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Mastermind of the Akatsuki 366
🕑 Added 2025-04-05 16:00:04 +0000 UTCChapter 366: Konoha Collapse Plan
Under the orders of the Third Hokage, news of Konoha's upcoming Joint Chunin Exams quickly spread across the entire ninja world.
Unlike previous joint exams, this one was open to the entire ninja world.
Before long, the major villages received invitations from Konoha. The invitation not only included a sincere greeting from the Third Hokage but also proposed that the Chunin Exams serve as an alternative to battlefield conflict.
The message suggested that the villages should resolve security issues through negotiation rather than threats of force.
The village leaders were skeptical of the Third Hokage’s rhetoric, some even scoffing at it. It had only been a few decades since Konoha and Iwagakure had dominated the ninja world, and they all remembered just how powerful Konoha had been back then.
Still, despite their disdain, they carefully considered whether to participate in the exams.
When the cost of war outweighed the potential gains, it was preferable to sit at the negotiation table and discuss interests.
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, glanced at the invitation and decided to send only one or two teams to participate.
Even if he lost that squad of genin, it wouldn’t be much of a loss to Iwagakure.
The Fourth Raikage had similar thoughts. He wasn’t particularly interested in the exams. His primary concern was the Masked Man, and he planned to send people mainly to discuss that issue.
As for Sunagakure and Kirigakure, they initially planned to send only a few ninjas as a formality.
However, after receiving an invitation from Byakuya as well, their interest in the Chunin Exams skyrocketed. Wherever Byakuya went, chaos and opportunity seemed to follow.
In the Amegakure office, Byakuya, Yahiko, and the others received the invitation.
At the time, they were discussing Amegakure’s development and the alliances under Akatsuki's control.
After nearly a decade of consolidation, Akatsuki had integrated the northern nations of the continent. Though these countries were technically independent, in reality, they were subordinate to Akatsuki.
Over the years, these small nations had absorbed the industrial output of Amegakure, turning it into an industrial powerhouse. However, the capacity of small nations was limited, and expansion had nearly reached its peak.
Though Akatsuki sought to expand its market by offering high-quality, affordable goods, it quickly faced resistance from powerful elites in various countries, even sparking localized conflicts.
Now that the smaller nations were under Akatsuki’s control, further expansion meant targeting the great nations.
Byakuya and Yahiko had been debating fiercely about how to achieve this. Both considered reviving the Ten-Tails and creating tailed beast weapons, but while Yahiko favored military deterrence, Byakuya sought to make the entire ninja world a vassal of Akatsuki.
At that moment, they received the Third Hokage’s invitation. Byakuya smirked as he opened it and said to Yahiko, "Yahiko, this is an opportunity, an opportunity to showcase Akatsuki’s strength."
Yahiko instinctively frowned and replied, "Byakuya, what are you planning? Konoha is our partner; we can’t break this relationship on a whim."
Byakuya glanced at him and said, "I’ll be careful. But if anything happens to me, you must immediately sever ties with me and Amegakure."
Yahiko’s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean by that? Are you planning to leave Amegakure, or is there some scheme you’re about to enact?"
Byakuya shook his head and chuckled. "Just joking. Akatsuki is thriving, how could anything go wrong? You’re still as anxious as ever."
"I’ll handle the Chunin Exams. Leave everything to me."
With that, Byakuya left the office.
After he was gone, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan exchanged silent glances. After a long pause, Konan spoke. "Something’s wrong with Byakuya… I can feel it."
Yahiko sighed and told them about the plan to collect the tailed beasts and the threat posed by the Masked Man.
Nagato and Konan had long known about the tailed beast plan. They neither supported nor opposed Yahiko and Byakuya’s idea of imitating the First Hokage, using absolute power to maintain peace.
Neither of them had strong personal ambitions.
But hearing that the Masked Man was also collecting tailed beasts was new to them. So the Nine-Tails attack all those years ago had been part of his plan to revive the Ten-Tails?
Nagato seemed to realize something and turned to Yahiko. "Yahiko, could Byakuya be trying to infiltrate the Masked Man’s ranks and is warning us in advance?"
Yahiko sighed again. "That’s likely the case. If he ever stands alongside the Masked Man, he is our enemy."
Nagato and Konan were silent. They couldn’t imagine facing Byakuya as an enemy.
Yahiko paused, then looked at Nagato and said, "These are turbulent times… I don’t know whether Byakuya’s plan is good or bad. By the way, Nagato, make sure to protect your Rinnegan. It’s the most crucial component in reviving the Ten-Tails."
Nagato nodded. He didn’t believe the Masked Man could be a real threat to him, but it was best to stay cautious.
---
After revealing part of his future plans in advance, Byakuya arrived at a secret base.
Inside, the Fourth Kazekage and Orochimaru had already been waiting for some time, even engaged in discussion.
Byakuya observed their expressions and quickly walked over.
Even before the Third Hokage’s invitations had left Konoha, he had already learned about the upcoming Chunin Exams. His goal for this event was simple,
To seize complete control of Konoha.
Once Konoha was dealt with, he could openly collect the tailed beasts and attempt to revive the Ten-Tails, ultimately gaining the power of the Ōtsutsuki.
As soon as Byakuya appeared, both Orochimaru and the Fourth Kazekage stopped their conversation.
Byakuya glanced at them and said, "Rasa, Orochimaru, you should both be about ready for the Konoha Collapse Plan by now, right?"
Orochimaru nodded and began explaining their preparations.
He planned to participate in the Chunin Exams under the guise of the leading jōnin from Otogakure, looking for an opportunity to defeat the Third Hokage.
The Fourth Kazekage had a similar idea, waiting until the exams neared their end before launching an attack.
While the Third Hokage was strong, he would undoubtedly fall against both Orochimaru and Rasa. Once he was gone, Konoha would be left vulnerable, ripe for the taking.
Neither of them had any reservations about attacking Konoha.
Both were rogue ninja of their respective villages, and both wanted the Third Hokage dead to achieve their own goals.
Orochimaru saw the Third Hokage as the key to reigniting Konoha’s stagnation. He didn’t want to see a lifeless, decaying Konoha.
Rasa, on the other hand, wanted Konoha to plunge into chaos after the Hokage’s death.
With Konoha in turmoil, Sunagakure could break free from its shackles and reestablish itself as an equal power, no longer a subordinate nation.
After listening to their plans, Byakuya nodded slightly.
Their strategy was nearly identical to what had happened in the original timeline, except that, in that timeline, Orochimaru had killed the Fourth Kazekage on his way to Konoha to test Kimimaro’s abilities.
But in this timeline, with Byakuya's involvement, things would not play out the same way.
After a moment of thought, Byakuya took out an intelligence scroll and handed it to them.
"Remember, the goal of the Konoha Collapse Plan is not to destroy Konoha, but to target the Third Hokage specifically," he said. "During the battle, try to spare ordinary shinobi. Avoid excessive killing."
Hearing this, the Fourth Kazekage frowned and said with hesitation, "Going easy in battle creates unnecessary risks. Wouldn’t it be better to weaken Konoha’s military strength as much as possible?"
Byakuya shook his head. "This is Danzo’s request. He will also be participating in this operation and doesn’t want Konoha to suffer too heavy a loss."
At the mention of Danzo, the Fourth Kazekage's expression shifted, and he sneered. "Isn’t Danzo part of Konoha’s leadership? Why is he involved in a plan to destroy his own village? How many men is he sending to support us?"
"I don’t know. But he promised that when the attack begins, his forces will remain inactive."
Byakuya replied calmly.
At this moment, Orochimaru chuckled and said, "Keeping his forces idle… that’s just like Danzo. I remember during the Nine-Tails attack, he did the same thing. That man will do anything to become Hokage."
The Fourth Kazekage glanced at Orochimaru and sneered, "Isn’t that just how Konoha shinobi are? Back then, Konoha’s White Fang died because of scheming. Now the same thing is happening to the Third Hokage. Who knows who’ll be next?"
Orochimaru cast a sideways glance at the Kazekage and said indifferently, "Didn’t you also get Pakura killed?"
"That was different. Pakura went to negotiate for peace of her own accord. It was Kirigakure that went back on their word. What does that have to do with me? Don’t falsely accuse me, Orochimaru."
"Then there’s nothing wrong with what Danzo is doing either. He just doesn’t want us to go too far."
Neither the Fourth Kazekage nor Orochimaru seemed particularly surprised that Danzo was colluding with the Akatsuki. Instead, they began arguing over past betrayals.
It made sense. For a normal Konoha ninja, betraying one’s village was an unthinkable act.
But for Danzo, everything he did was for Konoha.
Orochimaru and the Kazekage openly discussed their past schemes, even bickering over them.
This made Byakuya, who was naturally kind-hearted, shiver in fear. Having been raised under the teachings of the Will of Fire, he had never been exposed to such terrifying levels of treachery.
Then he remembered, he was the successor of both Hanzō and Danzo.
Oh. Never mind, then.
Once the argument died down, Byakuya turned to the two and asked, "So, the Konoha Collapse Plan will proceed as discussed. Have you chosen suitable candidates for the Chunin Exams?"
Both Orochimaru and the Fourth Kazekage gave him puzzled looks.
"Aren’t we just aiming to kill the Third Hokage? We can send just about anyone from our villages," the Kazekage said.
Byakuya rolled his eyes.
"And what if they don’t even make it past the first two rounds? How are they supposed to get close to the Third Hokage then?"
Silence fell between them. Byakuya had a point, they really did need to choose their candidates carefully.
Orochimaru wasn’t too concerned. Over the years, Otogakure had nurtured many promising ninja, including several with Cursed Seals.
The Fourth Kazekage, however, had fewer options. His forces were limited. Gritting his teeth, he decided to personally act as a jōnin leader. And if necessary, he’d disguise himself as a genin and participate himself.
Once they had settled on their choices, Orochimaru turned to Byakuya and asked, "And what about you, Leader Byakuya? Who will you send? Kimimaro and Haku?"
Byakuya nodded. "I trained them myself. Of course, I’ll be bringing them."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
"With their strength, they could easily be jōnin. Isn’t it a bit excessive to send them to a Chunin Exam?"
Byakuya shook his head.
"Not really. Sasori is sending Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara. If you’re not at least jōnin level, you might as well not even participate."
Orochimaru twitched slightly. What kind of logic was that? ‘If you’re not jōnin level, don’t bother taking the Chunin Exam’?
The Fourth Kazekage frowned at the mention of his children’s names.
"If Sasori is participating, then I’ll disguise myself as a genin as well. I need to temper Gaara’s strength."
Seeing that even the Kazekage was planning to take part, Orochimaru briefly considered doing the same. But after some thought, he shook his head.
He had a feeling that if he joined, Byakuya would too.
At that point, the Chunin Exams would turn into an unprecedented ‘Kage-Level Exam.’ Even during the Shinobi World Wars, Kage-level fights weren’t happening this frequently.
With that thought, Orochimaru said, "I won’t participate. Staying in the shadows suits me better."
At that moment, Byakuya seemed to recall something and turned to the two of them.
"By the way, I won’t be taking part in the Konoha Collapse Plan. Once the battle begins, I’ll find an excuse to leave."
Orochimaru and the Kazekage were momentarily surprised but quickly understood.
Byakuya had secretly orchestrated several operations, taking control of multiple villages.
But he still didn’t want it to be known that the Akatsuki was behind it all. The reason was simple, his ambitions weren’t just limited to Konoha. He wanted to become the ruler of the entire shinobi world.
For now, neither Orochimaru nor the Kazekage opposed his plan. But both had their own thoughts, already considering how to maximize their own benefits. And perhaps, at the crucial moment, they might just switch sides.
