Chapter 73: Amegakure, The Winds of Change

Ōkubo, a seasoned Jonin, understood the gravity of this assassination mission. To ensure its absolute success, he rallied the strongest forces left in Amegakure—fifteen Jonin who had once served under Hanzō of the Salamander. Sadly, this was all that remained of Amegakure's might.

Knowing Yahiko's formidable strength, Ōkubo devised a strategy to ensure a swift and decisive victory. He divided his elite forces into four squads, planning to infiltrate the Akatsuki camp from different directions. The squads would then converge, aiming to overwhelm Yahiko with localized numerical superiority.

Under the cover of a dark, rainy night, the four squads silently advanced.

What Ōkubo didn't realize was that every move his squads made was being monitored by a single individual. That person was none other than the "second-in-command" of the Akatsuki—Nagato.

This wasn't due to foresight but thanks to his unique sensory ninjutsu—the Rain Tiger at Will Technique! By infusing his chakra into the rain, Nagato could monitor any place the raindrops touched. Because of this ability, Yahiko had ordered that the entire Akatsuki camp be covered with tents, making it easier for Nagato to detect intrusions.

Thus, when Ōkubo's squads reached the central tent of the camp, they didn't find a sleeping Yahiko. Instead, they were met by a force several times their size, a sea of black cloaks adorned with red clouds, ready for battle.

"Drop your weapons, and I shall spare your lives!"

Yahiko, holding his ninja blade, coldly ordered the Amegakure shinobi.

Ōkubo realized the plan had utterly failed. Even escape was no longer an option.

"Fight! Kill them!"

Having once fought under Hanzō of the Salamander, the Jonin still retained the last shred of Amegakure's fighting spirit.

The sixteen Jonin drew their weapons and launched a desperate, suicidal attack.

The outcome was inevitable.

After managing to take down a few Akatsuki Chūnin and Genin, the Amegakure shinobi were overwhelmed by the sea of red clouds.

In the end, only Ōkubo remained, his body covered in wounds.

"You have impressive strength. Join Akatsuki. Let's change this country together."

Yahiko extended his hand toward Ōkubo.

Ōkubo slowly reached out, as if to accept the offer. But when their hands were about a meter apart, a black chain suddenly shot out from Ōkubo's sleeve, wrapping tightly around Yahiko's arm like a venomous snake.

"Die!"

Ōkubo tore open his shirt, revealing several burning explosive tags strapped to his chest!

Yahiko wanted to use repulsive force to push Ōkubo away, but he hesitated, realizing it would endanger the other Akatsuki members nearby.

"Water Prison Technique!"

In a flash, Vedatengu Jōsuke, the Akatsuki member closest to Ōkubo, quickly performed hand seals, trapping Ōkubo in a water prison. The explosive tags were soaked and immediately extinguished.

"This... this is impossible!"

Ōkubo thought in shock. His explosive tags were premium-grade, purchased at great expense from the Hourglass Group. They weren't supposed to fail when wet.

Seeing Ōkubo's astonishment, Vedatengu Jōsuke smirked smugly.

"Too bad for you. This isn't ordinary water. It's our Vedatengu Clan's special Seal-Dampening Water, designed specifically to counter your kind of suicide tactics. Hmm—"

Before he could finish, a thin spear shot out from the water prison, piercing through Vedatengu Jōsuke's chest.

The spear couldn't reach Yahiko's vital points, but the unsuspecting Vedatengu Jōsuke was well within its range.

"Splatter!"

As Vedatengu Jōsuke fell, the water prison dissolved, spilling water everywhere.

"Argh!"

With a roar of rage, Yahiko used his gravitational powers to pull Ōkubo toward him and, in one swift motion, decapitated him. Blood splattered across Yahiko's face.

Vedatengu Jōsuke had been an orphan of Amegakure's wars and one of the earliest members of Akatsuki. He was kind, resilient, courageous, and optimistic. Like Yahiko, he dreamed of changing the country. He was one of Yahiko's most trusted comrades, second only to Nagato and Konan. Yet, this promising young man had fallen to the dying strike of a ninja representing the corrupt old order.

Yahiko was furious.

"Tonight, we march on Nōshin Kongō! Kill! Kill! Kill! Slaughter these parasitic scum who feast on the people's misery! Kill these despicable traitors! Let's change this country once and for all!"

With blood still dripping from his face, Yahiko roared like a demon from the depths of hell, holding his ninja blade high.

Fueled by grief and rage, the Akatsuki members fought with unmatched ferocity. The demoralized Amegakure shinobi were no match for them.

Organized resistance crumbled within a single night. By dawn, only about a hundred Amegakure shinobi had managed to retreat into the Amegakure Tower. The rest were crushed like fragile clay dolls under the relentless onslaught of Akatsuki.

By daylight, the Amegakure Tower was completely surrounded by Akatsuki forces.

After the catastrophic consequences of the "Dawn Rebellion," Nōshin Kongō had reinforced and fortified the tower's iron gates. But could any gate, no matter how strong, withstand the fury of the enraged "mob" outside?

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion echoed. Nōshin Kongō recognized the sound—it was a cluster of explosive tags detonating.

The iron gate trembled violently.

"Boom!"

Another explosion.

The heavy gate was now on the verge of collapse.

Standing before a shattered window, Nōshin Kongō gazed at the sky in despair.

The rain had stopped. The post-rain sky was so blue. How wonderful it would be to melt into that blue sky.

"Boom!"

With one final, thunderous explosion, the iron gate fell. A flood of black-cloaked, red-clouded figures poured in.

Nōshin Kongō adjusted his attire, straightened his conical hat, and closed his eyes indifferently. Spreading his arms wide, he leaped toward the azure sky like a fat bird yearning to soar.

Amegakure had changed hands...

Nōshin Kongō could never have imagined that his end would mirror that of his old nemesis, Myōwa Tarō. His corpse was hung upside down in Amegakure Square, left for public "admiration" and scorn.

After the battle, the Akatsuki members unanimously nominated Yahiko as the new leader of Amegakure. However, Yahiko resolutely refused.

"This country belongs to me, to you, and to the countless people of the Land of Rain. I will not become another Nōshin Kongō, a self-serving tyrant. The title of Amekage means nothing to me. It should be discarded into the trash heap of history alongside people like him.

From the day Akatsuki was founded, we have never fought for one person's ambition or greed. Our goal has always been to change this country, to give the people of Amegakure, who have suffered from war and exploitation, a chance at a better life.

Today, we've overthrown Nōshin Kongō. That's just the first step. From here, Akatsuki must press forward without rest, continuing the revolution until it's complete!"

Thus, the first village on the shinobi continent to be ruled by an organization, rather than a single leader, was born.

"Next, it's the Sand Village's Hourglass Group's turn!"

Yahiko coldly gazed at the factories lining the banks of the Shule River.

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

Read up to (50+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on

Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds

Happy reading, everyone!