Yahiko excitedly told Nagato and Konan the specifics of the negotiations he had with Hanzou’s subordinates.
Konan and Nagato could barely conceal the joy on their faces.
“Hanzou must have accepted the original goals of our organization.
Lord Hanzou is truly a respectable senior.”
Nagato took off the cloud pattern cloak he was wearing, hung it up, started a fire, and began drying the water stains on it.
On one wall of the small wooden cabin hung plaques belonging to the three of them: Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato.
On the other wall hung plaques belonging to their former teachers, Jiraiya and Natsuki.
The three continued chatting.
They dreamed of the future.
Before long, the topic turned to their former benefactor and teacher, Jiraiya.
Yahiko exclaimed, “I really look forward to the day we meet Teacher Jiraiya!
If Teacher Jiraiya knew how far our Akatsuki Organization has developed, he definitely wouldn’t hold back on praising us!”
Nagato laughed, “He won’t just praise us; he’ll praise himself too.”
Nagato stood up, imitating Jiraiya’s movements and tone of voice: “Yahiko, Nagato, Konan!
You truly are This Great One’s beloved disciples!
What you’ve accomplished makes This Great One extremely proud, and it’s definitely worth celebrating!
This Great One brought you some sake; let’s drink happily all night long!”
Konan watched and burst into laughter.
Yahiko laughed a few times and said, “It’s a good thing our strength has improved recently.
Otherwise, the next time we see Teacher Jiraiya, he would definitely say this—I’ll show you.”
After speaking, Yahiko stood up, cleared his throat a few times, walked in front of Nagato, lowered his voice, imitated Jiraiya’s expression, and yelled at Nagato: “Nagato!
Why haven’t you made any progress at all?
You’re making This Great One lose face!”
Yahiko punched Nagato on the head.
The blow caused a bump to swell up on Nagato’s head.
Konan was stunned at first, then burst into laughter and clapped her hands after realizing what happened: “Yahiko, you even imitated Teacher Jiraiya’s movements perfectly!”
Nagato clutched the swelling bump on his head, howling in pain: “Yahiko, I strongly suspect that punch contained some personal grudge against me.”
“No, absolutely not!
I’m sorry, Nagato, please forgive me.”
“I can forgive you, but you have to let me hit you back.”
“No way!
“I don’t need your apology; I need you to suffer my wrath!”
Nagato clenched his fist, intending to land a blow on the top of Yahiko’s head as well.
Yahiko felt nervous and dodged: “Nagato, I am the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, after all.
Please show me some respect.”
“Here’s a punch for you!”
Without thinking, Nagato immediately punched Yahiko.
Frightened, Yahiko continued to dodge: “Konan, don’t just sit there!
I command you, as the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, to pin Nagato down for me!”
Konan snorted, “I certainly won’t treat you like the leader in private.”
Konan was thoroughly amused by the sight.
Not only did she refuse to help Yahiko, but she also cheered Nagato on.
Before long, the painful cries of Yahiko being soundly beaten echoed through the small cabin that Jiraiya, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan had built together.
Suddenly, Yahiko shouted seriously, “Wait a minute!”
Yahiko, who had been howling while pinned to the ground by Nagato, flipped over and stood up with a solemn expression.
Seeing Yahiko’s expression, Nagato and Konan immediately realized something was wrong.
Nagato stopped fooling around.
Konan instantly became alert and said in a deep voice, “Is it an enemy?”