"Y-you… you…"
Yahiko was so shocked he couldn't form a complete sentence. He instinctively tried to stand—only to realize an invisible force had bound him in place. He couldn't move at all.
Nagato and Konan fared better. They were stunned, yes—but still composed.
Konan was calm by nature.
Nagato… had clearly sensed something earlier.
"No need to panic," Uchiha Jin said with a gentle smile. "I have no ill intentions toward you."
His gaze shifted to Nagato.
"You noticed something strange long ago, didn't you?"
"Long ago?" Yahiko and Konan both turned sharply toward Nagato.
After a brief hesitation, Nagato lifted his head, revealing the ripple-patterned Rinnegan beneath his hair.
"I saw abnormal chakra in Lord Hanzo's brain," he said quietly. "But I couldn't determine the exact nature of it, so I didn't act rashly."
His tone was polite, but the truth was clear—he had been wary of Jin's strength. Exposing him prematurely might have triggered consequences beyond control.
The only reason Nagato revealed his Rinnegan now was simple:
He knew Jin had already seen it.
And more importantly—
He hadn't sensed hostility from him.
"Impressive eyes," Jin said lightly. "But don't rely on them too much."
The words carried weight.
Yahiko finally steadied himself.
"Who are you really?" he demanded. His gaze shifted to the motionless Hanzo. "And what did you do to Lord Hanzo?"
"Nothing drastic. He's merely trapped in a genjutsu."
Jin's tone was casual.
"And technically speaking… I've saved your lives."
"Saved us?" Yahiko frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You've noticed the abnormal escalation on the Rain battlefield recently, haven't you?" Jin gestured toward the bandages on Yahiko and Konan.
"And judging from that… you've already encountered something unusual."
Yahiko's eyes darkened.
"You mean the increasingly violent clashes between Konoha and Iwa?"
Jin nodded.
"A new force has intervened in this war."
"His name is Shimura Danzo."
"He seeks greater利益—benefits. To gain them, he intends to intensify conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure, prolonging the war."
"I came to the Land of Rain to stop him."
He paused.
"I spoke with Hanzo before this. But he has already chosen to cooperate with Danzo."
"I had no choice but to resort to this method."
Yahiko stared.
"That's impossible! Why would Lord Hanzo cooperate with someone like that? If the war ends, Rain can finally develop properly, can't it?"
Jin shook his head slowly.
"You're still too naïve."
He asked calmly,
"Between the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, there was a period of peace."
"Did Rain develop during that time?"
Yahiko froze.
He thought carefully.
No.
Nothing had changed.
Rain was still poor. Still suppressed.
Jin continued,
"In peacetime, the great nations bordering Rain—the Lands of Fire, Earth, and Wind—would never allow Rain to grow strong."
"They would silently coordinate to suppress its development."
"But during wartime?"
"Their attention is divided. That's when Rain can seize利益."
"Yes, the people suffer."
"But from the perspective of a ruler like Hanzo…"
"Sacrificing some civilians to cultivate elite strength may be deemed worthwhile."
"It's no different from beasts abandoning weaker offspring so the stronger may survive."
"It's a brutal calculation."
"For the sake of the tribe."
Yahiko stood there, stunned.
The reality felt colder than any battlefield.
Konan's voice cut through the silence.
"You said you saved us. What exactly does that mean?"
Practical as always.
Jin pointed at Nagato.
"It begins with him."
"Me?" Nagato frowned.
"Your eyes have already been exposed," Jin said bluntly.
"Danzo wants them."
"He intends to use them as leverage in negotiating with Hanzo."
"If nothing changes… your Akatsuki will become the sacrifice sealing their alliance."
The room went deathly quiet.
Images flashed through their minds—
The suspicious Iwa squad.
The ambush.
The intent to kill.
A chill crawled down their spines.
"So that's why…" Yahiko whispered.
Jin spoke calmly.
"If you doubt me, that's fine."
"Danzo will arrive soon to finalize matters with Hanzo."
"You may stay here and witness it yourselves."
The three exchanged glances.
They nodded.
Some truths had to be confirmed personally.
Konan hesitated before speaking again.
"Lord Uchiha Jin… may I ask… why are you helping us?"
"Helping you?" Jin smiled faintly.
"There are several reasons."
"Someone asked me to look after you."
"And personally… I admire you."
"You have ideals."
"And more importantly—you act on them."
"That's rare."
"Someone asked you?" Yahiko's eyes brightened suddenly. "Was it Jiraiya-sensei?"
Jin shook his head.
"Not Jiraiya."
"It was Jiraiya's other disciple."
"Namely—Namikaze Minato."
"You could call him your senior brother."
"He learned about you from Jiraiya."
"When he heard I was coming to Rain, he asked me to look after you."
The three fell silent.
They all knew of the Yellow Flash of Konoha.
But they had never met him.
To think—
This unseen senior brother had been concerned for them all along.
Warmth spread quietly in their chests.
Truly—
A disciple of Jiraiya could not be lacking in character.
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