The reason Nagato and the others were shocked was all too simple...
If Konoha and Amegakure formally established an alliance, it would be tantamount to declaring war on the other four great ninja villages.
Had it been another ninja village, the others might not have been so wary. But Amegakure lay at the junction of three great nations, making both its strategic position and its standing in the shinobi world extremely sensitive.
Simply put, whoever allied with Amegakure would gain a reach into other ninja villages' territory, and the ability to invade them.
Before this, quite a few ninja villages had signed alliances with Amegakure, but those had essentially been mere scraps of paper, the kind that could be invalidated at any time.
This was completely different.
"Lord Feng, is Konoha really willing to sign an alliance treaty with us?!" Nagato asked in some surprise.
None of them were fools. He understood exactly what this meant.
If nothing else, the moment Konoha and Amegakure signed an alliance, the other four great ninja villages would surely move against Konoha. There was no telling how much pressure Konoha alone would have to bear.
"Heh..."
Ning Feng smiled faintly, unwilling to explain further.
Just then, a member of the Akatsuki rushed in excitedly, only then noticing that the Third Rain Shadow had returned.
He first cupped his hands toward Ning Feng, then addressed everyone. "Lord Feng, Lord Nagato, Lord Yahiko, Lady Konan... news just arrived from Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi of the Konoha High Command has passed away of old age."
"Following Hiruzen Sarutobi's passing, the Konoha High Command underwent another round of frequent personnel changes..."
As soon as he finished, Nagato, Yahiko, and the others suddenly realized something and looked at Ning Feng in astonishment.
Then, one by one, their expressions filled with