Chapter 53 – Yahiko
"If my hunch is right... the leaders of that organization are my three former students," Jiraiya muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. He never imagined the three war orphans he once taught would one day become the leaders of Akatsuki. They had grown up... and grown powerful.
"Those three little kids?" Tsunade's brows lifted slightly as she recalled the past. Jiraiya had once spoken about adopting a few orphans from the Hidden Rain. He even said one of them had potential greater than Minato's. At the time, she thought he was exaggerating. After all, even Orochimaru couldn't match Minato's brilliance.
Jiraiya gave a small nod, his expression distant.
"We might be able to hire Akatsuki's services. If even Hanzo considers them a threat, their strength isn't something we should take lightly," Yusuke suggested.
"I agree. That sounds like a logical approach," Tsunade replied.
"No harm in trying," Jiraiya added.
"Then leave it to me," Yusuke offered. "An organization like that must have an extensive intelligence network across the Rain Country. We might be able to gather what we need through them."
"Wouldn't it be better if I go instead?" Jiraiya asked, half rising from his seat.
"I think so too," Tsunade nodded.
"No," Yusuke cut in firmly. "You must not go, Jiraiya-nii."
"Why not?" he asked.
"If you meet them yourself, everything changes. Your relationship with them, your stance, your ties to Konoha. If one day Akatsuki becomes a danger to the ninja world, the first thing people will do is point fingers at you. And if they're in trouble, could you honestly stand by and watch? Would you really let Konoha turn its back on them?"
Jiraiya fell silent. He understood. If he got involved now, the future would shift irreversibly. If Akatsuki was ever in danger, he would step in. And if he stepped in, Konoha would be dragged into the mess. It would only escalate—causing conflict, casualties, and consequences he couldn't afford.
"…All right," he murmured at last.
With the plan in place, Yusuke acted swiftly. After tracing several channels of underground information, he finally discovered Akatsuki's main hideout.
Slipping through dimensional space with the powers of the Door-Door Fruit, he emerged directly in front of their base.
A Rain ninja standing guard stepped forward, scowling. "Who are you?"
"I've come to speak with your three leaders," Yusuke replied with a faint smile.
"You? Don't joke around, kid. You know where you are?" the man sneered.
"…Idiot," Yusuke muttered under his breath, his brow twitching slightly.
"What did you say!?" The guard's temper flared. He began forming hand seals, preparing to attack.
"So this is Akatsuki, huh? I thought Yahiko would surround himself with like-minded idealists. But if this is the kind of trash he's letting in…" Yusuke scoffed.
"If you're ready to attack me, then you should also be ready to face the consequences," Yusuke said calmly, lifting his hand as golden light began to gather at his fingertip—glowing like a pulsating halo of power.
A laser.
A beam of golden light pierced the air in a flash, exploding through the guard's shoulder and vaporizing his entire arm.
"Stop!" A voice rang out as Yahiko dashed forward from the shadows—but he was too late. The light had already done its work.
"Who are you!? Are you picking a fight with Akatsuki!?" Yahiko shouted, his eyes blazing. Nagato and Konan flanked him, their expressions equally sharp.
"My name is Hatake Yusuke. I'm from Konohagakure. I came here to offer a proposal for cooperation with Akatsuki," Yusuke said coolly.
"Then why did you attack one of our own?" Konan demanded, her voice cold.
"Because he tried to kill me first," Yusuke answered without hesitation. His voice carried no guilt—only fact. In the world of shinobi, the weak who attacked the strong paid the price. The moment that man intended to kill, Yusuke had responded in kind.
"Even so, that doesn't justify your actions," Yahiko said sternly.
"You're too naïve, Yahiko," Yusuke replied flatly.
Their expressions changed immediately. Tension crackled in the air.
"If it weren't me standing here, that attack could've killed someone. You should be thankful he only lost an arm," Yusuke said, utterly unbothered.
"I didn't come here to argue. I came to make a deal," he added, stepping straight to the point.
"We don't work with those who harm our comrades," Yahiko replied firmly.
Yusuke let out a dry laugh. "I'm honestly surprised someone like you became a leader."
"What was that, brat!?" Yahiko's voice rose with fury. Konan and Nagato both stepped forward, chakra stirring in the air.
"Never mind," Yusuke said with a dismissive wave. "If you're not interested, I'll leave. I was never that invested in Akatsuki anyway. Your dream of peace… mutual understanding between nations... that kind of fantasy doesn't survive in this world."
His eyes narrowed.
"If only you hadn't trusted Hanzo so blindly, Konan would've never been captured. The world is filthier than you think. Big nations will never understand the pain of the small. Just like Konoha will never understand the suffering of others."
Yusuke turned, his voice quieter now.
"I only trust two things—my family… and a few true friends."
"In that case—let me test your strength!" Yahiko shouted, stepping forward.
"Oh?" Yusuke glanced over his shoulder. "I suggest the three of you come at me together."
It wasn't arrogance. It was fact. Yusuke knew the truth—Nagato hadn't yet unlocked the full power of his Rinnegan. He was only scratching the surface, barely able to use some of the Deva Path's abilities. Even that was limited.
"Cocky little…!" Yahiko couldn't take it anymore.
"If you insist, then let's fight," Yusuke said, his expression unreadable.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
A massive dragon made of churning water surged toward him, snarling as it tore through the air.
Yusuke didn't even flinch.
Yahiko's heart twisted. He had launched the jutsu too fast—if Yusuke couldn't dodge in time…
But in the blink of an eye, golden light shimmered—and Yusuke vanished.
"Where did he—!?"
"Behind you," came Yusuke's calm voice.
He was already standing behind Nagato and Konan.
They froze.
Cold sweat dripped down their spines. In that instant, they understood—if Yusuke had wanted to kill them, they would already be dead.
"Speed… is weight," Yusuke said quietly. "Ever felt what it's like to be kicked by light?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
In a burst of light, he appeared before Yahiko and drove a crushing kick into his stomach—sending the man flying over a hundred meters into the air before crashing down with a thunderous impact.
Nagato and Konan readied themselves. But doubt flickered in their eyes. They could feel it. This man wasn't normal.
"So these are Jiraiya-nii's students…? Disappointing," Yusuke muttered with a smirk.
"You… you know Jiraiya-sensei!?" Konan gasped in shock.
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