Under the guidance of an Akatsuki member, Uchiha Shisui entered a stone chamber. From its furnishings, it was clear that the room was used for meetings.
"So you're the ninja who wants to join Akatsuki?"
At the sound of the voice, Uchiha Shisui looked up and immediately understood. The person who had spoken was Yahiko, the current leader of Akatsuki, while the two ninjas seated beside him were Konan and Uzumaki Nagato.
"That's right. My name is Uchiha Shisui."
The three of them remembered the masked man from before as soon as they heard the name.
But they quickly dismissed their suspicions. Although they were both Uchiha, the man before them couldn't be the mysterious figure who had called himself "Uchiha Madara." After all, he dared to show his true face.
"Before you join, we need to know who you are."
Konan questioned Uchiha Shisui, following the organization's usual procedure for new members.
"I'm currently a missing-nin from Konoha!"
After hearing his answer, Konan glanced at Yahiko and nodded. "There's no problem with his identity. Konoha issued a wanted notice for him some time ago."
"It doesn't matter if you're a missing-nin. As long as you share our dream, you're one of us! Welcome to Akatsuki, Shisui!"
Yahiko rose with a smile and reached out to shake Uchiha Shisui's hand.
Just then, Idaten Kyusuke, his face covered in dense tattoos, hurriedly pushed open the rickety wooden door.
His breathing was slightly ragged. He looked urgently at Yahiko and called out:
"Big brother! Salamander Hanzo has sent an envoy! It seems urgent. Please go meet him right away."
Yahiko nodded lightly, then turned to Uchiha Shisui and said:
"Shisui, come with us. This is just one of our small outposts. Our real base is underground in Amegakure. This is a good chance to show you around."
Uchiha Shisui gave a slight nod and calmly replied, "That's exactly what I had in mind."
Just then, Nagato walked over from the side, frowning, with a mission scroll in his hand. "But what about the mission we just received? It concerns Akatsuki's reputation, so we can't put it off lightly."
Hearing this, Yahiko awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, his face showing a hint of chagrin. He gave a wry smile. "Look at me—I actually forgot about such an important mission."
Then he looked to Konan for help. "Konan, could I leave the mission in the Seventh War Zone to you?"
Konan's lips curved into a gentle smile. She covered her mouth as she chuckled. "Go ahead. I'll take care of the mission and make sure it's completed successfully."
Once everything was settled, Yahiko, Nagato, and Uchiha Shisui led several Akatsuki members into a winding, dimly lit tunnel.
The tunnel was pitch-black. Only the group's hurried footsteps echoed through the narrow passage.
Damp air hung all around them, and every so often, they heard the faint drip of water from somewhere in the darkness.
After walking through the dark tunnel for less than an hour, they saw a heavy iron door in the wall ahead slowly swing inward from the other side, groaning as it opened.
A head immediately poked through the gap, and a voice called out urgently, "Big brother, over here!"
Hearing him, Yahiko and the others quickened their pace and emerged from the tunnel through the iron door. Before them lay an open space, its stone walls rough and cold. In the center stood the envoy sent by Salamander Hanzo, waiting quietly.
The envoy wore black and had a gas mask over his face. His expression was stern. When he saw Yahiko and the others, he hurried forward and bowed slightly. "You're Yahiko, the leader of Akatsuki, correct?"
Yahiko met his gaze without hesitation. "That's right."
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Salamander Hanzo's second-in-command, Kanzo."
As he spoke, the envoy took a letter from inside his clothes and held it out to Yahiko with both hands.
"This is a letter from Salamander Hanzo. Everything he has to say is in here. Please accept it."
Yahiko took the letter with both hands and eagerly unfolded it, reading it carefully.
As he read, delight gradually spread across his face. He couldn't help but exclaim, "That's wonderful! Everyone, Hanzo has acknowledged Akatsuki's existence!"
Nagato's face brightened with relief as well. He patted Yahiko firmly on the shoulder and congratulated him. "Yahiko, everyone is following your ideals so closely."
Upon hearing the astonishing and joyous news, the Akatsuki members erupted with excitement.
Some waved their arms enthusiastically and shouted, their voices echoing across the open space.
Others' eyes reddened as tears of excitement spilled out.
"That's wonderful! We won't have to hide anymore! From now on, we can help people openly!"
One member spoke with deep emotion, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. His words brimmed with hope for the future.
"Exactly! If it weren't for big brother leading us, we'd never have made it to this day. It's wonderful to have him at the helm!"
Another member clenched his fist, his eyes filled with admiration for Yahiko.
Everyone chimed in, lost in this hard-won joy. It was as if they could already see Akatsuki bringing peace and hope to this land, so long ravaged by war.
While everyone was caught up in the celebration, Kanzo maintained his respectful bearing. He now bowed slightly and said without servility, "The letter has been delivered. Leader of Akatsuki, I'll return and report back."
With that, he turned and walked steadily back the way he had come, gradually disappearing from view.
Amid laughter and jubilant celebration, the dim yellow light illuminated the joyful faces around them, and the aroma of wine slowly filled the air.
With a bright smile, Yahiko turned to Nagato beside him and said, "Nagato, the three of us should meet Salamander Hanzo tomorrow. This meeting is vital to Akatsuki's future, so we have to handle it carefully."
Nagato nodded without hesitation. Thinking back on all the hardship Akatsuki had endured along the way, Yahiko had been instrumental in earning the recognition they now enjoyed.
In Nagato's eyes, Yahiko considered every decision carefully and with foresight. Naturally, he had no objection to the arrangements for this meeting.
Just then, Uchiha Shisui strode over and patted Yahiko on the shoulder. "Yahiko, I hope you'll let me come along tomorrow."
When the other Akatsuki members heard Uchiha Shisui's request, they grew eager as well. They gathered around, all talking at once, expressing their desire to go too.
Seeing this, Yahiko smiled warmly and patiently explained, "I understand how you feel, but bringing too many people would scare Salamander Hanzo. It's better to keep this meeting low-key, so you should stay at the base. When we get back, we'll tell you all about it."
Although some were disappointed by Yahiko's words, they knew he was right. They gave up on following him, returned to their places, picked up their cups, and continued celebrating.
Once everyone else had dispersed, Uchiha Shisui went to find Yahiko alone.
After Shisui insisted repeatedly, Yahiko sighed in helplessness, though there was a hint of appreciation in his expression, and nodded in agreement. "All right, all right. I'll take just you."