Rain Village, Leader's Residence.
Yahiko and Konan waited anxiously.
Before the matter was resolved, Rain Village did not dare make any rash moves. Still, Yahiko had prepared for the worst.
If Nagato and Minato failed to rescue Jiraiya-sensei and became trapped themselves, then they could only take this step.
He truly did not want to fall out with Konoha, but he could not abandon Yahiko and the others for the sake of Rain Village.
They shared the same aspirations and had walked hand in hand to this point. If they had to sacrifice their companions in exchange for peace, then it would be completely contrary to their original intentions.
Rain Village was no match for Konoha, but given the Land of Fire's current circumstances, it could not easily start a war either.
And if one of the Five Great Countries started the war, Konoha would not be willing to lose Rain Village as an ally!
Yahiko had made every possible preparation for this.
"Lord Yahiko!"
A ninja suddenly rushed in from outside.
Yahiko shot to his feet, ignoring the pain tearing through his wound from the abrupt movement. "Has Nagato returned?!"
Konan also looked over anxiously.
"No, it's an envoy from Konoha."
An envoy... Konoha!
Yahiko's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at the sky outside. By his calculations, it should still have been too early.
A bad feeling rose within him. Yahiko started forward, only to stagger and nearly fall. Fortunately, Konan quickly stepped up to support him.
"Yahiko..." she said worriedly.
Yahiko asked, "Do we know who came?"
"It's Maruboshi Kosuke, the head of Konoha's Jonin Corps."
Yahiko took a deep breath. "Receive him!"
The alley was deathly silent.
Minato reached out a hand toward Naruto. Naruto was so frightened that he immediately shut his eyes, but