Akatsuki's organized resistance lasted only a single day.
But what a day it was. The fighting was brutal—nowhere more so than in the battle for the Amekage Building. There, General Daibutsu led eight hundred of Akatsuki's most devoted shinobi into a desperate tug-of-war against Konoha forces that outnumbered them several times over. Each of those eight hundred fought with the grim resolve of men and women ready to die for their cause.
Again and again, Akatsuki members wrapped themselves in explosive tags and charged headlong into enemy ranks, choosing mutual destruction over surrender.
The carnage was beyond tragic, beyond heroic. Words like "epic" or "heart-rending" hardly did it justice.
And yet, their sacrifice bought only three hours. The gap in strength was simply too great.
When the fighting reached its bitter end, Daibutsu—the front-line commander—was the last man standing. Even with over a dozen wounds, he kept swinging his iron staff, refusing to fall. Only when he finally collapsed from blood loss did the Konoha shinobi dare approach. Out of respect, they cleaned his body, removing seventeen kunai, four shuriken, and countless other wounds. Even Danzo himself praised his courage and loyalty.
In the days that followed, Danzo did three things.
First, he issued a public statement: Konoha and Amegakure had been in talks for a joint defense pact when Yahiko, leader of Amegakure, suddenly launched an assassination attempt against Konoha's envoy—Danzo himself. Only the selfless sacrifice of Sakumo Hatake saved him. As punishment for this "shameless attack," Konoha had no choice but to bring Amegakure to heel.
The irony? That statement came out the day after Konoha had already taken over the village—the first war in ninja history where the declaration came after the fighting was done.
Second, he ordered the complete eradication of Akatsuki's remaining forces in Amegakure.
His method was simple: three orders.
Anyone wearing a red cloud cloak—kill on sight.
Anyone wearing an Amegakure headband—kill on sight.
Anyone who dared raise a weapon against Konoha—kill on sight.
For a time, the streets of Amegakure ran red with blood.
Third, he confiscated all assets belonging to the Flying Rain Group.
In truth, the Fire Eight Pillars Commerce Association's "acquisition team" had been following behind the Konoha army from the very start, ready to seize the riverside industries as soon as the village fell. This was all part of the deal Konoha struck before the war—even that fifteen billion ryo war loan depended on it.
But "acquisition" was just a polite word for wholesale plunder. Every factory, workshop, and mine was taken over by the Fire Eight Pillars. The riverside shops—most of them private businesses established after Akatsuki overthrew Nōshin Kongō—were snatched up without exception.
Think you can argue? You'll be greeted with fists and clubs.
Want to resist? Danzo's orders were clear: anyone who dares raise a weapon against Konoha—kill!
And "weapon" was defined as broadly as possible. In desperate times, a table, chair, broom, mop, kitchen knife, or rolling pin could all be called a weapon. For shinobi, even fists and feet counted. Countless would-be defenders of their homes fell beneath Konoha's blades.
Soon, the seizures spread from the riverside to the entire village. Amegakure became a sea of misery, wails and sobs echoing through the streets.
But to Danzo, these were trivial matters. After all, this wasn't Konoha...
Outside Amegakure, Akatsuki's "Secret Camp"
The so-called secret camp was once a mountain stronghold for a bandit gang known as the "Little Ten Thousand Camp." Back in Akatsuki's "outlaw" days, Konan had led a team to capture it. It was remote, well-hidden, and though not nestled among towering peaks, its defenses were solid enough.
When Aotu Tailuo suggested setting up a base behind enemy lines, Yahiko immediately thought of this place.
Luckily, Konan hadn't burned it down after taking it. Aside from being a little dirty, the buildings were mostly intact.
Thanks to Aotu Tailuo's usual efficiency, repairs and supply runs were arranged the very next day. Without that, Akatsuki's survivors wouldn't have had any place to regroup.
But the cost had been staggering. The "surrender faction" among the leadership had defected to Konoha en masse. Most of the resistance died in battle. Fewer than five hundred made it here—and among the senior staff, only Konan, Aotu Tailuo, and Kazama Xu remained. Oh, and Nagato—if he was even still alive.
"How's he doing?"
Aotu Tailuo asked.
"He's not going to die, but those black iron rods are buried deep in his spine..."
Kazama Xu replied, glancing at Nagato, who lay face-down on the bed, the rods jutting grotesquely from his back.
"Give it to me straight. What's the prognosis?"
"He'll probably never stand again."
Aotu Tailuo fell silent.
"And Konan?"
"She hasn't left Yahiko's side. Won't talk, won't eat—just keeps crying."
"Let her be," Aotu Tailuo sighed. "She needs time."
"What do we do now, Tailuo?"
Kazama Xu's voice was soft, almost lost. Years in prison had worn away her edge; now, she seemed like someone desperate for a shoulder to lean on. (Typical Scorpio.)
"Yahiko saved my life, then gave me purpose. Ever since I left The Abyss, I've been ready to lay down my life for him."
"But Yahiko is dead."
"But his ideals aren't! His dream isn't! And his enemies sure as hell aren't!"
Aotu Tailuo's voice rose, then he glanced at the sleeping Nagato and lowered it again.
"Xu, you know my story. I was a disgraced officer from Sunagakure, sentenced to rot in The Abyss. I thought I'd die in that godforsaken hole. I never expected a ray of light to appear in my life—and that light was Yahiko.
From him, I saw the ideals and drive I'd lost. In his eyes, I saw the same fire that once burned in mine—the faith to chase something bigger. From that moment, I decided I'd devote my life to helping him achieve his dream.
Yes, he's gone. But his ideals shouldn't die. His dream of building a nation free of war and hunger shouldn't die. Even if I'm the last one left, I'll help Yahiko see it through. I know we're at rock bottom now—fewer than five hundred people left—but I'm not giving up. No matter how hard it gets!"
Kazama Xu was quiet for a moment, then gently rested her head on Aotu Tailuo's shoulder.
"Wherever you go, I'll go."
Aotu Tailuo pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and held her close.
Neither of them noticed Nagato's eyelids fluttering, his hand clenching into a tight fist.
"Alright, you stay with Nagato. I'm going to patrol the camp. We're still too close to Amegakure—can't risk Konoha finding us."
"Okay."
Kazama Xu nodded gently.
Aotu Tailuo slipped out quietly. Once outside, he wiped a tear from his eye.
"Damn... I even moved myself. Bet Nagato's got the will to fight again now."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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