"Konan, are you alright?!"
A young man with orange hair charged forward at the front.
Even before he arrived, his voice carried over—so full of warmth and overflowing concern that even Yūsuke, a complete stranger to him, could feel the depth of care and affection behind it.
"Yahiko, Nagato, you're here!"
Konan's smile blossomed like a flower as she waved to greet her comrades.
But there was something about her tone that felt… calm. Almost as if she hadn't picked up on the deeper feelings hidden within Yahiko's words.
"Konan, you're not hurt, right? Kanro, hurry and check on her."
Yahiko's eyes were tense as they scanned Konan, urging their medical-nin companion to act.
"No need, Kanro. Don't listen to Yahiko—I've only used up a few too many soldier pills. Nothing serious. You don't have to fuss over me." Konan quickly tried to stop her.
Even so—
"Konan, just to be safe, I think it's better if you get checked anyway."
The young man beside them, with pale blue markings on his face, also spoke up in persuasion.
"Nagato… you too?"
Konan sighed helplessly. Seeing the kunoichi Kanro really stepping forward, she hurried to divert them:
"Yahiko, Nagato, stop making a fuss. You're forgetting—let me introduce my savior."
"Savior?"
Yahiko finally shifted his gaze toward Nagato, who had been quietly observing.
Truth be told, both he and Nagato had noticed Yūsuke from the very start. But their worry for Konan had taken precedence. And judging by Konan's condition, it was clear Yūsuke wasn't an enemy, so they hadn't bothered to immediately sort out the situation. All their attention had gone straight to Konan.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yahiko, leader of the Akatsuki. Thank you for saving my comrade."
Yahiko bowed his head with sincere gratitude.
"Koeda Yūsuke."
Yūsuke introduced himself.
"Koeda… eh? The Magic Flute?" Yahiko reacted instantly, recalling the name's reputation far faster than Konan, who had only remembered after falling under Yūsuke's genjutsu earlier.
Of course, that wasn't entirely fair to Konan—she'd first heard the name in the heat of battle, with no room to spare the thought.
In any case—
Hearing Yūsuke's self-introduction, Yahiko's eyes widened in shock. So the rumors were true? The Koeda clan really had betrayed Iwagakure and even made it as far as the Land of Rain?
"Yes. The Magic Flute clan."
Yūsuke nodded firmly.
"…Ahem. Whatever your origins may be, it doesn't change the fact you saved Konan. As repayment, name any request—so long as it's within my power, I'll grant it."
Yahiko's tone was earnest.
"Truly?" Yūsuke pressed.
"Truly." Yahiko nodded with conviction.
"Don't worry, Yūsuke," Nagato laughed from behind him. "Yahiko is our leader. Any decision he makes, we'll follow him into fire and storm without hesitation."
His words sparked immediate echoes among the rest.
"That's right! Nagato's got it right on the mark!"
"As long as it's Yahiko's command, we'll carry it through to the end!"
"Hah! I already swore to follow Yahiko to the death!!"
Their cries of loyalty rang out through the rain, dispelling the cold, oppressive air. In its place, a blazing sense of unity surged forth.
Yūsuke was struck by the sight. For an organization he'd never heard of before, the Akatsuki's cohesion was remarkable. Even if they were still obscure now, as long as Yahiko lived, this group was destined to rise, to claim its place on the stage of the shinobi world.
"If I'm being honest… I do have the thought of asking for your aid. But it's not for me to decide. If you're willing, you may come with me to meet the Koeda clan's patriarch." Yūsuke spoke evenly.
He didn't directly mention seeking the Akatsuki's help against possible Ame-nin attacks. That was beyond his authority. Only Koeda Dazen, the patriarch, could make that call. All Yūsuke could do was make the suggestion—and cast his vote if Dazen allowed for discussion.
"No problem."
Yahiko agreed without hesitation.
His desire to repay Yūsuke for saving Konan was genuine, free from calculation or ulterior motive. As he'd said: as long as it didn't betray his principles, he would fulfill whatever request Yūsuke made, with everything he had.
"Then please, follow me."
Yūsuke wasted no time. He turned and began leading them back the way he had come. Yahiko immediately followed, with the rest of the Akatsuki at his side.
They hadn't gone far—
When figures appeared rushing toward them. It was Koeda Hagane and Koeda Iwafune, whom Yūsuke had sent back earlier to deliver news, now returning with reinforcements. Among them was Kyoichi.
"Yūsuke, you… what's going on here?"
Kyoichi halted, staring in astonishment at the scene before him—Yūsuke walking side by side with Yahiko, Konan, and the others. His mind reeled. How had these two groups ended up together?!
And wait—Yahiko was alive?
But then again, it made sense. Obito, wearing the mask and calling himself Uchiha Madara, had once tried to lure Yahiko, only to be refused. Later, Yahiko had chosen to sacrifice himself when Hanzō threatened Konan. Come to think of it, Yahiko's death hadn't necessarily been Hanzō's doing.
Perhaps there had been another hand behind it—the masked man's.
Because as long as Yahiko lived, Nagato would never have strayed into that twisted path of "forging peace through the crucible of endless pain."
"Kyoichi, it's complicated. Best we explain once we're with the patriarch."
Yūsuke's tone made it clear he didn't want to repeat himself.
"The patriarch is waiting."
Kyoichi didn't press further.
After all, once they met Koeda Dazen, they would learn what Yūsuke had encountered—and how exactly he had managed to make contact with the Akatsuki.
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