Hokage 21-25

Title: Jiraiya’s Part 19: Please Respect the Akatsuki Leader

Yahiko excitedly told Nagato and Konan about his discussion with Hanzo’s subordinate.

Konan and Nagato’s faces lit up with joy.

“Hanzo must have accepted our organization’s original ideals. He truly is a senior worthy of respect.”

Nagato took off his red-cloud-patterned cloak, hung it up, and lit a fire to dry the moisture from it.

On the wall of the hut hung a wooden sign. One side belonged to Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato.

The other side belonged to Jiraiya and Akira—the teachers who had once trained them.

The three continued chatting.

They looked forward to the future.

Not long after, their conversation turned to Jiraiya, their teacher.

Yahiko exclaimed, “I can’t wait for the day I get to meet Jiraiya-sensei! If Jiraiya-sensei knew how far our organization has grown, he wouldn’t hesitate to praise us!”

Nagato laughed. “He wouldn’t just praise us—he’d praise himself too.”

Nagato stood up and imitated Jiraiya’s mannerisms. He mimicked Jiraiya’s voice, saying, “Yahiko, Nagato, Konan! You’re truly my favorite students! What you’ve done makes me so proud. This deserves a celebration! I brought sake for you all—let’s drink all night!”

Nagato’s imitation was incredibly accurate.

Konan burst into laughter.

Yahiko chuckled a few times and said, “Thankfully, our strength has improved a bit over time. Otherwise, when we meet Jiraiya-sensei again, he’d probably say something like this—I’ll show you.”

After that, Yahiko stood up, coughed a few times, then approached Nagato. He lowered his voice, mimicked Jiraiya’s expression, and shouted at Nagato, “Nagato! Why haven’t you improved at all? You’re making me look bad!”

Yahiko punched Nagato on the head.

The punch left a bump on Nagato’s head.

Konan, seeing this, was first startled, then burst into laughter, clapping her hands. “Yahiko, your imitation of Jiraiya-sensei is so accurate!”

Nagato rubbed the bump on his head, yelling in pain. “Yahiko, I suspect there’s some hidden grudge behind that punch.”

“No, not at all. Sorry, Nagato, please forgive me.”

“I’ll forgive you, but you have to let me punch you back.”

“No way! I already apologized!”

“I don’t want your apology—I want you to endure my anger!”

Nagato clenched his fist, ready to punch Yahiko’s head too.

Yahiko panicked and dodged. “Nagato, I’m the Akatsuki leader! Please, show me a little respect!”

“I’ll give you a punch!”

Without thinking, Nagato punched Yahiko.

Yahiko fled in fear. “Konan, don’t just sit there! I order you, as the Akatsuki leader, to help me restrain Nagato!”

Konan snorted. “When we’re like this, I don’t see you as the leader.”

Konan looked extremely amused.

She didn’t help Yahiko—instead, she cheered Nagato on.

Not long after, inside the small hut built by Jiraiya, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, the sound of Yahiko being beaten echoed out.

Suddenly, Yahiko shouted very seriously, “Wait a second!”

Yahiko, who had just been crying out in pain while pinned to the ground by Nagato, immediately stood up with a serious expression.

Seeing Yahiko’s expression, Nagato and Konan instantly realized something was wrong.

Nagato stopped joking around.

Konan immediately went on alert, speaking in a grave tone. “Are there enemies?”

-

Title: Jiraiya’s Part 20: I Will Avenge Our Teachers by Any Means

“No, the sign’s been flipped.”

Yahiko went to the board hanging for Akira and Jiraiya.

Only then did Konan and Nagato realize that while they were joking around earlier, Nagato had accidentally flipped both signs—originally on the frog side—to the red paper side.

They had never forgotten what Jiraiya told them when he left.

If the sign is flipped to the red paper side, and they’re not inside the hut, it means… they are dead.

Yahiko seriously flipped Jiraiya and Akira’s signs back to the frog side. He smiled. “Jiraiya-sensei and Akira-sensei couldn’t possibly be dead. War can’t kill them. Our two teachers must still be alive and safe.”

Silence.

The three of them stared at Jiraiya and Akira’s signs.

In their minds, memories of the days they spent with Jiraiya resurfaced.

Jiraiya patiently teaching them ninjutsu.

When drunk, shamelessly boasting about himself to them.

And Akira too.

Akira didn’t teach them many ninjutsu techniques, but he greatly helped improve their control and precision.

Akira often spoke of Konoha’s beauty, making them long for life in the village.

Akira never hesitated to encourage them.

Even in the cold rain, Akira’s smile could make people feel warm.

When the three of them founded Akatsuki, Akira didn’t oppose it—he wholeheartedly supported them.

Even the red-cloud Akatsuki cloak was designed by Akira himself.

Now that they thought about it, it had been three months since they last saw Akira.

Six months since they last saw Jiraiya.

Though both their teachers were elite Jonin of Konoha and extremely powerful,

The three deeply worried about their safety.

The battlefield was filled with killing intent.

The situation in war constantly changed.

Could their two teachers really survive this Great Ninja War?

Outside, heavy rain poured down.

Cold wind seeped through the cracks in the window, causing the fire inside the hut to flicker.

“Yahiko, Konan.”

In the silence, Nagato suddenly spoke softly. “If Jiraiya-sensei and Akira-sensei died in battle… what would you two do?”

Konan’s heart suddenly jolted.

She bit her lip, saying nothing. The image in her mind was unbearably painful.

Yahiko stayed silent for several seconds. He frowned and spoke gravely. “I would use any means necessary to avenge our two teachers!”

“Me too.” Konan nodded.

“What about you, Nagato?”

“Me? If I found out someone killed our teachers… I might not seek revenge right away.”

Nagato turned his back to the fire, slightly lowering his head. His face was shadowed.

“I would tirelessly grow Akatsuki. I would destroy the country of whoever killed our teachers!”

Hearing Nagato’s answer, Yahiko was shocked. “Nagato, you’re so ruthless? You’d use Akatsuki’s power for revenge? Did you even ask me, the leader, for permission?”

“Do you support it?”

“Of course!”

Yahiko slung an arm around Nagato’s shoulder and shouted, “I fully support it!”

The arrival of their two teachers had been like light in the darkness. It allowed them—war orphans lost in chaos—to see beauty amid the turmoil.

And it made them yearn for peace.

If their two teachers had died, it would be like that guiding light being extinguished.

Their belief in wanting peace might collapse.

“You brats! Only six months apart and you’re already conspiring to curse me to death!”

Suddenly, a familiar scolding voice, mixed with the sound of rain outside, came from beyond the door.

The three in the hut were first startled, then turned toward the door.

They felt joy and excitement.

They could hardly believe the voice they had just heard.

“Hurry up and open the door! You little brats!” Jiraiya shouted angrily from outside.

-

Title: Jiraiya’s Part 21: Jiraiya Feels Deeply Happy Hearing His Beloved Students Praise His Homeland

Yahiko was the first to react.

He couldn’t wait to open the door.

Cold wind rushed in, chilling the faces of the three young ones.

But when they saw the person standing outside, Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato felt their hearts instantly warm!

“Jiraiya-sensei! It’s really you!” Yahiko was so excited he nearly jumped.

But the words had barely left his mouth when suddenly he felt a sharp pain on his forehead.

Jiraiya punched his head and shouted, “You dare call me ‘Sensei’? Just a moment ago, you were wishing me dead! If the girls of Konoha heard about this, I’d be so embarrassed!”

Nagato and Konan also got punched.

All three now had bumps on their foreheads.

Nagato had two bumps.

Their eyes were slightly red—

Both from the pain of Jiraiya’s punches and from the overwhelming joy in their hearts.

“Jiraiya-sensei, while you were gone, we founded an organization. Its name is—” Yahiko said proudly.

“I know, it’s called Akatsuki, right?”

Jiraiya, carrying a stack of sake, stepped inside and flipped his own wooden sign on the wall to the frog side.

Yahiko was thrilled. “Wow! Jiraiya-sensei, you already know? Is our Akatsuki not only famous in Amegakure but has it already reached Konoha?”

Nagato and Konan also looked extremely happy.

“Don’t get cocky. It’s not that impressive. Akira told me.”

Jiraiya laughed.

He wrapped both arms around Yahiko and Nagato, laughing. “I already know how you founded Akatsuki and your organization’s original ideals. This truly makes me proud. It’s definitely worth celebrating!”

Jiraiya placed the sake he brought onto the table. “I brought you all some sake. Let’s drink all night!!”

The four of them drank several cups of sake.

They chatted freely.

Jiraiya told Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan about his experiences on the battlefield and the latest developments in the war between nations.

When he described how the Tailed Beast of the Land of Lightning had gone berserk on the battlefield, attacking its own allies, causing massive losses and forcing the Land of Lightning to make concessions and withdraw from the Great Ninja War,

His three students burst into laughter.

When Jiraiya spoke of the crises Konoha had faced, his students’ expressions turned worried.

But when he described how Konoha’s defenses had consistently held strong against invasions from the great nations during this war, his students visibly relaxed.

“You three seem to really care about Konoha’s war situation.”

Jiraiya noticed the change in Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. “I remember, back then, you didn’t care much about Konoha. What changed you?”

“Haha, that’s because of Akira-sensei.” Konan said cheerfully.

“That idiot?” Jiraiya was surprised.

“Akira-sensei, during the time he spent with us, told us many stories about Konoha. He told us how the Uchiha and Senju clans, after years of conflict, ended their feud and formed an alliance.”

Yahiko remembered and murmured, “I never knew Konoha had produced so many respected elders. So many ninja who keep fighting for peace. Some of their deeds are known to the world, others remain hidden. But these ninja never gave up—even until their last breath.”

“The sacrifices of the older generation weren’t in vain. It’s like the fire from a burning leaf—inspiring the younger generation to become the pillars of the future.”

“This inherited spirit… when I think about it, I feel my entire body filled with motivation!”

“So, I truly hope the Land of Fire doesn’t face any hardships!”

Yahiko spoke with passion.

Jiraiya felt a quiet amazement in his heart.

Akira must have spared no effort brainwashing his three students while he was gone!

But Jiraiya had to admit—it was a good thing!

Hearing his beloved students praise his homeland, Jiraiya felt deeply happy.

He noticed, though, that compared to Yahiko and Konan, Nagato’s longing for Konoha wasn’t as strong.

Jiraiya understood why.

Nagato’s parents had been accidentally killed by Konoha ninja when he was a child.

Even though Nagato had taken revenge back then, the hatred had lingered as he grew.

The four of them continued chatting.

Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan shared how Akatsuki had grown during Jiraiya’s absence,

And some funny moments they’d experienced with Akira.

But Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan soon realized that whenever they mentioned Akira, Jiraiya’s expression subtly changed.

His brows slightly furrowed, revealing a hint of worry he couldn’t hide.

“Jiraiya-sensei.”

Nagato stopped joking. He suddenly asked, “Is Akira-sensei… going through something difficult?”

-

Title: Jiraiya’s Part 22: Jiraiya Worries About Akira

“That idiot… ah, I don’t even know what to say about him.”

Jiraiya pursed his lips.

“He’s on a heavy mission, under immense mental pressure. He’s doing it all alone and didn’t tell a soul. Only when he realized he couldn’t handle it by himself did he finally come to me and ask for help. He really underestimates me!”

Jiraiya sighed and downed a bowl of shochu. He grumbled, “You don’t need to worry about him. That guy’s life is tough—he definitely won’t die!”

Jiraiya knew very well.

Right now, Akira was undercover as a member of Danzo’s Root Anbu, closely monitoring Danzo’s every move.

The danger level was even higher than when Akira had secretly investigated Hanzo!

(That idiot better be extremely careful.)

(If he’s exposed, Danzo will surely brand him a traitor and kill him. After Akira dies, his name won’t be carved on the Hero’s Monument—instead, the entire village will curse him!)

Not long after,

Yahiko excitedly told Jiraiya that in three days, Hanzo had invited him, Nagato, and Konan to discuss in detail about turning Akatsuki into Amegakure’s military force.

“Jiraiya-sensei, Hanzo truly respects Akatsuki!” Yahiko looked extremely happy.

As he spoke, Konan and Nagato also wore excited expressions.

“Is that so? Your teacher is very proud of you.” Jiraiya laughed.

He could see it. If he told them Hanzo’s true intentions now, it would be like pouring cold water on his three students.

His beloved students might be willing to listen and avoid meeting Hanzo.

But they might not be ready to accept such a harsh truth.

Besides, this was the perfect moment to eliminate Danzo!

As a high-ranking political figure of Konoha, it was far better for Danzo to die in Amegakure than in Konoha.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Three days later.

Early morning.

Rain continued to fall.

Jiraiya lay on the hut’s bed, deeply asleep. A sake bottle sat beside him, and the smell of alcohol surrounded his body.

“Jiraiya-sensei is such a drunkard.” Konan said, wearing her red-cloud Akatsuki cloak.

“Akira-sensei said Jiraiya-sensei isn’t just a drunk—he’s also a pervert.” Yahiko laughed.

After putting on his cloak, he approached Jiraiya. He reached out and gently pinched Jiraiya’s nose.

When Jiraiya stopped breathing, he immediately turned around and grumbled, “Don’t disturb my sleep!”

Then, Jiraiya swatted Yahiko’s hand away.

He snored loudly, turned over, and fell back asleep.

The smell of alcohol around him grew stronger.

Konan and Nagato, watching the scene, burst into laughter.

“Yahiko, let Jiraiya-sensei sleep peacefully. We have our duties to carry out.” Konan reminded.

Yahiko’s expression instantly turned serious.

A week ago, Hanzo had arrived with many subordinates, confronting Akatsuki led by Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.

At first, Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato assumed Hanzo came with hostile intentions.

But surprisingly, Hanzo was extremely friendly toward their organization.

He voluntarily offered to cooperate and gave them ample time to consider.

Three days ago, the three of them had already informed Hanzo’s subordinate of their decision.

They were thrilled to cooperate.

Today was the day they had agreed to meet with Hanzo.

The three of them flipped their wooden signs hanging on the wall to the frog side.

Konan left first to organize today’s rescue mission for Akatsuki’s subordinates. She would meet up with Nagato and Yahiko later.

According to their agreement with Hanzo, both sides considered this meeting confidential. They were not allowed to bring any subordinates.

So Hanzo would come alone, and the three of them would also come without any Akatsuki members.

As Yahiko closed the hut’s door, he looked at Jiraiya, still sound asleep. “Jiraiya-sensei, wait for our good news. Even though you always treat us like kids, we’ve grown up. Jiraiya-sensei, our achievements will surely make you proud!”

-

Title: Jiraiya’s Part 23: Konan Falls into the Trap

As Yahiko and Nagato headed to the designated location to meet Hanzo,

Konan had just finished organizing the mission for Akatsuki members.

Not long after she parted ways with the other Akatsuki members,

A sudden figure darted through the forest.

Konan instantly went on guard.

Not an enemy.

It was Hanzo.

Konan felt relieved.

But she sensed something strange.

At this moment, Hanzo should have been at the predetermined meeting spot.

And Hanzo’s expression was no longer as friendly as during their previous meeting.

“Hanzo-sama.” Konan asked, confused, “Why are you here? Yahiko and Nagato are on their way—”

Before Konan could finish speaking, Hanzo swiftly formed hand seals, his face cold.

“Katon: Kibaku Enjin!” (Fire Release: Exploding Flame Invention!)

Intense, searing heat erupted beneath Konan’s feet.

The ground beneath her instantly collapsed, revealing several explosive tags.

A loud explosion followed by blazing fire immediately engulfed Konan’s body.

Three years ago, when Hanzo fought against Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and many other ninja, this single technique alone nearly killed all the Konoha ninja.

At that time, if Jiraiya hadn’t noticed in time and used the Lion’s Mane technique to shield them, Orochimaru and Tsunade might have died on the spot.

Now, this same technique of Hanzo’s, used against Konan, proved devastatingly effective.

Before them, the ground where Konan had lain was charred pitch-black.

The rain hadn’t yet extinguished the spreading flames.

Scorching heat enveloped the damp air.

Konan was severely injured.

Her red-cloud Akatsuki cloak was burned.

One of her arms was scorched, twisted and deformed.

With great difficulty, she turned her head. Her eyes trembled as she stared at Hanzo in disbelief, painfully whispering, “Hanzo-sama… you deceived us?”

“Yes.”

Hanzo’s expression didn’t change. “Your organization should never have existed. If it weren’t for Nagato possessing the Rinnegan, I would have killed you the moment I first met you.”

“But why must you kill us? Isn’t Akatsuki’s original goal the same as your belief—to stop war and protect the innocent?”

“Belief…”

Hanzo’s face tensed. His heart stirred slightly.

His original belief had indeed been to end war and bring world peace.

But now, the times seemed to have changed.

“My beliefs have changed.”

Hanzo stared at Konan and said gravely, “The existence of your organization threatens my position in the Land of Rain.”

After uttering these words, Hanzo stopped speaking to Konan.

He ordered his subordinate to take Konan away.

He had just received word that Danzo had already led Root Anbu members from Konoha to join.

Next, he had to confront Yahiko and Nagato.

But as Hanzo turned to leave,

His subordinate suddenly said, “Hanzo-sama! That’s not Konan!”

What?

Hanzo immediately turned around.

On the scorched ground, the raging flames had been doused by the rain.

The severely injured Konan slowly transformed into scattered pieces of paper.

“Hanzo, you’ve betrayed your own beliefs. I won’t let you harm Yahiko and Nagato!” After Konan spoke these words, her body dissolved into countless small paper fragments that floated away.

The sight left Hanzo’s subordinate visibly shocked.

“It’s Paper Clone.” Hanzo realized.

He had already gathered intelligence on Akatsuki members.

He knew every ninjutsu possessed by Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko.

Konan couldn’t have fled far.

He immediately formed a hand seal with one hand.

“Shunshin no Jutsu!” (Body Flicker Technique!)