"Let them go! If you want something, come at me!"
Yahiko shouted, shielding Nagato and Konan behind him.
Though fear lingered in his eyes, his voice remained firm.
He was the oldest of the three and had always considered himself their big brother.
Naturally, he had to protect them now, just as he always had.
"Yahiko..."
Nagato and Konan stared at Yahiko's back, momentarily stunned.
Facing certain death, even the normally lively Konan clenched her teeth and fell silent.
Yet Yahiko had stepped forward.
At that moment, his courage and his slight back moved them both.
When it mattered most, they would always be companions who could entrust their backs to one another!
"Come now, listen to yourself. What do you mean, come at you? I've always been a kind man. I never intended to fight you to the death."
Chu Aotian abandoned his earlier vicious expression and spoke with a kindly smile.
What a joke. If I really went after you and killed you, Nagato would power up in an instant.
He certainly couldn't push these protagonists too far.
"Actually, I've only ever wanted one thing: Nagato's colored contacts... ah, no, his eyes..."
"I've always felt a connection with those eyes. Seeing them gives me a warm, familiar feeling. They remind me of my late older brother."
"How about this? Nagato, if you gouge out those eyes and give them to me, I'll let you all go. What do you say?"
Chu Aotian gently coaxed him, looking refined and gracious now.
He radiated warmth and goodwill, having activated all his Charm-based skills.
Of course, letting Nagato and the others go was a joke.
Let them go so Madara Uchiha (Uchiha Izuna) can follow them straight to me?
That would cost him his life in no time. He would definitely