Akatsuki's Changes

With Ōnoki announcing a ceasefire, Konoha and Iwagakure exchanged hostages.

The Iwagakure front had also come to an end.

However, the Hidden Sand Village and Hidden Mist Village were still launching attacks against Konoha.

Konoha remained mired in the war.

Having become a Jonin, Kakashi was transferred to the Hidden Sand Village front.

Since his father, Konoha's White-Clad, had made his name on the Hidden Sand Village front, Konoha's higher-ups hoped that Kakashi would inherit Hatake Sakumo's legacy and make a name for himself in the Hidden Sand Village!

Although Kakashi without the Sharingan had performed poorly at first, as he delved deeper into Ninjutsu, he was developing into an all-around ninja like Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Kakashi had even taken up his father's White Fang and inherited Hatake Swordsmanship.

If the top-tier figures of the Third Shinobi World War were Minato Namikaze and Obito Uchiha—

Then the T2 tier was Kakashi Hatake and Body Flicker Shisui.

Kakashi had also made something of a name for himself on the Hidden Sand Village front.

Konoha's current situation was steadily improving!

Just as the war had become less intense, Shimura Danzō noticed what was happening in the Hidden Rain Village.

He discovered that an organization called Akatsuki existed in the Hidden Rain Village. When he went to ask Hiruzen Sarutobi about it—

Hiruzen Sarutobi produced the dossier Obito Uchiha had investigated several years ago and told Shimura Danzō that Akatsuki was merely a peace organization and posed no threat.

Furthermore, the organization had been founded by Jiraiya's disciples.

But Shimura Danzō narrowed his eyes. If the organization posed a threat, he might not have been so concerned.

Yet the organization claimed to be a peace organization, and that aroused Shimura Danzō's suspicions.

He did not believe anyone would make sacrifices for peace. He only believed in self-interest.

Shimura Danzō dispatched members of the Root Organization to secretly investigate Akatsuki.

That investigation shocked Shimura Danzō. He learned that Akatsuki actually had someone with the Rinnegan!

However, Shimura Danzō shook his head. The Rinnegan was merely a legendary eye; it could not possibly exist.

At this critical moment, no mistakes could be allowed. In order for Konoha to maintain full control throughout the Third Shinobi World War, Shimura Danzō resolved to throw the Hidden Rain Village into chaos!

Once the Hidden Rain Village fell into civil war, it would have no spare capacity to join the war!

Thus, Shimura Danzō led several Root members deep into the Hidden Rain Village!

He intended to plunge Akatsuki and the Hidden Rain Village's government forces into internal conflict.

Land of Rain, Akatsuki's secret base.

"Nagato! Yahiko! Look, I strengthened my Paper Release. Now my paper won't get soaked even in heavy rain. I can use my Paper Release to spread our organization's message throughout the Land of Rain!"

Konan said with a smile, holding up the latest oil paper.

Yahiko and Nagato exchanged smiles and nodded.

"Great work, Konan!"

"This will definitely spread our organization's message even further!"

Yahiko said happily.

Nagato nodded as well.

Over the past few years, Akatsuki had developed rapidly and had become the Land of Rain's second-largest force!

It was even close to catching up with the regular ninja army led by Hanzo of the Salamander!

The three of them had also grown by leaps and bounds. Together, they believed they were no weaker than Hanzo of the Salamander.

"By the way, have you heard about the battle at Kannabi Bridge? I heard that just two people from Konoha managed to wipe out ten thousand Iwagakure ninja!"

Nagato spoke up at that moment.

Yahiko nodded at his words, amazement appearing on his face.

"They were incredibly powerful. A battle unlike anything ever seen in ninja history! Those two seemed to be called Minato Namikaze and Obito Uchiha. I heard that Obito Uchiha was only eleven years old. That's truly astonishing!"

Yahiko said.

"Well, speaking of age, if Kenji were still here, he would probably be ten or eleven by now, right?"

Nagato said wistfully.

At the mention of Kenji's name, all three of them instantly fell into memories.

They recalled the days they had spent with Kenji years ago. Back then, Kenji had been the beloved darling of their organization.

That gifted young prodigy had helped Akatsuki find its direction, served as its adviser, built its organizational framework, and designed its ideals and emblem.

If Kenji were still around, Akatsuki would surely have developed even better.

"It really is nostalgic. But those from the past are gone, and even now, we don't know where Kenji went..."

Nagato murmured. During the time they had spent together, he had already placed Kenji on the same level as Konan and Yahiko.

"Well, haven't you noticed that Kenji looks a little like the recent Blood-Red Flash?"

Konan said, holding a portrait of Obito Uchiha.

The three of them froze briefly before taking it over. Then Yahiko shook his head with a laugh.

"Hahaha, impossible. When we first met Kenji, he was probably only four or five years old. Besides, back then he couldn't even handle a few Genin. How could he become that strong in five or six years?!"

Yahiko said with a laugh.

"Yeah, I think so too."

Nagato nodded as well. Even with the Rinnegan, he might not have reached that level in a few years, much less Kenji, who did not possess the Rinnegan.

As the three of them talked, an Akatsuki member knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Yahiko called out casually.

"My lords! Wonderful news! Hanzo of the Salamander has actually proposed peaceful coexistence and jointly building the Land of Rain with us!"

An Akatsuki member hurried in and said excitedly.

The three of them froze.

"Really?!"

Yahiko's face instantly blossomed with ecstatic joy.

Unable to wait, he snatched the scroll from the Akatsuki member's hands. His hands trembled slightly as he unfolded it and carefully read every word.

On the scroll, lines of vigorous handwriting came into view: "Respected leader of Akatsuki, I am Hanzo of the Salamander. I understand well that if the conflict between our two sides continues, it will inevitably bring even deeper turmoil and disaster to the Land of Rain."

"Moreover, I am now advanced in years and no longer equal to the task. For the sake of the Land of Rain's bright future, I sincerely hope that our two sides can turn conflict into friendship, achieve a peaceful merger, and jointly establish a united government. Once this succeeds, Leader Yahiko, you may ascend to the position of Rain Shadow, while I am willing to step back and merely handle administrative affairs..."

Hanzo of the Salamander had written a lengthy passage, elaborating in detail on his various ideas and plans for cooperation between the two sides and their future development.

After reading the letter, Yahiko's eyes immediately shone with excitement!

But his joy did not stem from his impending rise to the supreme position of Rain Shadow. Rather, it came from seeing a possibility to drive change and establish a united village without bloody slaughter!

That way, not only could countless innocent lives be spared, but a new future could be opened for the Land of Rain, benefiting both sides.

Nagato, standing beside him, had also seen the contents of the letter. His gaze was just as fiery and bright as Yahiko's.

As Yahiko's closest companion and friend, Nagato firmly supported Yahiko without hesitation.

In his view, if Yahiko could ascend to the Rain Shadow's seat, it would undoubtedly be a cause for celebration.

At the same time, he firmly believed that under Yahiko's leadership, the Land of Rain would surely welcome a brilliant tomorrow!