Chapter 179: Yūkaku-jō, The Pleasure District’s Secret—Black Zetsu’s Plots

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Konan chose Yūkaku-jō as the location for Akatsuki's branch in the Land of Fire.

Known as the "Flower Town," it was the country's most notorious pleasure district, a place frequented by famous kunoichi throughout the Shinobi world.

A common saying in the Land of Fire went, "Tanzaku in the south, Yūkaku in the north—one for gambling, the other for—pleasures of the flesh."

Yūkaku-jō was a maze of red-light districts, a tangled web of power.

Nearly every influential figure in the Land of Fire had some kind of business here, and rumors even implicated the Daimyo himself.

This meant that despite lacking any real specialty, Yūkaku-jō had developed its—unique characteristics into a pillar industry, driving the growth of lodging, food, and other related businesses.

Its GDP consistently ranked high, below only Konoha and the Daimyo's capital, making it the third-largest city in the Land of Fire.

Its proximity to Konoha meant that many advanced ideas had been introduced, and goods were plentiful. However, it also meant that the truly "big" business was conducted in the shadows.

Travelers from distant lands, wealthy merchants, powerful nobles, and Missing-nin all found their way here.

This confluence of people from all walks of life made Yūkaku-jō an ideal location for gathering intelligence.

By establishing a base here, creating an underground branch for Akatsuki, and opening a clandestine club, Konan could build relationships with corrupt Shinobi, nobles, and merchants, enticing them to work for the organization.

Then, through viral-like expansion of their underground operations, they could extend Akatsuki's influence throughout the Land of Fire, steadily siphoning its wealth.

And if they could gain leverage over someone like the head of the Chakra Metal Mining Bureau, they'd secure a stable supply of raw materials for producing Shinobi tools.

It was a solid plan, a strong foundation for Akatsuki to inflict pain upon the Shinobi world.

But Konan, tasked with carrying it out, felt the weight of the responsibility.

The "public opinion survey" using the Edo Tensei had eased her conscience. At least innocent people wouldn't die because of the plan.

And then there was Yūkaku-jō's proximity to Konoha.

If the organization's activities were discovered, Konoha's Shinobi could quickly reach Yūkaku-jō and implement countermeasures, like a lockdown.

Furthermore, while Yūkaku-jō was a melting pot, it was also where Konoha's Anbu "fished," hoping to catch those plotting against the village.

If, hypothetically, Gojo Kaigetsu were to say something in the morning, by noon it might be posted on the Hokage Tower's mission board, and by evening, the ever-loyal Uchiha Shinobi would apprehend the culprits.

Here, it was easiest to start from scratch, to establish a base and an intelligence network, to become a—pillar of the underworld. But it was also the easiest place for Konoha to—uproot them.

Danger and opportunity coexisted.

After finishing her day's work, Konan finally had time to relax. She sat on her bed and formed hand seals.

Nagato could use Jutsu: Rain Tiger at Will, infusing his chakra into rain to monitor all of Amegakure from the shadows.

Konan lacked such an—overpowered technique. But with her Paper Ninjutsu, she could achieve a similar effect.

Thin sheets of paper emerged from her sleeves, fluttering in the air before splitting into even smaller pieces and drifting out the window.

These paper fragments could gather and merge in another location, forming a clone. Or they could act as her eyes and ears, a jutsu for gathering intelligence.

It was an incredibly useful technique.

And in a chaotic place like Yūkaku-jō, it was perfect.

These paper butterflies would silently monitor the underground club owners, gathering leverage. Then, through a combination of threats and incentives, she could easily bring them under her control.

From cooperation to—assimilation!

Having completed these tasks, Konan retrieved a sealing scroll and selected a simple outfit to change into. She would attempt to infiltrate Konoha.

As for the Byakugan's detection at the village gates, with her Paper Ninjutsu and Zetsu's guidance, she could bypass it.

Once inside, she'd try to contact the increasingly prominent Uzumaki clan, to gauge their—loyalty.

If they weren't aligned with Konoha, if they were merely—biding their time…

She'd tell them that a kami of the Uzumaki had been born!

The Uzumaki would rise under Nagato's leadership. And she, Konan, after handling matters in Yūkaku-jō, would lead them out of Konoha to join Amegakure.

This was the ideal outcome. It might even heal the—void in Nagato's heart, extinguish the flames of hatred within him.

Konan's body dissolved into paper butterflies, scattering in the wind.

....

Imagine this scene:

Nagato, floating above a crowd of Uzumaki, declaring:

"To all Uzumaki, I am Nagato Uzumaki. Through the power of the Sage of Six Paths, I speak to all Uzumaki! Uzushiogakure—has begun to act. My goal is to protect the Uzumaki who have given me life and raised me!"

"This Shinobi world—it longs for the Uzumaki to perish. Years of hatred—it's not just directed at Uzushiogakure. Before they kill every last Uzumaki, they will not stop. I cannot accept that. My power will crush all obstacles, until every last Shinobi is—eliminated."

"First…"

"We will destroy Konoha, the village that betrayed us!"

....

Konan could already envision it.

If she could make the Uzumaki in Konoha imagine such a scene, perhaps they would understand what true freedom was! And upon understanding, they would follow her to Nagato's side.

The Uzumaki would become the light in Nagato's heart.

"If I could, I wouldn't want a war," Konan murmured.

"But this is both Nagato and Yahiko's dream. And if I don't violate my own morals, I will help them achieve it."

Whoosh—

Konan's body completely dissolved into a flurry of paper butterflies, vanishing from Yūkaku-jō.

....

Amegakure — Akatsuki Hideout.

Black Zetsu's body slowly emerged from the ground.

The once desolate hideout was now—livelier.

The members Black Zetsu had painstakingly recruited had finally arrived.

Two men.

One, clad in dark blue chakra armor, exuding a cold aura.

The other, wearing a red headband, with a long, white beard, looked like a harmless old man. No one would suspect him of being a member of the terrifying Akatsuki.

"So, this is your 'organization'?" the chakra-armored man asked, his voice filled with disdain. He surveyed the hideout.

"And this old man—is he also a new recruit? Don't make me laugh."

"Heh, since Fūka-sama has reached our base, you must be—prepared. Why the—insults?" Black Zetsu said, a headache brewing.

These new recruits were—different. They weren't missing-nin, driven by desperation.

They were powerful figures from within their own villages.

The man in chakra armor, Fūka Shūgetsu, was the younger brother of the Land of Snow's Daimyo—a prince and an elite Jonin.

Besides his strength, Fūka Shūgetsu was a talented—scientist. He'd developed the chakra armor himself. Even Black Zetsu, who'd witnessed countless jutsu, was impressed.

This armor—if properly developed, could revolutionize the Shinobi world.

It could amplify a Shinobi's power and be adapted for use with—puppets or even Pain's Asura Path.

It would significantly enhance the Akatsuki's strength.

Black Zetsu's offer had been simple:

Succeed, and he'd help Fūka Shūgetsu become Daimyo. He'd also help him locate the Land of Snow's legendary treasure.

Fūka Shūgetsu, ambitious as he was, hadn't agreed immediately. He'd chosen to investigate the Akatsuki first.

As for the old man…

Black Zetsu looked at him with a mix of curiosity and—apprehension.

This was Shinnō, the former leader of the Sky Shinobi Village, Though officially disbanded, the Sky Shinobi had continued to operate in the shadows.

But they were—secretive. Even Black Zetsu couldn't locate their headquarters.

And Shinnō, had—suppressed his power, disguised himself as an ordinary accountant, working in the Land of Fire.

The Sky Shinobi Village's rise had been—fortuitous.

Before the Five Great Villages, a meteorite had crashed near their territory. They'd used it to develop advanced technology, creating powerful weapons.

But their ambition had led to their downfall. They'd challenged Konoha and been crushed.

To Black Zetsu, the Sky Shinobi were a valuable asset. Their technology, combined with the Akatsuki's power, would be—formidable.

Nagato, with his imperfect Rinnegan, couldn't defeat the Five Kage.

The Six Paths of Pain, though individually powerful, were—vulnerable.

And the Asura Path—it was the easiest to upgrade.

It was a fusion of technology Black Zetsu had collected over the centuries.

He could confidently declare that Pain's Asura Path was the pinnacle of Shinobi technology, second only to the Sky Shinobi's.

He'd used a significant portion of the Akatsuki's funds to upgrade it.

And Shinnō himself—he was a powerful Shinobi.

At least Kage-level, with a unique power Black Zetsu couldn't quite comprehend. A mutated chakra? It reminded him of—himself.

Had his mother—created others?

No. He was Kaguya's purest will, her darkness incarnate.

He'd been persuaded to join with a simple question: "Shinnō-sama, you wouldn't want Konoha to discover the Sky Shinobi, would you? Do you want your village to rise again?"

And so, Shinnō, clad in a simple red headband, his demeanor calm and collected, had arrived. But his words were—chilling.

"Though I don't know how you learned about the Sky Shinobi—perhaps—if I eliminate everyone here, the secret will be safe."

"So, this is your organization?" the chakra-armored Fūka Shūgetsu asked.

"If you can, Shinnō-sama, be my guest," Black Zetsu said casually. "But—our leader has a temper."

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