Meanwhile, Jin, accompanied by White Zetsu, arrived in the Land of Rain, occasionally emerging from underground to observe the outside world from secluded spots.
Indeed, just as White Zetsu said, the people managing the trade route were no longer the Akatsuki, but ordinary Amegakure Ninja.
The trade route, once free for everyone to use, now required a fee for passage.
Fortunately, Hanzou was not foolish; he set the toll at a reasonable range, preventing various trade caravans from abandoning this safe route.
Although the commoners had received favors from the Akatsuki, they would not speak out on their behalf.
After all, who manages doesn't matter? Good days were hard-won, and if Hanzou were angered, such a stable and prosperous life would instantly turn to dust.
Despite all their hard work, the Akatsuki ultimately received no substantial returns.
Yahiko was disheartened by this, but he quickly recovered, continuing to do good deeds without seeking reward, and instead attracted many people to join the Akatsuki Organization, drawn by his charisma and reputation for building roads.
Looking at the large buildings blurred by the continuous drizzle, Jin turned and asked, "How many people are in the Akatsuki now?"
White Zetsu thought carefully for a moment and replied, "Currently, the Akatsuki has nearly a hundred members, about thirty of whom are Ninja."
With thirty professional Ninja, the Akatsuki was clearly a force not to be underestimated.
No wonder Hanzou couldn't sit still; who could resist not taking action in such a situation?
Jin pouted and, with White Zetsu, submerged underground, avoiding various Barriers/Seals to enter the village and search for Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan...
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan had just finished their last work for the day and came to an uninhabited cliff to rest temporarily, chatting and envisioning the future of their organization.
As they talked, they again brought up the two roads they had built and the Uchiha boy who had enlightened them.
"Don't dwell on the trade route anymore, Nagato. As long as everyone can live a little better, everything we do has meaning, doesn't it?"
Yahiko smiled and patted Nagato's shoulder, his enthusiasm and conviction passing through his palm to Nagato. He was like a torch, radiating light and warmth in the dark, damp space.
"Yes, I understand."
Nagato's lips curved into a relieved smile.
"Speaking of which, there's something else I'm very curious about."
Yahiko looked up at the sky, which was covered in layers of dark clouds. The cold wind blew raindrops onto his face, bringing a hint of coolness.
"I wonder how Naraku is doing now? Since that incident, there has been no news of him..."
Information in the Land of Rain was scarce, and the Akatsuki Organization needed to save money and couldn't spend it recklessly, so many secret external intelligence reports were unobtainable.
However, the Uchiha riot was too big, with its causes and effects flying everywhere and known to all, so they had heard bits and pieces.
At that time, when Yahiko heard that the Uchiha Clan's genius Naraku had fallen off a cliff and died, his heart ached so much he couldn't sleep at night, constantly lamenting how such a clever and kind child could suddenly be gone, and even killed by someone from his own village?
Fortunately, subsequent news soon arrived: Uchiha Naraku was not dead and, like their clan leader, had gained a power even greater than the ordinary Sharingan.
After that, he almost completely disappeared.
"He should be fine."
Konan gently comforted him, fiddling with a paper butterfly in her hand. "Didn't Jiraiya-sensei say before that his companion, Lady Tsunade, is the best Medical Ninja in the Ninja World? She must have already healed Naraku's injuries."
Nagato had a flash of inspiration and suggested, "When the war ends, perhaps we can talk to Jiraiya-sensei and visit Konoha. That way, we can also visit Naraku-kun."
"That's a great idea, Nagato!"
Yahiko grabbed his close friend's shoulders, his eyes shining. "You really are much smarter than me! It's decided! When the war ends, we'll go visit Jiraiya-sensei!"
"Okay."
"Okay."
Nagato and Konan smiled and nodded in agreement.
Just as the three were happily discussing what gifts to bring to their teacher, a sneer suddenly echoed from a dark corner deep within the cliff cave.
"Hmph."
The three immediately turned to the source of the sound, only to see a Mysterious Person standing there, wearing a mask and a cloak. Judging by his voice and stature, he was most likely a young man around twenty years old.
Nagato rotated his wrist, and a Kunai slid from his sleeve into his palm, his body tensing, ready for battle.
"Who are you?"
Countless paper butterflies flew around Konan as she sternly demanded, "Approaching us silently, what is your purpose?"
Yahiko, with wary eyes, carefully scrutinized the person, wanting to determine if the newcomer was hostile.
Only when he confirmed that battle was unavoidable could Nagato and Konan strike first, to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
"How rude~ I haven't done anything, have I?"
The young man tilted his head and looked at them, his tone sounding as if he was laughing. "I merely heard you all sounding as childish as little kids... so I was amused."
He took a step forward, and the next moment, he appeared behind Nagato, without making a sound.
Their bodies were extremely close; Nagato could even hear the young man's prolonged breathing by his ear, feeling a chill down his spine, and instinctively stabbed backward with his Kunai.
But in an instant, the young man completely vanished, reappearing at his original spot, holding a fluttering paper butterfly between his fingers, examining it with interest.
"You...!"
Konan had no idea when the paper butterfly had been snatched, realizing the vast difference in strength between herself and the Mysterious Person.
She formed hand signs, speaking rapidly, "I'll cover your retreat—"
Nagato, at the same moment, chose to stay behind and cover their retreat. "Konan, you and Yahiko go first!"
"No, wait."
Yahiko reached out to stop Konan and Nagato from continuing to fight, explaining amidst his companions' anxious and puzzled gazes.
"If he wanted to harm us, he would have acted by now."
The facts confirmed his words; the young man did not continue his attack, but instead, after losing interest, casually crumpled the paper butterfly into pieces, complaining in a tone of disappointment, "How disappointing, Nagato. It seems you haven't fully mastered the power of those eyes."
"You've walked the wrong path for too long, to the point of being weak and pathetic."
"As expected, I cannot allow you to act recklessly, wasting your talent and destiny."
Nagato was utterly confused by his words, full of questions, yet he inexplicably felt that every word was sincere, causing him to relax his guard slightly, curious about the meaning of these words.
"Who exactly are you? And do you understand my eyes?"
"Of course."
The young man seemed quite pleased with Nagato's slight shift in attitude, his tone rising a notch. "Providing correct guidance to those who awaken the Rinnegan is the mission our organization has borne since ancient times."