Compared to Konohagakure, Amegakure is undoubtedly weaker.
Although in terms of Kage-level ninjas, Amegakure is not far behind Konoha, but other than that, Amegakure is far inferior to Konoha.
To be blunt, the number of ninjas in Amegakure doesn't even match the number of upper-level ninjas and ANBU in Konoha.
However, there is one aspect where Konoha cannot compete with Amegakure: the authority of the village leader. Despite some limitations, Yahiko's authority as the leader remains largely intact.
Amegakure also does not suffer from internal strife, perfectly avoiding internal conflicts.
Therefore, after receiving a letter from the Fourth Hokage, Yahiko immediately informed Byakuya and the others to convene a small meeting.
At the meeting, Yahiko produced the reply letter, and the four took turns reading through it.
Firstly, the Fourth Hokage did not refuse the border trade between the two countries.
Secondly, he agreed to the exchange of diplomatic teams, allowing Amegakure and Konoha to send envoys to learn from each other's advanced experiences and address shortcomings in management.
Byakuya showed little interest in the diplomatic exchange.
However, judging from the content of the letter, the Fourth Hokage seemed quite interested in the reforms taking place in Amegakure, possibly wanting to initiate a reform within Konoha due to internal conflicts.
At this thought, Byakuya couldn't help but smile.
Yahiko, noticing this, furrowed his brow and asked, "Is there something wrong with the letter? I didn't find any issues."
Byakuya chuckled lightly and said, "There's nothing wrong. I'm just thinking about something pleasant."
Yahiko, somewhat helpless, said, "Don't change the subject. What is it that makes you so happy?"
Byakuya deliberately teased and then said, "Why do you think the Fourth Hokage is being so friendly with us? You know, agreeing to trade and even allowing us to send a diplomatic team for exchange."
"Because he is Jiraiya-sensei's disciple, kinda like our senior?"
Yahiko attempted to answer, considering this the most likely reason, apart from the strategic importance of Amegakure.
Though Amegakure is not thriving, it is situated at a crucial transportation route.
If any one of the Sand, Rock, or Leaf Villages controls Amegakure, they can turn it into a military stronghold, directly threatening the other two.
Byakuya nodded and explained, "Our Amegakure's dear leader's analytical skills have improved. You guessed that the Fourth Hokage is trying to win us over, but he's more interested in learning from our reform experiences and then implementing reforms within Konoha. After all, although Konoha seems united on the surface, internal conflicts are already severe."
Hearing this, Yahiko suddenly understood and then recalled something, saying, "You previously asked me to strengthen exchanges with Konoha, and now they want to imitate our reforms. Aren't you worried that Konoha might become stronger after the reform?"
"But of course, I am worried!" Byakuya revealed a mysterious smile and said, "But it's better to believe in the possibility of the Uchiha becoming Hokage than in the Fourth Hokage's ability to successfully reform the village."
Yahiko was stunned for a moment. He suddenly realized that Byakuya was never a reformist but a revolutionary.
Since the difficulty of reform was too high, it was better to start anew and solve problems by directly addressing the enemies. This method, though extreme, was highly effective.
After confirming the delegation, Yahiko and Byakuya began discussing the selection of members for the exchange team.
After a moment of contemplation, Byakuya spoke up, "Yahiko, Nagato must not join the delegation. The Rinnegan must not be exposed to the world since the risk is too great."
Yahiko nodded lightly, "I think so too. Nagato cannot leave the Land of Rain."
At this point, Byakuya added, "Also, it would be best if you don't join the delegation. If anything were to happen to you, the Land of Rain would fall into chaos."
Hearing this, Yahiko looked doubtful, "If I don't go, the only qualified ninjas left to lead the delegation to Konoha are you and Konan. Are you planning to visit Konoha this time?"
Byakuya shook his head and said, "I mean, it would be best if you don't go. As long as you make the necessary preparations, it's possible to go. Don't forget that Danzo, who once allied with Hanzo, was also a Konoha ninja."
Mentioning Danzo's name made Yahiko and the others' expressions change.
The betrayal by Danzo and Hanzo had made them abandon their previous naïve notions. In a way, they even felt a grudging gratitude towards Danzo.
But gratitude aside, the enmity between Danzo and the Akatsuki would not be easily resolved.
At this moment, Konan seemed to have thought of something and said, "Danzo and the Fourth Hokage are likely political enemies now. Danzo wouldn't dare to make a move against us in Konoha, as that would be tantamount to becoming a rogue ninja."
"But are you really not going to join the delegation? Konoha is the most prosperous village."
Byakuya nodded and said, "I won't go myself, but I'll send a clone with you. Although its combat power isn't much, it can still provide advice and strategy. How about it? Isn't that very considerate?"
Yahiko and Konan exchanged speechless looks but eventually accepted Byakuya's goodwill.
Even with an invitation from Minato, their senior, they would remain vigilant. The best way to guard against potential backstabbing was to bring along Byakuya, even if it were just his clone.
In the following time, Yahiko and Byakuya finalized the number and departure date for the delegation.
However, it wasn't so simple to set the delegation in motion. They had to wait for the situation to stabilize and obtain the Fourth Hokage's consent.
---
A month later, the delegation heading to Konoha departed from Amegakure.
Byakuya was also a member of the delegation, but he deceived Yahiko and Konan by sending his real body instead of a clone.
The story about the clone was a lie, crafted to give him a reason to act independently.
He had long wanted to visit Konoha, but going there openly did not fit his style or the goals of his mission.
Yahiko and Konan genuinely wanted to exchange experiences.
If the Fourth Hokage were to follow their suggestions, with the support of Konoha, the Akatsuki's ideals would become much easier to achieve.
Byakuya, however, had different plans. He never believed that Konoha would support the Akatsuki.
His goal was to create internal strife within Konoha, to divide it into factions that could then be absorbed into the Akatsuki.
The talent within Konoha, rather than being wasted on internal conflicts, would be better utilized within the Akatsuki.
As for how to instigate conflict, Byakuya planned to send a gift to an old friend. It had been several months since he last corresponded with his very dear sponsor and advisor, Danzo.
This time, he would rely on Danzo's assistance to help him achieve his goal of recruiting talent.