Everyone's Thoughts

Naraku was slightly taken aback by Tsunade's words. He noticed that Tsunade's face flushed slightly and her eyes darted around. Naraku couldn't help but feel Ichiraku.

"Tsunade seems quite bold and unrestrained, but at this moment she's showing the demeanor of a little girl."

Naraku lowered his hand, which had been stroking Tsunade's cheek, and took out a small box from his pocket. Inside the box was an exquisite gemstone ring.

Tsunade noticed Naraku's actions and the ring, and a look of panic flashed in her eyes.

Naraku took Tsunade's slender hand and placed the ring on her Tsunade.

"No matter what you look like, you are my woman."

After Naraku put the ring on Tsunade, he gazed at Tsunade with deep affection.

Tsunade's face was even redder now. Since the last time, although Tsunade had a carefree demeanor, she was actually very uneasy inside.

Hearing Naraku's words and Naraku gentle actions, he felt a slight sense of relief, but the heroic spirit he once felt was gone.

Marriage customs in the Land of Fire are very traditional. While ninjas may be slightly more unrestrained, the ancient system is still followed within the context of the Land of Fire.

Tsunade seemed a little flustered and stammered as she spoke:

"You, you, are you proposing to me? Proposing requires..."

Upon hearing this, Naraku knelt down on one knee before Tsunade could finish speaking, took her small hand, which already wore a ring, and lightly kissed the back of it. He then looked up at Tsunade and said earnestly:

"Marry me, Tsunade"

Land of Rain

On the rooftop of a towering steel building typical of the Land of Rain, a man with Orange-haired Man and a bandage wrapped around his forehead stood on the rooftop, letting the raindrops of the Land of Rain fall on his face.

"Be careful, Yahiko."

In the rain shelter of the tall building, Konan whispered to Yahiko.

"No need to see me off. You should go and check on Nagato's injuries."

The person you should be worried about next is him; he is the key to Xiao.

He is the man who will change this country, and even the world.

Yahiko turned his face and looked at Konan sideways.

"You're the same way. Everyone joined Akatsuki because they admired you, and most importantly, Nagato did too."

Konan, the blue-haired woman, replied to the orange-haired man's words in the rooftop passageway of the tall building.

"Nagato will become a bridge to peace, and my mission is to be the pillar that supports that bridge."

The orange-haired man was not swayed by the woman's encouragement. He turned his face and looked up at the gloomy sky, the ceaseless drizzle of the Land of Rain falling on him.

"Yahiko..."

Yahiko's words made Yahiko, feel a Konan of heartache.

Yahiko looked up at the drizzling rain in the sky, his arms outstretched, fingers spread, as if trying to grasp something.

"This country continues to weep and endure pain as always."

I used to hate this country that was always crying... but now I want to save her, I truly believe it."

The orange-haired man narrowed his eyes slightly, a look of pity and helplessness appearing on his face, and continued:

"Because she's a lot like me, a crybaby, I can't just ignore her..."

After the orange-haired man finished speaking, he leaped down from the tall building, his wide robes fluttering in the wind.

"Yahiko!"

The woman on the roof called out, but Yahiko had already leaped down, couldn't hear the words behind him. The blue-haired woman whispered, as if offering a blessing:

Be careful...

"He is the one who builds the bridge to peace; that is his very will."

Deep within the passage, Nagato appeared with many Akatsuki members. Many Akatsuki members also admired and respected Yahiko's lofty aspirations.

"Nagato..."

Konan looked at her many companions and called out softly.

"We believe in Yahiko!"

The Akatsuki members Nagato spoke words of affirmation and approval.

These ninjas were brought together because of Yahiko's personal charisma.

"Let's go, everyone!"

Nagato called out and ran towards the exit of the passage, catching up with Yahiko.

"Hi!"

Konan replied emphatically and followed Yahiko Nagato. Led by Nagato and Konan, a large group of Akatsuki ninjas jumped off the roof of a tall building.

"I want to be the pillar that supports Yahiko and Nagato, the two bridges..."

As Konan descended rapidly, a resolute thought flashed through her mind.

A base in the Land of Grass

Shimura Danzō is handling recent intelligence and affairs at a secret Root base.

"Uchiha Nara has received numerous recommendations from Jonin, ranking first in the Jonin votes. It seems we can no longer afford to waste time with Iwagakure; we must return to Konoha as soon as possible and deal with Uchiha Nara."

Shimura Danzō put down the scroll in his hand, looked at the information about the Jonin Class election, and made a decision.

Northwestern Stronghold the Land of Fire, the village is surrounded by many neighboring countries. The Land of Grass and the Land of Rain are villages that both Iwagakure and Konoha are vying to win over. Kusagakure does not have Hanzo, and basically sides with whichever side is pressing in, making them true opportunists.

Shimura Danzō did not stay in the Land of Grass for long. He negotiated with the Land of Grass Kusagakure and successfully brought the Kusagakure to Konoha's side.

"The matter of Uchiha Nara cannot be delayed any longer. Even if the peace talks with Iwagakure yield slightly, the consequences and the infamy will be borne by Sarutobi Hiruzen."

The negotiations between Konoha and Iwagakure were conducted by a delegation sent by the Third of Konoha. However, the final signing of the treaty would certainly not involve Sarutobi Hiruzen Iwagakure or Ōnoki coming to Konoha. Instead, both sides would send a high-ranking figure to sign a peace treaty and that would be the end of it.

After confirming that both sides were willing to negotiate peace, Konoha Shimura Danzō, who was secretly overseeing affairs from the Northwestern Stronghold, went to Iwagakure to discuss the matter.

The peace negotiations between Konoha and Iwagakure are stuck on the issue of reparations. Konoha has not demanded any reparations from Iwagakure, which shows that they are very sincere.

However, Ōnoki Iwagakure not someone to be trifled with. He demanded 10 billion yen in reparations from Konoha. This amount was not much for Konoha, but Konoha was already facing some financial difficulties.

Furthermore, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already been criticized for the peace negotiations with Hidden Sand. If he were to sign such a reparations treaty, Sarutobi Hiruzen would be branded a disgrace to Konoha. Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not agree to the terms, and the peace negotiations reached a stalemate.

After Shimura Danzō's hardliners took over the peace negotiations, they only went to Iwagakure once and suppressed Ōnoki's arrogance.

Danzo never wanted to negotiate peace. Ōnoki's thoughts were exactly what Danzo wanted. In response to the Third Tsuchikage's demand for reparations, Shimura Danzō not only refused to pay a single penny, but also demanded that Iwagakure hand over the culprits who invaded Konoha's Northwestern Stronghold Danzo he would accept the peace agreement and sign the treaty.

The situation in Iwagakure is not much better than that in Konoha. When Ōnoki realized that he could not get the compensation he was demanding, he bargained step by step, and now his demand for compensation has reached 2 billion ryo.

This amount seems to have transcended the issue of money; it's more about saving face.

Originally, Shimura Danzō ignored Ōnoki, but now he felt immense pressure from Uchiha Nara in Konoha Danzo didn't want to continue the stalemate.

And then there was the negotiation and reparations, and ultimately Sarutobi Hiruzen was blamed for the loss of sovereignty due to the reparations. Danzo had taken the blame for countless things, and this time, Danzo wanted Sarutobi Hiruzen to take it too.

Shimura Danzō had made up his mind and was about to summon his guards when he heard the sound of ninjas running in the dark underground base.

"Danzo, an urgent letter from the Land of Rain!"

Danzo took the dossier from his subordinate, opened it, and examined it carefully before his brows furrowed slightly.

After agreeing with Hanzo on how to eliminate the Akatsuki, Danzo discovered that Salamander Hanzo was far too cautious.

As for the Akatsuki rabble, a long-term plan was needed. Now, more than half a month had passed before Hanzo finally decided to make his move, sending a message to Danzo to come and assist him.

"Hanzo is becoming increasingly cautious in his actions. He doesn't even need my assistance with a mere rabble."

After reading the Danzo, Danzo frowned even more deeply at Hanzo's invitation.

"The Akatsuki possesses the Rinnegan. If I can obtain these Sage's eyes and uncover the secrets of the Sage of Six Paths, then Konoha will rise in my hands!"

Shimura Danzō quickly reviewed the various tasks at hand in his mind and decided that his priority was to go to the Land of Rain to retrieve the Rinnegan, explore its power, and then become the Konoha Rinnegan great strength.

"Urgent mission! Recall all members of the Root clan from the Land of Grass and depart for the Land of Rain immediately!"

After making his decision, Danzo solemnly summoned the air.

"Hi!"

A response came from the outpost, followed by the sound of footsteps.

Danzo heard the noise, lowered his head, and sighed softly.

"Hiruzen, you've truly grown old. Making peace with powerful nations while ignoring the threat posed by the Uchiha is unacceptable. This Konoha can only prosper under my rule Shimura Danzō."