"Elder Genji from Kirigakure bows in respect to Lord Akatsuki Shadow."
As soon as he entered, Yahiko saw an elderly man leaning on a cane bowing respectfully to him.
"There's no need for such formalities, Elder Genji," Yahiko replied politely and stepped forward to help the elder straighten up.
He didn't spare so much as a glance for the Mist ninja still standing behind Elder Genji.
"You're too kind, Lord Akatsuki Shadow," Elder Genji said humbly. "I should also thank you for sparing my Kirigakure."
His tone showed not the slightest hint of resentment. Indeed, this old man understood the situation well. Since he had already chosen surrender, he no longer cared about preserving the dignity of being a top elder.
Now, his only priority was the safety of the Mist ninja behind him—there was nothing more important.
"On the contrary," Yahiko responded. "I should be thanking you for your cooperation."
Someone else showed courtesy, and Yahiko had no intention of embarrassing them.
"You flatter me," the elder replied.
The two exchanged these meaningless pleasantries while Akatsuki ninjas and Mist ninjas stared at each other across from them.
"So that's Lord Akatsuki Shadow?"
"He looks so young."
Mei Terumi craned her neck trying to get a better look at the scene ahead.
"I heard he isn't even twenty yet."
"Compared to someone like him, you've still got a long way to go," Ao remarked, his gaze lingering on Yahiko briefly before shifting to Nagato and others behind him. He had to admit, true prodigies did exist in the world.
All the founders of Akatsuki, except Kakuzu, were terrifyingly young. When he himself was a teenager, he hadn't even reached Jonin level yet, but they were already core figures in their village.
"Senior Ao, why are you comparing me with him?" Mei pouted slightly, clearly unhappy. Although she had thought the same, hearing it said aloud felt different.
"Shh~"
Ao shushed her. At that moment, Yahiko and Elder Genji finally got to the point.
"Lord Akatsuki Shadow, please accept the full surrender of all the Mist ninja now," Elder Genji said, stepping back and positioning himself at the very front of the Mist ninja formation.
"Fine."
Yahiko nodded, putting away his smile as his expression began turning serious.
"Elder Genji from Kirigakure surrenders the entire Mist Village to Akatsuki."
"Lay down your weapons."
At Elder Genji's command, the Mist ninja removed the blades from their backs, along with their ninja tool bags, and threw them all onto the ground before them.
"Akatsuki accepts your surrender."
"We appreciate everyone's cooperation," Yahiko continued with polite talk, his voice clearly reaching every single Mist ninja present.
"Now, Kirigakure is in your hands."
"May I ask what plans you have for us, the Mist ninja?"
Elder Genji stepped forward again, respectfully offering a map detailing Kirigakure's layout.
Upon hearing these words, every Mist ninja became tense.
Remembering Ao's earlier remark, Mei wished she could strain both ears to listen closely.
She could only hope Yahiko wouldn't say something terrible next.
"Plans?"
Yahiko frowned slightly. Truthfully, he hadn't really considered this aspect.
Isn't sparing their lives enough? Should I actually reward them?
"Then should I just let them go?"
Seeing Yahiko's reaction, Elder Genji wisely chose not to suggest any control measures against the Mist ninja.
If someone was foolish enough to misbehave, their death would be their own doing—nothing to blame others for.
"Dismissed."
"I still need to assign defensive positions afterward."
Yahiko waved them off carelessly. He had never intended to imprison these Mist ninja in the first place.
In his opinion, it was completely unnecessary.
Kiri itself was already under his control. Why bother worrying over these Mist ninja who posed no real threat?
"Thank you, Lord Akatsuki Shadow."
"Dismissed."
"Just a reminder though: don't wander around aimlessly unless necessary."
"If trouble arises, don't say I didn't warn you."
Elder Genji turned and dismissed the Mist ninja, offering a few well-meaning warnings along the way.
Yahiko was generous, so he himself had to act respectfully too.
The current situation already pleased him greatly.
"Yes, Elder Genji."
The Mist ninja answered together before quickly leaving. Each of them wished they could sprout extra legs just to flee this trouble-ridden place.
"Senior Ao, farewell."
"It seems I won't have to come visit you after all."
Mei Terumi took her leave at an unusual pace, parting ways with Ao at a crossroads.
"Farewell."
Ao waved his arm. Only now did he feel like he'd truly survived.
A rush of emotions flooded him, and he stood staring toward the village gate for a long while.
"Elder Genji, why don't you return as well?"
"Now that we have this scroll, we can handle everything ourselves."
Yahiko raised his hand to show the scroll in his grip. He was too lazy to waste more time here.
Once Kiri's defenses were secure, the next move was to lead the group to Kokutō.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Elder Genji bowed again before departing. He wasn't interested in the Akatsuki's defense arrangements.
Now that Kiri had no chance of turning things around anymore, anything he did now would be useless.
"Goodbye."
As Elder Genji walked away, Yahiko summoned Nagato and the others to survey the layout where key positions had already been assigned. Orders flowed steadily from their lips in quick succession.
Though the Akatsuki were dwindling in numbers, they now held firm control over all of Kiri.
"Any oversight left?"
Surveying the layout, Yahiko couldn't think of anything else needing arrangement.
"No apparent oversights for now."
"Once they get familiar with everything, we'll select personnel to head to the capital."
Nonou confirmed the defense was thorough enough—at least until problems arose, she couldn't find any vulnerabilities.
"Good. Then let's find a place to rest as well."
"Huh?!"
Konan hadn't taken part much and was already growing bored.
"Let's go. The Fourth Mizukage's compound should be big enough for our stay."
Nagato took the lead in departing, as though he already knew exactly where Karatachi Yagura's mansion lay.
"You know the way?"
Kakuzu followed behind them, slightly curious.
Did Nagato's sensing ability extend to locating buildings?
"Ask, and you'll find out."
Nagato wore an expression of confidence, showing no embarrassment at all. Nonou, walking beside him, nearly burst into laughter.
It was probably due to Elder Genji's announcement of the Akatsuki's arrival—there were very few people out on the streets today.
It took quite a while, but Nagato finally managed to catch a fortunate passerby.
From the trembling middle-aged man, Nagato learned the location of Yagura Karatachi's mansion. Before leaving, he even remembered to say thank you.
"Do we really come off as that scary?"
Konan pinched her own cheeks. Was she not pretty?
"What does that have to do with our looks?"
"It's because of who we are, get it?"
Yahiko was left speechless. Konan's way of thinking was always so different from others'.
"Ah!"
"Forget it, let's go."
Following the direction given by the middle-aged man, Konan took the lead.
After walking through several streets and alleys, Yahiko and the others smoothly arrived at Yagura Karatachi's mansion.
Before even stepping inside, they knew no one was home—perhaps Elder Genji had arranged this in advance.
But none of these thoughts crossed their minds. Yahiko simply pushed open the gate and walked right in.
As the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi's mansion was indeed quite large, more than sufficient for accommodating all of them.
They each picked a room they liked and settled down.
Before they knew it, three days had passed. The Akatsuki had grown familiar with Kiri, and the Mist ninja hadn't caused any trouble. Yahiko began assigning tasks and preparing to head toward Kokutō.
After discussing among themselves, it was decided that Nagato and Nonou would remain in Kiri, while Yahiko, Kakuzu, and Konan would proceed to the capital city.
Under the premise of the Daimyō's heirs fighting for power and control, Yahiko didn't need to exert much effort before successfully taking control of Kokutō.
Thus, the entire Land of Water fell into the hands of the Akatsuki. Consequently, Akatsuki Village became the largest faction in terms of territory across the Ninja World.
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade – Please bookmark: (m.