The path Yagura had laid out was still too "urbanized" for Yahiko and the others to fully grasp.
It would take time to process.
But there was no rush—after all, the one loafing around here was just a clone. The real Yagura had returned to his office, buried in work.
The clone lounged back in his chair, thinking smugly that the real one was a bit of a fool.
If he were the original, he'd send the clone to do the paperwork while he went out to relax.
Still, clone or not, they were both Yagura.
[Note: Kids watching from Kirigakure, please don't imitate these dangerous ideas.]
The key was not getting caught.
If a Kage casually set foot in another nation's territory, it could easily spark an international incident.
"Being a Kage can be convenient… but it's also a liability sometimes."
Time passed bit by bit.
A pen twirled idly between his fingers.
Yagura tipped his chin toward the trio.
"Well? Have you decided? If not, I can give you a little more time."
Ever since they started dealing with Kirigakure, this wasn't the first—or even second—time they had received such patience and goodwill.
Yahiko waved his hands quickly, a bit flustered. "N-No need."
They were just nameless nobodies in this world. He was one of the Five Kage.
Yagura smiled. "No need to be nervous. I've already invested this much time and effort into you three. A little more won't hurt."
What lay before them was the choice: whether or not to accept the path Yagura offered.
Would Yahiko continue to lead the Akatsuki? Would Nagato embrace the Rinnegan and master its power? Would Konan fully align herself with Kirigakure and begin learning from them?
After settling their nerves, all three nodded, giving Yagura their answer.
As the de facto spokesperson, Yahiko stepped forward.
"We… Akatsuki won't let you down, Lord Mizukage!"
With a clear goal of overthrowing Hanzo the Salamander, Nagato met Yagura's eyes with newfound resolve.
"With Yahiko and Konan by my side, I can master the Rinnegan."
Konan, already familiar with Yagura and having spoken with him at length on the way here, didn't add anything. Her decision had been made before this meeting even began.
"Good."
Yagura let out a breath of relief.
Akatsuki's situation was finally settled. His early investments—both in time and resources—had paid off. In fact, the returns far exceeded his expectations.
He owed that to Konan.
Yahiko and Nagato's acceptance likely hinged heavily on her support.
He also owed a thank-you to Orochimaru—and even to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato.
It was because of their political victories in Konoha that Danzo and Orochimaru were forced to leave the village to avoid confrontation.
The restless Danzo had gone to the Land of Rain, joining forces with Hanzo to strike at Akatsuki.
Orochimaru came to Kirigakure, which allowed Yagura to get in touch with Jiraiya—just in time to pull Nagato back from the edge.
In this twisted version of "angel investing," Yagura had secured three future powerhouses and loyal allies for Kirigakure.
Akatsuki, weak as they were now, were deeply grateful for the timely aid that had saved them. And Yagura himself was equally pleased.
He couldn't help but smile. "Kirigakure welcomes Akatsuki. You are reliable, trustworthy friends."
"And in terms of potential, you're top-tier. I look forward to the day you overthrow Hanzo and become the true leaders of Amegakure."
With that, he casually brushed aside the so-called 'demigod' Hanzo.
Which explains why a Kage stepping into another nation's territory was such a big deal—it really was dangerous.
Though this wasn't the first bold thing he'd said, Yahiko and the others still found themselves stunned.
Yagura—the dangerous person—made his position clear: "When that day comes, Amegakure will be Kirigakure's closest ally. Closer than even Sunagakure or Kumogakure."
Kumogakure had long been second best, always aiming for the top. With Konoha still sitting on its throne, they were currently focused on that fight. But once Kirigakure kicked Konoha off its pedestal, Kumogakure would shift its strategy.
Sunagakure, on the other hand, had declined beyond repair. In a few more years, Yagura was confident he could turn them into a full-on puppet state.
Kirigakure + Sunagakure + Akatsuki's Amegakure—this was the blueprint in Yagura's mind.
And now, most of it was already in place.
...
After the meeting, Yahiko and the others went back to regroup with the rest of Akatsuki's members for an internal conference. Kakuzu followed as well.
With everything wrapped up, Yagura prepared to dispel his clone.
"Wait! Mizukage!"
Jiraiya called out, his face dark.
As a Konoha shinobi and the one who had trained those three Amegakure kids, seeing them now snatched up by Kirigakure stung more than he could admit.
Nagato had begun unlocking the power of the Rinnegan. If he really did overthrow Hanzo in the next few years and took over Amegakure…
Then Konoha would be in danger.
Just imagining the consequences was enough to make Jiraiya's skin crawl. His past actions may very well have planted a future threat to Konoha's safety.
"What is it, Jiraiya?"
Yagura hadn't yet released the seal for his clone. He just smiled and said,
"Bit late to stop me now, isn't it?"
The foundation of Akatsuki had already been set.
The moment those words left his mouth, Jiraiya's face darkened further.
He and Kakuzu had both attended the meeting—but only as observers. Kakuzu had watched him like a hawk the whole time.
Jiraiya scratched his head in frustration. "Sigh…"
Head itchy. Headache.
More importantly, the tide had already turned.
...
As their former teacher, he should've been grateful to Yagura for saving his three students.
Yagura chuckled at Jiraiya's inner turmoil.
"Didn't you leave Konoha to travel the world and write books? I've read Make-Out Paradise, by the way. The action scenes were… not bad."
He should've been happy to receive praise for his writing, but coming from Yagura, it just made him feel guilty.
"That book's not exactly appropriate for someone your age!"
As soon as he said it, Jiraiya remembered—Yagura was younger than Yahiko and the others.
"No one tells me what I can or can't read," Yagura said with a sigh. "Not even you, Author-san."
He exhaled and got back to the point.
"Alright. If you're here to thank me as their teacher, I'll just say, 'You're welcome.'"
"But if you're speaking as a Konoha shinobi… well, then you're just asking for trouble. There's nothing you can do now."
Even Jiraiya, watching how much Yagura had invested into Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, couldn't help but admire his foresight, decisiveness, and boldness.
With so many sugar-coated incentives laid out, how could those three not be swayed?
Yagura had treated them with genuine sincerity. He had extended a hand when no one else would. In return, they gave him their loyalty.
Jiraiya had to work hard just to catch up to the thought process of this younger Kage.
"If Kirigakure and Amegakure form an alliance… what does that mean for Konoha?"
"Oh? Thinking about Konoha now? Fine. I'll humor you—for the sake of Make-Out Paradise."
Yagura smirked, completely unfazed.
"Back to what we were saying before the meeting: You're their teacher, yet Konoha and Akatsuki could never be allies. Why? Because from the very beginning, Konoha lost too much to Kirigakure."
"There's decades of blood between Konoha and Amegakure. Entangled interests. Just recently, Danzo made an enemy of Akatsuki. But Kirigakure? We have none of that history."
"Yahiko and the others are loyal to Amegakure. They could never join Konoha. Once they grow stronger, they will inevitably pose a threat to neighboring Konoha. But I'm not asking them to become Kirigakure shinobi. I'm letting them fight for their own nation."
"To be fair… Danzo really was doing what he thought was best for Konoha."
Yagura shrugged, then looked Jiraiya in the eye.
"So let me ask you this: As their teacher, your best option might be to kill all three of them right now. That's the only way to eliminate the threat."
...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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