"The conclusion is: we might have run into a fake boss..."
The Multi-Headed Hound galloped through the rain towards the border of the Land of Fire, carrying the four members of the Ui squad. The creature moved in silence, the only sound being the rhythmic thud of its paws hitting the sodden earth.
The battlefield had long since been left far behind.
Ui, unable to fully comprehend why things had unfolded the way they did, could only offer the above conclusion to himself.
A fake boss?
Hardly. Those three leading the Akatsuki were undeniably Nagato and the others. At this stage in history, there was no reason for anyone to impersonate them. But why had they chosen not to fight? Why let four Konoha shinobi walk away so easily?
Ui's confusion stemmed from his incomplete knowledge of the "plot" regarding the Akatsuki's early years. If he understood the organization's original philosophy, he would have known exactly why Yahiko chose mercy over conflict.
Born as orphans of war, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato knew the taste of suffering better than anyone. To them, the sanctity of life transcended national boundaries. At this point in time, their ideology was clear: human rights—the right to exist without being slaughtered—outweighed the sovereignty of warring nations. They hadn't yet reached the "World Shall Know Pain" level of edge-lord philosophy.
So, when the fight lost its meaning and an opportunity for a peaceful withdrawal presented itself, the Ui squad took it without hesitation.
The rest of the team had no objections. For one, taking on dozens of ninjas single-handedly was never in their mission parameters. For another, with half the squad incapacitated by "accidental" injuries, survival was the only priority.
The Retreat
"Can Pakura handle those Rain ninjas?" Asuma asked.
His injuries had been roughly patched up. While moving was still a nightmare, he no longer looked like he was knocking on death's door. However, every time the hound's stride jolted his broken ribs, his face would contort into a grotesque mask of agony before he could snap back into his "tough guy" persona. It was getting hard for Ui to look at him without wincing.
Kurenai had fully recovered. Being electrocuted by your captain is a traumatic experience, but once the numbness faded, she was physically fine.
Asuma's "Rain ninjas," of course, referred to the Akatsuki. In his estimation, Pakura still held the advantage. She was a legend, after all, and her Scorch Release was tailor-made for clearing crowds of fodder.
"Who knows..." Ui replied vaguely.
In his head, he was thinking: Can an elite like Pakura even provide a decent snack for a 'Favorite Son' like Nagato? Whether she continued to fight the Akatsuki or died there, Ui didn't know and didn't care. The encounter had been a series of accidents: a whim to scout ahead, a sudden attack by Pakura, a confusing skirmish, and the surreal arrival of the Akatsuki.
The Conversation Before the Exit
Hours earlier, when Pakura had tried to evaporate Yahiko, Nagato had simply stood in the way. The "unstoppable" Scorch orb hadn't just been blocked—it had been erased.
Pakura had frozen. Her "Mummification Strike," which had worked on everyone from Stone to Rain, had failed for the first time.
Ui, watching from the trees, had recognized the technique immediately. Preta Path. He's already started mastering the Rinnegan. It confirmed that his decision not to engage was the only sane one.
"Konoha ninjas, what is your purpose in entering the Land of Rain?" Yahiko had asked, standing behind the shield of Nagato.
Nagato hadn't followed up with an attack. He just stood there, a silent guardian.
Ui had answered with a straight face and a mountain of lies. "Our purpose? Simple. We received intel that a Suna ninja had infiltrated the Land of Rain with intent to cross into the Land of Fire. Our mission was to intercept and stop her. Given the new treaty, we can't have rogue elites wandering our borders."
He said it with such conviction that even Pakura glanced at him, genuinely wondering if a spy in Suna had leaked her mission details.
"Konoha and Suna ninjas," Yahiko had said, nodding. "We have no desire to be your enemies. But regardless of your reasons, this is the Land of Rain, not yours. We ask that you leave."
"We have no intention of causing further trouble in your country," Ui had replied instantly. "Since Pakura is clearly occupied and unlikely to reach our borders now, our mission is effectively complete. We shall withdraw."
As a "parting gift," Ui had made sure to loudly mention Pakura's name and her Scorch Release abilities within earshot of the Akatsuki.
Sage of the Six Paths, let there be peace... and let these two sides tear each other's brains out.