The next day
Akatsuki leader Yahiko, vice-leader Nagato, Konan walked in front, followed by ten people. They had discussed that this was a negotiation, and bringing too many people would turn it into a brawl. Moreover, Yahiko thought Salamander Hanzō was a good leader, and he was more concerned about the Land of Rain.
Therefore, Yahiko felt that Salamander Hanzō must have been sincere, so he also had to show his sincerity; ten people was a lot.
After they left their town, Salamander Hanzō received the news. He sat in the abandoned factory and knocked on the table, the sound echoing through the empty space.
"Pass down the order: have three hundred ninjas lie in ambush along their return route. As soon as the signal flare goes off, strike immediately and wipe out the Akatsuki." Salamander Hanzō narrowed his eyes. Regardless of whether the Akatsuki truly loved peace or didn't care about political status, Akatsuki were currently threatening his position, so he had to nip it in the bud!
Now, Salamander Hanzō is old. Ten years of wasted time have transformed him from the ruthless warlord who once declared war on the Three Great Shinobi Villages into a schemer and a politician. His long-term pampered life has made him obsessed with power and status.
If anyone poses a threat to his power or position, he will not hesitate to take action against them, even if it is his own son, let alone someone from the Akatsuki!
"Yes!" The Anbu Rain Ninja bowed, then took the token handed over by Salamander Hanzō and left. Although he did not quite agree with Salamander Hanzō's actions, he was an Anbu, serving Ibuse. Whatever the decision, he had to carry it out without wavering!
"Okay, step back!" Salamander Hanzō waved his hand, and the Anbu Rain Ninja disappeared to carry out their mission. Salamander Hanzō put both legs on the table, one leg over the other, and put his hands behind his head, looking at the ceiling of the abandoned factory.
"Don't blame me, Yahiko. Blame yourselves for being too flamboyant. So flamboyant that now the Land of Rain only knows you Akatsuki, but not my Land of Rain Salamander Hanzō." Salamander Hanzō shook his head. He was helpless. Naturally, he hoped the Land of Rain would become stronger.
However, there is a prerequisite: it cannot affect one's political standing. If anyone crosses this red line, whether it is an organization or a ninja, he will kill them.
Power, it's truly intoxicating!
Yahiko and his group arrived at the abandoned factory in the Land of Rain. He knocked on the door and announced, "Konan, the leader of the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain, along with his vice- Nagato Yahiko and Hanzo, have come to discuss important matters with Lord Hanzo."
About ten minutes later, the door slowly opened, and a ninja walked out. He bowed his head and said, "Lord Hanzo was dealing with important matters, so he neglected you all. Please come in."
After saying that, he gestured for Yahiko to proceed. Yahiko nodded with a smile, while Nagato thought to himself sarcastically, "Isn't this just a show of force?"
Konan looked around at everything. Just after the three of them went inside, the door closed again. Uzumaki Nagato's right eyelid twitched incessantly; he sensed that something big was about to happen.
The next moment, his premonition came true! Salamander Hanzō used the Body Flicker Technique, whooshing past Yahiko and Nagato, grabbing Konan by the neck. Konan, caught off guard, was unable to use any Substitution Technique and was lifted up by Salamander Hanzō.
Immediately afterward, Salamander Hanzō smirked, his goal achieved! Time to retreat! With another Body Flicker Technique, he was back on the platform, one hand gripping Konan, one leg on the railing, the other hand on his leg, leaning forward and laughing, "Welcome to the abandoned factory, the three leaders of Akatsuki!"
"Hanzo, is this how your Amegakure welcomes us?" Uzumaki Nagato's face was grim, his killing intent undisguised. He stretched out his hands behind his back, ready to unleash the Banshō Ten'in!
"Salamander Hanzō, we demand an explanation. You lured us here just to capture Konan? What do you want?" Yahiko answered immediately after a moment of silence. Unlike his usual carefree demeanor, his eyes narrowed, and a murderous intent surged within him.
"What are you doing? Your Akatsuki has been making a bit too big of a move lately, don't you think?" Salamander Hanzō muttered, then he squeezed Konan's neck hard. Konan's face turned from white to purple, and her eyes rolled back. In that instant, Nagato and Yahiko panicked.
"Release Konan!"
"Hanzo!"
Both voices were filled with panic, but their purpose was to get Salamander Hanzō to release Konan.
Salamander Hanzō had seen it all; these two rebukes were nothing to him. "Fine, if your Akatsuki leaves the Land of Rain, I'll release her, how about that?"
He glanced at Nagato and Yahiko with a slightly mocking look. Just as the two were about to nod, Konan's intermittent voice came through. "No, we established this organization to improve the lives of the people of the Land of Rain."
"It's all for the ultimate goal of peace in the Ninja World, and everyone is fighting for it. You can't agree to this, you can't leave!" As soon as Konan finished collecting the items, Salamander Hanzō released her and punched her in the stomach.
The prolonged lack of oxygen left Konan feeling dizzy and unable to use any ninjutsu to dodge, so she caught the punch squarely.
Pfft! Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Konan was beaten into a shrimp-like shape, her body leaning forward and her back bent backward. Salamander Hanzō grabbed her hair. "I've changed my mind now. Your name is Nagato, right?"
He suddenly looked at Uzumaki Nagato, a wicked and audacious thought forming in his mind, "I won't kill you, because you and Uchiha Kō have a very close relationship."
"Do you want to save Konan? I can see that your feelings for this girl go beyond mere concern. So, do you want to save her? If you do, then agree to one condition!"
Salamander Hanzō's voice seduced Uzumaki Nagato, Uzumaki Nagato looked up at him and said, "Tell me, anything I can do, I'll do!"
"Very well, then I want you to kill Yahiko! That way I will release your beloved, how about it?" Salamander Hanzō laughed loudly, then looked at Uzumaki Nagato Uzumaki Nagato trembled, his eyes filled with hatred as he looked at Salamander Hanzō, his expression complicated as he looked at Yahiko.
For a fleeting moment, he was tempted. A voice inside him told him that killing Yahiko to protect Konan wouldn't be a problem, and Yahiko would probably be willing too!
Yahiko looked at Uzumaki Nagato and said, "Nagato, make your move! I told you to! Konan is like a sister to me. Even if I die, I won't let her get hurt in the slightest."
Uzumaki Nagato opened his mouth, then closed it again. He gritted his teeth, his whole body trembling. At this distance, he wasn't confident he could save Konan unharmed. But Yahiko was his brother, his leader. If he were to harm him, what kind of person would he be!
Just as he was hesitating, Yahiko spoke up, "What are you waiting for! Nagato, do it! Konan must not be harmed! If I die, you will all continue to carry on our ideals together!"
Uzumaki Nagato remained silent. He couldn't bring himself to do it. Although he liked Konan, he couldn't bring himself to harm his own brother!
Salamander Hanzō was undeniably ruthless; with Yahiko dead, the Akatsuki's spiritual leader would perish.
Even if Uzumaki Nagato and Konan worked together, they couldn't possibly do better than Yahiko; Yahiko possessed an inexplicable charisma.
This is why Salamander Hanzō initially strongly supported the Akatsuki, because the Akatsuki understood the people better and were better able to unite them.
The Land of Rain just experienced World War II, is in dire need of rebuilding and needs Akatsuki to soothe the hearts of its people. However, the wounds of war have now healed.
Then the Akatsuki's role would be less significant, but its reputation would grow stronger day by day. Therefore, after being instigated by someone in Kumogakure, he made up his mind to eradicate the Akatsuki.
"Uzumaki Nagato, what are you waiting for? Hmm?" Salamander Hanzō grabbed Konan's blue hair and yanked it. Konan cried out in alarm, "You guys go! Don't worry about me!"
Uzumaki Nagato examined his own heart, and upon hearing those words, he seemed to have made up his mind. He took out Kunai, his hand trembling slightly, and looked at Yahiko.
Yahiko, however, still smiled, closed his eyes, and prepared to face death. He felt no resentment, but rather a sense of relief. Just as Uzumaki Nagato walked up to Yahiko, he raised his Kunai hesitated to strike.
Yahiko suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed Kunai's hand that was holding the Uzumaki Nagato with his right hand, and stabbed it into his own chest.
"No!" Uzumaki Nagato suddenly realized that killing Yahiko was pointless and would only cause pain to his loved ones and joy to his enemies! But Yahiko was stubborn and grabbed Uzumaki Nagato's hand, stabbing himself in the chest.
With a soft thud, the sound of flesh being pierced by Kunai Uzumaki Nagato out. Kunai out, and blood spurted out, staining Nagato's cheeks red.
Then, with a smile on his face, he slowly fell to the ground. "Take Konan away quickly, don't come back." After saying that, he closed his eyes.
"Why, why did this happen! Why... why! Damn it, why!" Uzumaki Nagato roared furiously, as if he had gone mad.
Salamander Hanzō smirked. "Very well, I've achieved my goal." He then kicked Konan, sending her flying to Uzumaki Nagato's side.
Uzumaki Nagato quickly caught Konan, his eyes brimming with tears. "Konan, it wasn't me... I didn't kill him, it was Yahiko himself..."
Konan pursed her lips. She understood that Yahiko was such a kind person, willing to sacrifice himself rather than let his friends get hurt.
"Nagato! Waaaaah..." Konan cried her Heart-Rending. Yahiko was a companion she had known since childhood, and now he was willing to die at Nagato's hands to save her.
Konan patted Nagato's chest, "It's all my fault, I wasn't on guard. Nagato, let's go, take Yahiko with us! We can't beat Salamander Hanzō."
Uzumaki Nagato took a deep breath and slowly stood up. "Konan, you should leave. I want to avenge Yahiko!"
After saying that, a burst of violent chakra erupted, and he used the Body Flicker Technique to rush towards Salamander Hanzō. Salamander Hanzō took out his grappling hook to block the kid.
However...