"Even you're no match for him?"
Yahiko's expression shifted as he processed Nagato's words. Among the three of them, Nagato was unquestionably the strongest. For him to admit that he could only suppress Uchiha Yoruki temporarily with the Rinnegan spoke volumes about their opponent's power.
Nagato frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly. "He's incredibly fast," he said, his voice low and measured. "If it weren't for the Rinnegan, I wouldn't have been able to keep up with his movements."
He glanced at Yahiko and Konan, his gaze steady but tinged with concern. "Even though I managed to suppress his Mangekyō Sharingan this time, it was only because he didn't know about the Rinnegan. If we face him again, and he's prepared, the same strategy won't work."
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air.
Yahiko sighed deeply, running a hand through his orange hair. "Our strength… it's still not enough," he admitted. Though their abilities were remarkable for their age, it was clear they weren't yet ready to challenge ninja of that caliber in direct combat.
Konan, standing beside Yahiko, frowned as she studied her two companions. "This mission was far too risky," she said, her voice carrying a note of reprimand. "You know as well as I do that Hanzo won't be grateful for what you've done. Instead, he'll see us as a threat and try to eliminate us."
Yahiko met her gaze, his expression calm but resolute. "If we hadn't intervened," he said, "the Land of Rain would've been dragged into a full-scale war. Our people would've been caught in the crossfire. I couldn't let that happen."
Konan fell silent, though her lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval. She understood Yahiko's motivations, but that didn't make his decisions any less dangerous.
"Even so," she said after a moment, her tone softening, "from what I've seen today, Brother Minato isn't as ruthless as the rumors claim."
For those unfamiliar with Minato Namikaze, the tales of the Yellow Flash of Konoha painted a fearsome picture: a merciless killer whose speed left no survivors. Yet, the man they had met today didn't fit that image.
Yahiko nodded slowly, acknowledging her point.
"Then why not ally with Konoha?" Konan pressed. "Don't you trust Jiraiya-sensei? He's the one who taught us how to survive in this world. He treated us like family."
Yahiko's jaw tightened, and his voice rose slightly as he replied. "Of course, I trust Jiraiya-sensei!" he said, his frustration evident. "But neither he nor Minato represents Konoha's leadership. To the Land of Rain, they're still outsiders. Enemies."
His gaze hardened, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes. "No matter what kind of man Hanzo is, he's been the leader of Amegakure for decades. He's protected this land, however imperfectly. I can't betray him to side with foreign forces."
Konan and Nagato exchanged glances, their expressions heavy with conflict.
Yahiko continued, his voice firm. "If we want to change the Land of Rain, we can't rely on outsiders to do it for us. We need to surpass Hanzo's power and take control of our own destiny."
The weight of his words settled over the group. Konan let out a quiet sigh, her frustration giving way to resignation. "Easier said than done," she murmured. "Hanzo was once one of the strongest shinobi in the world. Only Minato has managed to overshadow him in recent years."
Yahiko's gaze shifted to Nagato, his expression softening. "We might not have the power to challenge him yet," he said, "but Nagato does."
Nagato looked up, startled by the confidence in Yahiko's voice.
"Jiraiya-sensei once told us that the Rinnegan could bring about great change in the ninja world," Yahiko said. "That change could lead to peace—or destruction. Nagato, your power is the key."
Nagato remained silent, his thoughts swirling.
Konan's eyes softened as she turned to Yahiko. "I just don't want to see you two in danger again," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"I know," Yahiko replied gently. He placed a reassuring hand on Nagato's shoulder, his smile warm despite the gravity of their situation.
"Nagato," he said, "you're the hope that can bring peace to this world. You need to have your own ideas, your own dreams—not just follow mine."
Nagato blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Yahiko's words.
"But," Yahiko added with a chuckle, "I'm glad your dream aligns with mine. Let me be the bridge to peace—the one who shows you the way."
Nagato's expression softened, and he nodded. "What's our next move?" he asked.
Yahiko's gaze grew thoughtful. "For now, we focus on protecting the Land of Rain from further devastation," he said. "We can't directly oppose Konoha again, not yet. But I believe Hanzo understands the situation now."
Konan frowned. "Do you think Hanzo will change his approach?"
Yahiko's lips curled into a faint smile. "He may not trust us, but he'll see the Triple Alliance for what it is: a temporary coalition with no future. It won't hold together for long."
In a forest to the east of the Cliff Valley, Minato, Jiraiya, and Uchiha Yoruki appeared amidst the shadows of towering trees. Around them, more than two thousand Konoha shinobi lay in wait, hidden among the foliage.
Hyuga Tenki approached, his Byakugan scanning the surroundings. "What happened?" he asked, his tone urgent.
"I'll explain later," Minato said calmly. His focus shifted to Yoruki, whose suppressed Mangekyō Sharingan still concerned him.
Yoruki, however, was not interested in waiting. "What the deal with that guy before?" he demanded, his voice sharp. "You two obviously know something about him."
Minato exchanged a glance with Jiraiya before turning back to Yoruki. "There are things I can't explain right now," he said. "For now, let's regroup."
Yoruki's jaw tightened, but he didn't press further.
Kato Dan, who stood nearby, looked surprised. "We're retreating?" he asked.
"Yes," Minato replied. "Something unexpected happened."
Under Minato and Jiraiya's orders, the Konoha forces began to withdraw, moving deeper into the forest. Yoruki led the front, while Minato and Jiraiya stayed at the rear, maintaining a slight distance from the main group.
As they walked, Minato turned to his teacher. "Those students of yours," he said with a small smile, "they're no ordinary kids. They've managed to force us to retreat—."
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