"It's lucky for Konoha to have a ninja like you," Yahiko said sincerely.
Byakuya fell silent for a long while at his words. "The Shinobi World is just as lucky to have a ninja like you."
"Shuten-doji, would you join Akatsuki? We're badly in need of someone like you."
Yahiko hurriedly added, "We won't reveal your identity as a Konoha Ninja to anyone. You can keep wearing your mask when you're with us, too."
Byakuya refused outright. "I won't become a rogue ninja from Konoha."
"You've misunderstood. We're not asking you to become a rogue ninja."
"I still won't join Akatsuki."
"Ah, all right. It's Akatsuki's loss. I'm simply not capable enough to convince you to join."
Konan hurriedly said, "Yahiko, how could someone like him understand our suffering? He'll never know how precious peace is unless he's experienced pain firsthand."
"Konan, that's enough."
"Yes."
Yahiko looked up and gazed once more at the eerie Shuten-doji Mask. "Our teacher is Lord Jiraiya of Konoha. When you return to Konoha, could you pass along our greetings to him?"
"If I run into Lord Jiraiya in the village, I'll pass along your greetings."
"Goodbye."
"Farewell."
Byakuya patted Bone-Binding Princess's terrifying snake head. "Let's go."
The Azure-Black Serpent turned and slithered across the desert, quickly disappearing from Yahiko and the others' sight.
Nagato murmured, "Actually, I'm the one who's incapable."
"He's right," Yahiko said gravely. "If we want Konoha and Iwagakure to sit down and negotiate, we need the strength to force them to give up war."
Konan shook her head. "Both Konoha and Iwagakure have overwhelming military might. How could we possibly surpass them?"
Yahiko already had a plan in mind, but he forced himself to hold back.
For now, they could only try another approach.
"We need to find more ninjas