Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Yahiko's Death
Hearing the commotion, Nagato returned to the room.
He immediately saw Yahiko silently reading a letter, his brows slightly furrowed.
A foreboding sense of unease gripped Nagato's heart as he watched him.
Moments later, the rest of the Akatsuki members began to gather, curiosity evident in their expressions.
"Yahiko, what does it say?" someone asked.
"Did Hanzō-sama finally acknowledge us?"
Amidst the murmurs, Yahiko slipped the letter into his coat and smiled.
"Hanzō-sama has invited me to a meeting. All of you should stay here and wait."
A wave of excitement spread through the group.
"Finally! Hanzō-sama has responded to us after all this time."
"This is amazing! If we gain his support, we'll be able to bring peace to Amegakure so much faster."
"See? I told you, as long as we keep communicating, people will eventually understand and trust each other."
Yahiko nodded at their enthusiasm and moved toward the door. "Nagato, come with me."
"Uh? Oh! Alright," Nagato replied, quickly following after him.
As soon as they stepped outside, Yahiko's cheerful expression darkened.
"Nagato, Konan has been kidnapped."
"What?!"
Walking briskly, Yahiko explained the letter's contents. Nagato's chest tightened with every word.
"Yahiko, it's obvious Hanzō doesn't trust us. Are we really just going to walk into this trap?"
Yahiko smiled faintly. "Don't worry. It might just be a misunderstanding. If we show him where we stand, I'm sure Hanzō-sama will understand our intentions."
Despite Yahiko's confidence, Nagato couldn't shake off the ominous words of the masked man that had haunted him recently: A great upheaval is coming. The harshness of reality will crush you.
Nagato shook his head, banishing the troubling thoughts. Whatever happens, he had to trust Yahiko now.
As Yahiko and Nagato left, Zetsu chuckled in the shadows. "Obito, shall we?"
Obito Uchiha shook his head. "Nagato doesn't need useless attachments holding him back. I'll deal with the remaining Akatsuki myself."
White Zetsu teased, "You're so different from when I first met you, Obito. Doesn't it hurt, killing all these innocent people?"
Obito sneered. "I've known true pain for a long time. These people will only be temporarily dead—they'll live happily in the world I create."
He paused at the doorway and glanced back.
"Also… I am no longer Obito. My name is Uchiha Madara."
In the valley, Yahiko and Nagato came to a stop, panting. Their eyes scanned the scene before them.
Above them stood Hanzō of the Salamander, flanked by Amegakure's elite ANBU.
On the opposite side of the valley were several shinobi wearing Konoha headbands. Leading them was a man whose body was wrapped in bandages, a deep x-shaped scar slashing across his face.
Nagato and Yahiko recognized him immediately—Danzo Shimura of Konoha.
"Bring her forward," Hanzō ordered.
Konan was dragged into view, bound and struggling, and placed at Hanzō's feet.
"Hanzō-sama, this is all a misunderstanding!" Yahiko called out desperately. "You are someone we look up to. Everything we've done has been for the peace of Amegakure."
"Please, release Konan. We'll follow any orders you give us."
Hanzō didn't respond. Instead, he tossed a kunai to Nagato's feet.
"You're a threat. Words won't change that. Kill Yahiko, or the woman dies."
Konan cried out in pain as the grip on her tightened.
The sheer malice radiating from Hanzō made it clear—he wouldn't hesitate to kill her if they refused.
Nagato's hands trembled as he bent to pick up the kunai, paralyzed by indecision.
Suddenly, Yahiko stepped forward. With no warning, he grabbed Nagato's hand and plunged the kunai into his own chest.
Blood splattered as Yahiko fell to his knees, smiling weakly.
"Nagato, you and Konan… must survive. Because… you're the savior of this world."
Nagato's eyes widened in horror as Yahiko's lifeless body slumped to the ground.
It had happened so fast. There had been no time for words, no time to stop him.
Their hero, the one they had admired so deeply, had turned against them. Hanzō had never seen them as allies, only as a threat to be eliminated.
"Was it to avoid burdening your comrade that you chose suicide?" Hanzō mocked, his voice cold. "What a show."
Nagato's shock turned to fury as the weight of betrayal crushed him. Hanzō had never intended to spare them; all of this was a cruel game.
Nagato's vision blurred as a surge of overwhelming power erupted from within him.
"Kill him!" Hanzō ordered.
A hail of shuriken flew toward Nagato.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Nagato's outstretched hand unleashed a wave of energy that deflected every weapon. Hanzō staggered back in surprise.
Nagato used the moment to teleport to Konan's side, but a series of pre-placed explosive tags detonated around him, crippling his legs.
Konan's heart sank at the sight of Nagato's bloodied body.
If it weren't for her capture, this wouldn't have happened.
Through her despair, she remembered a promise—one she had tried to forget.
Her trembling hands reached into her pouch and pulled out a specially marked kunai.
Focusing her chakra, she infused it with energy.
In the next instant, Uchiha Mirai appeared, stepping out of thin air.
"Konan. We meet again."
"Please," she begged, clutching his sleeve. "You told me to find you when I finally understood. Take us away—this place is too dangerous!"
Mirai's eyes scanned the battlefield as he smirked.
"Don't worry. No matter who the enemy is, I'll make sure you leave here safely."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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