Chapter 451: The Nation of Akatsuki (Part 3)

"It seems that after Orochimaru's defection, Akatsuki hasn't found anyone to replace him," Daniel mused as he mentally went through Akatsuki's current members. Without counting Obito, there were indeed only nine members. Apparently, they hadn't had time to fill the vacancy yet.

Over the years, many members of Akatsuki had been replaced, mostly Kakuzu's partners, since they couldn't keep up with his fast-paced mission schedule and slowed down his money-making. The only one who had stuck around was Hidan, not because he didn't delay Kakuzu's missions, but because Hidan was practically unkillable.

Other pairs had hardly changed. Kisame was teamed up with Itachi, not because his previous partner died, but because he was assigned to monitor Itachi. After all, Obito had never fully trusted Itachi.

Orochimaru's original partner in Akatsuki was Sasori.

"We're still short one person. Sasuke could fill that role, but with Itachi eventually stepping down, that means we're still missing one," Daniel thought. Though Pain didn't care much about whether Akatsuki had a full roster, Daniel, now a full-fledged member of the group and donning the iconic black cloak with red clouds, had plans to complete the roster.

He had to admit, the Akatsuki cloak looked incredibly stylish. He had worn a replica in his previous life, but it had never suited him. Now, wearing the real thing, he certainly felt like he had the right aura for it.

As a full member of Akatsuki, Daniel decided to ensure the group was fully staffed.

"Who should the final member be—Orochimaru again, or someone else?" Daniel was still mulling over this when Kakuzu and Hidan entered the room.

"You're Sasori? Didn't expect that," Hidan said arrogantly as he took a seat. After scanning the room, he paused when he saw Sasori, realizing who he was from the codename behind him.

"Hey, I'm talking to you! Do you want me to sacrifice you to Lord Jashin?" Hidan yelled when Sasori ignored him.

"Shut up, Hidan," Kakuzu snapped coldly, stopping Hidan from going further.

"Tch," Hidan grumbled, clearly annoyed but unwilling to defy Kakuzu.

As they exchanged words, Nagato, Konan, and the Six Paths of Pain entered the room. This scene caused everyone present, except Daniel, to freeze for a moment, their eyes shifting between Nagato and the Deva Path. For most of Akatsuki's members, aside from Obito and Black Zetsu, they had only ever seen the Deva Path.

"Looks like everyone's here," Nagato said as he sat in the center of the round table. Konan sat opposite Daniel, while the Six Paths of Pain lined up behind Nagato.

"So, you're the real leader," Itachi commented, causing everyone's attention to focus on Nagato.

"Itachi, always the spy," Daniel thought, knowing that Itachi's simple remark was meant to sow seeds of doubt. Daniel had no intention of sharing his grand plan to unify the ninja world with Itachi, Sasuke, or any of the Konoha loyalists. They were too devoted to their villages, especially Konoha shinobi, who were notoriously difficult to turn.

In contrast, rogue ninjas were more open to such radical ideas.

"Yes, I am the true leader," Nagato acknowledged with a slight nod.

"What happened to Hanzō of the Salamander, the leader of the Rain Village?" Itachi asked next.

"Years ago, the leader killed him. The Rain Village has been under his rule ever since," Daniel replied.

"The reason we've gathered you here today is to tell you Akatsuki's true purpose."

"For world peace," Daniel said, finding a strange amusement in the idea of rogue ninjas discussing world peace. Even Nagato and Konan were technically rogue ninjas from the Rain Village.

Silence filled the room after Daniel's words. Even the usually loud-mouthed Hidan remained quiet. The conversation about world peace overshadowed the revelation that Nagato had killed Hanzō, a once-feared ninja demigod.

"World peace? Are you joking?" Deidara scoffed.

"I wouldn't have gathered you here just for a joke. Tell me, have any of you ever wondered why ninjas only make money by completing missions? The Five Great Shinobi Villages do it, and so do rogue ninjas. Meanwhile, the daimyo, nobles, and merchants just sit back, paying a little money to make ninjas risk their lives. Have you ever questioned this system?"

Daniel's words made everyone fall silent once more. For ninjas, earning money through missions was the norm, something no one ever questioned. Naruto, in fact, took pride in completing missions.

"Kakuzu, you love making money. Why haven't you ever thought about earning it like merchants do, or like daimyo, who sit back and watch the money roll in?"

The reason the Five Great Nations were wealthier than the Five Great Shinobi Villages was simple: they controlled larger territories, while the ninja villages were mere military institutions.

"You can't be serious," Sasori finally spoke up, which was rare for him.

"I'm completely serious. To some people, ninjas are just tools—disposable once used. That's why no one cares how many ninjas die or get injured. Think about the three Great Ninja Wars—how many ninjas died? If I'm not mistaken, many of you have lost friends or family in those wars."

Sasori's parents had been killed by Konoha's White Fang in the Third Great Ninja War. Deidara's parents had also died. Kakuzu had lost numerous comrades on the battlefield.

"Kakuzu, do you know why the three Great Ninja Wars happened?" Daniel asked.

"No idea," Kakuzu answered bluntly.

"It's simple—money," Daniel replied, tapping a tablet. A holographic map of the entire ninja world appeared on the round table, startling everyone except Nagato and Konan. Though surprised, they quickly calmed down, being hardened rogue ninjas accustomed to strange jutsu like the Phantom Body Technique.

This was no ordinary table; Daniel had installed holographic projection devices in preparation for this meeting.

"Back then, Uchiha Madara and the First Hokage had a disagreement about unifying the ninja world, which led to the Battle of the Final Valley," Daniel continued, and a red mark appeared on the map, highlighting the Valley of the End.

"Madara wanted to unify the ninja world to end all fighting, but the First Hokage disagreed. He believed peace had already been achieved and that there would be no more wars. So, he killed Madara at the Final Valley. However, the so-called peace was nothing more than his own wishful thinking. Not long after his death, the First Great Ninja War broke out. The Five Kage at the time all perished in that conflict."

As Daniel spoke, the names of the Five Kage from that era appeared on the holographic map.

"After a brief period of peace, the Second Great Ninja War broke out, followed by another short peace, and then the Third Great Ninja War. Now, the ninja world has been at peace for over a decade, but the Fourth Great Ninja War could erupt at any moment."

From the founding of the Five Great Shinobi Villages until now, roughly sixty years had passed, yet there had already been three ninja wars. Seeing this data presented so starkly made the members of Akatsuki fall into a deep silence.

"You still haven't explained the real reason behind these wars," Kisame spoke up.

"No need to rush. There are many reasons, but two main ones stand out. First, the growing number of ninjas during times of peace. Second, the limitations imposed by the daimyo."

Daniel then elaborated on these two points.

"The so-called Great Ninja Wars are tools to limit the growth of ninja numbers and ways for the daimyo to maintain control over the ninja villages."

"Ninjas, with their various skills and abilities, could easily make money in many different professions, but the daimyo limit them to mission work. That's the truth behind the Great Ninja Wars. As for why the Fourth Great Ninja War is inevitable, well, the recent attack by Sunagakure on Konoha says it all. It happened because the Wind Daimyo cut back Sunagakure's funding, forcing them to act. If they had succeeded, they would have taken resources from Konoha. Even in defeat, they managed to alleviate internal tensions by reducing the number of ninjas."

"Honestly, I have to admire Uchiha Madara. He saw this coming long ago, but because he lost to the First Hokage, his ideals were never realized. What a shame."

"So, you have a solution to this?" Kisame asked again.

"Of course. I've already mentioned Akatsuki's purpose: world peace. We aim to free ninjas from the shackles of mission-based income. To prevent future wars—the Fourth, Fifth, or even the hundredth Great Ninja War—Akatsuki must do one thing: unify the entire ninja world, bringing both the Five Great Nations and the Five Great Shinobi Villages under Akatsuki's rule."

"Sounds like a hassle," Kakuzu grumbled.

"It is. But think about it, Kakuzu—once Akatsuki unifies the ninja world, we can collect taxes from everyone. That's far more lucrative than earning money from endless missions."

"Now that sounds interesting," Kakuzu's mood visibly lifted. While he loved making money, he wasn't one to hoard it for himself. He

 was the financial manager of Akatsuki, and he had rarely embezzled from the organization.

"This will put Akatsuki at odds with more than just the Five Great Shinobi Villages," Itachi finally said after a long silence.

Itachi was deeply shaken by the scale of Akatsuki's ambitions. For most in the ninja world, unifying it meant only the Five Great Shinobi Villages, not the Five Great Nations.

"Are the Five Great Nations really so intimidating? Or are you all still clinging to the so-called ninja code, unwilling to oppose the daimyo?" Daniel asked. The Five Great Nations were much larger than the shinobi villages. That was why, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Fifth Mizukage had been specifically assigned to protect the daimyo.

When the Uchiha clan wiped out the Chinoike clan, they did so under the orders of a daimyo's wife, and Kumo didn't dare intervene.

"If we go after the daimyo, the Five Great Shinobi Villages might join forces," Itachi said, understanding that targeting the daimyo would be challenging the fundamental order of the world. The daimyo would surely command the shinobi villages to defend them.

"That would be perfect. We can crush the Five Great Shinobi Villages all at once. Don't forget, our leader possesses the Rinnegan, the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths. You don't think those eyes are just for show, do you? Even if the First Hokage came back to life, we have ways to deal with him. Now, please come in."

As Daniel spoke, a figure wearing an Akatsuki cloak with a spiral mask and wielding an unusual weapon stepped forward.

"Let me introduce him," Daniel said as he stood up, speaking with solemnity. "This is none other than Uchiha Madara. Although he lost to the First Hokage back then, he survived and has been recovering all this time."

"I didn't lose to Hashirama. He died, and I'm still alive. That proves I won," Uchiha Madara said coldly, sweeping his gaze over the room with an air of dominance.

The mention of Madara's name caused everyone to stand up instinctively. His reputation preceded him, casting a long shadow. Kakuzu, in particular, unconsciously took a step back. Unlike the others, he had firsthand experience of Madara's power, even if it was from a distance during the Great Ninja Wars.

"How do we know you're really Uchiha Madara?" Deidara challenged, unwilling to believe the man just because he claimed the name.

"Kisame, why don't you tell him?" Madara said calmly.

"Yes, Lord Madara," Kisame responded, showing rare deference.

"This man is indeed Uchiha Madara."

"Why waste time talking to these fools? If anyone wants to die, I'll happily oblige," Madara said, unleashing a powerful wave of killing intent. His gaze swept over the group, causing each of them to avert their eyes. No one dared meet his stare.

"Madara, achieving world peace through brute force alone won't work. If you try, the same thing that happened before will happen again—everyone will oppose you. You can't kill everyone."

"Hmph, why bother reasoning with them? It's time to act. Don't worry, anyone who dares interfere will be dealt with by me. It's been a long time since I last fought, and I'm curious to see if there's anyone left in this world who can make me use my full strength," Madara said as he left the meeting room, his weapon strapped to his back.

"Well, it seems someone's not happy with my pace. Now, let's get down to business," Daniel said, smiling. The outcome of this meeting had been predetermined from the moment the Akatsuki members had gathered. Daniel had no intention of letting such powerful individuals slip away. His shadow clone, disguised as Madara, had been created to ensure absolute control over them.

"From now on, the Rain Village will be renamed, and the daimyo will be abolished. We will establish the Nation of Akatsuki. Ninja will be assigned various roles, and we'll also establish a national security force, which Kisame will lead."

Though the Rain Village had a daimyo, they were hardly noticeable. Only two places in the ninja world had combined leadership over both ninja and nation—the now-destroyed Uzushiogakure, where the daimyo was the leader of the Uzumaki clan, and Takigakure.

Other villages, even minor ones like Amegakure and Kusagakure, all had daimyo.

Even the Land of Waves had a daimyo, though he was so powerless that he was easily bought off by Gato.

"Kakuzu, you'll be the Minister of Finance for the Nation of Akatsuki. I trust that's acceptable?"

"Not bad," Kakuzu nodded. As long as he was managing money, he had no objections.

"Sasori, you'll be the Minister of Industry," Daniel continued, assigning roles to the others as well.

"I've prepared materials detailing what each of you will be responsible for. You can review them on these screens." Daniel tapped a button, and individual screens appeared in front of each person.

"To access the information, just touch the screen," he explained.

"I'll accept the position of Minister of Industry, but first, I need to know what these things are," Sasori said, pointing at the virtual display in front of him.

"No problem. I'll provide the relevant knowledge later. But you'll need to fulfill your duties first. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Sasori, ever the tech enthusiast, replied. After all, not everyone had the resolve to turn themselves into a puppet.

"Kakuzu, there's a batch of goods that you, as Finance Minister, will need to sell," Daniel added. Though Kakuzu had the title of Minister, everything was still in the early stages, so it was mostly symbolic.

"What goods?"

"Bicycles. You'll need to sell them and crack down on anyone attempting to counterfeit them." In the world of Naruto, bicycles were bound to sell well, but they were also easy to copy. That's where Kakuzu's skills would come in—dealing with anyone who tried to hinder his profit-making efforts.

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