Persuading the Akatsuki Organization to Join the War

A month passed quickly, Joint Chunin Exams held by River Ninja Village finally began.

Besides the small team led by Yichen, more than a dozen other teams from Iwagakure also came.

The Mist ninja arrived quite early, led by an Elite Jonin, and comprised a total of twenty squads.

It's clear that the teams from Kirigakure that came to participate were all quite strong Genin teams.

The Mist ninja are determined to defeat the Exploding Blade Shibuki!

In addition, Konoha, Sunagakure, and Cloud ninja all participated, each sending between three and ten teams.

The Sunagakure was led by an Elite Jonin- level Puppet Master.

I've seen the Cloud ninja leader Yichen, in the intelligence reports; he's a Sensory Ninja.

Konoha went even further, not only having a member of the Hyuga Clan leading the team, but Yichen also spotted a Jonin from the Aburame Clan and a Jonin from the Inuzuka Clan in the Konoha group.

Upon seeing this setup, Yichen didn't even need to guess; he knew exactly what these three companies were planning.

They're definitely here to gather intelligence!

Yichen only observed from the shadows and did not show himself. The nominal person in charge of the Iwa ninja side was Kanako.

Kanako is Elite Jonin and an Earth Shadow's disciple, making her status no lower than that of the members of the Hyuga Branch Family.

Regardless of whether Konoha had ulterior motives, this Joint Chunin Exams from River Ninja Village was the most comprehensive Joint Chunin Exams to date.

All Five Great Ninja Villages have arrived!

However, not many ninja villages from small and medium-sized countries came; most ninja villages sensed the approaching war.

Most of them didn't want to get involved, so only the smaller ninja villages that had a good relationship with Iwagakure sent teams.

When the first match began, Yichen, Yahiko, and two others were chatting together in the office of the leader of River Ninja Village.

Yichen analyzed the current situation for the three of them. "Based on the intelligence we have so far, Konoha, Sunagakure, and Cloud ninja all have ill intentions."

"They sent reconnaissance ninjas to gather intelligence, but the teams actually participating in the competition are of average strength, clearly not there for the exam itself."

"However, the fact that they sent reconnaissance ninjas means that even if they were to take action, it wouldn't be during the first round of the exam; they would most likely choose the third round."

"However, we are still unable to determine their specific objectives."

"However, some preparations can begin."

Yahiko asked with some concern, "Yichen, is it really going to be another war? Didn't you just have one not long ago?"

Yichen shook his head and said, "Actually, this First Shinobi War and the last major battle can be considered the same war."

"The reason why there is no complete peace among the Five Great Nations is because that war was too quick. The losses on all sides were not significant, so none of them have given up hope."

"Therefore, if this war breaks out, its intensity will definitely exceed that of the previous one."

Yahiko nodded somewhat dejectedly. As a war orphan, the last thing he wanted to hear was the word "war."

Yichen said, "Yahiko, don't worry. If the Three Great Ninja Villages choose to attack your Land of Rivers, I will definitely persuade our village's leaders to send troops to help you."

"If the Three Great Ninja Villages hadn't attacked your Land of Rivers, I guarantee I wouldn't have let the war spread to your Land of Rivers."

"I only hope that you can help us contain some of our top-tier combat forces."

This was Yichen's ultimate goal in coming to River Ninja Village; sparring with Nagato was just a side effect.

Knowing that a great war was imminent, Yichen Tsuchikage, instead of staying in his village, came to River Ninja Village. This was incredibly irresponsible and showed a complete disregard for the Ninja World War.

But no one, including Ōnoki, said anything, not even a word of advice. Why?

Because the Akatsuki Organization is worth recruiting!

Ōnoki and his group didn't expect Akatsuki Organization to send troops; he only hoped that Yichen could persuade Akatsuki Organization to send out Akatsuki Organization- Kage Level, at least to hold off two or three enemy Kage Level.

If Akatsuki Organization can achieve this, then Iwagakure and Kirigakure will have a very good chance of winning this war.

Therefore, in Ōnoki's eyes, Yichen's trip to River Ninja Village was very important, and all the high-ranking officials supported him.

Yahiko asked, "Yichen, who exactly is our enemy?"

Yahiko felt helpless and uneasy. He could smell the Yakumi in the air, but he couldn't even tell who was friend or foe.

Yichen began to analyze for the three of them:

"The current situation in the Ninja World is relatively clear: Konoha, Sunagakure, and Cloud ninja are allies; we Iwa ninja, your Akatsuki Organization, and Mist ninja are also allies."

"Comparing the top combat forces of both sides, our side clearly has more."

"There are three Mist ninja: the Mizukage, Mei Terumi, Hozuki Mangetsu."

"There are five of you: the three of you, plus Sasori and Kakuzu."

"Our Iwagakure has six members: the Third Hokage, myself, Ikura, Kawakita, Han, Kitsuchi."

"So, the three of us together make a total of 14 people. That doesn't even include Nagato's strength, which surpasses the normal Kage Level."

"That doesn't even include our village's Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi. Also, Sokai this kid's Mangekyō Sharingan would be able to unleash Kage Level power in a short time."

"As for the Three Great Ninja Villages, such as Konoha, there are clearly fewer."

"There are only three Sunagakure: the Kazekage, Pakura, and Ryosuke."

"There are only three Cloud ninja: Raikage, Killer B, Darui."

"Konoha is quite remarkable; they have a considerable number of Kage Level, a total of seven: the Hokage, Kakashi Hatake Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Shisui Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha, Fugaku Uchiha, and Izumi Uchiha with Sokai."

"However, the last two are not of one mind with the Konoha High-ranking officials. Not only will they not participate in the battle against us, but they will also hinder Konoha."

"Konoha can actually field at most four players, maybe even only three."

"Therefore, even if Konoha calls on Orochimaru as well, Konoha's side will actually only have eleven or twelve Kage Level- Kage Level."

"With such a disparity in strength, they wouldn't dare to start a war with us under normal circumstances."

"But for your River Ninja Village, holding the Joint Chunin Exams at this time is an opportunity for them."

"At that time, the three of you will likely not choose to leave River Ninja Village. If you don't leave, then they still have a certain chance of winning."

"Moreover, we don't want to disrupt the peace; the initiative in the war lies with them."

"They can gain an advantage in local battles through methods such as surprise attacks."

Yahiko and the other two listened to the names Yichen mentioned one by one, they began to have a clearer understanding of the situation in the Ninja World.

Unbeknownst to many, a situation of confrontation between two major forces has already formed in the Ninja World.

Finally, Yahiko said, "Yichen, what should we do?"

Yichen said, "We just analyzed the number of Kage Level, and in terms of numbers, we have the advantage."

"However, we also have disadvantages. Most of our Kage Level are newly promoted, which is a higher proportion than theirs. Moreover, Sasori and Kakuzu are actually considered unstable factors."

"Therefore, my idea is to send Sasori and Kakuzu to cause trouble for Orochimaru, thus eliminating these two destabilizing factors from the war in advance. This will also reduce Konoha's ally by one."

"Oh, right, tell Kakuzu that I'll also pay him a large extra reward. As long as they hold Orochimaru back, I'll pay him the amount of Orochimaru's bounty."

"As the dominant party, what we need is control; we don't need surprises."

Nagato nodded and said, "No problem."

Yichen sighed inwardly. Both Yahiko and Nagato were still children at heart. He hadn't even explained the benefits allocated to them by Akatsuki Organization before they agreed.

Yichen said, " In this First Shinobi War, we seek stability. We will strive for victory only after ensuring we do not suffer defeat. We will not take any risks."

"First and foremost, the Joint Chunin Exams you are organizing must be a complete success, as this is crucial to the post-war elevation of your River Ninja Village's status."

"Secondly, the weakness of River Ninja Village is its weak ordinary combat force. Although everyone knows this, we should try our best not to expose it in this great war. Therefore, it's best if your ninja army does not participate in the battle."

"With these two points in mind, after the war, I will propose upgrading River Ninja Village to the Sixth Great Ninja Village. Yahiko was the first River Kage. Only in this way can Akatsuki Organization's ideals truly be known throughout the entire Ninja World."

"River Kage sounds a bit strange, you can come up with the name yourselves."

Yahiko and the other two were both happy and apprehensive. Konan asked, "Yichen, will the other Four Great Ninja Villages agree?"

Yichen said, "If we win this First Shinobi War, there's a greater than 50% chance they'll agree."

"If we can successfully hold this Joint Chunin Exams on the basis of victory, and the Akatsuki Organization gains a certain degree of recognition throughout the Ninja World, then we have at least a 60% chance of success."

"If we can concentrate our forces and defeat one of the Great Ninja Village in this great war, I am at least 80% confident that River Ninja Village will become the Sixth Great Ninja Village."

After listening, Yahiko remained unsettled for a long time. Finally, he sighed and said, "Yichen, you've thought so far ahead."

Yichen laughed and said, "Although I am now the Tsuchikage, my situation is better than yours and Nagato's, but the enemy I face is also more cunning."

"If I hadn't been more Mind's Eye, the same thing that happened to you when you were deceived by Hanzo would have happened to me long ago."

"There are far more people watching me than there were watching you back then."

"Didn't I get outsmarted by an Uchiha with a Mangekyō Sharingan a while ago?"

"He had a lot of information about me. If I hadn't learned many new Ninjutsu in the past two years and disrupted his plans, I probably wouldn't be seeing you all now."

Konan said worriedly, "Yichen, you should also be careful and avoid going out unnecessarily."

Yichen:...

Even you all know about my history of causing trouble everywhere?

Nagato then said, "Yichen, besides having Sasori and Kakuzu entangle Orochimaru, what else do we need to do?"

Yichen said, "As I just mentioned, ensuring the smooth conduct of this Joint Chunin Exams is also a crucial part, so the three of you should try not to leave River Ninja Village."

"If necessary, I hope the Six Paths of Pain can intervene. Considering that the Six Paths of Pain cannot stray too far from Nagato body, they may need to Land of Fire or the Land of Wind to deal with Konoha or Sunagakure."

Yahiko and the other two exchanged glances and nodded. As long as the war didn't reach their Land of Rivers, they could barely accept it.

Seeing this, Yichen breathed a sigh of relief.

Before coming, Yichen was not 100% sure whether the trip would be successful.

If I'm in danger, I can ask Yahiko and the other two for help; that shouldn't be a problem.

However, Yichen wasn't confident about getting the Akatsuki to Akatsuki Organization to Iwagakure.

After all, Yichen was planning the Ninja World War, Yahiko and the other two all hated war.

In order to successfully persuade Yahiko and the other two, Yichen subtly changed the concept, treating the alliance between Iwa ninja, Mist ninja, and Akatsuki, which had not yet been reached, as an established fact.

This battle was also linked to the promotion of the Akatsuki Organization's ideology.

As for upgrading River Ninja Village after the war, the three of them didn't really care.

If Yichen hadn't linked this matter to spreading Xiao's peace ideals, the three of them probably wouldn't have cared.