Chapter 97: Persuasion
"I bear you no ill will. I believe you can sense that. I genuinely understand your pain and your dreams, but... I do not see a future for your organization."
Kael spoke softly, looking at Yahiko and Konan.
Hearing once again that Kael didn't approve of their efforts, Yahiko didn't get angry this time. The strong always had the right to question others.
His expression was complicated. He looked at Kael quietly and suddenly asked, "Why do you say there is no future for Akatsuki?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. He couldn't exactly say, Because I've read the script and I know history.
After weighing his words, Kael spoke. "To change a country, the core requirement is power. I acknowledge your power." He glanced briefly at Nagato, who was sitting quietly in the corner.
"But I do not approve of your methods. Blind charity and relief aid cannot save a nation! It can keep a few starving civilians alive for a day or two, but can you save them for a lifetime? And that isn't where the root of the problem lies! What is the fundamental cause of the suffering in the Land of Rain? Yahiko, you are a smart man. I don't believe you can't see it."
Yahiko was silent for a moment before speaking in a hoarse voice. "It is the wars between ninja. It is the great nations' ninja fighting recklessly within our borders that caused..."
Kael scoffed, interrupting him rudely. "Wrong! It is because the Land of Rain is not strong enough! Your economy is weak, your territory is small, and you have too few ninja. Most importantly, you lack a ninja like the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju!"
Kael's gaze sharpened, staring unblinkingly at Yahiko. "When Hashirama Senju was alive, who in the Shinobi World dared to look at Konoha the wrong way?"
Nagato couldn't help but nod. Although he had harbored similar thoughts, he had never articulated the essence of the matter as clearly as Kael.
Yahiko froze, his face expressionless, looking as if he had lost his soul.
Konan looked at him with worry, then stole a complex glance at Kael. She didn't know how this "truth" Kael spoke of would affect Yahiko; she just hoped he wouldn't be hit too hard.
She was a simple girl. She just wanted the three of them to live happily in the Shinobi World, preferably together forever, never to be separated. World peace, ending war, saving the Land of Rain—those lofty ideals had nothing to do with her. Her lonely childhood made her value their bond above all else.
After letting Yahiko stew in his thoughts for a while, Kael spoke again.
"So, join me. I will end the tragedy of the Land of Rain with you, and perhaps even bring peace to the Shinobi World!"
Yahiko's expression shifted. He looked at Kael's serious face, his resolve wavering. Behind him, the other Akatsuki members—except for Nagato and Konan—looked nervous. The atmosphere in the room became heavy.
But Yahiko had one major concern.
"So... are you asking us to leave the Land of Rain and join the Hidden Hot Water Village?"
This made Kael hesitate. If the Akatsuki marched into the Hidden Hot Water Village with great fanfare, would Madara Uchiha drag himself out of his coffin to wipe out Kael's village?
Moreover, his intention was to use Nagato's power to gain enough benefits in the upcoming Third Great Shinobi War. If Akatsuki didn't come to the Hidden Hot Water, many of his plans would be meaningless.
Having thought this through, he nodded to Yahiko.
For some reason, Yahiko felt a pang of disappointment. He couldn't leave the Land of Rain. These partners who shared his ideals wouldn't leave the motherland that had given birth to them and raised them, either.
He actually wanted Kael to stay and help them!
This young man had such vision and strength. If Kael could join Akatsuki, Yahiko felt that the Land of Rain would truly have hope. If Kael was willing to stay, Yahiko would hand over the position of leader without hesitation!
But he knew that was impossible... because Kael was the Leader of the Hidden Hot Water.
So, after a brief silence, Yahiko politely refused. No one understood the mixture of heartbreak and pride he felt when he spoke those words.
"I'm sorry. Neither I nor the other partners of Akatsuki will leave this country!"
Hearing Yahiko say this, the Akatsuki members behind him relaxed, and the atmosphere in the room lightened.
In their country's time of crisis, they chose not to abandon it.
But in doing so, they abandoned the hope Kael had brought them—the hope of pulling the Land of Rain out of the abyss.
"Even if I allow Akatsuki to freely use all the resources of the Land of Hot Water—money, food, supplies, even Hidden Hot Water ninja—to help you change the plight of the Land of Rain and resist oppression from other countries... you still aren't willing to leave this country temporarily?"
"...Yes. I am not willing! Although... what you say is very, very tempting. But I cannot leave my motherland while it drowns in a sea of bitterness. I can't do it!" Yahiko said softly.
Kael looked at the stubborn boy with a calm gaze. He couldn't tell if he felt admiration or annoyance.
People who were too stubborn were often annoying, but when that stubbornness was directed toward a lifelong dream and principle, it was impossible to hate them for it.
Kael didn't try to persuade him further. With someone as inflexible as Yahiko, talking more was useless. Some things had to be experienced to be understood.
The two looked at each other in silence for a long time.
A faint smile appeared in Kael's eyes, and he sighed slightly. "If that's the case, I won't say any more. However, there is one thing I must warn you about!"
Yahiko raised an eyebrow and asked seriously, "Please, tell me!"
"Do not trust the Hidden Rain!"
This was the most detailed information Kael could reveal. Saying too much would only arouse Yahiko's aversion. After all, Hanzo of the Salamander was currently the Demigod of the Shinobi World and the guardian deity of the entire Land of Rain.
If Kael told Yahiko about Hanzo's future actions in the original story, it would definitely be counterproductive. Yahiko, Konan, and the others viewed Hanzo as an idol.
Sure enough, hearing his words, Yahiko frowned. But because he had a good impression of Kael, he didn't argue. He simply nodded calmly.
"Okay, I understand!"