"Senior Ao, so many of my classmates are dead."
Mei Terumi's voice was still thick with tears, and tear streaks still glistened on her face.
"We're still alive."
Ao absentmindedly touched his freshly bandaged wound. If he hadn't kept a low profile, he might never have gotten the chance to speak with Mei Terumi again.
Yet his face showed no trace of relief or joy at surviving. He knew that as long as the war didn't end, next time it could be him dying on the battlefield.
"How much longer can we live?"
Mei Terumi's eyes had lost their shine. She'd never imagined war could be so terrifying.
At the Ninja Academy, in the village, she had always been a golden child blessed by heaven, blessed with two Kekkei Genkai.
With such talent, she should have been a rising star in any village. Unfortunately, she was born in Kirigakure.
"I don't know."
After a long pause, Ao finally spoke.
He couldn't bring himself to say something like "We'll survive forever."
Besides, even his own future seemed bleak—how could he find the heart to comfort others?
Mei Terumi seemed not to have heard at all. Her vacant gaze stared blankly ahead, unfocused.
No further words passed between them as they sat silently in the temporary shelter.
The Mist ninja leader, fearing pursuit, didn't dare light even a single flame.
Under the night sky, the recently defeated Mist ninjas were cloaked in an oppressive gloom.
Scattered murmurs drifted through the air—fearful whispers about the future.
Nobody knew when the Akatsuki's blades would bring death.
The Mist leader had no strength left to raise morale—he'd already lost hope himself.
Sitting alone in a quiet corner, he wore a deeply troubled expression.
"How did it come to this?"
"How could Elder Genji bear to do this?"
Two questions slipped out in a whisper—meant only for his own ears.
Under Yahiko's leadership, the Akatsuki ninja brazenly occupied the nearby town, showing shocking audacity.
He made no effort to hide his presence—he wanted to shout to the entire Land of Water: "The Akatsuki are here!"
Though the townspeople resented their arrival, they dared not voice their anger.
Besides, the Akatsuki covered all their own expenses, so there weren't particularly bad repercussions.
In the most luxurious inn in town, Yahiko and several higher-ups checked in.
Inside his room, four people were gathered, enjoying a feast.
"Poor Nagato is probably still on his way."
"He won't get to taste such fresh delicacies."
Konan popped a piece of sashimi into her mouth, wearing a satisfied smile.
"Then I'll eat extra for him."
Nonou chuckled and grabbed two generous slices.
"You two..."
Yahiko wore an amused yet exasperated look. They really were the oddest pair.
Once everyone relaxed, even Nonou found herself swept up in Konan's vibe.
"I'm done eating."
Kakuzu wiped his mouth, clearly satisfied after finishing his raw beef liver and monkfish liver.
"Sending Nagato to Kirigakure alone isn't enough."
"I'll handle it myself."
Without saying where he was headed, Kakuzu stood up, ready to leave.
"Are you going to meet the Water Daimyō?"
Yahiko had already guessed Kakuzu's intention accurately.
If Nagato couldn't convince Elder Genji, convincing the Daimyō would do just as well.
However, his success definitely didn't come from just talking.
"Mm, just to be safe."
"I'm heading out."
Kakuzu nodded and walked toward the door, leaving behind two idiots who hadn't even caught on yet.
"Guess it's just the three of us slackers now."
Watching Kakuzu leave, Yahiko didn't bother spouting nonsense like "be careful" or anything.
He knew perfectly well Kakuzu could handle such matters with ease. If there were still opponents he couldn't handle, the Land of Water wouldn't be in its current state.
"It makes sense for me and Sister Nonou to have free time."
"But for you, an Akatsuki Shadow, to have so much free time—that's on you."
"What good are you then?"
Before Konan had even finished chewing, she was already bickering with Yahiko.
"Tch."
"I'm in charge—I just need to oversee everything."
"What do you two shrimp think you know?"
Yahiko wore a smug expression again, earning another round of teasing from the two girls.
Good times never last long. The trio couldn't truly stay idle forever.
While the others were busy around town, Nagato had already quietly approached the Mist Village.
Coming back here stirred up a lot of memories for him.
The last time he came here, he'd been captured by the Third Mizukage. This time, he returned under very different circumstances.
Scanning the area outside the village, Nagato studied the nearby barrier.
Similar to Konoha's defensive barrier, but undoubtedly, the techniques used to break through must differ.
Luckily, he had obtained the technique from among the few prisoners he captured; otherwise, he might have needed to force his way in.
Finding an unoccupied spot, Nagato smoothly entered the interior of Mist without disturbing the barrier.
With his perception instantly encompassing the entire Mist Village, he quickly pinpointed Elder Genji's location. He was certain he hadn't misidentified the lingering chakra he remembered.
Without hesitation, he made straight for his target.
Under the moonlit sky, Nagato moved like a shadow, swiftly arriving at an impressive compound.
"This should be the place."
Seeing the name etched above the entrance, Nagato became even more convinced.
Muttering to himself, he vaulted over the high wall and slipped into the courtyard.
Naturally, as someone holding a prominent position within Mist, Elder Genji's estate was full of servants.
Avoiding detection by the servants, Nagato silently reached a room and stopped outside.
The chapter hasn't finished yet. More exciting content coming up!
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade please collect:
Peering through the crack in the door, light could still be seen inside—Elder Genji hadn't retired yet.
"Looks like this old man can't sleep either."
Nagato chuckled softly, wondering what kind of expression Elder Genji would show when seeing him again.
"Who's there?"
His laughter startled Elder Genji, who shouted fiercely and rose abruptly.
"May I enter, Elder Genji?"
With no intention of hiding further, Nagato responded directly.
"Who are you?"
Elder Genji stiffened in shock and suspicion, his grip tightening on the cane beside him.
"Don't you recognize me?"
Nagato pushed aside the tent flap and walked in directly. Fortunately, Elder Genji hadn't locked the flap from the inside, otherwise Nagato would've had to tear it open.
"Is that really you?"
Elder Genji frowned deeply. He recognized the young boy immediately—the one who had once been captured by the Third Mizukage.
Of everyone in the Mist Village, aside from the late Third Mizukage, only he and Nagato had spent significant time together back then.
Others might not recognize him, but how could *he* not?
"It's me."
"The Nagato of Akatsuki."
"Well, actually, calling me the Nagato of Konoha might be more accurate."
Nagato saw no need to hide anything from Elder Genji; after all, the man was already in the know.
"What?!"
Elder Genji stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, too stunned to utter another word.
The Fourth Mizukage had been hoarding power and focusing on developing the Mist Village, so he hadn't kept up with intelligence about Nagato.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have learned the truth so late.
He fully understood the significance of Nagato—once thought to be from Akatsuki—being a disciple of Kawaki Hatake.
Konoha must have been plotting something huge.
If he had clung to a sliver of hope before, now all he felt was despair.
Akatsuki had support from Konoha—or more accurately, Akatsuki was essentially under Konoha's control.
It was too much for him to process all at once.
Please bookmark: Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade (m.