In truth, Akatsuki's mission couldn't be called completely successful. Their primary objective was to implant chakra rods into the Hyuga clan, and secondarily to retrieve the eyes.
Though the eyes didn't originally belong to Toneri, after years of his use, they had developed beyond normal Byakugan limits. Leaving them with anyone for too long could have caused unforeseen complications. Unfortunately, Nagato hadn't checked the calendar and didn't anticipate that Hinata's cousin, Neji, was absent from Konoha, making this mission partially pointless.
Well… not entirely pointless. Officially, the chakra rods were implanted. Privately, Obito had retrieved the Sharingan that Danzo had taken after Kakashi's self-injury years ago, as well as the Byakugan stolen from Zabuza long ago.
Overall, it was reasonably satisfactory.
But…
"Nagato… I've thought it through. I don't want the eyes. If they weren't meant for me, they never were. I've already seen what I wanted to see. Whether I have sight now or not… it doesn't matter."
The only pair of Byakugan brought back belonged to Hanabi Hyuga. According to Toneri, only a branch family Byakugan could reach the purity he needed. While Nagato might not notice much difference, Hanabi's purity should suffice. As for her older brother—well, even if she had rejected Toneri, he still liked her. Nagato, even if a bit slow, would never have thought to take her eyes for Toneri. Fortunately, he was far from slow.
Nagato sighed softly and sat beside the boy, speaking with calm reassurance.
"No one will take them from you this time."
Toneri tilted his head, furrowing his brows briefly before relaxing them.
"Even if no one takes them, I don't want them. I've realized something: the more you desire, the more you lose. When I was little, I wanted my mother, but she wasn't there. Then I lost my father too. Later, I wanted the eyes—but now I have neither the eyes nor chakra. It was my fault; I promised my sister I'd return them after a while, but I didn't want to. That's why this happened. This time… it's like returning everything at once. I owe them nothing now, and I don't want anything anymore."
If we talk about debts… who really owes whom?
"Are you sure?"
Toneri nodded. "Yeah, of course. Enough about that. Nagato… my body's fine now. No more pain. I heard there are five great nations down there: Wind, Fire, Earth… um, Fire is supposedly always spring, Wind is full of deserts. I've been to Fire already, but I want to see Wind. I've never seen a desert!"
The boy's spirit was uncontainable. Even after suffering such loss not long ago, he was already thinking of adventure. But it made sense—living on the moon for years, even the simplest things on Earth were novelties to him.
"Not learned your lesson yet?"
Nagato teased, pressing a hand to Toneri's forehead. The boy pouted and covered his head.
"You can't miss a desert just for a flower, Nagato."
Little brat, Nagato thought, smiling.
"Fine. In a few days, Obito will take you there."
"Eh? No! Obito runs fast, but I can't see anything. I want to go myself."
"The desert winds are strong. Even locals could get lost alone. How can I let you go by yourself?"
"Ah, Nagato… I'm not a child. I'm independent. Besides, I walk wherever fate takes me. Listening to the scenery is what matters."
The boy pleaded. Nagato chuckled, unmoved.
"No."
Toneri tried another tactic, pouting and suggesting, "Then let me go on a mission with Deidara and the others. I promise I won't cause trouble."
Absolutely not. Akatsuki's missions weren't simple errands. Toneri had no concept of good or evil. Even if Nagato didn't mind his skewed morals, he couldn't let them be twisted further. One misstep could be catastrophic.
"Alright, we'll postpone Land of Wind for now. You've healed, but you still need rest. Once things settle, I'll take you there."
"Really?"
The boy's face lit up. Nagato nodded.
"Really. Go have fun."
"Oh!"
Toneri ran to the door, then remembered something. Leaning on the frame, he asked, "Nagato… can you make sure they don't follow me? They don't speak to me, and it feels… weird."
Konan's ANBU squad was probably assigned to watch him, just in case he got into trouble in the village. Given Toneri's position, it made sense.
"I can't help with that. Talk to Konan. If she agrees, they'll leave you be."
Toneri scratched his head and grinned.
"Okay, I'll ask her."
…
On the third day back in Amegakure, Haruno Sakura donned the Akatsuki cloak. She officially joined the organization, taking the empty slot position.
Nagato was extremely displeased. The reason was simple: Sakura was too weak. Her presence lowered the organization's overall capability. Aside from medical skills, she was nearly irrelevant.
But when first approached, he had already told her: staying here meant joining Akatsuki wasn't forbidden. He had assumed she would never take the offer—now, he'd walked into his own trap.
Nagato struggled: there were ten members in total, each with a ring. The empty ring was with the rogue Orochimaru. Sakura, understanding immediately, sent a letter and experimental report through a summoning creature. In under two days, the ring arrived.
Nagato muttered an internal curse.
Even so, he tried one last measure. If more than half of the organization agreed, she could join.
Nagato thought this mission would be Sakura's personal showcase. She was the medical ninja responsible for treating Toneri and Itachi—killing her could have been disastrous.
But Nagato miscalculated the ending.
Everyone knew she was a medical ninja—but no one knew about her superhuman strength.
One punch shattered the coastal battlefield. The sand split, waves roared, and a hundred-meter radius became a wasteland.
The watching Akatsuki members wanted to curse in unison.
Nagato's heart skipped beats in fear. Good thing this is the coast… not the rooftop. If it had been anywhere else, the building would have been destroyed.
Nagato glanced at the stunned Itachi.
This girl… she's something else.
...
The complete fanfic (Chapter 261) is already available on P@treon(.)com/Crimson_Lore