As he continued to sustain the [Fire Release: Chakra Mode], white flakes of dead skin began to peel away from his body.
Shimizu tore off large strips casually.
Calluses formed from previous rigorous training were shed, revealing skin that was smooth once again, yet full of resilience.
On the surface of the lake, countless tiny bubbles and concentric ripples emerged from a specific spot.
Occasionally, passersby would cast curious glances, wondering if an alligator or some other creature was lurking below. No one imagined that a ninja was cultivating at the bottom of the lake.
In a dilapidated cluster of buildings, the broken walls and roofs looked particularly desolate.
The heavy rain poured through the gaps in the roof without obstruction, the sound of water splashing against the ground seeming exceptionally harsh in the quiet environment.
The area was filled with makeshift beds. Ninjas covered in wounds lay upon them, their faces twisted in pain. Weak groans drifted through the air from time to time, breaking the silence within the base.
"He didn't agree. He said the Akatsuki Organization needs to offer something that catches his eye. But as for what meets his standards, Shimizu Uchiha didn't say."
"It's fine. Don't force him. That he was willing to treat you and me once is already a great kindness."
Yahiko waved his hand, signaling Nagato not to worry about it.
"But your body... Yahiko!"
Looking at Yahiko, who was sitting by the bed with a pale face, Konan felt a surge of urgency, her brows furrowing tightly.
The environment in the Land of Rain was not good. Chakra is a mixture of physical energy and spiritual energy; the more potent the chakra, the more it signifies a person's health.
Yahiko was currently having trouble even molding chakra. His heavy injuries remained unhealed, and in such an environment, his body would only deteriorate further, making him prone to high fevers and serious illness.
"Konan, I know my own body. What we need to do right now is find a new base. We have to leave here today and move to a hidden location."
Yahiko squeezed out a sunny smile.
But in Konan's eyes, the more he smiled, the more her heart ached.
'If it's just my hand...'
Konan murmured in her heart.
'As long as Shimizu isn't too excessive, if he limits it to just my hands...'
For Yahiko, she was willing to pay the price.
Memories of the years she and Yahiko spent relying on each other for survival flashed before her eyes. She felt as if she were seeing that innocent orange-haired boy once again.
"I'll go talk to him."
After saying this, Konan ignored the heavy rain outside and rushed straight out, even manifesting paper wings with her Paper Ninjutsu to speed up her journey.
"Konan!"
Yahiko tried to grab her, but his weak body swayed unsteadily.
Nagato, quick of eye and hand, supported Yahiko.
"Let Konan go. In your current condition, we are all very worried. You are our pillar, the leader of the Akatsuki. You cannot fall."
Nagato sighed.
His mood had also hit rock bottom.
Hanzo of the Salamander would likely send people to search this area today. One day's head start was already pushing it.
The comrades who hadn't arrived yet would likely never make it back.
There was no need for them to continue risking their lives by staying here.
"Very well."
Yahiko looked at his companions, who were covered in cuts and bruises, and found himself speechless.
"I'll make preparations."
Nagato helped Yahiko to the bedside and began packing the few useful items they had.
Hiss...
By the time Konan returned, they should be just about done packing, ready to transfer bases together.
A figure walked out from the edge of the freezing lake.
His entire body was fiery red, emitting white steam. As he walked, his originally sodden robes and hair became dry again.
Shimizu adjusted the [Fire Release: Chakra Mode] to its lowest power output.
The fiery red color on his body surface dimmed, leaving only faint specks of orange light on his skin.
He had finished his training for the day.
Just as he was about to reach his home, he spotted a beautiful silhouette with blue hair.
She was soaked through. A flower made of paper adorned her hair; despite the pouring rain, the paper flower remained drenched but intact.
Miraculously, the flower stayed fixed in her hair without deviating a millimeter, nor did its shape lose its form.
"Miss Konan, your Akatsuki Organization really clings like a stubborn rash."
Shimizu shook his head.
Hearing Shimizu's dismissive attitude and his insult, Konan's pretty face frosted over.
Finally, she took a deep breath and said in a flat tone:
"We can talk again."
"Fine, let's talk then. Otherwise, who knows if there will be a third or a fourth visit, disturbing my peace."
Click.
Shimizu unlocked and opened the door.
The [Fire Release: Chakra Mode] deactivated at that moment.
Konan's eyes flickered slightly; she realized only then that there wasn't a single wet spot on Shimizu.
'What kind of jutsu is that?'
She was astonished internally. It was her first time seeing such a mysterious technique.
She grew wary of Shimizu Uchiha. A character like this was not someone easy to deal with.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly."
Shimizu sat casually on the sofa in front of the low table.
Konan sat on her knees on the tatami, pursing her lips.
Last time, the demeanor Shimizu had shown her was clearly one of lust between a man and a woman.
She had rejected him, yet now she was rushing back to him; she suddenly felt very cheap.
Konan's cheeks burned slightly.
She had never demeaned herself like this before—throwing herself at someone who had given her the cold shoulder.
But thinking of the injuries of her beloved Yahiko, and Nagato's legs, Konan gritted her teeth and said:
"I hope you can... continue to treat Nagato and Yahiko."
"Is that so? And what is the payment? What treasure have you brought back from the Akatsuki Organization?"
Shimizu asked playfully.
The current situation of the Akatsuki was not good.
Compared to the original story where only Nagato and Konan remained, the current organization was burdened with a pile of dead weight, making them hesitate in their dealings with the Rain Ninja.
Nagato, becoming increasingly paranoid and influenced by Obito, would sooner or later come into conflict with the kind-hearted Yahiko.
One no longer believed in peace, while the other continued to believe—this was a clash of ideologies.
They were once fellow travelers, but whether they would walk the same path in the future was unknown.
Beset by internal trouble and outside aggression, the Akatsuki was teetering on the edge of collapse.
Konan lowered her head.
She blamed herself too much and didn't want to see expressions of pain on Nagato and Yahiko's faces, so she had come to find Shimizu Uchiha.
But that price...
"Miss Konan, you still seem indecisive. Here, have some tea."
Shimizu brewed a cup of tea and placed it into Konan's hand.
"Careful, it's hot."
Shimizu placed one hand under the base of the teacup in Konan's palm.
He placed his other hand on the back of hers, posturing as if to help her steady the cup.
"Thank you."
Konan's body trembled. Suppressing her disgust, she thanked him coldly.
Shimizu's fingertips caressed the back of Konan's hand, lightly pinching the smooth skin.
It felt cool and refreshing.
Inside her ninja sandals, Konan's pink, round toes curled tightly involuntarily; she was suffering internally.
Time seemed to stretch.
Konan felt that a single second now was harder to endure than an hour in the past.
Just as Shimizu was about to extend his touch from the back of her hand up her arm, Konan gently withdrew her hand.
"So about our business..."
Konan raised her eyes, looking at him with expectation.
At the same time, she subtly wiped the spot Shimizu had touched.
Unexpectedly, Shimizu poured a bucket of cold water over the conversation, speaking indifferently:
"Our business? Does Miss Konan think that just by touching hands, the transaction is complete? Is your hand inlaid with gold or diamonds?"
Seeing Shimizu's sudden change in attitude, Konan was stunned.
She indeed had held onto a fluke of hope.
She thought that paying such a price would be enough to get Shimizu to act, which was why she had forced herself not to pull her hand away immediately.
But this attitude was simply too excessive.
"My eyes aren't blind. The way Miss Konan wiped her hand really hurts my feelings. If you find me dirty, just say so. After all, a person as dirty as me shouldn't be performing surgery."
"No... that's not what I meant, I was just..."
Konan hurriedly tried to explain.
Wiping her hand had just been an instinct.
She had been careful enough; just how good was Shimizu Uchiha's vision? He clearly wasn't using the Sharingan.
"Let's leave it at that. Inside this is medical supplies; it's enough for you to perform some treatments. Having offended the Hidden Rain, it must be hard for you to find these supplies. I even saw your bounty posters this morning."
Shimizu tossed a scroll toward her, then issued an order for her to leave.
"We..."
"There's nothing more to say. Didn't Miss Konan pulling her hand away show the best attitude? Your sincerity isn't enough."
Shimizu waved his left hand, and Wind Release formed a gust that pushed the door open.
Konan was lifted by a gentle wind and blown outside.
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
Konan stared blankly at the scroll in her hand.
Looking at the back of her hand that she had just wiped, a wave of regret washed over her heart.
If she hadn't subconsciously wiped her hand, would Shimizu not have felt offended?
Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world.
The base was at risk at any moment.
She couldn't delay here at Shimizu's place for too long.
Konan came from the heavy rain, and hurriedly returned into the heavy rain.
Amidst a field of ruins, a small crevice remained.
If one were to walk inside, they would discover a space beneath the rubble.
It could barely accommodate about a hundred people.
This was the Akatsuki Organization's new base.
Not long after Konan returned, Nagato led everyone to transfer to this location.
During the journey, many companions couldn't withstand the strain of the travel.
Their conditions worsened.
"Yahiko, do you have a fever?"
Konan saw Yahiko at the new base; his face was flushed, and his eyes were dull. She hurriedly used her hand to check the temperature of his forehead.
Hot!
Konan's eyes narrowed; Yahiko had a fever!
"We don't have enough medical supplies now."
Nagato's body had become increasingly gaunt.
Ever since the battle with Hanzo of the Salamander, he hadn't used the Outer Path power of the Rinnegan again.
It was the anxiety under high pressure that was causing Nagato's body to waste away.
"I have some here."
Konan took out the Sealing Scroll Shimizu had given her, retrieved the medicine inside, and began administering fever reducers to Yahiko.
Nagato showed a look of joy. Seeing Konan return with a worried face, he had assumed the negotiation failed.
Without saying a word, he had urged Konan to quickly move with the group.
They had nearly encountered a Rain Ninja ambush on the way and needed to stay alert, so he hadn't asked Konan about the specific details.
Nagato took the Sealing Scroll from Konan and began using the bandages inside to change the dressings for the other companions.
Their previous bandages had become filthy; without timely treatment, infection was likely.
After finishing the work, Nagato looked at the lifeless base and fell into deep thought.
Public opinion outside was starting to brand them as traitors to the Hidden Rain, slandering them with treason.
Hanzo's troops were also constantly hunting them.
They couldn't hold out for long; they had to trade for supplies with the outside world.
But in this situation, Nagato didn't dare leave Yahiko.
He was afraid that if he left, an accident might happen, and he would truly lose Yahiko.
"Konan, since Shimizu Uchiha gave you medical supplies, perhaps his impression of you isn't bad. You could talk to him again. Even if he won't treat us, exchanging for some supplies would still be good."
Seeing Konan settle Yahiko down, Nagato stepped forward and spoke.
"I... go again?"
Konan looked troubled.
Her negotiation with Shimizu could hardly be called successful.
"Is there a problem?"
Nagato was puzzled.
That Konan could get a batch of supplies from Shimizu suggested the communication went quite smoothly.
Otherwise, why would he give Konan these things for no reason?
Was he so rich he had nowhere else to spend money?
"No, it's just that I don't really want to see him."
In the end, Konan didn't say what price she had actually paid to get these supplies.
If Yahiko and Nagato knew, they would surely be furious and go find Shimizu Uchiha.
The situation was already critical; if that happened, it might lead to even worse consequences.
"Don't want to see him?"
Nagato looked at Konan as if meeting her for the first time.
Just because she didn't want to see a person, she would disregard so many companions?
"Konan, maybe Yahiko's condition will improve soon, and there will always be a way for his chakra pathway system later. But right now, many companions... they can't hold on much longer."
Nagato pointed to the dimly lit base, where companions were conversing in hushed tones.
Overnight, they had gone from great joy to great sorrow.
Countless familiar comrades who were joking and laughing yesterday were now separated by life and death.
Not only that, but they had also fallen from being messengers of peace to figures everyone wanted to beat.
The twists and turns in this were not something everyone could bear; everyone's stress tolerance was different.
Hearing this, Konan looked at the new base.
Its only advantage was concealment.
Everything else was a disadvantage.
The rotting, aging architecture felt as if it could collapse at any moment.
Konan looked at the companions who had lost arms or legs. Even though the rain outside washed over the earth, it couldn't wash away the despair and depression filling their faces here.
No matter how injured the three leaders were, they weren't missing limbs; they could still survive as ninjas.
For the others, even continuing to be a ninja was a luxury.
If they couldn't be ninjas, ordinary people in the Land of Rain were existences easily oppressed by ninjas.
If they didn't have money to hire ninjas as bodyguards, they would likely die in the crossfire of some conflict between shinobis.
"I..."
Konan's mouth was filled with bitterness, a suffering she couldn't voice.
"Never mind."
Nagato left Konan's side, going out to see if there were any food sources nearby.
Konan sighed and found a corner where she could watch Yahiko rest.
She silently watched Yahiko, whose face was red and whose forehead was beaded with fine sweat.
Several days later.
"Another letter sent."
Shimizu looked at the letter in his hand.
The return address he had used this time was his current location.
The Orphanage had also sent it here.
It was express mail; it reached Shimizu's hands in no time.
"This time, it's twenty thousand Ryo."
Shimizu put in the banknotes.
The intervals between the times Nono Yakushi sought him out were getting shorter.
Yet the funds he aided with were getting smaller.
Presumably, Nono Yakushi now wore a constantly anxious expression, worried about money.
"The time for harvest isn't far off."
The corners of Shimizu's mouth curled into a smile as he found a courier ninja to deliver the letters.
"What Lord Hanzo? He's just a villain Hanzo!"
Nagato cursed in rage, his sickly pale face turning flushed.
During this period, rumors about them continued to spread from the outside, throwing mud at them and twisting their actions.
Some companions were even beginning to doubt whether the ideal they persisted in was the correct path.
Konan didn't speak.
Seeing Nagato losing his composure, Konan glanced at Yahiko.
Yahiko's condition was severe; fever reducers were having no effect.
It seemed the high fever had aggravated the injuries on his body, causing a chain reaction.
"What exactly should we do?"
"Sob... I lost my leg, I can never be a ninja again. The Akatsuki won't keep a cripple like me, will they?"
"Is what Lord Hanzo... said necessarily wrong? Did we go astray from the very beginning?"
The sounds of self-pity and resentment from the companions rang out continuously.
Since joining the Akatsuki, they had never been this desperate.
With the formidable strength of Nagato and the other two, they usually settled everything quickly.
However, this time the opponent was Hanzo of the Salamander. Legends of him circulated among the people, privately referring to him as a Demigod of the Ninja World.
Even Konoha's legendary Sannin were no match for him!
"Everyone, don't be like this! The philosophy of peace our Akatsuki wants to protect cannot be wrong. These are just petty tricks played by Hanzo!"
Where some grew more doubtful, naturally, others grew more determined.
Kyūsuke leaned against a wall sprouting weeds.
His black robe looked somewhat loose on him. One sleeve swayed gently with the wind, revealing the emptiness inside. "Please have a little more confidence. Nagato, no matter what the outside world says, I will stick to the ideal, and so will everyone else."
"Nagato, we will get through this."
Konan also comforted Nagato.
Nagato had been getting increasingly paranoid lately.
Muttering every day about pain, about peace.
And with Yahiko burning up with a high fever and unconscious, unable to advise Nagato.
Nagato's red hair plastered to his gaunt face, looking somewhat greasy.
Without a word, he walked out of the base to the outside.
Standing atop the ruins, he gazed alone at the sky.
"Nagato."
A sudden voice made Nagato instantly drop into a combat stance, looking warily at the source of the sound.
"You are..."
"I told you last time, reality is about to undergo a drastic change. Leave Yahiko and the others right now and act with me."
Draped in a black robe and encased in a layer of 'Tobi's' swirling body, Obito revealed his single eye, staring at Nagato.
"After this incident, you should be able to understand more and more that what Yahiko speaks of is nothing but an ideal. So what if you understand other people's pain? Others won't care about your pain, and this world doesn't expect such things to happen."
Obito walked forward slowly. "This is reality. I told you these words the day before you set out!"
"Could it be you already..."
"This is merely an inevitable result. It is the result the world expects—expecting your pain. The world is fake; it will only bring pain to everyone."
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