Chapter 17:

At Long Last: Reunion

Minato sat on a tree branch. He was in the forest beyond the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village. He sighed and rubbed his temples as a cool breeze washed over him. It had been yet another hectic day in his reign as the Fourth Hokage, and, while he was being offered the best advice by both his mentor Jiraiya and the previus Hokage Hiruzen, as well as several other experienced ninja such as Tsunade, he still found it overwhelming at times. That was why he liked to come here to unwind, a tall tree at the top of a cliff, overlooking forestry, with a river running alongside it. Certainly a very scenic location. In the fall and the spring, the view was absolutely breathtaking, with the horizon dabbed a light green or splashed by shades of brilliant orange and brown.

His mind wandered back, as it so often did, to the times when he and the rest of their gang would come out here and play together. He was very protective of his friends, who were most precious to him, but so much had changed since those carefree days of his. Out of everyone in the village, the one person he longed to ask advice from most was Yahiko. As their former leader, he was well-versed in diplomacy and had a knack for understanding people and emotions, always easily able to defuse a tense situation. Not to mention the fact that he oozed charisma. However, he used to be emotional and would often burst out in annoyance. Minato chuckled as he remembered the time Yahiko had almost thrown his sandals into the river because sand had entered into it and gravel rocks were poking him. Minato was very glad to have Nagato with him, who was cool and level-headed, not to mention very powerful, and yet very pacifistic. He and Nagato shared the same ideals and a similar outlook on life, allowing Minato a fresh, outside perspective when Minato was too close to a situation to see it clearly. Pinako and Minato's wife Kushina were also great comforts to him, and both knew exactly how to placate him when he lost his temper. Konan was also quite good at that, and Minato began wondering how she and his two goddaughters were doing, since...

"Pleasant day, isn't it?" came a mild voice, from below the tree. Minato immediately tensed, and jumped to his feet, peering down to see a tall masked figure standing in the shade of his tree. Minato gazed at him with distrustful eyes, sizing him up, until his eyes fell on the stranger's hand; he wore a green ring on his left ring finger.

In an instant Minato struck. He had pulled out his kunai and flung it at the stranger faster than any normal man would have had time to react to. But the stranger merely raised two fingers to catch it between them.

But this wasn't the attack. Milliseconds before the kunai reached his hand, Minato had teleported to it, and was now less than an arm's length away from the masked man. He grabbed the kunai, pushed it up to the stranger's throat, and teleported them both forward to another tree, where he had lodged another kunai mere moments after throwing the first one. He slammed the stranger into the tree, knife pressed to his throat, his other hand drawn back. The stranger's eyes widened as a blue mist seemed to swirl around Minato's palm, solidfying and compressed into a ball rotating at a very high speed; the Rasengan. "Identify yourself" Minato said in a low but firm voice.

The stranger made a move to raise his hand and Minato tensed in preparation, but to his surprise, he merely laughed. Not an evil snigger, but a good-natured, mirthful laugh. The masked man raised his hands in surrender, showing he had no weapons. "You're as quick as ever, Minato. But why are you attacking me instantly?"

Minato's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he relaxed a bit and stepped back; he kept the kunai pointed at the man and the Rasengan loaded and ready. "Your ring. You belong to the ShinSekai."

The stranger bowed his head. "True. I am a fairly important member of the organisation. But my loyalties will always lie, first and foremost, with the Leaf Village."

Minato raised his knife. "Who are you?"

In answer, the masked man slowly reached up and removed his mask. Minato's bright blue eyes widened, then almost seemed to mist over, as the long, unkempt spiky orange hair came into view, the twinkling eyes, and the familiar rogueish grin.

"Hi." smiled Yahiko.

Minato stepped forward slowly, hardly daring to believe his eyes. For a moment he was speechless. Then Yahiko stepped forward and grabbed him around the chest in a big bear hug, almost lifting him up off the ground, laughing mischievously.

"What happened to you? You've been under the radar for ages, we kept getting reports that you'd died, we didn't know what was going on..." Minato's voice trailed off.

Yahiko frowned. It was true he'd been under the radar, but he'd never died. He pinched himself. Then he pinched Minato, who yelped. "Hmm, nope, still alive."

"Idiot." Minato smiled, rubbing his arm. But now his smile faded. "How did you get involved with the ShinSekai."

Yahiko's cheeriness also ebbed, replaced by an air of seriousness, as he relayed the story of his entire journey. Orochimaru had recruited him as his second-in-command, his lieutenant, after Yahiko had convinced him of a false vendetta against the Village for rejecting him and tearing his life away. Yahiko had adopted a different identity as a member of the organisation, Orochimaru had made him a symbol of the very thing he was fighting to get revenge for; he had become Pein.

Yahiko continued, telling him the identities and everything he knew about the other members: Kakuzu, Hidan, Kabuto, Zetsu, Kisame, Deidara and Sasori. He also told him what little he knew of Orochimaru's plans; wisely, the leader played things quite close to his chest.

"He had us attack and take over the Hidden Mist village", Yahiko reported grimly. "The Fourth Mizukage has been placed under a genjutsu and is totally subservient to Orochimaru; he's essentially ruling the Hidden Mist. It's obvious what he wants is military strength; the question is why?"

"I heard the conquest of the Hidden Mist had a very low death toll; significant, of course, but far too low for a successful conquest of the land. Especially under the command of the evil cruelty of Orochimaru." Minato said.

Yahiko nodded, confirming what Minato suspected. "I lead the operation. I ordered the others to not slay anyone if they could help it. Luckily, my Rinnegan gives me strength enough that they respect me for it. I haven't yet managed to fully master it" he confessed, "and it takes far too much chakra for me to have it activated for long periods of time. But I keep training, and I'm getting stronger everyday. It's a dark power, Minato. It can take possession of you, convincing you to do things you'd never dream of... power truly corrupts. It's all I can do to keep it in check."

Minato gazed over at Yahiko. He had a grave expression on his face as he talked; Minato remembered Jiraiya telling him of its supposed power. He could find it very easy to believe it corrupted even the best of men. Luckily, he happened to know the very best of men, and he was sure Yahiko would be able to tame it, especially if he was planning to return to the Village, where he'd be near his friends and family again.

"I'm not returning yet, Minato." Yahiko answered, as if reading his thoughts. "My current position is too valuable, and Orochimaru far too dangerous, for me to return and counter-attack from here. If I stay on, there will be a greater opportunity for me to do some good in the world. It's quite ironic, really." he said, giving an almost sad smile.

"Temme", his expression suddenly changing again, to one of wide-eyed, childlike anxiety. "How are Konan and the girls doing?"

Minato looked at him. This would be news to Yahiko. "Last I checked, they were doing good. They left th Village about a year ago though, wandering the lands. I think the girls missed you, as did Konan. Don't worry" he reassured him, "I've been keeping tabs on them, and we write to each other often. Wait till she hears about this meeting!"

"I'd appreciate if you didn't tell her, though. Don't tell anyone. It could end badly." However, he immediately made up his mind to search for her. That she wasn't in the village was the best possible news he could have gotten; he could now visit her without fear of being detected or recognised. She was also quite powerful, so, although Yahiko worried about her, he knew she could take care of herself and their daughters. His heart ached for them; the memory of his last look at them lingered perpetually in his mind.

"What about Aunt Tsunade? Jiraiya? Sukina? Dan? Kushina?"

"Haha, settle down! They're all okay."

Yahiko sighed with relief. "Give them, Nagato and Pinako my best. You can tell them, its alright. You can tell anyone you trust about me and my situation. We probably trust the same people, after all."

Minato wished him well, and the two friends departed once more. As Yahiko slipped on his mask, and disappeared from sight, Minato couldn't stop a broad grin from breaking out. No matter what happened, he knew his old friend was back on his side. Yahiko had a funny way of making you feel reassured, something he shared with Nagato, who possessed a quiet strength that belied his gentle nature. Yahiko would be a very powerful ally indeed.

Yahiko too had a broad grin on his face. He was already composing the letter he planned to write to Nagato and Pinako. And Kushina.. last they had spoken, Kushina resented him for what he had done in the depths of his depression. He would just have to hope the news that he hadn't kicked the bucket yet would be pleasant enough for her to forgive him. As for Konan, he knew exactly where to begin his search...

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A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took so long, I got busy with other stuff. I have the next few chapters all planned out though, and my holidays officially began today, so yay! Next few chapters probably will not be too far apart. Also, I've forgotten a bit of the story, and so if there are any continuity errors or discrepancies, I apologise in advance and please do let me know so I can correct it. Anyway, happy reading, and I hope you enjoy it! Look forward to the next one!