"Lord Hanzo, this is the reply from the Akatsuki Organization!"
Inside the castle, the Amegakure shinobi, Shima Shigeo, held the letter with both hands and delivered it to Hanzo.
He hoped the Akatsuki Organization had some self-awareness. In this chaotic era, the Great Shinobi Villages would surely invade the Land of Rain, so no unstable elements could be allowed within its borders.
With this sentiment, Hanzo opened the letter and read it slowly. A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.
The content was brief but well-organized. It clearly and concisely stated the Akatsuki Organization's goals, their attitude, and their bottom line for cooperation.
"Not bad. The Akatsuki Organization will visit me here in two days to discuss the specific details of our cooperation."
Hearing this, Shima Shigeo became deeply dissatisfied.
"They are just a small Rōnin organization. Since they are in the Land of Rain, they should follow your orders. To think they want to negotiate terms now is simply too arrogant."
Listening to his subordinate's complaints, Hanzo slowly began to laugh.
"According to our reconnaissance, the core members of the Akatsuki Organization are mostly young people. It's normal for them to be overconfident. They formed an organization and lead over a hundred shinobi at such a young age; it makes sense that they don't know their place yet."
Hanzo's voice was deep and powerful. It carried a condescending attitude toward the Akatsuki Organization, rooted in confidence in his own strength and pride in his past achievements.
He sounded like a high-ranking elder evaluating a junior who had just achieved a tiny bit of success.
"When they arrive, they will realize the gap in strength. Their minds will clear, and they will take their proper place."
Shima Shigeo lowered his head respectfully. "Lord Hanzo, I know what to do."
Within the Akatsuki Organization's base, everyone was discussing the candidates for the meeting with Hanzo.
Ooka Shin spoke decisively. "Negotiation is a gamble of strength. We should bring everyone to ensure we aren't outmatched in presence!"
Kyusuke was highly wary of Ooka Shin. He interpreted everything Shin said in a negative light and quickly found a flaw in his logic.
"The village needs protection," Kyusuke argued. "Otherwise, if we're attacked, the villagers will suffer heavy casualties."
The villagers here had gradually gathered due to various conflicts across the land. Totaling over four hundred people, they provided many daily supplies for the Akatsuki Organization.
Yahiko placed great importance on the villagers' safety and immediately nodded.
"You're right, Kyusuke. Let's leave some forces behind."
We sweep the surrounding area every day, Shin thought to himself. Rogue Ninjas, mountain bandits, and outlaws are nearly extinct. Where would the danger even come from?
The only ones who could pose a threat were the Amegakure shinobi. And if the Amegakure attacked, those left behind wouldn't be able to stop them anyway.
Moreover, this was the first formal contact between the two sides. Amegakure wouldn't go as far as to raid their base right away.
Of course, Ooka Shin knew Yahiko's personality perfectly. Yahiko wouldn't listen to such cold, overly rational words, so Shin kept them to himself.
Since someone had to stay, who would it be?
Ooka Shin immediately raised his hand and spoke with a fearless tone. "Protecting innocent villagers is too important. I am willing to take on such a heavy responsibility!"
Staying behind would be great, he cheered inwardly. It's safe, and it gives me time to cultivate.
Hearing Ooka Shin's words, Yahiko nodded with gratification.
"Very well. Since Shin wants to follow me so badly, I'll take you along, plus Nagato, Konan, and Daibutsu, to meet Hanzo. Kyusuke, Ryutaro, and Hideyuki, you three stay behind for defense."
Yahiko could easily see that Kyusuke and Ooka Shin didn't get along, so he naturally wanted to separate them. Plus, Ooka Shin was full of schemes; bringing him along for advice would be highly useful.
"Hey, what's wrong with your hearing?" Shin protested. "I said I wanted to stay behind! I don't want to go!"
Ooka Shin was incredibly dissatisfied. Kyusuke was just as upset, realizing he wouldn't be able to keep an eye on Shin.
Yahiko simply ignored them both.
After spending so much time together, Yahiko had realized a crucial truth about Ooka Shin: although he loved to complain endlessly, he would always complete his assigned tasks flawlessly.
Yahiko had found the ultimate way to deal with him: ignore his protests and directly assign him work. Under Ooka Shin's unconscious, passive training, Yahiko was gradually mastering the knack of being a boss.
After two days of preparation, the appointed date arrived.
"Yo, the sky is dark and it's pouring rain. What a great day for a journey."
Ooka Shin, wearing a straw raincoat, lifted his bamboo hat with his right hand and made a sarcastic comment about the miserable weather.
Masao handed a sword to Ooka Shin and asked expectantly, "Big Brother Shin, can you take me with you?"
Ooka Shin refused with a joking tone. "No way. If you go too, I won't be the youngest anymore, and I'd be too embarrassed to act up. Take good care of Kanae; I'll bring back gifts for you both."
At that moment, Nagato and the others passed by the door and looked over at him.
"Shin, it's time to go."
"Got it."
Tying his short sword to his back, Ooka Shin joined the group, leaving Masao and Kanae behind.
Led by Yahiko, seventy shinobi moved quickly through the torrential rain.
Looking at everyone's plain black combat uniforms, Ooka Shin wondered when he could finally make those iconic black cloaks with red clouds. After all, those clothes looked incredibly cool.
However, his strength was currently insufficient, so it was better to keep a low profile. It wouldn't be too late to make them after they eventually controlled the Land of Rain.
Amegakure was a labyrinth of towering, steel buildings and a dense network of drainage pipes, giving it a heavy, industrial look.
After communicating with the guarding Amegakure shinobi, the Akatsuki Organization was led to a massive square outside a palace. Hanzo stood high up on the palace balcony, looking down at them.
Rows of Amegakure shinobi stood around the palace perimeter, faintly surrounding the members of the Akatsuki Organization.
Seeing this, Ooka Shin frowned, extremely displeased.
This masked guy won't even show his face. He's trying to intimidate us.
As a "Demigod" and the ruler of the Land of Rain, Hanzo certainly had the strength and status to look down on everyone. However, as a member of the Akatsuki Organization, Ooka Shin couldn't stand the blatant display of dominance and was ready to strike back at any moment.
Beside him, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan also felt the heavy pressure. They became even more convinced of Ooka Shin's previous analysis.
If it weren't for Shin's advance planning, they wouldn't have known how to respond to this overwhelming atmosphere.
Hanzo crossed his arms, slightly raised his chin, and spoke. His oppressive voice echoed around the palace square, drowning out the relentless sound of the rain.
"Akatsuki Organization, welcome. I believe you will choose the right path, join Amegakure, and create a peaceful future together."
Hearing this, the faces of all the Akatsuki members changed drastically.
Hanzo was planning to directly absorb the Akatsuki Organization. He didn't view them as equals at all.
The reason the Akatsuki Organization existed—and why everyone followed Yahiko—was because they identified with Yahiko's philosophy of peace, not because they wanted to serve as Hanzo's subordinates.
If they had wanted to be Amegakure shinobi, they would have joined Amegakure long ago!
Seeing Hanzo's overwhelming presence bearing down on them, Ooka Shin immediately burst into a loud, unrefined laugh to shatter the Amegakure's momentum.
"Ahahahaha!"
Sure enough, Ooka Shin's manic laughter drew everyone's attention and instantly dispelled the oppressive atmosphere Hanzo had carefully constructed.
Of course, the Akatsuki Organization members were equally confused, having no idea what Ooka Shin was laughing at.
Was he mocking Hanzo?
Surely not. Although Hanzo's attitude was arrogant, every member of the Akatsuki Organization deeply respected the Demigod's heroic deeds.
The Amegakure shinobi, on the other hand, were furious. Their eyes filled with killing intent as they glared at Ooka Shin.
Lord Hanzo is the god of our Amegakure; no one is allowed to disrespect him!