…
It was obvious—
Konan and Nagato wanted him on their side.
To counter—
Obito Uchiha's influence over the Akatsuki.
…
Eight members.
Eighteen factions.
Eight hundred hidden agendas.
…
This wasn't an organization—
It was corporate hell.
…
Yuan sighed inwardly.
…
But—
He was already here.
…
And as the future leader—
He had come to fix the workplace.
…
"You trust me this much?"
Yuan turned to Konan.
"What if I really am a spy… like Orochimaru said?"
…
Konan didn't hesitate.
She looked out over the rain-drenched village.
…
"Would Konoha send its future Hokage as a spy?"
…
Her voice was calm.
Certain.
…
"And my intuition tells me…"
"You won't betray us."
…
To her—
Someone like him—
Wasn't expendable.
Not a pawn.
…
If anything—
He was someone destined to stand at the top.
…
And more importantly—
She had felt it.
…
That conviction.
That hatred for a broken world.
…
It reminded her—
Of Yahiko.
…
Even if he was a spy—
It didn't matter anymore.
…
If they could win him over—
Everything would change.
…
Three forces.
Three powers.
Balanced.
…
Even "Madara's" control—
Would collapse.
…
"Hahaha!"
Yuan laughed.
"Konan… you really are a good judge of character."
…
"Please consider it carefully."
Konan bowed slightly.
…
She wasn't rushing him.
…
Trust—
Wasn't built overnight.
…
"Alright."
Yuan nodded.
…
Of course he understood.
Joining instantly?
That would only raise suspicion.
…
Even Orochimaru—
Was still watching.
Waiting.
Calculating.
…
"There's one more thing."
Konan raised her hand.
…
From her sleeve—
A black rod slid out.
…
A weapon born from the Rinnegan.
…
She handed it to him.
"This is compensation."
"For your broken weapon."
…
Yuan blinked—
Then accepted it.
Testing the weight.
…
Light.
Smooth.
Perfectly balanced.
…
Far superior to his previous one.
…
"Thank the Leader for me."
…
"Where is he?"
…
Konan paused.
…
You destroyed two Paths of Pain—
And now you're asking where he is?
…
"…He's busy."
"He'll meet you later."
…
(In reality—
Nagato was probably repairing his puppets.)
…
"Rest for now."
"I'll teach you the Phantom Lantern Technique tomorrow."
…
"Got it."
…
"If I need you?"
…
Konan extended her hand.
…
A sheet of paper peeled away—
Folding itself—
Into a crane.
…
"Infuse chakra."
"It will find me."
…
The paper crane fluttered—
Landing gently on his shoulder.
…
"Your uniform will be prepared."
"And also…"
"Choose your codename."
…
"Alright."
…
A few final words—
Then she left.
…
Silence returned.
…
Yuan sat down.
The black rod resting beside him.
…
And began thinking.
…
First—
Rewards.
…
All chakra natures unlocked.
Yin.
Yang.
…
Plus—
Pain's black rod.
…
And secretly—
He had copied
Chibaku Tensei.
…
Not usable yet.
No Rinnegan.
…
But—
That was temporary.
…
In this world—
Everyone ends up chasing eyes eventually.
…
Then—
The real issue.
…
Chakra.
…
Massive chakra reserves.
…
Fastest method?
Become a Jinchūriki.
…
But—
That overlapped with Akatsuki's plan.
…
And—
Tailed Beasts weren't plug-and-play.
Lose one—
You die.
…
Trouble.
Stacking endlessly.
…
Yuan exhaled slowly.
…
Being the future leader—
Wasn't easy.
…
Still—
He had time.
…
Step by step.
…
For now—
The real problem was simple:
…
Survive—
Seven days—
Without 『Equality』.
…
If a mission came?
…
"Sorry."
"I'm injured from fighting Pain."
…
A perfect excuse.
…
Knock. Knock.
…
A maid entered.
Arranging furniture.
Taking measurements.
…
Life—
Was getting comfortable.
…
…
Meanwhile—
Inside the tower.
A dark chamber.
…
Nagato sat in silence—
Operating machinery.
Repairing the destroyed Paths.
…
Sparks flickered.
Metal groaned.
…
Konan stood beside him.
…
"He chose a codename."
…
Nagato didn't look up.
…
"What is it?"
…
Konan paused—
Then spoke.
…
"You are 'Zero'…"
…
"He said—"
…
"He'll be 'One.'"
…
"…"
…
Nagato finally responded.
…
"Oh."