Bab 74: Chapter 73: Mobilizing the Akatsuki
The base of the Akatsuki.
After calling all ninjas to the training grounds and taking attendance, Yahiko finally understood just how powerful the Akatsuki, which had developed over the past year, had become.
Just among the jonin alone, the Akatsuki had over a dozen members.
The combined number of chuunin and genin totaled more than one hundred fifty, and in addition, there were over a hundred reserve ninjas responsible for later-stage tasks.
Although this number of ninjas seemed comparable only to the major ninja clans of the Warring States period,
It completely paled in comparison to the five great ninja villages, each boasting tens of thousands of members.
But in a country like the Land of Rain, which could only accommodate small ninja villages, this force was already enough to overturn everything and establish a completely new ninja village.
Therefore, when Yahiko saw the crowd gathering at the training grounds, he was filled with surprise.
At this moment, the members of the Akatsuki organization were also looking at Yahiko. Their hearts were filled with doubts—why did Leader Yahiko suddenly summon them? Did something major happen within the organization?
Facing the skeptical gazes, Yahiko briefly described the general sequence of events.
Upon hearing that the senior member Byakuya was taken away by the Amegakure ninjas, the faces of these Akatsuki ninjas changed color. They turned to Yahiko one after another, their eyes seeming to say: Why did you allow Byakuya to be taken away by the Rain Village ninjas!
After these thoughts arose in their minds, the crowd began to stir restlessly.
Although Byakuya often presented astonishing insights at meetings and liked to slack off and fish in his spare time, he also had the habit of keeping a list of enemies in a little notebook.
However, all the seniors in the organization knew that Byakuya's contributions to Akatsuki were irreplaceable.
In the early days of the Akatsuki, Byakuya had already gained considerable fame far and wide, as he was the only anomaly in the organization who didn't hesitate to kill, shocking nearby bandits and wandering ninjas.
He later resolved the organization's financial crisis and proposed the contribution ranking system.
It is said that the establishment of departments like the medical team also had some connection to Byakuya.
All these events combined had long since elevated Byakuya's reputation above that of Konan and Nagato, making him the second most important figure in the Akatsuki organization.
Therefore, they simply couldn't understand why Yahiko had allowed Byakuya to be taken away by the Rain Village ninjas.
That is a core figure in our organization. Are you saying Leader Yahiko is willing to give up a companion we've been with day and night, just to cooperate with the Amegakure?
As for Byakuya attacking Hanzo's envoy and disrupting the peace between the Akatsuki and the Amegakure, they simply don't believe it. This must be a conspiracy by the Amegakure. If Lord Byakuya had been involved, Hanzo's envoy wouldn't have been left behind in one piece. It's just too obvious to pin the blame.
Moreover, they know well the character of the Amegakure.
Most of them were once ninjas of the Amegakure, and in recent years, the Amegakure can be said to have fallen apart. Otherwise, they wouldn't have left and chosen to join the relatively unknown Akatsuki.
However, out of trust in Leader Yahiko, they still maintain restraint, waiting for Yahiko's explanation.
Looking at the restless crowd and their questioning gazes, Yahiko actually felt a bit relieved.
It seems Byakuya has accumulated considerable respect within the organization. This mobilization will be much easier for him. After all, convincing subordinates to confront the Amegakure is no easy task.
The existence of the semi-god Hanzo of the Salamander in the ninja world is a mountain that ninjas from the Land of Rain find difficult to overcome.
At this point, someone cautiously asked, "Lord Yahiko, did you just sit back and watch Lord Byakuya being taken away by the Rain ninjas?"
Yahiko shook his head gently, "Byakuya went willingly to avoid a conflict erupting between us and the Amegakure. However, we are not just sitting back; we must find a way to rescue him. This gathering today is precisely to inform everyone of this matter and also to seek opinions."
Upon hearing Yahiko's explanation, the restless crowd calmed down somewhat. But as for how to rescue Byakuya, they couldn't think of a good solution either.
Should they send an elite team to sneak into the Amegakure for rescue?
Or should they find the real culprit to prove that Byakuya isn't a murderer?
Or perhaps directly demonstrate the Akatsuki's strength to pressure the Amegakure into releasing Byakuya.
In fact, even Yahiko himself wasn't sure what to do.
He is the leader of the Akatsuki, but he hasn't led the Akatsuki through major trials and tribulations. Whenever faced with difficult problems, it was always Byakuya who came up with strategies for him.
But this time, the one who was captured happened to be Byakuya himself. He has lost the most important mind within the organization.
If Byakuya were here now, what advice would he give?
Yahiko's mind raced as he urgently needed to come up with a suitable plan to rescue Byakuya from danger.
---
While Yahiko convened the mobilization meeting, Akane was currently at his Anbu headquarters.
After hearing that her lifesaver, Byakuya, had been taken away, Akane was extremely anxious. Hastily rushing out of the room, she wanted to catch up with the envoy team and rescue Byakuya.
But after carefully understanding the situation, Akane gave up on this impulsive idea.
Byakuya is a meticulous ninja who wouldn't be captured without preparation. Frankly speaking, Byakuya's actions were likely part of a plot against the Amegakure.
After all, Byakuya had mentioned the threat of the Amegakure more than once and always considered them a hypothetical enemy.
Thinking this through, Akane abandoned her immature idea and instead began to ponder what Byakuya was actually planning to do.
Without any clues, she ultimately decided to manage the Anbu ninjas on Byakuya's behalf.
Byakuya's Anbus were all talented individuals who had made significant contributions to the Akatsuki in terms of infrastructure. However, this group also had another identity—they were spies sent by various countries to investigate the Land of Rain.
While Lord Byakuya was present, he naturally could overpower them with his strong abilities and methods.
Now that Lord Byakuya had been captured, if these people learned about it, it might cause a riot. It wouldn't be impossible for them to launch a rebellion on the spot.
But could she really stop them with her own power if they did revolt?
Perhaps she needed Nagato's help to intimidate these rogues.
After carefully counting the number of Anbu members, Akane frowned. There were clearly twelve ninjas in the Anbu, so why was there suddenly one missing?
Had someone taken advantage of the situation to escape? But who could have left her perception range without her noticing?
Just as Akane was lost in thought, White Zetsu Shiro emerged from underground. Just as she was about to question Shiro about his whereabouts, a paper clone of Byakuya appeared before everyone.
Seeing the familiar figure and the familiar chakra fluctuations, Akane thought she might be seeing things.
But soon, Byakuya took control of the situation. After scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes, he turned to Akane and said, "Akane, what are you doing here? Well, I do indeed have something to discuss with you."
With that said, Byakuya led Akane away from the training ground and into the depths of the mountains.
Seeing Byakuya's figure, the Anbu members breathed a collective sigh of relief, glad they hadn't entertained thoughts of escape. It wasn't just the restrictions of the curse mark that they would face.
Byakuya's elusive abilities could easily deal with them.
However, there was a question in the minds of the Anbu members. Since Byakuya went willingly, why was he appearing here? Could it be true that Hanzo's envoy was really killed by Byakuya?
The Root spy lurking in the crowd furrowed his brow and took a half step back, blending into the crowd.
He was about to report the scene in front of him to Lord Danzo, but just as the Root spy was leaving the training ground, Byakuya suddenly emerged from his body, revealing a meaningful smile.
After a loud explosion, the Root spy was engulfed in flames.
The remaining Anbu members, upon seeing this scene, instinctively recoiled, completely dispelling any thoughts of leaving.
"What happened over there at the training ground? I'll go take a look."
Upon hearing the explosion, Akane frowned, but Byakuya stopped her with a gesture. "There's no need to go over there. That guy is already dead."
Akane hesitated for a moment, feeling like she was worried needlessly.
Even though Byakuya had been captured, the Anbu under the Akatsuki were still under his command, no different from before.
At that moment, Byakuya looked at Akane with interest and asked, "After I was taken away, how is Yahiko handling the situation? Is he considering negotiating with the Amegakure and using me as a sacrifice?"
"Lord Yahiko has convened a mobilization meeting to discuss rescuing Lord Byakuya."
Akane shook her head, seeming to remember something, and then said, "But now that Lord Byakuya has already escaped, I'll go inform Leader Yahiko to come and see you!"
"No need since I'm currently a paper clone. My real body is still imprisoned in the Amegakure's prison. As for meeting Yahiko, let's forget about it. This time, I don't intend to meet him. You're not allowed to tell Yahiko that my paper clone has escaped either."
"Why?" Akane looked puzzled.
Byakuya smiled mysteriously and said, "Because I want to see how far Yahiko can go. Without passing this test, he can never grow into a qualified leader."
"Rather than being tainted by the Amegakure in their cooperation, it's better to take this opportunity to undergo a transformation. Let the Akatsuki shed some unrealistic fantasies, and understand more of the harsh reality."
Upon hearing this, Akane suddenly recalled something and exclaimed in shock, "Could it be that the envoy from the Amegakure really..."
"Even you think so?" Byakuya showed a look of disappointment.
"No, I didn't!" Akane hastily explained, flustered. She didn't want to disappoint Byakuya. After all, he was the only family she had left in the ninja world.
Byakuya's expression instantly changed, and he said, "There's another person who attacked the envoy Hanzo. But I know that person's identity. When the opportunity arises, I'll make sure they taste what it's like to be blamed unfairly. Well, let's leave it at that for now. I have other matters to attend to."
With that, Byakuya walked towards the training ground, leaving Akane looking bewildered.
Meeting Akane unexpectedly this time was a pleasant surprise for him. His purpose here was to take away these ninjas under his command.
Firstly, it was to keep these unstable elements in check.
Secondly, during the time his real body was imprisoned, he intended to take away these Anbu members and then contact the spies hidden within the borders of the Land of Rain. The drama was just beginning.
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