Him in the Rain

As they raced across the land, Yahiko and Nagato's hearts were heavy.

The closer they got to their village, the more they realized the gravity of the situation.

On the path leading to the stronghold, as the distance closed, they discovered more corpses. This indicated that the enemy had invested significant effort and troops to impede their return, suggesting a targeted setup. To rush back and provide aid with all their might, minimize their own casualties, and salvage the situation as much as possible, Yahiko and Nagato were pushing themselves to their absolute limits.

However, they had still taken a considerable amount of time.

This was because they faced some interference along the way, and Konan had also used her Paper Folding Technique to notify all members in the combat zone to retreat first.

According to their estimations, the time elapsed since they uncovered the enemy's plot was enough for the other side to achieve their objective.

In other words, the people at the stronghold were likely...

At this thought, Yahiko couldn't help but feel grief.

"Faster," he urged.

After a long while, they finally saw the outline of the village houses.

A light drizzle began to fall from the somber sky.

This time, they didn't follow the usual route into the village. Instead, the group transformed into agile, swift figures, piercing straight into the village entrance like a sharp sword. Upon entering, without Yahiko's command, several individuals, including Sousuke, instantly sprang apart, darting in different directions.

They began a comprehensive search and investigation of the village's situation.

Following a small path, they gradually ran towards the front of the stronghold.

"The few of us who stayed behind are dead..." Nagato said, after sensing the area.

"Mm," Yahiko responded.

The return of their main force without the contact members showing up was tantamount to foretelling a certain outcome.

"There was a fight," Konan added, her voice somber, walking to Yahiko's left.

Everyone had seen the destroyed houses, the bloodstains... and the craters on the ground, along with traces of burnt grass.

It seemed... very intense.

"Yahiko," Konan softly called out, looking at Yahiko's determined profile.

She hesitated, wanting to say more.

She had already envisioned the scenes that might unfold. Knowing Yahiko as she did, this situation would likely be a significant blow to him. She wanted him to be mentally prepared but didn't know how to phrase it. War was just like that.

Even though the three of them understood this all too well, they still couldn't remain completely detached with each personal experience.

After all, all the members had gathered together for the same dream.

Because they believed in Yahiko as their leader.

Konan believed that the messy aftermath of the battle was definitely caused by a clash between the remaining personnel and the enemy's assault team.

But Nagato saw something else.

"That's not right," Nagato said with a grave expression.

"The number of combatants on both sides is disproportionate; it was multiple people attacking one, and these footprints..." Nagato stared at a particular spot.

The difference between the footprints of an adult and a child was too obvious.

"It's... it's Yue." Nagato immediately deduced.

"Yue?" Yahiko and the others were startled.

At this moment, under the blurry curtain of rain, about a dozen people finally stood before the courtyard gate of the stronghold, halting their steps.

And then, the scene that unfolded before everyone's eyes...

Would be unforgettable for the rest of their lives.

A familiar, small figure sat on the threshold of the courtyard gate, amidst the rain falling like silken threads.

Staring blankly up at the sky.

At his feet lay a completely dead, headless corpse.

The boy was severely injured, to the point where his face was unrecognizable. His body bore large burn wounds.

However, everyone recognized him at a glance: it was Yue.

Yue remained motionless, holding the head of a dead person in its arms, blood mingling with rainwater to wash over its lower body.

Yue also let the cold rain fall on its skin, its entire body soaked.

It seemed to be quietly sensing the unusual weather and environment of the Land of Rain.

"Yue...?"

Yahiko called out first, not quite sure.

Not just him, but everyone in Akatsuki's eyes flickered, finding it hard to believe.

They had all anticipated the worst possible outcome, but no matter which scenario flashed through their minds, it wasn't the result they were currently analyzing through external information.

Yue... was here, and alive.

And judging by the intact houses and courtyards of the base, it was clear... the base had been saved.

So, that meant...

"Mhm..."

Yue had heard the footsteps long ago. Upon hearing Yahiko's call, it stiffly turned its neck.

Shifting its gaze from the sky, it looked at the group of Akatsuki members about ten meters away.

Still with a blank expression, it greeted them faintly, "You're back."

Its voice was calm.

Without the slightest ripple.

"It's okay... don't be afraid, I killed them all."

Yue seemed to sense the worry from everyone, and for once, it revealed a faint, almost imperceptible smile, saying softly.

"..."

Silence.

Quiet.

Suddenly, the space where Yue and Yahiko were seemed to be filled only with the sound of falling rain.

That sentence had such a shocking impact that everyone, including the Yahiko trio, had their pupils constrict.

Beyond the mixed emotions in their hearts, they couldn't believe it.

As everyone stood there stunned, the first to move was Konan.

She didn't know how Yue had done it, but she didn't doubt the truth of Yue's words at all.

Because of the boy's current appearance, she felt a pang of heartache.

And Yue was not a member of Akatsuki.

She walked in front of Yue and slowly squatted down, meeting the boy's eyes.

"The traitor was that guy named Yota... he was turned."

Yue said calmly.

Konan was crying... tears streamed down her face.

"Yue... thank you."

Konan's simple words seemed to carry a different kind of emotion.

"You don't need to thank me. You've already prepaid the reward. I don't like taking things for free."

Yue looked at Konan's reddened eyes and said.

As soon as it finished speaking, its body suddenly collapsed without any warning.

A figure instantly blurred and approached.

It caught the unconscious Yue.

It was Yahiko.

Only when they were close, observing from a distance, did Yahiko truly see how severe Yue's injuries were.

"Domoto!"

Yahiko immediately called out a name nervously.

The base had been exposed, and the Akatsuki members immediately relocated.

Thanks to Yue's efforts, not a single one of the remaining dozen or so injured members was harmed.

The enemy's plan had failed.

It could be said that this time, Akatsuki had Yue to thank for its existence.

Without it... the consequences would have been unimaginable.

The next day, in a cave on a high peak, the Akatsuki members were each busy with matters related to war preparations.

There was more than one Akatsuki base active on this battlefield; Yahiko and the others were just the main headquarters.

"Yue's condition has stabilized," a portly man said to Yahiko after healing Yue with medical ninjutsu.

"However, it's truly astonishing. The cellular activity within Yue is incredibly strong, indicating exceptionally robust vitality... His physical condition is quite remarkable. Normally, a genin his age wouldn't possess this level of ability. Focusing solely on cellular activity, it's even ten to a few dozen times that of an adult. He gives me the impression of a powerful individual specializing in taijutsu," Doumoto exclaimed in amazement.

"It's not just his body; his chakra... has also undergone some changes. He's like a completely different person compared to before," Nagato added, as he and Yahiko were very familiar with Yue's capabilities.

By all rights, Yue shouldn't have this kind of strength. It was as if he had been reborn.

Was it a special constitution, or...?

"This kid... he really keeps his secrets well."

Yahiko grumbled.

With Yue out of danger, he felt relieved.

As for Yue's little secrets, Yahiko naturally wouldn't pry.

"We've gotten results from investigating the situation at the village... Most of the people we left behind were ambushed. The enemy's surprise assault team consisted of ten individuals. They likely used Yota's identity to set a trap. Although our people managed to kill some of them, six survived, and including Yota, Yue took them all down by himself," Sousuke said, walking over to report the clues to Yahiko.

"This little guy..."

Upon hearing this, even Yahiko, Nagato, and the others, who had weathered many storms, were deeply shocked.

Looking at Yue, who was lying on the mat still unconscious, they felt a sense of unreality.

"Yahiko."

Looking at Yue, Nagato suddenly spoke.

"No."

Yahiko, as if knowing what Nagato was about to say, interrupted him directly.

"Akatsuki has nothing to do with Yue. He's from Grass Village... Moreover, he was passively dragged into this to begin with. We already owe him too much."

"..."

Nagato fell silent upon hearing this.