Yahiko

"Nagato? Hey, say something! You're quiet enough as usual, at least say a few words to me! Nagato... what is this? What is this? Say something!!"

A desperate cry echoed through the mountains and fields.

The lively and energetic Yahiko once again proved that Katsuki's medical skills were now top-notch. Relying on the Hito Hito no Mi, he was the absolute authority in the field of human body research in the Shinobi World, a point that even Tsunade could not match.

"Didn't I tell you to run? Why... your talent is so high... why won't you answer me!"

The sorrowful voice was hoarse, like the scraping of a file, revealing a sense of collapse and despair, leaving nothing unsaid.

"Yahiko!"

The orange-haired youth remained unmoved as he knelt on the ground.

"Yahiko!" Katsuki raised her voice eight octaves, the young man's back trembling slightly. "Face reality! Nagato is already... gone."

"I know."

Yahiko lowered his head, his hoarse voice ringing out.

"I know even if you don't say it... Nagato... he's already..."

Born in the Land of Land of Rain, or rather, living in the Shinobi World... death is commonplace, but he still cannot control the pain in his heart. He has not been in such pain since Little Dot died, and this time the pain is ten times, a hundred times, greater than Little Dot's.

Human emotions are limited; only a saint loves all people equally.

Human emotions vary in closeness and distance. For Yahiko, Nagato occupied an extremely important part of his life, being his best friend and most steadfast supporter.

Nagato's death nearly shattered his sanity; now, the only thing keeping his consciousness intact is Konan.

If it weren't for his concern for Konan's safety, Yahiko would have collapsed long ago.

"Katsuki... Could you please go find Konan?" Yahiko asked.

"Sure, but I hope you can come with me, along with Nagato. Konan needs to say goodbye to him too."

"... Do you have any scrolls? I've lost almost everything I had."

"Give."

Yahiko looked at Nagato and smiled too.

"Really... I've hardly ever seen you smile before."

He unfurled the scroll, sealed Nagato's corpse inside, then carefully tucked the scroll away close to his body before standing up and looking at Katsuki.

"Let's go! Let's find Konan."

"Madara Uchiha... that Pitcher Plant Monster is related to Madara Uchiha, right?"

Nagato and Zetsu's pursuit was so intense that it caused mountains to crumble and the earth to split. They didn't need to exert much effort; they could simply follow along to return to the place where they first parted ways in the Land of Rain. The Thunderclap Chariot couldn't carry people.

Fortunately, thanks to Yahiko's treatment, Katsuki's injuries had mostly healed, and he could still travel without any problem, even if he endured the pain.

Gazing at the exaggerated signs of destruction along the way, Yahiko expressed his bewilderment.

"This is Nagato's inescapable fate. From the moment those eyes were implanted in him, disaster was destined to accompany him on his journey, either bringing destruction to others or destroying himself." Katsuki shook her head.

This may sound a bit mystical, but it reflects Katsuki's most sincere feelings.

Being targeted by that immortal old ghost Black Zetsu would definitely not end well. Even Katsuki couldn't change Nagato's fate. Even though he now possesses immense power, power needs a target to highlight it in order to have any meaning.

Or are you just going to throw punches at thin air?

"Destiny—?" Yahiko's face showed disgust. "This kind of thing, destiny, I don't like so-called destiny."

"I don't like it either, but instead of thinking about something as vague as fate, Yahiko, focus on what's in front of you: Konan, the Akatsuki Organization, and your ideal of changing the Land of Rain and ending the war. Don't let Nagato's death be meaningless." Katsuki racked her brains to persuade Yahiko.

He muttered to himself, "This kind of verbal skill is really hard to master. It really does depend on talent. I almost had a stroke from trying to speak, and all I managed to squeeze out were these few dry, motivational quotes."

"Katsuki, hasn't anyone ever told you that you don't know how to comfort people?"

Yahiko glanced at Katsuki, both amused and exasperated.

"Don't waste your brain cells. Let me be sad for a while. It'll pass. Time doesn't stop, and what's gone can't be brought back. I just need time, a little time." Compared to Katsuki, Yahiko was a true master in this area.

"······"

Katsuki shrugged and decisively shut her mouth.

The Land of Rain.

Following the trail of the great battle, Katsuki and Yahiko returned to the leveled mountains and valleys. Gazing at the devastated battlefield, they couldn't help but sigh.

"This is it... Hanzō and that pitcher plant teamed up to launch a sneak attack, but Nagato discovered their presence and a fight broke out. Konan and the others retreated ahead of time, but I... stayed behind, becoming a burden to Nagato. To protect me... he shouldn't have died. With his power, even that monster..."

"Don't underestimate that monster," Katsuki interrupted Yahiko's self-reproach.

"Nagato is powerful, Rinnegan is indeed very strong, but don't forget that his opponent is Madara Uchiha. Even if he escapes this time, what will you do next time Madara Uchiha truly makes his move? I've already said it, those eyes destined Nagato's fate to be anything but smooth."

The cold rain stung his face, Yahiko gave a bitter smile.

It was impossible to tell whether the water on her face was rain or tears.

"I still hate this thing called fate."

"Let's go find Konan. I sensed something."

After taking one last look at the chaotic battlefield, the two turned and left, following the direction in which Konan and the others had retreated.

"Was there a major battle here? Is this cement?"

Picking up a piece of cement from the ground, Katsuki clicked her tongue in amazement. Cement does exist, but it's not commonly seen in this desolate wilderness.

"It's Kyusuke's Secret Technique. He's a partner in our organization. It looks like they were ambushed here." Yahiko gripped the cement block tightly, his brow furrowed, his eyes darting around, searching for any trace of Konan.

"Speaking of which, what left such a large footprint? It looks a bit like... Toad?"

Katsuki looked at the huge footprint with confusion.

"Toad? Toad this big must be a summoning beast, right? Yahiko, did you guys learn Summoning Jutsu from Jiraiya?"

"Summoning Jutsu? I know about it, but neither Konan nor I have a summoning beast we have a contract with. Hmm... Could it be Jiraiya- sensei?" Yahiko reacted very quickly.

Powerful summoning beasts are rare in the Shinobi World, and the fame of the Legendary Konoha Sannin is largely due to the fact that each of them possessed an extremely powerful and unique summoning beast.

Yahiko and the others had also seen Jiraiya's Toad, and looking at the traces left here, a glimmer of hope rose in their hearts.