"Shin, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Have you lost your mind?!"
"Shut up! Yahiko can't be wrong!"
Yahiko possessed undeniable charisma. The members of the Akatsuki trusted him deeply. Hearing Ōoka Shin claim that Yahiko and the organization were heading down the wrong path enraged them.
Ōoka Shin ignored the outbursts. He stood calmly, eyes fixed solely on Yahiko.
At present, Yahiko was the core of the Akatsuki. Convincing him meant convincing everyone else.
Over this period, Yahiko had eliminated numerous criminals and protected many civilians. Seeing their relieved smiles and heartfelt gratitude filled him with immense satisfaction.
The hardships of his past had given him direction. He believed he had found the right path and was brimming with passion to push forward. Now, to be doubted by someone who had just joined—it angered him.
Still, since he had accepted Ōoka Shin as a comrade, he chose reason over rebuke.
"Shin, you've only just joined us. You don't yet understand how great the work we're doing truly is. Give it time. When you see people living stable, peaceful lives because of us, you'll understand whether we're wrong."
Ōoka Shin responded immediately.
"Yahiko, I understand better than anyone how great your ideal of peace is. Think about it. Since the legendary era, this world has been filled with war, death, and slaughter. In just a few decades, the shinobi world has already experienced two great wars, not to mention countless smaller conflicts. For this world, war is the norm—peace is only a fleeting illusion. Even achieving peace in the Land of Rain would be sacred and great. That is also my dream."
Yahiko heard the hatred for war in his voice and felt reassured.
"Exactly, Shin. War creates too much sorrow. Many people long for peace just like we do—they'll support us. If we continue working hard, more comrades will join us. One day, we'll achieve peace."
Ōoka Shin's expression remained calm.
"Yahiko. All of you. Do you really believe that in all of history, only you have worked toward peace? They all failed. Why will you succeed? Were they weaker than you? Less intelligent? Did they long for peace less than you do?"
At this, he turned to Nagato, gazing into the Rinnegan.
"Nagato, extend your sensory perception to its limit. Make sure no one is listening. What I'm about to say is extremely important. If outsiders hear it, I'll be killed."
"Oh? That serious? …Alright."
Nagato, who had been quietly standing in the background, stiffened in surprise but immediately expanded his sensory range to its fullest.
Without needing Yahiko's order, Jūzō and the others rushed outside to guard the perimeter.
Inside the house remained only four people: Ōoka Shin, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.
Yahiko frowned. "Shin, what's going on?"
Ōoka Shin did not know whether Black Zetsu was nearby—or whether even Nagato's perception could detect him. But fortune favored the bold. Rarely did one encounter powerful and trustworthy allies like these.
He decided to gamble.
If he could win the Akatsuki's trust—especially Nagato's—then in the future, borrowing the power of the Rinnegan would become possible. He could also leverage the organization's strength against future enemies.
If he failed, at worst he would be expelled. Given Yahiko's personality, they would not harm him.
As for the original storyline—
To hell with it.
"At first, I sought refuge with you purely for safety. But after seeing how sincerely you help the people here, I know you're not driven by fame or power. Since that's the case, I'll tell you the truth."
He repeated the explanation he and Kyōsuke had prepared in advance: the hidden history of the shinobi world, Madara's schemes, the cycles of war, and even information about the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
There was no benefit in concealing it. On the contrary, telling them would prepare them psychologically and prevent future manipulation.
Until he possessed sufficient strength, powerful allies were his greatest asset.
The stronger his comrades, the greater his own advantage.
Daylight through the window gradually faded. By the time torches were lit, Ōoka Shin was finishing.
"Now you understand. Whether it was the Sage of Six Paths or the First Hokage, all sought to end chaos. Yet nations rose and fell, and war continued. Even chakra—meant to foster understanding—became a tool for killing. And the shinobi villages, founded to end conflict, instead launched even greater wars."
"Yahiko, I don't doubt your sincerity or your strength. But you cannot deny the sincerity and effort of those before you. They failed. Why will you succeed?"
Silence filled the room. Only flickering shadows danced against the walls.
Yahiko and the others were still young. Faced with such overwhelming information for the first time, their mouths felt dry. They did not know what to say—nor what to ask.
Throughout history, countless heroes had fought and died for their ideals. Their power, vision, and sacrifices far exceeded that of these three youths—yet nothing had changed.
If they could not succeed… could we?
Confusion settled over them.
Was peace truly this difficult?
Were their methods naïve?
Had they been thinking too simply?
In the end, it was Konan who spoke first.
"How do you know all this?"
Ōoka Shin, of course, would not reveal the truth. He sighed.
"I can't tell you the source. As your strength grows, you'll gain more intelligence and meet more people. You'll verify it yourselves. If you don't believe me, I can leave."
Yahiko finally snapped out of his shock. He stepped forward, placed both hands on Ōoka Shin's shoulders, and broke into a radiant smile.
"Shin, I can feel your sincerity. You're telling the truth."
Ōoka Shin nearly choked.
Is this really Yahiko's character? I prepared so many rebuttals in case of interrogation. You're not even going to question me?
Seeing his awkward expression, Yahiko burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Shin, if you fabricated such an elaborate story just to deceive us, I wouldn't even be angry—it's too well-crafted. And besides, if I didn't trust you, saying all this would only make you suspicious. Either you're a fool, or I am."
"What matters isn't what you said. What matters is that you strive for our ideal. As long as you do, you're our most reliable comrade."
Well… the logic that speaking suspicious truths proves you're not a spy wasn't exactly flawless—but it wasn't entirely wrong either.
Ōoka Shin shrugged, then turned to Nagato.
"Learning that the Rinnegan originally belonged to someone else… Nagato might need some reassurance."
All eyes shifted to Nagato, concern evident.
Warmth stirred in his chest—though he also found it faintly amusing.
It's just a pair of transplanted eyes. Powerful ones, yes. It's unsettling, but I'm not going to fall apart over it.
Do they really think I'm that fragile?
Nagato forced a crooked smile.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."