Akatsuki

"Lord Qinghe, how is Konan?"

In Hanzo's residence, under the dim light, an aged ninja withdrew his hand from Konan's forehead and shook his head. "She's too severely injured, and there's poison on the blade. Weren't you supposed to be helping the border villages clear out bandits? How did she get so hurt?" Shinda asked.

"It was because we couldn't bear to see it. They took advantage of the war between Sand and Cloud ninjas within our country, ambushing and burning many villages. We initially thought they were ordinary thieves and suffered greatly." An Akatsuki member explained.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't tried to protect me, Konan wouldn't be injured," Yahiko lowered his head, his voice filled with self-reproach.

"It's not your fault, Yahiko. No one expected them to disguise themselves as women and children." Nagato stepped forward and patted Yahiko's shoulder, but his hand trembled uncontrollably. His red hair obscured his expression, and in the shadows, his unusually colored pupils twitched restlessly. Looking at the unconscious Konan, he felt as if he were back in that rainy night, a Leaf ninja holding a kunai, protecting his parents with his life. Why? Why do the people I cherish always leave me? Haven't I suffered enough in this life? He bit his lower lip fiercely, an urge to return everything to silence surging within him.

"Perhaps. Perhaps the Sand Village has a solution," the medical ninja named Qinghe stroked his long, white beard, a hint of hesitation in his voice. Seeing everyone's gaze turn to him, Qinghe continued, "I heard from someone who returned from the Sand Village that Hoshino Maki is an outstanding medical ninja. Many difficult and complex illnesses that others can't treat are easily handled by him. Even within the Sand ninja, he's called 'the next Chiyo.' However, I don't know if he'll treat Rain ninjas."

Yahiko's eyes lit up, and even Nagato's despairing heart felt a flicker of hope. If a medical ninja of Chiyo's caliber were to act, Konan would surely be out of danger! If he refuses, I'll kneel before him until he agrees! Yahiko turned and bowed deeply to Hanzo, who had been sitting there all along.

Hanzo nodded. "Qinghe, stabilize Konan's injuries first. I'll speak with Hoshino Maki tomorrow morning." He believed that person would give him some face.

"Lord Hanzo, Konan's injuries can't wait!" Upon hearing it would be delayed until tomorrow, Yahiko disregarded etiquette, straightened up, and shouted anxiously.

Hanzo frowned imperceptibly and said in a calm tone, "Medical ninjutsu consumes a lot of chakra. Today's negotiations must have left him exhausted. If you go to him now, you'll only be rejected." He then looked at Qinghe. "Can Konan's injuries hold until tomorrow morning?"

"Should. Should be able to." As an old ninja of Amegakure, he knew what Hanzo wanted to hear.

"Since Qinghe says so, we'll go tomorrow." Hanzo actually didn't want Hoshino Maki to intervene. If a life was lost, it was lost. To expend his favor for the life of a member of a small organization, where was the dignity of the "God of Shinobi"? If it weren't for Yahiko and the others helping him solve many troubles, he wouldn't even be interested in meeting the person. Willing to speak on their behalf was a tremendous gift. In Amegakure, Hanzo's word was the highest directive, not to be refuted. It was rare for him to even offer an explanation like today.

But Yahiko was not resigned. In the room, where silence was so profound that a needle drop could be heard, he clenched his fists tightly. "Apologies, Lord Hanzo, but I still want to try." Without waiting for Hanzo to speak, he picked up Konan and rushed out of the room. The other Akatsuki members followed closely.

In the building, warm as spring, a cold wind seemed to surge in from the open door. Hanzo tightened his robe, stopped the guards who wanted to stop them, closed his eyes, and remained silent.

"Lord Hoshino! Is Lord Hoshino there?!" The door was knocked heavily. After a moment, a voice came from behind the door, "Who is it?"

"Is this Lord Hoshino?"

"Lord Hoshino is already asleep. Please come back tomorrow if you have business."

"I am Yahiko, the leader of Akatsuki. My comrade is in mortal danger. I implore Lord Hoshino to lend his aid!" After he finished speaking, the sound of a heavy object hitting water came from outside the door, followed by more splashes. Yi curiously peeked through the crack in the door and saw an orange-haired young man kneeling in a puddle, prostrating himself with his forehead pressed against the water's surface. Several people wearing the same clothes as him were doing the same.

"Yi, open the gate." Yi shivered all over in fright and turned around. Hoshino Maki was standing behind him, holding an umbrella, though Yi didn't know when he had appeared.

Creak--

The door opened to the left and right. Lightning flashed. Yahiko felt a shadow fall over him. Through the distorted reflection on the water's surface, he could vaguely see a young man. An oil-paper umbrella hovered over his head. The man spoke softly, "Your name is Yahiko?"

"It's me, I beg you to save my companion."

Yahiko didn't look up, still maintaining a respectful kneeling posture.

"But how can I save her if you don't bring her here?"

Yahiko looked up in surprise, seeing the young man squatting in front of him with a smile.

He hadn't met Hoshino Maki, but from the descriptions of Lord Qinghe and Lord Hanzo, his impression was of someone arrogant and reclusive. He had expected to be ridiculed, provoked, or even beaten.

He had prepared himself for humiliation, only hoping the other party would save Konan. He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, so smoothly that he slapped himself foolishly, wondering if he was dreaming.

Hoshino Maki was stunned for a moment, then smiled and shook his head, "Yi, go get a stretcher and bring her in."

Hoshino Maki had already seen Konan and two Akatsuki ninjas under the eaves not far away, and signaled Yi to help.

"Wipe yourself."

Hoshino Maki took out a handkerchief and handed it to him. Yahiko touched his dirty forehead and shook his head a little shyly.

"It's fine, handkerchiefs are for wiping."

Saying that, he took out another one and gave it to Nagato, who was behind Yahiko, "You wipe yourself too."

"Thank you."

Nagato only accepted it after seeing Yahiko take the handkerchief.

Nagato...

Hoshino Maki glanced at him calmly. Who would have thought that in more than ten years, this man would bring true nuclear peace to Konohagakure?

Honestly, he had the urge to snatch the Rinnegan right now, but reason prevailed.

He didn't believe that Madara, that old man, would truly abandon Nagato after giving him the Rinnegan and just wait for the day he would be unplugged.

Perhaps a White Zetsu was watching nearby.

At this moment, Konan, due to long-term malnutrition, had a sallow complexion and was as thin as a skeleton, completely lacking the imposing aura of her future self.

In fact, Nagato and Yahiko were also thin. They were children just over ten years old, and they had become orphans during their growth spurt, eating one meal and starving the next. It would be a miracle if their bodies were healthy.

"Yi, go make them some ginger tea, and bring some snacks and warm clothes."

Hoshino Maki instructed Yi while placing his hand on Konan's wrist.

"My Lord, there's no need to trouble yourself. We've already eaten and we're not cold."

Yahiko said, but then heard Nagato's stomach rumble beside him.

Because Hoshino Maki was taking her pulse, everyone held their breath, and the stomach's protest sounded particularly loud.

Nagato lowered his head, covering his ashamed face with his bright red hair.

He felt like he had disgraced Yahiko and the Akatsuki.

"Sit down, everyone. I'm hungry too. Keep me company for a late-night snack."

The Akatsuki members fidgeted, clutching their damp clothes. The floor felt like it was burning their feet.

They came from all over, of different ages and sizes, but none of them had ever met such a kind and approachable Lord. They found it hard to adapt.

Hoshino Maki patted his forehead and smiled apologetically, "Look at my brain, Kojima, go take them to take a bath and change their clothes."

The door was pulled open, and Kojima stood outside, looking expressionlessly at the Akatsuki members, then turned sideways, "Please."

Seeing Yahiko and the others still standing there, Hoshino Maki put on a stern face, "If you don't go, I won't save her."

Upon hearing this, the group then trotted after Kojima.

After the door closed, Hoshino Maki's smile vanished, his expression turning grim. He closed his eyes, and his chakra spread out, forming a 3D model of the entire mansion in his mind.

The kitchen, the walls, the pond – he didn't miss any spot where an old schemer might set an ambush.

"Wait!"

In his mind, a pitcher plant silently rose from the bushes in the garden.

The moment Hoshino Maki saw the pitcher plant, he withdrew his chakra. He didn't know if the other party could detect his probing, but he didn't want to take the risk, especially when facing Zetsu.

One Zetsu wasn't dangerous; the old man behind him was the trouble.

Hoshino Maki took a deep breath, as if nothing had happened, and continued to treat Konan.

Good news: 6000 snatched the Aurora Pro for 4060. Bad news: It seems like there was no need to snatch.

Next chapter during the day.