After failing to recruit Sasori, Konan returned directly to the Akatsuki organization. Sasori was one of the suitable candidates that the masked man, who claimed to be Uchiha Madara, had suggested, but Konan never imagined that her first mission to recruit would fail. However, the fact that Sasori had allied himself with the Hyuga clan of Konoha was crucial intelligence.
Pain, who controlled the Six Paths of Pain, had returned early. With the power of the Rinnegan, recruiting someone like Kakuzu was an easy task. But when Pain saw that no one else had followed Konan, he immediately knew that she had failed the recruitment mission.
"Pain, I failed. I couldn't recruit Sasori. Someone beat me to it," Konan said, her face emotionless. Since Zetsu was an outsider, she didn't mention Nagato's name but instead referred to the Six Paths of Pain by their title.
After Konan explained what happened, Pain spoke calmly. "It's alright, Konan. I may need to personally recruit Sasori. Zetsu, do you have any news on him?"
Zetsu, with his shoulder sprouting carnivorous plant-like structures, entered the room. Upon hearing Pain's question, Zetsu regretfully shook his head. "Unfortunately, I lost track of them. Ever since the Hyuga ninja noticed my presence, both he and Sasori have been deliberately avoiding me. After a short time, I lost their trail."
"You couldn't find them either?" Pain's tone was flat, but the meaning behind his words was far from simple. Zetsu's intelligence-gathering capabilities were widely regarded as one of the best in the ninja world.
"Give me some time. I'll find their whereabouts. If I have to, I'll infiltrate Konoha and ask the Hyuga clan directly," Zetsu said, determined. He wouldn't allow anyone to doubt his abilities, even though the Hyuga clan was one of the hardest places to investigate in Konoha. It was only a matter of sending one of his clones to gather information; losing a clone wouldn't be much of a problem.
"No word from Madara, huh? So, who's the next target for recruitment?" Pain asked.
Zetsu chuckled. "No need to rush. I've already started looking for suitable candidates in the ninja world. I'm sure we'll have results soon."
The criteria for Akatsuki's recruitment were simple: powerful ninja or rogue ninjas with a large amount of chakra. There were plenty of candidates in the ninja world who met these two requirements. Zetsu just needed to gather information to find many targets.
Pain spoke slowly, "Then let's move quickly. Akatsuki's plans won't move forward until we have enough recruits."
"What do you want me to do?" Kakuzu asked, his voice laced with discontent. "Since the organization has no plans, I'll just go back to bounty hunting. There are plenty of valuable jobs, and if I don't act soon, someone else will beat me to them."
"About that," Pain said, tilting his head towards Konan, "Konan, choose one of the backup members and team up with Kakuzu. Kakuzu, for now, your task is focused on gathering money. Konan and I will continue recruiting new members."
"Hmph, gathering money, huh? That's more like it. Only money doesn't betray you," Kakuzu muttered, finally settling down. Though he was used to working alone, he accepted Pain's arrangement.
Thus, Akatsuki's development plan was quickly set.
Meanwhile, Hyuga Mirai and Sasori had arrived at the base being constructed in the Land of Whirlpool. Since the destruction of the Uzumaki clan, the area had been abandoned, with remnants of the past battles still visible.
Hyuga Mirai chose this location for the base because there were no other people to worry about. The Land of Whirlpool was near the border of the Land of Fire, and when those responsible for the Uzumaki clan's destruction attacked, they never dared to occupy the Land of Whirlpool. They feared retaliation from Konoha. Even though Konoha had turned a blind eye when the attack occurred, if the enemies had openly occupied the land, it would have provoked Konoha into intervening, claiming to avenge the Uzumaki clan.
If those who destroyed the Uzumaki clan had only killed them but left the land untouched, the Land of Whirlpool would still belong to the Uzumaki clan in name. Konoha could not openly seize the territory, as it was written in the treaty between the two countries.
The Hyakusa Trade Association wasn't as cautious. After receiving permission from the Fire Daimyo through the request of Number 19, they obtained official documents, which allowed them to use a small portion of land for planting herbs. The Fire Nation's good land had already been claimed by various noble families, and there was no land left to offer the Hyakusa Trade Association. However, they had quickly grown thanks to the war, and their products were selling very well, not only to nobles and officials but even to many common people.
Facing the soon-to-be giant Hyakusa Trade Association, even the Fire Daimyo had to seriously consider their proposals. There were those who had tried to harm the Hyakusa Trade Association before, and their fates were no different from those who had attacked the Uzumaki Trade Association.
Once Number 19 received the Fire Daimyo's permission, Konoha had no reason to stop the Hyakusa Trade Association from beginning their construction in the Land of Whirlpool. Unless the Hokage was willing to break relations with both the Uzumaki clan's legacy and the Fire Daimyo, but with the war just ended, Konoha was in no position to make such a move. Minato Namikaze, if he thought it through, would never risk antagonizing the Daimyo over a piece of abandoned land.
The ruins of the Land of Whirlpool had hardly been disturbed, and Number 18 had focused on building the underground base. After consulting with Ayaka Uzumaki, they began expanding the base from the Uzumaki clan's secret chamber.
The construction was only about thirty percent complete. Due to the need to avoid drawing attention from other factions, the full completion would take another two years. However, even with just thirty percent finished, it was enough for Sasori to begin his research.
"Alright, you'll now have secondary access to the base. You can use any of its resources," Hyuga Mirai said with a light smile after registering Sasori's information.
"Secondary access?" Sasori asked.
"It means you're a core member. The others in the organization generally only have fifth-level access. Only core members get second-level access," Hyuga Mirai explained, his tone casual. All of this was true, but there were things he didn't share with Sasori, such as the fact that apart from him, Ayaka Uzumaki, Orochimaru, and Nohara Rin, the rest of the living members of the organization were either outsiders or mechanical guards.
The organization Hyuga Mirai founded was powerful but lacked popularity. If Sasori became interested and turned himself into a mechanical god, the organization's popularity would drop even more.
"Not bad. I'm quite satisfied with this place," Sasori said after inspecting the base. Although some areas were still under construction, he could tell that in a year or two, this would become a top-tier research facility.
However, if Sasori had seen the base in the Land of Tea, he might not have thought the same.
Hyuga Mirai chuckled. "I'm glad you're happy. Regarding the biomechanical assistants, you can check the technology through the organization's wristwatch. There are guides to help you use all the equipment here, and you can cancel the guides once you no longer need them."
Sasori nodded, then suddenly asked, "What is the organization's goal? Or rather, what is your goal?"
"Since I've joined, I should be informed about these things, right?"
Hyuga Mirai took a moment to think before answering, "My goal is simple: to increase my own power and, by extension, reshape this world." He lightly tapped the ground with his right foot and spoke slowly, "In other words, I want to turn this world into my own backyard."
"Hmph, what a delusion," Sasori sneered after hearing this. He turned to walk into the base, but after taking a few steps, he stopped and turned back to add, "However, with my help, there might actually be a slight chance."
"Ha ha~" Hyuga Mirai chuckled lightly and left the base in the Land of Whirlpool.
After settling Sasori, Hyuga Mirai returned to the base in the Land of Tea. The construction wasn't completed here either, but Number 18 had already stationed most of the mechanical guards at this base, so it would be completed a year earlier than the one in the Land of Whirlpool.
Since the base's establishment, it was Hyuga Mirai's first time visiting.
"Number 18."
"Sir, what can I do for you?"
"How are the satellites coming along?"
"The second satellite launch is in 45 days, and the third will happen in 451 days. This is the fourth priority mission, sir."
"Increase its priority by one level, Number 18. I've come across an issue."
Hyuga Mirai changed the topic and suddenly brought up something he had been thinking about for a while.
"What issue, sir? Solving problems is the reason I exist."
Hyuga Mirai felt that Number 18's voice was softer and more calming, though he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.
"My strength isn't enough. If I'm not careful, I could easily be killed."
"I understand, sir. I'll prioritize the weapon upgrade calculations and reallocate spare computing power. We plan to have all weapons updated and ready in 172 days and will also calculate the optimal location for the nuclear missile launch silos."
Hyuga Mirai quickly interrupted, "Wait, Number 18. What I mean is that I want to increase my own strength, my own, understand?"
"The reason I increased the satellite priority is that there is a way on the moon to enhance my own power. I need the satellites to help gather intelligence first."
There was a pause, and then Number 18 responded, "Understood, sir. The satellite project priority has been adjusted, with a focus on gathering information on the moon."
(End of Chapter)
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