Chapter 93

Chapter 93

**Night.**

Yahiko and his companions returned.

Yahiko had a bruise on his face, as if he'd been punched, while Konan and Nagato were unharmed.

"If you don't fight back, you'll always end up hurt, Yahiko," Konan said with concern.

"It's fine. A man can take a punch. Have you forgotten how we used to get beaten up when we stole things? This doesn't hurt nearly as much as it did back then," Yahiko replied with a casual grin, though the way he grimaced made him look more comical than tough.

Even Nagato, walking quietly behind, couldn't help but smile.

The three of them pushed open the door to the house, where Haneda was sitting, waiting for them.

"You seem to be in good spirits, Haneda," Yahiko greeted him casually.

"I'm alright," Haneda replied, noticing the bruise on Yahiko's face. He smiled and asked, "You're hurt. Do you want me to heal that for you?"

"You know medical ninjutsu?" Yahiko exclaimed in surprise.

Medical ninjas were rare, especially in Amegakure, where almost no one knew medical ninjutsu. Only the five great nations had specialized training for such skills, with Konoha leading the field by far. In smaller villages, medical ninjas were extremely valuable—like how Kusagakure treated Karin as a walking blood bank.

"Is that so surprising?"

Haneda extended his hand, and a soft, green chakra formed around it, emitting a warm sensation.

"That's amazing! I can't believe you know this stuff," Yahiko said as he touched his face, now free of pain.

He pulled out a small mirror to check his reflection, grinning at the sight of his now-healed, handsome face.

"So, this is medical ninjutsu? Incredible!" Yahiko marveled.

Konan, slightly embarrassed by Yahiko's reaction, turned away, pretending not to notice. Nagato, however, watched Haneda's use of medical ninjutsu with great interest, wanting to learn it himself so he could heal Yahiko in the future.

Watching Yahiko's playful antics, Haneda found it hard to believe this was the man who would one day lead the Akatsuki. But then he remembered how someone like Obito, who had a similar disposition in his youth, would eventually fall into darkness and become the mastermind behind Akatsuki. It all made sense. People change and grow. Yahiko was still just a boy of thirteen or fourteen, yet to form the Akatsuki.

Still, based on the followers already gathered around him, it was clear that Yahiko was on the path toward leadership. As more people joined him, he would inevitably be pushed into a position of responsibility, forced to mature.

Perhaps it was because Haneda had healed Yahiko, or maybe because of his connection to Jiraiya, but the four quickly became more familiar with one another, soon gathering around the table to eat dinner together.

The meal, prepared by Yahiko, was quite good. The fish was grilled to perfection—tender and flavorful, especially when seasoned with spices.

"Are we going back to Kawaraishi Village tomorrow?" Konan asked Yahiko.

"Of course. The village is close to Suna, and there are a lot of war orphans there. We need to help them," Yahiko said resolutely.

"But we're running out of money..." Nagato reminded him softly.

"Who cares? We'll figure it out. Money will come eventually. We just need to do more missions," Yahiko said confidently.

Haneda, who had been quietly listening, suddenly chimed in, "Let me come with you, Yahiko, Konan. You saved me, and I want to repay you."

"You should stay and rest, Haneda," Yahiko replied.

"Yeah, you're still recovering. You should take it easy," Konan added. They had never expected anything in return for helping Haneda and were reluctant to accept help from someone still recovering.

"But I know medical ninjutsu. If we encounter sick children, I can help," Haneda offered, giving Yahiko and Konan a reason they couldn't easily refuse.

The children who had been displaced by the war weren't just suffering from hunger. Many were ill, especially in a country like the Land of Rain, where disease was more deadly than starvation. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were well aware of this.

"Alright, fine, but don't push yourself too hard, Haneda," Yahiko said.

"I won't," Haneda replied with a smile.

After a day of rest, Haneda's body had nearly recovered, thanks to the regenerative abilities of his Sage Body.

After dinner, Haneda excused himself, saying he needed to use the bathroom. Once inside, he quickly formed hand signs and summoned his orange cat, Kiku.

"Kiku, did you deliver the message?" Haneda asked, noting that Kiku didn't have a note in her mouth, which made him anxious.

"Of course. Don't you trust me, Haneda?" Kiku said proudly, lifting her head with confidence.

"What did the clan leader say?"

"He said Sakumo's fine. He's resting at the camp near the border of the Land of Rain. He didn't expect you to go missing in the Land of Rain, though."

Hearing that Sakumo was safe, Haneda's face lit up with joy.

He had known that someone as strong as Sakumo would make it out alive!

"Uh… what was that last part again? I didn't quite catch it," Haneda asked awkwardly, his excitement having caused him to miss the second half of the message.

"The clan leader said he didn't expect you to go missing in the Land of Rain," Kiku repeated.

"I see…"

Haneda rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

"So, the Third Hokage is intentionally withholding information from the Uchiha…"

"Is he worried that the Uchiha might use this opportunity to join forces with Sakumo and Dai to stage a rebellion?"

Haneda grabbed a pen and paper, writing another message. He folded the note and handed it to Kiku, who took it in her mouth.

"Sending me off again? So cold, using me like a tool," Kiku complained.

"Uh… I'll give you another can of fish when I get back," Haneda said, feeling awkward at Kiku's tone of voice.

Truthfully, he had signed a contract with the ninja cats with the intention of using them as tools. After all, the ninja cats were highly intelligent, could speak, and had a great sense of direction, making them perfect for delivering information.

"Yay! You better not lie, Haneda! And remember, I expect *two* cans of fish when you return!" Kiku exclaimed, her annoyance vanishing as she thought of the treat, and she swallowed her complaints.

…

Back in Konoha, Kiku once again made her way to the Uchiha clan grounds. She leapt over rooftops and entered the clan leader's house through a window.

"Clan Leader Uchiha, Haneda's letter," Kiku said, placing the letter on the table and tapping it to get his attention.

Soon, the clan leader approached.

He opened a can of fish and placed it beside Kiku.

"This is your promised payment," he said softly.

As Kiku happily devoured the fish, the clan leader read through Haneda's letter. After finishing, he gazed out the window, deep in thought.

"He wants me to tell the Third Hokage that he's safe and that there's no need to send people to look for him…"

"What is Haneda's true aim in doing this?"

The clan leader placed the letter back on the table, pondering deeply.

"Is he worried that if Konoha's search efforts are too large, Suna might misunderstand and trigger a war?"

"I never expected you to be such a lover of peace, Haneda…"

...

***

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