Akatsuki Organization's Joint Chunin Exams

Looking at Yichen, his Sage Mode, multiple Kekkei Genkai, Light Release Bloodline Elimination, and various S-rank Ninjutsu —any one of these would place Yichen among the top combatants in the Ninja World.

Moreover, through his several defeats, Obito Uchiha learned a valuable lesson: numbers matter.

He had previously held a contemptuous attitude towards Yichen's practice of taking in so many disciples.

But now he regrets it. If he had a disciple of Kage Level like Kawakita, he wouldn't be in such a miserable state now.

In this respect, Orochimaru was much more pragmatic than Obito Uchiha.

Orochimaru placed great emphasis on the training of his junior disciples both before and after establishing the ninja village.

Although Orochimaru's method of training disciples was similar to raising poisonous insects, he did indeed have many excellent ninjas under his command.

Many of them possess strength at the Jonin or above, and there are quite a few Elite Jonin alone.

These subordinates were all very useful to Orochimaru, whether they were used as test subjects, cannon fodder, or reincarnation vessels.

Regardless of Obito Uchiha's inner thoughts, since he wanted to recruit people to expand his power, Black Zetsu had no objections; on the contrary, he was somewhat pleased.

Having been a behind-the-scenes boss for a thousand years, Black Zetsu certainly knew the power of numbers. He had witnessed too many arrogant and powerful figures fall.

The earliest one was Indra.

Even with Indra's level of strength, he was still defeated by the numerous and powerful Asura.

It would be extremely difficult for Obito Uchiha to accomplish anything on his own.

"Then let the White Zetsu clone keep an eye out for any powerful missing-nin we can recruit and have them join the Dark Akatsuki as our informants," Black Zetsu said.

Obito Uchiha and then asked, "The Two-Tails has also dissipated. So far, how many Tailed Beasts have dissipated in total?"

Black Zetsu replied, "Including the Three-Tails, the Seven-Tails, and the Six-Tails, which may have also disappeared, there are a total of four Tailed Beast currently in a resurrection period."

Obito Uchiha nodded, said nothing more, and began to focus on recovering from his injuries.

Black Zetsu glanced at Obito Uchiha, feeling that this Obito Uchiha somewhat unfamiliar.

The situation in the Ninja World changed daily. The Fifth Ninja World War started and ended quickly, but its aftereffects have lingered ever since.

Whether it's the Iwa ninja invading the northern part of the Land of Fire, the Sunagakure Konoha to cede territory, the Iwa ninja annexing Takigakure, or the recent clash between the top-tier forces of the Three Great Ninja Villages against Iwagakure.

These are all aftereffects of the Fifth Ninja World War.

This led far-sighted ninjas to believe that the aftermath might continue.

Because the Fifth Ninja World War ended too quickly, the losses on all sides were not significant, and they still had the capacity to wage war.

Therefore, even though the Iwa ninja flexed their muscles, some people still couldn't resist challenging Iwagakure's dominant position.

For example, Rasa's idea was, "I don't have the strength to sit on it now, but I can pull you down with me."

Iwagakure and Yichen others returned to Iwagakure.

Yichen immediately convened a meeting with the upper management.

Looking around, the meeting was well-attended, with both Ōnoki and Kawakita, who had been absent recently, present.

No, Ming isn't here.

Yichen remained silent, sitting in the office like everyone else, waiting for Ming.

Ming is currently in the warehouse counting the pile of gold dust that Yichen brought back.

When Yichen informed her of the meeting, she insisted on finishing counting the pile of gold sand first.

After waiting for a long time, Ming finally returned with a joyful expression.

Yichen said, "Alright, let's start the meeting."

"There were two gains this time. One was the pile of gold dust that Senior Mei was just counting. I have no concept of this and don't know how valuable this pile of gold dust is."

After a moment's thought, he said, "It's enough to cover all the expenses for the construction of the entire Takigakure branch, including all the costs of initial resource reserves and other related matters."

Yichen's eyes lit up; he understood after hearing that.

"Very good. With this gold sand, it means our trip wasn't in vain," Yichen said.

"Besides the gold dust, the biggest gain from this operation was killing Yugito, the Perfect Jinchuriki of the Kumogakure."

"With the loss of a powerhouse capable of Kage-level Combatant, the Kumogakure has suffered a significant loss this time."

"As for the Raikage losing an arm, and the Cloud ninja losing over a hundred elites, those are really nothing."

"From now on, our position as the Ruler of the Ninja World is more or less secure. We should also do some things that only the Ruler of the Ninja World can do."

Looking around at everyone, Yichen pointed to the Land of Bears and the Land of the Moon, saying, "A long time ago, the Cloud ninja and the Sunagakure occupied the towns of these countries and refused to return them."

"We've just flexed our muscles in front of the Cloud ninja and Sunagakure, so they won't dare to start a war with us anytime soon."

"Then let's push harder and force them to withdraw their personnel from these countries."

Tomoko asked worriedly, "Won't this really trigger a full-scale war?"

Ikura said, "It's not that bad. We just demoralized the Three Great Ninja Villages. Right now, they are very wary of us and won't easily start a war."

Yichen added, "Besides, don't we have these countries' letters of appeal? We can use that as an excuse."

"We are righteous, invited by the great lords of these countries to protect their people and resist the brutal invaders."

Tomoko:...

"Ahem," Ōnoki coughed and said, "Then let's do it this way, while the three village kage may not have returned to their respective villages yet."

"We'll speed things up and send out our elite forces directly. We don't expect the Sunagakure and Cloud ninja to recall them. We'll wipe out all the Sunagakure and Cloud ninja from these countries."

Yichen nodded and said, "Ikura, you take charge of this matter. You can send more powerful experts; a larger scale is fine."

Ikura nodded, and without delay or even attending the meeting, immediately got up to make the arrangements.

The meeting continued.

Yichen said, "This time, the Sunagakure and Cloud ninja will most likely not directly break ties with us. However, the relationship between the three villages will inevitably become closer afterward."

"I plan to hold a Joint Chunin Exams to strengthen our relationship with Akatsuki Organization and Kirigakure."

Tomoko asked, "Should we invite Konoha, Sunagakure, and Cloud ninja?"

Yichen thought for a moment, then said instead of answering, "This year 'Joint Chunin Exams will not be held in our village."

"I will discuss with Akatsuki Organization Yahiko to hold this Joint Chunin Exams River Ninja Village or the Land of Rain."

"As for whether Konoha, Sunagakure, Kumogakure will participate, we don't need to worry about that."

"For them, this should be a good opportunity to find out the true strength of the Akatsuki Organization. Even if Yahiko didn't invite them, they would still shamelessly participate."

Ōnoki asked, "Would the Akatsuki Organization agree?"

Yichen said, "The chances of it happening are quite high. The Akatsuki Organization hopes to spread their peace ideals throughout the Ninja World and also wants the Ninja World to see the changes in the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain under their rule."

"This is a rare opportunity for them, and they won't refuse it."

After thinking for a moment, Tomoko asked, "Teacher Yichen, should we continue with the Ninja Blade deal with Kirigakure that we discussed before?"

Tomoko had represented Iwagakure in the Joint Chunin Exams held by Kirigakure, so she was quite familiar with Kirigakure and was in charge of the Ninja Blade trade.

Yichen thought for a moment and said, "Let's continue. Let's trade one round first, and then give one more as a reward for the winner of this Chunin Ninja Exams."

Ming frowned slightly, but thinking of the pile of gold dust, he acquiesced.

Yichen naturally saw this and said, "After this alliance, the trust between Konoha, Cloud ninja, and Sunagakure has greatly increased, and a three-way alliance is now inevitable."

"Especially after Tsunade and Rasa saved the Raikage, and Tsunade led the others to Shikkotsu Forest, the relationship between the three parties has become very close."

"Even if they don't openly confront us, just hindering us economically and in terms of missions is enough to make things difficult for us."

"At this point, it's us who need the Mist ninja as an ally, not the other Mist ninja. So paying a certain price is unavoidable."

Ming nodded and said, "I understand, let's do as you say."

After the meeting, Yichen sat alone in his office and took out his ring to communicate with Nagato.

Soon, Yichen's mental form arrived in the Land of Rivers using the Phantasm Body Technique.

Despite having experienced it many times, Yichen still felt envious of this amazing Ninjutsu.

Compared to using Summoning Jutsu to send messages back and forth, the Phantasm Body Technique is much more convenient.

Yichen looked around. He was familiar with this place; it was the leader's office in River Ninja Village.

"Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, it's been a long time." Yichen greeted the three of them.

Hearing Yichen's relaxed tone, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Clearly, the three were frightened by the news Yichen brought last time, and thought that Yichen had brought some news that was detrimental to the Akatsuki Organization this time.

Konan said, "Yichen, what brings you here to see us this time?"

In Konan's eyes, Yichen, the Tsuchikage, must be very busy, and must have endless documents to deal with every day, just like Yahiko.

Yahiko also said, "Yes, Yichen, it's been so long since you've come to see us. How have you been lately?"

Nagato remained silent as always, but looked at Yichen with curiosity.

Yichen said, "I'm actually more free than you think, but Iwagakure has indeed been quite turbulent lately."

"We first fought an Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan, and later we fought the Hokage, Raikage, and Kazekage."

Yichen spoke calmly, but Yahiko and the other two were completely stunned.

Yahiko thought to himself, "As expected of the Kage of Great Ninja Village, it seems that in Yichen's words, battles between Kage are as easy as eating and drinking."

Nagato then thought of the Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan that Yichen had mentioned; he figured that person must be the one who had deliberately approached him.

Konan asked, "Yichen, are you alright?"

Yichen shook his head and said, "Fortunately, I was injured when we were besieged by the Cloud ninja in Kumogakure, but I'm all better now."

"I've come to discuss something with you. We haven't held Joint Chunin Exams in a long time."

"I want to strengthen the bond between our two villages through another Joint Chunin Exams."

"Let's also bring Kirigakure along this time, and see if we can reach an alliance that benefits all three villages."

Upon hearing this, Konan quickly interjected, "Yichen, could we have the opportunity to host the Joint Chunin Exams this time?"

"Our Akatsuki Organization also wants to increase its visibility by holding Joint Chunin Exams."

Through years of experience and lessons learned in governing the village, Konan and her two companions have gradually come to understand the importance of public awareness.

Many foreign merchants lose half their interest in goods once they hear they're from the Land of Rivers. Therefore, Konan and her companions have been racking their brains trying to figure out how to increase the influence of the Akatsuki Organization and the Land of Rivers.

Successfully hosting a Joint Chunin Exams would greatly enhance the reputation of a ninja village and a nation.

Yichen blinked. His original next sentence was. "I hope to hold this Joint Chunin Exams in the Land of Rivers or the Land of Rain."

Konan's sudden interruption brought Yichen's previously coherent train of thought to a halt.

Xiao Konan Yichen's pause made her think that her request was too much, and she looked at Yichen pitifully.

Then Yichen said, "Konan, of course I won't refuse your request. Don't worry, I'll persuade the other higher-ups in our village."