Chapter 91 — Even After Death, the Righteous Second Hokage Must Work Overtime
"Alright, alright. I'll figure out a way to get you a few more capable guys for you to squeeze dry—maybe through Edo Tensei, Edo Tensei… or you know, Edo Tensei."
Seeing Nagato's expression twist into the shape of a dead fish, Uchiha Yujiro hurried to comfort him:
"Look, our Konoha's Second Hokage—naturally evil Tobirama, that old ghost—how about him? His abilities are insanely overpowered."
"But… didn't you hand him over to Orochimaru as a lab assistant?"
Nagato asked nervously.
"Capable people get more work. That's the rule," Yujiro replied with supreme confidence.
At this moment, Tobirama—peacefully resting in the Pure Land—had no idea he was about to be dragged back into the mortal world for endless overtime shifts.
If he did know, he would probably pat Yujiro's shoulder and sigh:
"Your shamelessness truly carries my legacy forward."
"But… doesn't that make us, the Akatsuki, supposed to be the 'champions of justice'? Using the dead… isn't that a bit…"
Nagato still hesitated.
He clearly adored the "Ally of Justice" title Yujiro gave him. He even developed a tiny idol burden, making Yujiro want to yell:
"Bro, you turned your best friend's corpse into Pain Puppets. Who are you to talk?!"
He held it in.
Instead, Yujiro explained patiently:
"How is this defilement? This is bond, a bond surpassing friendship! Fallen heroes rising again for the cause of justice, fighting alongside their comrades—there's nothing more romantic in this world!
This is basically our own Fate/stay night, you know?"
Nagato: "Really?"
Yujiro: "Really."
Nagato: "You're not lying?"
Yujiro: "Of course not."
===
Fortunately for Yujiro, the Second Hokage was already dead.
If Tobirama were alive, he would be trembling furiously:
"I have never witnessed such shamelessness in my life!"
But no matter. At Orochimaru's current research pace, Yujiro would soon be joyfully trading insults with Second Hokage in person:
Tobirama: "Innately evil Uchiha!"
Yujiro: "Naturally brain-dead Senju fossil!"
Wouldn't that be beautiful?
With Nagato's issue handled, Yujiro's little harem—uh, his "Akatsuki cadre"—finished packing their luggage.
This surprised Yujiro. He thought girls would take forever to prepare.
Turns out kunoichi came with built-in efficiency.
Convenient!
Maybe dating ninja girls wasn't so troublesome after all.
Before leaving, Yujiro took one last look at Orochimaru's lab, examined the newest batch of Uchiha Pharmaceuticals, checked the Edo Tensei progress, confirmed Orochimaru hadn't turned into a snake-lady yet, and… ran.
Otherwise Orochimaru would definitely grab him by the collar demanding more research funds.
On the other hand, Yujiro clung to Nagato like he didn't want to leave, giving him endless instructions:
"Oh right, another thing—go to Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku when you have time, maybe pick up Sage Mode. And help me sign several business contracts. I have to go back to Konoha and beat my useless apprentices. No time."
"Oh right—another thing. Some small ninja villages still have hidden elites. Recruiting them costs less than stealing from the Five Great Villages. Try it."
"Oh right—another thing. Our Akatsuki's reputation depends on you now. Like I said before, beat the living hell out of corrupt officials, landowning tyrants, and black-hearted merchants. Then raise our banner high!"
Yujiro: "Oh right, and—"
Nagato finally snapped:
"Oh right, I also remembered something!"
Overwhelmed by the ever-growing list of tasks, Nagato quickly cut him off:
"I think the soup in the kitchen is still cooking. If I don't check on it, the pot will burn. Anyway—your orders, I'll do my best! Safe travels, Yujiro-san!"
Yujiro: "Ah… oh… alright then."
Although Uchiha Yujiro still felt a bit unsatisfied—like he had more nonsense he wanted to spew—since Nagato insisted, he let it go for now.
"Do your best, Nagato."
"I will, Yujiro-san."
"I'll come visit you again next time, Sister Konan."
"You better come early, Yujiro."
Nagato: "Eh—wait…?"
For some reason, Nagato suddenly felt like Jiraiya back in chapter fifty-six—an inexplicable sense of emotional déjà vu.
But in the end, he said nothing.
He only lifted his head, stared at the sky, and whispered:
"Yahiko… If you could see all this, you'd probably feel relieved… right?"
---
Ninja travel fast.
Yujiro calculated that his sister-in-law's due date still had a bit of time left. Nagato couldn't be the only one working himself to death in the Akatsuki.
So on the way back to Konoha, Yujiro made a small detour—with his entire harem in tow.
Day 1 — Land of Lightning
They slaughtered a batch of corrupt nobles and tax-leeches.
In the people's cheers, Yujiro shouted:
"The Akatsuki is here for only three things—fairness, fairness, and goddamn FAIRNESS!"
Day 2 — Land of Earth
He chopped down a few merchants hoarding essentials.
In the people's excitement he roared:
"Do you know how much a single curry-fried-noodle bun costs now?!
Fifty-! Thousand-! Ryō-!
That's more cash than a cart can carry!
And these pigs are afraid the Akatsuki might 'cause trouble'?!"
Day 3 — Homecoming to Fire Country
As a celebration, Yujiro killed a few corrupt officials, then a few black-hearted merchants, then targeted a bandit group of rogue nin.
After turning the entire gang into dust, he stood before the cheering masses and declared:
"We of the Akatsuki are the allies of the poor!
Friends of the weak!
Warriors of all oppressed people!
Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood—our slogan!
We shall overthrow the tyranny of daimyo and build an advanced capitalist republic!"
His speeches were so passionate, so rousing, that even his harem members started doubting if Yujiro secretly awakened some god-tier charisma perk.
"Don't know why… but this is REALLY stirring!"
"Ahhh!! Lord Yujiro! We adore you!!"
"Lord Yujiro, take us with you!"
Amidst the praises of the people, the Akatsuki slipped away without leaving their names—acting cool as always.
Thus, the name of the Akatsuki, and especially its leader Yujiro, shook the entire ninja world.
Yujiro smirked:
"Hmph… doing good deeds every once in a while really is refreshing—
…Wait, is that Minato's summoning toad? Here to deliver a message?"
He accepted the scroll from the grumbling Myōboku toad, tossed it a can of cat food, and opened the message.
Minato's resentment practically oozed from the parchment:
"Yujiro, did you forget your sacred duty of killing Obito?!"
Yujiro froze.
"Oh shit—!"
He'd been enjoying his vigilante-slash-self-funding adventures so much…
he nearly missed his sister-in-law's due date!
No way.
He had to hurry back to Konoha—fast.
If Obito really summoned the Nine-Tails…
If his sister-in-law and his sworn brother died…
Even killing Obito a BILLION times wouldn't be enough compensation!