"How did you find this place?! What are you plotting? Speak!"
Kazama Xu had already formed a string of hand seals, her entire posture radiating vigilance. Beside her, Aotu Tailuo stood ready, fingers crossed in the sign for Light Release, prepared to strike at any moment.
"Relax. Catching fugitives is hardly a job for the Kazekage himself. I'm not here for you two. Where's your leader? I have business with him."
"You still haven't answered my question. How did you find us?!"
Kazama Xu showed no sign of lowering her guard. Her defeat at the Seven Winds Pass was the first blemish on her record, and she knew exactly what Jinghang was capable of. If he got serious, Akatsuki could be wiped out in an instant.
"Come on, is it really that hard? The Land of Rain isn't that big. Most of it's already occupied by Konoha, and what's left is easy to comb through inch by inch on the map. It didn't take much effort."
Jinghang was lying, but it wasn't far from the truth. Akatsuki's hiding space really was shrinking—if not for Danzo being busy consolidating Amegakure, this place would've been discovered already.
"What do you want with our leader?"
Aotu Tailuo asked.
"That's above your pay grade. Just go let him know I'm here."
Jinghang said calmly.
"Not so fast! Eat my Dust Release first!"
A hint of personal grudge flavored Kazama Xu's words—after all, Jinghang had kept her locked up for seven years.
Just as she was about to unleash Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu, Jinghang vanished in a puff of white smoke—poof!—right before their eyes.
The next instant, he reappeared behind Kazama Xu and Aotu Tailuo, his hands shaped like pistols, pressed to the backs of their heads.
"Want to bet if there's a bullet in the chamber?"
Jinghang grinned. With his current strength, barring Nagato, not even all of Akatsuki together could pose a threat.
"Ahem—stop!"
Konan appeared, pushing Nagato in his wheelchair to the entrance.
"Lord Kazekage, to what do we owe the honor?"
Nagato's face was unreadable, but the confusion in his eyes didn't escape Jinghang's notice.
"Nagato, you... what happened to you?"
"That's not important. You still haven't answered my question."
Nagato patted his wheelchair.
"Sigh."
Jinghang let out a long breath.
"Konoha's barbaric move—declaring war after the fighting's done—has already spread across the entire shinobi continent. When the lips are torn, the teeth feel the cold. Where's Yahiko? I need to speak with him."
Jinghang's face was solemn.
"Yahiko... he's already gone."
Konan's voice was thick with grief.
"What?!"
Jinghang looked genuinely shocked, his disbelief so real no one could doubt it.
"May I... see him?"
Konan and Nagato exchanged a glance. Nagato nodded slightly.
"Please, follow me."
Jinghang removed the white veil from around his neck and tied it to his left arm, his expression grave. Step by heavy step, he followed Nagato and Konan into the depths of the secret camp.
"Over a hundred people, just dead like that?!"
In the Rain Shadow's office, Danzo's brows were knotted in frustration.
"That's correct," an ANBU replied.
"How did they die?"
"No obvious injuries, no signs of poisoning. We'll need an autopsy for specifics."
"This doesn't add up," Danzo snapped, springing to his feet. "Over a hundred ANBU, dying so mysteriously—what kind of monster was at that scene?! And what about Yahiko and his followers' bodies?"
"They weren't found."
"Even more suspicious. Investigate! I want a full report!"
"Yes, sir. But now that Amegakure is secure, shouldn't we focus on building our supply bases?"
The ANBU sounded hesitant.
"What do you know!" Danzo waved him off with contempt. "If Akatsuki still has an expert like this, how can I safely lead an army against Sunagakure? The rear must be absolutely secure. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I'll look into it immediately."
"Anything else?"
The ANBU lingered.
"Yes, sir. The Fire Pillar Trading Company is facing heavy resistance taking over Amegakure's industries. The people are... resentful."
"You need my approval for that? Didn't I make it clear? Follow orders. The Hokage gave us one month. You've got time to worry about public opinion? What, have you been reading too many romance novels?!"
With utmost respect, Jinghang bowed three times before Yahiko's remains, his face a mask of solemnity—no one could find fault with his sincerity.
Konan and Nagato responded in kind, returning the courtesy.
"Sigh. Such a shame. You rarely see young people with such ideals and drive. What a loss."
Jinghang sighed deeply.
Konan couldn't hold back anymore—she began to sob quietly.
"Lord Kazekage, what exactly brings you here?"
Nagato asked.
"Naturally, I came to seek cooperation—so we can stand together against Konoha's brutal invasion."
Jinghang made no effort to hide his intentions.
"Oh?"
Nagato lifted his head.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm just stating facts. Amegakure has fallen; my Sunagakure is probably next. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, isn't that right?"
Jinghang's attitude was completely open.
Nagato thought for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. Let's discuss the details over here."
"Great. Give me a moment."
Jinghang gestured for Nagato to wait, then disappeared with a poof.
About three minutes later, Jinghang reappeared, now holding a small bottle filled with black liquid.
"This is called Divine Essence—a miraculous preservative from Xuanyuan Tomb."
He handed the bottle to Konan.
Konan covered her face, tears streaming uncontrollably.
"Thank you."
Nagato nodded in gratitude, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
"How do you use this?"
Aotu Tailuo asked quietly.
"Just pour it into the mouth."
"Oh, let me."
Without another word, Jinghang handed over the bottle. Aotu Tailuo walked to Yahiko's body, whispered an apology, gently pried open Yahiko's lips, and slowly poured the potion inside.
In moments, Yahiko's complexion changed from ashen gray to a lifelike pale, almost indistinguishable from the living.
"Alright, Lord Kazekage, let's talk cooperation."
Nagato wiped away his tears.
Beside him, Aotu Tailuo carefully tucked the bottle into his ninja tool pouch.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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