The Keikou family members that Unit 18 used as a front were definitely not suited to be sent to Sunagakure. Under the scrutiny of the village's leadership, they would likely expose flaws in their act.
This was a critical step in Hyuga Mirai's plan to take control of Sunagakure—there was only one option.
Unit 18 had to go alone.
Seven Days Later
Keikou Sanmoku had already relayed Unit 18's decision to Rasa.
Upon hearing the news, a sense of relief spread among Sunagakure's leadership—including Rasa himself.
If the Keikou family head had agreed to meet despite understanding Sunagakure's intentions, it meant that they were at least open to negotiation.
That alone was a victory.
Given Keikou Trading's power and influence, supporting Sunagakure wouldn't even strain their resources.
Preparations for the Meeting
Rasa had been meticulously preparing to win over the Keikou family, holding multiple strategy meetings with Sunagakure's high-ranking officials.
Most of them understood how crucial Keikou Trading was to the village.
Even those initially skeptical about granting them a Council seat found it hard to oppose—after all, Keikou Trading had no real foundation in Sunagakure.
At best, their position would be honorary, a title without real power.
The Hidden Strategy
While the plan was to officially invite Keikou Trading into Sunagakure's leadership, Rasa would still maintain the one-country, one-village system on the surface.
However, the Daimyo's influence would be placed under strict control.
If necessary, shinobi would be deployed to suppress them.
Sunagakure would not openly sever ties with the Daimyo—doing so would give the other great nations an excuse to intervene.
Instead, they would manipulate events from the shadows.
For instance, if the Daimyo sent troops to block Keikou Trading's mining operations, well…
Those troops might just end up being killed by rogue ninja.
And afterward, Sunagakure could send their own forces to "eliminate" the rogue ninja, demanding compensation from the Daimyo's treasury.
It was a deliberate game of deception.
At this point, the Daimyo's hostility had made cooperation impossible.
Rasa had two options:
Align with Keikou Trading and gain financial independence. Declare war on Konoha, win decisively, and use that victory to force the Daimyo to reconsider.
The latter, however, was far too risky.
Even with a victory, Konoha wouldn't be easy to defeat.
In the last war, Sunagakure had deployed its Jinchuriki, yet they still lost.
Now, with their veteran advisors retired and their Jinchuriki still undeveloped, even Rasa himself doubted they could win.
Meanwhile, at the Akatsuki Base…
Pain had called a formal meeting for the organization's core members.
A new recruit was being introduced.
Kakuzu scanned the room, immediately noticing a new figure among them.
"A new guy?" he muttered. "Leader, are we getting a new recruit?"
Pain nodded.
"From today onward, Hoshigaki Kisame will be the seventh full member of Akatsuki."
Hearing that name, several members reacted with intrigue.
Raiga Kurosuki, in particular, seemed familiar with it.
"Kisame? I think I've heard of you before…"
Kisame grinned, flashing his shark-like teeth.
"Didn't expect to find a fellow Kirigakure rogue here."
His tone remained casual.
"I killed Fuguki Suikazan, took his Samehada, and failed an assassination attempt on the Daimyo.
So, here I am."
Juzo Biwa snorted, shaking his head.
"Fuguki was a useless fool. Letting a junior take his sword? What a disgrace."
He then glanced at Pain.
"So that makes three of us from the Seven Swordsmen. Leader, what do you say we recruit the rest?"
Pain, as usual, ignored him.
Kakuzu, however, interrupted with something far more pressing.
"Forget your village pride. I have a job request."
Pain shifted his gaze.
"What kind of request?"
Kakuzu's voice was as calm as ever.
"A high-profile assassination.
Target: The Fourth Kazekage.
Bounty: Eight hundred million ryo."
Juzo whistled.
"Well, damn. That's a lot of money.
Who the hell wants him dead that badly?"
Kakuzu remained indifferent.
"Not my concern. But with that much money involved, we need to make sure it's done right."
"The Kazekage will have ANBU guards," he continued. "I need backup to deal with them."
"If he escapes, we lose the bounty."
Pain considered it for a moment, then made his decision.
"Sunagakure is expanding too quickly.
This mission will aid our long-term plans."
He turned to Kakuzu.
"You'll take Raiga and Kisame with you."
"And… Byakko will join as well."
Raiga clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Oi, oi. Kisame?"
He frowned.
"We're assassinating the Kazekage in the middle of the desert, you realize that, right?
That guy is all about water jutsu. What the hell is he going to do in the sand?"
Kisame smirked, undeterred.
"Guess you'll just have to wait and see."
Although Raiga Kurosuki was also one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, his expertise lay in Lightning Release—an ability that could counter the Fourth Kazekage's Magnet Release.
"Still," Raiga frowned, "doesn't the Kazekage rarely leave the village? How exactly are we supposed to get to him? Are we just going to storm Sunagakure?"
Kakuzu replied calmly, "Our client will handle that. We only need to execute the job."
Zetsu interjected with a knowing chuckle. "If they can track the Fourth Kazekage's movements so precisely, I'd wager the one paying for this isn't from Sunagakure… but the Wind Country Daimyo. Things between them have been tense lately—probably has something to do with Keikou Trading."
As the one responsible for gathering intelligence, Zetsu had been closely monitoring the conflicts within the ninja world. His clones within Sunagakure had already confirmed the rift between the Kazekage and the Daimyo.
"This mission will be Kisame's chance to prove himself," Pain said indifferently. "With the four of you working together, success is guaranteed."
With that, the projection of his image flickered out as he dismissed the Illusionary Projection Jutsu.
Meanwhile, in the Akatsuki Base…
Konan approached Nagato.
"It's time for your treatment," she reminded him gently.
After acquiring the medical device, Konan had encouraged Nagato to use it. However, the results had been… underwhelming.
The first-generation medical machine lacked surgical functions, so it couldn't heal Nagato's old wounds. All it could do was slowly improve his body's overall condition.
Still, it was better than nothing.
Over time, Nagato's skeletal frame had begun to regain some semblance of strength. His legs remained paralyzed, and the black rods embedded in his back, which controlled the Six Paths of Pain, couldn't be removed. But compared to before, his health had noticeably improved.
Konan found herself thinking, If a more advanced version of the medical machine is ever released, it might actually heal him completely.
She had even inquired with Keikou Trading about the development timeline for the next-generation model but had received no concrete answers.
The first-generation machine had already bled the Five Great Nations dry. Even if Keikou released an upgraded version, few villages would be able to afford it.
Put simply… the shinobi world was broke.
A Grand Welcome in Sunagakure
When Unit 18 arrived in Sunagakure, she was met with the highest level of hospitality.
Aside from Rasa, nearly every high-ranking official in the village—including Pakura—had come to welcome the supposed head of the Keikou family.
The bio-nanotech-generated muscles and skin were flawless, making it impossible for anyone in Sunagakure to suspect that "Keikou Patriarch" was anything but a real person.
Given the Keikou family's status as ancient nobles of the Land of Fire and their backing from powerful trading networks, Sunagakure officials dared not show the slightest disrespect.
For them, the Keikou Patriarch was only slightly beneath the Wind Daimyo in rank—but vastly superior in wealth.
The Negotiation Begins
The following day, Rasa formally invited Unit 18 to the Kazekage's office for direct talks.
"An honor to meet you, Lord Kazekage," Unit 18 greeted him, embodying the demeanor of an aristocrat whose family had stood for over a century.
Her tone, posture, and expressions were flawless—an air of nobility that even the Wind Daimyo himself failed to match.
Rasa noted this in silence.
"Even that greedy pig of a Daimyo doesn't carry himself like a true noble. But this… This is what real aristocracy looks like."
"Thank you for accepting our invitation, Lord Keikou," Rasa replied politely.
After some brief formalities, they got straight to business.
Both sides understood the core issue—Sunagakure wanted Keikou Trading's financial backing but was unwilling to grant them true political power in return.
They wanted money, but not interference.
Hyuga Mirai couldn't care less about Sunagakure's true intentions.
After all, he was already aware that an assassination contract had been placed on Rasa through the underground bounty system.
Even if he demanded more now, it would be meaningless.
Unit 18 only insisted on controlling financial management and having a say in reforms, ensuring that the Council of Elders would be treated with absolute respect.
Aside from that, she appeared to concede on nearly everything else.
As a result, the negotiations proceeded smoothly, and both sides quickly reached an agreement.
But just as the final alliance contract was about to be signed—
A messenger from the Wind Daimyo's court arrived, summoning Rasa to the capital immediately.
Rasa scowled.
"Now, of all times…?"
He waved dismissively. "Tell them I'm occupied with critical matters in Sunagakure. If the Daimyo has something important to discuss, he can wait."
One of his shinobi hesitated.
"Lord Kazekage… They won't take no for an answer."
Rasa's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"
The ninja lowered his voice.
"The Daimyo's envoy has already attempted seppuku once. They were only stopped before completing it."
Rasa's expression darkened.
"Seppuku? So it's serious enough for them to be willing to die over it?"
His instincts told him that this was not simply a political formality.
"What's the emergency?" he demanded. "Did ANBU gather any intel on the Daimyo's sudden urgency?"
His subordinates shook their heads.
"No concrete information yet, sir."
A Calculated Response
As Rasa weighed his options, Unit 18 interjected with an elegant smile.
"Lord Kazekage, if the matter is pressing, by all means—tend to it first.
I would be delighted to take this time to explore Sunagakure myself.
I have only heard stories from Sanmoku, but I have yet to witness the grandeur of one of the Five Great Villages firsthand."
Rasa hesitated.
"Our village isn't as visually impressive as some others," he admitted, slightly embarrassed. "But we do have some fascinating cultural landmarks."
He let out a reluctant sigh.
"Very well. Please remain in Sunagakure as my guest for a few days.
Once I have dealt with this business at the Daimyo's court, we can finalize our agreement."
Unit 18 nodded gracefully.
"Of course. I will await your return."
(End of Chapter)
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