The Future of the Land of Rain!

After seeing Shimura Danzō off, Hanzō the Salamander returned to his office with Ametsuyu.

Hanzō the Salamander sat back down, took out paper and pen, and began writing by himself.

Ametsuyu stood before the desk, looking at Hanzō the Salamander as though he wanted to say something but held back.

Hanzō the Salamander slightly raised his head and glanced at Ametsuyu. "If you have something to say, say it."

Hearing this, Ametsuyu no longer hesitated. Kneeling on one knee, he said, "Lord Hanzō, are we really going to move against the Akatsuki Organization? Shimura Danzō's words cannot be trusted!"

Ametsuyu had a rather favorable impression of Yahiko's Trio and could not bear to watch them perish like this.

"I know," Hanzō the Salamander said flatly. "The one stirring up trouble in the recent war in the Land of Rain is most likely Shimura Danzō of Konoha!"

"There is also a high chance that several members of my clan were killed by him, with the blame pinned on the Akatsuki Organization!"

Ametsuyu froze, asking in confusion, "If that is the case, then why did you agree to cooperate with him, my lord?"

"I was merely pretending to be friendly," Hanzō the Salamander explained. "He is, after all, a Konoha Elder and Hokage Advisor. Even if I exposed him on the spot, what could I do?"

"Even if he was at fault first, Konoha would not take our side!"

"Rather than completely falling out with him, I can only turn a blind eye to it!"

Ametsuyu understood as well, his face filled with frustration.

In the end, the Land of Rain was simply too weak. They could only swallow their pride and compromise!

Still unwilling to accept it, Ametsuyu said, "But are we just going to sacrifice the Akatsuki Organization like this? Yahiko and the others are excellent young people. They should not be stopped here!"

"Of course they should not! I never intended to truly sacrifice them!"

As Hanzō the Salamander spoke, he put down his pen and placed what he had written into an envelope.

After sealing the envelope with wax, Hanzō the Salamander raised a hand and tapped the desk.

"Lord Hanzō!"

A figure emerged from the shadows and knelt on one knee beside Ametsuyu, speaking respectfully.

Hanzō the Salamander tossed the envelope to the newcomer. "Kanzō, take some men to the Akatsuki Organization's base and deliver this letter to Yahiko, the leader of the Akatsuki Organization. Yahiko will tell you what to do next!"

"You may go openly, but make sure any negotiations with Yahiko remain secret!"

Kanzō normally led Amegakure's Secret Mobile Force. He was equivalent to an Anbu Minister in other ninja villages, Hanzō the Salamander's most trusted clansman and his right-hand man!

"Yes!"

Without any hesitation, Kanzō answered and flashed out of the office.

Seeing this, Ametsuyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief for Yahiko and the others.

Hanzō the Salamander's actions clearly meant he intended to protect Yahiko and the others.

But Ametsuyu soon became nervous again!

Ametsuyu asked worriedly, "Lord Hanzō, won't this make us enemies with Shimura Danzō?"

"Heh." Hanzō the Salamander snorted lightly. "We do not want to fall out with him because of his status as a Konoha Elder, but do you think he would dare fall out with us?"

"If I am not mistaken, Shimura Danzō's operation this time was most likely carried out in secret from Konoha High-Level!"

"By cooperating with his operation on the surface, we have already given Konoha plenty of face. And he wants people from Amegakure... wishful thinking!"

"Besides, we did everything he asked. If the Akatsuki Organization's people were alert enough to notice something was wrong, what does that have to do with us?"

Ametsuyu understood the key to it and was completely reassured.

To put it plainly, this had been an operation that could not see the light of day. As long as they left behind no evidence, even if the other side knew they had done it, they could only stare helplessly!

After a pause, Hanzō the Salamander spoke again. "By the way, do you know why Shimura Danzō wants to move against the Akatsuki Organization?"

Ametsuyu froze. He had been so focused on worrying about the Akatsuki Organization's safety that he had not considered that question at all.

Ametsuyu frowned and thought for a while, but he could not make sense of it.

Ametsuyu asked in confusion, "The Akatsuki Organization is a newly established group active in our Land of Rain. No matter how you look at it, they have nothing to do with Konoha!"

"Even if the Akatsuki Organization grows stronger, Amegakure should be the one with a headache. What exactly is Shimura Danzō trying to do?"

Ametsuyu truly could not understand it. Even if the Akatsuki Organization's actions on the battlefield had obstructed Shimura Danzō's path, it should not have been worth such an elaborate effort!

Hanzō the Salamander slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and said solemnly, "The reason is simple! Because Yahiko and the others are the future of our Land of Rain!"

"Shimura Danzō wants to strangle the Land of Rain's chance to rise in the cradle!"

Hanzō the Salamander said this because Uchiha Jin was paving the way for Yahiko and the others, intending to gradually transfer the Land of Rain's power into their hands!

Uchiha Jin could not remain in the Land of Rain forever. Since cooperation with Hanzō the Salamander was impossible, the only option was to hand the Land of Rain's power to Yahiko and the others!

For that reason, Uchiha Jin also needed to reveal some information to Ametsuyu and the others as appropriate!

Ametsuyu was startled and looked at Hanzō the Salamander. "Lord Hanzō, I admit that Yahiko and the others are indeed outstanding young people, but isn't that a bit too exaggerated?"

"Not exaggerated at all!" Hanzō the Salamander said solemnly. "Yesterday, I had a very enjoyable talk with Yahiko and the others. They also revealed some of their secrets to me!"

"Secrets?"

Ametsuyu was still extremely puzzled. He did not know what secret could make Hanzō the Salamander value Yahiko and the others so highly!

Hanzō the Salamander did not keep him in suspense, explaining, "Nagato... has inherited the power of the Sage of Six Paths!"

"?!!" Ametsuyu's pupils contracted. "The... the Sage of Six Paths was not just some vague legend?"

Hanzō the Salamander shook his head. "I originally thought it was only a legend too, but now it is certain that the Sage of Six Paths truly existed!"

"And Nagato is the successor of the Sage of Six Paths. He was destined to be extraordinary from birth!"

"The hope of our Land of Rain, and perhaps even the entire world, may lie with Nagato!"

Ametsuyu swallowed. "I still find it... hard to believe!"

"You will understand in time!" Hanzō the Salamander shook his head, then said gravely, "That is why I intend to train them as my successors and entrust the Land of Rain's future to them!"

"Nagato is still very young and cannot yet fully wield the Sage of Six Paths' power!"

"But I believe that one day, they will lead the Land of Rain toward the light!"

Ametsuyu fell silent.

If things were truly as Hanzō the Salamander said, then this was indeed the clearest choice!

The successor of the legendary Sage of Six Paths... Nagato was unquestionably fit to be their leader on that point alone!