A few days later.
At the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire.
Four figures halted at the border.
"We're finally here."
Yahiko looked around at the surroundings—familiar yet foreign—and was overcome with emotions.
Counting the years, it had been so long that he couldn't even count them—all those endless days and nights.
"If it weren't for him, we'd have arrived long ago."
Konan was still pouting cutely, glaring at Kakuzu.
"Little miss, I'm injured," Kakuzu replied helplessly. Truth be told, he really did slow down the group.
Having only one heart left and having been held captive all these years, right after his release he'd gotten beaten to a pulp.
Kakuzu felt utterly wronged.
He was getting too old for this kind of hardship.
"Hmph~ You brought it on yourself."
Konan gave him a sharp glare—one he fully deserved.
That morning, Yahiko and the other two went straight to the Anbu prison cell.
With Tsunade's warrant in hand, they easily got to meet Kakuzu.
They couldn't help but marvel at his sheer will to survive; despite being locked away for years, he hadn't died.
When they said they were there to take him out, Kakuzu didn't hesitate even a second before agreeing.
Years of imprisonment had nearly driven him insane.
Besides, how dangerous could three kids be? Once outside, wouldn't everything be under his control?
Kakuzu was already mentally celebrating his plans. The three simply smiled coldly in return.
Just as expected.
Not long after leaving Konoha Village, Kakuzu suddenly struck.
Spouting arrogance all the while,
"Do you actually think someone like me would obey brats like you?"
Initially, Yahiko and the others tried to reason with him, offering money management and more hearts.
But Kakuzu wasn't so easy to tame.
"For now, I'll just take your hearts."
As he finished speaking, his eyes glinted with menace, and he attacked without hesitation.
This time, however, they held nothing back.
As soon as the fight started, Kakuzu recognized the strangely familiar techniques these "kids" were using.
Memories from years ago surged back. A perfect opportunity to settle both old and new scores.
Plus, their main fighter wasn't here this time—Kakuzu still had a fighting chance.
Believing this, Kakuzu ended up getting another brutal thrashing.
With only one heart left, he didn't last more than two moves against Nagato before he gave in.
"This power..."
Half-kneeling on the ground, Kakuzu struggled to stand back up.
"So, are you ready to come with us now?"
Nagato looked down at Kakuzu, clearly implying he'd kill him if he refused.
"Tch... With strength like this, going to the Land of Rain won't be boring."
Circumstances dictated his choices—there was nothing he could do.
Kakuzu understood the situation perfectly, though the slight tremble in his fists betrayed his inner resentment.
"Good. Here's your payment, as promised."
Nagato immediately handed over Kawaki's hidden stash of cash, that's what it meant to be backed with confidence.
Meanwhile, Konan kept twitching her eye—the more she stared at Kakuzu, the more she loathed him.
"Don't you have any pride left at all?"
Luckily Kakuzu didn't know Mind Reading jutsu, otherwise he might've retorted, "Do you want me dead or something?"
Considering everything, Konan's frustration with Kakuzu today was perfectly understandable.
"Alright, now we're all on the same side."
Yahiko acted as a mediator this time, not automatically siding with Konan.
He understood that maintaining internal harmony in a team was essential, and that constant pressure wasn't always the most effective method.
"Let's go. Find a place to settle down first."
Nagato was eager to enter the Land of Rain.
"I know you're excited, we'll head out right away," Yahiko replied with a cheerful tone, well aware of Nagato's eagerness.
"Departure."
Konan stopped holding a grudge against Kakuzu and followed Yahiko. Kakuzu, for now at least, appeared sincere and followed closely behind.
Yet his back view looked strangely pitiful.
It was strange—the Land of Fire was still bathed in sunlight, while the Land of Rain was already shrouded in dark clouds.
The four of them were prepared in advance and had already put on their raincoats.
Sure enough, heavy rain began pouring down shortly.
"The first time I met our teacher was also under such heavy rain," Yahiko said, starting a conversation.
"Yeah, I still clearly remember that rabbit meat meal."
Even after tasting countless gourmet dishes over the years, Konan never forgot that dinner.
As she spoke, she even licked her lips.
"Me too."
"We were so reluctant to throw away even our pots and pans back then."
"Now thinking about it, it's actually quite amusing."
Remembering the sight of Yahiko carrying that large black pot, a faint smile tugged at Nagato's lips.
"Haha~"
"I still have that pot," Yahiko said proudly—it was one of his most treasured possessions.
Kakuzu listened, bewildered. Was that pot actually made of gold or something?
"Who exactly is your teacher?"
Perhaps because of the loneliness brought by long captivity, Kakuzu joined the conversation.
"Kawaki Hatake."
Yahiko didn't hide anything; he immediately mentioned the name.
After all, Kakuzu would find out eventually. There was no need for secrecy.
"So it really was that bastard."
Kakuzu paused mid-step, rage rising from deep inside.
Previously just suspicion, now he had undeniable proof.
No wonder everything had seemed suspiciously off back then.
Thinking about it now, how could someone who tried to assassinate him possibly let him go so easily?
At that moment, Kakuzu felt like a fool—how naive he'd been to think Kawaki Hatake was honorable!
"You better not speak ill of our teacher."
Konan glared at him furiously, clearly furious.
"He manipulated me like a puppet and I can't even curse him for it?" Kakuzu shot back, glaring defiantly, as if he no longer cared about life or death.
"Let it go this time. But don't let it happen again."
"Our teacher sparing your life was already a great act of mercy."
It wasn't that Nagato refused to defend Kawaki—it was just that Kawaki had truly behaved shamelessly in this matter.
He coldly glanced at Kakuzu. That unusual Rinnegan gaze gave Kakuzu the creeps.
Instantly, his back was soaked in cold sweat. Living shamefully is better than dying bravely.
In truth, he had brought this upon himself—he only had himself to blame.
Had it not been for greed clouding his judgment, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
"I admit defeat."
"Let's admit that Kawaki Hatake is the better man this time."
Despite his many years, Kakuzu soon let go of that fleeting emotion. At the very least, he was still alive now, breathing in free air.
He could only calm himself down through constant self-reassurance.
Actually, the biggest issue was that now, not only was he unable to take revenge on Kawaki, but he couldn't even defeat Kawaki's disciple.
"If our teacher hadn't thought of you, you'd still be stuck eating prison rations in a cell."
Yahiko wasn't lying. The three of them had completely erased Kakuzu from their memories.
"So I should thank him?"
Even the most level-headed person would find that hard to swallow. The fact that Kakuzu managed to hold back his anger was proof enough of his restraint.
"No need for that. What's past is past."
"There'll be a foothold for you in the Land of Rain."
"I said so."
Yahiko wasn't just offering empty promises. As long as Kakuzu was willing to work hard, Yahiko would definitely follow through.
"I'm not interested in status. Right now, what interests me most is money."
Kakuzu scoffed at this idea. He had long grown tired of betrayal.
"Do as you please."
Yahiko didn't continue. There was still time ahead.
The group chat ended, and the four pressed on through the rain.
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