Yahiko agreed to Qianyu's terms.
"What do you need me to do?" Yahiko asked.
"What I need you to do," Qianyu replied, "will, in a way, also help Nagato and Konan."
That made Yahiko feel slightly better. Even though he'd agreed, being forced into this still left a bad taste in his mouth.
Qianyu continued, "Since we're partners now, I can share some information. The person manipulating Nagato from the shadows… is someone neither of us can afford to provoke right now. Someone powerful enough to stand against the entire shinobi world alone. Facing an enemy like that now would be suicide. We need to prepare, build our strength, before we can ever think of opposing him."
"Someone who can stand against the entire world?" Yahiko frowned, skeptical. "Someone that monstrous really exists?"
"Of course," Qianyu nodded. "This world isn't as simple as it seems on the surface. The wars we see now? They're just child's play in his eyes."
"That doesn't make sense," Yahiko argued, his brow furrowed. "If he's that powerful, why manipulate Nagato? And you said the Rinnegan is the final evolution of the Sharingan. Is this shadowy figure… a member of the Uchiha clan?"
Qianyu gave Yahiko a long, strange look.
"…What?" Yahiko asked, unnerved.
"First you seemed naive," Qianyu said slowly. "Now you're asking sharp questions. I can't tell if you're actually stupid or just pretending to be."
"I'm plenty smart!" Yahiko retorted, annoyed.
Qianyu waved a hand, dismissing the topic. "Enough. Down to business. I want you to go back to your old trade."
"My old trade?"
"Exactly. You managed to found an organization once—that speaks to your charisma. I want you to do it again. The timing is perfect. We're at war. The world is drowning in schemes and betrayals. When those schemes come to light, powerful shinobi will be left disillusioned, their faith shattered. I want you to find them. Recruit them. Use that charm of yours.
I'll be the leader. You'll be the deputy. I won't interfere with recruitment or how you structure things. Run it as you see fit. But any major action the organization takes must be reviewed and approved by me first. That's non-negotiable. That's your task."
Yahiko looked uneasy. "Recruit powerful shinobi? Can I really do that?"
His old Akatsuki hadn't been strong. If they had been, they wouldn't have been slaughtered so easily by Amegakure and Root.
Qianyu, however, had faith. This was the guy who, in another life, inspired a world. He had to have some persuasive talent.
"Believe in yourself," Qianyu encouraged. "Though, your personal strength is a problem. What's your affinity?"
"Water Release."
Qianyu pulled a scroll from his pouch and tossed it over. "This has a collection of Water Release techniques, some high-level ones included. Study them."
"Isn't this… too much?" Yahiko said, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Consider it an investment. The stronger you are, the more useful you are to me." Qianyu paused. "But these alone won't make you a powerhouse. Wait a moment…"
He focused inwardly, spending 2,000 Witness Points in the exchange shop. Several advanced Water Release techniques materialized in his mind. He unrolled a blank scroll and began writing their formulae and training methods with quick, precise strokes.
He handed the fresh scroll to Yahiko. "Add these to your arsenal. That should give you a solid foundation. The rest is up to you. Becoming truly strong takes more than just learning jutsu."
Yahiko took the scrolls, his grip firming. "I'll train hard. I'll do my part. But you have to keep your promise. Don't let anything happen to Nagato and Konan."
"Naturally," Qianyu agreed. "I keep my word. But first, a few ground rules. From this moment on, the name 'Yahiko' is dead. You need a new identity. A new life. And you'll need to cover that face of yours."
Another 500 Witness Points vanished. In his hand appeared a mask, carved with strange, swirling patterns.
"Nagato is an Uzumaki. His sensory skills are exceptional. He knows your chakra signature intimately. This mask will alter your chakra's nature. Wear it, and even standing right in front of him, he won't recognize you. You'll wear it from now on."
Yahiko stared at the mask in his hands. A tumult of emotions churned inside him. Putting this on meant killing Yahiko for good.
"One more thing," Qianyu said, his tone shifting. "This isn't an order. Just advice. Take this chance to really look at the world. All that talk from Jiraiya-sensei about an era of mutual understanding? It's empty nonsense. A pipe dream no one can actually achieve. Chasing it as a serious goal is just wasted effort.
See this world for yourself. See how utterly disappointing it is. Who knows? You might end up agreeing with Nagato's methods after all."
Yahiko gave a slow, heavy nod. A stubborn resolve hardened within him. Fine. He would look. He would find a way to bring peace to this world. A way to make everyone happy!
"Good," Qianyu said, a faint smile touching his lips. "We're in the middle of the Land of Waves battlefield, Konoha's sector. You can't stay. Follow me."
He led Yahiko out of the Konoha encampment, their movements silent shadows in the night. They stopped amidst the ruins of a village in Waves.
"This is far enough," Qianyu said.
"Oh," Yahiko said suddenly. "I never got your name."
Qianyu chuckled. "I thought you knew. It's Qianyu."
Yahiko's eyes went wide. "Qianyu?! You're the 'Blood-Eyed Asura' everyone's talking about?!"
"The one and only. Ah, almost forgot." Qianyu handed over seven rings. "Channel chakra into them to communicate with the others. Use these to contact me."
They were similar to the Akatsuki rings, each costing 100 Witness Points, but instead of engravings, they were distinguished only by color.
"What will the organization be called?" Yahiko asked.
Qianyu thought for a moment. "Let's call it… Fūku. The Owl."
"The Owl…" Yahiko repeated, nodding. "I understand."
"Alright, Yahiko," Qianyu said. "From now on, we're partners. And comrades. Contact me if you need anything."
Yahiko lifted the mask. He took a final, deep breath of the night air as Yahiko. Then he settled the carved wood over his face. His presence seemed to shift, grow dimmer, wrapped in a new mystery.
"I understand," came his voice, slightly muffled but firm from behind the mask. "And my name… is Shindai."
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