Chapter 11: Two Voices

Kusagakure.

Byakuya had spent his days since sending the letters gathering intel. He used a combination of financial pressure and veiled threats to get what he needed. Within half a month, Kusagakure's higher-ups brought in a red-haired woman named Karen and locked her away in a secret room. Rumors swirled that Karen possessed a unique ability.

Putting the pieces together, Byakuya confirmed Karen was most definitely Karin's mother. He'd tried to reach Karen, but the security around her secret room was tight. A rescue attempt would be loud, potentially escalating to a full-blown siege of Kusagakure.

Since inheriting the Uzumaki bloodline and mastering the art of crafting explosive tags, Byakuya's power had undeniably reached Jōnin level. With careful planning, even eliminating elite Jōnin through covert means wasn't out of the question.

However, the risk still outweighed the reward. Waiting for Nagato's arrival seemed like the smarter move. Besides, rescuing Karen alone wouldn't justify this entire Kusagakure trip. The Akatsuki needed various resources stockpiled here.

As his thoughts drifted away, Byakuya stole a glance at Konan, diligently working on explosive tags to make ends meet. His mind buzzed with the challenge of formulating a well-rounded plan.

He began pondering how to formulate a comprehensive plan.

A few days after sending his message, Byakuya met Nagato just outside Kusagakure. This young Nagato was a far cry from the mastermind Byakuya remembered from his past life. Gone was the aura of a hidden puppet master; instead, Nagato appeared as a nervous young man, even avoiding eye contact.

Despite his seemingly timid demeanor, this unassuming youth possessed the legendary Rinnegan. While Byakuya studied Nagato, the young man was doing the same. Byakuya's clean appearance contrasted with a gaze that felt oddly aggressive towards him, almost covetous of the Rinnegan.

Yet, a strange intuition told Nagato there was no real malice behind Byakuya's stare. Recalling Yahiko's positive assessment of Byakuya, Nagato released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and spoke. "Yahiko sent me to assist you. Please tell me what needs to be done."

Byakuya offered a curt nod and led Nagato to their temporary base. Inside, Konan continued her work on explosive tags, her head snapping up as she noticed Nagato. She rose quickly, and a moment of mutual confusion passed between them before they both looked towards Byakuya.

"Byakuya, Nagato's here too. Can you finally explain the mission?" Konan asked, voicing their shared curiosity.

Byakuya surprised them both by not immediately answering. Instead, he turned to Konan. "Konan-senpai, it's been a week since we arrived in Kusagakure. What are your thoughts on this village?"

Konan furrowed her brow, considering the question. "Kusagakure seems very peaceful. Even though the Land of Grass is embroiled in war, there's a sense of calm within the village walls. The outside world's turmoil doesn't seem to reach them here."

"And their villagers and shinobi seem to coexist peacefully, something the Land of Rain can only dream of achieving."

Byakuya offered a small nod of agreement before turning his attention to Nagato. "What about you, Nagato-senpai?"

Nagato hesitated for a moment before responding. "I agree with Konan. Kusagakure seems like a nice place. I wish the Land of Rain could achieve such peace someday. However, on my journey here, I saw firsthand the suffering of the villagers along the way."

With their responses gathered, Byakuya remained silent for a moment longer. Then, with a simple wave, he darted out the window, disappearing into the night. His destination: the room where Karen was being held prisoner.

Crouched in the inky shadows, Byakuya pointed towards the distant room and unveiled their mission. "Konan-senpai, Nagato-senpai, our objective is to liberate a young woman named Karen and convince her to join our organization."

Konan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Recruiting new members wasn't something Byakuya had ever shown much interest in for Akatsuki. What had caused this sudden shift?

Nagato, however, wasn't as fazed. He bypassed the question entirely and focused on the task at hand. "Can you describe Karen's appearance? Hair color, perhaps?"

"Her hair is a fiery red," Byakuya explained, "and she possesses a unique ability – her body heals remarkably fast, even from severe injuries. A valuable asset, wouldn't you agree?"

Nagato and Konan exchanged a hesitant glance. These characteristics – the vibrant red hair, the expedited healing – bore an uncanny resemblance to Nagato himself. Could Karen be somehow related?

"Yup, Karen is a blood relative of Nagato-senpai, a survivor of the Uzumaki clan after their tragic demise." Byakuya confirmed with a hint of finality, dispelling any lingering doubts.

Byakuya's revelation struck Nagato speechless. Memories of his parents flooded back, a painful reminder of his past. He vaguely recalled his mother mentioning the now-extinct Land of Uzumaki during his childhood.

Shaking off the wave of nostalgia, Nagato focused on the mission. "Byakuya, what's the plan?"

Byakuya responded with a curt nod and unfurled a detailed map of Kusagakure. "I've strategically placed several shadow clones throughout the village. At the stroke of midnight, they'll create a diversion, giving us the window we need to extract Karen."

Konan and Nagato couldn't help but feel a knot of unease tighten in their stomachs.

While Byakuya's plan was refreshingly straightforward, its success hinged on their ability to overpower the guards stationed around Karen's cell. With at least ten shinobi patrolling the area, including Jōnin-level fighters, the odds were stacked against their small team.

Furthermore, the potential for failure loomed large. If their operation went south and their identities as Rain shinobi were exposed, it could spark a full-blown war between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain – a conflict none of them desired

Byakuya watched the hesitant pair, a hint of frustration flickering in his gaze. "Konan-senpai, Nagato-senpai, are you underestimating yourselves? You're both exceptional Jōnin, and we have the unparalleled power of the Rinnegan on our side!"

Nagato shook his head, his voice firm. "Yahiko strictly forbade me from using the Rinnegan. If its existence is revealed, it would bring immense trouble to the Akatsuki."

"Then kill any potential witnesses," Byakuya countered, his tone devoid of emotion. "Silence ensures the Rinnegan remains a secret."

Nagato's eyes widened. Now he understood Yahiko's apprehension towards Byakuya's extreme methods.

A soft chuckle escaped Byakuya's lips. "Of course, a merciless slaughter is impractical. However, Nagato-senpai, possessing the Rinnegan, the day will come when you'll be forced to use its power. Wouldn't it be wiser to take control of the situation and avoid a scenario where something even more valuable is lost?"

Byakuya's words carried a deep meaning, leaving Nagato contemplative. After a moment's reflection, a realization dawned on him. Byakuya was subtly pushing him towards using the Rinnegan's power, wasn't he?

"I understand. I will utilize the Rinnegan when the situation demands it." Nagato finally spoke, his voice resolute.

---

Midnight finally arrived, cloaking the village in an inky darkness. After hours of tense anticipation, Nagato reached up and removed his goggles, revealing the Rinnegan for the first time.

Throughout their journey from the Land of Rain, Nagato had meticulously disguised his eyes, even altering his hair color with dye to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Even Byakuya, ever composed, couldn't help but feel a jolt of awe as the Rinnegan was unveiled.

These were the legendary Rinnegan eyes, harboring techniques that rivaled forbidden jutsu. It was a power that could propel one into the realm of the Six Paths, a power few could resist. Byakuya was no exception, the temptation washing over him in a powerful wave.

However, logic quickly reigned in his emotions. He understood that acquiring the Rinnegan wouldn't be a simple feat. For one, the eyes currently belonged to Madara Uchiha, who was still very much alive. Attempting to steal them would undoubtedly draw the wrath of this infamous warlord.

Secondly, wielding the Rinnegan came at a cost. Transplanting them required immense vitality, either a complete Senju lineage or extensive body modifications utilizing Hashirama's cells. Without such a foundation, the body would be ravaged by the power coursing through it.

But Byakuya wasn't like most. He possessed half of the Uzumaki bloodline, which shared a distant connection to Nagato through his lineage. Perhaps, by aiding Nagato in mastering his power, Byakuya himself could unlock abilities related to the Rinnegan.

Nagato, on the other hand, was accustomed to Byakuya's intense gaze. Even Jiraiya, their esteemed teacher, wouldn't have been able to look away from the legendary Rinnegan. After all, the last known wielder of these eyes was the revered Sage of Six Paths, a figure shrouded in myth and legend.