Spreading the Word

Mitokado Homura stroked his beard, narrowed his eyes, and spoke slowly:

"If he can't find the money... his reforms are castles in the air."

"If he resorts to crooked means... that's embezzlement."

He paused, then said, word by word, "Either way, we'll have something to use against him."

The main hall fell silent.

Then Sarutobi Ryota's eyes lit up:

"Once the finances cripple the reforms and every clan starts complaining, our three clans can join forces with the old guard, petition the Daimyo, and stir up the Jonin Assembly! Impeach the Fifth Hokage for draining the village treasury and lining his pockets! Force him to step down! Force him to surrender power!"

"Good!"

"Brilliant!"

Several holdouts slapped their thighs and cheered.

A smile returned to Utatane Koharu's face, as though she could already see the young man overwhelmed on every front.

Amegakure, the High Tower.

The rain fell without pause.

Pain sat in the main seat, his Rinnegan open. Ring upon ring of purple ripples glinted coldly in the dim light.

He closed his eyes briefly.

The next instant, five figures appeared out of thin air in the Meeting Hall: Kakuzu, Sasori, Juzo Biwa, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Itachi.

Pain's voice held no warmth at all:

"The Black Rock City casino on the Land of Lightning border. The Gold Dust Trading Company in Trade City. The Bounty Office headquarters on the Land of Earth border."

"Three places in one night. Every raid carried Akatsuki's name."

His Rinnegan swept slowly across the group.

"Didn't I tell you to keep a low profile?"

"Who did it?"

The hall went quiet for a moment.

Kakuzu was the first to sneer, his voice rough and cold. "Wasn't me."

Juzo Biwa cradled the Kubikiribōchō and spoke bluntly. "Itachi and I have been in the Land