[Tier 1 Authority (Unlock 10%)]
[Tier 2 Authority Holder Bound: Konan]
[Currently Available Tier 2 Authority Holder: 1/1]
[When Tier 2 Authority Rewards Are Unlocked, Tier 1 Authority Holder Will Receive Different Rewards]
[First Level Reward: Five Times Chakra, Paper Release Secret Technique (Acquired)]
[Second Level Reward: Locked]
[Second Level Reward Unlock Condition: First Night]
[No other targets can be bound before the Third Level reward is unlocked]
[If Tier 2 Authority Holder Dies, Tier 1 Authority Will Be Revoked]
Asahi looked at the information on the system interface. In addition to these basic details, there seemed to be more content that hadn't been discovered yet. He could clearly see the system's transparent metallic frames, with several overlapping sections hidden off to the side and inaccessible.
However, the difficulty of obtaining the Second Level reward was too high for now.
A girl like Konan, who only thought about Yahiko and Nagato, having her sleep with him seemed like a delusion. If he used some coercive method, he would also lose his standing in Akatsuki, and possibly in the Land of Rain as well. He couldn't bind anyone else before unlocking the Third Level reward, and there were too many restrictions.
Fortunately, the First Level reward gave Asahi some self-preservation methods. As long as he wasn't facing enemies of the level of Obito and the Five Kage, surviving shouldn't be an issue.
The key problem now was that Obito was always around Nagato, and he might decide one day that Asahi was interfering with his plans and just kill him.
He had to continue to bide his time, slowly finding ways to obtain all the rewards from Konan.
At least, now Akatsuki wouldn't face the same fate of destruction as in the original story.
The next morning.
Yahiko said he was going to the village to meet Hanzō, accompanied by Nagato, Konan, Kyusuke, Daibutsu, and Asahi.
Although there were no clear rankings within the Akatsuki organization, aside from Yahiko, Nagato and Konan were the most respected individuals.
However, Nagato rarely offered suggestions, and in certain respects, Kyusuke was considered the third in command within the organization.
Someone like Asahi was just an ordinary member.
It was Yahiko who had specifically requested for Asahi to accompany them this time.
Konan's demeanor seemed colder than usual, and she didn't speak much during the journey. Most of the conversation was between Yahiko and Kyusuke.
Upon arriving at the Hidden Rain Village, a dedicated ninja came to guide them.
They arrived at Hanzō's residence.
After waiting briefly in the living room, they saw Hanzō walking out.
It was Asahi's first time meeting Hanzō. His physique wasn't particularly imposing, and he wore a custom breathing mask, with only his face visible, revealing that he was no longer young. Though he was the leader of a small country's ninja village, Hanzō's reputation in the ninja world rivaled that of the Five Kage. During the Second Great Ninja War, everyone had heard of the strength of this man.
"Lord Hanzō."
Yahiko and the others greeted him.
"Hm." Hanzō nodded slightly, his gaze quickly locking onto Nagato, looking at his striking hair color with some thought.
"Your name is Nagato?"
"Yes," Nagato replied.
"What's your surname?"
Nagato hesitated briefly before answering, "I don't have a surname."
It was normal for common people in this world not to have surnames, but Hanzō found Nagato's bright red hair too eye-catching, far from that of an ordinary civilian.
Hanzō took a step closer, his eyes scanning Nagato closely, making Nagato feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"Can I see your Rinnegan?"
Nagato slowly lifted his head, and their gazes met in mid-air. With just a glance, the strange patterns in Nagato's eyes made Hanzō feel an inexplicable chill in his heart.
It can't be fake…
Nagato didn't show any of the Rinnegan's power, but Hanzō couldn't shake the feeling.
The red-haired boy in front of him looked very young, and Hanzō could even guess the boy's current level of strength.
"Very well."
Hanzō didn't say much, only nodding.
He then turned and returned to his seat.
"Yahiko, the reason I called you here is because I have a task I want to assign to you."
Yahiko's heart tightened upon hearing this. "Lord Hanzō, please speak."
"A long time ago, the Hidden Leaf sent us a letter requesting an alliance."
Hanzō took out an envelope, and when Yahiko heard the words "Hidden Leaf," he furrowed his brow for a moment before stepping forward to take the letter and glance at it.
"Right now, the war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth has reached a strategic deadlock. Both sides are considering a ceasefire. I also have a letter from the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, of the Hidden Stone."
Yahiko quickly processed the information and asked, "Lord Hanzō, what do you intend to do?"
He was encountering such conflicts between nations for the first time and didn't dare to make assumptions.
Hanzō replied, "This situation is quite common. Not only us, but the surrounding countries will also receive alliance offers. They all want to strengthen their own forces now to gain more leverage in the future."
"This time, I plan to side with the Hidden Leaf."
"What?!" Nagato was the first to speak in surprise.
Hanzō rested his chin on his hand and calmly said, "I know that not long ago, Hidden Leaf ninjas attacked you. Their leader is Shimura Danzo, and what he did, the Hokage likely doesn't know. Also, there has never been a lasting enmity between countries."
After carefully considering, Yahiko asked, "Lord Hanzō, you want us to represent the Land of Rain and go to the Hidden Leaf, correct?"
"You three were once Jiraiya's disciples. This will be a great advantage and will help us gain considerable benefits."
Silence followed.
Hanzō actually had a lot more to say, but he kept it to himself. When Shimura Danzo came to the Land of Rain, his initial intention was to win Hanzō over as an ally. To do this, he pushed the Akatsuki organization into opposition with Hanzō, planning to help him eliminate Akatsuki—all to gain Hanzō's favor.
However, the appearance of the Rinnegan changed the intentions of both sides.
Hanzō was fully aware of this, but such matters were not something he could openly discuss.
"Yahiko, what is your opinion?"
Yahiko couldn't help but think back to the white-haired man who had taught him in his youth.
He took a deep breath and replied, "Our Akatsuki will work hard to facilitate the alliance between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, and bring an end to the war."
Hanzō remained calm, nodding in approval.
Facilitating the alliance was acceptable.
But why should the war end?
He had previously shown little interest in this war, perhaps having resigned himself to the idea that his achievements in life might be limited.
But now, the situation was different.
He looked at Nagato, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"This task will be fully entrusted to you. I'll have Genma discuss the specific details with you. However, Nagato cannot go."
"Huh?"
Everyone froze in surprise.