out a faint, enigmatic chuckle and said, "Soon, Genma and Nagato will also complete their tasks and return. You will be able to meet again."
Hearing this, Konan couldn't hide her joy.
"Additionally, the war is approaching. I hope you are prepared," Hanzō added.
"Yes, sir!"
After leaving Amegakure, Konan remarked, "We'll soon see Nagato again."
Yahiko smiled. "Indeed. That kid... I wonder what mission he was assigned. He's been away for so long. It seems Hanzō holds him in high regard."
After all, Nagato was the Rinnegan's wielder. From the moment Hanzō noticed him, his position had been extraordinary.
Originally, Yahiko had intended for Nagato to stay close to Hanzō, potentially succeeding him in the future. With the dual roles of Akatsuki leader and Hanzō's confidant, Akatsuki would surely thrive.
But now, the more Yahiko learned, the more he realized that Akatsuki and Hanzō were not aligned in their ideals. His initial belief in following Hanzō's lead was gradually shifting, and new thoughts were forming in his mind.
Back at the base, members of Akatsuki gathered, eager to hear about the mission. Everyone agreed that negotiating with Konoha was a monumental achievement.
Seeing the enthusiasm, Yahiko felt a wave of emotion but didn't express it. Instead, Kyusuke stepped in to dramatically recount the events to Tobi and others. He exaggerated, saying Yahiko completely dominated Konoha's two advisors, leaving them utterly helpless.
"Yahiko even got bored and let Asahi handle the rest!" Kyusuke boasted, greatly embellishing the story.
Yahiko, rubbing his forehead in exasperation, interjected, "It wasn't that exaggerated, Kyusuke. Stop making things up."
In truth, the success of the negotiations was largely due to Asahi's efforts. Without his initial guidance, the alliance wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
Unconvinced, Kyusuke retorted, "How am I making things up? That old man Mitokado Homura and the old lady Koharu Utatane—weren't their noses in the air back in the Grass Country? Now they're practically begging us. Isn't it all thanks to you, Yahiko?"
This statement immediately garnered a chorus of agreement.
Tobi, with a face full of admiration, exclaimed, "Yahiko-senpai is amazing!"
Yahiko, tired of arguing, turned to Asahi and said, "Asahi, come with me for a moment."
At the side, Konan watched the two leave with a thoughtful expression.
Tobi suddenly blurted, "Is Asahi-senpai going to discuss another important matter with Yahiko-senpai?"
Kyusuke promptly wrapped an arm tightly around Tobi's neck, saying, "Kid, is this any of your concern as a newbie? I haven't even finished my story! Sit tight and listen!"
"Ah, it hurts! I can't breathe, Kyusuke-senpai!" Tobi grimaced in pain, struggling to pry Kyusuke's arm off while still glancing toward the direction Yahiko and Asahi had gone.
Inside the room, Yahiko turned to Asahi and said, "This time, I really have to thank you."
Asahi shook his head. "Even without me, You would have managed to form the alliance."
Yahiko chuckled. "Why do you always speak so diplomatically? Without your guidance yesterday, how could I have succeeded?"
He thought back to how clueless he had been about negotiations just the day before. Otherwise, he wouldn't have returned empty-handed from Konoha's camp earlier.
For a moment, Yahiko wondered whether sending Asahi to negotiate with Konoha from the start might have changed the outcome. But after careful thought, he dismissed the idea.
Back then, Konoha had no intention of forming an alliance with them, nor did Hanzō. The leverage in any negotiation ultimately came from the backing of their respective villages.
Yahiko sighed lightly. "Lately, I've found that so many things aren't what I initially thought. The road ahead will likely be filled with more challenges. I wonder if we'll always be able to overcome them…"
Asahi replied earnestly, "We will."
Hearing this, Yahiko looked at him and smiled. "Yes, we will. With you, Nagato, Konan, and everyone else, we can overcome any difficulty."
He felt incredibly fortunate to have someone like Asahi by his side. Asahi's presence often dispelled his doubts, especially during this pivotal period for Akatsuki's rise. Yahiko didn't dare to imagine what direction he might have led Akatsuki in without Asahi.
Pushing away these unsettling thoughts, Yahiko shook his head and motioned for Asahi to sit as he took a seat himself.
"I've been pondering something," Yahiko said, "and I'd like your opinion."
Asahi listened quietly, accustomed to Yahiko seeking his advice on almost everything. It was a good thing—it allowed Asahi to stay informed about all of Akatsuki's actions and steer Yahiko away from making unwise decisions.
If Akatsuki veered off course, Asahi might not be able to save it easily. Bound by his system and Konan, Asahi couldn't leave. With the storyline already altered, many events were no longer predictable. Helping Yahiko and Akatsuki was the best course he could take now.
Yahiko began speaking slowly, "I can never fully agree with Hanzō's methods. Yet, for now, we're under his thumb. On matters of national significance, we have no voice—perhaps not for a long time to come. Even if this war ends in our favor, who's to say Hanzō won't change his stance then? What choice would we have but to yield to him again?"
Using the word "yield" was uncharacteristic of Yahiko, but Asahi understood the implication. Yahiko was becoming acutely aware of the importance of strength.
He wanted to rise to power.
"Asahi, how do you think we should shape our future?" Yahiko's expression was heavy, but a flicker of fervor glimmered in his eyes.
"Asahi, you must have an idea, don't you? No, I'm certain you do!" Yahiko's confidence in Asahi was inexplicable but unshakable.
Under Yahiko's intense gaze, Asahi finally nodded.
"There's something Hanzō wouldn't dare to attempt. Yahiko, would you dare?"
Yahiko froze momentarily, then a smile slowly spread across his face, turning into laughter.
"I knew it! I knew it! Hahaha…" He laughed heartily, then composed himself, his expression sincere and brimming with excitement.
"Asahi, I trust you. Why would I hesitate?"
Asahi spoke slowly, "Yahiko, do you remember the plan to establish a second Akatsuki base?"
Yahiko fell into deep thought and nodded. "I remember. Back then, you advised against it, saying it wasn't the right time to expand."
Asahi replied, "Akatsuki needs a bigger stage. But as long as we remain in the Land of Rain, we'll always be under Hanzō's thumb. His influence in this country is deeply entrenched. Unless he dies, there's no way we can rise to power."
Yahiko was startled, his voice trembling. "Are you saying we should… kill him?"
Asahi shook his head. "Of course not. If Hanzō dies, the Land of Rain will plunge into chaos, giving other nations an opportunity to intervene. Despite his age, Hanzō's reputation still deters the other great nations. That's why even Konoha humbles itself to form an alliance with us."
Yahiko breathed a sigh of relief but remained contemplative. "Then, what do you mean by that statement?"
"The Land of Rain needs Hanzō. We can't replace him. Akatsuki neither has the power to intimidate the great nations nor the prestige to earn the trust of the people here. If we stay in the Land of Rain, we only have two paths: either become Hanzō's tools, or be purged by him."
"Neither option, I believe, is acceptable to you, Yahiko."
Yahiko was silent for a long time before finally speaking. "You're suggesting that Akatsuki should leave the Land of Rain?"
"Exactly," Asahi nodded.
Yahiko didn't immediately reject the idea, though he was reluctant to leave the place he considered home. In his heart, the Land of Rain was paramount.
He asked Asahi, "If we leave the Land of Rain, where would we go? Which country would take us in?"
The Land of Fire, the Land of Earth…
Several possibilities flashed through Yahiko's mind, but none seemed feasible.
Seeing that Asahi didn't offer an answer, Yahiko looked into his eyes, and a bold idea suddenly sprang to mind. His eyes widened as he blurted out, "The Land of Grass!"
"You guessed it."
Yahiko stared in disbelief. "Asahi, you…"
Asahi calmly explained, "The Land of Grass has already been ravaged by the war between Konoha and Iwagakure. Now that the Land of Grass has allied with Iwagakure and fully committed to the war, by the time it ends, their nation will be in ruins. At that point, it won't be about asking them to accept us—it will be us taking over the Land of Grass!"
Yahiko was utterly shocked by Asahi's audacious plan.
Stealing a nation…
It was something Yahiko had never even considered.
His thoughts raced, and more questions surfaced in his mind. "You said Hanzō wouldn't dare to attempt this. Why?"
Asahi answered, "The three great nations—Fire, Earth, and Wind—would never allow the Land of Rain to grow stronger. Especially with Hanzō, whom they deeply fear. If Hanzō made such a move, they would undoubtedly interfere and obstruct him."
Yahiko pressed on, "But wouldn't they stop us as well? Akatsuki isn't strong enough to govern a nation. And what about Iwagakure? Wouldn't they intervene, since the Land of Grass is their ally?"
Asahi countered, "The Land of Grass would welcome us because we would be their saviors. With Nagato, the wielder of the Rinnegan and the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths, leading us, how could they not welcome us?
"As for Iwagakure, if we and Konoha win this war, a defeated Iwagakure might not even be able to concern themselves with us. Of course, taking over the Land of Grass would face countless obstacles—from everywhere. Yahiko, the real question is: do you dare to try?"
Yahiko was silent for a long time, disbelief still lingering in his eyes.
He hadn't imagined that Asahi harbored such a plan, such ambition!
Yet the future Asahi painted for him was also tantalizing.
To have a country of his own, no matter how broken or weak it was—Yahiko was determined to make it better than Hanzō ever could!
If he lacked the courage to pursue this vision, he might as well stay under Hanzō's command and slowly become just like him.
Gradually, Yahiko calmed himself. His gaze on Asahi was complex and indecipherable. Finally, he let out a faint laugh.
"Asahi, we will definitely reach the end of this path!"