Akio didn't take part in the political back-and-forth. He only cared about the outcome:
Sunagakure and Iwagakure were both inclined to form an alliance with Amegakure, though the concrete terms still needed negotiation.
The speed of the progress had nothing to do with Kakuzu's usual money-grubbing tactics. Instead, it came down to a single request Chiyo made to Sasori. Once he agreed, she immediately threw her full support behind the alliance.
Naturally, the request wasn't for Sasori to return to Sunagakure, that would only have pushed him further away. Chiyo chose a compromise instead: once the Akatsuki was officially established, she wanted Sasori to join it as Sunagakure's representative.
After careful consideration, Sasori reluctantly agreed. Returning to the village, however, was completely off the table, and he even demanded an absurdly high commission. Chiyo, for her part, waved it off, saying she had more pension money than she could ever spend.
"This is probably the best outcome we're going to get," Akio muttered to himself. "Still… I should find a chance to 'confiscate' Sasori's Third Kazekage human puppet. If that thing ever gets exposed, Chiyo will be put in an impossible position."
He sighed and shook his head.
"Why am I sticking my nose into this again? This has nothing to do with me. Don't tell me I'm actually feeling sorry for her."
To be fair, Chiyo's weathered appearance, already close to how she looked in the original timeline did soften Akio's heart a little. After all, this was only Konoha Year 54. Perhaps losing her brother had aged her faster than it should have…
With the preliminary alliance agreed upon, Sasori and Kakuzu completed Amegakure's commission. The formal signing, however, would require Nagato's proxy, Yah
No.
Akio corrected himself instantly.
It would require Yahiko to come in person.
Yahiko and Ringo Ameyuri arrived even faster than expected. Sunagakure's message hadn't even received a reply yet when the two reached Iwagakure, and they headed straight for Akio.
"Senior, we really owe you for everything you did for us back in the Rain," Yahiko said brightly.
"You nearly beat him half to death, and he calls that 'help,'" Ringo said with a feral grin.
Akio chuckled. "No need to thank me. Planting the seeds of peace is a senior's responsibility. Your Akatsuki peace initiative is solid, but it still has flaws."
Yahiko nodded. "I know. That's why I came to you. I was hoping you'd help."
Akio blinked.
"What, you want me to personally intimidate the other villages into cooperating? That won't work. You don't have the strength or authority yet, even with me backing you, they won't truly follow."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Or are you asking me to become the leader of Akatsuki? Because if I do that, whether Akatsuki exists or not becomes meaningless."
Yahiko shook his head.
"I just want your help identifying ninjas from each village who genuinely want peace. People like Obito."
"Obito?" Akio paused. "Hiruzen actually agreed to an alliance?"
Yahiko smiled. "The Third Hokage was very kind. He said he'd consider it."
Akio twitched.
That old fox…
Seeing Yahiko's earnest expression, Akio chose a gentler warning.
"How long did he say he'd need to 'consider'?"
Yahiko hesitated. "It shouldn't take long, right? Once I finish signing with Iwa and Suna, I'll head to Konoha again."
Akio laughed softly.
"Alright. If you manage to secure Konoha's agreement, I'll help you choose candidates. But outside of Konoha, I honestly don't know many high-level ninjas who truly want peace."
"And don't underestimate the politics. Even if villages agree to an alliance, they'll carefully pick who joins Akatsuki to maximize their own leverage."
Yahiko frowned. "Is power and influence really more important than people's lives? War only creates more suffering."
Ringo snorted. "Of course it matters. Sasori and Kakuzu only joined because the pay was worth it. Without that incentive, this would've been ten times harder."
Yahiko sighed and turned to Akio.
"Senior… do you have a solution?"
Akio shrugged.
"I do. But this is your movement. You can't rely on me for everything."
"I told you coming to this old man was pointless"
Smack!
"Ugh!"
Akio shook his wrist and smiled at Yahiko, who was staring in shock.
"She's gotten a little too confident. Thought I'd help her recalibrate."
A moment later, Ringo stormed back, gripping her twin swords in one hand and holding her cheek with the other, glaring daggers at Akio.
He frowned. "Your teeth are tougher than I expected. That punch should've knocked at least one out."
Yahiko hurriedly stepped in. "Ringo, let's go. Don't bother the senior anymore."
Akio waved them back.
"Relax. That was just a momentary lapse. Now that I've cooled off, I'll give you some actual advice."
"Tch…" Ringo muttered, but Yahiko stopped her.
Akio thought for a moment before speaking.
"Akatsuki members should all be S-rank. Quality over quantity. One or two from each village is ideal."
"Sunagakure is easy. One is already Sasori. The other…"
He paused.
"Chiyo might personally join, just to keep an eye on her grandson."
"That settles Suna."
"The real issue is Iwagakure. Aside from Ōnoki, they only have three S-rank fighters. Kitsuchi is too loyal to his father. The Five-Tails jinchūriki is unlikely to cooperate."
"That leaves Gari, the Explosion Release user. I don't know him well."
Akio tilted his head.
"Actually… there's another option. Roshi, the Four-Tails jinchūriki. He left Iwa years ago due to ideological disagreements with Ōnoki. If you can recruit him, Iwa's interference will be minimal."
"And there's also that kid… his loyalty to Iwa isn't exactly strong."
Akio pointed into the distance.
A blond boy rode a massive clay bird through the sky, shouting wildly:
"Art is an explosion! Ha!"
Below him, Akatsuchi calmly raised Earth-Style defenses, sparring without complaint.
Yahiko blinked. "The blond kid? He's too young and not strong enough yet."
Akio chuckled.
"Akatsuki won't form overnight. Hiruzen alone might stall you for two or three years. By the time you've visited Cloud, Mist, and the smaller nations, that kid will have grown into his strength."
Yahiko's expression tightened.
"So, you're saying… the Third Hokage is deliberately stalling."
Akio raised his hand.
"Figure it out yourself. I've helped enough. The rest is on you."
Yahiko fell silent, then bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Senior."
Watching them leave, Akio murmured to himself:
"As expected,… it was never going to be that easy. Konoha won't join lightly. Hiruzen's excuses are polished, at least."
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