Changes in Akatsuki

As Onoki announced a ceasefire, Konoha and Iwagakure exchanged hostages.

The Iwagakure front had also come to an end.

However, Hidden Sand Village and Hidden Mist Village were still attacking Konoha.

Konoha remained mired in the war.

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

Because his father, Konoha's White-Clad, had made his name on the Hidden Sand Village battlefield, Konoha's higher-ups hoped Kakashi would inherit Sakumo Hatake's legacy and rise to fame in the Sand!

Although Kakashi without the Sharingan had performed poorly at first, as his understanding of ninjutsu deepened, he was developing into an all-around ninja akin to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

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

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

Then the second 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 grew less intense, Danzo Shimura noticed what was happening in Hidden Rain Village.

He discovered that there was an organization called Akatsuki in Hidden Rain Village. When he went to ask Hiruzen Sarutobi about it,

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

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

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

But this organization claimed to be devoted to peace, and that aroused Danzo Shimura's suspicions.

He did not believe anyone would make sacrifices for peace. He believed only in profit.

Danzo Shimura dispatched members of Root to secretly investigate Akatsuki.

That investigation startled Danzo Shimura. He learned that someone within Akatsuki possessed the Rinnegan!

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

At such a critical time, no mistakes could be made. In order to ensure Konoha maintained control throughout the Third Shinobi World War, Danzo Shimura decided to throw Hidden Rain Village into chaos!

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

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

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

Land of Rain, Akatsuki's secret base.

"Nagato! Yahiko! Look, I strengthened 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 newly made oil paper.

Yahiko and Nagato exchanged a smile and nodded.

"Well done, Konan!"

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

Yahiko said happily.

Nagato nodded as well.

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

It had even nearly caught up to the regular ninja army led by Hanzo of the Salamander!

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

"Um, have you heard about the battle at Kannabi Bridge recently? They say just two people from Konoha wiped out ten thousand Iwagakure ninjas!"

Nagato spoke up at this moment.

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

"They were incredibly powerful. It was a battle never before seen in ninja history! Those two seemed to be Minato Namikaze and Obito Uchiha. I heard 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 nostalgically.

At the mention of Kenji's name, all three of them instantly sank 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 genius prodigy with extraordinary ideas had helped Akatsuki find its direction, provided guidance for the organization, built its organizational structure, and designed its principles and emblem.

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

"I really miss him. But the past is gone, and even now, we don't know where Kenji went..."

Nagato murmured. During the time they had spent together, he had come to regard Kenji as being 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 the portrait. Then Yahiko smiled and shook his head.

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

Yahiko said with a laugh.

"Mm, I think so too."

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

As the three 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 that we coexist peacefully and build the Land of Rain together!"

An Akatsuki member suddenly entered, speaking excitedly.

The three of them froze.

"Really?!"

An expression of wild joy instantly blossomed across Yahiko's face.

He impatiently snatched the scroll from the Akatsuki member's hands, his hands trembling slightly as he unrolled it and carefully read every word.

Line after line of vigorous writing met his eyes: "Honorable leader of Akatsuki, I am Hanzo of the Salamander. I know well that if the conflict between our two sides continues, it will inevitably bring even greater turmoil and disaster to the Land of Rain."

"Furthermore, 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 hostility into friendship, merge peacefully, and establish a joint government together. 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 long passage, detailing his many 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 the supreme position of becoming Rain Shadow. Rather, it came from seeing the possibility of advancing change and establishing a united village without bloody slaughter!

This would not only prevent countless innocent lives from being lost, but also open a new chapter for the Land of Rain, allowing both sides to benefit.

Nagato, standing beside him, had also read the letter, and his gaze burned just as brightly as Yahiko's.

As Yahiko's closest companion and dearest friend, Nagato unhesitatingly and firmly supported Yahiko.

In his eyes, if Yahiko could ascend to the seat of Rain Shadow, 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 bright and radiant tomorrow!