The ninja forces at the border of the Land of Wind were now divided into three groups.
Hatake Sakumo led one group. To carry out the plan to block Kumogakure's advance route, they had already assembled and set out!
Another group remained in place, following Hatake Sakumo's orders and watching to see whether Sunagakure might launch another attack.
The last group, and the most crucial one, was Uchiha Yuu alone, heading to Amegakure! The likelihood of a battle was low. The most important thing was persuading the other side, and that was not something an ordinary ninja could accomplish.
Persuasion relied on skill and brains, not on the usual ninja approach of building tomorrow with one's hands.
Heading north from the camp, the scenery gradually changed. The desert became a vast expanse of gravel plains, and eventually gave way to ordinary land.
Amegakure's environment was no worse than Konoha's. Unfortunately, its geographical position was terrible. Situated between the major nations and devoted to the ninja way of life, it was feared by all the great villages.
After an unknown amount of time, dark clouds filled the sky. A drop of water struck Uchiha Yuu's forehead. He looked into the distance; this area now belonged entirely to Amegakure.
"Akatsuki should be busy stirring up trouble with the villagers right now. Judging by the time, Ibuse Hanzo must have already noticed this organization."
Akatsuki's period of rapid growth came on the eve of the Third Shinobi World War. Many villagers had become refugees after their homes were destroyed by war, and Akatsuki took in anyone they encountered. This gradually formed a force that others had to fear.
"I haven't seen Shan Juhua in a long time. I had her come here to monitor Akatsuki's development, so she should have gathered plenty of