"Sorry, Akatsuki's been facing some difficulties lately, so…" Konan glanced around, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Kai, ever perceptive,
"Sorry, Akatsuki's been facing some difficulties lately, so…" Konan glanced around, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Kai, ever perceptive, clapped her shoulder reassuringly. "No worries, I might be able to help."
Konan's surprise was quickly replaced by Tetsu's hushed words: "Konan-sama, it's Dosu and the others…"
Dosu? The mention of his name sent a wave of apprehension through Konan and her team.
A tall, powerfully built man with a stern, square jaw strode into view, followed by a dozen others.
"Dosu, where are you going?" Konan asked, stepping forward.
Dosu, nearly two meters tall, was a human wall of muscle.
"Konan-sama, we haven't eaten properly in two days. Kusagakure sent recruiters, and we're considering taking them up on their offer," Dosu stated, his tone neither subservient nor defiant.
Konan's face fell. "Kusagakure? When will you return? Did Yahiko approve?"
Their shared ideals, once a burning fire, were now flickering in the harsh winds of reality.
Starvation was a powerful motivator.
Survival of the fittest was the unspoken rule.
Sharing hunger? Absolutely not. Self-preservation was paramount.
"We're unsure when, or even if, we'll return," Dosu said, his gaze briefly sweeping over Kai and his companions.
"Frankly, a peace-focused organization that can't even feed its members needs a serious leadership overhaul…"
He turned his gaze to Konan.
"This isn't cruelty; it's acknowledging your incompetence. Step aside."
"You!" Tetsu bristled, but Konan's hand stopped him. Her face paled, her lips pressed thin, but before she could respond, Kai's hand fell on her shoulder.
"Birds of a feather flock together. Let them pursue their ambitions. Clear the path," Kai said, smiling as he stepped aside.
Dosu and his group were stunned.
Their plan to defect to Kusagakure was a smokescreen; their true aim was to seize control of Akatsuki.
Peace couldn't fill empty bellies, and many of Akatsuki's members were only in it for survival.
Now, even that was threatened.
Kai's actions shattered their carefully laid plans.
Dosu had anticipated Konan pleading with them to stay, possibly even offering him a leadership position given Hanzo's recent overtures.
Instead, Kai had effectively cut them off at the knees.
As everyone made way, Konan, after a lingering look at Kai, bit her lip and stepped aside. Dosu's face twitched.
"Changed your mind so quickly?" Kai asked, his smile warm yet laced with amusement.
"You!" Dosu sputtered, his glare intense. "Don't get cocky."
"You don't know how poor this organization is. You might end up starving in Kusagakure. I'm looking forward to hearing your story."
"Of course, if you're interested, I can take you with me. Kusagakure was recently attacked and needs ninjas. I can get you a Genin position."
Konan's face hardened. As one of Akatsuki's leaders, this blatant attempt to poach her members was deeply insulting.
"Are you telling me Akatsuki is poor?" Kai smiled, his eyes twinkling. "I prefer to work for love!"
"And we, from the Land of Currency, have plenty of that!" With a flourish, he produced a thick wad of bills from his cloak.
"One million ryō?!" Tetsu gasped, his eyes widening at the sheer amount. "And these are Five Great Nation bills, perfectly valid…"
"I… I can't accept this…" Konan stared, her eyes slightly red, pushing the money back.
"Haha, Konan-sama, you're underestimating the Land of Currency. Our young master has more money than he knows what to do with.
He needs you to spend it for him! We need to hire Akatsuki as our private ninja force!" Kosuke Maruboshi boomed, fully embracing the role.
"Yes! And we'll throw in three sets of breathable, warm, and form-fitting battle suits!" Might Dai added eagerly, pulling out his green jumpsuit, only to be swiftly rebuked by Kosuke Maruboshi.
That was terrible fashion sense. They needed something more… opulent.
"The Land of Currency? Is there such a country?" a ninja behind Dosu asked, confused.
Dosu and his followers looked at Konan questioningly.
Konan opened her mouth, unable to speak, seeking help from Kai.
"Heh, of course you don't know about the Land of Currency. Ever heard of the black market?"
Kai smiled, pressing the money into Konan's hands.
"The Land of Currency is a nation formed by a powerful merchant alliance. We're talking serious wealth…"
"Yes, our young master's background is so impressive, even the Daimyō of the Five Great Nations would bow before him. Kusagakure is nothing to him. And you want him to join you? Idiots!"
Kosuke Maruboshi exclaimed, effortlessly embellishing the tale.
Kai rolled his eyes at Kosuke Maruboshi's unbridled boasting. The old man was a smooth talker.
"Alright, let's not delay Dosu-san and his group's career advancement. Let's give them a proper send-off!" Kai smiled, stepping aside, his gaze on Dosu.
All eyes were on Dosu, his face twitching. His Akatsuki followers hesitated. The Land of Currency ninjas were incredibly generous. One million ryō—that was a fortune.
____________________
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