By then, the Akatsuki had broken with Hanzo of the Salamander. Amegakure could effectively be said to have split in two.
Most of the lower-ranking ninja and villagers stood with the Akatsuki, while Hanzo of the Salamander retained a handful of loyal supporters. Every one of them was a corrupt official who had joined him in exploiting and oppressing the common people.
The common people no longer paid tribute to Hanzo of the Salamander, and even most of Amegakure's ninja had joined the Akatsuki. Without dividends from the Chiba Commerce Association, he could no longer cover the expenses of his indulgent lifestyle.
After learning of the Akatsuki's existence, he decided that this bullshit organization had taken the money that rightfully belonged to him.
The two sides clashed, and in their first encounter, Nagato and his two companions displayed astonishing strength.
Even the Konoha Sannin had been unable to face Hanzo of the Salamander head-on back then, yet Nagato and his companions could hold their own against him.
Of course, this was partly because Hanzo of the Salamander had weakened his body through excessive indulgence. On top of that, his summoned beast had died after the Second Shinobi World War. Without its support, his strength had declined again and again, leaving him far less formidable than he had once been.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in!"
"Leaders."
An Akatsuki ninja pushed the door open after receiving Nagato's permission. He looked nervous, as though something serious had happened.
"What is it? You look nervous. Did something happen?"
"Leaders, Hanzo of the Salamander has sent someone here. They say they want to make peace with us and work together to develop Amegakure."
"Make peace?"
"Make peace!"
"Make peace, huh..."
The three reacted differently. Nagato was puzzled, unable to understand why Hanzo of the Salamander