Yahiko agreed to Chinya's request.
"So, what exactly do you need me to do?" Yahiko asked.
Chinya replied, "Actually, what I'm asking of you is also a way to help Nagato and Konan indirectly."
Hearing this, Yahiko felt slightly reassured.
Even though he'd agreed to Chinya's plan, Yahiko still couldn't shake his unease—it wasn't exactly a choice he'd made willingly.
Chinya continued, "Since we're entering a cooperative relationship, I can share something with you. The one manipulating Nagato now is someone far beyond our current strength—someone who dares to stand against the entire Shinobi World alone.
If we were to fight such an enemy now, it would only lead to death. That's why we must fully prepare ourselves if we ever hope to oppose him in the future."
Yahiko asked doubtfully, "Someone capable of facing the entire Shinobi World alone? There's actually someone that monstrous?"
Chinya nodded, "Of course there is. The Shinobi World isn't as simple as it seems on the surface—the current wars are nothing but a joke to him."
Frowning, Yahiko said, "That doesn't add up though. If the enemy is that strong, why bother manipulating Nagato? Also, didn't you just say earlier that the Rinnegan is the ultimate evolution of the Sharingan? So then, the one secretly pulling Nagato's strings must be from the Uchiha Clan?"
Chinya gave Yahiko a strange look.
His stare made Yahiko uncomfortable. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Chinya frowned slightly as he spoke, "You seemed so clueless before, yet now you seem surprisingly sharp. I really can't tell—are you truly stupid or just faking it?"
Yahiko snapped back, "I'm definitely smart!"
Chinya didn't dwell on it. "Fine then, enough small talk. As for what I need you to do next—I want you to return to your old line of work."
"Old line of work?" Yahiko asked, surprised.
"That's right," Chinya confirmed. "The fact that you were able to create an organization shows you have considerable personal charm. So I want you to build another one—it's the perfect timing now.
We're in the middle of war, full of plots and schemes. After these plans get exposed, there will certainly be powerful ninja who become disillusioned with their former beliefs. I need you to recruit those individuals using your own abilities.
I'll be the leader, and you'll be my deputy. I won't interfere with how you select members or organize things—you can run it however you want. But any actions the organization takes must go through me first. Only after my approval can you proceed.
That's what I want you to do."
Yahiko hesitated. "Let me recruit powerful ninja? Do you really think that'll work?"
The Akatsuki group Yahiko started before wasn't exactly packed with strong members.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been wiped out so easily by Amegakure and Root without even managing to resist.
Chinya had great confidence in Yahiko.
After all, Yahiko was essentially aligned with future Naruto—he had to have some skill in persuasion.
Chinya gave him a reassuring look. "Believe in yourself. Sure, your strength isn't great, but hey—what's your chakra nature?"
"I'm pretty good with Water Release techniques."
Chinya took out a scroll containing Water Release Ninjutsu techniques and tossed it to Yahiko. "This scroll holds many Water Release techniques, including high-level ones. Study them well."
Yahiko scratched his head uncomfortably. "Isn't this going too far?"
"There's nothing wrong with it," Chinya said. "The stronger you become, the better you can work for me. However, these Water Release techniques alone won't be enough to make you strong. Wait a moment..."
Chinya spent 2,000 Witness Points at the Redemption Shop and once again purchased several high-level Water Release Ninjutsu techniques. He then unfurled an empty scroll and wrote down the training methods.
After handing the newly written scroll to Yahiko, Chinya continued, "Together with those Water Release techniques, this should be sufficient. From now on, it's up to you. Becoming a strong warrior isn't simply about learning a few jutsu."
Yahiko accepted the scroll and told Chinya, "I'll train hard and do my best for you. But I also hope that you will keep your promise and ensure Nagato and Konan stay safe."
"Of course," Chinya replied. "I'm always true to my word. However, there are a few things you need to pay attention to first.
From now on, the name 'Yahiko' no longer exists. You must change your identity and live as another person. Even this face of yours must remain hidden."
Chinya returned to the Redemption Shop and spent another 500 Witness Points purchasing a mask.
"Nagato has exceptional sensor abilities thanks to his heritage as a member of the Uzumaki Clan. He knows your chakra signature well. This mask can alter your chakra signature — while wearing it, even if you stand directly before him, he won't recognize you. Therefore, you will wear this mask from now on."
Looking at the mask in his hands with eerie patterns etched onto its surface, Yahiko felt a mix of emotions rising within him.
Once he put on this mask, the person known as Yahiko would cease to exist from this day forward.
"And one more thing — not a command, but rather a suggestion. Take this opportunity to truly see the Shinobi World for what it is. The so-called era of peace through mutual understanding between people that Jiraiya preaches about? Complete nonsense.
Who in their right mind could actually pull that off? Devoting yourself to an impossible dream like that is nothing but wasted effort.
You must personally witness how disappointing this world really is. Perhaps, when that time comes, you might share the same thoughts as Nagato."
Yahiko silently nodded his head.
Burning with frustration, he vowed to see the Shinobi World for himself and discover a true path to peace — a way that would let everyone find happiness!
Chinya smiled and said, "Alright. This is Konoha's base located at the battlefield in the Land of Waves. You cannot stay here any longer. Come with me now — I'll lead you out."
Chinya quietly guided Yahiko away from Konoha's base.
In the ruins of the Land of Waves,
Chinya told Yahiko, "This is where our path ends. I won't go further."
Suddenly Yahiko asked, "By the way, I don't even know your name yet."
Chinya chuckled slightly. "I thought you already knew me. My name is Chinya."
Yahiko exclaimed in shock, "Chinya! So you're the Crimson-Eyed Asura everyone talks about?"
"That's right, it's me. Oh, by the way, I almost forgot—here, take this."
Chinya handed Yahiko seven rings: "Once you channel Chakra into these rings, they enable communication between us. Use them to contact me when the time comes."
These were the same rings used by the Akatsuki Organization, each costing 100 Witness Points.
Unlike the Akatsuki Organization's rings, which had engraved names, these were marked only by color.
Yahiko asked, "So what's the organization's name going to be?"
Chinya thought for a moment before replying, "Let's call it Xiao."
Yahiko nodded in understanding. "Owl... Got it."
"Alright, Yahiko. From now on, we are not only collaborators but also comrades. Feel free to contact me whenever necessary."
Yahiko put on the Mask Chinya had given him. "Understood. Also, my new name from now on is Daiki!"
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