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Chapter 185: Dragon's Plan
Similar scenes played out almost simultaneously in the Lands of Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water. The Daimyos had long been accustomed to their high status, treating the lives of ninjas as mere pieces on a game board. An ultimatum from a remote little country was, to them, nothing more than the buzzing of an insect—not worth a second glance.
Orders were passed down through the ranks with unquestionable authority, arriving at the various hidden villages.
In the Hokage's office in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe. The thick white smoke he exhaled failed to clear the gloom from his brow.
"Absurd! This is pure madness!" He slammed the order scroll onto the desk. The sharp crack of the paper was jarring in the silent office. "Wipe Amegakure off the map? Does he think this is a game?"
"Amegakure is currently holding hostages from all five nations. A reckless attack will only cause the situation to spiral out of control!"
Standing across from him was Danzo Shimura, his face wrapped in bandages, his single eye glowing with a cold light. "Hiruzen, this is the Daimyo's order." His voice was raspy and flat, devoid of emotion. "As Konoha ninjas, we must obey. Besides, this might be an opportunity."
"An opportunity to eliminate all unstable factors, including this 'Akatsuki,' in one go. We can expand Konoha's territory. Under our hands, Konoha will be great again!"
Hiruzen snapped his head around, staring intensely at his old friend and rival. "An opportunity? Danzo, how many Konoha lives will have to be sacrificed for your 'opportunity'?"
"Don't forget, Hanzo of the Salamander's strength is not to be underestimated. Even if you and I went, there's no absolute guarantee of taking him down. Since he dared to do this, Amegakure must have something to lean on!"
A cold smile touched Danzo's lips. "That's exactly why we must crush them in the cradle before their wings are fully grown. Hiruzen, your weakness will only cause Konoha to miss its chance."
The air between them seemed to solidify. Their years of ideological conflict flared up once again. However, the Daimyo's order was absolute. Ninjas did not engage in production; almost all their resources were supplied by the Land of Fire. Regardless of Hiruzen's reluctance, the massive war machine of Konoha had begun to slowly grind into motion.
.....
Meanwhile, in the depths of Amegakure.
Dragon stood on high ground, looking down at the team he had just assembled. Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, and the young ninjas who followed them—those who yearned to change the fate of the Land of Rain—all had fires burning in their eyes. They had just overthrown Hanzo's rule and were in their most excited yet most confused stage.
Yahiko stepped forward, his face urgent. "Senior Matsu, the mediation notices have been delivered. With their arrogance, they will surely move against us. Should we prepare for battle?"
Dragon's gaze swept over everyone calmly. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached every ear clearly. "Battle? No, we don't fight meaningless wars."
He shook his head slowly. His deep gaze seemed to pierce the heavy rock, seeing the entirety of the shinobi world. "The root of war lies not with the soldiers on the front lines, but with the kings who sit safely in the back, holding the reins of power."
"War is simply a way for rich old men to protect their wealth by sending young people from the lower classes to their deaths. Ninjas are just the blades in their hands; the Daimyos are the hands that hold the blades. If a soldier dies, more can be recruited. But what if the hand holding the blade is severed? Who would the blade obey then?"
Yahiko and the others were stunned. They had never thought about war from this perspective. Dragon raised a finger, pointing upward.
"The Daimyos of Fire, Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water... these five people are the culprits behind decades of continuous war. As long as they remain in those positions, the bloodshed will not stop."
Nagato leaned against the wall, his Rinnegan glowing. He seemed to understand something, his voice trembling slightly. "You mean..."
A sharp, fierce smile finally appeared on Dragon's face. "To catch the bandits, you must first capture the leader. I want every king on this continent to hear the whisper from behind the rain curtain. And you will be the witnesses to this change, the Sword Wielders of the new order. Tonight, we head north to capture the dragon!"
Yahiko's heart thundered! This is Senior Matsu's strategy! As expected of Arashi's ally! He has the same strategic vision! As long as they controlled the five Daimyos at the pinnacle of power, the war would naturally stop.
The room full of youths was shaken to the core. Sword Wielders... Yahiko clenched his fists, his blood feeling hotter than ever before. He finally understood Dragon's seemingly arrogant move. Given the arrogance of the Five Great Nations, they would likely be unable to resist coming to suppress Amegakure after receiving the mediation notice.
But that was exactly Dragon's goal! A diversion!
And the Daimyo Mansion? No one would ever imagine that Amegakure would be bold enough to strike there. While the Daimyo Mansion had the Twelve Guardian Ninja, the main military forces were deployed elsewhere. Without immediate support, the mansion was practically defenseless against them. As long as they held the Daimyos and high-ranking officials, the affiliated hidden villages would be forced into a stalemate, afraid to act.
The Daimyos had sat on their high thrones for too long—so long that they thought no one would ever dare move against them.
.....
In the Land of Fire.
As the group stepped out of the endless rainy border, the piercing sunlight hit Yahiko's face for the first time without obstruction. He narrowed his eyes instinctively. It was warm and dry. The air no longer carried the inescapable scent of rust and mold; instead, it smelled of earth and greenery.
"Is this... the world after the rain stops?" Konan reached out a small hand, feeling the temperature of the sun through the gaps of her fingers. A dreamlike expression appeared on her face. In her memory, the sky was always gray, and the world was always wet.
Nagato said nothing, silently pulling down his hood and letting the sunlight hit his bright red hair. He could feel the stagnant chakra in his body becoming more active in the warmth.
Behind them were over a dozen young, loyal Amegakure ninjas who had been hand-picked. They also looked around at this new world with curiosity and awe, like moles coming to the surface for the first time.
Dragon, the leader, was still dressed in ordinary clothes, his expression as calm as water, as if he had merely walked from one room to another. "Keep up," he said simply, leading the way.
The deeper they went into the heart of the Land of Fire, the more dramatic the changes. The roads became flat and wide, the fields were filled with thriving crops, and golden waves of wheat swayed in the wind. In the towns they passed, smoke rose from kitchen chimneys, children played in the streets, and people wore expressions of "happiness" that were never seen in Amegakure.
Yahiko's footsteps grew heavier. He saw a father lifting his child high, the child letting out a clear laugh. He saw a young couple holding hands, choosing fabrics in front of a shop. He saw a white-haired old man sitting peacefully in front of his house, soaking up the sun.
These ordinary scenes felt like knives stabbing into his heart. Why? Why was it that people living on the same continent could enjoy peace and tranquility in the Land of Fire, while the people of Amegakure could only struggle in war, hunger, and endless rain?
When the silhouette of a grand city appeared on the horizon, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were completely speechless.
The capital of the Land of Fire. Tall, sturdy walls stretched on endlessly, enclosing rows of exquisite buildings. The streets were wide enough for ten carriages to pass side-by-side, lined with a dazzling array of shops. The sounds of hawking, laughter, and conversation blended into a symphony of prosperity. Wealthy nobles in carriages paraded through the streets, while smiling commoners picked out fresh fruits.
Everything here was a world apart from the damp, oppressive, and lifeless Amegakure.
"This... is the capital of the Land of Fire?" Yahiko's voice was dry. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. "Can our village... become like this too?" He turned to look at Dragon, a trace of lost hope in his eyes.
It was a question that felt like a trial for his soul.
Dragon didn't look at him. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the very center of the city—a mansion that was taller and more luxurious than any surrounding building.
The Daimyo Mansion.
"It will," Dragon said. His voice was calm, yet possessed an undeniable power. "Once all the parasites on this land have been purged."
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