Just as Ning Feng was deep in thought, Konan finally came back to her senses. After giving Ning Feng a grateful look, she hurriedly began handing out the peace pamphlets again, almost shoving them into people's hands.
This time, however, the Rain Village civilians—who had earlier worn expressions of rejection—now looked at Konan and the others with admiration and respect, eagerly accepting the pamphlets advocating peace.
This scene only made Konan feel even more grateful toward Ning Feng.
After successfully distributing all the pamphlets, Konan quickly walked up to Ning Feng, her face full of gratitude.
"Little brother, if you hadn't helped us out just now, we really wouldn't have known how to deal with that situation."
"There's no need to thank me too much," Ning Feng said, deliberately putting on a modest air.
"I just couldn't stand by when I saw injustice. And honestly, this is the first time I've ever seen an organization like Akatsuki—one that wants to solve everything through peaceful means."
Although Ning Feng's words did carry a hint of favorability farming, it had to be said that the early Akatsuki truly did seek to resolve everything through peace.
"These days, there really aren't many people who can agree with our ideals," Konan said in surprise, never expecting such thoughtful words to come from a child who looked only five or six years old.
Just as Konan and Ning Feng were talking, a panicked voice suddenly rang out from the distance.
"Konan—this is bad! A group of Rain ninja are rushing straight toward Akatsuki's headquarters!"
"And among them are members of the Hidden Rain's special assassination units!"
The speaker was a tall man wearing the same black cloak embroidered with red clouds. He wasn't particularly handsome, his skin somewhat pale, but his eyes were strange and captivating.
"Hmm… the Rinnegan?"
Ning Feng froze for a moment, then realized that the speaker was none other than Nagato, one of the three founding members of Akatsuki.
Nagato—the wielder of the Rinnegan.
At this stage, however, Nagato wasn't yet the gaunt, emaciated figure seen later in the original story. Instead, he looked energetic, his eyes filled with blazing resolve—like a rising sun.
But very quickly, Ning Feng understood what this situation meant.
In the original story, as Akatsuki gradually grew in strength, Hanzō the Salamander joined forces with Danzo to suppress and annihilate Akatsuki's members.
In the end, Akatsuki's leader at the time, Yahiko, was forced to sacrifice his own life to protect the others. Unable to endure it any longer, Nagato finally snapped.
That incident planted the seeds for the later Akatsuki—the organization that sought to bring pain to the world.
Judging from the current situation, it was clear that Hanzō had already made his move.
Originally, Ning Feng had no intention of getting involved in such a political power struggle. But when he thought about the immense benefits he could gain from it—and the chance to manipulate the Hidden Rain Village from behind the scenes—a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.
"So Hanzō the Salamander is moving this quickly…"
While Ning Feng was thinking, Konan's expression turned anxious.
"Nagato, we have to go—now!"
Before leaving, she didn't forget to look back at Ning Feng.
"Little brother, thank you so much for today. We still have urgent matters to deal with, so we'll have to part ways for now."
"If you ever need anything, come to Akatsuki and look for us!"
As she spoke, Konan flicked her hand, and a paper crane fluttered down into Ning Feng's palm.
Lowering his head, Ning Feng saw that an address was written on the paper crane—it was Akatsuki's location. As long as he followed it, he would be able to seek help from Akatsuki.
A warm feeling rose in Ning Feng's heart.
Among all of Akatsuki's members, even in the later stages, Konan was always the one who cared most deeply for her companions.
Nagato cast Konan a deep look and was about to ask something, but Konan quickly said, "We'll talk on the way!"
With that, she and Nagato led their companions toward Akatsuki's headquarters.
Ning Feng quickly followed after them as well—though to avoid being noticed, he deliberately kept a considerable distance.
Akatsuki's headquarters wasn't very far. By the time Konan, Nagato, and the others arrived in a rush, the base was already surrounded on all sides by Rain ninja—among them were even members of the Hidden Rain ANBU.
Inside the encirclement, Yahiko, one of Akatsuki's founders, stood facing them with several companions, kunai in hand. The atmosphere was tense, as though a great battle could erupt at any moment.
Whoosh!
A sharp whistling sound cut through the air as Ning Feng landed in an unnoticed corner. His crimson Sharingan flashed with a dense, sinister light.
With the terrifying perceptive power of his Sharingan, Ning Feng could see that the Rain ninja were numerous, each one an elite. There were even members of Konoha's Root mixed among them.
On Akatsuki's side, however, the situation was dire—there were very few people, and their overall combat strength was far weaker.
Even a fool could tell that what awaited Akatsuki was a brutal massacre and a ruthless political purge.
"Akatsuki… is in serious trouble."
Ning Feng's lips curved slightly upward.
In the original story, it was precisely what happened here that completely changed Konan and the others' fates.
But since he had run into it, Ning Feng had no intention of letting tragedy repeat itself. While he was at it, he could also seize this opportunity to become the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes—the true power behind Akatsuki.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Hanzō the Salamander—the man known as the Demi-god of the shinobi world—slowly stepped forward from among the encircling forces, smiling as he approached Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko.
"I've long heard that your Akatsuki loves peace and takes peace as its mission," Hanzō said calmly.
"And that you've repeatedly tried to persuade other nations to coexist peacefully."
"I must say, this old man greatly admires young people like you. I value talent very much."
"As long as your Akatsuki is willing to join me, Hanzō the Salamander, I'll allow you to continue doing what you wish to do."
"But…"
As he spoke, Hanzō's eyes turned ice-cold, radiating killing intent.
"If you refuse—then don't blame this old man for turning hostile."
At this moment, surrounded by ninja on all sides, Yahiko, Nagato, and the others clearly understood what Hanzō truly meant.
On the surface, he was talking about joining. In reality, he wanted to completely absorb and control Akatsuki.
From that day on, the peace-loving Akatsuki would cease to exist, and they would become targets constantly monitored under Hanzō's shadow…
"Lord Hanzō," Yahiko said coldly, frowning,
"we've stated more than once—we have no intention of serving under anyone."
He knew very well that the Hidden Rain Village's internal chaos was largely the result of Hanzō's rule. If they joined him, it would be a total betrayal of their original ideals.
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