Chapter 217: Tell Them, We Will Submit
On the way to the cemetery with everyone, Uchiha Dali suddenly saw Uzumaki Nagato receive a chakra signal from Kakuzu, who was out on a mission.
It was the unique chakra signal of the Projection Technique.
Looks like that guy had already succeeded in capturing the Seven-Tails.
"It's Kakuzu."
Uzumaki Nagato stopped and told Uchiha Dali.
"Oh?"
"Then go deal with it. Tell him to bring the Seven-Tails here to meet us.
"If he refuses, you know what to do."
Uchiha Dali gave the order casually.
A mere Kakuzu wasn't worth him taking the time to personally handle.
Even reviving Nohara Rin was the same.
It was simply a promise he had made back when he had first mastered the Samsara Rebirth Technique and wanted to test its effects.
Following Uchiha Dali's instructions, Uzumaki Nagato established contact through Kakuzu's chakra signal and directly conveyed Dali's intentions to him.
He also told Kakuzu the whole truth — and that the entire Akatsuki had decided to join Konoha.
"So… we've been played all along? That man wasn't Uchiha Madara at all."
Kakuzu, after learning the truth, didn't seem overly shocked.
But he was clearly annoyed.
"I wanted to cut that guy down back then… what a bastard.
"But I didn't expect even you to be fake."
Kakuzu looked at the Uzumaki Nagato speaking to him.
He had only ever known the leader as Pain's Deva Path.
He had never thought that the Deva Path itself was just a 'puppet.'
Now, with the truth laid bare, it was a harsh slap in the face, and his anger boiled.
Yet, he couldn't lay hands on these people — he couldn't win.
Kakuzu even recalled when Pain's Deva Path had first recruited him into the organization — he hadn't even had the chance to resist before being killed instantly.
"If I can keep managing the finances, I can agree to your terms.
"After all, it doesn't matter what organization I'm in. I just need something to keep me occupied."
With the secret Earth Grudge Fear technique, Kakuzu was, in theory, immortal.
How long he could live depended on whether he could find new, healthy hearts to replace aging ones.
So his words were genuine.
"You can come to Konoha and state your demands to Uchiha Dali directly."
Nagato replied.
"I wiped out nearly all the higher-ups in Takigakure to bring this guy out… with that merit, Uchiha Dali will surely look at me differently."
Kakuzu's words were essentially an agreement.
Nagato then used the Reverse Summoning Technique.
In the blink of an eye, Kakuzu and the captured Seven-Tails' jinchūriki were summoned to Konoha.
At the same time, Uchiha Dali, having obtained Nohara Rin's body tissues, successfully revived her.
Everyone was, of course, thrilled and excited again.
But as for matters between Nohara Rin, Kakashi, and Uchiha Obito — that was for them to sort out themselves.
"If you have nothing else to do, don't bother me. I'm going to rest. And don't cause trouble."
Uchiha Dali glanced at the many shinobi present, threw down the words, and vanished.
That last remark was clearly aimed at the members of Akatsuki.
While everyone was still dumbfounded and sighing over how willful this Hokage was, Uchiha Dali suddenly reappeared in front of them.
"Oh, right, Minato — take care of this. Find Orochimaru a suitable lab. As long as he doesn't go too far, all reasonable requests can be met."
With that said, Uchiha Dali disappeared again.
This time, he really did go to sleep.
…
The Land of Iron lay between the Land of Earth and Land of Lightning, two of the Five Great Nations.
It was a coastal nation with an excellent geographic location. Combined with its powerful military, this was why the Land of Iron had been able to remain untouched through all the past ninja world wars.
But now, the leader of the Land of Iron, General Mifune, wore a grave expression as he faced all his ministers.
They had received reliable news.
Konoha's Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Dali, had consecutively conquered the Wind, Lightning, Water, and Earth countries — all great nations like the Land of Fire.
Now, not only had these great nations joined with them, but all the smaller nations surrounding them had submitted as well.
Although no word had yet come from Konoha regarding their attitude toward the neutral Land of Iron, from the current situation, the Land of Iron was completely isolated.
It was surrounded by a unified, incomparably powerful superstate.
"Mifune-sama, I believe we should immediately take the initiative to contact the Land of Fire and show goodwill — express our desire for peace. Otherwise, they may launch an attack on us…"
One of Mifune's subordinates, named Chūnsuke, spoke solemnly. He was a famed Iaido master of the Land of Iron, with formidable strength.
Chūnsuke's words quickly won the approval of others present.
But Mifune remained frowning and silent.
His view differed from his subordinates because he understood the power of ninja better than anyone.
Now that all the ninja nations had united into one complete whole, it had become a singular, overwhelming superpower.
For a nation that wasn't part of it, it was like facing a colossal overlord — an enormous beast.
Peaceful coexistence with such a monster? Impossible.
Mifune was certain that once the Land of Fire had finished settling all its affairs and fully integrated its new, unified superstate, it would inevitably turn its sights on the Land of Iron.
When that time came, the Land of Iron would have no chance of resistance.
So rather than wait for that day — when the superstate's attack would bring slaughter and rivers of blood — it would be wiser and more decisive to act now.
"Mifune-sama?"
A subordinate's voice snapped Mifune from his thoughts. He looked at them all.
"Have a letter drafted.
"Tell the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Uchiha Dali, that from this day on, the Land of Iron is willing to become part of their great unified family.
"We will use our actions to contribute to the peace and stability of the entire world!"
Mifune's decision left all the subordinates present wide-eyed in disbelief.
And at that moment, the doors to their council chamber were violently pushed open.
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