"I don't know why people are so greedy."
Nagato had no answer for Yahiko's question.
"But I do know one thing," Nagato continued, his voice low. "If you strike the greedy hard enough—if you make them realize that their greed brings nothing but pain, failure, and loss—they might just pull back their reaching hands. Even if it's only for a while."
As for how to actually accomplish that, a plan was already taking root in the depths of Nagato's mind.
"Can the three of us really do that?"
Konan, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. Her voice was laced with a deep lack of self-confidence.
In the original timeline, Jiraiya would have stayed to mentor them for another year before they reached the level of seasoned Chunin or even Jonin. It was during that time that Konan would discover her affinity and talent for her unique Paper Ninjutsu. But now, lacking that extended training and strength, they felt small against the backdrop of a world at war.
Yahiko and Nagato froze. Nagato slowly closed his eyes, his fingers tracing his eyelids.
He had once been terrified of these eyes. But if he could truly master their power to their absolute limit, perhaps... perhaps it really was possible.
"Of course we can't do it with just the three of us," Yahiko said, unaware of Nagato's internal struggle. He thought for a moment before offering an answer that initially made Konan's heart sink.
"But," he pivoted, his voice suddenly rising with infectious passion as he stood up, "we can build an organization. we can gather comrades who share our dream—people who love peace and loathe war. I believe there are countless shinobi in this land who feel the same way. If we unite, that collective strength will change this nation. We'll do exactly what Nagato said: we'll cut off the hands of the greedy and bring about true peace."
"Right!"
Inspired by Yahiko's fire, Konan scrambled to her feet, shouting her agreement.
"Then... what should we call our organization?" Nagato asked. He pulled his hand away from his eyes and stood up, a rare smile tugging at his lips as he looked at his friends with quiet anticipation.
Whether it was the sheer inertia of history or the inevitable culmination of Yahiko's lifelong dream, it didn't matter.
On that rain-soaked afternoon following Jiraiya's departure, the "Akatsuki" was born amidst the excitement of three children.
Outside, the downpour was relentless, but the three of them stood shrouded in hope. They believed with every fiber of their being that their organization would be the blade that pierced the dark clouds over the Land of Rain, ushering in a future as bright as the morning sun.
Konoha, Hokage's Office
Looking at the scroll Jiraiya had given to Minato, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a wave of profound relief. He was actually thankful for Tsunade's "recklessness" and Jiraiya's impulsive decision to take a student without consulting him.
As the "Professor"—a genius who had mastered every non-secret, non-Kekkei Genkai jutsu in Konoha—a younger Hiruzen had naturally tried to learn the Flying Raijin Jutsu. But like his students, even a genius of his caliber couldn't even manage to find the "doorway" to space-time ninjutsu, let alone step through it.
So, upon confirming that Minato truly possessed a sixty percent—or higher—chance of mastering the technique as Jiraiya predicted, Hiruzen was ecstatic.
Minato's importance in his mind instantly skyrocketed. The civilian-born boy was no longer just a promising talent; he had ascended to the same tier as Orochimaru and Jiraiya: a true candidate for the mantle of Hokage.
If it hadn't been for Tsunade and Jiraiya's intervention—if he had actually buckled under pressure and handed Hatani over to Danzo—his relationship with Minato would have been irreparably fractured.
"Study hard," Hiruzen said, handing the scroll back to Minato and patting his shoulder encouragingly. "Once you've mastered the fundamentals of space-time theory outlined here, come to me anytime. We will begin your formal instruction in the Flying Raijin."
"Thank you, Lord Third!" Minato was practically glowing with joy.
Satisfied, Hiruzen finally turned his attention to the primary catalyst of the recent clash with Danzo.
"Hatani. You saved Nawaki, and later, you saved both Tsunade and Dan Kato. This time, you faced an ambush by four Iwa Jonin, killed two of them, and drove the others away. I am recording three A-rank mission completions in your official file."
While Hatani's status in Hiruzen's mind hadn't reached "Hokage Candidate" level like his brother's, the Hokage had to admit that this thirteen-year-old was destined to be a pillar of Konoha. If Minato did eventually take the hat, Hatani would be his most formidable supporter.
Thinking of this made him even more annoyed with Danzo. There had to be a limit to his nonsense.
"According to the regulations," Hiruzen continued, having decided to fully invest in the boy's growth, "you may choose three A-rank or lower jutsu as a reward, or accept a payment of five to seven million Ryo. Which will it be? Ninjutsu or money?"
"Lord Third... can it be any ninjutsu?" Hatani asked. Only a fool would take the money in this situation.
"Anything A-rank or lower," Hiruzen replied with a grandfatherly smile.
"Even jutsu from the Scroll of Seals?" Hatani asked, watching Hiruzen's "blooming chrysanthemum" of a smile while bracing himself for the answer.
"Hmm."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. It wasn't that he was stingy, but the Scroll of Seals contained mostly forbidden techniques. He worried that a young, headstrong boy like Hatani might choose something far too dangerous for his current level. Most of those techniques required the experience and chakra control of a Jonin to even attempt.
However, perhaps fearing that the previous incident with Danzo might have left Hatani feeling alienated, Hiruzen eventually nodded.
"Very well. But," he added, providing himself an insurance policy, "I will personally vet your choices. If a technique is too high-risk, I will veto it."
"Thank you, Lord Third!" Hatani bowed, his heart racing with genuine excitement, much like Minato's. "Don't worry, Lord Third. I believe the jutsu I've chosen aren't particularly dangerous."
"Oh? You've already made up your mind?"
Hiruzen was surprised. Hatani had never even seen the scroll before. Then it clicked—Jiraiya must have mentioned them.
"Yes," Hatani nodded eagerly. "I choose the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, and Wind Style: Gale Net."