Yemu hovered in the night sky, his gaze cold as iron, yet his voice reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying an irresistible pressure.
"Death may be unavoidable, but punishment is inescapable."
Yemu spoke slowly, his gaze settling on Hidan. "You have only two choices-accept imprisonment and pay the price, or have me order the Empire's army to hunt you for the rest of your life."
At those words, the air around them suddenly tightened.
The members of the Akatsuki shuddered inwardly. They knew very well what Yemu meant by "hunt."
The Empire's army was no ordinary shinobi village's fighting force. Even a Kage-level shinobi would likely have nowhere to hide once placed on its kill list.
Hidan spoke, still clinging to hope.
"Hunt me? Ha, I was already a wanted criminal. The shinobi villages of every country have hunted me for years, and I'm still alive and kicking. What's the difference between their wanted lists and the Empire's?"
At those words, complicated expressions crossed several faces.
Hidan was clearly still hoping he could get lucky.
Yemu's gaze abruptly turned icy. He could tell Hidan had not grasped how different the reality was.
His tone remained unhurried, but it chilled to the bone. "The difference is that the other villages' hunts were merely symbolic. You still had a chance to survive. Mine... has no end, no blind spots. Anywhere beneath heaven, the moment you take a step, countless people and blades will be waiting."
Yemu's voice echoed with an unassailable certainty.
Finally, he turned to the other Akatsuki members, his tone even colder. "So, members of the Akatsuki, it's time you made your choice as well. Will you remain fugitives, fleeing from place to place, or submit to me and the Empire?"
He paused briefly, then added, his voice crashing down like