"Senpai… so many of my classmates are dead."
Mei's voice was still thick with crying, the tracks of dried tears visible on her face.
"We're still alive."
Ao touched the fresh bandages on his wound. If he hadn't kept a low profile, he might not even be here talking to her right now.
But there was no joy in his survival. As long as the war raged on, it was only a matter of time before the battlefield claimed him too.
"How much longer can we stay alive?"
The light in Mei's eyes had faded. She had never known war could be this horrifying.
Back in the Academy, in the village, she had always been the prodigy, the girl blessed with two Kekkei Genkai.
In any other village, she would have been destined for greatness. But she was born in Kirigakure.
"I don't know."
Ao finally answered after a long silence.
He couldn't bring himself to say, We'll make it through this. That was a lie neither of them could afford.
Besides, he couldn't even see a future for himself. How could he offer comfort to someone else?
Mei didn't respond, her blank eyes staring into the distance, unfocused.
The two sat in silence, unmoving in their makeshift camp.
Their commanding officer, afraid of being tracked, hadn't dared to light even the smallest fire.
...
Under the cover of night, the defeated Kiri Ninja sat shrouded in gloom.
Scattered whispers carried through the still air, all filled with fear for the future.
No one knew when they would meet their end at the hands of the Akatsuki.
The commander had long since given up on rousing morale—he barely had any left himself.
Slumped in a quiet corner, his face was heavy with despair.
"How did it come to this…?"
"How could Lord Genji allow this to happen?"
The murmured questions were meant for no one but himself.
Meanwhile, the Akatsuki, under Yahiko's lead, had taken over a nearby town with blatant arrogance.
He hadn't even bothered to conceal their presence. His message was clear—Akatsuki is here.
The town's civilians resented their arrival, but none dared to voice their anger.
And since the Akatsuki paid for everything they took, they hadn't caused any immediate disasters.
At the town's most extravagant inn, Yahiko and his core members gathered in a lavish room, indulging in a feast.
"Poor Nagato is probably still on the road."
"He's missing out on this amazing food."
Konan popped a piece of sashimi into her mouth, savoring the taste.
"Then I'll eat extra for him."
Nonō grinned and picked up two larger slices.
"You two…"
Yahiko shook his head, half amused, half exasperated.
These two were incorrigible.
As soon as the tension eased, even Nonō had gotten caught up in Konan's antics.
"I'm done."
Kakuzu finished the raw beef liver and monkfish liver he had ordered, wiping his mouth with satisfaction.
"Just sending Nagato to Kirigakure isn't enough insurance."
"I'm heading out too."
He stood up, offering no explanation as to where he was going.
"You're going after the Daimyō of the Land of Water?"
Yahiko saw right through him.
If Nagato couldn't convince Genji, Kakuzu would make sure the Daimyō was taken care of.
And Kakuzu's way of "handling things" was never through negotiation.
"Yeah. Just making sure."
"I'm off."
Kakuzu gave a short nod and walked out, leaving the two mischief-makers still processing his departure.
"Well, now it's just us three with nothing to do."
Yahiko watched him go, but didn't bother with the usual "be careful" nonsense.
There was no need.
Kakuzu was in his element when it came to things like this.
If there were still enemies in the Land of Water strong enough to challenge him, the country wouldn't be in its current state.
"It makes sense for Nonō and me to be idle."
"But you? As Akatsukikage, sitting around doing nothing? That's just lazy."
"What's the point of having you here?"
Konan barely swallowed her food before throwing the jab at him.
"She's right."
Nonō smiled, siding with Konan without hesitation.
"Tch."
"I'm the leader. Overseeing things is my job."
"What do you two know?"
Yahiko's smug look earned him another round of teasing.
...
But peaceful moments never lasted long.
While they kept themselves busy in town, Nagato had already reached the outskirts of Kirigakure.
Standing before it once again, he felt a flood of emotions.
The last time he was here, he had been a prisoner of the Third Mizukage.
Now, he was back in an entirely different position.
Surveying the area, he approached the village's barrier.
It was similar to Konoha's defenses, but the technique behind it was undoubtedly different.
Fortunately, he had already obtained the necessary sealing formula from their captured enemies. Otherwise, he would have had to break in by force.
Finding an isolated spot, he slipped through the barrier undetected.
At once, he spread his chakra senses across the entire village, quickly pinpointing Genji's location.
He recognized that chakra signature instantly.
Without hesitation, he set off.
...
Under the cover of night, Nagato moved like a shadow, soon arriving in front of a grand estate.
"This is it."
He glanced at the name carved outside.
There was no mistake.
Murmuring to himself, he vaulted over the high walls and landed in the courtyard.
Given Genji's status, it was no surprise that his estate was well-staffed with servants.
Nagato moved swiftly and silently, avoiding their notice as he made his way to a particular room.
Through the narrow gap in the door, he could see a faint glow inside.
Genji was still awake.
"Can't sleep, old man?"
Nagato chuckled softly, wondering how Genji would react to seeing him again.
"Who's there?"
Genji's sharp voice rang out as he stood abruptly.
"May I come in, Elder Genji?"
Nagato no longer bothered to hide his presence.
"Who are you?"
Genji's grip tightened around his cane, his voice filled with suspicion.
"Why don't you see for yourself?"
Nagato pushed the door open.
Luckily, it wasn't locked. Otherwise, he would have had to break it down.
"It's you?"
Genji's brows furrowed.
He recognized the young man immediately—the same boy who had once been taken captive by the Third Mizukage.
Few in Kirigakure had interacted with Nagato, but Genji had spent enough time around him to know exactly who he was.
"It's me."
"Nagato, leader of Akatsuki."
"Though, perhaps Konoha's Nagato would be a more accurate title."
There was no need to hide the truth. Genji already knew more than most.
"What…?"
It was as if lightning had struck him.
He stood there, utterly speechless.
The Fourth Mizukage had held absolute control over Kirigakure for years, and in that time, Genji had never thought to investigate Nagato's origins.
If he had, he wouldn't be learning this now.
And now that he knew…
He understood exactly what it meant.
Nagato wasn't just a rogue leader.
He was Hatake Kawakaze's disciple.
Konoha had been playing a long, careful game.
Genji had once harbored a sliver of hope.
Now, all that remained was despair.
Because this meant one thing—
Akatsuki wasn't just backed by Konoha.
Akatsuki was Konoha.
And he had no idea how to even begin processing that.