Chapter 156

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"Yahiko, are you alright?"

Returning to the Akatsuki base, Yahiko was still covered in blood, looking pale. Once inside, Konan chased everyone out, leaving only the core members of the Akatsuki.

Fugaku was allowed to stay, both to monitor him and because Yahiko had predicted the Konoha response almost entirely based on Fugaku's analysis.

"I'm fine, Nagato. No need to worry."

After everyone left, Yahiko immediately sat up, showing no signs of weakness. He had feigned serious injury to keep Hanzō's spies from discovering the truth.

Except for Fugaku, Yahiko trusted the core members inside the room. They had all been with the Akatsuki since its early days.

"Jiraiya-sensei orchestrated this to deceive Hanzō and Amegakure."

Yahiko recounted his and Konan's experiences in Konoha. Whether their ideals had convinced the Third Hokage was now irrelevant; the important thing was that Hanzō was already hostile and prepared to destroy them.

Listening to the involvement of Shisui and the Police Force stirred something in Fugaku. He wanted to see his son and find out how his former comrade, are faring.

But these three were Jiraiya's disciples. Wouldn't that mean Jiraiya knew about the Rinnegan? If so, why hadn't Konoha taken any action?

Did they deliberately leave the Rinnegan in the Land of Rain?

Fugaku grew suspicious of the trio's backgrounds but sensed the Akatsuki weren't closely tied to Konoha.

Could Jiraiya have hidden the information about the Rinnegan so Konoha had no idea?

Fugaku found it unlikely. Such crucial intelligence would surely have been reported.

"We need to adapt and prevent Hanzō from destroying the Akatsuki."

Yahiko surveyed the room and asked, "Any ideas?"

"Let's relocate the Akatsuki base. While we've grown, we're no match for Amegakure."

"Can Konoha support us? If they provide resources, they should also send help. With Konoha backing us, even Hanzō wouldn't dare make an enemy."

"That's dumb. Yahiko faked an attack with Konoha!"

"So, what now?"

After some discussion, they couldn't come up with an effective solution. Yahiko had always given the orders; the members just followed.

But facing Hanzō, Yahiko also found himself at a loss.

Hanzō, the demi-god of the ninja world, had a clear intent to eliminate them. If they weren't careful, the entire organization could be wiped out.

Suddenly, Yahiko looked at Fugaku, recalling his predictions, and asked, "Naga-kun, what do you think?"

"Me? I follow your lead."

Fugaku shook his head, but Yahiko didn't want to be brushed off.

"Naga-kun, we need your input. Your predictions were accurate about Konoha."

". . . I'll share a thought."

After a moment, Fugaku spoke up, "What if the core members renounce their ninja identities and continue their activities, rallying the people of the Land of Rain?"

He remembered his failure was because he ignored the will of the broader Uchiha clan, those who weren't ninjas.

When they took Yoichi's bribes, he was already beaten. Ordinary members weren't ninjas or allowed at clan meetings, but they could still sway their ninja relatives.

Fugaku had once overheard the peace faction questioning his motives against Yoichi, wondering why he always targeted Yoichi while facing complaints from their families.

Even his faction had been influenced, so trying to outmatch with strength was his last stand.

The Akatsuki could use this strategy. If half the Land of Rain's people stood with them, Hanzō couldn't easily oppose them.

"What good will that do?"

One member didn't understand the plan. They had already been rallying people, and without their ninja identities, how could they develop?

"Yahiko is our spiritual leader, and if he gives up being a ninja—"

"Hanzō is now trying to kill your leader! Yahiko was lucky an Uchiha intervened, or he'd already be dead."

Seeing no one objecting, Fugaku continued, "Building popular support is vital. If all civilians side with the Akatsuki, even Amegakure won't oppose its people."

By then, only orphans would stand against them.

This idea came from Fugaku's reflections on his own defeat. He wasn't sure what to do after rallying civilians, but learning from his victorious enemy couldn't hurt.

"We'll follow Naga-kun's plan."

As Yahiko spoke, some members wanted to dissuade him, but he added, "I understand your concerns. But we're up against Hanzō, and I don't want any of you getting hurt. Safety first."

With Yahiko's reassurance, the Akatsuki members fell silent.

Hanzō's reputation had convinced them. They'd grown up hearing about the demi-god. Before knowing he wanted them dead, Yahiko had also respected Hanzō.

After thorough discussions, Yahiko decided to spread the word.

They would temporarily renounce their ninja identities while continuing to spread the Akatsuki's ideals and aid civilians.

Hanzō hadn't dampened Yahiko's resolve.

---

Though conflict remained in the ninja world, tensions eased after the Chūnin Exams. However, competition over mission commissions continued.

Missions were how ninjas made their living. The Great Nations' ninja villages had generous funding, but small-nation daimyōs wouldn't provide as much.

Yet smaller-nation ninja leaders often had ambition and needed money for development, so missions were a priority.

Within Konoha, things returned to their pre-war state. With proper discipline and public notice boards, the Police Force had fewer issues to handle.

Not all villagers wanted to cause trouble and get detained.

Yoichi had used the Impure World Reincarnation to summon fifteen jōnin-level Cloud ninjas, each with about 70% of their original power.

Using quality sacrifices and Hashirama cells from Mina had strengthened them.

More Hashirama cells could further boost them, allowing them to reach 80% power. With White Zetsu sacrifices, they might reach their full potential.

Among these fifteen Cloud jōnin, Mabui's father was assigned to the commerce guild. His Heavenly Transfer Technique and the Amber Purifying Pot enabled 24/7 transportation.

A real-time delivery service!

The remaining fourteen were controlled via tags given to Uchiha Shinjū, Uchiha Shin'ya, and Uchiha Hideto.

Handling medicine and military gear often involved risks, so the trio could sweep away threats with the Reincarnated Cloud ninjas.

Besides these affairs, Yoichi spent his days training and discussing business with Mikoto.

Much of his work was delegated to Nonō. Despite being less active after leaving the Root, she had regained her skills, becoming the "Wandering Miko."

The Uchiha's business was expanding beyond the food district. Mikoto had bought another plot to build a ninja-themed amusement park near the village border, by the barrier.

Yoichi aimed to open it to all of the Land of Fire, but the village barrier conflicted with that plan.

Yoichi approached Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura.

In the end, he convinced them. With the Police Force in place, no spies or ninjas could slip past them.

The Sharingan could see chakra flow, and although not like the Byakugan, it could easily detect jutsu.

He also brought letters from the daimyo, requesting the amusement park for the nobles' families.

Though the letters weren't orders, Sarutobi had to tread carefully. Refusing would upset more than just the daimyo's office.

So Sarutobi and the elders agreed to Yoichi's request to build the park along the barrier, offering ninja games, merchandise, and entertainment.

The surrounding areas would also be developed.

Over the past month, this project had been Yoichi's main focus.

Though power was fundamental in the ninja world, his growth had plateaued.

He had absorbed all the star chakra from the meteorite, boosting his chakra and ocular power. Most of the star chakra had been absorbed by Godzilla, who went into another slumber.

This time, the slumber was for a transformation. Godzilla had absorbed most of the star chakra, leaving Yoichi with a little.

With this much energy, Godzilla was ready to evolve.

Under Yoichi's massive Yin Release chakra, Godzilla's spirit was almost entirely controlled by the Sharingan. Yoichi could manipulate Godzilla's power easily.

His aptitude for harnessing Godzilla's power had been tempered by repeated exposure.

He had stored up one use of extracting supernatural powers and was close to a second. With three, he could retrieve any power he had previously wielded.

If he chose [Empty Hand, Seize the Blade], he and Mina could kill anyone in the ninja world.

However, he hadn't decided and would choose based on the situation.

The greatest achievement of the past month was being able to sleep with both Mikoto and Mina.

Neither woman was willing to share a bed with the other, even Mina. But Yoichi had an old trick.

When Mikoto was out of her senses, Yoichi would carry her to Mina's room.

Mina, though annoyed, would yield while Mikoto couldn't even move.

The women's only regret was that neither was pregnant.

Mikoto longed to bear a son named Sasuke. She'd be fulfilled as a good wife and mother, dedicating herself to her family.

Mina wanted to have Yoichi's first child, but despite their efforts, her belly remained flat.

She secretly took samples for testing. The results showed Yoichi's vitality was extraordinarily strong, shocking the medical ninja.

Yoichi had no idea. If he did, he'd tie her up and discipline her for doubting his fertility.

After the Chūnin Exams, Rumi left the hospital. Team 8 reunited, and with Kurenai and Rumi promoted to chūnin, Yoichi resigned as the leader.

But Team 8 was retained, now led by Kurenai. Though a chūnin squad, the weakest member was still elite or special jōnin. Even A-rank missions couldn't trouble them.

Yoichi felt assured they'd handle the battlefield well.

But this period of peace didn't last long before being shattered by a sudden event.

(End of Chapter)