Chi Yu calmly explained the vision behind establishing this new organization.
Pakura frowned. "You're saying... you want us to live the lives we desire, without regrets? By creating a Ninja Village?"
Chi Yu chuckled. "Why jump straight to founding a Ninja Village? There are only four of us—five if you count my wife. That's far too few. Maybe one day, when we're larger. For now, our focus is on the Akatsuki.
"So—are you both willing to remain part of Akatsuki? It's your choice. Personally, I think joining is a great opportunity for you both.
"Shindai and I won't force anything on you. Decisions will be made collectively. But if Akatsuki is ever threatened, every member must be ready to defend it. Otherwise, there's no point in forming this organization."
Pakura and Raiga Kurosuki exchanged a glance.
They had joined Akatsuki for Yahiko's sake, never expecting its leader to turn out to be Chi Yu.
Their main concern had always been that Akatsuki might be a hidden Konoha operation. But now, with Chi Yu making it clear it wasn't affiliated with any village, that fear dissipated.
Moreover…
To love oneself. To live freely, without regrets.
Once, their beliefs had been: Village first, self second.
But after being betrayed by their respective villages, Chi Yu's words struck a deep chord.
They looked at each other and declared in unison, "We'll stay."
Chi Yu wasn't surprised.
He smiled slightly. "Akatsuki is just starting. The two of you will need to work closely with Shindai. I'm still stuck in Konoha and won't be leaving for a few more years.
"If anything happens that you can't handle, don't act impulsively. Contact me. I'll come if needed."
Yahiko stepped forward. "Leader... what's our next move?"
Chi Yu replied, "First, we recruit. Slowly. Carefully. We don't need numbers—we need strength. Only those at or above the level of an Elite Jōnin should even be considered.
"Don't worry about finances. I'll handle the funding for now. If you need money, come to me. Once we're larger—or once I leave Konoha—we'll need to be self-sustaining."
Chi Yu had already foreseen Danzo establishing the secret department he had proposed—and assigning him to lead it.
From there, Chi Yu would have the means to covertly funnel resources to the Akatsuki.
Turning to the others, he laid out the broader plan. "In the short term, the Shinobi World won't change drastically. Some local wars, sure—but nothing global. You should focus on building up a mercenary front under the name Akatsuki Organization."
At the mention of Akatsuki Organization, Yahiko stiffened slightly.
Chi Yu noticed—but didn't comment.
"In the future, we may cooperate with the other Akatsuki Organization. But we are not them. Ours will remain independent, even if we occasionally ally. We may even become adversaries.
"Their true goal is the collection of all Nine Tailed Beasts—to turn them into living weapons."
Raiga Kurosuki's eyes widened. "They're trying to gather the Tailed Beasts? That's insane. Do they think the Five Great Villages will just let them?"
Chi Yu nodded. "Exactly. That's the danger. Unlike us, the Akatsuki Organization has the power to challenge the villages. Their leader possesses the Rinnegan, and his subordinates are all top-tier ninja, mostly rogue Elite Jōnin from across the major nations.
"Collecting Tailed Beasts makes them enemies of every Great Nation. As they progress, chaos will spread across the Shinobi World."
Pakura frowned. "So shouldn't we try to stop them?"
Chi Yu raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
She hesitated. "If the world falls into chaos... won't that harm us too?"
Chi Yu shook his head. "Chaos is inevitable. You saw it yourself during the war—it ended only because the villages had exhausted their forces and resources.
"Once they recover, the next war will follow. And we can't stop the Akatsuki Organization. As for why... that's something you'll come to understand with time. Just let the world take its course."
Pakura, Raiga, and Yahiko nodded in understanding.
Chi Yu turned to Yahiko. "Shindai—walk with me."
The two stepped aside.
Chi Yu asked quietly, "Now that you've seen the world for yourself, what are your thoughts? Do you still believe in your ideal of peace through mutual understanding?"
Yahiko lowered his gaze, silent.
His travels over the past few years had devastated his hopes.
He had seen nothing but betrayal, bloodshed, and cruelty. Every noble idea he once clung to had been buried by harsh reality.
He recalled saving a wounded Iwagakure shinobi—only for the man's teammates to ambush him on sight.
Worse, the man Yahiko had saved denied even knowing him.
He had rescued civilians too—only to be met with suspicion and hatred.
His faith in peace had been shattered.
True peace through mutual understanding was impossible.
People were too different. Unless their thoughts were literally unified—like Shadow Clones—true understanding could never be reached.
Chi Yu, watching him quietly, said, "I see. You've come to your own conclusion. You've seen it clearly now: peace built on goodwill is a child's dream.
"You've grown. Your innocence is gone—and that's painful, but necessary.
"Nagato's method, though extreme, is likely the most realistic path to peace. It forces the world to understand through pain. Sadly, Nagato is a pawn. That path can never be fulfilled as long as he's being manipulated."
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