Is something wrong with Sensei's eyes?
Were they injured, or is it something else, forcing him to keep them covered?
"You know, blocking someone's business isn't very polite," Takuya's voice called out before the three could linger any longer.
The trio froze, their bodies stiff with awkwardness. After a moment of hesitation, they pushed open the door and stepped into the small restaurant.
Inside, there were no other patrons apart from Takuya, who sat in a corner, sipping steaming tea.
"Sensei."
Feeling both nervous and guilty, the trio approached, bowed politely, and greeted Takuya.
Despite the cloth covering his eyes, Takuya raised his head to face them.
"Impressive. Your strength has grown considerably. It's hard to believe that without a teacher or access to proper ninja resources, you've managed to come this far."
"Sensei, we're the Akatsuki!" Yahiko puffed out his chest, swelling with pride at Takuya's praise.
His demeanor, full of childlike innocence, bore a resemblance to Nawaki—naïve, a little foolish, and sometimes downright silly.
"I've told you before: I'm not your teacher," Takuya said with an amused smile, shaking his head.
Still not giving up, huh?
"Have a seat. I'm curious to hear what the three of you have been through all these years."
"To us, you will always be our teacher," Yahiko declared, though his earlier enthusiasm dimmed slightly. "You saved us from the darkness and showed us the path to the light."
Even if Takuya refused to acknowledge them as his students, they had always regarded him as their sensei.
Yahiko had hoped that now, after seeing how far they'd come, Takuya might finally accept them as disciples.
But clearly, they were thinking too much. Takuya had never entertained such thoughts.
"Sit down," Takuya repeated.
The trio obediently took their seats. Yahiko and Nagato sat across from Takuya, while Konan, ever bold, chose the spot beside him. Without hesitation, she asked, "Sensei, about your eyes…"
A small white head poked out from under Takuya's clothes—Snowy, curious and alert, turned its gaze toward Konan.
"My eyes have been feeling uncomfortable lately, so I'm keeping them covered. They'll be fine after a while," Takuya said as he patted Snowy's head.
"Tell me your story. I'm quite curious."
Konan hesitated but didn't press further. She began recounting their journey.
"After the war, the Land of Rain was in chaos. With your support, we managed to gain a foothold in Amegakure and focused on improving our skills. Once the village settled down, we left to explore the outside world."
"During our travels, we dealt with many rogue ninja who were causing trouble, and we also obtained some…"
Konan paused, her expression troubled.
The next part of the story was grim. To survive, to grow stronger, and to help others, the trio had resorted to every means possible. Without the idealistic teachings of Jiraiya, their path had been far more ruthless.
Nagato, in particular, played a crucial role. To protect Konan and Yahiko, he had used the power of the Rinnegan.
This power allowed them to secure the resources and techniques necessary for growth, but it came at a significant cost. Fortunately, as long as Nagato didn't overexert himself, his now-matured body could handle the strain.
Their journey had been arduous, filled with sacrifices. In the chaotic Land of Rain, where life was worth less than a dog's, three children armed with only basic knowledge had managed to rise through sheer determination and grit.
Unknown to them, Black Zetsu had been working in the shadows to ensure the Akatsuki trio didn't falter.
After hearing Konan's story, Takuya raised a hand, gently ruffling her hair, and offered her a comforting smile.
"You've done well. There's no need to feel guilty or regretful about the things you've done. These are the prices of growth. If I had grown up in the Land of Rain, my experiences might have been even darker than yours."
He poured them a cup of tea. "For now, eat and rest. Treat this visit to Konoha as a chance to relax. Joining the daimyo's estate was a wise decision—it's reduced the chances of direct conflict with Amegakure."
With the daimyo's backing, the Akatsuki could develop openly and legitimately. While Amegakure might find their presence irksome, they couldn't openly oppose them without risking a fallout with the daimyo.
Amegakure was already impoverished and heavily indebted to the daimyo. Now that the daimyo was finally in a position to offer financial aid, targeting the Akatsuki would only disrupt this delicate balance.
And never underestimate the importance of money. Without financial support, Amegakure couldn't develop, and without development, the Land of Rain would remain unstable. Even with the Akatsuki's efforts, their influence was limited by their lack of strength and numbers.
Unlike the original timeline, where the Akatsuki had clashed constantly with Amegakure, their pragmatic alignment with the daimyo had allowed them to grow without resistance.
"Hahaha! Convincing the daimyo took a lot of effort on my part," Yahiko boasted proudly.
Nagato, ever composed, quietly burst his bubble. "It was Konan's idea, and she led the negotiations that convinced the daimyo."
"…"
Yahiko's face turned red with frustration. Can't you let me have this moment?
The dynamic between the trio was clear. Yahiko was the determined leader, Nagato the strongest among them, and Konan the strategist who managed the organization's affairs.
Watching Yahiko's embarrassment, Konan stifled a laugh, choosing not to intervene.
It was evident that their bond was as strong as ever.
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DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING