Parting and Special Keepsakes

Akatsuki's war continued.

It had been some time since Yue woke up, and the hair that had been burned off his scalp had grown back.

After he defended the stronghold, all the Akatsuki members were noticeably warmer toward him. Yahiko's group of three in particular, though they never said it outright, seemed to have begun treating him like family.

Yue did not particularly care either way. Every day, he continued studying and training in ninjutsu.

The power displayed by the Dragon Fire Technique and Wind Release: Great Breakthrough in the previous battle had both been far from satisfactory in his eyes. Their range and casting speed... both had flaws. He still had much room for improvement.

Staying at this new stronghold gave Yue more opportunities to interact with Akatsuki's members, allowing him to learn more ninjutsu.

They were all techniques well suited to a ninja of his age and level.

There were some special ones as well.

For example, the relatively famous Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique. It was an A-rank ninjutsu created by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Jiraiya had once taught it to Yahiko's group of three. After learning that Yue belonged to the Fuma Clan and possessed some innate aptitude for controlling ninja tools, Yahiko personally taught it to him. Still, even with the Fuma Clan's advantage, Yue failed after many attempts... It truly was not so easy.

Mastering this technique required more than diligence. It also required talent.

If Yue remembered correctly, among the Three Sannin, only Orochimaru had initially been able to perform it with ease.

There was also the fact that his physical strength was more than a dimension above what it had been before he went to the world of the Soul Society.

The reason was that he had not only ventured deep into District 78 of the Soul Society Outskirts, but also District 79, coming within a single step of the most dangerous District 80.

The environments of Districts 78 and 79 were utterly incomparable to District 77.

The most obvious difference was that, to those bastards who did not belong in the Soul Society, lawless places like Districts 78 and 79 seemed to possess some kind of magic that drew them in.

Almost every day, vicious figures from all corners of the Soul Society appeared there, gathering nearly all the filthy, depraved "elite" of the Soul Society Outskirts... Those two places were like muddy whirlpools of sewage, constantly swallowing countless executioners without end.

Thus, there... battle never ended.

Of course, it was not only East Rukongai that was like this. The peripheral regions in the other three directions were the same.

An environment like District 77 clearly could not provide these people with excitement or satisfy their thirst for blood and destruction. Compared to District 77, surviving in District 78 was more than merely one level harder, and District 79 was even worse.

By the time he reached District 79, Yue could no longer see any houses or planned roads.

The living people wandering there were like wild beasts, freely occupying every corner.

As for District 80, it was effectively untamed wilderness.

Yue only went to District 79 after tempering himself in District 78 for some time, cutting through the local criminals and earning a name for himself... He had now gained a foothold in District 79, but he was not yet qualified to enter District 80.

It was worth mentioning that although his strength had greatly increased in the Naruto world and he had mastered more ninjutsu, Yue had not used Naruto's powers to temper his body. Instead, he continued growing through the combat methods unique to the Soul Society. His purpose was to refine the density of his spirit particles, so that when he returned to the Naruto world, his body could withstand the residual force of Explosive Tags.

Thus, when he killed the remaining two rogue ninja, it had seemed to happen in an instant.

But in another world, he had endured a rather dark period of time.

When he said he had crawled back from hell, it was not a joke.

It was a metaphor.

A very literal metaphor.

His current body, whether in terms of vitality or every other attribute... was absolutely overpowered not just among Genin, but even at the level of ordinary Chunin. Domoto, one of Akatsuki's experienced Medical Ninja, had more than once remarked that Yue's cellular activity was somewhat abnormal.

As time passed, everyone came to understand Yue's personality better and better.

They absolutely could not treat this boy as a child.

Quiet and somewhat cold, Yue... rarely displayed a childish side. He had even less of the vigor of youth, and he was highly principled in his actions.

At times, Yue even seemed more mature than adults.

Some of the things he occasionally said were enough to leave others deep in thought.

And so, Yue remained there for another two months, nearly a hundred days in total.

The war finally ended.

The final victor was Akatsuki.

With Yahiko's powerful conviction at its core... Akatsuki displayed astonishing resilience and unity in this long battle. Most importantly, every one of them had ambitions and the spirit to sacrifice themselves.

Although there had been the minor incident of a traitor like Yota.

It still made people see them in a new light.

And with the end of this bloody battle, it was also time to part.

Yue was returning to Kusagakure.

Sousuke would accompany Yue back to the Land of Grass.

He only needed to escort Yue to the border of the Land of Grass.

The next day, a group of Akatsuki's core members gathered at the foot of the mountain to see Yue off. The scene looked rather grand.

Akatsuki was in the midst of its rise. Although the fighting here had ended, that did not mean Yahiko and the others, as leaders, could rest. The situation in the Land of Rain was extremely complicated. Victory on a single battlefield could not alleviate the worsening trend.

They still had to hurry elsewhere to launch new battle plans and deployments.

Therefore, they did not have much time to exchange pleasantries with Yue and could only assign Sousuke to escort him away.

To be honest, Yue disliked this sort of sentimental parting. The atmosphere always made him feel somewhat uncomfortable. He had intended to leave directly with Sousuke, but Yahiko and the others insisted on coming to see him off, leaving him deeply awkward.

"I'm leaving. Goodbye."

Facing those familiar gazes, Yue raised a hand expressionlessly and said numbly.

He wanted nothing more than to turn around and leave.

"Hahahaha... In such a hurry to run away, Yue? Don't tell me you're embarrassed?"

"Oh... Our Yue has a shy side too. I think I've discovered some incredible secret."

"You've always acted like a little adult in front of us. We finally found your weakness."

"Is it because you can't bear to part with us?"

"I say you should just forget about going back to Kusagakure and come with us..."

The crowd called out one after another in mocking tones, while some even whistled.

"Ugh."

Yue sighed.

"Can you all be a little more mature? You're all veterans who have survived countless battles. Stop fooling around, will you?" Yue complained.

"You heartless brat. Aren't you even a little sad about leaving us?"

"Boohoohoo... Yue, I'll miss you."

Someone else pretended to cry.

"..."

"Let's go."

That was enough. Yue could not be bothered to deal with these people any longer. He called to Sousuke and turned to leave.

"Yue... catch."

Just as he turned around, someone called out.

Yahiko smilingly tossed something toward him.

Yue caught it with one hand and looked. It was a Fire Cloud Robe symbolizing Akatsuki.

But it was not adult-sized. It was a miniature version, clearly newly made and tailored specifically for him.

"Konan personally made that for you."

Yahiko crossed his arms and spoke with a smug look.

"I don't remember agreeing to join Akatsuki. Considering the things you people do, I don't want to get dragged into trouble." Yue gave him no face at all, his tone stiff.

"You smug little brat. I knew you still piss me off."

Yahiko's proud expression immediately darkened. His mouth twitched as he cursed.

"I also think a brainless idiot like you isn't suited to be a leader. I think Nagato or Sister Konan would be more suitable than you." Yue fired back directly.

Veins bulged on Yahiko's forehead as he ground his teeth, shouting in fury.

He immediately rolled up his sleeves as though he intended to teach Yue a harsh lesson.

Fortunately, someone grabbed him in time.

"Kashiwagi, let go of me! Today, no matter what, I'm beating up this little brat!"

"Oh, Leader... why get angry? Yue may have a point, but how can you lower yourself to the level of a child? Children speak without thinking, children speak without thinking." The man holding Yahiko said with a smiling, mocking tone.

Then everyone burst into laughter.

Yahiko was only putting on an act. How could he truly lay a hand on Yue?

He merely wanted to use this method to make the atmosphere more relaxed.

He usually seemed careless, but in truth, he was thoughtful. Otherwise, how could he have become their leader and earned such prestige?

He could see that Yue somewhat disliked scenes of parting.

"It's a keepsake... just a keepsake. I'm afraid you'll go back to Kusagakure, live a good life, and forget all about us." Yahiko snorted, speaking with a deliberately sour expression. "Besides, even if you wanted to join Akatsuki, I wouldn't take you... What are you acting so arrogant for?"

"Then I'm relieved."

Yue nodded and put away the small Fire Cloud Robe.

"..."

Yahiko was speechless.

Then Konan walked over.

"Yue... When we have time, the three of us will visit you in Kusagakure. Make sure to take good care of yourself. Remember, if you encounter danger, don't be reckless. Your life must always come first. Run when you need to run. Only by staying alive is there hope."

"If you ever encounter something you truly can't handle, remember to come find us."

As she spoke, Konan took Yue's hand and opened his palm, placing a special Paper Crane in it.

Then she gave Yue a light kiss on the forehead.

"Tch, Konan... You're far too biased toward him. Don't let this brat get too full of himself." Behind them, Yahiko said jealously, lingering like an Yin Soul.

Next was Nagato.

"Yue, I look forward to the day we meet again."

Nagato did not speak much, nor did he show his emotions as openly as Yahiko and Konan. Yet the way he looked at Yue was exceptionally gentle, like a loving older brother.

Looking at the two of them, Yue also revealed a rare smile.

He said nothing more and merely nodded slightly.

"I'm leaving, everyone."

Though he did not call each person by name, Yue still hesitated for a moment. Then he swept his eyes across every face present and waved.

After that, he vanished first.

Seeing this, Sousuke hurriedly followed.

Only after Yue had completely disappeared into the distance did the previously laughing and lively crowd suddenly fall silent, their feigned smiles fading away.

It was as if a group of noisy children had suddenly, with remarkable unspoken understanding, grown up together and become mature adults.

Yahiko also put away his angry expression and revealed his true feelings.

He looked up at the sky and softly smiled. "Yue... You will definitely grow up happily."

Everyone had a different definition of happiness.

At least in the eyes of Yahiko's group of three, Yue already possessed the happiness they spoke of.

Elsewhere, Yue and Sousuke raced through the forest one before the other.

When Yue had first followed Sousuke to Akatsuki's stronghold, he could not keep up with him and had been left panting for breath. Now, he could easily keep pace beside him.

The transformation was extremely apparent.

It also made Sousuke sincerely marvel at Yue's rate of growth.

As he ran, Yue spread open his palm and looked at the paper crane Konan had given him.

Goodbye, huh... The next time we meet, I'm afraid... Yue thought, his heart stirring.

He already understood Yahiko and the others very well. Even if he told Yahiko certain things, he believed he would not be able to change or stop Yahiko's fate. Yahiko was that kind of person—single-minded... Even if it meant death, he would pursue his ideals.

That was why Yue often called Yahiko an idiot.

Yue understood this very clearly. Therefore, before the tragedy arrived, he felt it would be better to let them continue forward with such optimism... It was better than having them live in constant anxiety and worry every day.

Some things could not be changed with his current abilities.

It was frustrating... and somewhat depressing, but it also made him crave power even more.

"Do you know... why Konan likes you so much?"

Suddenly, Sousuke spoke beside him and looked over.

Yue looked back at him.

"Konan once told us in private that you resemble them when they were children... Actually, she didn't need to say it. We could feel it too. You're clearly not an orphan, and you even live in Kusagakure, a place that is already considered peaceful compared to the Land of Rain... Yet for some reason, you always carry a sense of urgency, as if some great crisis is chasing after you." Sousuke said calmly. "That's why you keep forcing and squeezing yourself so hard..."

"..."

Yue's gaze flickered, but he did not respond.

"Most of Akatsuki's people are orphans. I'm the same... Your state is exactly like ours when we were children, always living in fear and wondering whether we could survive the day. That's why we are all familiar with that feeling. Many of us went through that war and witnessed its bloody, cruel scenes firsthand... That is also why we joined Akatsuki and gathered around the Leader. This is our home. We want to bring peace to the Land of Rain—peace in the truest sense... God can accomplish anything. We believe Yahiko is the god who can bring light to this country. He has always been doing exactly that, and for it, we are willing to give everything."

Sousuke did not treat Yue as an outsider and revealed his heartfelt thoughts.

Most Akatsuki members were orphans. Their current state of mind was also a lingering consequence and influence of the Second Shinobi World War.

The entire Land of Rain, including Hanzo of the Salamander himself, appeared to have established a firm foothold through the Second Shinobi World War.

But in reality, every citizen had suffered deeply from the war.

Those wounds had still not healed to this day.

"Yue... Compared to us, you are fortunate. No matter what you're worried about or thinking about... You have the best years of your youth ahead of you. Enjoy them properly. Don't make yourself bear so much pressure."

"You... will fail."

After hearing this, Yue pondered for a long while before suddenly speaking.

Sousuke froze, but he did not get angry.

"You don't believe in the Leader?"

"It's not that I don't believe..."

Yue stared ahead and said flatly, "Yahiko is good, very good... But his personality makes him trust others too easily, and he also tends to oversimplify things."

After speaking, Yue looked directly into Sousuke's eyes. "A heart full of passion alone cannot accomplish anything."

"Don't test human nature. Believe in human nature. No one's disposition has only one side; it is ever-changing, with both good and evil."

"In my eyes, humanity's nature is mostly evil... myself included."

Sousuke was immediately stunned by those words.

Then he burst out laughing. "Yue, you really are something... Sigh."

"What exactly is going on in that head of yours? Why is your way of thinking so dark... At this rate, I'm starting to worry about how you'll turn out in the future. I'm not even sure I want to let you return to Kusagakure." Sousuke covered his forehead. "Your mindset needs to be brighter. Be more optimistic, not so pessimistic. Have faith in yourself and in the world around you."

Tsuki looked at him and said nothing more.

"So... you think we'll fail, right? Then we'll prove it to you. I believe that before long, you'll hear good news from the Land of Rain. When that happens, once we've done it, you'll understand that you can't look at the essence of things like this... I admit there are plenty of scum in this world, but there are plenty of good people too."

"I said it already. Whether someone's good or bad depends on who they're dealing with..."

Tsuki added.

"Anyway, we'll prove it to you. When we meet again, you can't still have that kind of mindset. How about it?"

"This is a promise between the two of us."

Sousuke said it with a grave expression.

He was deeply concerned about Tsuki's mental state.

"Fine."

Tsuki answered.

Sure enough, with Akatsuki's current momentum and the members' state of mind, no matter how much he said, it was useless.

The Sousuke before him was a perfect example.