The Wrong Way to Open It (First Update)

"What? Uncle Yue thinks there’s something wrong with the letter? That’s impossible. This bears Lord Hanzo’s mark. In the Land of Rain, who would dare impersonate Lord Hanzo?"

Konan’s eyes widened at Xu Yue’s words, clearly finding them hard to believe.

Even Yahiko and Nagato looked at Xu Yue in surprise, seemingly unable to understand why this knowledgeable and insightful "big brother" would say such a thing.

"I hope my instincts are wrong too. But, Yahiko, I’m a bounty hunter—a bounty hunter who has traveled across the ninja world. I’ve seen far too many of the dark, monstrous sides of humanity. The promises in this letter just feel too perfect. So perfect that I can hardly believe them."

Xu Yue spoke with a sigh.

"That can’t be, right? Lord Hanzo has always been committed to bringing peace to the Land of Rain."

Yahiko said heavily.

"Mm, I hope I’m just overthinking it. I’ll go with you when the time comes, so we can look out for each other."

Xu Yue put on an indecisive expression.

"Haha, don’t worry, Brother Yue. With Nagato and me there, everything will be fine. Besides, if too many people go, it might leave a bad impression on them."

"And the base will be undefended then. We’ll still need you to hold down the fort."

Yahiko said with a laugh, seeming quite pleased and relaxed.

"Alright, then I’ll leave it to you. Akatsuki is the organization most likely to change the world that I’ve encountered so far. I truly hope everything goes smoothly."

With a trace of hesitation and nostalgia on his face, Xu Yue shook his head and headed outside.

The revelry outside was still in full swing. Akatsuki’s members had begun envisioning their wonderful future lives, and one after another, they drank themselves senseless.

"Nagato, come here for a moment."

Xu Yue beckoned Nagato over.

"Oh, what is it, Brother Yue?"

Nagato was introverted and shy. When Xu Yue had raised Yahiko’s favorability to 15, he had incidentally boosted this guy’s to 30 as well. With the right methods, having anticipated their personalities and chosen the most suitable approach beforehand, he was just as easy to win over as Kushina.

He had always treated them equally, using a teaching style similar to Jiraiya’s to stir up their memories and caring for them like an older brother.

"Nagato, promise me you’ll protect Yahiko no matter what!"

Xu Yue stared into Nagato’s eyes and spoke solemnly.

"Huh? Didn’t you say…"

"Promise me!"

"Oh, got it. Don’t worry, leave it to me!"

Having been valued and acknowledged by someone else, Nagato instead felt a burst of happiness.

"Haha, then I’ll go have a few drinks too. Ah, how long has it been since I last drank? To hell with the ninja’s three prohibitions."

Xu Yue then laughed and joined the revelry outside.

Yet beneath that laughter, his eyes held an indescribable look.

Don’t worry, Nagato. I’ll definitely pay a sufficient price to make up for what I owe you!

The space won’t let me exploit so many loopholes…

But!

I have to take a gamble!

That’s what makes it interesting…

Isn’t it?

Early the next morning, most people were still dead drunk from last night’s revelry.

But Xu Yue woke up very early and roused Akatsuki’s members one by one.

"Get up, everyone. Time to get up."

"Huh? Let us sleep a little longer. It’s not often we get a day to relax."

Kyusuke complained. Daibutsu also sat up with a yawn. Aside from the Nagato trio, they were Akatsuki’s main fighting force.

"I still feel that something isn’t right. How about we go over and take a look?"

Xu Yue wore a worried expression.

Nagato and Yahiko had already set off, while Konan had been patrolling Area 7 last night and had yet to return.

"Huh? No way."

"In any case, it never hurts to be careful. Just the three of us will go. The others can stay here, and it won’t cause any misunderstandings."

"That’s true. If it’s just the three of us, we won’t show ourselves if there’s no problem."

"But if we’re discovered, won’t they think we don’t trust them?"

"Do you think Hanzo will be going alone? If they’re truly sincere, they won’t care about something like this."

"That’s true…"

With the prestige Xu Yue had successfully established, along with his persuasion, the two ultimately agreed.

They then woke the others, gave them a brief explanation, and followed Xu Yue as they rushed toward the meeting site…

At the speed of three "elite Chunin," just as they were about to reach the meeting site, the space ahead suddenly twisted. A figure emerged from a spatial vortex.

At the same time, another black-and-white figure drilled up from underground, wrapped in something resembling a pitcher plant.

They blocked the trio’s path.

"Sorry, but I can’t let the three of you go any farther."

Obito spoke in a deliberately deep, hoarse, mature voice.

A scarlet Sharingan was visible through his mask.

"So there really is a problem!"

Kyusuke, whose face bore markings, immediately spoke in anger.

Then, like a Black Panther, he charged toward Obito with masterful footwork.

Yet his swerving, serpentine movements did not evade any of Obito’s attacks, because Obito had not attacked at all.

"Now’s my chance!"

After rapidly closing in, Kyusuke successfully slashed at Obito, his blade aimed straight at him. But it passed directly through Obito’s body without causing the slightest injury.

He even lost the weapon in his hand.

The next instant, Obito grabbed Kyusuke’s blade and thrust it straight toward his back.

Blood sprayed…

"Brother Yue."

Seeing Xu Yue save him at the crucial moment, only to take a slash himself, Kyusuke’s eyes filled with regret. He should not have acted so impulsively!

He had rashly attacked without knowing anything about the enemy, and had ended up dragging Brother Yue down with him.

"It’s nothing. I’m used to getting hurt. As long as you’re alright."

On the other side, Obito looked at Xu Yue, who had saved Kyusuke, with some confusion. He felt as though he had seen this guy somewhere before.

"To be honest, your appearance was an unexpected variable. How nice it would have been if you had simply followed our script. But why did you have to get in the way? Especially you, Mr. Bounty Hunter. Wouldn’t it have been better to obediently remain a bounty hunter? Did you have to interfere with me?"

Obito looked at Xu Yue and Kyusuke, whom Daibutsu was guarding with a wary expression, and spoke in a tone that suggested everything was under his control.

He had originally only intended to stop these people from showing up and interfering with Nagato. But on second thought, leaving them alive would be a hidden danger. They might influence that unstable fellow again, so it would be safer to erase them all.

"Let me show you what this bounty hunter is capable of! You two, run! You must reach Nagato and the others!"

After simply tending to his wound, Xu Yue stood up again and charged straight at Obito, bursting out with Jonin-level speed while repeatedly shouting for Daibutsu and Kyusuke to flee.

As he ran, he flung a barrage of Kunai at Obito.

His utterly reckless, moth-to-flame state made Daibutsu and Kyusuke’s eyes split with anguish.

But they absolutely could not waste Brother Yue’s sacrifice!

Filled with resolve, the two immediately ran around the pair toward their destination, tears in their eyes.

Obito paid them no attention whatsoever, while Zetsu, with his black-and-white face, let out a sinister laugh and sank back into the earth.

"Don’t worry, they won’t get far…"

At the same time, the Kunai Xu Yue had thrown pierced through Obito’s forehead and shot out through his intangible body.

Xu Yue himself had also reached Obito.

Obito merely extended a hand toward Xu Yue in disdain.

But just as his palm was about to touch the man before him, he saw a strange smile appear on that uncle-like face.

Sorry, but I’m making you fall for the same trick twice…

Flying Thunder God!

Xu Yue instantly appeared beside the marker hidden within the Kunai that had passed through Obito. The next moment, the Rasengan in his hand slammed into Obito’s back, violently smashing him into the ground.

Fuck, wasn’t he just a bounty hunter?

How could he pull off something like this?!

This familiar formula, this familiar pain—fuck, I’m done for!

(/TДT)/

Elsewhere, the ground shifted. Zetsu, who had submerged into the earth, emerged again, and the moment he surfaced, he issued a warning.

"A Sealing Jutsu barrier has been activated nearby. There’s some—"

Staring blankly at Obito lying face-down on the ground, Zetsu felt that he had come out the wrong way…

The average subscription count has reached 3,000—what a joyous occasion! Even though it’ll drop after the updates are averaged out, I’m still very happy. Thank you all for your support!

Uh, there will be three updates today. The first is an extra update for reaching 2,700 average subscriptions, and there are still two guaranteed updates. I’ll finish repaying the extra updates this week. Thank you, everyone~