When the presences of A (the Fourth Raikage) and B had completely vanished, Yahiko and the others returned to their usual way of interacting.
"What do you guys think? Will the Cloud Ninja Village agree?"
Nonou yawned and stretched lazily, looking relaxed.
She clearly understood that the fate of the Tailed Beasts wasn't something the Third Raikage could decide on his own.
Kakuzu's astronomical demand surprised everyone. One could only say it was just like the financial director.
The level of extortion he pulled off was impressive—and ruthlessly effective.
"It depends on how desperate they are."
"I think~ we have a chance."
Kakuzu rubbed his chin smugly.
Initially, he hadn't really expected much from this; it was more about getting rid of the Fourth Raikage.
But the Fourth Raikage's reaction made Kakuzu feel this deal might actually work.
At the very least, he saw just how urgent the Cloud Ninja Village's need truly was.
"What good does that do?"
Konan rolled her eyes in disdain. It was practically routine for her to challenge Kakuzu.
"Don't feel like wasting my time with you."
Kakuzu scoffed, clearly uninterested in arguing.
Whether he responded or not now depended entirely on his mood.
"Very promising—more than a fifty percent chance."
Nagato rarely spoke, but when he did, it always created an impact.
The moment his words fell, everyone turned their gaze toward him.
He cleared his throat, organizing his thoughts before continuing.
"The current situation of the Cloud Ninja Village is like an arrow nocked on a bowstring—they have no choice but to act."
"For years now, the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning has been fully supporting the Third Raikage's military buildup, giving money and manpower whenever asked."
"Do any of you believe they would provide all that without expecting anything in return?"
Nagato scanned the group. What he said was all confirmed intelligence—undeniably Nonou's work.
Before anyone could respond, he continued.
"The Cloud Ninja Village currently already has an Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, although still somewhat inexperienced."
"But even so, that makes for a decent weapon of war."
"As for the Two-Tails, it's become a chicken rib to them—too much trouble for little gain."
"Not only can they not find a suitable Jinchūriki anytime soon,"
"But because of their teacher's involvement, they also have to assign many experts just to guard her."
"This isn't exactly a good thing for the Cloud Ninja Village."
"And in most people's minds, a Tailed Beast only becomes a true weapon of war when paired with a proper Jinchūriki."
"Even if the Cloud agrees to hand over the Two-Tails, they won't believe we can use it effectively immediately."
"After all, there are barely any who know I can control the Tailed Beasts directly."
"So I believe our chances of obtaining the Two-Tails are at least higher than fifty percent."
Nagato analyzed everything meticulously, speaking logically and at length.
"If the Cloud Ninja Village knew you could directly control the Tailed Beasts, there's no way they'd ever give us the Two-Tails."
Yahiko nodded. He had considered that exact point as well.
"That's right. This information must remain strictly among ourselves."
Konan added, her expression screaming distrust even before she looked at Kakuzu.
"Why are you looking at me?"
"I want this Tailed Beast more than you do."
Kakuzu didn't bother denying it or getting angry—he'd never pretended to be a good person anyway.
"If you say so, I'll believe it."
Konan couldn't help but admit that Kakuzu's reasoning was quite convincing, leaving her no room to keep provoking.
"Alright, don't take the bickering too far."
Though Kakuzu didn't seem to care, Yahiko once again acted as the peacekeeper for the nth time.
"Understood, Lord Akatsuki Kage."
Konan pouted slightly. She knew she was just being too sharp-tongued again.
"As Nagato said, it makes more sense for us to take control of the Two-Tails."
"We're trading our cooperation for something they'd have to monitor anyway."
"It's not a bad deal from their side."
The more Nonou thought about it, the more she agreed with what Nagato had said.
Even though she handled all the intelligence work, Nagato was clearly superior when it came to strategic analysis.
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