Chapter 58 This is talk therapy

News of Konoha being attacked was definitely big news in the ninja world, sweeping through the corners of the world like a whirlwind.

From Daimyo to peddlers, everyone was discussing this matter, speculating whether the war would expand. After all, Konoha also had a Tailed Beast, and it was even stronger. The Hidden Mist Village must have lost its mind to actually use one first.

Rumors were incessant, grain prices soared, and even the neighboring Land of Rain began to see refugees. Inside a hidden cave, a piece of intelligence was clutched in Otonashi's hand.

"Three-Tails? Is the Fourth Mizukage an idiot?"

He snorted ill-humoredly. The intelligence in his hand was bought at a high price from an information broker, making Konan's heart ache for quite a while.

It was worth more than its price. This piece of intelligence recorded every detail of the Konoha battle, as if filmed on the battlefield.

Seeing the names within, Otonashi stood up somewhat irritably and paced back and forth in the room.

Konoha wouldn't retaliate. The Third Hokage was very rational, clearly knowing that killing ultimately only brought destruction, and would instead take the opportunity to cease fire.

He was already certain of the Third's thoughts. If it were that Shimura Danzo, he probably would have thrown the Nine-Tails at the Hidden Mist Village tonight.

But doing so was meaningless. Tailed Beasts were indeed very strong, but ninjas could completely scatter and flee. In the end, the ones who died would just be civilians.

So what would be the outcome?

The Hidden Mist ninjas, whose country was broken and families destroyed, would spend their lives seeking revenge, without any bottom line. All sorts of dirty tricks would be used. In the future, Konoha ninjas wouldn't even be able to leave the village.

"It's just a pity for Rin." Otonashi thought of that girl. The two hadn't spoken much, but his memory was fresh.

Otonashi stopped pacing, imagining if he would have turned out better if he were in Konoha, but then gave a self-deprecating laugh.

There are no ifs!

Everyone's path is different. He could only keep the deaths of Rin and Obito in his heart, and then ensure that such tragedies wouldn't happen to others.

It's fine. No wonder Konoha didn't have time to look for him. Perhaps they wouldn't come for a long time. Otonashi could set up branch bases with peace of mind.

During this period, the development of Akatsuki was gratifying. The system was further improved, the number of members expanded to nearly forty, and even the financial situation improved significantly. Of course, the most important thing was establishing the core.

Otonashi, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were the upper echelon of the nascent Akatsuki, ranked by presence.

Circumstances create heroes. Otonashi could not only paint visions and talk big, but also establish organizational structures, providing order to the ninjas who sought refuge. And for ninjas, order meant a sense of security.

In addition, he could provide material guarantees, arming the ninjas to the teeth, and even possessed profound attainments in ninjutsu.

Using the Second Hokage's ideas to teach these stray ninjas was truly precious to the point of luxury. It would be strange if others didn't follow him.

Fortunately, Yahiko and Danzo were completely different kinds of people. Not only was Yahiko not jealous, but he actively helped. Thus, Otonashi didn't explicitly state the leader, just waiting for the last piece of the puzzle.

Bang bang bang.

At this time, there was a knock on the door, and Konan gently pushed it open.

"Everything is ready."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Otonashi put on his conical hat and walked out the door. Together with Konan, he arrived at the central cavity. Twenty to thirty ninjas stood solemnly in the center. On a stone platform lay a covered banner.

The atmosphere seemed somewhat solemn, as if preparing for some major event.

Nodding in greeting to Yahiko leaning against a nearby pillar, Otonashi asked again, "How long until Nagato returns?"

"He'll arrive soon."

As soon as his voice fell, footsteps echoed in the passage. Several dark figures walked out, rainwater still dripping from their raincoats.

The leader was a red-haired teenager. Seeing everyone in the entire cavity fixated on him, he couldn't help but stand there愣 (stunned).

"W-what's wrong with you guys?"

"Nagato, did you forget something important?" Yahiko walked towards him with a serious face. Supported by so many solemn gazes, Nagato swallowed hard.

That's not right, the mission should have been completed. Did I do something wrong?

"Looks like you still don't understand." Yahiko sighed, shook his head slightly, and asked with a frown, "What day is it today?"

Oath-taking rally? Akatsuki founding anniversary?

Just like his eyes, Nagato was completely confused. Just as he felt unsteady on his feet, Yahiko in front of him suddenly changed from serious to laughing heartily.

"Idiot, it's your eighteenth birthday!"

The revealed white teeth left Nagato completely unresponsive. He only felt the two companions behind him suddenly move forward, rip off his raincoat, and then directly lift him up.

"Happy birthday!"

Those dozens of solemn faces all turned into smiles. Even the most solitary ninja quietly showed a hint of a smile.

The mystery was revealed, and the banner was also pulled open. What oath was written there? Bold and vigorous calligraphy wrote a few large characters:

Congratulations on Coming of Age!

The entire cavity instantly turned into an ocean of joy. The bewildered Nagato was put down. Seeing the large characters on the banner, he finally came back to his senses.

I'm an adult? It's my birthday??

He had never imagined such a scene would appear in his life. Surrounded by smiling faces, people constantly patted his shoulder saying words of congratulations.

Rushing back from the heavy rain, his originally damp and cold body instantly became fiery hot, even carrying an unreal sense of illusion, as if it would disappear like a bubble with a gentle touch.

"Be happy, don't look so downcast." Yahiko patted his back heavily, making Nagato stumble.

"I, I..."

"I what?"

"I don't know what to say." Nagato looked at the companions surrounding him, feeling as if enveloped by a spotlight at this moment. His throat moved, and he bowed, "Thank you, everyone!"

"What are you thanking for! Now that we have the means, let's celebrate by the way. Don't get too excited too early." Yahiko grinned, took out an exquisite short sword, and handed it over, "Here, nothing much to give you."

"Thank you."

"Nagato, this is my gift."

"This is mine."

...

People continuously stuffed gifts into his hands, and Nagato, besides saying thank you, couldn't find any other words. Finally, Konan stood before him and presented him with a beautiful bouquet.

The paper flowers were pink, with the shape of a long loaf of bread in the center. Nagato looked at the bread, and tears actually flowed out.

That was on another rainy day, an angelic girl holding an umbrella appeared before him, giving him a second life.

"I..."

"Don't cry. You still have to thank Pain. It was his suggestion to take advantage of your birthday to also celebrate Akatsuki's development over the past three months," the girl said with a smile.

Nagato, having just received the paper flowers, paused, slowly raised his head to look at the masked man standing solemnly in the distance, paused for a moment like this, and walked towards the other person.

The crowd parted to form a path. Nagato finally walked up to Otonashi. His lips moved, but ultimately, not a single word was spoken, only a ninety-degree bow.

"Lift your head, Nagato. Pain will eventually pass. Don't dwell too much on the past," Otonashi said softly, seeming to contain some kind of magic power.

"I'm just afraid."

Otonashi saw through his thoughts at a glance, shook his head, and said, "You can't lose what you never possessed. But why not gather courage and find a way to protect the happiness around you?"

Nagato didn't answer. His eyes were first blank, then, reflecting the smiling faces one by one, became firm.

"I understand!"

"It's good that you understand. Take it, this is my gift to you."

Otonashi presented a box. Nagato opened it and found a pair of somewhat delicate black-framed glasses.

"Just a small gadget. Wear them, and it will be difficult for others to notice your Rinnegan eyes," Otonashi explained. This was developed by the Second Hokage for the Hyuga family, but the latter preferred close-combat brawling too much; a hundred pairs of glasses couldn't withstand their falls. So he replicated one for Nagato.

"Thank you." Having a troublesome problem solved, the smile on Nagato's face widened.

"Go ahead, tonight you are the protagonist."

Otonashi emphasized 'protagonist'. Just then, large amounts of dishes were already being brought out, and boxes of drinks and alcohol were carried to the center.

The ninjas laughed and cursed, seeming to want to get each other drunk.

Enthusiasm is contagious. Watching the bustling hall, seeing Nagato being dragged over by Yahiko, Otonashi smiled faintly, an infinite sense of accomplishment surging in his chest.

The solitary and suffering teenager was being changed by him bit by bit. The trajectory of fate was shifting.

This wasn't just talk; it was talk therapy.