"Who are you?"
The Rain Ninjas' voices were tense, their eyes fixed warily on the group of black-robed figures that had materialized near the valley's entrance. Distracted by the ongoing battle between Hanzo, Minato, and the others, they hadn't noticed how these intruders had approached undetected.
The tension in the air grew thicker as the leader of the cloaked figures stepped forward. With deliberate slowness, he reached up and lowered the hood of his black robe, revealing a young man with sharp features and piercing eyes.
"You can inform Hanzo," the man began, his voice calm but firm, "that we, Akatsuki, are here to help."
It was Yahiko.
The Rain Ninjas exchanged uncertain glances. The name "Akatsuki" was well known in the Land of Rain. Recently, their organization had risen to prominence, spreading its ideals of peace and resistance against oppression. Yahiko himself was no stranger to Rain Village either—though his last encounter with Hanzo had ended in a violent ambush, forcing him and his companions to flee.
The leader of the Rain Ninja hesitated before nodding to one of his subordinates. "Go inform Lord Hanzo."
Swish!
A single ninja darted away, heading swiftly toward the cliff where Hanzo and the others were engaged.
On the cliff, Minato's brows furrowed as his heightened senses detected an immense chakra presence near the valley's entrance. The sheer magnitude of it was startling—far greater than anything he had felt before.
Even Rōshi, empowered by his Four-Tails chakra, paled in comparison to this presence. What truly unsettled Minato, however, was the peculiar familiarity of the chakra's signature. It wasn't just powerful; it bore a striking resemblance to Kushina's chakra—wild, raw, and yet layered with something unique.
"Minato, what's wrong?"
Jiraiya's voice broke through his thoughts. The elder shinobi had been preparing for their next move but noticed Minato's sudden distraction.
Minato hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice low. "There's… something unusual near the valley's entrance. A chakra presence unlike anything I've felt before."
Before Jiraiya could press further, a Rain Ninja appeared behind Hanzo, bowing low as he delivered his message.
"Master Hanzo, the Akatsuki have arrived outside the valley," the Rain Ninja reported.
Hanzo's sharp gaze turned toward his subordinate. "Akatsuki? What are they doing here?"
"They claim they're here to help," the ninja replied hesitantly.
Hanzo's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face.
The exchange did not go unnoticed. Minato, Jiraiya, and Uchiha Yoruki overheard the name "Akatsuki," though it was unfamiliar to them.
"Reinforcements for Hanzo?" Jiraiya muttered, his expression darkening.
"Unlikely," Minato countered. Hanzo's reaction suggested he hadn't expected their arrival. "If they were truly his allies, he wouldn't look so surprised."
Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "Then who are they, and why are they here?"
"Whoever they are," Yoruki interjected, his voice sharp, "they're powerful. Minato's chakra sense isn't often mistaken."
Despite his frustration, Yoruki deferred to Minato's judgment when the latter advised caution.
Hanzo, meanwhile, made his decision. "Bring their leader to me," he ordered the Rain Ninja.
The subordinate bowed and vanished to relay the command.
Minutes later, the sound of swift movement reached the battlefield as three figures ascended the cliff. Minato, Jiraiya, and Yoruki turned their attention to the newcomers.
As the trio approached, Jiraiya's eyes widened in recognition. His voice trembled slightly as he called out, "Yahiko… Konan?"
Hearing their names, Yahiko and Konan stopped momentarily, their gazes meeting Jiraiya's.
"Sensei," Yahiko said, his voice betraying a mix of surprise and emotion.
Minato glanced at Jiraiya, realizing the significance of the moment. He recalled stories his mentor had shared about three war orphans he had trained during the Second Ninja World War. These were the very names he had heard before—Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.
"Do you know these people?" Yoruki asked, his tone wary.
Jiraiya nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the approaching trio. "They're my former students. Orphans from the Land of Rain. I trained them after the last war."
Minato's eyes shifted to the third figure, whose face remained obscured by a black hood. Yet the immense chakra emanating from him was unmistakable.
"That chakra," Minato thought, his mind racing. Jiraiya had mentioned that among the three orphans was a child blessed with the legendary Rinnegan, a dojutsu said to rival the Sharingan and Byakugan in power.
"Is that Nagato?" Minato murmured under his breath, his gaze narrowing.
Yahiko, Konan, and the hooded figure finally reached the cliff's summit, standing before Hanzo and the others. The atmosphere grew tense as all eyes turned to them.
Hanzo's expression darkened. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"We're here to help," Yahiko replied evenly, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. Hanzo's betrayal during their last encounter had left scars, both physical and emotional.
"And how do you propose to help?" Hanzo pressed, his tone laced with suspicion.
Instead of answering, Yahiko turned his attention away from Hanzo. His eyes scanned the battlefield until they landed on Jiraiya. A rare smile broke across his face.
"Sensei … it's been a long time," Yahiko said, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.
Beside him, Konan's typically stoic expression softened as she added, "Teacher… you haven't changed."
The hooded figure spoke last, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Sensei."
Jiraiya's gaze swept over the three figures before him. They had grown so much since he last saw them—no longer children but seasoned warriors, shaped by the harsh realities of the Land of Rain.
"You've all grown," Jiraiya said softly, his voice filled with a mix of pride and sorrow. "Yahiko, Konan… Nagato. It's good to see you again."
Nagato remained silent, his face hidden, but his chakra seemed to pulse in acknowledgment.
Jiraiya turned to Minato, a faint smile on his lips. "Minato, these three are the ones I told you about. My students during the last war."
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