The immediate priority is not organizational expansion, but rather stabilizing Nagato's health.
As long as Nagato doesn't cause any problems, both the villains in Akatsuki and the potential threats in the village will obediently follow orders.
To this end, Konan had given the medical department a secret mission two years ago: to develop a drug that could replenish human vitality.
Medical Director Hoshiya Fumi pressure, and her subordinates, including Mieko, are also having a tough time, working overtime until late at night Tenten to meet deadlines.
When Aoki Tsuki returned from a mission, he had dinner with some former team members at the Silver Fish Pavilion. He overheard Mieko complaining about the project, which caught his attention.
However, he had no intention of prying into it; inquiring about secrets others didn't want to share would only provoke stronger suspicion.
He was more focused on improving his own abilities than on worrying about other people's problems.
Inside the office, Aoki Tsuki first reported on Akatsuki's situation, and then also briefly mentioned the situation of the Jashin Cult.
Finally, the current situation and the next steps were analyzed.
In just two years, they opened up the market in the Land of Lightning, and Akatsuki's business commissions increased more than tenfold.
In addition, under the guise of the Jashin Cult, they secretly provided financial support to Xiao, and the speed of their capital accumulation increased exponentially.
Konan knew that these were things that no one else in Akatsuki could do, not even herself. She knew that what she relied on was actually the absolute power of Pain.
The man before me is top-notch in terms of personal strength, strategy, and execution.
He can quickly carve out a huge market in the most difficult places all by himself, without delaying his assassination missions.
Aside from basic assassination missions, Kakuzu, Sasori, Jūzō have absolutely no desire to do anything else.
'Ultimately, they're outsiders; they can't truly dedicate themselves to Xiao, but...'
Even our own people can pose internal risks, and these risks are often indescribable.
"You did a good job. Kumogakure cunning; it's not advisable to confront them head-on. Let's lie low for now. By the way, how's that kid named Hidan doing?"
"He's growing very rapidly. Researchers have conducted various experiments on him and confirmed that he is indeed immortal. In a few more years, we can recruit him into our team."
"That's good."
Konan nodded in satisfaction. Including Hidan, Aoki Tsuki had successively recruited four core members for Akatsuki.
It can be said that Xiaoneng's current success is half due to his efforts.
"I've heard your name several times in the past two years. There are rumors in the village that you will become as powerful as Hanzō. Perhaps that day is not far off."
How could Aoki Tsuki possibly take such compliments seriously?
"Although Hanzō is a bastard, he was incredibly strong when he was young. Even ten or twenty years from now, I wouldn't dare compare myself to him."
"Still as humble as ever!"
Konan still remembers the first time she traded with Aoki Tsuki; he was just a Jonin.
Five years have passed in the blink of an eye. Her strength has long since entered a stable period, but Aoki Tsuki is still able to maintain steady growth. According to the investigation, this guy has not received any teacher's guidance.
This is completely unreasonable! But it is indeed the common reality in Amegakure during the Hanzō period.
"Haha... My strength is utterly insignificant compared to the leader's, like Fire Fly compared to the bright moon. I'm ashamed."
"Hmph, you don't need to flatter me. He can't hear you, and even if he did, he wouldn't care. Pain was a man who fought for the peace of the Shinobi World his entire life."
Whenever Pain is mentioned, Konan's expression and tone involuntarily become serious.
As God's angel, she sees all those who hate God as her enemies.
Aoki Tsuki quickly chimed in:
"Yes, yes, the leader's vision is beyond my comprehension. The only thing I can do is to become his bridge to peace."
"Sigh... Do you ever tell the truth?" Konan said helplessly.
" Konan, everything I've said is true. After all these years, don't you still believe in my yearning for peace?"
A person who can rise to the rank of Grand Deacon in a Jashin Cult insists on being a pacifist.
No one would believe that.
Konan finally replied, "Okay, I believe you. You've worked hard these past two years. Go back and get some rest."
There was nothing she could do; after all, she was a member of a terrorist organization herself.
"Then I'll head back now."
On his way back, he was greeted warmly by many people, and he responded to each one. It was then that he suddenly realized that he was just an honorary advisor.
Having too much prestige in the village is not a good thing, after all, Pain is the village chief.
People only knew of Pain by name but never saw him, and were mostly afraid of him. This advisor, however, was gentle and powerful, and was naturally respected by everyone.
"Looks like I'll have to keep a lower profile in the village from now on..."
Konohagakure )
" Hiruzen, have you made your decision? To fully accept Kumogakure's ceasefire terms..."
"Yes, over the past two years, Kirigakure has been launching increasingly frequent attacks against us, trying to provoke another war. Kumogakure can't afford to delay any longer."
" Kumogakure cunning and greedy. If we back down, they might take the opportunity to make things difficult for us again," Utatane Koharu said worriedly.
Mitokado Homura said, "Making a compromise was unavoidable; the situation of the Uchiha in the village... is not optimistic, alas!"
" Hiruzen, increasing signs indicate that the Uchiha harbors ambitions to overthrow the village's government. We must take decisive action," Danzo suddenly said.
"Haven't we already arranged for the Anbu to monitor them? The Uchiha are also members of the village. We can't treat our Yuhi comrades-in-arms like this because of some unfounded rumors."
"So many people witnessed the Nine-Tails' Disturbance that night, isn't that evidence?!"
"This matter is strange and full of suspicious points. Besides, there are still some Uchiha members who are loyal to the village. Let's wait and see."
The Third Hokage's tone was firm, but he was still stalling.
"You..."
Danzo stood up in anger. His values clashed severely with those of the Third Hokage, making calm communication impossible.
" Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
"Your naiveté will get you killed someday!"
After Danzo returned to the Root's underground chamber, a Root member immediately handed him a scroll, saying, " Danzo, this is the latest information about Akatsuki."
"Um."
After Danzo reading the contents, his brows furrowed involuntarily. "Are you sure?"
"Judging from the information obtained from various channels, it should be him. He not only joined Akatsuki, but is also a high-ranking member of a group called ' Jashin Cult '."
He has been active in the Land of Lightning for the past two years, engaging in bloody rituals, assassinating nobles, and threatening daimyo. The Kumogakure has put a bounty on his head for capture.
"This guy... could he be a double agent?!"
After the Nine-Tails' Disturbance, Root was reactivated, Danzo became busy again, having long forgotten about Aoki Tsuki.
I didn't expect to give him a surprise today.
"That should be it. It's not clear who this person works for yet, but on the surface, he's still a ninja from Amegakure."
Danzo, saying, "Regardless of whether he is loyal to Hanzō... or someone else, he can no longer be trusted. Find an opportunity to get rid of him secretly."
This guy knows a lot about Root and Hanzō; if it gets leaked, the consequences will be unpredictable.
"Wait, have you contacted the intelligence personnel in Amegakure yet?"
"The situation is unclear; we haven't contacted them yet."
"Stop contacting them. Send someone to infiltrate Amegakure and investigate to find out what has happened Amegakure in the past two years."
After forming an alliance with Hanzō, Root withdrew all his personnel from the Land of Rain. Now it seems that something has clearly gone wrong there, and it must be assumed that the intelligence personnel have also betrayed them.
"Hi!"
Meanwhile, in a secret room in Kirigakure, White Zetsu was reporting to Obito.
"The information has already been leaked to the Root people; Danzo should have received the news by now."
"No trace was left, right?"
Obito was worried because if such a betrayal of an ally were discovered, the consequences would be severe.
"No, I leaked it to our intelligence agents there through channels in Kumogakure."
After White Zetsu finished speaking, Black Zetsu immediately followed up with:
"Even if we don't do this, Gen will find out about this problem sooner or later. The name ' Azure Dragon of Akatsuki ' is already very well-known in the underworld; there's no way they won't notice it."
"Oh, I see. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Anyway, it's always good to be careful."
Obito initially didn't take Aoki Tsuki seriously, regarding Jonin merely as a Jonin from Amegakure skilled in assassination, someone who could be replaced at any time.
However, as Jue investigated, he suddenly realized that this person was behind Akatsuki's rapid expansion to this extent in just a few years.
Then we can't just stand by and watch them continue like this, otherwise Nagato might really abandon him and go it alone.
"Now we'll see what Danzo does..." Black Zetsu said.
Obito laughed upon hearing this, "Hmph, Danzo won't allow anyone to escape his control. He'll definitely find a way to get rid of this person. We just need to wait and watch the show."
White Zetsu asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Keep an eye on the people in the Root organization; you can provide covert assistance if necessary."
"Understood!"
Then Jue's figure disappeared into the wall. After leaving Kirigakure, Jue returned to the headquarters' lair, the cave.
"One minute they're helping Pain, the next they're helping Obito, so which side are we on?" White Zetsu asked, puzzled.
"We don't want to take sides; we want a balance, forcing them to check and balance each other. Only in this way can Lord Madara's ' Eye of the Moon ' plan proceed smoothly."
"Will Pain suspect us?"
Black Zetsu reassured them, "Don't worry, Akatsuki's intelligence capabilities are limited, but our value is irreplaceable. They won't turn against us unless absolutely necessary."
"Alright then, Aoki Tsuki is very vigilant. I've almost been discovered by him several times. He's not easy to deal with..."
"The intelligence reports didn't indicate that he possesses sensory abilities, did they?"
"It's hard to say. This guy's a bit strange; he doesn't seem like someone you can easily deal with," White Zetsu said skeptically.
"In that case... we'd better be careful."