Rain Village, the leader's residence.
Yahiko, having received treatment, was already able to move around. However, many parts of his body were still wrapped in bandages, and he would need to rest for some time before fully recovering.
He had endured many tortures in that dark room. Even recalling them still made his heart pound with fear. He had never thought he would be able to endure it.
When he had been sent back to Rain Village, Kamado had said that the three men had already been executed. Whether that was true was impossible to know, but Yahiko knew perfectly well who was behind it all. He simply lacked the strength to do anything about it. Not just him—the entire Akatsuki, the entire Rain Village, could not stand against Konoha.
For now, all he could do was endure.
He had gone out alone and fallen into the hands of criminals, who had sought his wealth and life. Fortunately, Konoha had rescued him in time, allowing him to escape disaster.
That was the only version of the truth they could accept. It also gave Rain Village a way to save face.
"Konoha will publicly execute Master Jiraiya in six days."
Konan brought them the news.
Yahiko sat in his chair. At her words, he drew a deep breath, then slowly let it out.
Master Jiraiya had voluntarily gone to Konoha to turn himself in for his sake, trading his own life for Yahiko's.
"It's bait," he said. "Konoha wants to lure Namikaze Minato out and have him walk into their trap."
Nagato pondered this. "So the execution is fake?"
"...No. The execution is real too. Their ultimate goal is Minato."
Nagato immediately clenched his fists and looked at Yahiko. "Yahiko, what should we do?"
Yahiko merely tilted his head back and