Chapter 76 - Yahiko

Chapter 76 - Yahiko

Kazane narrowed his eyes, studying Yahiko with a mixture of amusement and irritation. The young leader of Akatsuki stood his ground, unyielding despite the overwhelming difference in their power.

"Are you truly prepared to die just to stop me?"

His voice was devoid of warmth, cutting through the rain-soaked air like a blade.

Yahiko did not falter. "We're sure. Please leave the Land of Rain!"

His answer was resolute, his gaze unwavering.

Kazane exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of the absurdity before him.

"You idealists are the ones I despise the most," he muttered, shaking his head. "Self-proclaimed saviors who believe they can change the world with nothing but conviction."

His eyes darkened.

"But tell me, what gives you that right?"

The words hung in the air like a looming storm.

"You stand here, barely able to hold yourself upright, yet you speak as if you hold the fate of the world in your hands.

"You talk about sacrifice as if it's noble, as if dying for a cause somehow makes you righteous. But have you ever stopped to think beyond that?

"Beyond throwing your life away?"

Yahiko flinched, but he didn't speak.

Kazane stepped closer, the cold weight of his presence pressing down on them.

"The world of shinobi is not a place for dreamers. People don't just fight. They die."

"You claim you're ready to die for your ideals, but did you even bother to confirm my intentions before offering your life so easily?

"You assume I've come here to bring harm, yet you know you can't defeat me.

"And still, you drag your comrades into certain death alongside you."

His gaze flickered toward Konan and Nagato, both of whom tensed at his words.

"Tell me, Yahiko—did you ever consider their lives?

"Is forcing others to die for your dream truly justified?"

Yahiko clenched his fists, his jaw tightening, but Kazane wasn't finished.

"I've heard about your little group back in Konoha—your so-called Akatsuki.

"'Achieving peace without extreme force.'

"A beautiful sentiment. But without strength, how do you plan to achieve peace?

"Are you going to sit across from the Rock Shinobi and politely ask them to stop their war?"

"Will you knock on the gates of Sunagakure and persuade them to abandon their grudges?"

Kazane's lips curled into a smirk, though there was no humor in his expression.

"Who would listen to you?"

Silence.

The rain fell harder now, soaking into the earth beneath them.

Kazane's voice dropped lower, more deliberate.

"If you and your friends die here today, what happens to Akatsuki?

"With its leader gone, your so-called movement will collapse."

"And then who will protect the Land of Rain?"

He tilted his head, his next words laced with mockery.

"Hanzo?"

Yahiko's breath hitched.

Kazane scoffed.

"Forget it."

His killing intent evaporated as he stepped back, his interest fading.

"Out of respect for Jiraiya, I'll spare you today."

His tone remained indifferent, but there was an edge of finality in his words.

"But think carefully, Yahiko—

"Your delusions will only bring suffering to yourself and those around you."

With that, Kazane turned away, walking off without a second glance.

For a long moment, Yahiko didn't move.

His heart pounded, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

The certainty that had always guided him—his unwavering belief in Akatsuki's purpose—now trembled under the weight of doubt.

Kazane's words weren't just an insult. They're

a brutal, unforgiving truth that cut deeper than any blade.

"Yahiko!"

Konan's voice snapped him out of his daze.

She grabbed his hand, her grip firm, her gaze fierce.

"Don't listen to him!" she insisted, shaking her head. "We believe in you! Your dream is our dream!"

"That's right, Yahiko!"

Nagato stepped forward, his voice carrying urgency.

For a brief moment, his gaze lingered on Konan's hand in Yahiko's.

A flicker of sadness crossed his eyes, but he quickly masked it, steeling his resolve.

"We will prove him wrong!"

Yahiko stared at them—his comrades, his family.

They had followed him through every hardship, every struggle.

How could he falter now?

He exhaled sharply, shaking off the doubt creeping into his thoughts.

His grip tightened around Konan's hand before he finally released it, standing tall once more.

"Let's go back," he said, his voice regaining its confidence.

"We'll use the full strength of Akatsuki to track him down. We need to find out why he's here.

If he intends to harm our country—"

His eyes burned with renewed determination.

"—he'll have to go through me first."

Without another word, Yahiko turned, leading them back toward the Akatsuki base.

The rain continued to fall, but now, it no longer felt as heavy.

Because Yahiko had made his choice.

He would prove Kazane wrong.

No matter what.

Akatsuki Headquarters – Interior Hall

The air inside the base was still heavy with mist when Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato returned. Their boots tapped softly against the stone floor, echoing faintly through the expansive, dimly lit hall.

They hadn't even stepped past the threshold when a figure came barreling toward them.

"Sakata?"

Yahiko immediately recognized the man, raising a hand instinctively as if to steady him. The usually composed Sakata Shuichiro now looked winded—his breath labored, his expression alight with something far more intense than alarm.

Despite being one of Akatsuki's newer members, Sakata had proven to be exceptionally capable. He had taken on missions others wouldn't, brokered temporary truces with minor factions, and was a driving force in organizing Akatsuki's growing network. His word carried weight within the organization—almost as much as some founding members.

"Leader! I bring good news—unbelievable news!"

Sakata's voice trembled—not from fear, but from excitement.

Yahiko frowned slightly. "Good news?"

His eyes narrowed with caution. They had only left for a few hours. What could possibly have happened in that short time?

Konan moved beside him, equally skeptical.

"Hanzo the Salamander," Sakata said between gasps. "He's sent word—he wants to ally with Akatsuki."

The room seemed to still.

Even the ever-calm Nagato lifted his head sharply.

"Ally?" Yahiko asked, his tone thick with disbelief.

"Yes!" Sakata nodded rapidly. "He says he's been watching us, and he now believes Akatsuki might be the key to true peace in the Land of Rain. He wants to meet—leader to leader—to forge a path together."

Konan's brow furrowed deeply, her eyes hardening. "That doesn't make sense."

Her voice was flat, guarded.

"Just a month ago, Hanzo tried to have us all assassinated. Now he wants to hold hands and make peace?"

Her arms folded defensively. "I don't trust it."

But Yahiko… he wasn't so sure.

Kazane's words from earlier still rang in his ears—cutting, harsh, and terrifyingly precise.

'Without power, your dream is nothing.'

Yahiko had told himself that their movement could change the world without war. That their cause could melt even the hardest hearts. And now, here was Hanzo—one of the most feared warlords in the ninja world—offering an alliance.

This was proof, wasn't it?

Proof that Akatsuki could succeed.

"Konan," Yahiko said, turning toward her slowly, "this might be our chance. The very change we've been fighting for."

She shook her head.

"It's too convenient."

Her voice was quiet but firm. "A sudden offer of peace? After months of attacks? Hanzo doesn't make peace. He eliminates threats."

Yahiko gave her a long look—pained, conflicted.

"If we turn away now, we turn away from everything we've worked toward."

"Yahiko…" she said, softly.

"If we don't believe change is possible, then why are we still here?"

He turned to Sakata.

"Did Hanzo give any terms?"

Sakata nodded, hiding his satisfaction behind a veil of feigned reverence.

"He's requested a face-to-face meeting with you. Just you at first, to show sincerity. The others can follow once the initial discussion is complete. He wants to gauge your resolve."

Yahiko's eyes lit up with a flicker of belief. "He wants me to prove I'm serious."

"Yes," Sakata replied. "And he wants to discuss Akatsuki's future role in the new peace."

Konan stepped between them.

"No. Yahiko, it's a trap. It's too clean, too perfect."

"If we walk into Rain Village, we'll be surrounded. We won't walk out."

Yahiko looked at her, his gaze steady but gentle.

"I have to do this. If I don't trust anyone, I'll never build the future I believe in."

Konan's hands trembled. Then, she grabbed his. "Then I'm going too."

He blinked in surprise.

"If you die, I die."

"We made this promise together."

Behind them, Nagato stepped forward, his long red hair damp from the rain, his Rinnegan not yet awakened but already holding quiet gravity.

"I go where you go. There's no future for Akatsuki if we split now."

Yahiko glanced between the two of them.

The people who had followed him through hunger, through bloodshed, through hopelessness. His hand tightened around Konan's fingers.

"Alright."

"We go together."

He turned back to Sakata.

"Tell Hanzo we accept."

Sakata bowed low, concealing the flicker of cruelty in his eyes.

"Yes, Leader. I will make the arrangements."

As he turned to leave, his mind echoed with silent certainty.

Your dream ends tomorrow.

But Yahiko stood tall—his conviction unshaken, his steps already carrying him down the path fate had carved.

Unaware that he was walking straight into the jaws of betrayal, naive despite Kazane's warning.

p@treon now at chapter 190, 30+ left before completion.