Chapter 28: Who Gave You the Courage to Meet an Uchiha's Gaze?
Reunion in the Rain
"You are... Yahiko?"
Tsunade's expression filled with genuine surprise, her amber eyes widening dramatically. "You've... you've grown so much! I barely recognized you!"
"Lady Tsunade, do you know this individual?"
Kazuki's tone turned cold and professional—appropriately displaying the wary demeanor expected of an ANBU operative. He silently took a measured half-step backward while his right hand moved toward the weapons pouch at his waist.
Beneath the white owl mask, three crimson tomoe appeared in his Sharingan eyes.
"Please forgive my caution, Lady Tsunade, but I must advise vigilance. This individual is very likely a criminal currently wanted by Amegakure's leadership."
"Sharingan... a shinobi of the Uchiha clan."
Being stared at by those distinctive crimson eyes, Yahiko felt inexplicably uncomfortable—instinctively frowning at the unnatural sensation. "Konoha ANBU, I harbor no ill intentions toward you or Lady Tsunade, so please withdraw your hostility. And don't forget—this is our village territory. You're the outsider here."
Because of his deep respect for Jiraiya-sensei, Yahiko held natural goodwill toward Tsunade.
However, that didn't mean he felt the same positive feelings toward Konoha's black ops division.
Everyone in Amegakure harbored profound, deep-seated aversion toward shinobi from the great powers. This bitter resentment all stemmed from the Second Great Ninja War—when Konoha and Sunagakure had used Amegakure, sandwiched helplessly between them, as their primary battleground. The resulting conflict had caused devastating casualties for the small nation.
Their very orphanage—the place where Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan had grown up—existed largely because of Konoha's wartime actions.
"A criminal wanted by Hanzō of Amegakure has no legitimate right to make such claims."
Kazuki's visible eye held a hint of calculated arrogance—as if he didn't take Yahiko seriously at all. He openly provoked the young revolutionary. "Lady Tsunade, if we were to capture these fugitives and present them to Hanzō, it would surely make an excellent diplomatic gift, wouldn't it?"
"Just as the rumors say—the Uchiha are all arrogant bastards."
Yahiko, still young and temperamental despite his ideals, couldn't suppress his rising anger when provoked so blatantly. Being offered as a 'gift' to his mortal enemy Hanzō was too much. "If you have the courage to back up that arrogance, then come and try taking us!"
"That's exactly what I had in mind!"
Kazuki formed a rapid one-handed seal, his Sharingan spinning with increased intensity.
The Paper Tiger
"Konoha ANBU, I strongly suggest you don't make any rash movements."
Yahiko sneered coldly, deliberately pointing downward at Kazuki's feet. His expression turned mocking. "Take a very good look at your legs. If you don't want to be blown to pieces, you'd better stay perfectly still."
Kazuki followed Yahiko's gesture and glanced down—discovering more than a dozen explosive tags wrapped strategically around both his legs.
When did—?
Scattered pieces of paper that had been drifting seemingly randomly through the rain suddenly coalesced rapidly into human form beside Yahiko. A young woman materialized—possessing long, light blue-purple hair with a distinctive paper flower tucked behind her ear. She regarded Kazuki with cold, calculating eyes.
"Hidden Leaf Village ANBU operative."
Konan's voice was cool and emotionless. "We simply wish to speak with Lady Tsunade briefly. So... don't make any sudden movements, or I'll detonate the tags and blow your legs off. It's your choice."
"Everyone stop!"
Sensing the rapidly escalating tension, Tsunade sighed deeply and rubbed her forehead with visible exasperation. "That's enough from both sides."
"Don't worry, Lady Tsunade."
Yahiko's tone softened considerably when addressing her. "Konan won't actually hurt him. We truly mean no harm—we just want to talk."
"No, Yahiko, I wasn't talking to you."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, looking somewhat troubled. "Owl, stand down. We're not here to engage in combat. This is an internal matter of Amegakure—we have absolutely no authority to interfere in their domestic affairs."
"What?"
Hearing this unexpected response, both Yahiko and Konan froze in confusion.
They clearly held tactical advantage with the explosive tags. So why was Tsunade ordering the ANBU operative to back down?
"Yes, Lady Tsunade. Understood."
The moment those words left Tsunade's lips, Uchiha Kazuki—who had been standing directly before them mere seconds ago—vanished like a reflection dissolving in disturbed water.
An illusion?!
The sensation of being observed from behind hit them simultaneously—that piercing gaze felt sharp as a blade pressed against their spines, sending involuntary chills through both young shinobi.
Yahiko and Konan's expressions changed dramatically in synchronized shock.
"Genjutsu?!"
Yahiko's pupils contracted rapidly, his face filling with genuine horror. "Impossible! When did he cast it?! We were watching him the entire time!"
They hadn't even noticed the precise moment they'd been caught in the illusion.
This is the Sharingan—the legendary bloodline limit of Konoha's most renowned clan. The dōjutsu that made the Uchiha name feared throughout the entire shinobi world.
The Sharingan's Pride
"Who gave you the courage to directly meet an Uchiha's gaze?"
Kazuki's voice came from directly in front of them now—having circled around casually while they'd been trapped perceiving his illusory position. A hint of genuine mockery colored his tone as he slowly clapped his hands, as if praising their remarkable 'bravery.'
Indeed, they're certainly courageous.
Looking across the entire shinobi world, there were remarkably few ninja foolish enough to directly meet an Uchiha's eyes during confrontation.
"This time I lost—lost due to my own carelessness and inexperience."
Yahiko took a deep, steadying breath, forcibly suppressing his resentment and humiliation. He spoke with deliberate calm. "But the next time we meet, I definitely won't make the same mistake twice. I won't lose to you again."
Through this brief conflict, Kazuki found himself somewhat disappointed in Yahiko—the legendary founder of the Akatsuki organization who would eventually change the shinobi world.
Admittedly, as a leader of revolutionary forces, Yahiko was undoubtedly qualified for the role.
He could accurately recognize his tactical errors and reflect on them immediately, without being overwhelmed by negative emotions. From this alone, he was indeed more suitable for leadership than the future Nagato would prove to be.
However, while he made an excellent organizational leader, Yahiko possessed a critical, fatal flaw.
In this twisted shinobi world, when individual combat strength surpasses everyone else, so-called leadership abilities, political acumen, tactical strategy—all these qualities are merely decorative flourishes.
What truly determines everything—the most fundamentally important factor from beginning to end—is raw power.
The First Hokage Hashirama hadn't pacified the chaotic Warring States Period through political negotiation and diplomacy.
He'd done it through overwhelming, undeniable force.
Similarly, in the original timeline's conclusion, the five great nations and their hidden villages had tacitly allowed Sasuke Uchiha's pardon—not because they'd suddenly developed compassion or forgiveness.
They'd agreed because they understood a simple truth: if anyone were foolish enough to lay a hostile finger on Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki would likely respond by going berserk and launching Tailed Beast Bombs from five hundred kilometers away.
Absolute power creates its own justice.
However, compared to Yahiko, there was another person here who proved somewhat more interesting to observe.
Kazuki's hidden gaze shifted toward Konan, analyzing her tactical thinking and potential.
Parting Words
"Looks like we're out of time for proper reminiscing."
Hearing approaching sounds of pursuit from the distance, Yahiko recognized their window was closing. He looked at Tsunade one final time, his face filled with genuine gratitude. "Lady Tsunade, please give our warmest regards to Jiraiya-sensei when you see him next."
"I will."
Tsunade nodded, indicating she'd deliver the message faithfully. She wanted to offer some advice—some warning about the dangerous path they were choosing—but ultimately swallowed the words back. "You... never mind. You have your own paths to walk. Just be careful in the future."
"I sincerely hope that one day, when you visit Amegakure again, you'll witness a completely transformed village."
Yahiko's voice rang with absolute confidence—his face radiating hope for the future and unwavering faith in his chosen path.
Before departing through the rain, Konan subconsciously glanced backward one final time.
For reasons she couldn't quite articulate, she felt profound unease—as if she were being secretly observed by something she couldn't detect.
Those red eyes...
That Night
Later that evening, at Akatsuki's hidden base deep within Amegakure's territory—
Konan worked alone, methodically sorting through supplies and equipment they'd managed to acquire from the Rain shinobi during the day's skirmish.
The Akatsuki organization remained in its earliest developmental stages—inexperienced in virtually every operational aspect.
They lacked sufficient manpower. They lacked adequate funding. They were practically destitute.
But even more pressing than these resource problems was the constant threat of being actively hunted by Hanzō's forces.
This made managing their already severely short-staffed organization even more difficult and dangerous.
Konan pinched the bridge of her nose, a hint of exhaustion appearing on her normally cool, composed features. She leaned back wearily in her chair with a deep exhale.
"I must be too tired... I'm so sleepy. I'll just rest my eyes for a moment..."
Her consciousness began drifting toward sleep—unaware of the subtle spiritual manipulation already taking hold.
In the realm between waking and dreaming, familiar black mist began to gather.
[End of Chapter 28]
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