While Takeshi was carrying out sweeping reforms, Yōwan of the Land of Rain was not idle either.
After a period of recovery, the fatal wounds he had suffered had already healed.
With the addition of more than thirty Uchiha, the efficiency of Akatsuki's mission commissions improved greatly, and their funding issues were somewhat alleviated.
More importantly, the curse mark in his heart had also been destroyed by mistake, thanks to Sakumo.
It was time to consider initiating the tailed beast collection plan.
"Shukaku has not yet been sealed, and the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, Yugito Nii, is currently training outside the village. Now is the perfect time to make a move."
Gathering all the organization members except Setsuna, Yōwan looked at the familiar and unfamiliar faces before him. His voice was hoarse as he deliberately imitated Uchiha Madara's tone.
"A mere tailed beast—watch me take it down with a single strike."
Ryūgan, who had defected from the Village of Artisans, spoke arrogantly, as if he didn't put tailed beasts in his eyes at all. His tone immediately drew laughter from Fūka.
"A brat from the Artisan Village, so ignorant of the world? Shukaku is a tailed beast that can use ninjutsu. Even if the four of you attack together, you might not be able to harm it in the slightest."
"Enough out of you."
Seeing Ryūgan about to argue back, Yōwan immediately cut off their quarrel.
"Fūka, shut your mouth and listen carefully to me."
"Yes." At the sound of Yōwan's voice, Fūka instantly closed her mouth.
"Hōki, Suiko, Kujaku, Ryūgan—you four will capture Shukaku. According to intelligence, it is currently sealed in Sunagakure. You only need to eliminate the monks of the Temple of Fire to seize it easily."
"Yes." ×4
"Fūka, Fuen, Furido—you will search for the whereabouts of the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, Yugito Nii. She must be captured alive. Yakume will dispatch a squad to support you."
"Understood, Leader-sama." Fuen stepped forward, giving Yōwan a coquettish look.
"As for the Three-Tails..."
Yōwan swept his gaze across the group, noticing the trace of fear on everyone's face, and shook his head inwardly.
That kid was indeed not easy to deal with.
Fortunately, he had an alternative.
"First Mizukage Byakuren once fought the Three-Tails and severed one of its tails. That tail is stored in Kirigakure's Anbu prison for tailed beast research."
Relying on the intelligence gathered by White Zetsu, Yōwan decided to first avoid direct confrontation with Takeshi. After all, his true objective was different from Madara's—whether the Ten-Tails revived or not had nothing to do with his plans.
"Hidan, the Seven-Tails currently has no jinchūriki. You and Yakume will head to Takigakure and see if you can seize it for our use."
Yōwan cast his eyes on Yakume, hoping he could keep this reckless maniac in check.
The two assaults on Konoha had failed to inflict maximum damage, making Yōwan far more cautious.
Perhaps relying on the Seven-Tails' power was the best choice for now.
"The dawn will eventually descend upon the shinobi world. Then we shall welcome eternal peace. Only when the Five Great Nations cease to exist and the nobles who control shinobi are cast into hell will shinobi truly be able to grasp their own destiny!"
...
The clan system was abolished without causing any commotion.
As the Caged Bird marks on the foreheads of the branch families disappeared, the members of the branch house suddenly realized that perhaps their fates had truly changed.
"Never thought Clan Head Hiashi would actually want to abolish the Caged Bird system."
Thinking of Hyūga Hiashi, Itachi found it hard to imagine that this man harbored malice toward the clan system—if not for him sending Hizashi to contact Takeshi.
"Well, after all, this Hiashi-san has just welcomed the birth of a baby daughter."
Takeshi, however, could understand the man's choice.
The birth of Hanabi forced Hiashi to consider: of his two daughters, one would bear the Caged Bird mark.
By opposing the elders, while Takeshi maintained the hearts of the Hyūga, Hiashi's move was nothing but a profitable business.
"Itachi, what drives human action most of the time is interest."
Takeshi reached out and patted Itachi's head.
"Sensei, that kind of remark really doesn't fit your position."
Itachi shook his head, trying to shrug off his hand.
"Hmph, I'm only acting as Hokage. My name isn't on the Hokage Monument or the photo wall."
Messing up Itachi's hair like a prank, Takeshi finally pulled back his hand, satisfied.
"Takeshi-sama, an envoy from the Land of Fire has arrived."
At that moment, Shisui appeared inside the room.
He wore a blue-striped windbreaker, clearly having joined the Ministry of Internal Affairs along with the other Root members.
"Have Councilor Koharu meet with them."
Takeshi already guessed the envoy's intentions. Ever since Konoha secretly took control of three towns, the Daimyō's Mansion had constantly been stirring up trouble, even sending their shinobi for close reconnaissance.
Thus, Takeshi had dragged Kakuzu and Pakura into the mix, along with some rogue ninja hired cheaply by Kakuzu, preventing the Daimyō's Mansion from catching any evidence.
Still, using Konoha's "ineffective bandit suppression" as an excuse, the Daimyō had cut part of their military funding and reduced their commissions.
But compared with the profits brought by controlling the towns, such losses were negligible.
Takeshi already knew what the envoy would say.
"At most, he'll scold me for incompetence and then cut our budget again. Whether I meet him or not doesn't matter." Takeshi spread his hands, a look of total nonchalance.
It didn't matter. As long as the towns remained under his control, even if the Daimyō cut all funding, Konoha could still survive.
No—if they really did that, Takeshi could openly go all out and bring the remaining major towns under Konoha's control as well.
"The envoy is an acquaintance of yours. He requested to see you specifically."
Shisui did not leave as instructed but instead revealed the visitor's identity.
...
"You sure pulled off quite a feat without making a sound, Takeshi."
The smell of tobacco reached his nose. Takeshi looked up at Sarutobi Asuma, with the "Fire" character sash tied around his waist, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"What, after so long, you won't even offer me a seat?"
Seeing Takeshi remain silent, Asuma simply sat himself in a chair reserved for advisors.
"You're already seated, so what's the point of me arranging one?"
Takeshi finally reacted, replying with a smile.
So, Asuma had indeed joined the Twelve Guardian Ninja—and returned to Konoha as the envoy of the Daimyō's Mansion.
"Hmph, such an attitude is hardly what a Hokage should show to the Daimyō's envoy."
Asuma teased, carefully observing Takeshi.
The two hadn't seen each other in a long time.
He had thought their previous argument would have broken their relationship, but from Takeshi's reaction, it was clear he hadn't held it against him.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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