After giving Nagato his instructions, Yahiko took a couple of steps outside. Gazing at the gloomy sky, he said wistfully:
"The Akatsuki is no longer what it was when we first founded it. To complete our mission of capturing the tailed beasts, we recruited members solely for their strength, without paying attention to their ideals.
We might as well use this opportunity to weed out those dangerous, selfish people. Otherwise, they'll not only pose a threat to Amegakure, but drag our reputation further and further down."
At Yahiko's words, guilt crossed Nagato's face, and he said:
"I'm sorry, Yahiko. While you were gone, I strayed from our original ideals and failed to manage the Akatsuki properly.
Most of those people only joined because I forced them to."
Yahiko gave him a bright smile, reached out, and ruffled his hair before saying:
"Nagato, you and Konan have already done more than enough. In these chaotic times, just keeping ourselves safe is an achievement.
Compared to your safety, the Akatsuki means nothing."
A touched smile spread across Nagato's face. He nodded emphatically and finally laughed as well.
Not far away, watching their exchange, Konan couldn't help thinking of Shin Uchiha.
She knew very well that the person most responsible for making this scene she had dreamed of possible was Shin Uchiha.
"Achoo!"
Shin Uchiha suddenly felt his nose itch and sneezed.
After sneezing, Shin Uchiha glanced around in confusion. Finding nothing strange about the people nearby, he muttered to himself:
"That's odd. I feel like someone's talking behind my back."
Just then, a figure darted up from behind and threw herself onto his back, wrapping both arms around him.
"Sensei, we're back from our mission!"
Feeling Ino clinging to him, Shin Uchiha shook his head helplessly. With a thought, he released a