[This Chapter Is Sponsored by Brandon Hunt! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]
In the dark base of the Akatsuki organization.
"Nagato, this is the latest intelligence."
Seated on a strange puppet, the emaciated Nagato slowly opened his eyes. His spirits had undergone a complete change since he found his life's purpose.
Upon receiving the intelligence, Nagato couldn't help but remark, "Although I have not yet mastered the Fire Temple's Sage Jutsu, it truly lives up to its name."
Seeing this, Konan's usually cold face softened slightly. "Nagato, your legs?"
Looking at Konan's concern, Nagato confidently replied, "Though I haven't mastered it yet, the Sage Chakra does have a miraculous ability to nourish the body. At least my legs won't deteriorate any further."
No one wants to be crippled, especially a ninja with the power to destroy worlds. His once overtaxed body seemed to stabilize under the influence of Sage Jutsu.
Upon opening the intelligence scroll, Nagato narrowed his eyes with a serious expression, "Mr. Yoru has started moving towards his own path of the ninja."
The report detailed recent changes in the Konoha, especially the new political system formed by the Police Force under Uchiha Yoru, now openly clashing with the old Leaf political system.
In Nagato's eyes, Uchiha Yoru was his guiding light, the person he admired most in the ninja world.
"Nagato, Mr. Yoru doesn't know our real identity, but recently his Police Force has contacted our Akatsuki organization."
Konan slowly took out a mission scroll. "Since the Uchiha's external businesses and trade in the Land of Fire have been suppressed by those aligned with the Third Hokage, the situation has become very peculiar."
"Then a group of ninjas appeared to protect the Uchiha's interests. According to the intelligence, these ninjas come from the Rock and Cloud villages. It seems Mr. Yoru is wary, hiring an elite ninja squad to eliminate these attackers."
Even Konan understood that other villages, seeing the Leaf's turmoil, wouldn't let them off easily.
Uchiha's evil? Uchiha's division? The Third Hokage secretly weakens the Uchiha's business, so they help in the shadows.
In short, whatever trouble the Uchiha face, they'll intervene without being asked, hoping to incite internal strife in the Leaf.
"Alright, the Akatsuki will take on the Uchiha's mission."
There's money to be made and free help - it would be foolish not to.
"Also, this is a personal letter from Uchiha Yoru, sent to the location we left last time."
After discussing the main issue, Konan took out an envelope. Nagato's expression became even more solemn than when he was reviewing the intelligence.
Opening the envelope, looking at the contents of the letter, and a medical prescription debugging agent, Nagato's face showed an even brighter smile.
"Mr. Yoru, truly a man of integrity."
He didn't expect that Uchiha Yoru would still remember his health, and now with his identity, he even researched and prepared a suitable medicine after a period of time.
Watching Nagato so obsessed, Konan frowned with some worry, "Nagato, in the future, this Mr. Yoru might become our great enemy."
In the current situation, other ninja villages would obviously secretly assist Uchiha in their goal to weaken Konoha.
But as long as the Third Hokage can't settle things with a thunderous approach, Uchiha Yoru will only become stronger.
Seeing Konan's worry, Nagato showed a confident smile, "Our goals are the same, it's just that the processes are different. But in the end, who will succeed? Hehe, my eyes, I believe, can see farther. When the time comes, I'll let Mr. Yoru see."
"He thinks too one-sidedly, setting rules for the ninja world. As Mr. Yoru wrote in his book, the human heart is the most unpredictable."
Both of them ultimately aim for peace. Nagato wants to create powerful weapons from the Tailed Beasts, just like how Senju and Uchiha once dominated the ninja world and no one dared to start wars.
And Uchiha Yoru! Thinking of this, Nagato couldn't help but shake his head: "Perhaps this is a matter of perspective. If Mr. Yoru knew about this method, he might change his mind."
At this moment, he could only attribute all this to Uchiha Yoru not knowing that the Nine Tailed Beasts could create the strongest weapon.
…
Rock Village.
In the office of the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki looked at the intelligence from Konoha and couldn't help but show a cold smile, saying, "Sarutobi, Sarutobi, you've been proud all your life, but it seems in the latter half you will tarnish your own reputation."
"Pass down my order, prioritize the goods coming from the Land of Fire that bear the Uchiha crest."
"Yes!"
"Also, keep a close watch. Any ninja, regardless of their rank, who disrupts trade with the Uchiha, eliminate them."
"Yes!"
"Tsuchikage, is this really—?" An assistant in the office couldn't help but show a puzzled expression.
Ōnoki, without even looking, knew their expressions and coldly said with a laugh, "This is a godsend opportunity. During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha was almost exhausted, and then suddenly the Fourth Hokage emerged. How many geniuses does Konoha have? It's a pity that Sarutobi Hiruzen doesn't know how to use these talents."
As he spoke, a strong hint of jealousy appeared on Ōnoki's face, and he cursed inwardly. Not to mention a genius like the Fourth Hokage, even someone slightly less talented would be treasured by him.
"Konoha suffered huge losses in the Third War, even experiencing the Nine-Tails' attack, but it's only been a few years! Not to mention the geniuses that emerged in Konoha, just the recovery of their military strength alone far exceeds ours."
As he said this, Ōnoki's jealousy was palpable. Konoha had an endless layer of geniuses, and with its fertile lands and strong economic recovery, it was rapidly regaining its strength.
"This is a rare opportunity! Uchiha Yoru, with his awakened Mangekyō Sharingan, just give him time!" As he spoke, a sinister smile of schadenfreude appeared on Ōnoki's face.
"Haha, this time I must seize the opportunity, take advantage of Konoha's internal strife, and fully develop our military power."
At this moment, although Ōnoki was old, his eyes were filled with intense ambition. The Mist was already in internal strife, and the Sand was at the bottom, also showing signs of internal disagreement, not to mention Konoha. Now, many in the ninja world were watching.
At this moment, Ōnoki couldn't help but feel emotional. It was like the heavens had opened their eyes, giving him a chance to rise in his lifetime.
Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, now only Kumogakure and his Iwagakure were left. Taking advantage of Konoha's internal strife and fully developing military power, in the next Great Ninja War, he was determined to tear a chunk of flesh from the fertile lands of the Land of Fire.
…
Land of the Rice Paddies.
"Ah! Gurgle~"
Amidst a scream, followed by sounds resembling drowning, a young boy struggles painfully and fiercely inside a huge container. Numerous liquids are poured into his body, rapidly extinguishing his will.
At the same time, a faint orange-red chakra drifts in the air. Watching this scene, Uchiha Yoru sneers and jests, "It seems that the Daimyo's domain also has its fair share of tricks."
"Hehe, I'm more curious about your methods, Yoru, even managing to infiltrate the Fire Temple," Orochimaru chuckles sinisterly.
Uchiha Yoru, unconcerned, shrugs and teases, "The Uchiha clan has been ostracized and isolated for so long, how could we not seek allies? If not in the village, then naturally we turn to the Land of Fire."
"But obviously, the Daimyo's domain is cautious, perhaps even timid, afraid of backlash and thus has always turned a blind eye to the Uchiha's goodwill. It's only natural that the Fire Temple has its informants."
Orochimaru, hearing Uchiha Yoru's explanation, lets out a hoarse laugh. It all makes sense, but what does it matter to him? They are just materials for his experiments.
"Teacher, this child is the son of Kazuma, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Daimyo's domain. He's been implanted with part of the Nine-Tails' chakra since childhood, now resembling a pseudo Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. I need this child to grow rapidly."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru frowns and says hoarsely, "Nutrient fluids can accelerate growth, but this will also impair the child's future potential."
Uchiha Yoru's face then twists into a sinister smile, "Given the current situation, I cannot afford to be merciful, and besides!"
Speaking of which, Uchiha Yoru turned his head and looked at Orochimaru, the smile on his face gradually fading, "Right now, my power only allows me to protect my own people."
"And he is certainly not one of our own!" From the beginning, Uchiha Yoru never considered the other party as one of his own, but merely as a weapon.
Originally, the other party was just a weapon, only with a change of master.
"Hehe, Yoru, you're becoming more and more perfect."
In the midst of the offbeat tone, Orochimaru and Uchiha Yoru exchanged glances and smiles, both seeing ambition in each other's eyes, but their ambitions were completely aligned for cooperation.
Their ambitions never conflicted.
The Fire Temple's imitation of the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki 'Sora' sold the information to Orochimaru early on, and naturally, Orochimaru took this weapon away when he returned from the Land of Water.
"Hehe, I am very much looking forward to Yoru's future."
For the first time, Orochimaru was filled with intense interest in a person, his golden snake pupils eager to see the other's future.
First, there was the half Nine-Tails of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, the terrifying power of the Nine-Tails. If the young girl Karin really could control it, it would be immeasurable.
But all that is in the future, and the present is about this pseudo Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
The future needs to be nurtured and sculpted, while the present is ready for immediate use, meaning 'Sora' has always been a weapon in their hands.
When necessary, Uchiha Yoru would directly wield it.
And Uchiha Yoru did not hide his ambition and plans from Orochimaru. The pseudo Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, although it could only unleash four tails, also possessed the destructive power of a Kage level.
…
Konoha, a tavern.
"Hey, life has finally gotten easier lately."
"Indeed, the shadow of war has finally lifted."
"Ha ha, the Mist Village is facing a rebellion, and they're too preoccupied with their own mess in the Land of Water to bother fighting us."
Ninjas gather in the tavern, mostly to relax and unwind from the long-held stress, boasting, chit-chatting, and even heavy drinking as a form of relief.
"Why has there been no news from the Fifth Hokage in the village?"
"The Third Hokage was already sixty when he retired a few years ago. Why does he now seem reluctant to step down after taking the position again?"
"Shush, don't grumble so much. What does it have to do with us?"
"Hmph, remember when we applied for a mission? Guess what? A teacher from the Ninja Academy chose a person from the Sarutobi clan."
At a table, two ninjas openly show their displeasure, and one of them eventually sighs in resignation: "Just let it be, get some sleep when we return, and pretend nothing happened. We're not that fortunate."
"Hmph, during the Third Great Ninja War, they said it was due to a shortage of supplies, leading to price hikes. Now what? Even though peace has been restored, look at these monopolized resources."
"Shut it. If you think it's too expensive, go buy it from the Uchiha clan."
"You think I haven't tried? The Uchiha themselves barely have enough for their own needs, let alone sell much to outsiders."
In a private room, two figures quietly listen to the ninjas' complaints, both frowning.
"Kakashi, the higher-ups in Konoha have monopolized the village's soldier pills and some precious medical resources."
Uchiha Shisui frowns deeply and speaks solemnly to Kakashi: "The Land of Fire is fertile, and even the ninjas of Konoha are strong, but almost half of the earnings from each mission go to medical expenses."
"I hadn't paid much attention before, but after Brother Yoru pointed it out, and the fact that the police department's hospital is only for internal use and not for profit, I realized..."
"Even simple injuries, which truly cost less than ten thousand to treat, cost ninjas ten times as much. Nearly half of what ninjas earn from risking their lives on missions goes to the medical department, and the rest is spent on various supplies."
Listening to Shisui's investigation, Kakashi Hatake also sighed rarely, "Shisui, the Medical Department was initially proposed by Lady Tsunade, but later, due to the village receiving substantial financial and material support, and with Lady Tsunade's long absence, the village indeed needed money."
"Money?" Looking at Kakashi, Shisui showed a disdainful look, as if saying don't treat me like a fool.
"Clearly, injuries that could be healed with medical ninjutsu and a half-month's rest at home end up requiring a month's hospitalization in the Medical Department, using a bunch of highly profitable medicines. Of course, these medicines don't have any effect on the body."
Saying this, Shisui showed a self-mocking, sarcastic smile, "I almost forgot, the Medical Department is now under the control of the Sarutobi clan."
"Moreover, after the Nine-Tails' attack, only the Shimura, Ino-Shika-Chō clans together divided the village for reconstruction. The Uchiha were marginalized, not to mention the countless ordinary ninjas. It sounds good to say it was a re-planning, but in reality, their clans occupied the best lands and turned these so-called re-planned areas into commercial streets."
"Raising the housing prices, now the central area of the village is absurdly expensive."
"Let's leave these aside, what about the current upper echelons! What does it mean to 'drink ninja blood'!" Shisui's eyes revealed weariness. After experiencing the manipulation of Kotoamatsukami, he learned more about the internal affairs.
"The ninjas who died in the Nine-Tails attack, what about their properties? Even the properties of the Fourth Hokage were appropriated under the pretext of rebuilding Konoha. What about the funds allocated by the Daimyō? Haha, it's a huge irony."
"Kakashi, do you know? Now, the Sarutobi, Ino-Shika-Chō clans secretly demand money for teaching advanced techniques under the guise of leading teams. The common experiences that should be taught by the team-leading ninjas are now commercialized by them."
"And there's even more shameless acts, like certain positions in various departments, such as the prison management ninjas, some clerical positions in departments, or patrol missions. It's not enough just to meet the ninja rank and mission standards; there's also a need for transactions."
After learning from the upper echelons about the major clans' methods of amassing wealth, Shisui almost collapsed. The village had become so corrupt, from top to bottom.