Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 120: Akatsuki's Invitation—He's a Comrade!

Raindrops, like pearls, poured down relentlessly.

The dense forest grew wildly toward the sky, with branches clawing in all directions.

Rain pierced through the vile miasma lingering in the air, splashing onto the ground and battering the trees and vegetation mercilessly.

In the depths of the forest, at the edge of vision, a fog thickened the darkness, hinting at the presence of an unknown terror.

The surrounding atmosphere was both silent and solemn.

Uchiha Ci raised his head and looked at the three members of the Akatsuki organization standing before him, clad in their iconic black robes with red cloud patterns.

The hoods concealed their faces, but their hair colors hinted at their identities—orange, blue, and red.

These three were none other than the founders of the Akatsuki: Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.

Uchiha Ci's brows furrowed deeply.

At this early stage of its formation, why had the Akatsuki sought him out?

"Shisui?" He turned his head to Shisui, his tone questioning.

Shisui was about to explain when Yahiko took a step forward, standing formally in front of Uchiha Ci. He spoke with sincerity and gravitas:

"Uchiha Ci, please don't blame Shisui. It was my idea to meet you."

However, faced with Yahiko's earnest tone, Uchiha Ci furrowed his brow further, his voice cold and distant:

"Sorry, I'm just an ordinary Chūnin. There's nothing remarkable about me that warrants a meeting."

Yahiko shook his head resolutely and took another step forward.

"No. Uchiha Ci, after hearing about your deeds, I've wanted to meet you for a long time.

"You are a true pioneer on the path of peace, a bridge between a clan and a village, and a noble individual who fought against Kirigakure and the Jashin Cult for the sake of foreign civilians.

"Your actions have inspired me, and I had to meet you."

With heartfelt sincerity, Yahiko placed a hand on his chest and declared,

"I want to understand your thoughts, clarify your ideals, and ask you to hear our beliefs."

At this moment, Shisui nudged Uchiha Ci and chimed in, "Ci, please. They are kindred spirits fighting for peace and to end conflict, just like us."

Uchiha Ci glanced at Shisui.

Seeing the light of conviction in Shisui's eyes, he couldn't help but frown.

This little brother of his was already naïve, but now he had encountered an even more idealistic and dreamy early Akatsuki in the Land of Rain.

It seemed Shisui had already been swayed.

"Sigh…" Uchiha Ci sighed and looked at Yahiko.

He truly didn't want to get involved with these three people. He sympathized with their dreams but also pitied their eventual downfall.

Behind them lurked the mastermind who terrorized the entire ninja world—Madara Uchiha!

The oblivious Nagato, with those eyes in his sockets, was the product of centuries of Black Zetsu's scheming behind Madara.

These were powers Uchiha Ci couldn't afford to provoke at this stage.

If Akatsuki's tragedy was altered, the story might spiral irreversibly into chaos.

With this thought, Uchiha Ci furrowed his brows and coldly addressed Yahiko:

"I don't know where you've heard such rumors, but I'm not as great as you claim.

"I'm just an ordinary person who has tasted nothing but failure along the way."

He glanced toward the Konoha base camp not far away and then at the surrounding environment.

The foul miasma masked the scent of the Inuzuka clan's dogs, and Shisui had deliberately led them to this blind spot outside the Hyūga's Byakugan range to avoid detection.

If they were discovered, even Shisui would face consequences.

"Whatever it is, say it directly—this isn't a place you should be. If Konoha discovers you, you won't escape."

"Alright!" Yahiko, understanding the value of this rare opportunity, took a deep breath and spoke gravely:

"Then I'll be direct!

"Uchiha Ci, just as you risked your life to bridge understanding between your clan and village, and stood up for the suffering of foreign civilians—"

Yahiko placed a hand on his chest, his voice resolute:

"The Akatsuki I founded shares the same vision!"

He turned and pointed to the battlefield beyond the camp, littered with corpses, and to the weeping nation surrounding them. He calmly stated:

"To stop the Third Great Ninja War, to achieve a future where people understand each other, and to save this perpetually crying nation—

"We will act not with extreme violence or power, but with a belief in peace that everyone can aspire to."

"So, I want to invite you—

"I want to invite someone younger than us, yet already ahead of us on this path."

"For this goal, we need your strength!"

Yahiko lifted his gaze, his eyes piercing as he presented a brand-new Akatsuki robe to Uchiha Ci.

With a deep bow, Yahiko offered the robe with both hands and declared loudly:

"Please accept me as your leader and join our organization—Akatsuki!"

His words shocked everyone present.

Even Uchiha Ci twitched at the corners of his mouth, thinking, What is going on?

First, Orochimaru wanted to be his father, and now Yahiko wanted to be his boss?

I haven't even done anything!

None of them could have anticipated that Yahiko had come here to invite a Konoha ninja—a stranger he had just met—to join their fledgling organization.

Even Shisui, considered a friend by the Akatsuki trio, hadn't received such an offer.

"Yahiko?!"

Behind him, Konan and Nagato were startled and uncertain.

However, after gritting their teeth, they stood beside Yahiko and bowed as well, just as they once did when accepting Jiraiya as their teacher. To them, Yahiko was everything.

But facing the trio, Uchiha Ci remained unmoved. Without hesitation, he said,

"Sorry, I refuse."

"You—!"

Nagato, startled and slightly indignant, glared at Uchiha Ci.

Unfazed, Uchiha Ci met his gaze, almost hoping Nagato would summon the Gedo Statue to strike him down.

Taking a deep breath, Uchiha Ci looked at Yahiko and bluntly exposed him:

"You've said so much, but your true goal is just that last one.

"You simply want to save this country."

Then, in a cold tone, he asked, "So, how will you do it?

"Relying on the belief in peace without extreme violence or power—how will you achieve that?"

Yahiko straightened up. Though rejected, his gaze remained firm. He smiled confidently and replied:

"I've thought about this.

"I used to believe that making others feel the same pain would lead to mutual understanding.

"To experience pain, accept pain, understand pain, and fear pain—by conquering the world with pain, I thought my desired future would come."

Shisui's face paled slightly at Yahiko's heavy tone.

"But later, I realized there's a better way—

"By opening our hearts to our enemies without concealment, showing our true intentions, and sitting together over a shared drink of brotherhood—

"This is the way to achieve genuine mutual understanding!"

Yahiko's voice was resolute, his gaze firm:

"This is the belief of Akatsuki!"

However, such words didn't move Uchiha Ci.

He shook his head, sighed, and said:

"Impressive speech, but I must tell you one thing:

"In this world, it's impossible."

"Why?" Yahiko's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Why?" Uchiha Ci chuckled mockingly, then said calmly,

"Because this is a world where strength reigns supreme!

"To make people listen to you, you first need them to be willing to listen.

"And the truth is, logic is often delivered through fists."

Having said his piece, Uchiha Ci shot Yahiko a deep glance. He'd already given enough hints.

Even the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, couldn't achieve such ideals.

"Shisui." As he turned to leave, Uchiha Ci grabbed Shisui by the collar, his voice grave:

"Don't associate with them anymore. Their path is too dangerous."

As their figures faded into the rain, Yahiko sighed, tucking the robe away.

Konan asked softly, "Yahiko, are you okay? He seemed pretty resolute in his refusal."

Nagato tried to comfort him, "Don't worry. We believe in you."

But Yahiko laughed heartily and declared confidently, "Who said he refused?

"He understands us now—that's the first step. Next, we'll make him recognize our path and become our comrade!"

Hearing this, the two were momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to respond. Finally, they exchanged a glance and reluctantly asked:

"Yahiko, what do you plan to do?"

Yahiko squinted slightly, peering through the rain at the figure that had disappeared into the distance. After thinking for a moment, he frowned and said:

"That guy, although he says our approach is impossible, everything he does is aimed at achieving peace."

"Next, we will proceed as usual. Konan, you'll keep an eye on him."

"Let's see if he makes any big moves later. At that time—"

Yahiko slapped his thigh, finalizing his plan:

"We'll give him a helping hand!"