Chapter 223: How About We Talk Again?
Unfortunately, Konoha refused Sunagakure's request for assistance.
The village simply didn't have enough military strength to spare—not when they were already dealing with both external threats and internal tensions.
Ryosuke, however, understood clearly: the Hyuga clan had no intentions of rebelling.
They were all from the same village, people who had lived side by side for decades. While independent thought existed within the clan, the Hyuga would never resort to violence to seize power.
The best military strategy is to attack the enemy's plans. Next is attacking alliances. Then their armies. The worst is attacking cities.
Force has never been the ideal method of seizing control. If it were, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama would never have found themselves divided by ideology.
Yes, the Hyuga could use overwhelming strength to crush Konoha's current leadership, silence the opposition, and seize control.
But doing so would turn Konoha into a scorched battlefield of resentment and bloodshed. It would no longer be Konoha.
The village's strength—apart from the Hyuga—might be reduced to the level of a minor hidden village. The cost of conquest would far outweigh the gains.
The Hyuga elders knew this. But Konoha's leadership either didn't… or didn't dare to bet that Hyuga felt the same.
---
"The surveillance will stop soon. Don't worry," Ryosuke said.
When Shanks complained once again about being followed every time he left the house, Ryosuke gave him a direct answer.
"A force has emerged in the ninja world—disrupting the balance, hunting down the Tailed Beasts."
"Once this news spreads, Konoha won't have the time or manpower to monitor an 'ordinary person' like you."
Perhaps under Black Zetsu's manipulation, Akatsuki's actions had begun ahead of schedule.
Ryosuke wasn't sure how, but things were unfolding just as he had predicted.
After Shukaku was captured in the Sand Village, reports of other tailed beasts being taken followed soon after—relayed through Hyuga intelligence networks.
The Two-Tails Matatabi from the Hidden Cloud. The Five-Tails Kokuō from Iwagakure.
Once this information went public, Konoha would be consumed with crisis management. They'd have no time to worry about Shanks.
---
"Tailed Beasts, huh?"
Sitting on the wooden corridor, Shanks narrowed his eyes. "So there's going to be a war? Can I see it?"
He understood by now how powerful these creatures were in this world.
If there truly was a conflict over Tailed Beasts, this might be his best chance to witness the true power of the ninja world firsthand.
This world… wasn't as peaceful as he first thought.
"Mr. Shanks, we Hyuga have no right to restrict your freedom."
In the courtyard, Ryosuke poured tea for Nozomi Saki across the stone table. He chuckled as he replied,
"If you want to see the Tailed Beasts, then of course you can.
But you'll have to catch up. These people don't exactly send out press releases before they act."
He glanced over at Saki.
"Master Saki, the situation in the ninja world is about to get chaotic. If your Saki family plans on doing business overseas, I suggest you invest more. Hire more people. Pay more for protection."
Nozomi Saki nodded calmly. "I'll consider it."
Over time, he had grown accustomed to how Hyuga intelligence worked.
Whenever Ryosuke received updates, he didn't avoid Saki. The man had begun to understand how strong the Hyuga's intel network really was.
He also guessed that Ryosuke was subtly showing off his clan's capabilities, hoping Saki would invest more. And honestly, he was tempted.
But generosity is never remembered as much as a well-timed favor.
Saki no longer hoped for a business partnership. The Hyuga didn't need to work with a minor noble clan if they truly wanted something.
At this point, Nozomi Saki just wanted to be on their good side—hoping that if they ever did rise to power, they'd either share the spoils… or at least spare the Saki clan from becoming collateral damage.
---
"But even your clan's intel chain can't predict their movements?"
Shanks frowned. "I need the assistance of your Hyuga intelligence agency. In return… I'll help identify every Devil Fruit you find."
He had worked with Hyuga before and felt that he hadn't offered enough back then.
"I'm sorry. It's not about compensation. It's just… this is truly beyond our grasp."
Ryosuke shook his head.
"I understand in your world, tailed beasts might seem like monsters that require an entire army to contain—beasts capable of laying waste to continents."
"But here, every power has its counter. Even a creature of immense power can be sealed with the right method."
"Akatsuki doesn't rely on numbers. They operate with elite individuals. There are only about a dozen true members, and only those few will be involved in capturing the tailed beasts."
He figured Shanks was picturing Ultraman-style kaiju battles, with entire nations uniting to fight a single creature.
---
"…I see."
Shanks fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
At first, he thought these battles would involve armies. But if it was just a few elite fighters, then yes—predicting their moves would be nearly impossible.
He said no more. Ryosuke also stayed quiet.
They sat in silence, sipping tea, occasionally placing pieces on the chessboard between them.
Despite how relaxed things seemed, Ryosuke wasn't wasting time.
---
His strength had risen to another threshold. Now, he had hit another bottleneck—and needed an opportunity to break through it.
Even though he wasn't moving around lately, information from all over the world continued to pour in through Hyuga channels.
Thanks to that, he could observe changes in the ninja world with stunning clarity.
Ironically, even Konoha still didn't know that the Hidden Cloud and Iwagakure had lost their tailed beasts.
Just like when the Hidden Mist invaded Konoha—none of it had reached the wider ninja world.
Each village fiercely guarded its own internal news. Without aligned interests or formal alliances, critical events rarely spread in real time.
Only a place like the Rain Country—completely unprotected by a major ninja force—would be vulnerable to spies from every nation.
---
As for why the Hyuga could obtain intel even Konoha couldn't… it came down to two reasons.
First, the Hyuga's unique bloodline ability made them unparalleled in surveillance, infiltration, and long-range sensing.
Second—Ryosuke.
In every world, intelligence was critical when absolute strength wasn't guaranteed.
So from the start, Ryosuke had prioritized cultivating Hyuga's internal spy network.
Ever since Hyuga Hiashi granted him full access to mobilize clan intel forces, Ryosuke had steadily expanded their operations—reaching further, digging deeper, and setting up new information channels.
Thanks to that…
Ryosuke now received more updates about Konoha than even Konoha's leadership.
Later, the Land of Fire established contact with the Tokugawa Daimyo. Under the operation of Hyuga Souji, the Hyuga intelligence agency began expanding its influence beyond the village and into the greater territory of the Fire Country.
With the assistance of the Gato Chamber of Commerce, they even secured overseas channels.
Now, without anyone noticing, the Hyuga's intelligence network had quietly spread across the ninja world. Information from various countries and hidden villages could be transmitted instantly through channels involving wandering ninjas, samurai, and even ordinary civilians.
"Speaking of which... Master Saki, has your Saki family ever considered relocating your entire clan to another country?"
In the quiet courtyard, Ryosuke suddenly broke the silence with a question.
Seated across from him, Nozomi Saki paused mid-move, a chess piece still in hand…
...
"Mr. Kusanagi, is it true that your country previously proposed joining the Allied Nations by offering to sell materials, including mineral resources, at a rate 30% lower than the current market price?"
Following the destruction of Hidden Rain Village in the core of the Land of Rain by Pain, a small village was swiftly constructed to serve as a temporary capital.
Today, the Land of Rain was no longer in the chaotic state it had been in just months prior. After the allied forces led by Konoha arrived, all other factions—such as those from the Hidden Cloud and Iwagakure—had been forcefully removed.
At this moment, representatives from the Allied Nations were gathered in a large temporary tent, discussing Rain Country's application to join the alliance.
In truth, several such meetings had already taken place after the clearing operation ended, but they were always suspended due to intense conflict over interests.
This latest negotiation had dragged on for over a month.
Eventually, the major powers of the alliance managed to clearly divide the Rain Country's spoils among themselves.
Each slice of the pie was carved with precision—never exceeding what each faction felt they rightly deserved.
Yet despite all that, one final hurdle remained: the resource pricing proposal for allies. The Wind Country had consistently rejected it.
The reason was well-known—Rain Country's primary resources overlapped heavily with those of the Wind Country. If Rain Country sold those goods at a much lower price, no one would purchase from the Wind Country at higher rates.
Although their refusal was justifiable, it naturally stirred resentment among other nations.
Still, as the second most powerful force in the alliance, the Wind Country's vote carried significant weight. Thus, the formal agreement for Rain Country to join remained stuck.
However, the situation had changed. The Sand Village's Tailed Beasts had been captured by Akatsuki. Their forces were stretched thin and had no time to linger in political talks.
The day after the Sand Village and Wind Country teams withdrew, the remaining representatives arranged a new meeting, eager to finalize this favorable deal.
"...Unfortunately," Kusanagi, the new leader of the Rain Country, began under the expectant gazes of the others, "while everyone was deliberating, I have confirmed with our domestic leaders that we may no longer be able to accept the previously agreed-upon conditions."
"What's the meaning of this?"
The first to object was Konoha's Koharu Utatane. She frowned deeply, anger flashing in her eyes.
"This condition was originally proposed by you—the Rain Country! We've been negotiating this for days, and now you're backing out?"
"Integrity is one of the foundational criteria for joining the Allied Nations. If the Rain Country cannot uphold basic honesty, we may have to reconsider your application entirely."
The Iron Country's representative also voiced dissatisfaction.
Others soon followed suit, using their words to pressure Kusanagi into reverting to his earlier submissive stance.
"I'm truly sorry," Kusanagi responded calmly. "In fact, we've also re-evaluated the previously drawn territorial demarcations. We feel the need to reopen negotiations on those matters as well."
Finishing his statement, he rose and bowed deeply.
"Though this may take up more of your valuable time, please be assured—the Rain Country remains sincere in its desire to join the Allied Nations."
"What?!"
Koharu slammed the table in frustration. "Mr. Kusanagi, do you understand what you're saying?! Are you suggesting we throw out all previous agreements and start over?"
"I don't have time for this," muttered Nutao of the Snow Country as he stood. "I've already wasted too many days here."
"I feel the same," said the Gato Chamber of Commerce's representative, also rising. "If this is your stance, then let's forget about your country joining the Allies."
Several other representatives followed suit—standing up but not actually leaving, clearly using the gesture as pressure.
"Mr. Kusanagi," Koharu continued, still seated, "surely you're aware of what the Rain Country was like just a few months ago?"
Her tone was heavy with warning.
"You do realize we could easily walk away from this entirely."
"Of course, of course," Kusanagi replied smoothly. "Without your intervention, our land would still be consumed by war, pillaging, and suffering."
He smiled gently, raising a hand in a calming gesture.
"But please, bear with us a little longer."
"There is a reason we must renegotiate the Rain Country's entry into the Allied Nations."
Kusanagi's smile held firm.
"Currently, a rather prestigious ninja clan is preparing to settle in our country. They expressed strong dissatisfaction with the terms we previously discussed. At their request, I must once again apologize and ask for a new round of negotiations."
"A ninja family?"
The entire tent fell into stunned silence.
"Mr. Kusanagi, surely you don't believe the arrival of a single ninja family will ensure peace and stability in the Rain Country?" said Nutao sarcastically.
"We represent the most powerful forces in the shinobi world."
"Let's speak frankly—even in Konoha, every clan that remains today was prominent since the Warring States Era. Do you really think the family joining your country is even qualified to compare to us? Do you believe they can be your backing in these talks?"
Mocking chuckles and skeptical glances filled the room.
So this was the great trump card Kusanagi had hinted at? A single clan?
"Indeed, Lord Nutao makes an excellent point."
But Kusanagi ignored the sarcasm, his expression unchanging.
"Konoha has long stood as the strongest ninja village, and any clan emerging from it is undoubtedly renowned and respected. I wouldn't dream of denying that."
Then he turned to face Koharu Utatane.
"And that, esteemed elders, is why I believe we should return to the discussion table."
Something in Kusanagi's gaze made Koharu pause.
Her sharp, aging mind, which had been spinning from days of endless diplomacy, suddenly sparked.
A bad premonition crept into her chest.
And then—
The tent's flap was pulled open.
A figure all too familiar to everyone present stepped inside.
"Everyone," the man said calmly, "allow me to introduce myself again. My name is Hyuga Iroha. I have been temporarily authorized by the head of the Hyuga Clan to assist Mr. Kusanagi in these negotiations."
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