Chapter 66 — "Yujiro: Prepare to Die, You Old Salamander Fossil!"
When Uchiha Yujiro started talking, Nagato-bro, much like Tsunade before him, had that same "I want to say something, but what's even the point?" expression.
After all, this was an Uchiha.
And expecting an Uchiha to behave like a normal human being was like expecting Orochimaru to open a daycare—technically possible, but deeply wrong.
Fine, he thought. Let him talk. I'll explain everything to Konan later… if she doesn't kill me first.
---
Nagato had been thinking a lot lately.
He was, at heart, an inventor—a tinkerer.
If he weren't, he wouldn't have thought of giving Shura Path a rocket punch and laser cannon head like some deranged mech designer.
So, in this moment, he made two silent resolutions:
1. Learn from Uchiha Yujiro's methods—to see how this lunatic actually planned to "save the world."
2. Recruit more powerful allies to rebuild Akatsuki's strength.
And when that day came, when he and Yujiro inevitably fought again, he'd gather every ally, every summon, every weapon—
and jump the guy.
No honor. No duels. Just pure gang-up.
The thought of Yujiro getting overwhelmed, beaten into the dirt, and finally humbled brought Nagato a faint, guilty sense of excitement.
---
But then—
his fantasy was abruptly shattered.
Because right in front of him, Uchiha Yujiro was holding Konan's hand and… reading her palm.
Nagato: "What the hell am I looking at?"
Yujiro, completely ignoring him, continued solemnly:
"See here, Konan-sis—this line across your palm? That's the 'Calamity Line.' Not great."
Konan blinked.
"Oh? And what exactly does that mean?"
Perhaps it was his serious tone—or the way his hand felt strangely warm and confident—but Konan didn't pull away.
Instead, she listened intently, genuinely curious.
"It means," Yujiro said gravely, "that people with this mark suffered hardship and loneliness in childhood. Tell me, does that sound familiar?"
Konan paused, her expression softening.
"Yes… it does."
"Don't worry," Yujiro said, squeezing her hand lightly. "There's a remedy for it. The saying goes: 'To erase misfortune and gain prosperity—cast off your past and remarry.'"
He smiled warmly.
"In other words, Konan-sis, it's time to move forward. I'm sure even Yahiko wouldn't want to see you trapped in sorrow, right?—Hey, Nagato-bro, don't interrupt. I'm having a moment here."
"Enough, Yujiro," Nagato finally interjected.
"We're at Akatsuki headquarters. I'll have your cloak made soon. But what's your next move? Or are you just improvising again?"
He narrowed his Rinnegan eyes, studying Yujiro with open suspicion.
He could forgive a lot—but not this.
Flirting with Konan? That crossed a line.
Yahiko had entrusted her to him before his death.
Nagato had sworn to protect her, to make sure she found happiness someday.
But this guy?
Happy? No.
Dangerous? Absolutely.
If Yujiro's heart were a book, it would read:
Left page: "Heartbreaker." Right page: "Serial flirt."
No way he was a good match.
---
Yujiro, meanwhile, was completely unfazed.
"Plans? Of course I have plans."
He gestured toward Orochimaru.
"This here's Orochimaru-sensei. He's about to defect from Konoha, and your Akatsuki setup is perfect for him to move in. Just give him some lab space, yeah?"
"I'll leave the secret facility management to you, bro."
Orochimaru gave his trademark serpentine smile.
"I'll be in your care, Nagato-kun."
Nagato hesitated, frowning thoughtfully.
"Orochimaru, huh… risky, but useful. His scientific mind—and his combat ability—are valuable assets. If I can control him, it could work."
He nodded slowly.
"All right. I agree. Orochimaru-sensei, do you have any objections?"
"None at all," Orochimaru said silkily.
Jiraiya, however, practically jumped.
"Wait, what?! Orochimaru—you're defecting?!"
Yujiro waved a hand dismissively.
"Farewells later, sensei. We have more pressing business now—like killing that old fossil, Hanzō of the Salamander!"
He clenched his fists, eyes burning.
"It's time to avenge our brother, Yahiko!"
During their march, Yujiro had confirmed that the so-called "Demi-God of the Shinobi" was still alive.
Nagato, for reasons that made no sense to him, had been stalling—training, meditating, "waiting for the right moment."
Yujiro figured the guy was just being dramatic.
Waiting for the perfect day to make his grand god-tier debut.
But now that Yujiro was here?
That head was his.
Hanzō might be a washed-up legend, but he was still prime XP and prestige.
Tsunade frowned.
"Hold on. As Konoha shinobi, is it really wise for us to attack Amegakure?"
She wasn't worried about morality—just optics.
If they were recognized, the other great nations might seize the chance to accuse Konoha of aggression and spark another war.
Yujiro gave her a look like she'd just asked whether fire was hot.
"Tsunade-sis, what are you talking about? We're not Konoha shinobi anymore."
"We're Akatsuki members now."
He smirked.
"The ones who'll kill Hanzō of the Salamander will be the new generation of Akatsuki, led by yours truly.
If anyone wants revenge, they can go cry to Akatsuki—not Konoha."
Konan, without a word, produced several folded bundles of cloth—
new Akatsuki cloaks, black with red clouds.
They were spares originally made for the Six Paths of Pain.
Now, they fit perfectly for the new team.
And just like that, the line between "Leaf ninja" and "criminal syndicate" vanished completely.
So, would they follow Yujiro's mad plan—
take down Hanzō and seize control of Amegakure in the name of Akatsuki?
Orochimaru didn't care either way.
Jiraiya disliked war, but this was for Yahiko's revenge.
He couldn't touch Danzō yet…
so the next best target would do.
Tsunade hesitated—
but with all her comrades fired up, she couldn't exactly defend Hanzō, a man she barely knew.
And besides—
this was Yujiro's plan.
And when it came to Yujiro's plans…
no one ever really had a choice.
He rode forward wrapped in lightning and flame, charging into the fray with a victorious laugh — a sight that pulled at Tsunade just as strongly as the memory of him lying weak and beautiful in her arms. If before she'd been stirred by a momentary weakness, after the battle with Nagato she was thoroughly, irrevocably drawn to him.
She found herself watching him with a fierce appetite to know how far he could rise. Could he really do it? Rebuild the Senju, conquer the world, bring about lasting peace — all of those absurd, grand ambitions. Could Uchiha Yujiro actually make any of it happen?
His answer, given simply and decisively in a classic, effortless raid, was: yes.
…
Hidden in a corner of Amegakure where no one would think to look, the aged, trembling Hanzō the Salamander stared in panic at the figures of Akatsuki gathered before him.
"Who are you people?!" he croaked, a broken old man through and through — senile, bewildered, no longer the threat he once had been.
Yujiro felt a small disappointment. Hanzō had ceased to be a worthy opponent. He glanced at Nagato; the latter's feelings were surely more complicated. Nagato had once idolized Hanzō.
"Really…" Nagato began, but the words died in his throat. If Yujiro were magnanimous he might have smiled and let Hanzō go, but Yujiro's expression was a mixture of contempt and disdain, and the moment dragged on.
If they fought properly, Hanzō wouldn't last a single round. In fact, Nagato — looking at the feeble, ridiculous figure before him — almost didn't want to kill the old man.
In that instant of hesitation, Yujiro drew his blade and severed Hanzō's head in a single clean stroke.
The head rolled; Hanzō's eyes remained wide and unbelieving until the last. That grotesque, tragic end reinforced Yujiro's cruel logic: time, decay and death render individual might meaningless in the face of the grand designs he intended to build.
Nagato breathed in deeply. "Yahiko," he whispered to himself. "I have avenged you."
Yujiro, blood on his blade, wasn't satisfied. He said flatly, "Not enough blood has been spilled."
"We're still short one," he continued. "Shimura Danzo is still alive."
Lightning split the sky; purple flashes illuminated Yujiro's handsome, exhilarated face. "Half a revenge is no revenge at all. Yahiko was once the leader of Akatsuki — if we don't finish this, my claim to lead the new Akatsuki won't be secure."
"But you, Nagato," he added, tone sharpening, "you and Konan cannot kill him."
"Danzo must die, but he must die by Konoha's hand."