Dreams

In the blink of an eye, several people had already lived there for a month.

During this month, Yahiko and the other two had grown at an astonishing rate.

From civilians who couldn't even extract chakra at the beginning, they could now skillfully use basic ninjutsu for sparring. Their talent was top-notch even in Konoha.

Especially Nagato, after mastering chakra extraction, the all-attribute adaptability to all ninjutsu displayed by his Rinnegan made even Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, feel a chill. Could it truly be said to be the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths?

Yes, the first time Jiraiya saw this child, he had already suspected if this kid was the Child of Destiny mentioned by the Great Toad Sage.

After all, these legendary eyes were extremely rare.

This day was dusk.

After training, everyone gathered around a bonfire, roasting the few fish they had just caught.

"Jiraiya-sensei, when will we be as strong as you?"

Yahiko took a bite of the grilled fish, his mouth slick with oil, and asked.

His eyes burned with a flame called ambition, a precocious and desperate desire unique to children who had experienced war.

"As strong as me?" Jiraiya laughed heartily, "Then you'll have to train for another ten or eight years! But after you become strong, what do you want to do?"

"I want to change this country!"

Yahiko suddenly stood up, his voice echoing in the vast cave, "I want to become a god in this world! As long as I am strong enough, I can make all countries stop warring, let everyone eat their fill, and no one will shed tears anymore!"

Konan and Nagato looked at Yahiko, their eyes full of admiration.

In their hearts, Yahiko was the light, the hope that would lead them out of the darkness.

"A very grand dream." Jiraiya nodded with relief, he hadn't misjudged this kid; he was indeed kind.

However, an untimely voice broke the passionate atmosphere.

"Then, what's the specific plan?"

Nishikawa Tetsu, who had been silently recording data by the side, suddenly spoke.

He looked at Yahiko, his eyes devoid of mockery, only a rational pressure that made one uneasy.

"You say you want to make all countries stop warring, based on what? Based on your own strength? Or based on the god you speak of?"

Yahiko was stunned.

He clearly hadn't considered such a profound question. In his simple worldview, as long as he became strong and defeated the bad guys, the world would become better.

"As long as... as long as everyone understands each other..." Yahiko said somewhat lacking confidence, "As long as they feel the same pain, they will understand the value of peace."

"Understand each other? Feel pain?"

Nishikawa Tetsu shook his head. It was indeed this kind of rhetoric.

He mercilessly poured a bucket of cold water: "Too naive. The games between great powers are based on interests and geopolitics, not emotions. Your so-called mutual understanding is worthless in the face of interests."

"Moreover, if you want to deter the world through pain, then what's the difference between you and Hanzō? You'll just become the next tyrant, eventually overthrown by a new hero."

Yahiko's face turned red, wanting to retort but unable to find the words.

Namikaze Minato, standing beside them, tugged Tetsu's sleeve with some concern: "Tetsu, don't discourage him too much..."

"No, Minato, you're still too kind. If he doesn't face reality, his dream will only lead to his and those around him's deaths."

Nishikawa Tetsu stood up and walked to the cave wall.

He picked up a piece of charcoal and drew a simple map of the ninja world on the wall.

"Look at this map."

Nishikawa Tetsu pointed to the Land of Rain in the center of the map.

"The Land of Rain is located between three great nations. This is a disadvantage, but also an advantage. The disadvantage is that it easily becomes a battlefield and buffer zone for the great nations, while the advantage is... it's a transportation hub."

Yahiko and the other two were drawn in, and even Jiraiya couldn't help but sit up straight.

"You want to change the country; force alone is not enough. What you need is an organization, a platform, and an economic foundation."

Nishikawa Tetsu drew several circles around the Land of Rain:

"Although Hanzō is strong, his thinking is somewhat outdated. He might still accept new things now, but what about when he gets old?"

"And you, since you want peace, you cannot follow his old path."

"Then... what should we do?" Yahiko subconsciously asked.

Nishikawa Tetsu turned around, looked at these three future core members of the Akatsuki, and slowly uttered a theory unheard of in this world:

"Step one: Surround the cities from the countryside."

"What?" Everyone was stunned.

"Hanzō controls the entire Amegakure, which is heavily guarded. Going there now is suicide. But in other parts of the Land of Rain, there are countless war orphans and refugees like you."

Nishikawa Tetsu's eyes became sharp:

"These people abandoned by Hanzō are your most solid foundation. Go unite them, give them food, give them protection, teach them ninjutsu. Establish small bases one by one, and slowly erode Hanzō's control."

"Step two: Establish a united front."

"Don't treat all the great nations as enemies. The Land of Rain needs a period of recovery right now. Utilize your geographical advantages, develop transportation, and engage in trade. You can even sell intelligence or mercenary services to the great nations in exchange for funds and supplies. With money, you can raise soldiers and build up your infrastructure."

"Step three: Seize power by force."

Nishikawa Tetsu heavily tapped the charcoal in his hand on the spot marked "Amegakure":

"When your organization is large enough, when Hanzō finds that his orders can no longer leave the village... that will be the time for you to launch your final assault and take his place."

Silence fell upon the cave.

Everyone was stunned by this set of interlocking, logically sound strategies.

This was no longer a childish "I want to be a god," but a practical blueprint.

Yahiko's mouth fell open. He stared at the drawing on the wall, and the vague dream in his eyes suddenly became incredibly clear.

"Rural... areas... surrounding... cities..." he muttered, as if a new world had opened up to him.

Nagato looked at Nishikawa Tetsu, a flicker of brilliance in his Rinnegan.

For the first time, he felt that besides Yahiko's passion, there was another power in this world called wisdom, equally awe-inspiring.

Jiraiya took a deep breath, his gaze towards Nishikawa Tetsu becoming extremely complex.

"Tetsu... what on earth is going on in that head of yours?" Jiraiya chuckled wryly, "This theory is unheard of, yet so thought-provoking."

He hadn't felt much when Fugaku was just talking about it, but now he was truly impressed by this kid. With such wisdom at such a young age, what would he become in the future?

"I'm just standing on the shoulders of giants."

Nishikawa Tetsu threw away the charcoal and brushed the dust off his hands.

He looked at Yahiko, his expression softening slightly:

"Yahiko, dreams are good. But to achieve them, you need this methodology. And..."

He looked at Nagato and Konan:

"You need to protect your companions. Before your organization grows, lying low... I mean, enduring, is the most important thing."

"I understand!"

Yahiko suddenly bowed deeply to Nishikawa Tetsu, his eyes filled with gratitude and determination, "Thank you, Tetsu! I know what I need to do now!"

"We... will work hard," Konan said softly as well.

Watching the more rational flame of hope reignited in the eyes of these three children, Nishikawa Tetsu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he couldn't completely change the fate of the Akatsuki, at least... he had planted a seed of rationality in them.

He hoped this seed would bloom differently before the tragedy known as Pain descended in the future.

"Alright! Now that we have a goal, tomorrow's training will be doubled!"

Jiraiya waved his hand grandly, "If you want to achieve your ideals, you must first have the strength!"

"Yes! Teacher!"

The bonfire flickered, illuminating the hopeful faces of the young boys.

And in the depths of the cave, Nishikawa Tetsu looked at the map, his mind already contemplating something else.

The Akatsuki now had its theoretical foundation. The next step... should be to get them some startup capital and a technological tree?

After all, a revolution with only ideals and no bread is difficult to sustain.