Chapter 348: The Eve of the Final Battle
"Have the meetings finished?"
Before the others could respond, Nagato pushed aside the curtain and entered. His abrupt arrival was a bit of a letdown.
"Finished. Have you taken care of the wounded on your end?" Yahiko asked, scratching his head awkwardly. Nagato's timing was impeccable, almost as if orchestrated.
Nagato really had a knack for showing up at the perfect moment. Couldn't he have waited until Yahiko finished rousing the team with a morale boost and painting a rosy picture of the future?
"Well, they've all been properly settled," Nagato replied with a nod. He was responsible for managing the Medical-nin and logistics, which kept him away from the meeting. Tending to injured ninja left no time for discussions, and besides, he didn't have much to contribute to the meeting anyway.
"Okay, everyone can go now," Yahiko announced. Nagato's interruption left him disinclined to continue. The key points had already been covered, and the outcome of this battle had long been decided. The only variable left was the amount of effort the five of them needed to exert.
"Yes, Lord Yahiko," the leaders acknowledged before filing out, leaving only Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, and the others behind in the tent.
"Lord Yahiko, you are becoming more and more impressive," Konan teased as she stretched, her tone lighthearted. Though Yahiko led in public, within their circle, he was simply Yahiko—no titles, no pretense.
"Lady Konan is too kind," Yahiko replied, bowing slightly with exaggerated seriousness.
"When will you give me a big official position?" Konan asked, her playful demeanor clear. She wasn't in charge of anything, by choice rather than necessity. Carefree and confident, no one dared to underestimate her.
"That's easy," Yahiko said with a smirk. "What do you think about me making you the leader's wife?" He moved over and sat in the empty seat beside her, clearly enjoying turning the tables.