"Yahiko, are you really going to decline Hanzo's offer?" Konan's face lit up, a visible weight lifting from her shoulders. Akatsuki was stil
"Yahiko, are you really going to decline Hanzo's offer?"
Konan's face lit up, a visible weight lifting from her shoulders.
Akatsuki was still reeling from recent losses; any further conflict could be devastating.
Their last encounter with Hanzo had left them deeply wary of his every move.
His sudden olive branch demanded careful consideration.
"Yahiko, are you sure about this?" Nagato interjected, his voice serious.
"What if Hanzo genuinely wants reconciliation?
If he lets us garrison Northwest Mountain, it would be incredibly beneficial for our long-term growth."
He paused, his gaze settling on Kai. "We have that million ryō, but the funds needed to expand Akatsuki are astronomical. And achieving true peace among shinobi is even harder…"
His words hung heavy in the air. Konan opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. Nagato had a point; territorial control was vital for Akatsuki's expansion.
"No, we'll own our defeat…" Yahiko shook his head, brushing dust from his clothes as he struggled to his feet.
"We can't let people think Akatsuki lacks basic integrity. That would be humiliating."
"No need," Kai said, brushing himself off. "I was just toying with you; I didn't intend to stop you from meeting with Hanzo."
"Besides, you already agreed to Hanzo's invitation. Rejecting it now would make him suspicious. He might even launch a preemptive strike."
A wave of apprehension swept through the group. Konan pressed, "Kai, what should we do? Are we just going to let Hanzo lead us around by the nose?"
"Not 'we,' 'you'," Kai corrected gently, a smile playing on his lips. "I'm not a member of Akatsuki."
"And I saw how determined Nagato and Yahiko were about Hanzo's invitation."
"Since you're confident you can handle it, why not go? See if Hanzo's intentions are genuine or if it's a trap. That way, you won't have any regrets."
"Go?" Konan's face paled. "Kai, are you joking? What if…"
Kai's detachment from Akatsuki, and his suggestion that they meet with Hanzo, sent a wave of anxiety through her.
Before she could finish, Yahiko spoke, a smile on his face. "Kai, your thinking is always unique."
"Nagato and I have grown stronger. We may not be your match, but we have some confidence against Hanzo."
"For Akatsuki's future, we're willing to gamble…"
He trailed off, his gaze fixed on Kai. The decision rested with Kai; a single word of dissent would halt their plans.
"Don't stare at me like that. I already said it's your problem, not mine," Kai said, rolling his eyes.
"Someone's arriving…"
Three figures appeared in the distance, sprinting towards them—Amegakure ANBU, led by their captain.
They reached Yahiko and Nagato within moments.
"Is everything alright with Akatsuki? I heard an explosion." The ANBU captain asked smoothly.
Yahiko plastered on a smile. "Nagato and I were practicing a combined jutsu. We had a slight mishap, causing the explosion. We apologize for the disturbance."
"Is that so?" The ANBU captain's eyes scanned the group, lingering briefly on Kai before moving on.
"Since you say everything's fine, we won't pry."
"However, Hanzo-sama holds you in high regard. If you face any difficulties, don't hesitate to ask. Hanzo-sama will assist you, all for the sake of peace in the shinobi world!"
"All for the sake of peace in the shinobi world!" Yahiko echoed, his voice slightly strained.
Kai watched the awkward exchange with a sigh. The ANBU captain didn't linger.
"If you have no objections, we'll depart in half a day."
"Thank you for Hanzo-sama's consideration. We'll meet you then," Yahiko replied readily.
The ANBU captain and his men left swiftly. Yahiko breathed a sigh of relief, turning back to Kai. "Thank you for your understanding. But we can't read Hanzo's mind."
"Let's gamble again?"
"If Hanzo doesn't attack, we win, and we're even. If we can't escape unharmed, we lose, and Akatsuki is yours."
A gasp rippled through the group. Kosuke and the others stared, stunned.
Akatsuki, even after Hanzo's attack, still boasted several hundred members, maybe six or seven hundred including those on missions.
They were stronger than many small villages. Their strength varied, but with proper training, they'd be a formidable force in any village.
Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, with the Rinnegan, were exceptional shinobi.
Kai already commanded many rogue ninjas.
Adding Akatsuki would make him a force even the Five Great Nations would fear.
"I don't want a free gift. You're too weak," Kai waved his hand dismissively.
"And I don't like baggage. Pray Hanzo doesn't target you. I don't want to clean up your mess."
Turning to Konan, he said, "Get your benefactor a room. I've waited long enough. I need some sleep before we leave."
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