After the executions were carried out, Shiba Seika made no grand announcement.
His actions were chiefly intended to consolidate the organization, strengthen its control over the surrounding areas, and truly unite the Akatsuki Organization.
As for spreading the word beyond that, it wasn't time yet.
The Daimyo of the Land of Rain had disappeared, but the Daimyo of the surrounding countries were still around.
For now, he had no intention of making himself the enemy of the entire world.
At the same time, he naturally hadn't forgotten to write a letter and drag Hanzō into this mess.
Afterward came a strategic withdrawal: monitor the borders and quietly wait for Iwagakure's inevitable retaliation.
Two days later, Ōnoki, far away in Iwagakure, finally received the news.
"What do you mean, Suke didn't join the attack as agreed? Where is he?"
Ōnoki slammed his hand on the table in fury. Where were all those elite demolition specialists I had?
(Ōnoki)
The Anbu subordinate hung his head and replied, "Lord Tsuchikage, we searched along the route Suke's squad was supposed to take. We found no sign of them anywhere.
"From what we can tell, Lord Suke may never have left the Land of Rain at all."
Ōnoki's brow furrowed deeply, his wrinkles so pronounced they looked like they could crush a fly.
"You're saying Suke is missing in the Land of Rain?"
After a pause, he added irritably, "Why does this keep happening in the Land of Rain? I remember we sent a team there last year, and they disappeared too. Is there something cursed about that little country?"
The Anbu subordinate didn't answer. Instead, he continued his report: "Because Lord Suke was absent, we failed to wipe out the Konoha squad as planned. They held out until Minato Namikaze arrived, and after that,