Chapter 4: Stray Dogs
The rain didn't let up.
It never did.
Nagato led the way through narrow alleys and rusted pathways, his steps steady, unhurried. Behind him, Yahiko and Konan followed—close enough to show interest, far enough to stay cautious.
They didn't trust him.
Not fully.
And that was good.
"Trust gets you killed faster than anything else here," Nagato thought.
After a while, Nagato stopped beneath a half-collapsed metal shelter. It barely blocked the rain, but it was better than nothing.
"This will do," he said.
Yahiko dropped down immediately, exhaling loudly.
"Man… I'm starving."
Nagato reached into his bag and tossed him a small portion of food.
Yahiko caught it mid-air.
"…You sure?"
Nagato sat down quietly.
"Eat."
That was all he said.
Konan hesitated for a moment before sitting down across from him. She accepted her share carefully, her movements controlled, almost delicate.
Unlike Yahiko, she didn't eat immediately.
She watched.
Observed.
Analyzed.
Nagato noticed.
"Smart," he thought.
"She's the cautious one."
Yahiko, on the other hand, devoured the food like he hadn't eaten in days.
"Slow down," Nagato said flatly.
Yahiko paused, cheeks full.
"…Can't help it."
Silence settled between them, broken only by the steady rhythm of rain hitting metal.
Konan spoke first.
"You're not from here."
Nagato glanced at her.
"…What makes you think that?"
"You don't look desperate," she replied.
"Everyone here… looks like they're about to lose something."
Nagato leaned back slightly.
"And I don't?"
She shook her head.
"No."
Yahiko swallowed and pointed at him.
"She's right. You're weird."
Nagato raised an eyebrow.
"Weird?"
"Yeah," Yahiko said. "You don't act like a kid."
Nagato chuckled softly.
"…That's because I'm not like you."
They both went quiet at that.
Not offended.
Just… curious.
Yahiko leaned forward.
"So… where are you from?"
Nagato didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked out into the rain.
"…Somewhere far away."
It wasn't a lie.
Not really.
Konan narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You're hiding something."
Nagato met her gaze.
"…Everyone is."
She didn't argue.
Another silence followed.
Heavier this time.
Yahiko broke it again.
"You're strong."
Nagato shrugged.
"A little."
"No," Yahiko said firmly. "You're really strong."
Nagato looked at him.
Determined eyes.
Unshaken.
"Teach me."
There it was.
Nagato tilted his head slightly.
"…Why?"
Yahiko clenched his fists.
"So I can protect people."
Nagato's gaze sharpened.
Konan spoke quietly.
"…So no one dies like before."
Nagato watched them carefully.
Their expressions didn't waver.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
"…You've both lost people," he said.
Neither of them answered.
They didn't need to.
Nagato closed his eyes briefly.
"…Same here."
For a moment—
The rain felt heavier.
Then he opened his eyes again.
Calm.
Controlled.
"Fine."
Yahiko's face lit up.
"Really?!"
Nagato raised a hand slightly.
"Don't get excited."
Both of them straightened instinctively.
"We do this properly," Nagato continued.
"No shortcuts. No stupidity."
Yahiko frowned slightly.
"…What does that mean?"
Nagato leaned forward slightly.
"It means you stop acting like dying is an option."
Silence.
Konan's eyes widened just a fraction.
Yahiko scratched his head.
"…That's kind of obvious."
Nagato's gaze hardened.
"No. It's not."
The air shifted slightly.
His presence became heavier.
More real.
"In this world," Nagato said quietly, "you don't get second chances."
Yahiko's expression faltered.
"You slip once," Nagato continued, "you die."
He pointed toward the direction where the men had left earlier.
"You saw that."
Yahiko clenched his fists.
"…Yeah."
Konan looked down slightly.
"…We know."
Nagato shook his head.
"No. You think you know."
They both looked at him.
"Knowing," Nagato said, "means you act differently."
Silence.
Rain fell harder.
Then—
Nagato stood up.
"Lesson one," he said.
They both stood immediately.
"Survive."
Yahiko blinked.
"That's it?"
Nagato turned and started walking.
"For now," he replied.
Konan followed without hesitation.
Yahiko paused for a second.
Then grinned.
"…Yeah. I like this."
And ran after them.
Three stray dogs.
No home.
No safety.
But for the first time—
Not alone.