The End of No Ignorance

"We really can't win. How about we pull back?"

Forced back by Hanzo yet again, Uchiha Mai shouted between ragged breaths.

All four were badly poisoned and wounded. If they kept fighting and their strength fell any further, Hanzo would pick them off one by one.

Except Uchiha Mai.

Nagato might escape too, but he had ties holding him back. As long as Yahiko and Konan stayed, he would never leave.

At full strength or in his current state, Uchiha Mai was confident he could get away. This wasn't Konoha's battlefield; with no one tying him down, he could leave without a shred of guilt.

He had stayed only to win the trio over and gain a stronger voice later.

The Akatsuki trio weren't hostile to outsiders. They even respected Uchiha Mai.

The biggest problem was their leader, Yahiko. He was too young to read the situation and often made the wrong calls, yet years of leading had left him used to giving orders.

That wouldn't do.

Uchiha Mai was confident he could kill Hanzo once he brought in reinforcements, but he needed the trio's cooperation and unconditional support.

After all, the powerful ally Uchiha Mai had in mind had something of a grudge against him—and was clever.

If that person realized Uchiha Mai wasn't calling the shots, both negotiations and the fight would become difficult.

To take command for now, he needed to undermine Yahiko's authority. Yahiko had to learn his limits and stop issuing reckless orders.

So Yahiko needed to suffer a little. Once Uchiha Mai helped the trio escape, he could seize the chance to take charge.

Nagato and Konan both looked to Yahiko, hoping their leader had a plan.

Yahiko bit his lip. Feeling the weakness in his body, he finally gritted his teeth and ordered,