"Stop shouting. This is the leader of the Akatsuki."
"Nagato."
"This is my junior, Kurotsuchi. She's here to join our organization now," Deidara introduced them to each other.
Tendo (Deva Path) nodded. After a brief exchange between the two, Deidara asked the critical question, "Can we still get in touch with that Uchiha Madara?"
Deidara's plan was simple: if Tobi (Obito) wasn't too vigilant, they could set up an ambush and invite him to a "banquet." Then, with everyone working together, they'd have a good chance of taking him down.
Tendo shook his head. "Not only is he unreachable, but even Zetsu has disappeared."
Zetsu has disappeared too?
It seemed the split between the two sides was official. From now on, the Akatsuki would be significantly weaker in terms of intelligence gathering.
In light of this, it was imperative to bring Kakashi over to their side—or, at the very least, obtain his Sharingan. That way, they'd have a better chance against Obito in the future.
But this had to be done covertly and gradually. If Obito caught wind of their intentions, he would undoubtedly strike first.
"By the way, where's Konan?" Deidara asked out of curiosity.
"Konan? She's probably tinkering with her warehouse again," Tendo replied.
"If you're looking for her, follow me." Tendo stood up briskly, not particularly concerned whether Deidara actually needed to see Konan. As long as he could leave the office and take a break, that was reason enough for him to be happy.
The three of them descended the tower, heading deep into the underground layers of Amegakure.
Deidara had always known there was a secret base beneath Amegakure, but he never realized it was this vast.
"Release!"
Tendo placed his hand on a massive iron door and skillfully used chakra to undo the sealing jutsu on it.
As the heavy door slowly opened, both Deidara and Kurotsuchi couldn't help but gasp.
"How much stuff has she hoarded?!" Kurotsuchi exclaimed in astonishment.
The three of them stood before mountains of supplies, feeling as insignificant as ants.
"How much money must this have cost?!"
"So all the money we earn just goes to Konan to buy this stuff?" Deidara casually pulled out a stack of explosive tags. Judging by the texture and color of the paper, they must have been stored for quite some time.
But it wasn't just explosive tags. There were kunai, shuriken, food, clothing, medicine—everything imaginable.
This is the Naruto world, not some post-apocalyptic wasteland!
Nagato nodded awkwardly. "Because Konan grew up in a harsh environment, she lacks a sense of security and has a habit of hoarding supplies. Over time, it just piled up like this."
"Still, she could've just kept cash or gold! There's no need to convert everything into material goods, is there?" Kurotsuchi objected to such excessive stockpiling.
"You don't understand!"
Konan's voice echoed from within the warehouse. Perhaps because her deepest obsession was being challenged, her tone was uncharacteristically sharp.
"Cash? Gold? When a true crisis comes, those things can't be eaten or worn. They're completely useless."
"Only essential supplies like these, which can be used at any time, are truly valuable and worth collecting," Konan said coldly.
While her words made sense, this level of hoarding was simply over the top. Deidara was at a loss for words.
Konan might just be the greatest driver of the ninja world's economy! The sheer volume of these supplies must have supported countless producers and businesses.
The GDP generated annually by Konan's activities alone was probably astronomical!
"Konan-nee, while what you say is true, you should also learn to trust your comrades once in a while!"
"Amegakure and the Akatsuki are no longer what they used to be. We're only going to get stronger, so funds should be allocated to more meaningful purposes rather than being hoarded like this," Deidara advised.
"So, you're here to ask me for money?" Konan cut straight to the point, her expression turning even colder, like an eternal glacier. The icy aura she exuded was almost unbearable.
"Ahaha! Of course not!" Deidara raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"It's just that maybe the commission cut could be a little lower going forward?"
Deidara then explained how the high commission rates had demotivated the villagers, leading to widespread slacking off.
Nagato sighed. "I knew it wouldn't work."
"Konan, things aren't the same as when we started. Without proper compensation, it won't work."
He was referring to the early days when Yahiko was still alive. Back then, the Akatsuki was a gathering of idealists under Yahiko's leadership, united by a dream of achieving peace through persuasion.
At that time, everyone worked for free, driven by shared ideals.
But in the broader context of the world, such an approach was impossible. Not everyone could be selfless and altruistic every day.
After a moment of silence, Konan asked, "How much should the commission cut be?"
"Thirty percent is enough. The Five Great Ninja Villages usually take about that much, sometimes more during wartime," Deidara replied.
"Fine, thirty percent it is," Konan agreed. Though it pained her, she valued Yahiko and Nagato's ideals above all else. If achieving those ideals required sacrifices, so be it.
"And about the village's budget allocations," Deidara hinted tactfully.
"I understand. Let's establish a council within Amegakure. From now on, we'll consult them before deciding on funding allocations," Konan said.
Deidara breathed a sigh of relief. To have succeeded so easily felt almost surreal.
"By the way, what about that 1.2 billion ryo Kakuzu owes me?"
"Get lost!"
"Got it!"
As they left the central tower, Kurotsuchi seemed upset.
"What's wrong?" Deidara asked curiously.
"What's with that woman's attitude? She's so rude!" Kurotsuchi fumed.
"It's fine. That's just how she is," Deidara reassured her. Everyone has their quirks, after all.
"Forget it. Deidara-nii, let's go home," Kurotsuchi said, grabbing his arm.
"Home?"
"Yeah, your home in Amegakure," Kurotsuchi clarified, thinking Deidara had misunderstood and was referring to Iwagakure.
Only then did Deidara realize—he was a core member of the Akatsuki, yet he didn't even have a house in Amegakure!
Every time he visited, he stayed at an inn. And the worst part? He had to pay for it out of his own pocket!
This was absurd!
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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