Yahiko stood up and looked at Ren with a serious expression, saying,
"Tsk."
Ren was about to retort, but Minato, beside him, gestured for Ren to stop talking. After all, these were their own matters, and interfering too much would not do them any good; on the contrary, it might even cause resentment.
"To be honest, our purpose for coming here this time is to observe the actions of Iwagakure and Sunagakure. They intend to draw the battlefield to the Land of Rain. This place will likely become a battlefield soon, and I think it would be best for your organisation to prepare early."
Yahiko remained silent, then after a long while, he raised his head and said in a deep voice,
"Tell me, what do you need?"
Minato did not speak, but instead took out a map from his waist, unfolded it, and laid it on the ground.
"It's not a difficult task. Please help us update the map of the Land of Rain in detail. I can pay a reward."
"Hmph? You think you can buy us off with money? You underestimate our Akatsuki…"
"Five million ryo."
A Chunin nearby looked at Minato mockingly, but before he could finish speaking, Minato calmly interrupted him.
The Chunin's remaining words instantly got stuck in his throat, and he stared at Minato, dumbfounded.
"Deal!"
Yahiko's breathing instantly became heavy. Five million ryo! How many missions would they have to do to earn that much? Now they could get it just by updating a map. Such a good opportunity was hard to find!
Yahiko took out a pen and began drawing on the map, while Konan beside him looked at Yahiko with joy.
With this money, they could improve everyone's food and accelerate their expansion. It was known that due to economic limitations, the recruitment of new members into the Akatsuki Organisation was exceptionally slow. Furthermore, because the Akatsuki Organisation had only recently been established, it was not very conspicuous in the Land of Rain, which was full of gangs. Although like-minded companions continuously joined under Yahiko's appeal, it was also a huge drain on their finances. Now, with five million in income, these pressures would be greatly alleviated. Nagato would surely be delighted when he heard about it!
"Phew, alright, take a look."
Half an hour later, Yahiko stood up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then handed the map to Minato, signalling him to inspect it.
Minato took it and began to examine it carefully, finally nodding in satisfaction. It not only marked the locations of various towns but also the whereabouts and approximate strengths of various large and small gangs. It was clear that Yahiko had indeed written it seriously.
This map, covering the entire Land of Rain, had far greater strategic significance for Konoha than five million ryo. Besides, he could get reimbursed by the Village when he returned, so he wasn't paying out of his own pocket.
"Very good, here's the payment."
Minato fumbled in his Arms for three banknotes, then suddenly stiffened, and his expression became somewhat subtle.
Ren looked at the embarrassed Minato, and while pressing one hand to his forehead, he pulled out two banknotes from his own pocket and handed them to Minato, who took them and gave Ren a grateful look.
Yahiko accepted the banknotes handed over by Minato. Several people gathered together to check their authenticity for a long time. After confirming their authenticity, Yahiko handed them over to Konan for safekeeping. After all, he was used to being careless; if he accidentally lost them, he would be a sinner to the Akatsuki Organisation.
Konan carefully folded the banknotes and put them into her pocket, a brilliant smile appearing on her face.
"If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
After getting the money, Yahiko and the others couldn't sit still. They wanted to quickly take the money back and lead the Akatsuki Organisation to grow stronger, realising their great ideal of peace as soon as possible.
"Walk slowly, no need to see us out."
Ren and Minato stood at the cave entrance, watching them disappear into the rain curtain, vanishing from sight after a short while.
The rain outside showed no sign of letting up, but they weren't in too much of a hurry anyway. They sat back down by the campfire and started chatting. Both were quite satisfied with this harvest. Indeed, money isn't everything, but without money, you can't do anything. This time, they really benefited from that five million.
At this point, Ren stared at Minato Namikaze with a look of resentment, making the latter feel uneasy.
"Big Brother Minato, don't forget to pay me back when we return. That's half of my savings."
"Cough, cough, cough, don't worry, I'll ask Jiraiya-sensei for reimbursement when I get back. You don't need to worry. After all, I also put in three million, right?"
Minato chuckled dryly and quickly promised to ask Jiraiya for reimbursement when they returned, and only then did Ren relent.
Half an hour later, the rain began to lighten. If nothing unexpected happens, it should stop soon.
"Let's go, let's verify the map's accuracy."
Minato waved the map in his hand and walked out. Ren nodded, as it was still necessary to conduct on-site inspections and cross-reference them with the information on the map.
...
"Phew, we're finally almost done."
Ren and Minato walked out of the small town behind them, wearing two straw capes. Although it was unlikely for them to get sick from this amount of rain given their physical condition, it was better to be safe than sorry. Besides, who would want to get messy when they could stay clean?
"There aren't any major problems; mostly, it's all true. It seems they are quite trustworthy."
"They wouldn't be so foolish as to offend Konoha for five million. It's not worth it."
Ren said casually, his hands in his pockets.
"Hahaha, we should head back. I wonder how the others are doing."
"Who knows? Let's wait at the rendezvous point. With their strength, there shouldn't be any problems."
After all, Konoha's Ninja were much more elite than Ninja from other Villages at the same level. Otherwise, if Konoha relied only on its high-end combat power, the Land of Fire would have been breached countless times already.
Upon arriving at the rendezvous point, one reconnaissance team had already returned. Upon seeing Minato Namikaze, the team leader emerged from the shadows and approached Minato Namikaze to give a brief report; the detailed report would be given later, upon their return.
Not long after, the remaining two reconnaissance teams also returned one after another. According to their reports, two of the teams encountered either Iwagakure or Sunagakure reconnaissance teams, but after a brief skirmish, they each retreated.
"Everyone completed their missions well. Let's return to the Konoha Camp."
After Minato Namikaze finished speaking, he turned and led the way into the jungle. Ren and the three teams followed closely, and in a short while, they crossed the border of the Land of Rain and entered the Land of Fire.
Because they had given prior notice, the various overt and covert sentries did not stop them for inspection. The group thus returned to the Konoha Camp unimpeded.
Looking at the darkening sky, Ren couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy.
The Land of Rain was perpetually rainy; day and night, it was overcast, much like a ravaged country and its people. If Yahiko had not died, then perhaps this place truly would have been illuminated by that light of dawn.