Chapter 71: It's Time for Akatsuki to Change

Two days later.

Yahiko once again received emissaries from the Amegakure. Unlike the last time when they brought goodwill, this time the emissaries arrived with two squads, exuding strong hostility in their demeanor.

After calling out Yahiko by name, the emissaries surveyed their surroundings before speaking coldly:

"You are the leader of Akatsuki, Yahiko. Lord Hanzo demands that you promptly hand over the murderer, Byakuya. If not, the next time, Lord Hanzo will come personally."

"Hand over the murderer… Byakuya?"

Yahiko was somewhat bewildered. He hadn't yet grasped the situation. When did Byakuya become a murderer? Furthermore, he himself didn't even know who the victim was.

After pondering for a moment, Yahiko asked in confusion, "Is there some misunderstanding here, gentlemen?"

The envoy squad exchanged glances and slammed down wanted posters and investigation reports in front of Yahiko, reminding him:

"Just the day before yesterday, an envoy dispatched by Lord Hanzo to your Akatsuki was ambushed and killed on the way back to the village. The assailant was a ninja from your Akatsuki!"

"Lord Kandachi is dead? On his way back to the Amegakure?"

Taking the wanted poster, which prominently displayed Byakuya's image and charges, Yahiko frowned deeply and hurriedly replied, "Byakuya couldn't have done this. For these past few days, Byakuya has been at the base without stepping outside even once. He had neither the time nor the motive to attack your village's jonin."

The envoy squad furrowed their brows, seeming unwilling to continue debating with Yahiko, and issued their final ultimatum:

"All of this is Lord Hanzo's orders. We are only carrying them out."

"Lord Hanzo has given a deadline of just one day. If we don't see Byakuya by tomorrow, he will personally come to seek an explanation."

With that said, the envoy squad turned and set up camp outside the base, clearly intent on achieving their objective no matter what.

Seeing the envoy's firm attitude, though filled with doubts, Yahiko suppressed his concerns and returned to the base to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

If it wasn't Byakuya, he would certainly reject this confidently.

If it truly was Byakuya...

Yahiko glanced towards the distant mountains and sighed softly. He seemed uncertain of what to do next.

Upon returning to his office, he found that Nagato and Konan, along with other Akatsuki jonin, had been waiting for quite some time.

Seeing Yahiko enter the office with a solemn expression, the Akatsuki jonin felt a pang of anxiety. They knew that this time, Hanzo's emissaries had come with great force, but they were unsure of the exact details of what had occurred.

"Yahiko, this visit from the Amegakure seems ominous. What exactly has happened?"

Yahiko first scanned the office. Not seeing Byakuya present, he replied, "Has Byakuya not arrived yet? The Hanzo emissaries have come this time for Byakuya."

"Related to Byakuya?" Nagato, Konan, and the others exchanged glances, taking the wanted poster from Yahiko's hand to finally understand what had transpired.

But how did the last envoy from Hanzo end up dead so suddenly, with the blame pinned on Byakuya?

While Byakuya's actions were often provocative, he couldn't possibly act so impulsively. He certainly wouldn't attack Hanzo's envoy!

Facing his subordinates' questioning gazes, Yahiko produced an investigation report.

According to this report from the Amegakure, the cause of death was internal organ rupture caused by explosive tags. Furthermore, evidence found in the victim's memories pointed directly to Byakuya as the culprit.

Seeing this evidence, many Akatsuki jonin fell silent.

On the day the envoy visited, Byakuya was the only jonin who had minimal contact with them. Moreover, Byakuya had always harbored strong hostility towards the Amegakure.

Even before the Akatsuki fully formed, Byakuya had considered the Amegakure as a hypothetical enemy.

If the last visit by Hanzo's envoy had provoked Byakuya's displeasure, Byakuya might actually have struck against the envoy of the Akatsuki, and Byakuya indeed possessed the capability to do so.

Yahiko's expression also became complex. His thoughts were not much different from these jonin.

Because he knew Byakuya well enough, Yahiko understood that Byakuya might really have targeted Hanzo's envoy. Coupled with evidence like explosive tags, his confidence was shaken.

Sensing the tense atmosphere in the office, Konan stepped forward and declared loudly:

"Byakuya could never be the murderer! From what I know of Byakuya, if he wanted to kill Hanzo's envoy, he wouldn't use explosive tags, let alone attack directly without even using transformation jutsu."

Hearing this, the Akatsuki jonin nodded involuntarily.

Konan's reasoning was sound. Byakuya's character dictated that any ninja he targeted would die mysteriously, possibly disguised as Leaf or Stone Village shinobi, to incite conflict.

Moreover, leaving the body intact after killing was not Byakuya's style.

Byakuya spared no jutsu or explosive tags in his actions, ensuring there would be nothing left of his victims.

At this point, Nagato and others couldn't help but speak up, "Yahiko, we believe Byakuya has been falsely accused. The real culprit must be someone else! As long as we can find the real culprit, we can clear Byakuya's name!"

Facing his subordinates' statements, Yahiko remained expressionless, sighing helplessly within.

In the past, Yahiko might have genuinely sought out the real murderer to prove Byakuya's innocence, reconciling everyone and working together for mutual benefit.

But this time, Yahiko felt something amiss from the envoy's attitude.

He believed that even if Byakuya was truly innocent, the Amegakure wouldn't give up pursuing justice. Their target wasn't Byakuya, but the Akatsuki itself.

In such a scenario, it seemed the Akatsuki had only two choices.

One was to hand over Byakuya, quelling the Amegakure's anger.

The other was to refuse, which would mean preparing to confront the Amegakure.

Honestly, Yahiko didn't want to choose either option.

Byakuya was a senior member from the founding days of the Akatsuki and a like-minded companion on its path of development. It could be said that the Akatsuki wouldn't have reached its current state without Byakuya's help.

If Byakuya were handed over, would his subordinates rebel? The organization's cohesion would dissipate.

Handing over a senior member today would lead to handing over a leader tomorrow, completely betraying the organization's founding principles.

If they chose to refuse, did the current Akatsuki have the strength to resist the Amegakure?

This was Hanzo of the Salamander, a demi-god ranked equally with the Five Kage. In a direct confrontation, the Akatsuki stood no chance.

So, was there a third option?

Yahiko sank into contemplation, and the office fell into an eerie silence as everyone weighed the pros and cons, hesitant to make a decision.

At that moment, the tightly closed door of the office slowly opened.

And the one who pushed open the door wasn't anyone else but Byakuya, who had been observing everyone quietly using his spore technique for some time.

Since the arrival of Hanzo's emissaries, Byakuya had been aware that he was on the Amegakure's wanted list and falsely accused as the murderer of the envoy.

Yawning, Byakuya lazily remarked, "What are we discussing in this meeting again? It's not another collaboration with the Amegakure, is it? I'm not interested in these matters. Next time, don't bother calling me."

Byakuya's appearance immediately drew everyone's attention. Their gazes were filled with complexity.

Just as Nagato and Konan were about to explain the situation, Yahiko raised his hand to stop them, then spoke coldly.

"Byakuya, you're just in time. Considering your recent unauthorized actions over the past few months and after our discussion, we have unanimously decided to expel you from the Akatsuki. As of today, you are no longer a member of the Akatsuki. Leave immediately!"

Upon hearing Yahiko's declaration, the others initially felt a tightening in their chests but quickly understood.

Yahiko's apparent expulsion of Byakuya was actually a way to let Byakuya lay low. After Byakuya left, they would officially declare him a rogue ninja, severing ties with both sides.

This way, they wouldn't have to hand over Byakuya and could protect the Akatsuki as well.

However, Byakuya would have to endure unjust accusations and live the rest of his life as a wanted criminal and rogue ninja, wandering various regions of the ninja world.

Byakuya glanced deeply at Yahiko, a hint of relief crossing his eyes.

"It's not easy, Yahiko. You've finally learned to be flexible and adaptable, abandoning the idea of sitting down for a proper discussion. But once I become a rogue, the pressure on you as the leader of the Akatsuki will be immense."

Moreover, he never intended to defect from the Akatsuki. The idea of a future leader defecting was too impulsive.

"Leader Yahiko, isn't kicking me out a bit ruthless? After all, I'm an elder of the Akatsuki. Can't you wait until the organization is about to grow and strengthen before expelling me?"

"Are you going against our previous agreement?"

"This has nothing to do with our agreement..."

Facing Byakuya's unpredictable words, Yahiko felt somewhat helpless. He didn't really care about being the leader of the Akatsuki, but certain things couldn't be said outright.

Others in the room also grew anxious, silently acknowledging Yahiko's effort to protect Byakuya.

Seeing everyone's growing impatience, Byakuya suddenly smiled, took a seat, picked up the wanted poster from the table, and glanced at it lightly.

"My wanted poster, accused of killing the last envoy who came? You've been discussing this trivial matter for so long? And you even want to kick me out of the Akatsuki for it. Why, are you afraid of the Amegakure?"

Without waiting for Yahiko and the others to respond, Byakuya chuckled, "Alright, alright! I'm just kidding. From your faces and this wanted poster, it seems we are indeed facing a significant crisis. However, hasn't the Amegakure already provided the solution?

They just need to hand me over, and this crisis will be resolved, right? Why complicate things? Isn't it that simple? Besides, I've been longing to visit the Amegakure, admiring the semi-god of the ninja world for so long."

Byakuya's words didn't lighten the mood among the group. Instead, they deepened the atmosphere of seriousness.

Everyone knew that handing over Byakuya was the easiest solution, but they tacitly avoided bringing it up. Now that Byakuya, the person directly involved, had brought it up himself, the air grew even heavier.

After a moment's silence, Yahiko furrowed his brow and said, "Byakuya, you should know the consequences of being handed over. This behavior is too reckless, I cannot allow you to do this."

Byakuya glanced at Yahiko and smiled, saying, "I'm not going there to die. I just want to talk to Hanzo and see if we can clear up the misunderstanding between us. Once Hanzo and I understand each other, things will gradually get better."

Yahiko's expression turned serious as he retorted, "Do you really believe in my ideals this much? Normally, you scoff at my ideals, calling me naive behind my back every day."

Shaking his head, Byakuya replied earnestly, "I don't believe in your ideals, but I believe in you, and I believe in everyone's strength. So, in order not to be a burden to the organization, I'm willing to give it a try this time."

Byakuya's words caught Yahiko off guard. Before he could say anything more, Byakuya had already disappeared.

All that remained in the office was his echoing voice:

"I'm going to find the ninja from the Amegakure. Don't think you can order me around anymore, as a failure, you're not qualified to command me. Just stay quietly in your office."

After hearing Byakuya's final words, Yahiko's expression changed.

Next, he used the Body Flicker Technique and headed towards the outskirts of the base, followed closely by the other Akatsuki high-ranking members.

Half a minute later, they arrived at the base gate, but it was already too late.

In front of the Amegakure envoy, Byakuya declared his identity and volunteered to go to the Amegakure to prove his innocence and clear up the misunderstanding between the Akatsuki and the Amegakure.

Seeing Byakuya boarding the prisoner carriage, Yahiko stood stunned in place. The words he had been holding back could not be uttered.

It wasn't until the envoy left with Byakuya that Yahiko sighed softly in the distance.

Immediately, Nagato, Konan, and the others surrounded Yahiko, asking, "Yahiko, Byakuya has been taken away by the Amegakure. What should we do now?"

Facing Nagato and Konan's question, Yahiko had no immediate answer.

Byakuya's surrender resolved the crisis from the Amegakure for the Akatsuki, but a new challenge lay ahead of him.

Should the Akatsuki swallow their pride and continue cooperating with the Amegakure after this incident?

Or should they mobilize forces to prove Byakuya's innocence and rescue him?

At that moment, Yahiko's mind flashed with countless scenes of his interactions with Byakuya, including moments of arguing, extremism, and naivety.

A few minutes later, Yahiko seemed to have found the answer and made his decision.

Taking a deep breath, Yahiko turned towards the direction of the Amegakure and said slowly:

"Nagato, Konan, notify all members of the Akatsuki to suspend all activities and gather at the base. We need to rally all our forces to let the Amegakure and Hanzo of the Salamander know that the Akatsuki are not pushovers and won't be easily manipulated."

Upon hearing this, Nagato and Konan were momentarily stunned.

Mobilizing and gathering forces was clearly not Yahiko's usual style.

Yahiko noticed the expressions on Nagato and Konan's faces and said meaningfully, "At this stage of the Akatsuki's development, it's time for us to change. Emphasizing peace alone will only invite others' contempt."

(AN: it took 70 chapters for the guy to change. That's some deep character development.)

===

BONUS CHAPTER!

500 PS = 5 Bonus Chapters!

1000 PS = 10 Bonus Chapters!