The next day.
Inside a dim room at the Akatsuki base.
Yahiko and Konan stood beside a bed. Both were wrapped in blood-stained bandages—fresh from battle. But neither cared about their own wounds.
Their eyes were fixed on the red-haired boy lying unconscious before them.
Nagato.
Moments earlier, they had nearly died.
They had rushed to rescue several wounded Iwagakure ninja, only to be ambushed instead. The attack had been merciless—no hesitation, no warning.
If not for Nagato suddenly erupting with power and summoning a strange creature at the last second, they would not have made it back alive.
But the price—
Nagato had collapsed immediately afterward.
He had not awakened since.
"Damn it…"
Yahiko clenched his fists.
His knuckles turned white.
The anger wasn't directed outward—it was inward.
Anger at his own weakness.
Guilt at failing to protect his comrades.
If he had been stronger…
If he had been more cautious…
Nagato wouldn't be lying here like this.
"Yahiko," Konan said softly, though her own voice trembled, "he probably just overexerted himself. He'll be fine."
Yahiko didn't answer.
This wasn't something comfort could dissolve.
So Konan shifted the topic.
"Why do you think those Iwa ninja attacked us?"
Her tone was calm—but there was something sharp beneath it.
This wasn't the first time Akatsuki had entered the battlefield to rescue wounded shinobi. They had saved both Iwa and Konoha ninja before. They were often met with suspicion, sometimes rejection—
—but never hostility.
Never lethal intent.
This time was different.
Looking back, those Iwa shinobi didn't look like survivors of battle.
They looked like they were waiting.
Waiting for Akatsuki.
Yahiko understood what she was implying.
But he refused to go there.
"Maybe," he said slowly, "they were preparing to ambush Konoha ninja. We interrupted their plan. That's why they attacked us."
Konan didn't respond.
She wasn't as naïve as Yahiko.
But she would never contradict him openly.
Some truths didn't need to be spoken.
She tried again.
"Have you noticed… the clashes between Konoha and Iwa have intensified lately?"
Yahiko frowned.
"Yes. Something has changed."
He looked out the window at the endless rain.
"There's a new factor in this war."
"If we can identify it… maybe we can stop what's coming."
Konan gave a small, bitter smile.
"With our current resources, that kind of intelligence is beyond us."
"Maybe for us," Yahiko replied firmly, "but not for Hanzo-sama."
Konan hesitated.
"Would he even agree to meet us?"
"He will."
Yahiko's eyes shone with conviction.
"Because he also seeks peace."
Konan lowered her gaze.
She prayed—silently—that Yahiko would not be hurt by that belief.
Suddenly—
"Yahiko! Konan! Hurry—!"
The door burst open.
Kisuke rushed in, nearly tripping over himself.
"Calm down. What happened?" Yahiko steadied him.
"A Rain ninja just came! He said Lord Hanzo has heard about our activities—he wants to meet you!"
He thrust a sealed envelope into Yahiko's hands.
"This is from Hanzo-sama himself!"
Yahiko froze.
It was as if lightning had struck him.
They had just discussed requesting an audience—
And before they could act, Hanzo had reached out first.
Konan gently nudged him.
"Read it."
"Oh—right."
Yahiko tore open the letter.
The contents were brief.
Hanzo praised Akatsuki's ideals.
Acknowledged their efforts on the battlefield.
And invited Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan to visit—
—to discuss the future direction of their organization.
Yahiko read it again.
And again.
His body trembled.
Hanzo the Salamander.
A living legend.
The man who once declared war on three great nations.
For someone like him to recognize Akatsuki—
It was validation beyond measure.
"I knew it…" Yahiko whispered hoarsely. "I knew we weren't wrong…"
His faith only grew stronger.
Konan felt happiness for him.
But worry tightened in her chest.
"The letter invites the three of us," she said quietly. "But Nagato is still unconscious…"
Yahiko looked at his friend on the bed.
Rain Village had a proper hospital. Skilled medics.
Perhaps they could help Nagato recover.
But—
Nagato's eyes.
Those legendary eyes.
If exposed—
Yahiko's expression hardened.
He could be naïve.
But not when it came to his friend's life.
He was still debating when—
"Mm…"
A faint sound.
Both of them froze.
Nagato's fingers twitched.
Slowly—
His eyelids fluttered open.
Those rippled, violet eyes—
—reflected the dim light of the room.
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