The world is unpredictable. When Otonashi left Konoha, he would never have imagined things turning out like this.
The original goal of establishing a good relationship had deviated greatly. He had now become a core figure of the nascent 'Akatsuki', temporarily unable to even attend to matters back in Konoha.
But speaking of which, the ANBU's mission was to investigate the trio, right? Now that he had almost mixed his way into becoming a leader, could this be considered exceeding the mission requirements?
His words that day didn't immediately change Yahiko's mind. How could someone with natural leadership ability be persuaded by just a few words?
However, a seed was still planted in his heart, waiting to take root and sprout.
Another half month passed. The nascent 'Akatsuki' still traversed the Land of Rain, and its numbers were gradually increasing.
It was just that Yahiko could still only barely walk, and Nagato and Konan didn't have much initiative. 'Akatsuki's activities these days were basically organized by Otonashi.
He was, after all, formally trained, coupled with strong strength and a flexible mind, his work was quite presentable. He could also conveniently mix in his private agenda.
Speaking of which, he hadn't neglected his own strength improvement, only discovering something very outrageous.
That was, training his body towards the Fifth Gate actually had a certain enhancement effect on his ninjutsu, and he also felt his already abundant chakra was still increasing.
"Strange, could it be that this body itself still has untapped potential?"
He couldn't figure it out, but it was a good thing. The body was like a water tank; of course, no one would think a larger tank was bad.
"Forget it, I'll just lean more time towards body training in the future. Anyway, the more chakra, the stronger the control, the greater the ninjutsu power, it's beneficial overall."
No matter how much he thought, there was no result. For example, the suspected monstrous strength last time; as long as it was useful and had no side effects, it was fine.
While Otonashi was studying his own body, several young people wearing raincoats walked into the cave. After exchanging passwords with the sentry at the entrance, they walked deeper. Passing through the deep, winding passage, the cavern ahead suddenly brightened.
Lamps on the top of the rock wall made the cavern bright as day, seemingly searchlights removed from somewhere. And scattered around the cavern, standing or lying, were more than twenty people, mostly wearing Hidden Rain forehead protectors.
The newcomers removed their hoods. The leader revealed a face with tattoos. After looking around for a moment, he walked towards a masked man standing on a high platform.
"Lord Pain." He threw out a heavy pouch, "The money from the merchant caravan has been received."
Otonashi took it, weighed it in his hand to confirm the amount, and only then said, "Hard work, Kyūsuke. Go rest quickly. Hot food has already been prepared for you."
"Yes, thank you." The young man nodded and gestured for his few subordinates to go warm themselves by the fire together.
Otonashi watched their backs recede. These few people were recruited by him. The process was also very simple, nothing more than beating them up and then persuading them with words.
The people of the Land of Rain desired stability, and relying on the reputation Yahiko and the others had accumulated before, it wasn't difficult. Even the few traitors (Erwuzai - lit. two-five boy, slang for traitor) that appeared in the middle were quietly dealt with by him.
"Pain, is it really okay to collect money from the merchant caravan?"
A hesitant voice came from the side. Otonashi looked over; it was Nagato.
"People from the Land of Earth come here to sell grain, and they are afraid of being robbed by scattered soldiers and brave warriors. What's wrong with us collecting money?"
"But before, we always helped for free."
"That's because there were only the three of you. Now the entire organization has nearly thirty people. Everyone needs to eat." Otonashi said ill-humoredly, tossing the money pouch to Konan, adding:
"Anyway, we didn't ask for payment for protecting villages. This belongs to extra labor income."
"Pain is right." Konan nodded, clearly having consulted Yahiko. "If we want peace in the Land of Rain, we must make Hanzō of the Salamander notice our strength, and this strength requires everyone to work together."
Even if you want to achieve peace through dialogue, you need to get to the negotiation table. The current 'Akatsuki' was striving to gain qualifications.
"Oh." Nagato nodded lightly and said no more.
Otonashi glanced at him again. After getting along for half a month, he had already figured out the details of the trio. Konan still had some ability; this Nagato was more like Yahiko's follower, the type who just says 'me too'.
Introverted, and also having some PTSD syndrome.
'Isn't this Nagato supposed to be a Boss? Could the power of darkening (turning evil) be so great?'
Not just his personality, but the development of those eyes wasn't as strong as imagined either. He instantly understood that this guy belonged to the type who passively becomes stronger. As long as there was a certain trigger, he would instantly go to the extreme.
'If Yahiko dies, I'm afraid he'll instantly go into cheat mode (open hack).'
He shook his head, throwing this evil thought out of his mind.
A gentleman does some things and refrains from others. He hadn't yet broken his bottom line to achieve goals unscrupulously. Besides, this person Yahiko, although his talent was the lowest among the trio and he was poisoned into a semi-cripple, his leadership was also indispensable.
So-called hot-blooded, courage of conviction, valuing promises, taking death lightly.
If he wasn't around, he [Otonashi] could completely take over, lest the group dissolves directly without a leader.
"Everything is going smoothly now. I believe Hanzō will notice us soon too." Otonashi said as he turned around, his tone containing some inexplicable meaning.
"I don't know if this is a good thing." Konan was somewhat uneasy.
"If you want to achieve peace in the Land of Rain, no matter which way, Hanzō is always unavoidable." Otonashi pushed open the door of the innermost room and happened to see Yahiko doing push-ups.
"I believe I told you, you are not allowed to do strenuous exercise."
"Sorry, sorry, I really couldn't hold back." Yahiko, shirtless, wiped his sweat, sat down on the bedside somewhat exhausted, and changed the subject: "I heard you talking about Hanzō just now?"
"Yes, with the current development speed, he will contact us soon."
"Do you think it's goodwill or malice?"
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, I've already made preparations. If they want to fight, I'll accompany them. If they want to talk, the door is wide open."
Otonashi's words were full of confidence, and Yahiko nodded convincingly. He had observed him these past few days.
If it was about the ability to fool people, perhaps he [Yahiko] was slightly stronger; after all, his personal charisma was there. But when it came to managing an organization, he still had to learn from this Pain.
How to arrange hidden sentries? How to conduct intelligence reconnaissance? How to solve funding sources? How to group members according to their specialties?
These problems were enough to make his head bald. It would take several years just to sort them out.
Studying under Jiraiya for three years did indeed increase their strength, but strength wasn't just the ability to beat people; knowledge was also a part of it. However, how could these three who started halfway possibly make up for their shortcomings?
This required the experience of constant trial and error, and the accumulation of countless amounts of knowledge.
"Pain, how old are you really? Could it be that you've established a similar organization before?" Yahiko asked curiously.
Otonashi, who was mixing herbs, paused, and without looking back, asked, "Why do you ask?"
Yahiko rubbed his nose and said, "Just a feeling. I think to understand these things clearly, just reading books isn't enough; practical operation is necessary. Right, Konan?"
"Yes, just looking at those accounting books gives me a headache. It's much more troublesome than learning ninjutsu before." The girl's face was full of pain.
I think you just want to buy explosive tags but also want to save funds.
Otonashi snorted coldly in his heart but nodded slightly: "I've done something similar."
He wasn't lying; he had indeed done it, just in his previous life.
Except the purpose was to make money, otherwise, it was similar to 'Akatsuki'.
"But it failed in the end? Sorry, I'm not trying to poke at your sore spot."
"It didn't fail, I just got tired of it." Otonashi paused for a moment and continued pounding the medicine.
"Sorry." Yahiko was now convinced of the other's rich experience. This sense of world-weariness couldn't be faked; he must be at least thirty or so.
"I've already forgotten. Drink the medicine."
After drinking a bowl of pitch-black medicine, Yahiko's face wrinkled into a ball from the bitterness. He glanced at Konan beside him and quickly regained his composure with masculinity.
"But being able to hand 'Akatsuki' over to you, I feel relieved."
"Don't talk like you're about to die." Otonashi glanced at him.
"What's the big deal? Even if I die now, I can rest assured about Nagato and Konan. They won't walk down the wrong path." The teenager still had that optimistic attitude.
"Yahiko!!" Konan raised her eyebrows and shouted, causing Yahiko to quickly shut up.
"It's still too early to entrust orphans. The dispute between our two routes hasn't ended yet." Otonashi took away the empty bowl.
Yahiko laughed heartily, not caring about status at all: "Yes, if you are right, I'll follow you."
That would be great.
Otonashi didn't make a sound. Just then, the wooden door was pushed open violently, and Nagato ran in.
"Intelligence just received, something seems to have happened in Konoha!"
Something happened in Konoha?
The expression under the mask changed. He had long arranged for a group of people to specialize in gathering intelligence from other countries. Hearing this news now, he was both shocked and felt it was within reason.
If something hadn't happened, the ANBU would probably have come to the Land of Rain to find me long ago.
During this time, he had led 'Akatsuki' wandering around, partly to avoid detection by Konoha ANBU. At least for now, both rationally and emotionally, he didn't want to be enemies with Konoha.
However, why did Nagato's tone sound somewhat happy?
"What happened?" Yahiko asked immediately.
"Hidden Mist Village has launched an attack."
"Just that?"
The Land of Fire and the Land of Water have been fighting for over half a year. Could it be some new offensive?
Otonashi looked over coldly, wishing he could strangle this guy who spoke breathlessly.
"Hidden Mist Village launched an attack led by the Fourth Mizukage and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. They broke through Konoha's defense line."
"As far as I know, only five of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are left. Konoha isn't made of mud." Otonashi remembered the Third Hokage killed two, plus the Uchiha and Hyuga group; Hidden Mist Village shouldn't be able to push through at all.
"B-but, when they approached Konoha, they released a monster!"
"Monster!?"