Chapter 148: Investing in the Akatsuki
"Hoshikawa, what's the situation?" Tsunade stopped and asked.
"No pursuers nearby," Hoshikawa replied with his eyes closed.
The range of the Yamanaka Clan's sensing secret technique depends on the chakra poured into it. This time, he used a large amount of chakra, bringing the situation within a five-kilometer radius into his perception. Hoshikawa suddenly thought of the Mind's Eye of Kagura, which could sense any disturbance within a radius of dozens of kilometers—truly terrifying.
"It seems the Hidden Rain Village didn't figure out who we are," Tsunade nodded slightly, then looked at Konan. "However, the Akatsuki's situation will only become more difficult from here."
The Hidden Rain Village losing four jōnin at once was a significant blow. If they couldn't find the Leaf Village, they would surely lay the blame at the Akatsuki's door.
"It's fine," Konan said calmly. "As the situation stands, it's already very difficult for the Akatsuki to reconcile with the Hidden Rain Village."
"The Hidden Rain Village's retaliation will likely come soon. You need to prepare," Tsunade warned.
"Yes, we understand." Konan stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Thank you very much for your help!"
She had the Paper Dance and could fly, but the rest of the Akatsuki could not. If Tsunade and Sakumo hadn't helped, with so many people, she would likely have been the only one to escape.
"It's nothing," Tsunade waved her hand. "Since you are safe now, we will part ways here."
"Lady Tsunade, I hope we have a chance to see you again." Konan said and then led the members of the Akatsuki away.
"What a shame," Tsunade suddenly said, watching them leave.
"Shame about what?" Hoshikawa asked, confused.
"The Akatsuki's ideals are beautiful, but reality is cruel," Tsunade sighed. "They won't be able to stand up to the Hidden Rain Village and Hanzo."
Hoshikawa nodded. Leaving aside Nagato's Rinnegan, the situation was exactly as Tsunade predicted: they were no match for Hanzo. Although they eventually wreaked havoc with the Rinnegan, they paid a heavy price, with Yahiko dead and Nagato crippled.
"Sensei, what's your view on Hanzo?" Hoshikawa asked, his mind turning.
"He has power and ambition, and he's very dangerous," Tsunade mused.
The main forces in the Great Ninja Wars were the Five Great Nations, with the Hidden Rain Village being the only exception. It was arguably the only minor ninja village to actively challenge the Five Great Nations. This was entirely due to the presence of the Demigod Hanzo, whose poisonous salamander was a true weapon of mass destruction in war. Tsunade worried that Hanzo and the Hidden Rain Village would resurface during the Third Great Ninja War.
"The Akatsuki might not be able to defeat Hanzo, but they can contain the Hidden Rain Village," Hoshikawa said unhurriedly.
"Contain them?" Tsunade thought for a moment. "They can be contained for a short time, but not long-term."
"Why don't we help them?" Hoshikawa smiled. "Just by selling them supplies and intelligence, we can allow them to exist for much longer."
Tsunade instinctively turned and looked at him, surprise on her face. She considered the idea carefully. The plan was indeed feasible. Even if it failed, there would be no major loss, and it wouldn't impact the Leaf Village.
"It seems you can already think with the Hokage's mindset," Tsunade praised, unable to help herself.
Hoshikawa's face became slightly strange. That sentence sounded far too familiar. It was the same assessment Hiruzen Sarutobi gave to Itachi Uchiha in the original story. Itachi was only seven years old at the time. Hoshikawa was twelve, so he wasn't quite as shockingly precocious.
His idea was based on the concept of proxy wars, common in his previous life. However, his real goal wasn't to prop up the Akatsuki, but to make Tsunade aware of Danzo Shimura's actions in the Land of Rain.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was overly lenient with Danzo. In the original story, even after Nagato wiped out a large portion of his Root forces, Danzo didn't receive any punishment. If Tsunade learned of his involvement, the result would be completely different. Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't ignore her wishes and let Danzo off the hook; at the very least, there would be a public reprimand.
As for the Akatsuki, with Nagato in their ranks, they could survive for a long time even without support from the Leaf Village. The only question was the cost.
"Sensei, what do you think?" Hoshikawa asked, clearing his throat.
"The plan is good," Tsunade nodded slightly, then asked, "But would the Akatsuki agree?"
"We could have Jiraiya-ossan handle it," Hoshikawa suggested after some thought.
Although Nagato was hostile toward the Leaf Village due to his parents' deaths, Hoshikawa believed the Akatsuki would accept the help.
First, the current leader of the Akatsuki was Yahiko. Second, the Akatsuki's situation was very bad. Third, there was the Jiraiya connection.
"Jiraiya, you say?" Tsunade recalled Konan's attitude just now. "Perhaps that would work."
"In that case, I'll leave it to you, Sensei," Hoshikawa said quickly, seeing her soften.
"Are you trying to get me to become the Hokage again?" Tsunade stared at him for two seconds, seeing through his intention. If she were to propose this, Hiruzen Sarutobi would assume she was aiming for the Hokage position. After all, supporting the Akatsuki and interfering in the Land of Rain were matters for the Hokage to consider.
"I didn't really mean that," Hoshikawa mumbled, clearing his throat.
"Don't I know you?" Tsunade glared at him. "When we get back, you're coming with me to see the Old Man."
With that, she got into the carriage. Hoshikawa scratched his head and followed her.
Kido Ei, being a merchant from the Land of Fire, naturally returned with them. With the cargo gone, the return trip faced far fewer attacks—only one skirmish.
Four days passed quickly. By the morning of the fifth day, they arrived back at the Leaf Village. Kido Ei wasted no time, bidding them farewell and taking his caravan away. With that, the A-Rank mission was finally concluded.
"You all go back and rest. Hoshikawa and I will go to the Hokage Tower to report the mission," Tsunade said to Sakumo and the others.
"Alright," Sakumo didn't refuse. With Tsunade handling the report, he could save a lot of time. Asuma, Kurenai, and the others certainly had no objections.
"The Leaf Village is so much better!" Once they were alone, Tsunade revealed her true nature, stretching languidly.
Hoshikawa watched in awe. Every time her movement was too broad, her physique was displayed to the fullest.
"Let's go!" Tsunade's spirits lifted. "After turning in the report, let's go play at the casino!"
"Sensei, you've been traveling for over a week. Aren't you going home to rest?" Hoshikawa couldn't help but ask teasingly.
"It's only a week. It's not tiring," Tsunade chastised him with a look. "Brat, don't underestimate your teacher!"
"Yes, Sensei," Hoshikawa paused. "But I am tired."
"Then go rest at the casino," Tsunade said with a smile. "You can't do anything there anyway."
"That's because you won't let me do anything!" Hoshikawa said helplessly.
His Luck Halo only worked when he was near Tsunade, so he couldn't stray far and naturally couldn't do much on his own.
"Hmph! Stop whining!" Tsunade snorted, turning and walking away. "Keep up."
The two quickly arrived at the Hokage Tower.
Bang!
The door to the Hokage's office flew open.
"Why are you so rude the moment you get back?" Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and asked with some displeasure.
"The mission's done. Give me the reward," Tsunade completely ignored his question, walked up to him, and held out her hand.
"Where's the mission report?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a bank book and tossed it to her.
"Didn't write one," Tsunade glanced at the bank book, smiled, and said.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched. I might as well not have this student!
"We ran into the Akatsuki," Tsunade said, putting away the bank book.
"The Akatsuki organization that's been gaining traction in the Land of Rain recently?" Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment. "What's their situation?" The Land of Rain had always been a key focus due to Hanzo's presence and its proximity to the Land of Fire. Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally aware of the Akatsuki's significant activity over the past two years.
"Do you remember Jiraiya staying in the Land of Rain for three years?" Tsunade changed the subject and asked.
"What does that have to do with Jiraiya?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was puzzled.
"Jiraiya's students founded the Akatsuki," Tsunade replied.
"Hmm?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Why didn't he ever tell me about this?"
"Never mind that for now," Tsunade waved her hand. "I want the Leaf Village to support the Akatsuki so they can form a stalemate with Hanzo."
"You mean using the Akatsuki to contain the Hidden Rain Village and Hanzo?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes brightened. "That might work."
The Hidden Rain Village and Hanzo were a major thorn in the Leaf Village's side. Even if they couldn't be eliminated, anything that made their lives difficult would benefit the Leaf Village, especially now that war could break out at any moment. If the Cloud Village attacked, the Hidden Rain Village would likely try to take advantage of the chaos.
"Excellent," Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "It's rare to see you proactively help the Leaf Village with its troubles."
"It was Hoshikawa's suggestion," Tsunade said without hesitation. "It has nothing to do with me."
"Hoshikawa?" Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively looked at Hoshikawa, a surprised look on his face.
"I was inspired by Sensei," Hoshikawa said sincerely.
The next second, he saw Tsunade raise her foot and step on his. Are you a child? Stomping feet? Hoshikawa smiled back at her, his expression unchanged.
"If this works out, you will both be credited," Hiruzen Sarutobi completely ignored Tsunade's small action. "Will you be the ones to contact the Akatsuki?"
"Have Jiraiya do it," Tsunade said casually. "He's always wandering around doing nothing anyway."
"That works," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly. "Since they are his students, he should be the one to contact them."
"Then we'll be going," Tsunade said impatiently.
"Wait a moment," Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly remembered something. "Did you expose your identities?"
"Of course not." Tsunade was already dragging Hoshikawa to the door.
"Remember to hand in the mission report." Hiruzen Sarutobi reminded her.
"Go find Sakumo!"
The voice still echoed in the Hokage's office, but Tsunade had already vanished.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a smile. He noticed the change in Tsunade. Ever since Nawaki's death, she had been drifting aimlessly, reluctant to even take missions, let alone volunteer strategic advice. Now, she was actively plotting against the Hidden Rain Village and Hanzo.
Although Tsunade claimed it was Hoshikawa's idea, it was impossible that she had no desire for it herself. If she were truly set against it, she would have simply refused Hoshikawa, instead of dragging him to the Hokage's office as she did.
In the Leaf Village Casino.
Tsunade sat down at a gambling table like an old pro. Hoshikawa sat next to her, their thighs touching.
"You can sleep if you want to," Tsunade said, focused on the table without looking up.
"How can I sleep in this kind of environment?" Hoshikawa asked, shaking his head.
"But you could sleep before, couldn't you?" Tsunade asked, confused.
That's because I was sleeping in your lap. Hoshikawa cleared his throat. "I'm not sleepy. Don't worry about me."
Tsunade nodded slightly, not dwelling on it, and threw herself into gambling. Hoshikawa closed his eyes and began practicing the Mind's Eye.
He suddenly felt a twinge of amusement. He could clearly perceive the trajectory of the dice. Hoshikawa mused that the ninja of this world had too much integrity. No ninja had tried to cheat here. With Tsunade's power, there were countless ways she could win if she truly wanted to. It seemed she genuinely enjoyed the thrill of gambling—even if she kept losing.
Cloud Village, Raikage Tower.
"You've worked hard, Tsuchikage," the Third Raikage said to Tsuchikage, who had just returned from the Hidden Sand Village.
"It was my duty," Tsuchikage said seriously.
"What's the situation?" the Third Raikage nodded slightly and got straight to the point.
"It's true!" Tsuchikage said, his voice rising slightly.
"It's actually true?" The Third Raikage showed a look of surprise.
"What's your basis for that judgment?" Mabui asked calmly.
"First, the Third Kazekage hasn't shown his face in a very long time," Tsuchikage said with a smile. "Second, and most importantly, the internal struggle within the Hidden Sand Village has reached a fever pitch."
"The Kazekage candidates?" Mabui asked thoughtfully.
"Yes," Tsuchikage nodded. "The Hidden Sand Village is currently in a three-way conflict between Rasa, Pakura, and Fūgai."
"Rasa possesses the Magnet Release that is inherited from the Third Kazekage's line, making him the strongest and the frontrunner. Pakura specializes in Scorch Release and has rendered great service to the Hidden Sand Village, giving her a reputation only slightly less than Rasa's. Fūgai is an Elder of the Hidden Sand Village in the original story. During the Chūnin Exams hosted by the Sand Village, he, dissatisfied with the young Gaara becoming Kazekage, sent Hōichi to assassinate him. Hōichi, a student of the One-Tails Jinchūriki Bunpuku, was skilled at dealing with Jinchūriki and almost killed Gaara."
"Who does Chiyo support?" Mabui asked after hearing the summary.
"Chiyo is advanced in age, and with her son and daughter-in-law having died tragically, she has not involved herself in the struggle," Tsuchikage said after some thought.
"Kill Rasa, Pakura, and Fūgai, and the Hidden Sand Village will naturally descend into chaos!" the Third Raikage said, standing up.
"Lord Raikage!" Mabui quickly interjected. "I believe the best approach is to intensify their internal conflict!"
"How do we do that?" the Third Raikage frowned and asked.
"It's simple," Mabui smiled. "For example, we could disguise our ninja as Pakura's subordinates and attempt to assassinate Rasa. Whether they succeed or fail, it will ignite further chaos."
......
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