Byakuya's words left Hanzo momentarily silent.
He wasn't clear why Byakuya dismissed the title of demigod. Although there was a significant gap between being a demigod and being a god of shinobi, the title of demigod brought tangible benefits to the Land of Rain. Without it, the Land of Rain would likely have been drawn into the upcoming Great Ninja War—a war not just between Akatsuki and Amegakure, but a massive conflict sweeping across multiple nations.
This was the power of reputation. Simply having the title of "demigod" was enough to deter the unscrupulous.
Byakuya guessed Hanzo's thoughts and said cunningly, "If Amegakure only confines itself within the borders of the Land of Rain, then the title of demigod is indeed more beneficial than harmful. However, if we want to expand outward, the title of 'demigod' becomes a hindrance."
"If everyone fears the 'demigod,' how can we develop and expand?"
"You make some sense..."
After pondering, Hanzo had to admit that Byakuya saw farther than him. He had only wanted to use the title of demigod to protect the Land of Rain, but this had aroused the suspicions of the major ninja villages.
During this upcoming Great Ninja War, he had even considered annexing neighboring smaller ninja villages. However, the presence of Iwagakure and Konohagakure troops stationed on the borders of the Land of Rain had deterred him from participating in the war, extinguishing his last trace of ambition.
However, as a failure, Hanzo was curious about Byakuya's view of the Land of Rain.
Byakuya didn't hold back either. He extended two fingers and directly laid out the strategic plans he intended to implement in the future.
Simply put, the Land of Rain aimed to distinguish itself among the numerous ninja villages. The strategy involved accumulating resources, biding their time, and gradually gaining strength. In the Great Ninja War, they would only join the fray at the last moment.
After hearing Byakuya's strategic plan, Hanzo frowned and said, "Byakuya, your idea is good, but if it's about development, Amegakure can't compete with the Five Great Shinobi Countries."
Indeed, that was the case. Whether in terms of land area or population, the Land of Rain lagged far behind the Five Great Nations.
This was also why the Five Great Shinobi Countries had always maintained their lead over other ninja villages. A sufficient population could produce enough ninjas, even if they lost more in war than the entire population of Amegakure. Over time, the Five Great Shinobi Countries could gradually replenish their losses.
Listening to Hanzo's words, Byakuya revealed a mysterious smile. "Yes, as long as the Five Great Shinobi Villages don't fall into chaos, the Land of Rain can never surpass them. But this upcoming Great Ninja War is about to end. Once they lose external conflicts, what will they do?"
"They will plunge into internal strife due to uneven distribution of benefits!"
Hanzo answered on behalf of Byakuya. He now fully understood Byakuya's thoughts. This was a straightforward strategy—Akatsuki needed only to lie low.
However, this task could only be carried out by Byakuya, Yahiko, and others from Akatsuki.
Even though he knew this method couldn't be implemented, because he was already old, he might die in bed any day now. Time was on Byakuya's side.
After listening to Akatsuki's future strategy, Hanzo had lost interest in the specifics.
Byakuya's plan required at least several years to implement, during which time the Land of Rain would not see significant upheaval.
For now, all Hanzo needed to do was to quietly manage Amegakure under the guise of being deceased, serving as an instructor within Akatsuki.
As Hanzo made his decision, Byakuya also received rewards from the system:
[Hanzo has joined Akatsuki. You have received Hanzo's fluid technique.]
[Hanzo has joined Akatsuki. You have received Water Release: Instant Water and Advanced Water Release Gift Pack.]
[Hanzo has joined Akatsuki. You have received an egg of Salamander.]
A series of rewards left Byakuya very satisfied.
The benefits of Hanzo joining Akatsuki exceeded even Amegakure joining Akatsuki. However, it made sense to think about it—Amegakure itself was very weak and had always been propped up by Hanzo alone, maintaining its status as the Sixth Great Ninja Village in name only.
In the original plot, after losing a series of S-rank powerhouses like Hanzo, Nagato, and Konan, the Land of Rain was reduced to its original chaotic state.
After claiming his rewards, Byakuya produced a Wood Release seed from his hand and handed it to Hanzo.
Looking at the Wood Release seed in Byakuya's hand, Hanzo's expression turned grim, but he swallowed it nonetheless.
"Byakuya, do you really distrust me so much that you resort to such methods?"
Byakuya watched as Hanzo swallowed the seed and said earnestly, "Hanzo-sensei, this is beneficial for both of us. I'm not like Yahiko, a hot-blooded fool who leaves everything to chance."
Hanzo's face darkened, and his favorable impression of Byakuya diminished somewhat.
Nevertheless, with such cunning and strategy, it seemed Akatsuki wouldn't be tossed around like he had been.
This time, he had misjudged and was betrayed by Danzo.
Otherwise, if he and Danzo, the advisor to the Hokage, had joined forces, the battle would not have ended so disastrously!
Now serious, Hanzo turned to Byakuya and said, "Oh yes, there's something important I forgot to tell you. Danzo, who cooperated with me, might still be in the Land of Rain. You might not know Danzo. He's an advisor to Konoha's Hokage, similar in status to..."
Here, Hanzo paused and glanced at Byakuya.
Byakuya ignored Hanzo's gaze, shaking his head. "Hanzo-sensei, you mean Danzo-senpai? I know him!"
"Danzo-senpai?!"
Hanzo noticed Byakuya's way of addressing Danzo and began to look suspicious.
Could there be a connection between Byakuya and Danzo? Could Byakuya be the real person cooperating with Danzo?
Byakuya nodded slightly and continued, "Yes, 'senpai'. Like Hanzo-sensei, Danzo-senpai is someone I respect. When I was still weak, Danzo-senpai invested in me and provided me with a lot of help. Later on, Danzo-senpai provided many plans for seizing power, helping me become the leader of Akatsuki. He's a kind and amiable senpai. The last time we met, he ran off too quickly. Otherwise, I would have liked to catch up with him. After all, without him, I probably wouldn't have become the leader of Akatsuki."
"Senpai, catching up..."
Upon hearing these keywords, Hanzo breathed a sigh of relief.
He roughly guessed Byakuya's background. It seemed likely that Danzo, like himself, had initially sought to use Byakuya, only to be outmaneuvered and forced to flee the Land of Rain by Byakuya's hand.
As for the respect and catching up that Byakuya mentioned, Hanzo understood them in reverse.
Byakuya had likely long planned how to deal with Danzo, so there was no need for him to worry too much. Instead, he was more worried about Danzo, ironic he knew, since he was trying to use Byakuya. He could only imagine Danzo's demise soon at the hands of this little demon.
But, oh well, he should focus on how to retire gracefully within Akatsuki.
The era of the demigod had passed.