"Uchiha Minato! Pleased to meet you!"
Ning Feng flashed a broad, harmless smile, but no matter how Konan, Nagato, and the others looked at it, they could not connect that smile with the fellow who had just dazzled everyone.
Konan hurriedly told Nagato and Yahiko about handing him a flyer earlier. Hearing this, the two looked at him with even greater admiration than before.
The enthusiastic Yahiko hurriedly said, "I thought all our persistence had been for nothing. I never imagined someone actually supported us!"
"That's right! Akatsuki has been working hard to grow, but there aren't many companions who share our beliefs, especially anyone as young as you, Uchiha Minato..."
"You're truly Akatsuki's savior!"
Nagato was equally enthusiastic. Seeing them like this, Konan burst into a happy giggle, the weight on her heart lifting completely.
Ning Feng gave Nagato and Yahiko a long look. In the original story, if Yahiko hadn't fallen victim to Hanzō and Danzo's joint plot, Akatsuki would never have gone astray.
Nagato and Yahiko, with such enthusiastic eyes and such hope for the future-this was who they truly were!
"There's no need for such praise. I just saw an injustice and stepped in to help!"
Ning Feng shrugged and was about to say more when Yahiko exchanged a look with Nagato and Konan. Only after receiving their approval did he say, "Uchiha Minato, would you be interested in joining Akatsuki?"
"Of course, we know you're a Ninja from Konoha and can't join another organization without becoming a rogue Ninja. But right now, Akatsuki is only a mercenary organization, so you should be able to join."
At this, not only Yahiko but also Konan and Nagato looked at him expectantly.
As though afraid Ning Feng would refuse, Nagato hurriedly added, "Uchiha Minato, if you have any reservations, we won't force you. Of course, if you join Akatsuki... you'll absolutely be one of our core members!"
"There are plenty of benefits, and you won't have to travel around lobbying the different nations like we do. You'd just hold a title or something. After all, you saved Akatsuki. We have to show our appreciation!"
Faced with such enthusiasm from Nagato, Yahiko, and the others, Ning Feng shrugged and could only nod.
For Ning Feng, who knew the plot of Naruto well, joining Akatsuki offered a great many benefits.
Besides, if he ever became a rogue Ninja, he would have somewhere to go.
"All right, fine!"
Ning Feng pretended to be very reluctant.
Sure enough, the moment he agreed, Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato all broke into delighted grins. Konan, in particular, pulled Ning Feng straight into her arms.
He had to admit that although Konan's chest was not as large as Kushina's or Uchiha Mikoto's, it had its own charm.
Ning Feng even deliberately took the opportunity to pull her neckline aside and peek inside...
"Little fellow, you can't just look there! If you do, you'll have to marry me!"
Naturally, Konan did not associate the seemingly harmless Ning Feng with a pervert. Blushing, she pushed his wandering hands away with a coquettish reproach.
Watching from beside them, Nagato and Yahiko could not have been more envious.
They had harbored feelings for Konan for a long time, but had never dared to confess.
"Then I'll marry you when I grow up, Konan! I'll bring you home as my wife!"
Ning Feng feigned innocence and naivety, making Konan shake with laughter, her face full of bashful delight.
It was the first time Nagato and Yahiko had seen Konan like this, and for a moment, both could not help staring in a daze.
"Ahem, ahem!"
Fortunately, a few other Akatsuki members were nearby. One of them felt so awkward that he hurriedly cleared his throat.
Only then did everyone pretend nothing had happened and hurriedly scatter.
Soon, Konan signaled to Yahiko with her eyes. Yahiko composed himself and conjured an outfit from a Ninjutsu Scroll.
It was a black cloak embroidered with red clouds, Akatsuki's uniform, strikingly handsome.
Beside the outfit lay a blue-green ring, quietly bearing the character for "Void."
"This is our Akatsuki uniform. You can put it on whenever you need it, Uchiha Minato. The ring is also a symbol of Akatsuki."
"And this 'Void' represents your exceptional standing within Akatsuki. If you encounter Akatsuki members elsewhere, you can even use it to command and direct them!"
At this point, Yahiko took a deep breath. "But I have to say, what happened today also made us realize how important strength is. Without strength, there's no possibility of achieving true peace."
As he spoke, Yahiko took Nagato's hand and led him over to Ning Feng. "I've always believed that Nagato, who possesses the Rinnegan, will be the bridge that leads the Shinobi World toward peace. Uchiha Minato, if possible, I hope you'll help Nagato as much as you can."
"You can even take Nagato's Rinnegan if necessary. As long as Akatsuki's enduring will lives on, that's enough!"
Yahiko did not know why, but he kept feeling that Ning Feng was someone he could trust, so his words took on a sense of entrusting things to him.
"Don't worry!"
Ning Feng shrugged, pretending to agree.
Deep down, he greatly admired people like Yahiko who pursued their ideals.
"So, Nagato, Konan, if I'm ever gone, come to Konoha and find Uchiha Minato!" Yahiko looked at the two.
Both nodded firmly. Ning Feng's actions earlier had already won them over completely.
Neither of them was a fool.
A five-year-old was already this powerful. What about when more time had passed, when he was six, seven, or eight?!
In truth, Akatsuki was latching onto a powerful backer now, not to mention that Ning Feng was also a member of the Uchiha clan.
Over the following hours, Konan, Nagato, and the others treated Ning Feng with warm hospitality, letting him enjoy a thorough tour of Amegakure's beautiful sights.
But Konan, Nagato, and the others had absolutely no idea that what Ning Feng had done earlier had changed far more than just the course of their lives.
Only after finally bidding farewell to Nagato, Konan, and the others did Ning Feng have time to open his system messages.
Sure enough, he might have been fine if he had left them unopened, but once he opened them, the rewards inside left him frozen in astonishment, even though he had already prepared himself!
Before you continue