Chapter 74

They found fault with everything.

The Asuka nodded and noted them down.

"We're just ordinary people, it's normal to make mistakes. Practice makes perfect, you'll get better with a few more tries."

Akito casually remarked.

And Asuka agreed.

Guren, who was outside the door, overheard their conversation clearly.

The Akito raised his head and looked over.

Guren left immediately and disappeared.

Akito's eyes turned cold. "Be careful of that Guren."

"Hmm?" The Asuka focused its attention and listened intently.

Akito: "It's not a problem with the Akatsuki Organization... she herself is suspicious. I suspect... she might be a spy."

"I see."

The Asuka nodded slightly.

I have a clear understanding of the situation.

The rumors that have been spread these past few days are clearly the work of someone deliberately.

By using the process of elimination, we can narrow it down to a small group of people.

"As for cooking... I suggest you use Shadow Clone. You can accumulate experience without interfering with your main body's cultivation... This is a world where strength reigns supreme, so you'll ultimately need to cultivate diligently..."

"Clear."

The Asuka nodded.

The two talked casually, just like friends.

Ordinary daily life may be the ultimate desire in Asuka's heart.

Half an hour later.

Guren, who was chatting with Asuka, was summoned by Hanzō.

"Guren, please inform Yahiko. I'm planning to meet with him and have a serious talk."

Under the flickering candlelight.

Hanzō's figure was reflected in the water.

"Yes..."

Guren, who had been kneeling on one knee, rose and, carrying Hanzō's written order, prepared to return to the Akatsuki Organization headquarters to present it.

The Asuka watched her retreating figure until... the Guren completely disappeared.

Are you feeling a little lonely?

Hanzō asked.

Perhaps... spending time together has allowed my granddaughter, who has no female friends of the same age, to develop a friendship?

"No..."

The Asuka shook its head.

She turned around and looked at Hanzō.

"Grandpa, I suspect there's something wrong with this Guren."

He simply repeated what the Akito had said, but in his own capacity.

Upon hearing Hanzō seemed to ponder, "You suspect that the rumors circulating in the village... about Amakawa Akito, were spread by Guren?"

The Asuka nodded slightly. "That might be true."

"If that's really the case, the problem is that Guren is now a member of Akatsuki Organization. Even if we tell Yahiko about it, it will only make him distrust her..."

Hanzō shook his head.

If it's true.

That's a really troublesome matter.

It would be inappropriate to capture Guren now and interrogate her.

"Everything will be settled in a day."

Hanzō looked at his granddaughter.

"I hope... we can confirm this issue after we've reached an agreement with Yahiko."

The most urgent task.

The goal is to negotiate with the Akatsuki Organization and finalize the outcome.

The spy matter... will have to be postponed.

The next morning.

The Akito noticed the commotion outside.

Leave the courtyard and look outside.

Hanzō, accompanied by his granddaughter and his men, set off in a grand procession, seemingly... heading somewhere.

"Should we go and negotiate with the Akatsuki Organization?" Akito thought for a moment and guessed what was going on.

"Hmph..."

Master Shinnō walked over and stopped to observe.

"Because they directly rejected the alliance proposal from Konoha and Sunagakure, Amegakure will now be mired in an even bigger quagmire, so... Hanzō is somewhat anxious."

An ideal is an ideal.

Reality is reality.

Wanting to change the world doesn't conflict with the harsh reality.

"No matter what, Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure are my enemies. What others do cannot change that."

The Akito calmly presented his conclusion.

One hour later...

On a hillside shrouded in drizzle.

The representatives from Amegakure and Akatsuki Organization met.

Asuka stood beside Hanzō, gazing silently ahead.

Meanwhile, on the Akatsuki Organization side...

Then there's the returning Guren, along with Yahiko, the leader of Akatsuki Organization, and his companions Konan Nagato.

A group of dozens of people stood here.

The two sides slowly approached each other.

Then, Hanzō forward to greet Yahiko.

They silently extended their hands and shook hands.

"Demigod, do you have an answer?" Yahiko asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Yes, let's talk peace."

Hanzō spoke slowly.

The tense atmosphere vanished instantly.

Nagato, Konan, and the other members of Akatsuki Organization looked at Guren.

Approving glances were cast upon her.

Clearly, Guren lived up to expectations and proved her worth.

Through his interactions with Amegakure, he successfully acted as a bridge between the two sides.

Next came the tense negotiations.

Ultimately, Amegakure and Akatsuki coexist.

It was either Akatsuki Organization into Amegakure.

This is not something that can be answered immediately.

The two sides engaged in heated discussions and issued their respective statements.

Just as we were discussing entering the critical process...

Two teams suddenly appeared on the surrounding hillsides.

The Konoha team was led by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He was accompanied by Shimura Danzō, Minato Namikaze, Orochimaru... and even Jiraiya.

"Really..."

When Yahiko and the other two, Jiraiya pupils contracted, and he looked astonished.

He had heard about the three disciples' active activities.

Surprisingly, they were actually still alive.

But now, they stand on the opposite side of Konoha.

Since that's the case...

A terrifying glint immediately appeared in Jiraiya's eyes.

Anyone who dares to harm Konoha will be eliminated, even if they are a disciple personally trained by the Party.

He glanced at Jiraiya's expression.

Danzo narrowed his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips.

Clearly, he used euphemisms in conveying certain information.

And the other team...

The Sunagakure was led by the Kazekage Rasa.

Pakura was among them.

Even Hanzō's old rival, Chiyo, was standing beside the Kazekage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in battle armor, tried to speak several times.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Rasa frowned and said directly, "Hanzō, as a condition of the alliance, we, Sunagakure and Konoha, will abide by the agreement and help you eliminate the Akatsuki Organization and establish your sovereignty in the Land of Rain..."

"!"

Hanzō's pupils contracted.

He suddenly looked up at the hillside.

He immediately realized... he had fallen into a trap.

17. Seriously injured

The rain falls ceaselessly from the sky.

In a pool of water.

The water was flowing.

"Konoha... Whirlwind!"