It was as if the endless rains had rotted away Amegakure's future.
And yet, Akatsuki seemed to draw nourishment from that very rainfall, flourishing with newfound vitality. Ever since news of Hanzō's death had spread within their ranks, every member of Akatsuki visibly carried themselves with a brighter, more spirited vigor.
"Clan Head Dazen, are you truly not considering staying here in the Land of Rain?"
Yahiko clasped Koeda Dazen's hand tightly, extending his invitation once more with sincere earnestness.
"Yahiko-sama, I appreciate your kindness," Dazen replied, smiling faintly, "but if we remained in the Land of Rain, we would only bring you endless trouble. Besides, our clan has long since made arrangements for our path forward. A promise once given is not something we can go back on."
Once again, Dazen declined.
This was hardly the first such exchange.
In fact, Kyoichi had already witnessed several similar attempts over the past few days—and had even gone through one himself.
After the battle a few days earlier had drawn to a complete close, Akatsuki had not rushed to seize advantage of Hanzō's death by occupying Amegakure. Instead, they continued honoring their promise to escort the Koeda Clan safely out of the Land of Rain. Along the journey, Yahiko and his companions repeatedly extended invitations, asking the Koeda to settle in Ame.
But the Koeda jōnin stood firm. Their will was resolute, unshaken by Yahiko's words.
Not that Yahiko lacked eloquence, but Akatsuki simply had little enticing to offer. The Land of Rain bordered the Land of Earth, with Iwa-nin liable to descend southward at any moment to stir up trouble. And then there was the climate itself—perpetual downpour, a land soaked to the marrow.
They had heard the Land of Water was also damp, but at least it was not a place where one lived submerged beneath eternal rainfall.
"…Ah. Then all I can do is wish you a safe journey."
Yahiko sighed with genuine regret, then offered his blessing.
He truly wanted the Koeda Clan to stay.
As a leader, he was acutely aware of Akatsuki's weakness. Their current strength was built almost entirely upon Nagato's overwhelming might. Compared to Amegakure, their overall power was far inferior. If they truly wanted to change this nation, they would need a strength greater than just Nagato alone.
The Koeda Clan, in Yahiko's eyes, was exactly such a power—reliable and formidable.
Yes, taking them in might earn the enmity of Iwagakure. But Ame, wedged between great nations, was fated to clash with its neighbors sooner or later.
Of course… that thought was meaningless now.
The Koeda Clan did not wish to remain in Ame. All his plans for them were nothing more than flowers in a mirror, moons upon the water.
"And I wish the same for you," Dazen said warmly, his smile genuine. "With Hanzō of the Salamander no longer in your way, Yahiko-sama, you will surely realize your ideals."
His heart was light.
They had reached the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers. Looking southward, they could already see the verdant scenery of the Land of Rivers. If all went as expected, the emissaries from Kirigakure would be waiting for them in the town of Ashihara.
Once they met with the Kiri's envoys…
The Koeda Clan would finally be free.
"Kyoichi, if you ever come back to the Land of Rain, seek me out. I'll make sure you're well taken care of," Yahiko said, gripping Kyoichi's hand and shaking it firmly.
"There'll be a chance," Kyoichi replied with a smile and a nod.
Whether there truly would be a chance to meet again—he wasn't sure.
Because of his interference, Uchiha Obito, who should have died at Kannabi Bridge, had survived. Would Obito still fall into Uchiha Madara's schemes? Would Yahiko still be manipulated into his death, forcing Nagato onto a darker path?
None of it was certain anymore.
And perhaps… that was better.
He did not dislike such uncertainty.
An unknown future was far more interesting, wasn't it?
Of course, he found it interesting only because he held the Eye of God. With such power in hand, his own future brimmed with infinite possibilities. That was why the unknown seemed fascinating.
Without strength to face the unknown, an uncertain future was nothing but dreadful.
Before, the looming crisis of his clan's destruction had hung over him like the Sword of Damocles, threatening to fall at any moment. Every thought of his had been consumed by how to ensure his clan's survival. He had had no leisure to wonder where his own future might lead after acquiring the Eye of God.
Even now, he hadn't fully figured it out.
But from here on, there would be time. Plenty of time to think about his future.
So there was no need to rush. Step by step, there would be enough space to ponder, to grow.
"Yahiko, our clan cannot stay in the Land of Rain. But I think you should consider bringing Amegakure under your banner. Without Hanzō, the village is no longer a threat to Akatsuki. If you can take in even part of Ame, your strength will increase dramatically. Seizing control of the Land of Rain should not be beyond your reach."
Kyoichi spoke softly.
"…Kyoichi, you think so too? That taking in Ame is the way forward?"
Yahiko's eyes lit up, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
"You've already had this idea?" Kyoichi raised a brow.
It wasn't exactly an ingenious revelation, but the difference between an outsider's perspective and the one in the thick of it was real. If Yahiko already thought along these lines… if he lived long enough, there was no doubt he would accomplish great things.
"Just a rough thought," Yahiko admitted.
"I think it's feasible," Kyoichi said confidently, spouting words that carried no real responsibility. "There's no precedent for outsiders taking over a hidden village—but someone always has to be the first to eat the crab. Perhaps that person is you, Yahiko."
But Yahiko did not see it as idle talk. Even before Kyoichi's words, he had been thinking of ways to swallow Amegakure with the least bloodshed. Kyoichi had simply helped him resolve more firmly to pursue it. At the same time, his regret deepened at not being able to keep the Koeda Clan in Ame.
Before long, the Koeda Clan took their leave of Akatsuki, continuing their journey south. Yahiko and his companions stood upon a rain-country peak, watching the clan's figures vanish behind the rocky ridges.
"Let's go back."
Withdrawing his gaze from the south, Yahiko turned toward the rain-drenched homeland to the north. Taking in a deep breath, he said firmly, "There's still much for us to do."
"Yes!"
The voices of his comrades echoed in unison.
Their silhouettes shot forward like arrows loosed from the string, plunging into the heavy curtain of rain.
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