Chapter 78: Codename "Zero"
Nagato's sudden, direct invitation caught Liumu off guard. He'd come to gauge Nagato's mindset, not to be recruited himself.
Faced with the outstretched hand, Liumu still shook his head.
"You're still refusing us?" Nagato asked, his tone calm but persistent. "You're a Chunin now, not the child who just became one."
In the eyes of Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, their junior brother possessed unfathomable power. And despite his youth, his mind was sharp, almost unnervingly perceptive. Nagato was the cornerstone of the nascent Akatsuki plan, but having Liumu within their ranks would make the organization far stronger than even Liumu's own description.
But…
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline again this time."
Liumu offered a faint smile. He reached into his ninja pouch and pulled out a neatly folded piece of black cloth, handing it to Nagato.
Nagato unfolded it to find a small cache of rings, each intricately engraved with a single character.
"What is this?"
Seeing Nagato's confusion, Liumu selected the ring bearing the character "零" (Zero) and placed it in Nagato's palm. "I have my own reasons for not joining," he explained.
Nagato didn't fully grasp those reasons, but his eyes remained fixed on the ring. "Zero…"
"Zero is the beginning and the end," Liumu said, his voice taking on a deliberate gravity. "As the sharpest dagger of the Land of Rain, 'Zero' will be your codename."
He then took the ring engraved with "白" (White) from the cloth. "Don't forget the ideal you just spoke of. I believe in that version of you. As for the plan I mentioned, don't worry about it for now. Before that, focus on studying… how to use your eyes."
Even in Konoha, home of the Sharingan, knowledge of the Rinnegan's secrets was scarce. Neither Yahiko nor Nagato himself fully understood the power he held. Liumu wasn't sure how much of the Rinnegan's capability Nagato could currently access, but in the original timeline, Nagato had been able to summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path in a moment of rage. As for mastering the Six Paths… that would come in time.
"White" belonged to Konan. As Nagato's staunchest supporter and, secretly, the organization's financier—given the exorbitant cost of even a single explosive tag, and Konan's infamous habit of using billions of them—her role was vital.
"Hey, what's this?" Konan asked later, curiously examining the ring on her finger.
"An identifier," Liumu replied.
"An identifier? For what?" Konan tilted her head. "Also, aren't rings for marriage?"
Liumu: "..."
"If I give you a ring now, does that mean you're married to me?" Liumu teased, leaning in with a playful grin.
"Hmph, you little devil!" Konan laughed, gently ruffling his hair. "Aren't you afraid Sister Haku will get jealous?"
Haku: "..."
"I'm not afraid. I wouldn't be angry," Haku stated plainly.
Liumu: "..."
Konan: "..."
For a moment, Liumu was stunned, then oddly pleased. Had he found a treasure? Haku didn't object?
"Ahem!" Konan shot Haku a look that was both amused and exasperated, then lightly punched Liumu's shoulder. "What are you grinning about? Look at the ideas you've put in Sister Haku's head."
Haku: "..." Wronged! So wronged!
Haku was older than him, and he hadn't taught her that. Her traumatic upbringing had simply shaped her perspective differently from most girls. Liumu understood this, which was precisely why he was reluctant to let her wander the world alone. On one hand, he wanted to protect her from being hurt; on the other, he wanted to preserve her unique, untainted purity.
The ninja world was a web of complexity, intrigue, and betrayal. If there was any innocence left in it, for Liumu, it resided in Haku. That was a major reason he had brought her away from Konoha.
With the foundational structure for the Akatsuki laid out, Liumu turned his thoughts to Yahiko. He believed Senior Brother Yahiko was and should remain the public face of the new Land of Rain. He didn't need to join the covert Akatsuki; having Nagato and Konan was enough. Other members could be gathered gradually—there was still time.
As for certain figures from the original timeline who could never be swayed—like "Tobi," the behind-the-scenes manipulator, who was Madara's loyal agent and indispensable to the Eye of the Moon Plan—they were impossible recruits. To fill those eventual gaps, Liumu had selected a couple of alternative candidates. Whether they would join… well, that depended on what they desired.
"Liumu…"
In the middle of his lighthearted banter with Konan, Liumu noticed Yahiko entering the room, his expression unusually serious.
Instantly switching gears, Liumu said to Haku, "Play with Senior Sister Konan for a bit. Senior Brother Yahiko and I need to talk outside."
Seeing Liumu's shift in demeanor, Haku nodded obediently.
Yahiko led Liumu to a small, secure room. Once they were seated, Yahiko got straight to the point. "I heard from Nagato. You refused to join our plan because you have… concerns? Can you tell me what you're worried about?"
Liumu hadn't expected such a solemn summons for this reason. In many ways, Yahiko was kind-hearted and idealistic—an excellent leader for a war-torn land like the Rain. However, once the country stabilized, that same kindness might become a liability for its governance. Fortunately, he had Nagato and Konan by his side to provide balance.
Meeting Yahiko's earnest gaze, Liumu subtly shifted, drawing attention to the Konoha forehead protector tied around his arm.
"I don't want to be a traitor."
Yahiko: "..."
"It's the same if you invited Teacher Jiraiya now. He would never agree. I will not betray Konoha. It has its flaws, many of them… but I'll deal with those in my own way. Beyond that, it's still my home. There are people there I care about."
Regarding Konoha's internal issues, Liumu had no perfect solution yet, but betrayal was never an option.
Seeing Yahiko's disappointed look, Liumu offered comfort. "My stance remains the same. We're all disciples of Teacher Jiraiya. Whether I join or not, I'm still me, your junior brother. When the Land of Rain needs help, as long as it doesn't violate my principles, I will be there."
"But—" Yahiko seemed to want to press further.
"No 'buts,'" Liumu cut him off gently. Then, leaning closer, his voice dropped to a whisper. "Don't resist. See for yourself…"
As he moved within arm's reach, the power of the Sky Fox's Eyes activated, pulling Yahiko into a meticulously crafted genjutsu of Liumu's own making.
(End of Chapter)
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