It took a long time before the three figures sprawled on the ground could finally struggle back to their feet.
Yahiko and Konan supported Nagato from either side, silently escorting him back to their residence. The road was quiet, broken only by the sound of footsteps dragging through dust.
"Nagato…" Konan glanced at him, worry filling her eyes. She opened her mouth, then hesitated, ultimately casting a pleading look toward Yahiko, hoping he would be the one to speak.
Yahiko pretended not to notice. He bent over a half-open pack, hands moving nonstop as he stuffed in supplies, muttering as he worked,
"Hey, don't just stand there! This isn't the time to slack off! We're all injured, not just you!"
"Hurry up and pack. We're leaving immediately."
Nagato stared at the floor, his voice hoarse and hollow.
"Leaving… where?"
Without the Rinnegan, it felt as though the axis of his world had collapsed. Even speaking seemed to drain what little strength remained.
"To the Sacrificial Shop," Yahiko said, stopping at last. His tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
"I heard from an Amegakure ninja that they sell all kinds of unbelievable things there."
He turned, eyes burning with stubborn resolve.
"Maybe… we can find a way to help you see again."
Nagato's shoulders trembled.
"I've already lost those eyes," he said bitterly. "What's the point of saving me now?"
Yahiko's expression hardened in an instant.
"So that's it?" he snapped. "Your worth was only in those eyes?"
He stepped forward, anger flashing in his gaze.
"Then by that logic, what does that make Konan and me? Trash?"
"That's not what I meant!" Nagato looked up in panic, trying to explain.
"Nagato!" Yahiko raised his voice, every word striking like a hammer.
"Do you remember our dream?! We were going to bring this war-torn country back to life!"
"We were going to create a world without hatred—a world where people understand each other!"
He grabbed Konan's shoulder, conviction blazing in his eyes.
"What I've always needed was never the Rinnegan!"
"What I need—" his voice steadied, powerful and unwavering, "—is a companion who understands my dream, who's willing to stand beside me and fight for it!"
Pulling Konan with him, Yahiko stopped in front of Nagato and extended his hand solemnly.
"I, Yahiko, leader of the Akatsuki Organization," he declared,
"am recruiting companions who share this belief. Will you join me?"
Nagato's hand trembled as he reached out, gripping Yahiko's tightly. His throat constricted.
"I… I will."
Konan rushed forward, placing her hand over theirs, her voice shaking with emotion.
"We can do this. I know we can."
Yahiko laughed once, sharp and bright.
"Good! Then I declare the Akatsuki's new journey begins now!"
"Our first mission—pack everything and head for the Sacrificial Shop. We'll find a way for Nagato to regain his sight. Any objections?"
"No!" Nagato and Konan answered together.
"Then move out! We depart immediately!"
"Lord Madara," White Zetsu reported after resurfacing from the ground,
"those three brats are heading toward the Sacrificial Shop. They seem to be trying to restore the Uzumaki boy's eyes. Should we interfere?"
"No need," Madara replied coldly. "Our target is the Tailed Beasts."
"At this stage," Black Zetsu added carefully, "it would be unwise to reveal our intentions too early. If the Five Great Villages learn of the plan, they may hide the Jinchūriki in the Land of Whirlpools. That would complicate matters."
Madara stopped walking.
His gaze pierced Black Zetsu like a blade.
"You think I will lose?"
Black Zetsu's heart skipped.
"This subordinate only fears unnecessary complications," he said quickly. "The Sacrificial Shop's power is unknown. Even if it cannot harm you, it may delay the plan."
"Hmph." Madara sneered.
"There is no one left in this world worthy of my full strength."
"As for the Sacrificial Shop," his lips curled, "even if they have more of those pearls, it would only make things slightly more entertaining."
Black Zetsu's alarm deepened.
"They can create Longevity Pills and Fortune Pearls. Who's to say they can't create even more dangerous treasures? It would be safer to collect the other Tailed Beasts first."
Madara's eyes narrowed.
"Sometimes, I wonder whether you truly are the manifestation of my will."
Black Zetsu immediately fell silent, cold sweat soaking his back.
"…Very well," Madara said at last. "For the sake of the Longevity Pill, the Sacrificial Shop can wait."
"Lead the way. We hunt Ichibi first."
"Yes…" Black Zetsu answered through clenched teeth.
Deep in the desert, within a crumbling temple half-buried by sand, the elderly monk Bunpuku sat cross-legged before a dim Buddha statue, hands clasped in prayer.
Screams suddenly rang out beyond the temple walls.
Before the guards could react, a shadow flashed past like a ghost. A single cold glance—and they collapsed unconscious without even crying out.
"Are you the Ichibi Jinchūriki?" Madara asked calmly.
"There is only the monk Bunpuku here," the old man replied gently, opening his eyes,
"and Shukaku of the Sand. No Jinchūriki."
Madara's Sharingan turned, instantly seeing through him.
"Interesting. Living in harmony with a Tailed Beast… unexpected."
"All things in this world coexist," Bunpuku said serenely. "Why should humans be different?"
Madara chuckled.
"Pity. I'm not here for sermons."
He stared at the monk, killing intent flooding the air.
"For your mastery over a Tailed Beast, I grant you the right to leave a final will."
"This old monk has none," Bunpuku bowed. "But my heart is not yet at peace. I ask your understanding, benefactor."
Madara laughed loudly.
"An interesting monk. For that alone, I'll grant you a complete corpse."
Within Bunpuku's spiritual world, he sat before Shukaku.
"Do not harm the innocent," he said softly.
"Hehehe!" Shukaku twisted with glee. "Enough talk! This great me is finally stretching again!"
In the real world, sand surged violently. The temple collapsed as a colossal tanuki—tens of meters tall—emerged, purple markings writhing across its body.
"Hahaha! Your Lord Shukaku is free!"
It looked down at Madara, mimicking his tone arrogantly.
"For freeing me, I grant you the honor of leaving a last will!"
Madara answered with a sneer.
A cerulean Susanoo erupted into existence, expanding into a titan over two hundred meters tall, blotting out the sky.
Shukaku's grin froze.
"…Say that again," Madara said softly.
Moments later, Bunpuku lay unconscious as Madara turned away.
"Take him," he ordered.
Black Zetsu nodded.
"Only the Seven-Tails and Nine-Tails remain in the Villages."
"Then Takigakure first."
When the news reached Sunagakure, rage shook the desert.
Sasha stood amid collapsing dunes, chakra roaring outward. Since his exchanges at the Sacrificial Shop, his power had advanced by leaps and bounds—Magnet Release refined, Sage Mode within reach.
He had once suppressed Shukaku with ease.
Now the temple lay in ruins.
"These traces…" Sasha's eyes burned.
"Uchiha Madara."
"Organize search teams," he commanded coldly.
"I want him found—alive or dead."