Chapter 375: The Divine Decree Capture
"Understood. Mission failed? I see. Let's leave it at that for now," Kakashi replied calmly after hearing Itachi's report on the mission, showing no hint of surprise or frustration. After all, it was only Orochimaru.
As Konoha's Hokage, Kakashi was focused on consolidating control over the recently annexed Wind Country, stretching his efforts even with the support of Ye Wen's wisdom in delegating power. Tracking down Orochimaru was hardly his priority. If Orochimaru really wanted to provoke him, it would only take a few moves to put an end to it.
"Still…" Kakashi's gaze lowered, deep in thought. "The Akatsuki organization… at least five S rank rogue ninjas working together to collect tailed beasts to create a 'peaceful world' that intimidates the Shinobi nations? Admirable resolve, but extremely foolish. Five S rank rogue ninjas trying to seize the life blood of all five Great Shinobi Nations? Sunagakure may be a pushover, but the other villages won't take it lightly."
Thanks to the information extracted from Sasori, Kakashi was well aware of Akatsuki's potential threat. After all, S rank rogue ninjas held power equivalent to a village's Kage, and no shinobi village, other than Konoha, boasted more than three S rank ninja at any given time. Formerly, Kakashi himself barely qualified as S rank, but that was the old him. Now, he had ascended beyond ordinary shadow level shinobi, reaching the god like realm that even other Kage had to aspire to reach.
"A mere nuisance," he murmured. "Once the matters of the Great Nations are settled, I'll deal with Akatsuki and their Rain Village base."
Just as he prepared to conclude, a divine light filled Kakashi's large office, illuminating it with an otherworldly brilliance. Kakashi immediately knelt, sensing the unmistakable, sacred aura resonating with the same divine energy he'd once been granted. The rest of Konoha's senior officials, though initially taken aback, quickly followed Kakashi's example, as the intense atmosphere made them instinctively lower themselves.
"Kakashi, to maintain peace in this world, capture all members of Akatsuki."
With those words, a beam of divine light shot toward Kakashi's forehead, transmitting sacred knowledge straight to his mind. For a moment, Kakashi's steady gaze widened in awe. "Understood. I shall obey the command of my god."
As the divine light dissipated and calm returned, the other officials were left staring in astonishment. They had heard Kakashi speak of a higher power before, but to witness such a miracle themselves had left them dumbstruck. Many felt lingering warmth where old injuries and scars from years of chakra use had healed an unmistakable sign of a true miracle.
Amid the officials, Uchiha Itachi was perhaps the most moved. The fatigue and vision loss he had endured from using his Mangekyō Sharingan had been alleviated in that moment of divine light. Itachi touched his eyes, marveling at the newfound strength within them.
"So this… is 'god'? Such a powerful, awe inspiring force…"
Kakashi's methods in the annexation of the Wind Country became more forceful after receiving Ye Wen's divine command. Having seen firsthand the entrenched corruption of the Fire Nation's aristocrats, Kakashi abandoned diplomacy with the Wind Country's elite entirely. Corrupt nobles were either imprisoned or executed, while those deemed "reasonable" were stripped of rank and status. Within a month, Kakashi had completely integrated the Wind Country under Konoha's dominion.
And thus, from the ashes of the Fire and Wind Nations, a new nation emerged on the continent the Holy Nation.
Despite Konoha's best efforts to keep the development under wraps, word spread through the shinobi world, sending nobles into a panic. Fearing they might be next, they increased their support to their respective villages and simultaneously declared war on Konoha. Konoha's bold annexations seemed an undeniable threat to their power.
In a show of solidarity with the feudal lords, the other great shinobi villages publicly condemned Konoha's actions, branding them as treacherous and tyrannical, and even issued formal declarations of war. Yet no real battles broke out. The political tension remained, but each village hesitated, unwilling to make the first move.
The initial shock from Konoha's bold consolidation had sparked new thinking. Why remain subservient to the nobility when it was clear that the shinobi system could sustain itself independently? The shinobi leaders had witnessed Konoha's calculated approach to expansion, and each wondered whether there was something to gain from watching the Holy Nation's actions before making a move.
As Konoha's imminent plans to assault the Rain Village spread, every major shinobi village was monitoring Konoha's every move.
Onoki, the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, studied the latest intelligence with a deep frown. Though advanced in years, Onoki's mind remained sharp, his understanding of both strength and strategy undiminished.
"Konoha's tactics don't make sense. Why target such a minor nation now, and one that's no longer led by a force like Hanzo? If they wanted to invade us or Kumogakure, they'd go through more direct routes."
In Kumogakure, the Fourth Raikage, Ay, known for his muscle and power, was also cautious.
"Konoha's up to its usual tricks! Mabui, notify the village to prepare for battle."
Kumogakure's intelligence officer Mabui shared Ay's suspicions and nodded, silently coordinating the mobilization.
(End of Chapter)
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