The ones who came, naturally, were a group from Akatsuki.
Obito, Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, Kakuzu, Sasori, Pakura.
This was already, aside from Madara and Hanzo, all the top combat power left behind at Akatsuki headquarters.
Among them, aside from Konan, who relied on her secret art, the Paper Angel Technique, to fly, the rest were all carried along in flight by Nagato using repulsive force.
In terms of numbers, they were exactly six.
And moreover, strictly speaking, the one leading was not Obito, but the former leader of Akatsuki, Yahiko.
So, what should the six Akatsuki-robed figures, flying in the sky with Yahiko at their head, be called?
Anyway, the group quickly flew toward the shore and slowly descended together.
After Nagato released the repulsive force sustaining them, Yahiko regained control of his own body.
He turned his head, looking at the still-shocked boy and girl, a little troubled, "Looks like our plan to secretly infiltrate the Land of Water has fallen through. We just landed and already ran into witnesses."
Obito happily came running to Yahiko's side, "Yahiko-senpai, what do you mean secretly infiltrate? Isn't this openly and aboveboard infiltrating? Or do I misunderstand the meaning of 'secretly'?"
Yahiko looked at the unreliable Obito again, "Can't you just act normal for once?"
Obito waved his arms and legs, "Where am I not normal, Yahiko-senpai?
"I've already been working hard toward becoming an official Akatsuki member, but up to now, my Akatsuki robe is still a children's size."
Yahiko smacked his forehead, completely helpless against Obito. He looked at Konan, his tone softening.
"Konan, after we go back, make a proper adult robe for him. Akatsuki has plenty of clothes like this, but Obito… no, Tobi here doesn't acknowledge them."
Konan smiled and nodded, glancing at Obito, "Since it's tailor-made clothes, naturally it should go with tailor-made nail polish as well."
Obito suddenly shivered, "No no no, Konan-nee, I'll just keep being an intern."
Everyone could only ignore this idiot.
At this time, not far away, the boy Makoto had already shielded the girl Hanami behind him, face full of vigilance, "Who are you people?"
Yahiko showed a sunny smile, "Don't worry, we're not bad people. Even if information leaks, we won't harm innocents.
"But, there's some information we'd like to understand from you. Are you people of the Land of Water?"
Seeing Yahiko's sincere eyes, Makoto couldn't help but lower his guard. He nodded, gave a small "mm," then recalled his dream and added.
"For now yes, but not in the future."
Yahiko grew curious, "Why do you say that?"
Makoto said, "The Land of Water is beyond saving. Taxes rise higher every year. At this rate, everyone will be forced to death. I plan to take Hanami and leave here, to a better place to live."
Looking at the two, clearly lovers, Yahiko couldn't help but recall how not long ago he and Konan had confirmed their relationship. The sense of empathy was strong.
On his face appeared a trace of yearning and longing.
"To flee with your beloved from a land of sin, heading toward a beautiful new world for freedom… truly a romantic story."
Makoto suddenly felt that Yahiko really understood him, and couldn't help but be moved.
"Never thought, sir, even though you can fly, your strength must be incredible, you're not at all like those ninjas of the Land of Water, either lofty and looking down on the people, or cold as a dead slab of meat."
"If all ninjas were as understanding as you, sir, that would be wonderful."
Yahiko smiled slightly, "No need to use honorifics with me. I just want to ask you, where is Kirigakure? And within the village, besides the Third Mizukage, who else has influence?"
"We actually came to do some business with Kirigakure. It's just that the deal might be rather large, and perhaps not something the Mizukage alone can decide."
Makoto was stunned, "Do business? But I heard Kirigakure is very exclusive, forbidding foreign ninja from entering. Looking at you all… it doesn't seem like you've made prior contact with Kirigakure?"
Yahiko smiled, "That's true, but we're fully confident we can persuade Kirigakure to do business with us."
Seeing this, Makoto pointed to a direction behind him, "Kirigakure is that way. But sir, I must remind you, rushing there recklessly could be troublesome. Those mist-nin who kill without batting an eye might act immediately."
"Although… I believe you're very strong, sir, but after all, there are many mist-nin."
"As for who else has high status besides the Mizukage, I've only heard of one person, called Genji. If you don't believe me, you can ask around with others too."
Yahiko shook his head, "Of course I believe you. Thank you for providing us with this information. I also hope you won't spread today's events for the time being. As thanks, I can fulfill one request of yours."
The boy's eyes lit up with desire, "Sir, could you use that flying ninjutsu to carry me and Hanami across the sea? Though it's a bit unreasonable, this way Hanami and I can easily escape the Land of Water, and it wouldn't expose your presence either."
Yahiko carefully thought it over, found the idea quite good, and looked at Nagato.
Nagato, without Yahiko's urging, said directly, "It's not difficult. At my speed, I could take them across in no time."
Yahiko said, "Then, Nagato, I leave it to you."
However, just as Nagato was about to act, Obito suddenly returned to his usual calm, saying, "Wait."
Nagato stopped, looking at Obito in puzzlement.
Obito walked up to Makoto and Hanami, pointing toward the other side of the sea, "Do you think that as long as you escape across, a bright future awaits you?"
The two looked at Obito in confusion.
Makoto said, "No matter what, it's better than staying in the Land of Water, isn't it? This country is already rotten through.
"And besides… Hanami can't go on living in her family environment anymore…"
Obito thought for a moment, then with a hoarse, aged-sounding voice said, "In truth, it's not just one country that's rotten, but the whole world. Compared to the common people under great nations' protection, perhaps in other places, life is even worse."
Makoto grew angry, "You call this protection? The Land of Water takes half of everything we harvest, and we're supposed to be grateful?"
Obito said, "Perhaps once you leave, you won't even have the other half left.
"No matter what, the great nations, in order to maintain the most basic stability, will at least keep up the final layer of hypocrisy. Or rather, since they've enjoyed the benefits of a large population, to prevent that population from declining too much, they won't make it so that people can't even breathe."
Makoto said, "That kind of thing won't happen. I heard, on the opposite coast, the shipyard is very good, offering free welfare to people. Many live happily there."
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