On the way back, Yahiko finally pieced together the full story from Konan.
For a long moment, he could only rub his temples and sigh.
"Shinra… that guy… he's never quiet, is he? How does he end up provoking the next Hokage of Konoha of all people? Oh!"
But what startled him even more was not Shinra's recklessness it was Konan's reply.
Normally, in moments like this, she would gently ease Yahiko's worries, softening his doubts with reason and warmth.
This time, however, she hesitated… then, after several false starts, she finally spoke firmly:
"Yahiko, maybe… maybe you should give Shinra a little more trust. He must have his reasons for doing this.
His wisdom is vital to us to Akatsuki. If it's only us… we cannot achieve true peace."
Yahiko froze, mouth half-open.
What?
Hadn't Konan, only a few days ago, agreed with him to try and persuade Shinra to embrace their ideals? How had things turned so drastically in just three days?
The trust in her tone was absolute something extraordinary.
For a brief instant, Yahiko even felt as if he had skipped several months of story, stumbling into a future he hadn't lived yet.
But soon he realized it wasn't just Konan.
The other members of Akatsuki, marching beside them, were all aflame with admiration for Shinra.
They passed around the special scroll written in Minato Namikaze's own hand. For many, it felt heavier than steel, warmer than fire.
"Shinra, you're incredible! You forced the Yellow Flash to give us his word!"
"That's right! With this, Konoha can't just send shinobi here whenever they want!"
"The Hokage Konoha's Hokage! And you not only walked away unscathed, you secured this for the Rain Country!"
Their voices brimmed with something long-lost: pride.
Ever since Hanzo's spirit withered after the Second Shinobi World War, the Rain ninja had been unable to hold their heads high. In the past, even if life was harsh, they could still boast of their "demigod." Now, even that last shred of dignity was slipping away.
But tonight, in their hands, they held proof that their country's name still meant something.
Shinra only smiled modestly.
"That Namikaze Minato isn't Hokage yet."
The Akatsuki members, however, only grew more fervent.
"It's only a matter of time!"
They raised the scroll as though it were a banner, as though it restored the glory their homeland had lost.
"He will become Hokage! And you Shinra your judgment has never been wrong!"
Once, many of them had distrusted him believing him too cold, too ruthless, too at odds with Yahiko's ideals. But now, bolstered by this scroll, they began to see him differently.
They recalled his meticulous foresight, his ruthless efficiency, his ability to bend fate with planning.
Yahiko remained their leader, the soul of Akatsuki. His ideals gave them faith. But… ideals alone did not give them pride.
That, they were beginning to feel, could only be embodied by someone like Shinra.
Yahiko had yet to grasp how swiftly hearts could shift. For now, he only rubbed his forehead, worried Shinra's gamble might shatter the fragile peace they'd built around their base.
He turned to scold him, but Shinra was no longer paying him any attention.
Because at that very moment, Shinra's vision flickered with glowing text.
The system.
The moment he had decided to strike at Kakashi's team, his destined endings had updated again this time, with changes far too drastic to ignore.
At that moment, the system coldly laid out numbers that nearly made Shinra's stomach drop.
His probability of not surviving the day had spiked to a terrifying 78%!The cause of death was as predictable as it was cruel: "death by the hands of Konoha shinobi."
Fortunately, through relentless caution, sharp improvisation, and just a touch of luck, he had turned the tide. His death prediction reset, returning to the original baseline he'd seen when he first transmigrated.
The difference was stark: the probabilities of deaths tied to Konoha had sharply decreased, while the chance of dying peacefully of old age had climbed to an unprecedented 0.6%!
Not even one percent… but compared to the abyss, that faint glimmer was a candle in the dark.
Good. That means the direction I've chosen is right, Shinra thought. But I still haven't reached the true core of the "Death Omen."
As always, surviving a crisis meant rewards. The system, as though fishing from the river of fate, pulled forth treasures tailored to his encounter:
[Gain: Slightly enhanced physical fitness]
[Gain: Chakra reserves increased slightly]
[Obtained: Hatake Sakumo's swordsmanship training experience (to be transmitted via dreams)]
[Obtained: Uchiha clan anti-genjutsu experience (to be transmitted via dreams)]
[Obtained: Konoha medical squad's healing ninjutsu experience (to be transmitted via dreams)]
[Obtained: Uzumaki Clan Constitution (Elementary)]
Compared to the last time, when he'd received broad foundational boosts, these rewards were razor-focused. They were clearly "borrowed" from the very four people in Minato's team.
Of them all, one stood out like a jewel.
The Uzumaki constitution.
Shinra's focus locked on it, and the system obligingly unfolded its description:
[Uzumaki Clan Constitution (Elementary): Passively increases chakra reserves, accelerates recovery, heightens sealing arts talent, enhances genjutsu resistance, boosts senjutsu adaptability, and raises the probability of Jinchūriki compatibility.]
It was dazzling. But being only "elementary," it carried a flaw:
[Warning: Excess chakra may escape control and linger beneath the skin. If bitten, this chakra can be absorbed, producing a healing effect on the biter.]
Shinra froze then almost laughed.
Karin.
That ridiculous quirk of hers suddenly made sense.
So Nagato, Kushina, even Mito… they had "advanced" Uzumaki constitutions. Their control was absolute, no chakra leakage. Only those with the "elementary" form like Karin and her mother exuded healing chakra through their skin.
The realization both relieved and infuriated him.
I have to evolve this body quickly. I refuse to live with the risk of being gnawed on like a walking blood pack.
But it sparked another thought.
At this time, Karin herself hadn't been born yet… but her mother should already have fled to the Land of Grass.
Shinra's eyes narrowed.
A possible move for the future but the nearer prize was Nagato.
Nagato, of the same Uzumaki bloodline.
If Konan, the first pillar of the Akatsuki's triangle, was already swaying toward him… then the next step was obvious.
Time to shake the second pillar.
And with his newfound constitution, Shinra already had the perfect entry point for a deception plan.