banquet hall.
Various dishes are placed in the middle of the long table, and the aroma is overflowing.
Konoha delegation is sitting in the main seat.
Missions from other countries are scattered on both sides, separated by a certain distance from each other.
The atmosphere... is a bit subtle.
Iwagakure's Tsuchiishi looked gloomy and didn't say a word.
Sunagakure's captain closed his eyes to relax, as if he was not interested in anything around him.
Kumogakure's ninja looks towards Konoha from time to time, with inquiring eyes.
Only Mei Terumi and Rin Nohara from Kirigakure looked like they were watching a show, exchanging a few words in low voices from time to time, and even laughed out loud.
"Yahiko" sat opposite the main seat and raised his glass.
"Thank you for your hard work for coming from afar." His voice was gentle, "Akatsuki welcomes you all and hopes that we can achieve mutually beneficial cooperation in the following talks."
"Cheers."
Everyone raised their glasses symbolically.
Senju Chen picked up the wine glass and glanced at everyone present.
Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, plus Konoha.
Five Great Nations gathers at Land of Rain.
Of course, not everyone from the surrounding small countries came this time, but those small countries were not qualified to serve at such a gathering.
The atmosphere in the banquet hall was as subtle as a taut string.
The diplomatic missions from various countries were seated in a scattered manner, with a safe distance between them. Konoha took the main seat, and the others were arranged on both sides. Even the seating arrangement showed a clear hierarchy.
Senju Chen picked up the wine glass and took a sip.
Land of Rain's wine was not very good, with a bit of astringency, but it was strong enough. He glanced at everyone present - Iwagakure's Tsuchiishi's face was still so ugly, Sunagakure The captain closed his eyes to rest, and several strong men of Kumogakure glanced here from time to time. Kirigakure, Mei Terumi and Rin Nohara looked like they were watching a show, and even peeked at themselves a few times when nothing happened.
"Yahiko" raised his glass again as the host.
"Everyone." His voice was not loud, but it was clear enough in the quiet banquet hall, "It is Land of Rain's honor to meet you all here."
"Land of Rain has experienced too many wars." Yahiko continued, "From Second Shinobi World War to Third Shinobi World War, our land has never been truly peaceful."
He paused and glanced at the representatives from various countries present.
"The war has taken away too many lives and destroyed too many homes. Displaced people, orphans who have lost their parents, villages destroyed by war... We have all experienced these."
The banquet hall was quiet.
No one answered.
Because no one cares.
Land of Rain's suffering is nothing more than collateral damage of war to these big countries. What they care about is interests, resources, and geopolitics, not displaced people.
But "Yahiko" hasn't finished speaking yet.
"However." His tone suddenly changed, "In those darkest days, there was a country that was willing to reach out and help us."
Tsuchiishi's fingers tapping on the table stopped.
Sunagakure Captain opened his eyes.
Kumogakure's several ninjas looked at each other.
"That's Konoha." Yahiko looked at Jiraiya with sincere gratitude in his eyes - if you didn't know the truth, anyone would be deceived by this acting skill.
"Teacher Jiraiya." Yahiko shouted this title in front of everyone, "Without your teaching back then, there would be no Akatsuki today, and there would be no Land of Rain today."
Jiraiya was stunned.
He never expected that "Yahiko" would say such things on such occasions.
Boom--
This sentence was like a bomb that exploded among the diplomatic missions of various countries.
Tsuchiishi's face turned livid instantly.
Sunagakure Captain opened his eyes suddenly.
Kumogakure's several ninjas stood up immediately and sat back down at the captain's eyes.
There were only Mei Terumi and Rin Nohara. One covered his mouth and smiled, while the other lowered his head and drank tea to hide his smile.
Jiraiya opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end nothing came out. He could only pick up the wine glass and responded with a stiff smile.
"What the teacher teaches us is not just Ninjutsu." Yahiko continued, "What is more important is the concept - how to protect our companions in troubled times, how to find hope in despair, and how to uphold justice in the face of power."
"These are the spirits passed down to us by Konoha."
He raised his glass again and faced everyone.
"So I want to solemnly declare here - Konoha will be Akatsuki's most important ally in the future. This will never change."
Snap.
Tsuchiishi The chopsticks in his hand were broken into two pieces.
Sunagakure Captain's eyelids twitched.
Kumogakure Captain took a deep breath, and the muscles on his face tensed up.
Anko asked quietly from the side, "Chen, this is..."
"Shh." Senju Chen motioned her to stop talking, "Watch a show."
Yamato picked up the vegetables with an expressionless face, but Senju Chen noticed that his hands were shaking slightly - he was obviously suppressing a smile.
Iwagakure Mission.
Tsuchiishi lowered his voice and said to the young ninja beside him, "Quick, send information to the village immediately. The relationship between Konoha and Akatsuki is much deeper than we thought."
"Yes." The young ninja immediately stood up and left the banquet hall on the pretext of going to the bathroom.
Sunagakure Mission.
"Captain." A sand ninja lowered his voice, "This..."
"Shut up." The middle-aged man said solemnly, "Listen to him."
But there was already a storm in his heart.
No wonder Konoha's reception standards are so high!
No wonder Konoha's accommodation treatment is so much better than theirs!
It all makes sense!
Jiraiya, one of Konoha Sannin, is actually the teacher of leader Akatsuki?
What does this mean?
It means that the layout of Konoha to Land of Rain started at least from Second Shinobi World War!
From Third Shinobi World War until now, Konoha has been secretly supporting Akatsuki. Finally, when Hanzo of the Salamander died, Akatsuki took power, and Land of Rain completely fell under the control of Konoha.
What a far-reaching strategic vision is this?
What kind of terrifying patience and planning ability is this?
The middle-aged man became more and more frightened as he thought about it.
Kumogakure Mission.
The burly captain whispered to his companions, "No wonder Konoha can fight against the four major powers at the same time in Third Shinobi World War and still escape unscathed. With the strategic location of Land of Rain as the backing, the strategic depth of Konoha is beyond our imagination."
"I remember during Third Shinobi World War, it seemed that Hanzo of the Salamander was helping Konoha fight against Iwagakure..."
"Then Hanzo of the Salamander isn't..."
"Shh!"
"We'll talk about it after we get back." The burly ninja gritted his teeth, "I'm afraid this mission will be in vain."
Kirigakure Mission.
Mei Terumi held his stomach again and pinched his thighs, fearing that he would laugh out loud in front of everyone.
"Lin, what do you think their expressions are now?" She lowered her voice, her eyes flashing narrowly.
Rin Nohara also couldn't help laughing, "Probably... I wish I could escape back to the village now."
"Chen-kun's move is really amazing." Mei Terumi sighed, "Even though he did nothing, everyone thought Konoha had taken control of Land of Rain."
"As for Konoha..." Rin Nohara said thoughtfully, "When they receive the information, they will probably think that Land of Rain is taking the initiative, right?"
"Yes." Terumi Oka Mei nodded, "So Konoha will not refuse this 'goodwill'. After all, who can have too many political chips for nothing?"
The two looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
Only they know that the driving force behind all this is not Konoha at all, but the harmless-looking young man sitting in the Konoha mission...