Appearing on the battlefield at such a time now, apart from sacrificing your precious life in vain, you gain nothing else.
Nagato was about to say something, when Yahiko, standing between Hanzou and the Hidden Sand Ninja, solemnly addressed the Hidden Sand crowd:
"Please stop the meaningless fighting! I am Yahiko from the Hidden Rain, leader of the Akatsuki. I sincerely hope that the Hidden Sand can negotiate with our Hidden Rain, and cease unnecessary killing and sacrifice. Put all disputes on the table for negotiation, this will benefit both of us, and that is my purpose for coming here!"
His voice was honest and earnest, not as if he was joking.
It made people realize that he was seriously thinking this way.
However, the Sand Ninjas looked at each other in dismay and confusion.
Wait, what is this Hidden Rain kid... saying?
Negotiation?
Negotiate with their Hidden Sand?
Is this some new popular joke in the Hidden Rain Village?
Seeing every Hidden Sand Ninja looking at him with a strange expression, Yahiko's heart tightened, did he say something wrong?
Why do they look at him with such eyes?
He felt his words were reasonable because his teacher, Jiraiya of the Sannin, taught him this way.
Believing that one day people will understand each other.
Therefore, he wanted to become a bridge for mutual understanding among people, to unravel the cursed fate of war overshadowing the Ninja Realm.
For this reason, he risked his life to come here, to express his determination and belief to everyone present.
However——
"Hahahahahahahaha!"
It was unclear which Hidden Sand Ninja laughed first.
Soon, more Hidden Sand Ninjas started laughing.
A sinister laughter, a crazy laughter, almost to the point of tears.
"What is this kid saying? Negotiation? Now negotiate? What were you doing earlier? Alright, if you kneel, we can lay down our weapons and negotiate with you."
A Hidden Sand Jonin stepped out, a mocking expression on his face, but there was a hint of malice hidden in his eyes.
When this kid kneels, give him a swift slash! The Sand Ninjas all thought the same in their hearts.
"I..."
Yahiko opened his mouth but did not immediately agree.
"What are you hesitating for? Since you want to negotiate, don't you even have this sincerity? If the sincerity is insufficient, we will not accept negotiation. Now kneel."
Commanded the Hidden Sand Ninja.
"If I kneel, will you really agree to negotiations?"
"Of course. We big nations also need respect."
Upon hearing this, Yahiko thought about it seriously.
If so, although it would damage his dignity, if it can become the bridge of understanding among people, this is the only opportunity.
To prevent this country from more sacrifice, to stop people from killing each other, and to let more people stop wandering.
Whether true or false, it's worth a try.
Thus, he took a deep breath and began to kneel under the gaze of everyone.
The members of Akatsuki watching felt it was a bit much from the Hidden Sand team, yet they could only look on in anger at this scene.
Because they all believed in Yahiko and that he could use his love for peace to change this world of hatred and cursed wars.
Hanzou closed his eyes with a silent sigh.
The Hidden Sand Ninjas watching Yahiko's action, were surprised; they didn't expect this Hidden Rain Ninja to kneel so readily in front of them, thinking he would hesitate more.
Kneeling both knees on the cold ground, Yahiko felt humiliated, but for the country's peace, if it's just kneeling to plead, the sacrifice would be worth it.
As long as the war could be eradicated, bringing peace to this country, Yahiko was prepared for the idea of kneeling here indefinitely.
"Now you can..."
Yahiko exhaled and was about to lift his head, when what met his eyes was a quickly expanding ninja blade.
Thud!
Blood splattered across Yahiko's face.
Yahiko froze.
The Hidden Sand Ninja who attacked Yahiko also froze.
The blade pierced Hanzou's side abdomen, yet Hanzou didn't even frown, rotated the scythe in his right hand, and swung at the Hidden Sand Ninja in front of him viciously.
In an instant, a large gash opened on the Hidden Sand Ninja's body, blood rain splattered, leaving him unwilling as he fell down.
"H-Hanzou-sama?"
Yahiko stared blankly at the scene before him, seemingly not having processed the sudden change.
"Kid, don't ever make such a cowardly gesture again."
Hanzou gave Yahiko a deep look and said these words.
Having experienced three great Ninja Wars, Hanzou had lost hope for peace by that moment.
Because in this world... there is no such thing as peace, only survival of the fittest!
The weak will be bullied.
Being weak isn't a reason to gain sympathy from the enemy, it will only incur ridicule and violent abuse.
This is the reality of the Ninja Realm.
The strong survive, the weak perish.
"Yahiko!"
Nagato, Konan, and others surrounded Yahiko, showing a look of grief and indignation.
Why wouldn't these Hidden Sand Ninjas listen to their ideas?
Killing and war are not acts of justice.
After all, every Ninja War, the Land of Rain, as a small country, is always the one to bear the suffering.
Why do they never consider their suffering?
Nagato also felt a bit angry, but seeing the Hidden Sand Ninja intending to mercilessly kill a kneeling Yahiko pleading for negotiation, doubt began to arise in his heart.