Yahiko listened to the increasingly irreverent remarks from below. Not a trace of anger appeared on his face; instead, he looked a little gratified. He knew they were saying these things deliberately, both to lighten the mood within the organization and to reassure him that he need not overthink things.
In fact, Yahiko had already made up his mind. If the two Great Shinobi Villages wanted to vent their anger on the Akatsuki, he, as the mastermind, would deliver himself to them, so that they might abandon or lessen their desire to hunt down the others.
At this thought, Yahiko said:
"Since that's settled, we'll do just that. Everyone, get some rest. We'll set out tomorrow and let everyone see what our Akatsuki can do."
Those below obligingly burst into cheers.
Just as Yahiko finished speaking, a ninja slipped away from the group and headed for the central building in Amegakure.
This man was one of Hanzō's subordinates. Taking advantage of the Akatsuki's rapid expansion, he had joined the organization to make it easier to monitor its every move and report back to Hanzō.
He was now kneeling on one knee before Hanzō, reporting everything Yahiko had done since returning to the base.
Hanzō now understood what Yahiko intended to do: sever ties with Amegakure, stop the war as an independent organization, and then use that organization to bear the wrath of the two Great Shinobi Villages.
Thinking of this, Hanzō rather admired Yahiko's drive. If Yahiko had been alone, Hanzō would have done his best to nurture him. But he was not alone; he even had his own organization, and that organization was growing stronger by the day.
This was something Hanzō found rather unacceptable. He could voluntarily hand over power, but he could not accept being forced to