Naive!

The next day, in a room at the Akatsuki Organization's base.

Yahiko, the Leader of the Akatsuki Organization, and Konan stood beside the bed. Both were wrapped in bloodstained bandages, clearly having just gone through a fierce battle!

Yet neither Yahiko nor Konan had the time to worry about their own Injuries. They stared anxiously at Nagato, who lay unconscious on the bed!

They had encountered an accident while trying to help some wounded Iwagakure Ninja. Those Iwagakure Ninja had attacked them, and they had nearly failed to return!

Fortunately, Nagato had erupted at the Critical Moment and summoned a strange Summoning Beast, helping them escape danger!

However, Nagato had fallen unconscious as a result and had yet to wake up!

"Damn it!"

Yahiko gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath, his face full of regret!

At that moment, beyond his concern for Nagato's condition, he felt even more anger and guilt!

He was angry at his own lack of strength and guilty that he had failed to protect his companions!

If he had been more Be Careful, if he had been stronger, perhaps things would not have turned out this way!

"Yahiko, don't blame yourself. Nagato must have only exhausted his strength. He'll be fine!"

Konan understood Yahiko's nature very well. She knew he had to be blaming himself terribly right now, so despite being worried herself, she still tried to comfort him.

Yahiko did not answer.

The guilt in his heart clearly could not be eased by just a few words from Konan!

After pondering for a moment, Konan could only change the subject. "Yahiko, why do you think those Iwagakure Ninja attacked us?"

Though she was changing the subject, Konan truly was deeply puzzled by the matter!

The Akatsuki Organization had not been active on the battlefield for merely a day or two. They often helped Iwagakure Ninja or Konoha Ninja who had survived the battlefield!

Although they were often rejected and treated with suspicion, those Iwagakure Ninja and Konoha Ninja had never attacked them!

But This time, those Iwagakure Ninja had not only attacked them, but had tried to kill them!

And looking back now, those Iwagakure Ninja had not seemed like they had just gone through a battle. Instead, they had seemed to be lying in wait specifically to ambush them!

Yahiko understood what Konan meant, but he did not want to judge others' intentions with malice!

Yahiko said, "Perhaps those Iwagakure Ninja had been preparing to ambush Konoha's ninja. We interfered and ruined their plan, so they attacked us!"

Konan fell silent and did not respond.

She was not as "naive" as Yahiko, but no matter what, as long as it was Yahiko's belief, she was willing to support him unconditionally!

Some things only needed to be understood without being spoken aloud!

Konan changed the subject again and continued, "Yahiko, don't you think the clashes between Konoha and Iwagakure have become much fiercer lately than before?"

"Could that be a sign of something?"

Yahiko frowned. "Perhaps some new factor has entered this war. We should find that factor and deal with it accordingly!"

Yahiko was naive, but he was not stupid. He had also realized that the situation on the battlefield was worsening!

If they could not resolve that new factor in time, a major war between Konoha and Iwagakure might become unavoidable!

Konan shook her head and said with a bitter smile, "With our current abilities, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to obtain intelligence at that level!"

"We may not be able to, but Lord Hanzō might!" Yahiko said firmly. "We can ask Lord Hanzō for help!"

Yahiko's parents had died in the Second Shinobi World War!

Back then, because Hanzō the Salamander had taken the initiative to declare war on the Three Great Nations of Fire, Earth, and Wind, the Land of Rain had nearly been riddled with holes!

For a long time afterward, Yahiko had hated Hanzō the Salamander for "starting the war"!

But after Yahiko grew up and gradually came to understand the Land of Rain's circumstances, he understood Hanzō the Salamander's choice back then. His hatred for Hanzō the Salamander had faded away with the wind!

Though Hanzō the Salamander had not brought peace to the Land of Rain, he had at least made the Land of Rain's voice heard!

Now, Yahiko still greatly admired Hanzō the Salamander, who had protected the Land of Rain for decades!

Konan hesitated at his words. "But will Lord Hanzō agree to see us?"

"He definitely will!" Yahiko said with absolute certainty. "Because Lord Hanzō is also someone who seeks peace!"

Konan did not reply. In her heart, she silently prayed that Yahiko would not be dealt a blow over this matter!

"Yahiko! Konan! Quick! Quick! Quick..."

Just as silence fell over the room, someone rushed in excitedly, holding something in his hands!

"Kyūsuke, don't panic. What happened?"

Yahiko looked at the newcomer and tried to calm him down.

"A Rain Ninja just came. He said Lord Hanzō had heard about us and wanted to meet with you!" Kyūsuke shoved an envelope into Yahiko's hands and said excitedly, "This is the letter Lord Hanzō sent you!"

Yahiko's body trembled, and the sudden surprise left him somewhat at a loss!

They had just been thinking of seeking an audience with Hanzō the Salamander. Yet before they could put their plan into action, Hanzō the Salamander had come to them himself!

Konan reminded him, "Yahiko, see what the letter says first."

"Oh, right, read the letter first!"

Yahiko came back to his senses and eagerly tore open the letter in his hand.

The letter's contents were simple. It first praised the Akatsuki Organization's ideals and actions, then affirmed its activity on the battlefield. Finally, it invited Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan to visit, so they could discuss how the Akatsuki Organization should develop!

"I knew it... I knew it..."

Yahiko read the letter over and over several times, his body trembling uncontrollably!

Hanzō the Salamander was the God of Shinobi!

To receive praise from such a powerful man was undoubtedly an immensely strong form of recognition for Yahiko!

Yahiko was now even more certain that his path was the right one!

Konan had also read the letter. Though happy for Yahiko, she said worriedly, "Yahiko, the letter invites the three of us to visit, but Nagato is currently..."

Yahiko came back to his senses as well and looked hesitantly at Nagato on the bed!

Yahiko was considering whether to bring the unconscious Nagato to Amegakure with them!

After all, Amegakure was a fully established ninja village with its own ninja hospital. Perhaps they could wake Nagato from his unconsciousness!

But Nagato's body was somewhat unusual and held a secret that could not be exposed!

Those were the eyes of the legendary Sage of Six Paths. What if...

Yahiko was naive, but when his Close Friend's life was involved, he could choose not to be so naive!

"Mmnh..."

At that moment, Nagato, who lay on the bed, let out a soft groan and slowly opened his eyes!