Yahiko scratched his head. "It's been so many years already. Your enemy should be long dead, old man, right?"
Aizen smiled lightly. "Who knows? But you've gotta find some goal to live for, right?"
Obito frowned nearby. Though his instinct told him the man was just babbling nonsense, upon reflection, what he said wasn't completely unreasonable.
Otherwise, how could such a powerful expert leave no trace in the shinobi world?
And in a world dominated by ninjas, possessing such tremendous Kenjutsu!
"I'll ask Zetsu about it after we return. As Madara's will, he probably knows more than me."
"I understand again!" Suddenly Black Zetsu's pupils contracted. "He said he couldn't find anything, but that's just his own claim. Maybe he already knows about my two bastard brothers."
"Putting myself in his shoes, he lived through that era and knows Mother's power. Now he's discovered Nagato's Rinnegan, so he might suspect Mother isn't actually dead. He might be trying to use himself as bait to draw Mother out, exposing her to my older brother."
"Too bad he doesn't know that Mother was truly sealed away, and it was actually me, Black Zetsu, who really guided Nagato!"
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu's expression turned serious. "Though this is just my guess, we must remain vigilant against this guy!"
He could point out the 'flaw' in that man's claim that someone with the Rinnegan exists — specifically his enemy — but then how would he explain where he learned that ancient history?
Such a headache!
The Illusory Space fell silent for a moment, as if digesting this shocking revelation.
After a while, Yahiko continued, "Back to the main topic—Tobi, how's your monster army developing?"
Tobi scratched his head anxiously. "Two times one is two, two by four is sixteen... Maybe two thousand? No, wait, was it three thousand? Ah well, definitely less than ten thousand anyway!"
He initially joined Akatsuki by offering the White Zetsu army. Of course, his stated reason was needing to utilize the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's power to cultivate monsters.
Otherwise, given his considerable forces already, it would seem strange for him to desperately seek entry into Akatsuki, which hadn't yet become a major power.
"Monster army?" Aizen asked appropriately.
"It's a type of creature Tobi discovered. We can use their clones to build an army!" Yahiko explained seriously. "I don't want anyone to die, but to achieve peace, we need sufficient power to intimidate the major powers. Maybe this monster army could fulfill that requirement."
"Not want anyone to die? Now that's a noble wish!" Aizen remarked.
"But it's not that simple. Two or three thousand soldiers definitely won't intimidate the major powers." Yahiko sighed, then turned to Tobi. "So, what would we need to build a monster army of ten thousand?"
Tobi tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hmm, what do we need exactly?"
Yahiko twitched his lips. "That's what I'm asking you!"
Tobi answered sullenly, "Even if you ask me, I don't know either!"
"Let me explain," Zetsu chuckled. "The answer is money, territory, and time!"
"Zetsu, please elaborate."
"First, money. Cultivating monsters using the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path consumes resources—where do those resources come from? Naturally, we must purchase them from the major countries using money."
"Second, territory. Whether housing our army or raising monsters, we need our own land. Otherwise, it would be too easy for others to notice our activities."
"Lastly, time. Cultivating these monsters isn't something that can be done overnight. Only with sufficient time can we grow strong enough to make the entire shinobi world tremble in fear."
Tobi nodded furiously in agreement. "Exactly! That's exactly what I was thinking!"
"Territory isn't a problem," Nagato said coldly. "We can just use Rain Country! Let Hanzo experience the pain of losing something precious!"
However, Yahiko frowned. "Hanzo isn't an ordinary figure. As the former Demigod of the Shinobi World, every move he makes draws attention across the shinobi world. If we kill him, won't we reveal Akatsuki's existence to the world? After that, it'll be difficult for us to continue developing secretly."
Nagato sighed. "Are we really just going to let him go?"
"Of course not!" Although Yahiko had a kind heart, he certainly held no goodwill for Hanzo, who had nearly killed all three of them.
"Haven't I recently been intentionally threatening him, forcing him to retreat within Rain Country? Once he completely cuts contact with the outside world, letting everyone believe he's retired, then we'll strike and kill him! By then, even if he dies, no one will notice!"
Nagato could only nod. "Fine, let him live a little longer!"
Suddenly, Aizen said, "Hanzo climbed his way up from the bottom, step by step. With his insight, he might not necessarily fail to see through your plans. If we push him too hard, Nagato might find himself in danger!"
Nagato wasn't concerned. "It's fine. I've nearly mastered the *Rinnegan*'s power now. If we fight again, that bastard Hanzo definitely won't be my match!"
"That's not what I'm talking about," Aizen said, shaking his head slightly. "Nagato, when you last intimidated Hanzo, you used the *Rinnegan*'s power, right?"
Nagato hesitated before nodding. "Yes."
"Ordinary people might not recognize your *Rinnegan*, but would Hanzo fail to identify it? The reason this information hasn't spread throughout the shinobi world is probably because he himself has his eyes set on your eyes."
Yahiko exclaimed, "You mean, if Hanzo decides the risks outweigh the benefits, he might spread the word about the *Rinnegan*?"
Aizen nodded. "The *Rinnegan* is indeed powerful, but can you guarantee avoiding every assassination attempt forever?"
Yahiko fell into thought. "That's right, I oversimplified."
Nagato said, "Then maybe I should just kill him. If it draws attention, I'll sever my connection with Akatsuki."
Yahiko hesitated slightly. "But..."
"I actually have an idea," Aizen smiled.
"Almost forgot I brought you here as our strategist!" Yahiko urged. "Quickly, tell us your plan, old man."
"Actually, the conflict between the Akatsuki and Hanzo has already drawn significant attention. The best way to divert these eyes away from us is to let Hanzo 'kill' us!"
Yahiko slightly frowned but quickly understood. "I get it now. We control Hanzo and let him serve as the Rain Country's public ruler, drawing attention, while we step into the shadows and develop in secret!"
"How are we gonna control Hanzo?" Konan gently tapped her chin. "Genjutsu? But can someone like Hanzo even be controlled by genjutsu?"
I've got this... Obito was about to speak up when he heard Aizen laugh and say, "Let me give it a try!"
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