Yahiko couldn't hide his yearning anymore. "Chi Yu… When can I see Nagato and Konan again?"
Chi Yu didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at Yahiko in silence, his gaze calm but firm.
The silence dragged on. Eventually, Yahiko lowered his head and muttered, "I won't ask again…"
Chi Yu's tone turned serious. "Yahiko. You gave me your word. You must see it through. That was our agreement."
He paused, then added coldly, "And I've already told you—your desire to see Nagato may be your undoing. Worse, it may be theirs."
Yahiko's brows furrowed.
"You know how much you mean to them," Chi Yu continued. "Nagato's descent into extremism began with your death. That grief—your absence—was the catalyst. And that's exactly what he wanted."
Chi Yu's eyes narrowed. "The more unstable Nagato becomes, the easier he is to manipulate. If your reappearance disrupts that balance—makes him uncontrollable—you'll be eliminated. And I won't be able to stop it. Neither will anyone else."
He let that sink in.
"And worse still—Nagato and Konan would be next. Once they lose their usefulness, they'll be discarded like pawns."
Chi Yu's tone became colder. "Don't forget: Nagato's only value to that person lies in his Rinnegan. If it can be given to him, it can be taken away and passed on to someone else. The plan won't stop because of sentiment."
Yahiko exhaled heavily, guilt etched across his face. "I understand. I just… miss them. I wonder if they're alright… if they're safe."
Chi Yu's tone softened. "I know you're emotional, Yahiko. That's why I saved you. But now you're the Deputy Leader of this organization. If you lose your composure again, maybe you will survive. But I can't say the same for Nagato and Konan."
He stepped closer.
"You're not just their comrade anymore. You're responsible for others now—Pakura, Raiga Kurosuki. They joined because of you. And you and I both carry that weight."
Chi Yu turned, pacing slowly.
"Nagato and Konan are under constant surveillance. We can't act recklessly. When the time comes to save them, we'll be making enemies of powers far beyond the surface. That kind of move requires flawless preparation. And we're nowhere near ready."
He looked Yahiko in the eyes.
"Let me be clear: to rescue Nagato and Konan, we'll need at least fifteen years."
"Fifteen?!" Yahiko's eyes widened.
Chi Yu smirked. "Seems long? There are beings who've waited centuries, even millennia, for a single opportunity. You think fifteen years is much?"
Yahiko gave a wry smile. "No one lives that long, Chi Yu. Don't mess with me."
Chi Yu only smiled in response.
Yahiko's smile faded as realization dawned. "…Wait, are you being serious? There are people who've lived that long?"
Chi Yu leaned against a nearby wall, gazing up at the moon. "Yahiko… The shinobi world runs far deeper than it appears. Strange bloodlines, immortality rituals, forbidden jutsu… One misstep, and you're swallowed whole. You already tasted that with Hanzo and Danzō."
Yahiko clenched his fists.
"Your first Akatsuki was a noble dream," Chi Yu continued. "But Hanzo crushed it—then conspired with Danzō to slaughter your people."
He turned, his expression hardening. "Now we're all prey. And prey must become predators. Every choice must be calculated. Every weakness purged."
Yahiko nodded solemnly. "I understand, Chi Yu. I won't let my emotions compromise us again. From now on, I'll stay rational."
Chi Yu's face softened. "Good. Then let's go. It's time you met our new allies."
---
The two soon regrouped with Pakura and Raiga Kurosuki.
Chi Yu nodded to the three of them. "I called you together so we could get acquainted. Now that's done, I'll return to Konoha. Welcome to Akatsuki. Until next time."
He turned and began to walk away.
"Chi Yu, wait!" Yahiko called out.
Chi Yu turned, eyebrow raised. "What is it?"
Yahiko hesitated, visibly uncomfortable.
Pakura and Raiga Kurosuki looked at him strangely. It must've been something serious.
Chi Yu sighed. "Yahiko, you're a Deputy Leader now. Speak plainly."
Blushing, Yahiko muttered, "You said you'd provide some organizational funds. But right now, we barely have enough for three meals…"
Pakura and Raiga nearly tripped over themselves, deadpan expressions on their faces. That was the emergency?
That said… they hadn't had decent food in days either.
Chi Yu walked back over, slightly exasperated. "You could've just said that."
He dug into his pocket and… froze.
His face turned awkward. He hadn't brought much with him.
Chi Yu pulled out all he had: 8,470 ryō.
He handed the wad of mismatched bills and coins to Yahiko.
All three stared at it.
The funds had change. Actual spare change.
Was this what organizational finances looked like now?
Chi Yu cleared his throat. "I didn't bring much. This should last three or four days—if you don't eat extravagantly. Stay in Tanzaku Town for now. Once I'm back in Konoha, I'll send you real funds through my summoning beast."
He raised a finger. "The first transfer will be two million ryō."
Their eyes sparkled.
These three were once elite jōnin—one or two million ryō from missions wasn't unusual back then. But now? As missing-nin, no village backing them, no missions coming in… they were broke.
Chi Yu added, "That should be enough for now. Just let me know when you're low again."
"Two million?! Got it!" the three of them practically shouted.
Chi Yu watched their gleeful expressions turn almost cartoonishly greedy.
"You guys…" he grumbled. "Spend it sparingly. And if possible, take on mercenary work. I do have a wife to support, y'know."
"Understood! Understood!" they all chimed, nodding like chicks pecking grain.
Chi Yu narrowed his eyes. "Seriously. Don't blow it all at once."
"Yeah, yeah, Leader. Just go already and send us the money!"
The more they smiled, the worse Chi Yu's gut feeling became.
Still, what choice did he have?
"…Alright then. I'm off."
Chi Yu waved over his shoulder, and disappeared into the shadows of the night.
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