Naruto: Reborn as Yagura Karatachi

Two days later.

Yahiko was finally able to get out of bed and began dealing with the aftermath of his own recklessness and naïveté.

Nagato took charge and summoned back all the scattered Akatsuki members throughout the Land of Rain. He needed to consolidate their forces and avoid being wiped out by rogue Rain ninja.

Meanwhile, Gidōmaru set out from their base, heading toward the area where the others had been traveling to, hoping to find any surviving Akatsuki members.

In a remote and eerie forest, he discovered signs of battle.

But Obito and White Zetsu had already removed all the bodies—for their own use. They didn't even leave a single corpse behind for the Akatsuki to bury.

The worst-case scenario had come true: other than Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, and the lucky survivor Gidōmaru, the rest of the Akatsuki stationed at their base were all dead.

It was the heaviest loss the Akatsuki had suffered since its founding.

Rain still poured relentlessly over the Land of Rain.

In a small graveyard, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, along with the Akatsuki members who had returned from their missions, erected tombstones for the fallen.

Cold rain drenched them as they stood in silence.

Jiraiya and Kakuzu stood behind them, one on each side.

Under Shōmetsu's treacherous ambush, Hanzo had been seriously wounded by Kakuzu. Danzo, realizing the risk, didn't dare make a move against Jiraiya—not with his power and identity.

Since then, Danzo and Hanzo's ninja hadn't dared provoke Akatsuki again.

The mood was somber, but everyone carried themselves with composure.

After all, what Yahiko and the others were experiencing now—Jiraiya and Kakuzu had both been through before.

The pain of loss… It was a cruel trial every shinobi had to face in this world.

Would they rise from it? Or drown in madness?

Just as Kato Dan and Nawaki had once shaped Tsunade's fate…

Jiraiya's thoughts drifted to the Uchiha who had appeared before Nagato.

That Uchiha had likely experienced the same kind of suffering.

Tsunade had chosen to abandon the world, while that Uchiha had chosen to forsake it entirely.

If Jiraiya hadn't arrived in time to save Nagato—hadn't held him back…

If Kakuzu hadn't miraculously pulled Yahiko back from the brink of death...

Nagato might've accepted that man's ideology by now.

If the Rinnegan's power were ever twisted toward evil, peace in the shinobi world would be in grave danger.

"Thank you, Kakuzu."

"Hm?"

Jiraiya spoke plainly, "As their teacher, I failed to protect them. So that thank you—it's both from them, and from me."

"No need."

Kakuzu glanced at Jiraiya's outstretched hand—empty as expected—and showed no interest.

"You, me—we're all just pawns."

Over the past two days, Jiraiya had already explained to Yahiko and Nagato how he'd managed to show up at the perfect time.

It wasn't luck.

It was thanks to Konan, who had sent word from far, far away.

Mentioning this made Jiraiya's expression tighten a little.

Actually... it wasn't just Konan. It was the one who orchestrated everything—Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage."

A Leaf shinobi, willingly acting as a pawn for a Mizukage.

Not exactly a topic Jiraiya was thrilled to talk about.

But unlike Jiraiya, Kakuzu wasn't from the Leaf. He hadn't been used.

Jiraiya had been roped in for free.

Kakuzu, on the other hand, had five hundred million ryo on the line. Even his mask couldn't hide the smirk curling up at the corners of his mouth.

...

Konan returned to the Akatsuki base later that afternoon. Her first visit was to Nagato and Jiraiya.

Yahiko had locked himself in his room, reflecting on what had happened. He answered her when she called, but he refused to come out.

After exchanging a few words with Nagato, Konan sighed. She understood how deeply this failure and its price had shaken Yahiko's ideals.

Jiraiya finally spoke. "Konan, Nagato... Let Yahiko have some time alone."

"Yes, sensei."

Konan turned to Nagato. "I want to go check on the others."

Nagato nodded. "Alright, I'll go with you."

The two of them quickly came to an agreement, then turned to seek permission from their elders. Nagato looked at Jiraiya. Konan, however, glanced toward Yagura.

Naturally, the one who had come with Konan wasn't Yagura's real body—just a Water clone.

Still, Yagura could feel Jiraiya's sharp gaze trailing his back, as if he were guarding against a man trying to steal his disciple.

From the moment Yagura stepped foot in the Akatsuki base, Jiraiya had kept a close eye on him.

Yagura was getting used to it. It was just a clone anyway—Jiraiya couldn't actually do anything.

He gave Konan a nod. "Go on. Your teacher and I have some private matters to discuss."

Konan bowed to him first, then turned and said goodbye to Jiraiya before leaving with Nagato and several Akatsuki members to the graveyard.

...

Outside Yahiko's room, only Yagura and Jiraiya remained.

They stepped a bit farther away, not wanting to disturb him.

Yagura shrugged. "The famous Jiraiya, huh? The way you're staring at me—I'm starting to get a little nervous. You can ease up, can't you? We're on the same side this time."

Though Jiraiya wandered the world writing books, just as the toads of Mount Myoboku had prophesied, he wasn't entirely detached from the major affairs of the shinobi nations.

He'd kept a close eye on recent changes in the Land of Fire and the shifts in public sentiment. Through those, he'd come to understand what kind of person Yagura was.

"So tell me," Jiraiya said flatly. "What exactly are you after this time?"

...

Like Yahiko and the others, Jiraiya's vision of peace leaned toward peace for Konoha.

"My goal?" Yagura raised an eyebrow. "I don't see how that's your concern. I'm not obligated to explain myself to a Leaf ninja."

Jiraiya pressed on. "You're after Nagato's Rinnegan too, aren't you?"

He was worried Nagato would be lured away by Kirigakure. Though it seemed unlikely given his heart remained with the Land of Rain, the possibility couldn't be ruled out—especially after what had happened with Konan.

That was something Jiraiya absolutely couldn't allow.

Yagura chuckled. Clearly, Jiraiya already knew. So why ask?

If the power of the Rinnegan couldn't be used for one's own purpose, then it had to be destroyed.

But of course, it'd be better to take it. And Yagura believed he had the advantage.

That's why he'd come to Amegakure. The man who had operated in the shadows had stepped into the light.

"Too?" Yagura shifted the focus of the conversation. "Oh? So you've met that Uchiha—the one calling himself Madara?"

?!

Jiraiya's attention was successfully diverted.

Even though he suspected Yagura's true intentions, his concern over that Uchiha took precedence.

"What do you know?"

"Not much."

Yagura was happy to share a little intel here.

"He came looking for trouble. I killed one of his most trusted henchmen."

"Our Kirigakure decoding unit pulled info from that guy's memory. That Uchiha—who calls himself Madara—wants to use the Rinnegan to gather all the Tailed Beasts and force the world under his rule."

Half-truths, half-lies.

Yagura was a master manipulator. He placed a hand over the seal on his stomach.

"You know, I'm a Jinchuriki myself."

"I see..."

Jiraiya believed him—he had to.

It was the only way to make sense of how a Mizukage from far-off Kirigakure could know that Uzumaki Nagato from Amegakure possessed the Rinnegan.

Nagato hadn't yet awakened the full power of the Rinnegan, nor had he used its ocular techniques publicly. The information had never leaked—not even Hanzo had known.

"You call that not knowing much?" Jiraiya muttered.

Yagura gave a modest smile. "Whether as a Jinchuriki or as the Mizukage, I won't stand by and let that Uchiha run wild."

"Agreed. Nagato can't fall to the dark side."

On that point, Jiraiya genuinely had to thank Yagura.

For now, he had saved his disciple—preventing the tragedy where none of his students survived.

For the future, Yagura might've saved Jiraiya's life. He wouldn't need to play the intelligence gatherer forever.

Having established a rough alliance, Yagura then calmly overturned it.

"That's why I came here," he said. "And now that they're safe, I'll be taking the Rinnegan for myself."

—!

Yagura turned toward Yahiko's room.

One second, they were chatting.

The next, the mask slipped and the knife came out.

Jiraiya immediately crouched. "Mizukage! I knew you wouldn't come without a reason!"

Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!

The floor beneath Yagura's feet turned to a mire, trapping him in place.

He couldn't move forward.

Yagura sighed and looked back. "You can't stop me, Jiraiya."

"You have no choice. No say."

"Maybe, as his teacher, you could try to do what I'm doing. But you're from Konoha."

"And what of it?!" Jiraiya snapped.

He wasn't about to give up on the Land of Rain just because it wasn't his homeland.

He refused to believe Konoha was weaker than Kirigakure.

If Yagura thought his village could do what Konoha couldn't—he was wrong.

"Have you forgotten how you even met those three kids? Why they became war orphans in the first place? Wasn't it because of the war waged by Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure?"

Those bitter words hit hard. Jiraiya clenched his jaw.

Yagura continued, "Alright, fine—let's set aside old history. There's another reason."

"You have Danzo Shimura in Konoha. I have me in the Mist."

Whoosh—

Just as Yagura finished speaking, a wave of murderous intent burst out behind Jiraiya! A fist flew through the air toward him!

Caught off guard, Jiraiya had no choice but to cancel his jutsu and dodge.

The earth-shattering punch smashed a hole in the floor.

The attacker?

Kakuzu—the very man Jiraiya had thanked just hours ago.

"Kakuzu! You—!"

Kakuzu rolled his shoulder. "I only work for money."

"Five hundred million ryo wasn't enough?" Jiraiya turned to Yagura, furious. "A rogue ninja… Kirigakure must be swimming in stolen wealth—from Konoha and Sunagakure, no doubt!"

If Kakuzu hadn't intervened, Yagura might've broken free on his own.

Yagura looked at him. "I'm broke. Didn't add a thing."

Kakuzu didn't deny the latter half of Yagura's comment.

"I made my own judgment. If those three kids want to survive, they've got a better chance with the Mizukage than with Konoha."

So this is for Yahiko and the others?

Yagura mentally translated Kakuzu's words.

Heh. This old man was starting to sound like a doting grandpa.

Unlike Yagura, who was feeling quite pleased after uncovering the truth...

Jiraiya was just short of cursing out loud: "Kakuzu, you bastard!"

Kakuzu's so-called "neutral" stance was perfectly illustrated by his indifferent comment:

"Let those three kids decide their future."

...

That night.

Konan and Nagato returned from the graveyard after paying respects to their fallen comrades.

Yagura personally came over, joining Konan to drag Yahiko out of his room.

It was like trying to stir a stagnant pool—no response whatsoever.

Then Yagura dropped the harshest line of the day:

"Kakuzu, your turn. If he still won't come out, then just consider him dead. Five hundred million ryō down the drain, plus four of your hearts."

Despite grumbling that Yagura was violating their original agreement, Kakuzu still rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.

"Hey! Get out here! You can't afford to owe me that much!"

Everyone: "..."

At the very last moment before the day ended, under the weight of that threat, Yahiko finally emerged.

...

After dinner, Yagura sat down with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan for a serious talk.Jiraiya and Kakuzu stood watch on either side like silent guardians.

After this last battle, Akatsuki had lost nearly half its fighting force.

Yagura spoke with an air of command:

"Yahiko. From now on, Akatsuki still needs you at the helm."

Yahiko clenched his teeth, rejecting it with difficulty:

"Lord Mizukage... I'm afraid I'm no longer suited to lead. I don't think I have what it takes."

Yagura didn't mince words.

"You want Nagato to be the new leader, don't you?"

"Yes."

This wasn't just something he'd said privately to Nagato.

Now, in front of everyone, Yahiko admitted it aloud—and seemed much more at ease because of it.

"I'm not the right person to lead anymore."

Nagato's voice rose in protest.

"Yahiko, Akatsuki's leader has always been you. Everyone—me, Konan—we've always followed you."

Konan stood by him too, offering her unwavering trust as always.

"Yahiko, don't blame yourself too much."

"Blame is exactly what's needed," Yagura cut in, correcting her bluntly.

He didn't believe Yahiko's past ideals had been right—they were far too naïve.

And that was exactly why Yahiko had fallen into Hanzō of the Salamander's trap, a trap so childish it was almost insulting.

Even if Hanzō hadn't struck such a blow to Akatsuki, if Yahiko had continued down the path of idealism...

Failure and death were inevitable.

"Peace isn't won through reason and talk. It only exists within the range of a cannon."

Then Yagura laid out the road ahead for the three of them:

"You want peace? Then there's only one way—your power must be strong enough to force peace. By holding back that power, you create deterrence. That's how you make sure no neighboring country dares start a war."

Even before the Hanzō incident, Yahiko had been considering stepping down and handing the leadership to Nagato, the one with the Rinnegan.

Hanzō had shattered his ideals with harsh reality.

Now, Yagura had come to show them the way to rebuild from the ruins.

"Yahiko. As I said—Akatsuki still needs you as its leader. That doesn't need to change."

When Yahiko opened his mouth to object again, Yagura shut it down.

"Nagato and Konan follow you. You have the charisma, the leadership presence. Don't sell yourself short. Believe in yourself."

That affirmation—from the Mizukage, no less—hit home.

It was like someone had injected him with a dose of pure motivation.

"Naivety comes with your age..." Yagura chuckled, thinking of himself.

"Who hasn't been naïve once?"

Uh...

Everyone in the room had the same thought:

'That might not be the best time to say that... considering you're probably the youngest person here.'

Yagura let Yahiko process things on his own for now.

Then he turned to Nagato.

"Nagato, this part is for you."

Nagato held his breath.

"For the sake of Akatsuki, you must let go of your fear of the Rinnegan. Learn to master its power."

If Yahiko was Akatsuki's spiritual guide, then Nagato was its nuclear arsenal.

"Master the Rinnegan. And kill Hanzō of the Salamander."

The room went silent with shock.

Yagura didn't hold back, painting a bold vision—for Akatsuki, or rather, for Nagato himself.

"Once you've done that, no one will control you ever again. You won't need to run from place to place, patching holes while getting sneered at."

Every word struck a nerve, touching the core of Akatsuki's long-standing pain.

"Let Hanzō go to hell."

The scale of their ambitions suddenly expanded.

"Then your ideals—your vision—can finally be realized openly, right here in the Land of Rain. You'll protect peace in this land with your own hands."

Yagura turned to Konan.

"Konan, remember the sights you saw in the Land of Water? Don't you want to see the same thing happen here?"

For a moment, the young woman who had studied abroad in Kirigakure froze—then her eyes lit up with hope.

Yahiko, the ideological leader.

Nagato, the military might.

Konan, the head of internal affairs.

In Kirigakure, Yagura had carried the roles of both the first two himself.

The elder Genshi handled the administrative side.

But there was still one more crucial element: an external ally.

A partner who stayed true to their beliefs.

Kirigakure lacked one. (Sunagakure was unreliable. Kumogakure didn't qualify.)

And right now, Akatsuki—still weak—desperately needed one too.

Yagura smiled warmly and extended his hand.

"In the name of the Mizukage, Kirigakure will be Akatsuki's strongest ally."

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

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