Because of Haruki, Obito Uchiha didn't need much time to persuade Nagato.
However, to convince White Zetsu, he and Nagato put on an act for White Zetsu, playing the roles of senior and junior disciples.
After officially joining the Akatsuki, Obito presented his suggestion.
Establish additional elite cells—two ninja per group—to carry out complex and dangerous missions beyond the organization's borders.
This had also been Madara Uchiha's suggestion.
To recruit stronger ninja into the Akatsuki.
And made it easier for him to embed agents like Zetsu.
After Haruki learned about this, he added another proposal to it.
Obito naturally had no objections.
It was actually simple—recruit rogue ninja from the major hidden villages.
As everyone knows, most rogue ninja possess unique skills. They were either strong, or had mastered rare techniques or secrets.
Each of them is a talent.
To prevent these rogue ninja from corrupting the Akatsuki, Nagato immediately appointed Obito as leader of the elite cells and gave him full authority to form them.
In short, in the end, both Obito and White Zetsu were satisfied, as Madara Uchiha had expected.
Obito didn't stay long.
After saying goodbye to Haruki and others, he returned to the underground base with the clone of Rin Nohara.
He would stay here for a while to receive Madara Uchiha's training.
Although his current strength wasn't impressive, his experience was extensive—especially with the Sharingan, which could provide Obito great assistance.
Combined with the Senju cell grafting technique, Obito's power was expected to soar.
Of course, this wouldn't last too long.
Once Obito passed Madara's trials, the Eye of the Moon Plan would officially commence.
At the same time, Madara Uchiha—who had clung to life all these years—might choose to sacrifice himself, awaiting resurrection by Nagato or Obito.
After Obito left, Haruki also prepared to return to the Land of Lightning.
The Cloud Hidden Village still remained to be dealt with.
Once again, an overcast drizzle filled the air.
Tsunade stood with an umbrella, silently gazing toward the distant Land of Rain, recalling how she had met Haruki here years ago and fought beside him.
Suddenly, it felt as though time had flown by in an instant.
In the blink of an eye,
she had risen from an unknown medical ninja to one of the Sannin—and now even to Hokage.
"You're in such a hurry. Don't you want to rest a bit before leaving?"
Her other hand tightly grasped Haruki's large hand, transmitting warmth despite the cool weather.
"Sakumo and the others are waiting for me. If I don't go soon, they might leave without me."
Haruki shook his head after speaking.
Knowing Hatake Sakumo's personality, he probably already set off.
Although Tsunade wished to spend more time with Haruki, she understood priorities well. She wouldn't let personal emotions interfere with important matters.
She hesitated for a moment, her expression slightly shy, then tilted her head up and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
"Go safely and return soon."
Haruki smiled, reaching out to gently stroke her silky golden hair.
"Do you know why I don't want to stay behind?"
"Why?"
Tsunade looked puzzled at his sudden question. Wasn't it because he needed to hurry to the Cloud Hidden Village?
Still playing along, she tilted her head up to meet his gaze, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"Because half a day isn't enough time."
Haruki's lips curled into a smile as he leaned toward her ear, whispering softly, "With our combined combat power, it might take several days before things calm down."
Before Tsunade could react from those few seconds of stunned silence, he stole a quick kiss on her lips.
"Damn you!"
By the time Tsunade realized what Haruki had meant, he had already vanished from the spot.
Leaving only her behind, with her face slightly flushed.
The sky suddenly changed from rain to sunshine.
Haruki still felt somewhat disoriented.
He glanced around. Sure enough, Sakumo Hatake and the others hadn't waited for his return.
Without hesitation, he continued flying northward.
From time to time, thunder rumbled across the sky.
But Haruki hadn't used the Flying Thunder God Technique.
This rare opportunity to fly through the clouds felt exhilarating—
Fast and refreshing—
Flying has always been humanity's dream.
Within less than half an hour, Haruki caught up with the slower-moving Allied Ninja Forces.
"Sakumo."
He landed at the very front of the army, glancing backward. Everything looked exactly as it had when he left.
Apparently these twenty thousand Amegakure ninja were surprisingly well-behaved, showing no sign of hot-headed youths rushing ahead.
"You're back."
Sakumo Hatake had long grown accustomed to his sudden appearances. He greeted calmly, saying, "We'll soon reach the peaks where Kumogakure lies. You returned just in time."
"What's the situation at Kumogakure now? Has anyone else tried to flee?"
Walking side by side with Sakumo Hatake, Haruki adjusted his pace to match most of the ninja, so their speed wasn't particularly fast.
"In the days following Darui's departure, a portion of them began wavering and secretly fled, but not many."
Sakumo relayed the intelligence reports from Anbu.
Although he followed Haruki's orders not to act directly against the Kumogakure ninja, surveillance had remained constant.
With Konoha delaying its arrival and those who left facing no pursuit, those who remained naturally developed a hopeful escape mindset.
In truth, Sakumo felt Haruki was being overly confident or perhaps overly indifferent regarding this matter.
If it were him, he would definitely eliminate these fleeing ninja.
"This is their choice to make," Haruki said, guessing his thoughts from his expression.
"A small number can be allowed to leave. It also helps Konoha gain a favorable reputation. And if any seek revenge, I will handle them personally."
Obito's elite Akatsuki cell was prepared precisely for such situations.
Gathering together all rogue ninja and those hostile to Konoha,
It saved both Haruki's and Konoha's time while strengthening the Akatsuki Organization's strength.
Combined with the so-called Moon's Eye Plan, this group of arrogant individuals joining forces would certainly develop delusions of grandeur.
Then they would launch attacks against either the Tailed Beasts or Konoha itself.
"But your leader is already working for me—how could you possibly fight against me?"
Haruki could completely track their movements while simultaneously keeping his juniors sharp by preventing complacency.
He was increasingly convinced this elite cell could accomplish much.
Sakumo Hatake didn't know what Haruki was thinking, but upon hearing his words, he instinctively trusted him and said nothing further.
They soon arrived at their destination.
After climbing the towering peaks, Haruki gazed down at a village that appeared to float in a fairyland.
The group of ninja behind him were clearly excited—be they from Konoha or Kumogakure.
But clearly, their reasons for excitement were different.
The former sought glory and achievements, while the latter simply wished to return home alive.
Haruki made his way directly to the Raikage Building.
As he walked, he could feel eyes watching him from both sides of the street.
Most gazes carried hatred.
Kumogakure, being inherently martial and tightly united, did not show fear of Haruki.
Yet, seeing the massive Kumogakure army behind him sparked a sense of surprise.
They had stayed behind precisely because they heard Haruki hadn't killed them.
Outside the Raikage Building stood more than a dozen people waiting.
Haruki scanned them—most had darker complexions, and their strength was considerable; all of them were Jonin.
These must have been the last surviving Jonin in Kumogakure.
Upon seeing Haruki, their expressions remained calm.
Those who stayed were already mentally prepared.
Haruki couldn't help but admire them—Kumo was indeed very different from what he'd imagined.
But he also knew this was largely because of the two-thousand-strong Kumogakure army he had brought back.
Silence fell as everyone awaited his command.
"Sakumo, send the twenty thousand Kumogakure troops back home."
His first words stunned them all. No one expected such an outcome.
"Mabo, please ask all the Kumogakure Jonin to gather here at the Raikage Building."
Without giving them time to react, Haruki continued.
Mabo, who had remained silent until now, stared at him in disbelief.
Does this guy even realize what he's saying?
Had anyone else said such a thing, the village's military force would have mutinied on the spot.
But thinking about Haruki's strength, she sighed internally. When someone reaches such a level, perhaps it is natural to disregard the entire Kumogakure.
She nodded silently.
Eyes flickered with thought among the Jonin who had long heard about him but never seen him in person.
Perhaps the rumors weren't exaggerated after all.
Led by Cloud Ninja, Haruki entered the Raikage's office.
He settled comfortably into the central seat.
To his left sat Sakumo Hatake, Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, and others. To his right sat Mabo, Samui, and the others.
Clearly split into two factions.
Haruki glanced across the Kumogakure ninja on that side. The only ones he recognized were Mabo and Samui.
Samui had been Darui's teammate during the Chunin Exams. She stayed because she had a younger brother named Atsui.
As a village rivaling Konoha, Kumogakure wasn't short on Jonin. Apart from those already dealt with, nearly three hundred remained—an impressive figure.
Haruki already had a plan for handling them.
Make them start over from the beginning.
Glancing up and noting the faint anxiety on Mabo's face and those around her, Haruki couldn't help but smile faintly.
"I won't mistreat the remaining ninja—just follow my instructions."
He knew exactly what Mabo and the others were thinking and wasted no extra words. His very first words put their doubts to rest.
"The first matter," Seimei said, "is that I will dispatch Konoha ninja to establish schools here. The current regulations and textbooks will be abolished. From now on, you will abide by Konoha's regulations."
To assimilate Kumogakure, the most effective means of assimilation was through education.
In time, as generation after generation of children learned Konoha's knowledge, Kumogakure would eventually fade into obscurity.
Mabo and the others had not even imagined such a distant future.
What Seimei proposed for the first matter was tolerable.
No—unexpectedly lenient.
They had anticipated harsher conditions.
"This request will be carried out."
As Amegakure's representative, Mabo stepped forward to reply.
"Besides your children, you yourselves must attend classes. Only by passing exams will you be entrusted with important responsibilities."
"?"
A look of confusion appeared on Mabo's face.
She couldn't grasp Seimei's intent.
Why should Jonin return to school to learn again?
Still, she kept her silence.
This demand wasn't unreasonable.
With their Jonin-level skills, passing these exams would be simple.
"The second matter is that from now on, Kumogakure's clothing, writing, language, measurements, and everything else will completely conform to Konoha's standards. The names 'Kumogakure' and 'Raikage' will be abolished, and its departments will be restructured."
Seimei gazed slowly at the people before him as he spoke.
Compared to the relatively mild first condition, this second condition was far more extreme—practically soul-crushing.
In the long run, Kumogakure was destined to vanish into the depths of history.
Mabo raised her hand, halting several impulsive and angry Jonin.
After a slight bow, she asked, "Lord Seimei, may we keep the names 'Kumogakure' and 'Raikage'—as subordinate titles under Konoha?"
"No."
Without a moment's hesitation, Seimei rejected her plea.
Mabo fell silent for a long while. "Understood."
The atmosphere in the office grew noticeably heavier.
Unbothered, Seimei smiled faintly and continued. "Thirdly, Konoha will take over the commercial sector. Certain industries will no longer be allowed to operate privately."
Ninjas survive by taking missions.
And missions are fundamentally economic in nature.
Once he controlled the economy, he effectively controlled Kumogakure.
Especially since he had already conquered the Land of Lightning.
Mabo eyed him curiously.
Seimei was unlike any ninja she had ever known.
When had a ninja ever concerned themselves with such matters?
Thus, this demand was relatively easy to accept.
Most ninja neither cared for nor respected merchants.
Mabo did not speak immediately but simply nodded quietly, signaling her acknowledgment.
She lowered her gaze once again, avoiding Seimei's overwhelming presence, awaiting the next command in silence.
Seimei paused slightly, clearly taking longer to consider than before.
Looking toward Shinji Hira, he said, "You will be responsible for handling Kumogakure's Anbu."
"Yes."
Shinji Hira nodded.
Having followed Seimei for years, he understood the meaning behind those words.
Reform and integrate Kumogakure's Anbu, fully replacing them with Konoha-style units.
At the same time, seize Kumogakure's classified documents and Ninjutsu techniques.
The sudden death of the Fourth Raikage and Darui's hasty escape meant that Konoha now held everything of value that Cloud Hidden Village once possessed.
As one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, it naturally possessed immense wealth.
It would significantly strengthen Konoha's power.
"Fugaku and Hiashi, you two will provide assistance," Haruki said thoughtfully.
The two powerful eye clans could compensate for the Anbu's shortcomings, ensuring nothing valuable would be overlooked.
"One last thing—no personal fights between Cloud Hidden and Konoha ninjas. Anyone caught doing so will be severely punished," Haruki continued seriously.
He knew there were deep-seated tensions between the two villages, and early conflicts were nearly inevitable. His role was to minimize those risks.
Mabo heard his tone and couldn't help but nod in agreement.
After all, who could doubt the words of a ninja capable of wiping out an entire village?
In truth, she strongly suspected Haruki kept them around merely to make up the population numbers.
"Sakumo, you'll temporarily serve as the director of Cloud Hidden Village," Haruki turned to Kakashi's father.
"I'll head back to Konoha and bring over the necessary ninjas."
"Understood."
Sakumo Hatake gave a slight nod. "Leave it to me."
Haruki had full confidence in him.
Even if Cloud Hidden harbored thoughts of rebellion, without the Raikage and Tailed Beasts, their elite combat strength was completely gone—there was no chance at all.
He left the village perched upon the cloud-topped peak and made his way directly to the Hokage Building.
Tsunade had not yet returned, so Orochimaru remained in charge.
When he saw Haruki, he had already resolved the uncertainty from their last meeting.
After all, the ninja world was in turmoil at the moment.
Konoha had emerged victorious, but other nations and villages had also begun making moves.
"Rasa from Sunagakure arrived in Konoha a few days ago and has been waiting to meet with you ever since," Orochimaru began.