Hokage's Office.
Shinichi looked at the row of dark blue vials on the desk, carefully examining one in his hand.
Orochimaru had just sent them over. They were newly developed drugs, made according to Shinichi's specifications. Once injected into the human body, they could temporarily grant immunity to all kinds of toxins.
Calling it immunity was not quite accurate. It was more like sealing the toxins away in a little dark room. The side effect was that once the medicine wore off, all the accumulated toxins would erupt at once.
Kamado arrived just then with a letter delivered by someone from the Land of Rain.
Shinichi read its contents. In general, after receiving his warning, Akatsuki had also discovered Hanzo the Salamander of Amegakure's plot against them and was willing to cooperate with Konoha.
But the letter did not end there. It went on at length about Akatsuki's principles, saying they would remember Konoha's kindness but would not assist Konoha in any military operations in the future. If Konoha could not accept that, Akatsuki would find a way to repay this favor with money and supplies later on.
Shinichi found it rather amusing. Yahiko of Akatsuki was quite straightforward.
An overly idealistic organization like that was doomed not to last long. Up to now, they had only saved people at the bottom of society and had won many followers and supporters, enjoying a smooth journey all the way.
But how could the upper echelons of this country tolerate such actions? Once they grew strong enough to catch the rulers' attention, their destruction would not be far off.
No king would ever want a savior beloved by the people to emerge under his rule.
The fate of the original Akatsuki in the original story proved exactly that. Under Hanzo's methods, they