Chapter 348: Akatsuki's Peace Plan
The first meeting of the art duo was not as enthusiastic as Masahiko had imagined.
The scene where the two held their own views and argued over which of 'Explosion Art' and 'Eternal Art' was the true art did not appear.
After Deidara said, 'Only a momentary explosion is art,' he indeed attracted Sasori's attention, but only for a moment. Upon realizing that Deidara was just a 'blond-haired brat,' Sasori decisively ignored him. He and Kakuzu took a few steps forward and discussed the purpose and details of the alliance with Ohnoki.
Masahiko suppressed his laughter and ruffled Deidara's hair to comfort his heart, which had been hurt by being ignored, preventing him from rushing forward impulsively. However, doing so seemed to have the opposite effect.
Deidara's right hand was already in his pocket, and the mouth on his palm began to chew clay. His flushed face proved that he had the idea of blowing everyone around him to the sky. Unfortunately, beside Masahiko, all his art turned into 'duds.'
"If you want to discuss art with others, you must at least have strength close to theirs. The current you would probably be instantly killed." Masahiko finally consoled him, though speaking the absolute truth felt less like comforting and more like dealing a blow to Deidara...
Hearing Masahiko's words, Deidara actually calmed down. He slapped away Masahiko's 'hairstyle-destroying hand,' turned around indignantly, and left the area.
"Is Big Brother Deidara okay?" Kurotsuchi asked with a hint of worry.
"He's fine." Masahiko looked righteous and turned to the four children: "On the path of growing up, setbacks and failures are inevitable. Once his heart becomes strong, he will eventually break through and stand tall!"
Kimimaro immediately nodded in agreement, Haku returned a smile, Kurotsuchi looked thoughtful...
Karin: Hehe.
On the other side, it was unknown what Sasori and Kakuzu said to Ohnoki, but his expression was slightly moved. Pondering for a moment, he waved his hand, signaled Kitsuchi to come forward, gave a few low-voiced instructions, and led Sasori and Kakuzu away from the area.
Ohnoki really listened to Masahiko's words and ignored his presence, which made Masahiko somewhat uncomfortable. He frowned at the direction the three left and muttered, "Can the Land of Rain and the Hidden Stone Village really form an alliance?"
The sound of huffing and puffing came, and Akatsuchi ran over to the group, pausing with every step.
"Wh-what happened? Lord Tsuchikage, who is he fighting?"
"Senior Brother Akatsuchi, you really need to lose weight!" Kurotsuchi said with a smile.
Masahiko shook his head and teased, "He can't lose weight. This isn't from eating; it's talent. A massive body paired with massive Earth Release—it's very harmonious."
Akatsuchi took this seriously. He puffed out his chest slightly, very proud of his sturdy physique.
Masahiko could hardly hold back his laughter.
Fortunately, at this moment, the ground began to shake. The various Earth Release ninjas of the Hidden Stone Village showcased their abilities, clearing the battlefield and rebuilding the Tsuchikage Building.
Masahiko immediately changed the subject, "Although we watched a good show, our plan doesn't need to change. Let's go grab lunch together first."
...
After lunch, Masahiko took the five children strolling through the streets of the Hidden Stone Village.
Because he had taken action in front of everyone at noon, his identity had already spread throughout the Hidden Stone Village. At this moment, he was receiving the long-lost 'worshipful' gazes of the ninjas... Well, no matter what kind of gazes they were, Masahiko took them as worship.
"God, do we not need to train this afternoon?" Kimimaro asked softly from the side, but received no response.
"God?"
"Hey, Great Elder! Kimimaro-kun is calling you!" Karin shouted loudly.
Masahiko's face twitched. He glared at Karin, "Train, of course we train."
He was somewhat absent-minded, genuinely curious about the Land of Rain forming alliances everywhere. He wondered how Yahiko planned to bring peace to the ninja world.
"So... should I go take a look?" Masahiko muttered. Although he had told Ohnoki earlier that he wouldn't interfere with this matter, if he just took a look...
While pondering, Kakuzu's face suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. After a moment of surprise, Masahiko revealed a smile.
"Being older and having experienced more, you truly are sensible..."
Masahiko turned around and instructed the five children, "You guys head back and train first. I'll come find you later."
After sending the five children away, Masahiko walked toward Kakuzu with a satisfied expression, "Was the alliance successful?"
"Not yet, Senior. The Tsuchikage is still considering it. He will probably wait until Chiyo of the Hidden Sand Village arrives before making a decision."
Masahiko paused his steps, "Then what are the specific contents of the alliance?"
Kakuzu turned around, "Senior, the fee."
Masahiko's mouth twitched. This money-grubber, was he certain that Masahiko wouldn't attack him?
"I, Masahiko, have no money!"
Kakuzu felt slightly regretful that he couldn't scam a sum of money, but he still informed Masahiko of the specific details of the alliance.
After hearing this, Masahiko fell into deep thought.
"Yahiko... is taking things a bit for granted. But he must have planned this for a long time. Becoming the leader of the Land of Rain is exactly the first step."
The Land of Rain's location in the ninja world is quite special. If you don't count the oceans and draw all the land countries on a map, you would find that the Land of Rain is almost exactly in the dead center.
Therefore, Yahiko wanted to unite the various ninja villages to establish an organization on the territory of the Land of Rain—Akatsuki.
The members of Akatsuki would include several S-rank ninjas dispatched by each ninja village; ninjas like Sasori and Kakuzu who, although not belonging to a great ninja village, possessed extremely formidable strength; and Mifune, the leader of the neutral samurai country, the Land of Iron.
The purpose of Akatsuki would be to stand from a neutral perspective, arbitrating and preventing the occurrence of large-scale wars in the ninja world. The country that initiated a war first would face joint strikes from all members of the Akatsuki organization.
The imagined scenario was beautiful, but Masahiko disagreed inwardly. The Hidden Stone Village and the Hidden Sand Village might really join, but the possibility of Konoha joining was infinitesimally small.
Even though Yahiko and Jiraiya had a master-disciple relationship, and he had some friendship with Obito and Rin, this couldn't possibly influence Konoha's major policy decisions.
Leaving the Land of Whirlpools aside, Konoha was currently the sole dominant power in the ninja world. Why should they accept the constraints of this inexplicable Akatsuki organization?
Taking a step back, even if, due to various reasons, all the countries agreed to join, this organization wouldn't achieve its intended effect. Yahiko lacked the strength and simply couldn't play a mediating role. It would make more sense if Masahiko were the leader.
"Young people, huh." Masahiko sighed and shook his head.
The reason Ohnoki fell into hesitation was merely because the Hidden Stone Village had just lost a war and suffered heavy casualties. If this 'shit-stirrer' Akatsuki organization was established, at the very least it could disgust Konoha and also guard against Konoha's active aggression.
Masahiko pondered for a long time, shook his head, and chuckled, "Although it will definitely fail, this is also Yahiko's passionate blood. At least it shows that he doesn't just pay lip service to the word 'peace'."
"Let's just call it the 'Akatsuki Peace Plan' for now. I actually want to see how much change a living Yahiko can bring to the ninja world..."
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