Just as Aotu Tailuo had predicted, events unfolded with ruthless precision. In less than a week, Konoha massed a massive force—ten thousand strong—at the Fire-Rain border. At their head was none other than Danzo Shimura, the same man who’d once come to talk "cooperation." The sky over Amegakure felt smothered by dark clouds, and the village’s ongoing economic crisis now seemed like a mere prelude to disaster.
Panic, despair, and defeatism swept through the streets of Amegakure. Calls for surrender grew louder by the day. The war hadn’t even begun, and morale had already collapsed.
Yahiko wanted to rally the village, to organize a resistance. But the moment he tried to bring his plan to Akatsuki’s leadership, he realized things were far worse than he’d imagined.
There was a surrender faction within Akatsuki.
And they weren’t small.
At their head was Kijima, an elder Yahiko had always trusted.
Looking around, Yahiko realized—with a sinking heart—that aside from Nagato, Konan, Aotu Tailuo, and Daibutsu, he had no allies left. The resistance was all but gone.
How the hell was he supposed to fight back now?
"Yahiko, it’s not that we don’t want to resist," said Kijima, his tone heavy with false sincerity. "But fighting now is meaningless."
"Konoha’s power is overwhelming. We’re too weak. Think about it—even with Akatsuki’s elite, we couldn’t break through Sunagakure’s puppet defenses. How can we possibly stand against Konoha? Our treasury’s empty after the last hit; we can barely keep the lights on, let alone fund a war. Why not—"
"Why not grovel and become Konoha’s lapdogs?" Aotu Tailuo cut in coldly.
Kijima flushed, anger and embarrassment twisting his face. "Watch your tone! Who do you think you are? How dare you—"
"Dare I what? Isn’t that exactly what you mean? And you have the nerve to talk about Amegakure’s finances? Didn’t you, the so-called Akatsuki elder, squander what little we had left? Now that you’ve run out of money, you want to sell the land too? Anyone would think you’re on Konoha’s payroll!"
Kijima was left sputtering, then resorted to his usual theatrics—wailing, pounding his chest, and cursing up a storm.
"Heaven strike me down if I’ve taken so much as a penny from Konoha! May sores grow on my head and pus drip from my feet—"
"I’m just thinking of Akatsuki! Konoha’s army is five times our size. Resistance is suicide. Everything we’ve built will be destroyed..."
"Back when Hanzo the Salamander was called a demigod, what happened? He still lost to Konoha and chose to submit..."
"I’m not saying we should surrender outright. We could play along, bide our time, and see what happens..."
His cronies chimed in, pressing Yahiko to give up resistance and seek peace.
Yahiko’s face was iron. Rage burned in his chest, threatening to burst out.
What infuriated him wasn’t just their shamelessness—it was the realization that Kijima’s faction had grown strong enough to sway Akatsuki’s decisions. During that year he spent working in Sunagakure, Kijima had clearly been busy building his own power base. Nagato had warned him during the iron ore crisis: Uncle Kijima isn’t the man he used to be. He’d brushed it off then—now, the truth was obvious.
This was a power grab.
With a bang, Yahiko slammed his fist on the table and stood. The room fell silent.
He swept a cold gaze across the room, teeth gritted. "Ten years of revolution. Countless comrades gave their lives for this village. And now you want me to hand it all over without a fight? How can you face the martyrs who died for us?"
Kijima and his followers glanced at each other, silent. Most of Akatsuki’s original revolutionaries were gone. The room was full of "second-generation" Akatsuki—those who’d joined after the group seized power. As the founder, when Yahiko invoked the sacrifices of the past, no one dared challenge him.
"If you want to surrender, go ahead. But take off your red cloud cloaks before you leave. Akatsuki doesn’t bend the knee. We’ll never compromise with invaders! Nagato! Tailuo! Gather the ninja. Prepare for war!"
Just then, an Akatsuki member burst in. "Leader! Konoha sent a letter—they want to negotiate tomorrow!"
Yahiko took the letter, tore open the envelope, and read.
"Ten thousand troops at our doorstep, and they want to negotiate?" He frowned, handing the letter to Nagato.
The message was short and quickly passed around.
"If Danzo wants to talk, I’ll go see what game he’s playing," Yahiko said.
"No way!" Aotu Tailuo objected. "You’re not just Amegakure’s commander, you’re everyone’s backbone. If anything happens to you—"
"I disagree," Kijima interjected. "We should at least hear Konoha out. Maybe it’s like last time and they just want garrison rights. That’s not impossible to negotiate."
"Ridiculous! They’ve got an army at our gates and you’re still dreaming!"
"What would a Sunagakure defector know! Until peace is truly lost, we should never abandon hope. Until the last moment, we shouldn’t speak of sacrifice. Do you want to see Amegakure wiped out before you’re satisfied?"
"Enough! Stop arguing!" Yahiko barked.
"Elder Kijima is right about one thing—we should at least hear what Konoha has to say."
"Yahiko! Even if we must go, you shouldn’t go yourself. It’s too dangerous. Let me go in your place," said Nagato.
"No. The letter specifically names me. If anyone else goes, it’ll look like we’re not sincere," Kijima pointed out.
"Fine, I’ll go. The talks are in the valley outside Amegakure. I know the place. There won’t be any problems."
"Yahiko, let me go with you," Aotu Tailuo offered.
"No—you stay and take charge of the troops. Nagato, you’re coming with me," said Yahiko.
"Right. Two people can watch each other’s backs," Kijima nodded.
Suddenly, Yahiko fixed his eyes on Kijima.
"Elder Kijima, you’re coming too."
"Me? Why? I don’t even know any ninjutsu..."
"But you’re good at negotiations. Didn’t you handle the talks with Iwagakure last time? You did great. Don’t argue—it’s settled."
Yahiko’s word was final.
Kijima could only force a bitter smile.
The story isn’t over...
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