Gradually, even so dium-sized clans with smaller populations and neutral stances began to cooperate.
As more clans opted to comply, the tide started to turn. Those that remained resistant beca the center of attention.
"Teacher, we're heading back now."
Though they were a bit reluctant, the three mbers of the Akatsuki Organization bid farewell to Takuya, departing with the envoy from the Land of Rain to return ho.
"Are you hiding sothing from ?"
Giving Minato a sidelong glance, Takuya couldn't be bothered to respond.
"You want to save them, but you're unwilling to say it outright."
Minato wasn't particularly close with Konan and the Akatsuki trio, but he knew Takuya well enough—sotis even better than Takuya knew himself.
After all, no one spends their ti obsessively analyzing their own behavior, but others might.
That's why there's a saying: the person who knows you best might not be yourself—it could be your friend, your lover, or even your enemy.
Minato was still the sa "Little Sunshine," not as clueless as Nawaki, who missed every hint.
"They're in a dangerous situation. I want to help them, but I don't know how," Takuya finally admitted, watching as the envoy from the Land of Rain slowly disappeared from view.
Dangerous situation?
The Akatsuki Organization could indeed be a problem for Agakure.
After thinking it over for a mont, Minato asked, "Since they're with the daimyo, Hanzo wouldn't target them, right?
Even if the Akatsuki's actions conflict with Agakure, their intentions are good—they're still working for the sake of the Land of Rain, even if their thods differ."
You're overthinking it.
"If it were just Hanzo, things would be simpler," Takuya replied.
Hanzo targeting the Akatsuki? That would be unlikely. For one thing, it would risk antagonizing the daimyo, and Hanzo wasn't that foolish.
Moreover, the Akatsuki hadn't directly caused problems for Agakure. Unless Hanzo was being irrational, he wouldn't go after them.
And if he did corner the Akatsuki, Hanzo would likely et a grim end.
The Rinnegan… a powerful yet dangerous tool.
"You an there's a potential enemy even more dangerous than Hanzo?" Minato was taken aback.
That couldn't be right; in the Land of Rain, only Hanzo posed a significant threat to them.
A foe more dangerous than Hanzo shouldn't exist—sothing was definitely off.
"Are you sure you're not mistaken? There shouldn't be anyone in the Land of Rain capable of that," Minato continued.
"And honestly, they probably couldn't handle Hanzo, either."
"I'm not trying to undermine them," Minato quickly clarified. "I'm just stating the facts."
On the surface, the trio appeared strong, but defeating Hanzo was an entirely different matter. Minato wasn't being pessimistic; he genuinely didn't want to see them get hurt.
After all, even the legendary Sannin had struggled against Hanzo. How could Konan and her group hope to take him on?
"There's a lot you don't know."
Waving dismissively, Takuya turned away, his shoes crunching against the thick snow.
"....."
A lot I don't know?
Minato stood there, bewildered for a mont, before hurrying to catch up with Takuya.
"What's your problem?"
"No problem at all."
"Then why are you following ?"
"No reason."
"....."
Minato trailed right behind Takuya, mirroring his every step.
He didn't press for more information; he just stuck close, silently implying that he wouldn't leave until he got so answers.
"Get lost! I'm going to the bathroom—you want to follow there too? Fine, I'll tell you afterward!"
After trying to keep his cool and failing, Takuya finally snapped.
Minato chuckled and stepped away. He knew that when Takuya lost his temper, it ant the truth wasn't far behind.
This damn guy!
Takuya couldn't help but laugh despite himself.
Minato knew he'd pushed Takuya to the edge, and that Takuya was about to spill so secrets.
But knowing that he might be in for so payback, Minato wisely recruited so backup before Takuya could return.
When Takuya erged from the washroom, drying his hands, he noticed a room full of people—Nawaki, Pakura, and others—gathered in the living room. He sighed in exasperation.
Well played, Minato. You knew I'd be mad, so you brought in reinforcents.
"Takuya, are you going to tell us the secret?"
Nawaki, who could never keep his mouth shut, raised his hand and shouted eagerly.
Ignoring him, Takuya accepted a towel from Pakura to dry his hands and casually asked, "No missions today?"
"None."
Pakura shook her head, fetching his slippers and explaining, "The surveillance squad has already left the village. The mission is complete."
Do you notice sothing weird about those two?
Nawaki made a strange face and winked at Minato.
Look at them—one naturally helping, the other just as naturally accepting it. It's like watching a wife taking care of her husband who just got ho.
What are you talking about?
I didn't see anything. Minato stared at the ceiling, clearly unwilling to get involved in that topic.
Takuya didn't need to look to know that Nawaki was definitely up to no good.
"By the way, I just had a eting with Tsunade and Uchiha Fugaku. They told that the girl you've got your eye on has already found soone. They asked to break the news to you gently."
Nawaki froze, his grin fading as despair clouded his eyes. His mouth opened as if to say sothing, but no words ca out.
He looked utterly defeated.
"....."
Serves you right for trying to make trouble. Now you know who you're dealing with.
Don't ss with soone who even your sister can't handle.
"Uh… really?"
Nawaki, visibly shaken, made a poor excuse and quickly left. Who knew where he'd go—probably find a secluded spot to sulk or have a drink in peace.
On the surface, he seed mature, but inside, he was still quite naive. At least, that was Pakura's assessnt of him.
She couldn't quite understand how just one sentence could leave Nawaki so devastated.
Is Takuya's fire going to burn next?
Minato was stunned. He couldn't believe Takuya would hit so brutally.
"Uh… maybe that was a bit harsh? Nawaki's probably feeling pretty down right now."
"Better to crush his hopes early than let him hold onto illusions and get hurt even more later. The pain's the sa—might as well get it over with quickly."
"So, does she really have soone she likes?"
Minato had a feeling that Takuya was exaggerating, just to ss with Nawaki.
"Yeah, she does. And that person is !"
Takuya snapped back, clearly unamused.
Minato was speechless, and Pakura shot Takuya a sidelong glance.
Are you being narcissistic, or just shaless?
If it was just a joke, fine—but if people took it seriously, it could lead to misunderstandings. Takuya clarified, "Actually, she doesn't really have soone she likes. She just doesn't want to marry outside her clan. She'd rather find soone within her own family."
Would that make any difference to Nawaki?
Not really.
Takuya had only said it that way to provoke him.
Well, there's nothing to be done. I'll just have to console Nawaki later, Minato thought, looking resigned.
"So, what about the Akatsuki and the Land of Rain? Who is this potential threat?"
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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to 50 Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01.
DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING
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