I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 512 The First Three Leaders of Akatsuki!

The dark cave was deathly silent, so quiet that the occasional dripping of water could be heard.

The original three leaders of Akatsuki finally learned why Jiraiya, whom they hadn't seen for many years, had suddenly appeared today.

Because the other party brought a truly enormous "super surprise"!

The Fourth Hokage of Konoha not only became aware of the existence of the Akatsuki organization, but also learned that Nagato possessed the Rinnegan.

How did he know?

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan looked at each other, their minds filled with shock and confusion.

Since its establishment, Akatsuki has caused quite a stir in the Land of Rain, but it has not leaked much of its own information to the outside world.

Especially information about Nagato.

After all, Yahiko and the others had been personally taught by Jiraiya in their childhood and knew just how terrifying Nagato's "onion eyes," which were so different from ordinary people, really were.

The Akatsuki organization alone could not possibly bear the terrifying weight of the "Sage of Six Paths' Eyes".

Therefore, even when operating within the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki organization always paid close attention to intelligence secrecy.

Let's just say that.

Yahiko was confident enough that even Hanzo the Salamander, the current "boss" of Amegakure, didn't know that Nagato possessed the Rinnegan!

But the leader of Amegakure was unaware of this, while the even more terrifying Hokage of Konoha found out.

The core of the Akatsuki's original three leaders was not Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, nor Konan, the only female ninja, but rather Yahiko, who had an optimistic personality.

After exchanging a few glances, it was Yahiko who finally broke the silence in the dark cave.

"The Fourth Hokage, he..."

Yahiko originally wanted to ask Jiraiya how Nara Rinka knew about Nagato's affair.

But the words stuck in his throat and he didn't say them.

In Yahiko's opinion, apart from himself and Konan, the only people in the world who knew that Nagato possessed the Rinnegan were probably Jiraiya-sensei.

It's impossible for him and Konan to have leaked Nagato's information.

That leaves only one candidate for leaking the intelligence...

Could it be that Jiraiya-sensei told the Fourth Hokage about Nagato?

Yahiko was unwilling to think about this issue in depth.

He reluctantly changed his wording.

"What kind of ninja was he?"

"The Fourth Hokage was from the Nara clan. He had a rather lazy and easygoing personality, and during the previous war..."

Jiraiya carefully considered his tone, selecting only the information he could share.

Regardless, he was one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, while Yahiko and the others are now ninjas of the Land of Rain.

Before the situation becomes completely clear, Jiraiya cannot reveal important information about his Hokage to Yahiko and the others.

After giving a general account of the intelligence information circulating about Nara, Jiraiya finally spoke slowly.

"I don't know how the Fourth Hokage learned that Nagato possessed the Rinnegan, but judging from his previous attitude, the Fourth Hokage... valued Nagato's eyes very much."

That's obvious!

Yahiko pursed his lips.

Any ninja who knows the legends surrounding the Sage of Six Paths cannot possibly ignore the legendary "Sage's Eyes"!

Now that the Fourth Hokage of Konoha has obtained conclusive information about Nagato.

So now, the Akatsuki organization only has one problem to face.

Should we agree to their request?

Or refuse?

An unprecedented pressure suddenly arose in Yahiko's heart.

He knew exactly where this pressure was coming from.

This is pressure from a major power!

This is pressure from the Hokage!

For the Akatsuki organization at this stage, Amegakure is already like a boulder blocking their path forward.

In comparison, Konoha is like a towering mountain reaching into the clouds!

The thought of refusing the Hokage's request filled Yahiko with an immense sense of powerlessness.

Compared to the powerful and established Konoha, the Akatsuki organization was far too small, even smaller than the Land of Rain...

Should I agree?

How could Yahiko possibly agree to such an unreasonable request?

Those are Nagato's eyes!

The eyes of his childhood best friend and comrade-in-arms who shared life and death with him!

How could someone possibly gouge out Nagato's eyes just because of a casual remark from someone?!

At this moment, not only Yahiko, but also Nagato and Konan felt extremely troubled.

It's still the same problem.

Konoha is like a giant, while Akatsuki is like a doll.

If Konoha really wanted to do something to Akatsuki, Akatsuki might not even have the strength to resist.

An extremely oppressive atmosphere permeated the cave.

Jiraiya carefully observed the changes in his three disciples' expressions and knew that he could not continue to provoke them at this point. Instead, he brought up the conditions that Nara had promised before the harbinger of ...

"Yahiko, Nagato, Konan."

Jiraiya said in a deep voice.

"The Fourth Hokage did not intend to forcibly take away these Sage Eyes; he was willing to make a deal with Nagato."

"The Fourth Hokage said he was willing to pay a heavy price for these two Rinnegan."

"A deal? A price?"

Yahiko raised his head, his expression changing slightly.

"Jiraiya-sensei, do you want Nagato to lose his sight forever?"

This is not a question of whether or not one has lost their sight.

Silly child...

Jiraiya sighed inwardly.

The moment the information that Nagato possessed the Rinnegan was leaked to Nara Rinkei, the Akatsuki organization had no other choice.

For the sake of their comrades and their beliefs, the Akatsuki could certainly refuse the Fourth Hokage of Konoha's request.

But then what?

When the Konoha ninja forces storm the Land of Rain in the future, the Akatsuki's future will only be more tragic than it is now.

As a teacher, Jiraiya did not want to see his disciples fall into such a tragic situation in the future.

Faced with Yahiko's questioning, Jiraiya decisively shook his head.

"Of course I don't want to see Nagato lose his eyes!"

Jiraiya stated his attitude and opinion unequivocally.

"If you are unwilling to trade the Rinnegan to the Fourth Hokage, I can give you a guarantee right now."

"Even if it costs me my life, I will not allow the Fourth Hokage to harm the lives of the three of you!"

As one of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya believed he was qualified to forcefully save the lives of Nagato and the other two from Nara.

But if things really develop to that point...

Nagato may only be able to save his life...

In any case.

Jiraiya's firm stance greatly influenced Yahiko and the other two.

"Jiraiya-sensei..."

Even Xiao Nan, who has the most tender temperament, had a few tears welling up in her eyes.

If other people see this...

They might even mistakenly believe that some human tragedy is about to occur here.

"Don't cry, Minami-chan~"

Jiraiya noticed the somber atmosphere and immediately put on a playful, grinning expression.

"Things haven't gotten to that point yet..."

Just as Jiraiya was about to say a few more words to calm Konan's agitated emotions.

Nagato, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.

"Jiraiya-sensei, may I speak with the Fourth Hokage in person?"

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan have lived together for many years, and their understanding of each other is so deep that it's ingrained in their very bones.

The moment Nagato uttered those words, Yahiko and Konan sensed an extremely strong will in them.

Nagato...

He probably wanted to sacrifice himself to ensure the future of the Akatsuki organization...

The thought flashed through both Yahiko's and Konan's minds at the same time, and then they both spoke up simultaneously.

"Nagato! No!"

"Nagato! Calm down!"

"I'm calm, Yahiko, Minami."

Nagato looked at his two companions, managing a forced smile on his pale face.

"Regardless, let me speak with the Fourth Hokage first..."

Seeing the pained expression on his disciple's face, Jiraiya clenched his fists slightly and cursed Nara Ranke in his heart.

Even knowing that Nara Rinka made this decision from Konoha's perspective.

But at this moment, Jiraiya still loathed Nara Rinka.

And those damned Rinnegan!

Second update.

Goodnight everybody.

Keep warm and be careful not to catch a cold.

I'll pay off my debts once I recover.

(End of this chapter)