Crackle, crackle...
Dry branches caught fire in the campfire, giving off clear crackling sounds from time to time.
Shihōin Naraku and Naruto Uzumaki sat nearby, listening to Jiraiya recount stories from his past.
The two gradually became more familiar with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. Even Shihōin Naraku learned quite a bit of information he had never heard before.
Much of what Naraku knew had come from various works in his previous life, after all. Details were bound to be missing, because this was a real world.
Only now, with Jiraiya supplying more information, did Naraku have a more complete understanding of Nagato.
As for Naruto, he was deeply moved by the goals and dreams Akatsuki had held when it was first founded, wishing he could have taken part himself.
"I don't know exactly what happened back then, either. I only vaguely remember that Yahiko and the others seemed to have fallen into an enemy ambush, and all three died in battle. But now it looks like that wasn't what happened at all."
Jiraiya frowned as he recalled the past. Who had given him that information back then?
Someone from ANBU, perhaps?
Yes, it was ANBU!
Back then, Jiraiya had happened to learn of unrest in the Land of Rain, and that Hanzō had wiped out an organization wreaking havoc in the village while suppressing the rebellion.
Upon hearing the news, Jiraiya had been very worried about the safety of Yahiko and the other two.
Though he had wanted to go to the Land of Rain to ask around, Hanzō had sealed off all of Amegakure at the time, leaving Jiraiya no way to get in.
After much thought, Jiraiya had sent a letter to Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, asking Konoha to help gather information on Yahiko and the others if