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Mastermind of the Akatsuki 68
🕑 Added 2024-07-08 16:56:25 +0000 UTCChapter 68: Danzo is a Good Person
In front of Akane, Byakuya displayed complete disdain for Hanzo the Salamander and Amegakure.
After arriving at the Akatsuki office, Byakuya immediately put on a concerned expression, looking gravely at Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.
“Leader Yahiko, Konan-senpai and Nagato-senpai, has Hanzo’s envoy left?”
Hearing Byakuya call him ‘leader’ first time in a while, Yahiko felt something was off but nodded nonetheless.
“He just left a short while ago. It’s a pity you left early. I wanted you to meet him since you’re now considered a high-ranking member of the organization.”
“Meeting isn’t necessary. Ninjas meeting each other can easily leak information.”
Byakuya shook his head, then said seriously.
“But after meeting Hanzo’s envoy, you must have realized Amegakure’s ambitions, right? Are they planning to annex Akatsuki directly or order us to disband immediately?
Did they set a deadline? If we don’t make a decision within a month, they’ll send troops to eliminate Akatsuki, ridding the Land of Rain of a great threat.”
Hearing these words, Nagato’s mouth twitched, and he couldn’t help but shook his head.
“Byakuya, since when did we become a threat to the Land of Rain? Didn’t you say before that Akatsuki is the future of the Land of Rain?”
“That’s from Amegakure’s perspective,”
Byakuya paused briefly before continuing.
“From Amegakure’s viewpoint, our recent actions are undermining their authority. If they don’t stop us, the Land of Rain will be under our control.”
“You’re right…”
Yahiko nodded, showing a helpless expression:
“But Hanzo’s envoy came without any hostility. He represented Lord Hanzo in expressing sympathy for Akatsuki and proposed a collaboration, integrating Akatsuki into Amegakure’s system.”
“I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”
“Lord Hanzo needs us, and we need a legitimate status. The envoy even hinted that Lord Hanzo wants to cultivate us.”
At this point, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan all looked at Byakuya.
They couldn’t understand why Byakuya was so hostile towards Amegakure, especially since Amegakure had shown no hostility towards them so far.
Akatsuki was an organization born in the Land of Rain and had no animosity towards Amegakure.
‘Of course, it’s because I know the storyline.’
Byakuya also knew that Akatsuki’s rise would inevitably threaten Amegakure’s interests. An organization that was mutually supportive and had enormous popular support would undoubtedly alarm both the nobility and the ninja village.
Byakuya thought to explain, but he quickly abandoned the idea.
No amount of explanations or warnings could be as impactful as a lesson learned through experience. Akatsuki had grown to a scale that could challenge Amegakure, and it was time for a trial by fire.
With this thought, Byakuya took a deep breath and said to Yahiko:
“Leader Yahiko, perhaps I was overthinking it. Akatsuki and Amegakure may not have been enemies from the start. I might have hindered our diplomacy.
I will find a way to promote peace between Akatsuki and Amegakure. That is the future Akatsuki needs.”
With that, Byakuya turned and left the office, leaving a lonely figure behind.
Watching Byakuya’s despondent figure, Konan and Nagato couldn’t help but say, “Yahiko, were we too harsh? Byakuya has never been so disappointed.”
“Maybe we should be more cautious. We weren’t on guard at all with Hanzo’s envoy this time.”
Yahiko sighed lightly and then spread his hands, saying, “Perhaps. But we can’t forsake communication with Amegakure just because they might be hostile. I believe Lord Hanzo harbors goodwill towards Akatsuki. Otherwise, he would have taken action when we were weaker, not waiting until now.”
Yahiko’s eyes grew more resolute as he spoke.
Inspired by Yahiko’s determination, Nagato and Konan also became more resolute.
Yes, they couldn’t give up on diplomacy with Amegakure out of fear that they might attack Akatsuki. If Akatsuki wanted to continue growing, Amegakure and Hanzo the Salamander were insurmountable obstacles.
To overcome this mountain, they had to either wage war or engage in peaceful dialogue.
Meanwhile.
Back in his room, Byakuya began to ponder how to set a challenge for Yahiko and Akatsuki.
First, the challenge couldn’t be too difficult or beyond what Akatsuki could handle. If Akatsuki got into trouble, it would be easy for him to escape, but making a lot of money again would be hard.
Secondly, the challenge couldn’t be too simple.
If Yahiko solved it easily, he would become complacent and start dreaming of negotiating with everyone.
Negotiating wasn’t impossible, but Akatsuki didn’t yet have the strength to overturn the table.
When Hashirama Senju negotiated with the other Four Kage, what was the context? Konoha had overwhelming power over the other four great ninja villages.
Even without using Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, Tobirama alone was enough to give them run for their money.
After hours of pondering alone, Byakuya still hadn’t come up with a good solution.
All the ideas that flashed through his mind were too extreme. The current Akatsuki couldn’t withstand such challenges, and even he might face enormous risks.
For example, exposing Nagato’s Rinnegan and spreading the rumor that “the one who possesses the Rinnegan will rule the world.” This would undoubtedly focus the Five Great Ninja Villages’ attention on Akatsuki, putting Akatsuki in crisis. But it wouldn’t just be Akatsuki; Amegakure itself could be torn apart.
Rubbing his temples to clear his mind, Byakuya decided to seek collective wisdom.
Inviting Akane and his network of spies for discussion was out of the question, but inviting Black Zetsu and White Zetsu for a discussion was feasible.
These two would never leak information as they were very tight-lipped.
Just as Byakuya was about to find White Zetsu to notify Black Zetsu for a brainstorming session on designing a test for Akatsuki, he received a message from Danzo.
Before long, Byakuya arrived at a familiar cliff and saw the familiar ninja eagle.
Opening the familiar letter, he saw Danzo’s familiar handwriting. After reading its contents, a smile gradually appeared on Byakuya’s face.
Danzo was indeed a good source of ideas.
Just when he was worried about how to create a test for Akatsuki, Danzo came to him.
On the surface, the message was requesting information about Amegakure, but in reality, Danzo likely intended to create a test for Akatsuki, giving it a chance for rebirth.
In the original storyline, Danzo was such a kind person.
He was willing to sacrifice nearly the entire Root organization to bring about the birth of Pain, the symbol of suffering, allowing Akatsuki to undergo a magnificent transformation, pushing it closer to becoming the ultimate threat in the ninja world.
Thinking of this, Byakuya sighed lightly.
When he eventually had the chance to meet Danzo in person, he would make sure to thank him sincerely by spanking his ass, appreciating Danzo’s great virtues, and finally giving him a dignified end.
