Liao Wu listed Akatsuki's shortcomings. "Besides, Konan doesn't get paid for making things, and you, Yahiko, don't pay me a salary. I only helped you because of Jiraiya."
"Now you're making a fuss just because I brought back a Leaf Ninja. How do you think you'll feel when you find out that Akatsuki destroyed the Leaf Village?"
Liao Wu pointed at Yahiko and challenged him.
Yahiko shook his head vigorously. "Impossible. Akatsuki's purpose is to nurture peace through mutual understanding. It will never become the evil organization you're talking about."
"Fine, fine. You don't believe me, huh? Just wait and see!"
Konan shielded Hong, who focused her attention on Nagato, whose one visible eye was fixed on her.
She didn't know Nagato, but of the Yahiko Trio, his eyes were the most unusual, marked with rings like ripples.
Could these be the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths—the Rinnegan?
Killing intent rose in Hong's heart.
Liao Wu's presence in Akatsuki said enough. Nagato's Rinnegan was definitely connected to Madara Uchiha.
Even if the eyes weren't Madara Uchiha's, he had his sights set on them.
Hong was very grateful to Konan and the others for appearing in time to protect her.
But as a Leaf Ninja, she had to put the village's interests first. She absolutely couldn't let Madara Uchiha get the Rinnegan.
If necessary, she would destroy those eyes at any cost.
Now there was a serious crisis of trust between Liao Wu and the Yahiko Trio.
Even if Liao Wu hadn't brought Hong back, sooner or later, their vastly different beliefs would have driven them apart.
Yūhi Kurenai had merely sped up the process.
Yahiko was troubled by the mess Liao Wu had caused.
If the captured ninja had been from another village, it might have been