Over the next few days, under the guidance of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, Gojo quickly learned the ninjutsu they each had mastered.
On this day, Yahiko unusually called for an Akatsuki meeting.
As a member, Gojo naturally attended.
"Leader, why are we holding a meeting all of a sudden?"
Inside the Akatsuki base, a tall member sitting below spoke up and asked Yahiko directly.
The Akatsuki had only been established for two or three years. Its structure was still loose, and with Yahiko's easygoing personality, there weren't many rigid rules.
As for why he called it "sudden"—
Previously, meetings were held once every half month. Yet this time, only two or three days had passed since the last one.
Hearing the question, Yahiko swept his gaze across the room, his expression serious.
"I've gathered everyone today because there's something extremely important."
Seeing his expression, the relaxed atmosphere vanished instantly. Everyone grew solemn.
Even Gojo focused intently on him.
"Calling a meeting like this… could it be…"
"Has Hanzo the Salamander decided to move against us?"
Gojo pondered inwardly.
At present, the ruler of the Land of Rain wasn't the Akatsuki—
It was Hanzo the Salamander.
The Akatsuki's goal was to change the country—to build a bridge toward peace through mutual understanding.
Naturally, that made Hanzo their opposing force.
"Hanzo has already noticed us."
Yahiko spoke slowly.
"Yesterday, he sent someone to deliver a message—demanding that we disband the Akatsuki."
"If we refuse, he'll treat us as enemies and issue a bounty on us throughout the Land of Rain."
"Disband the Akatsuki? That's impossible!"
"Our goal is to save the Land of Rain and bring peace to the world—how can we just disband because he says so?!"
The members immediately erupted into discussion.
Their stance was unanimous—
The Akatsuki must not disband!
Hearing the heated arguments, Konan, seated beside Yahiko, suddenly spoke.
"If we don't disband, we become Hanzo's enemies."
"Can we defeat him?"
The moment her words fell—
Silence.
No one spoke.
Becoming Hanzo's enemy…
How could they accept that?
Outsiders might not understand his power—but as natives of the Land of Rain, they knew him all too well.
Hanzo stood at the very peak of the ninja world.
During the Second Great Ninja War, he had fought Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—and held the upper hand, even bestowing upon them the title of the "Sannin of Konoha."
He was known as a "demigod."
With the Akatsuki's current strength—
Let alone defeating Hanzo, they couldn't even beat any one of the Sannin.
It was precisely because of that overwhelming power that everyone fell silent.
"But… if we just disband like this, how can I accept it?"
"Our dream is already in motion!"
"We've done everything we can—we've already brought hope to some people!"
One member slammed his fist onto the table, his voice filled with frustration.
Another sighed.
"But Hanzo is far beyond our reach…"
At this moment, Hanzo was like an immovable mountain, blocking their path to changing the Land of Rain.
"Actually… disbanding the Akatsuki might not be such a bad choice."
At that moment, Gojo—who had been silent until now—suddenly spoke.
The instant his words fell, all eyes turned toward him, filled with anger.
"Gojo, what are you saying?!"
"You were saved by Konan—how can you agree to disband the Akatsuki?!"
"Do you even know what you're saying?!"
"Have you betrayed the Akatsuki?!"
Voices rose one after another, filled with outrage.
Clearly, his words had struck a nerve.
"Maybe Gojo has another meaning?"
Seeing everyone questioning him, Konan quickly stepped in to defend him.
"If we don't disband," Gojo continued calmly, "do you think we can defeat Hanzo?"
"Who here can guarantee they can beat him?"
"If he attacks us, how many of us will survive?"
His questions silenced the room.
Because everyone knew the answer—
If Hanzo attacked, none of them would survive.
"Since no one here can defeat him, then we only have one option—disband."
"But disbanding also gives us an opportunity."
"We can spread throughout the Land of Rain, reach more people, and let them understand our ideals."
"Let more people join us—or at least not stand against us."
As Gojo explained, the members gradually understood his plan.
Simply put—
He wanted the Akatsuki to dissolve on the surface, but continue to exist in secret.
By integrating into the populace, they could expand their influence.
And when they had gathered enough strength to defeat Hanzo—
That would be the moment to change the Land of Rain.
Of course, this was only part of his reasoning.
The other purpose—
Was to buy time.
Because right now, Gojo wasn't Hanzo's opponent.
He needed to endure, to grow stronger.
And when the time came—
He would lead the Akatsuki to Amegakure and kill Hanzo.
"Spreading our ideals among the people… letting them join us…"
"That's actually a solid plan."
"In that case, the Akatsuki may be disbanded on the surface, but it will still exist in secret."
After listening, Yahiko nodded and looked around.
"What do you all think?"
"I agree."
"I agree too."
"Disband openly, operate secretly… not bad."
Even those who had opposed earlier now nodded.
Soon—
With unanimous agreement—
The Akatsuki disbanded.
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