[Stone Country Battlefield]
[Iwa Camp]
Suna's representative, Chiyo, Iwa's representative, Kitsuchi, and several from Akatsuki were all seated together.
Master Senku sat off to one side, keeping the jinchuriki Han beside him.
As a jinchuriki, Han's recovery was strong. By now, his injuries were no longer serious.
But his expression carried some dejection.
No denying it. Being captured as one of the top pillars of the ninja world's power made one doubt oneself.
It had happened with Yugito before, and now with Han too.
And both had been subdued in a single move.
The strength of a jinchuriki needed no explanation. Before Rengoku appeared, there had never been an instance of one being captured in just one strike.
Of course, this time Han's capture was Rengoku's doing. He just wore the mask of Senku, that's all.
Master Senku didn't join the discussion between Iwa and Suna, but their arguing voices carried clearly.
"…this vein will be jointly mined, but we of Iwa must take seventy percent of the profits."
"Since it's joint mining, we of Suna demand fifty-fifty."
Iwa's side bit down firmly on seventy percent, while Suna naturally wanted more.
The two sides argued back and forth without end.
"Our Iwa is stronger, so naturally we deserve more."
That statement wasn't wrong. Whether in national strength or top-tier power, Iwa outstripped Suna.
Konan also made the call, "Iwa has one more jinchuriki than Suna. This time, let's make it seventy-thirty."
Though Chiyo lost the struggle, her face showed no real disappointment.
On one hand, age had dulled such emotions in her.
On the other, this was her bottom line anyway.
"Since Akatsuki has spoken, then as Konan says. Three for us, seven for Iwa."
On the other side, Kitsuchi's mood was bright. He had thought this war might escalate further.
Now the fighting had been forcibly ended, and this profit split was not bad.
But Konan's next words wiped the smile from his face, "As Akatsuki mediated, we require thirty percent of total profits. One part from Suna, two from Iwa."
'Hiss—'
Seeing Kitsuchi's twisted face, Chiyo almost laughed.
She had already negotiated with Akatsuki beforehand, so she was prepared.
Iwa clearly wasn't. Kitsuchi's face went dark, "Why must we pay an extra share?"
Konan pointed toward Master Senku, calmly fingering his prayer beads, and to Han beside him.
The meaning was obvious.
"Fine. We of Iwa accept. Please, Master Senku, honor your word and release Han."
Senku placed one palm to his chest, "Naturally."
Forming a hand seal, he pressed a palm onto Han.
Seals appeared across Han's body, then slowly dissolved.
Han himself felt his chakra once more stirring to life.
"Benefactor, you are free "
Han was surprised they actually released him so readily.
Kitsuchi, however, saw more clearly. Akatsuki's strength meant if they could capture his jinchuriki once, they could do it again.
"This matter is finished. We of Akatsuki will take our leave."
"The profits of the vein will be settled monthly."
"Now that peace has been agreed, if any disputes arise, they can be renegotiated."
"If needed, you may hire Akatsuki."
Leaving these words, Konan departed with Senku to rejoin Sasori and Kakuzu.
———
[Outside the Suna Camp]
Obito, waiting to see Akatsuki's next move, lingered nearby.
Zetsu's clone Tobi popped out from the ground, bringing news.
"Kakashi is also nearby, with Yamato and Asuma."
"And there's someone else hidden close, likely one of the Third Hokage's people."
The others looked to Obito, waiting for his decision.
Obito shook his head, "Ignore them. What matters now is Konan and the others."
"This time they captured the Five-Tails' jinchuriki outright. I'm worried this will affect future plans."
"We must find Nagato immediately, he's already slipped beyond our control."
"If necessary…", As Obito spoke, he saw Konan emerge, calling Sasori and Kakuzu away from the Iwa camp.
Not seeing the Five-Tails brought out puzzled him.
'Could it be they simply returned the jinchuriki to Iwa?"
After thinking a moment, Obito decided to approach Konan and see.
———
[In the Forest]
Konan was summing up the mission.
"Kakuzu, Sasori, this mission was handled excellently. From now on, the profits of this vein—"
"The organization will take eighty percent. The remaining twenty goes to you two, though Kakuzu, you'll need to collect it yourself."
Hearing such profits, Kakuzu's eyes gleamed, "No problem. I'll handle the follow-up here."
He knew ore vein profits weren't one-off. They'd continue until the vein was exhausted.
Though troublesome, Kakuzu thought counting money was no trouble at all.
Konan looked at Sasori, "Sasori, you suffered heavy losses in this mission. An extra thirty million to compensate you. Kakuzu, no objections?"
"None."
Though miserly, Kakuzu knew Sasori had lost many puppets, and worse, his intel had been exposed. Compensation was proper.
"This mission ends here. Kakuzu, Sasori, return first. Watch for related jobs in future."
Rain Village still needed Kakuzu present. Sasori had to repair his puppets.
The two soon parted from Konan.
Senku gave Konan a meaningful glance. She did not spread her paper wings, but walked with him some distance further before stopping.
Konan looked back, "You've followed long enough. Come out."
Zetsu emerged from the ground, and Obito appeared masked.
Appearing, he wasted no greeting, only asked coldly, "Where is Nagato?"
Konan sneered, "Nothing to do with you."
Though only Senku stood beside her, Obito was cautious. This was the one who had seized a jinchuriki with one move.
"You seized a jinchuriki, now the villages will be on guard. What of our plans?", He probed indirectly.
Konan's face showed clear mockery, "Have you been living in the sewers so long that you've lost all confidence?"
Anger flickered in Obito's eyes, but seeing Konan's fearless bearing, he truly had no certainty.
Konan continued, "Rest easy. We'll still take on more missions involving jinchuriki."
"In the shadow of Uchiha and Master Senku, jinchuriki will only decline in importance."
Obito hadn't expected Konan and Nagato to think this way.
Now with the Uchiha's Eternal Mangekyo, jinchuriki could no longer serve as weapons against Konoha.
If Akatsuki's Master Senku made his name, whenever two nations fielded jinchuriki, they'd only end up hiring Akatsuki, or the Uchiha.
Thus the role of jinchuriki in war would keep diminishing.
And if wars continued, Akatsuki could seize the chance to keep amassing wealth.
[T/N: 🔥A new book is up— "Emiya in Honkai: Star Rail". Make sure to check it out and support. Have a great read~🙇]
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