Chapter 64: Akatsuki's Plan and Biwa Jūzō
"Small nations... surrounding big nations?"
This novel concept left everyone present stunned. Even Kakuzu, who had lived for nearly a hundred years, had never heard of such a strategic theory.
"Step one," Yahiko held up a finger, "establish a foothold."
"Amegakure must not only become the Ninja World's gold-consuming cave but also an absolute 'neutral zone.' We will use gambling, the sex industry, and information brokering to make the nobles, Daimyo, and even high-level Ninjas of the Five Great Nations fall in love with our services. When their nerves are numbed by us, Amegakure will be safe."
"Not only that," Yahiko added, "we will even take the initiative to apply to Konoha and Sunagakure to participate in their joint Chunin Exams. We must disguise ourselves as a harmless commercial city-state eager to integrate into the mainstream."
Orochimaru let out a low, eerie laugh: "Hehehe... A wolf in sheep's clothing? Sharpening one's teeth right under their noses—how very interesting."
"Step two," Yahiko pointed heavily at the small nations surrounding the map, "encroachment."
"The Five Great Nations check and balance each other, which gives us an opportunity. Those small nations in the cracks—we must erode them from within like termites."
"There is no need for large-scale war." Yahiko looked at Konan. "Use money to bribe the upper echelons, use assassination to deal with dissenters, and use Puppet techniques to control the Daimyo. We will turn these small nations into secret colonies of the Akatsuki without anyone noticing."
Sasori of the Red Sand's Puppet fingers twitched slightly; he understood. Wasn't this just a grander version of the 'Red Secret Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets'? What was being manipulated was no longer wooden dolls, but nations.
Sasori muttered to himself, "The art of using nations as a chessboard."
"When the ring of small nations surrounding the Land of Rain has all fallen, we will have formed a massive encirclement, tightly gripping the throats of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind."
Yahiko's palm suddenly clenched shut, as if crushing something.
"By that time, we will possess the resources, population, and economic lifelines of several nations. Meanwhile, the Five Great Nations will still be fighting tooth and nail over minor border frictions."
"Step three is the moment for the hunt."
Yahiko turned to look at Nagato, his gaze burning bright.
"Collect the Tailed Beasts and create forbidden jutsu weapons. When those weapons are hanging over their heads, the Ninja World—already riddled with holes by our infiltration—will have no room for resistance."
The meeting room fell into a dead silence.
Only the thunder outside continued to roar.
Orochimaru stared fixedly at the orange-haired man standing before the map, his pupils contracting violently.
He had originally thought that joining Akatsuki was just to study that mysterious Stand ability or to find a shelter where he could reside. He thought the leader of this organization was, at most, a powerful and ambitious man.
But he was wrong.
How was this a rogue Ninja organization?
This was clearly a rising, massive Empire with precise strategic planning!
This method of dimensionality reduction strike—utilizing geopolitics, economic infiltration, and then combining it with absolute military force—was simply not something those village chiefs still playing 'Ninja games' could comprehend.
"It's truly... wonderful."
Orochimaru felt a shiver; it was the excitement of witnessing a historical transformation.
"Leader," Orochimaru spoke up, his tone losing some of its chill and gaining a bit of fanatical respect, "regarding the encroachment of the Land of Rice Fields, I can provide some assistance. My 'Otogakure' concept there, though still in its infancy, can perfectly integrate into your plan."
"Very good." Yahiko nodded with satisfaction. "Then I'll leave that bone for you to gnaw on."
"As for the Land of Waterfalls, the path has already been scouted before," Nagato added calmly. "The terrain there is easy to defend but hard to attack, and they possess the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki. For the next operation, we can have the six paths of pain pay a 'friendly visit.'"
"No need to rush; time is on our side now."
The Rain Shadow's office in the Rain Shadow Tower.
"Senior, this is the great place I wanted to introduce to you! Look at these lights, look at this style—isn't it much better than that Hidden Mist Village where there's nothing but heavy fog every day?"
A man wearing an orange spiral mask was gesticulating wildly, his tone as exaggerated as a tour guide who had never seen the world.
Beside him stood a man carrying a giant blade on his back.
The man had a cross-shaped scar on his right cheek, a mouth full of sharp teeth, and a headband with a horizontal line through it—the mark of a rogue Ninja. At this moment, he was sizing up the orange-haired youth sitting in the main seat and the cold, beautiful blue-haired woman standing behind him with an eye like he was inspecting goods.
Former member of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, wielder of the kubikiribōchō, Biwa Jūzō.
"Tobi, this is the 'Akatsuki' you've been bragging about to high heaven?"
Biwa Jūzō sneered, reaching back to slam the kubikiribōchō heavily onto the expensive floor with a dull thud, instantly cracking the marble tiles.
"It just looks like a slightly wealthy stronghold. Hey, the one sitting there—are you the leader?"
Jūzō raised his chin, his face full of arrogance. "I heard the treatment here is good, but I'm one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist; my price is very high. Besides money, I want women and wine. As long as you satisfy me, this blade is yours to use."
As he spoke, his turbid eyes unceremoniously swept over Konan, and he let out a flippant whistle: "For instance, this blue-haired Young Miss is quite to my taste."
The air seemed to freeze in that second.
Tobi's eyes narrowed slightly behind his mask, and he began to offer silent prayers for Jūzō.
This guy was used to acting overbearing in the Hidden Mist Village and had no idea who the two people in this room actually were.
Yahiko sat on a large leather sofa, playing with a lighter in his hand. The metal lid opened and closed with a crisp "ding, ding" sound. Facing Jūzō's provocation, he didn't get angry; instead, he smiled exceptionally brightly.
"Talent is hard to come by." Yahiko stopped his movements and leaned forward, resting his chin on his crossed hands. "The Akatsuki is thirsty for talent. For capable rogue Ninjas, we are always inclusive. Even if their personality is a bit... wild."
"At least you're sensible," Jūzō grinned smugly, revealing a mouthful of shark-like teeth.
"However," Yahiko said before his voice trailed off, pointing to a heavy iron door nearby, "before joining Akatsuki, we have a set of standard procedures. It's mainly to confirm a new member's physical condition and mental stability. After all, we are a formal organization of Amegakure."
"What crappy procedure? My body is perfectly fine!" Jūzō waved his hand impatiently.
"It's just a formality." Yahiko stood up and made a 'please' gesture, his movements as elegant as a gentleman's. "Konan, take our new colleague to 'promote our organizational culture.'"
Konan expressionlessly nodded and walked toward the iron door: "Follow me."
Jūzō snorted, shouldered the kubikiribōchō, and followed. As he passed Tobi, he even patted Tobi's shoulder: "Learn something—a man's got to be tough."
Tobi rolled his eyes behind his mask.
Tough?
I hope you can last five minutes.
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