Byakuya kept his word and did not spy on the information these individuals had written.
He allowed them to summon their familiars and used reverse summoning techniques to send the information back to their respective ninja villages.
However, few spies dared to send information about the Akatsuki. Most kept a close watch on Byakuya, not daring to make a move.
Seeing this, Byakuya temporarily left the training ground, giving them time to think.
As Byakuya walked away, a few bold ninjas followed him. When he turned around, they immediately laid their minds bare.
"Lord Byakuya, we are spies from the Land of Wind."
Hearing this, Byakuya glanced at them before replying.
"I know you are spies. I gave you ample time to transmit information. Isn't that your goal in infiltrating the Akatsuki?"
The spies from Sunagakure exchanged glances, hesitating before shaking their heads helplessly.
"We came because we want to join the Akatsuki."
Byakuya was taken aback but showed no commanding presence. He then asked.
"Aren't you already members of the Akatsuki and part of my Anbu?"
"We truly want to join the Akatsuki, the real one... After our experiences these past few days, we feel the Akatsuki is the only real ninja organization. The Five Great Ninja Villages can't compare to the system of this small organization."
Byakuya responded indifferently, "Come straight to the point and explain properly."
The spies from the Land of Wind took a deep breath before continuing while gritting their teeth.
"Lord Byakuya, we had no choice. If news of our capture reaches Sunagakure, we will be branded as traitors, and our families will be in danger."
"Instead of living like this, Lord Byakuya, you might as well kill us or let us join the Akatsuki and become part of the organization."
After hearing this, Byakuya looked at the spies from Sunagakure with interest.
Gathering the spies together had been an impromptu idea of his, aiming to conduct a social experiment.
According to his plan, these spies should have approached him after several months or half a year.
He didn't expect the spies from Sunagakure to waver so quickly, but how much truth there was in their words was uncertain.
Nonetheless, this didn't stop him from making grand promises to them.
"I am pleased with your willingness to surrender. However, since you are ninjas from another village, you can only become official members of the Akatsuki after severing ties with Sunagakure."
With that, Byakuya turned and left, leaving an inscrutable figure behind.
Enough time had passed for these people to send information to their villages. Even if they hadn't, there would be other opportunities next time.
The spies from Sunagakure exchanged glances. They seemed to have received a promise, yet not entirely.
After leaving the training ground, Byakuya activated his Mind's Eye of Kagura and sensed the Anbu beginning to write letters. He nodded in satisfaction.
Even at such a time, there were still those daring enough to send out information.
However, he wasn't worried about the Akatsuki's information being leaked; in fact, he intended for it to be leaked.
The Akatsuki had reached a bottleneck in its development.
For the next phase of expansion, they either had to attack other countries or confront Amegakure. Given Yahiko and the others' personalities, convincing them to take the initiative was difficult.
Unless it was a defensive counterattack, which would not only be morally justifiable but also provide an opportunity to expand Akatsuki's influence.
For Byakuya, it would be best if Amegakure took the initiative to attack. Continuing to develop was also an option.
---
A few hours later.
Hiding in a dark cave, Danzo received two intelligence scrolls: one from an ordinary spy in Root and the other from the new spy, Byakuya.
Before opening the scrolls, Danzo specifically summoned Ryoma Aburame.
Ryoma looked extremely uneasy. He didn't know what the intelligence scrolls contained, but he knew Danzo intended to use Byakuya as a test subject to gain experience for a future coup.
His life was becoming increasingly bleak.
Once Ryoma arrived, Danzo first opened the scroll from the Root spy.
The scroll detailed the spy's observations within the Akatsuki and Byakuya's actions toward them, filled with accusations against Byakuya.
Danzo didn't care about the Root spy's complaints against Byakuya.
To him, a subordinate at the Chunin level is merely expendable. Even if Byakuya killed this subordinate, Danzo would only send a reprimand note, without reducing the support provided.
After reading the entire content, Danzo didn't rush to open Byakuya's scroll but looked at Ryoma.
His gaze seemed to ask, "Ryoma, what do you think?"
Ryoma took the Root spy's scroll, glanced at it, and his expression immediately turned grim. He didn't understand what Byakuya was trying to do.
After a moment of contemplation, Ryoma said with some hesitation.
"I don't understand Byakuya's intentions. Since he captured spies infiltrating the Akatsuki, why didn't he interrogate them? Wouldn't making them disappear be more effective?"
Danzo glanced at Ryoma before explaining calmly.
"Ryoma, you still don't see the bigger picture. Byakuya neither wants nor needs to know the information from the major ninja villages because the Akatsuki currently lacks the strength to oppose them. His decision not to kill these ninjas serves two purposes: one, to show the major ninja villages his stance; and two, to find a way to secretly contact foreign forces, preparing for a future coup."
Again with the coup plans... Ryoma felt powerless to complain.
However, Danzo did make some valid points; otherwise, Byakuya's actions couldn't be explained.
By this time, Danzo had already picked up Byakuya's intelligence scroll and casually glanced through it before tossing it to Ryoma.
"Look at Byakuya's report. Isn't it quite similar to what I just said?"
Ryoma took the scroll and read it carefully. His expression changed several times as he processed the useful content. The main points were:
1. An explanation for his control over the Root spy, requesting Danzo's understanding.
2. A request for the next phase of support, including military aid.
After reading, Ryoma looked at Danzo and curiously asked, "Lord Danzo, what is our next step?"
Danzo didn't keep him guessing and replied directly.
"Continue to provide Byakuya with the support he needs. We don't need to worry about the rest. In time, Byakuya and the Akatsuki will yield satisfactory results for us. As long as Amegakure descends into chaos, our village will benefit greatly from the ensuing conflict."
"Yes, Lord Danzo," Ryoma nodded quickly, though he inwardly scoffed at Danzo's final remark.
Danzo's interest in the Land of Rain was never about Konoha—it was always about himself.
If Byakuya succeeded in his coup, it would provide valuable experience for Danzo's own plans. If Byakuya failed, Danzo would suffer little loss, as he was spending the village's resources.
Then again, how many of the village's higher-ups weren't looking out for themselves?
Those lofty leaders constantly preached about the Will of Fire, yet their covert tactics surpassed even Danzo's, unwilling to sully their hands with the slightest bit of darkness.