Chapter 37: Two Methods

"But if you lose, I want you to give up your position as the leader of Akatsuki. At that point, you'll clearly lack the qualifications to lead this organization."

Yahiko didn't respond impulsively. He leaned back in his chair, the weight of Byakuya's proposition falling hard on him. He knew Byakuya well – the man was a meticulous individual who wouldn't make such a gamble without a solid foundation of belief in its outcome.

Hanzo of the Salamander, the war hero of the Amegakure. The man who, during the last great war, had spearheaded the resistance against the encroachment of the major powers. This time around, it was solely due to Hanzo's presence that the flames of war hadn't engulfed the Amegakure once more. There was no logical reason for such a revered figure to target Akatsuki, let alone attack them.

But a chilling doubt then shook Yahiko's resolve.

What if? What if, against all odds, Hanzo did decide to move against Akatsuki?

Yahiko couldn't bear to contemplate the potential consequences. One thing was certain: in such a scenario, he wouldn't just be unfit to lead Akatsuki – he would be a detriment to the organization, a liability rather than a leader.

After a long, tense silence, Yahiko finally spoke, his voice laced with a newfound determination.

"Byakuya, I accept your bet. If Lord Hanzo truly does attack Akatsuki, then the leadership position is rightfully yours."

"Very well, the bet is established!"

A satisfied smirk played on Byakuya's lips as he nodded. The bet itself was merely a means to an end.

His true objective wasn't the leadership of Akatsuki; it was the opportunity to give Yahiko a reality check in the event of Hanzo's attack.

But regarding the possibility of Hanzo's aggression… well, even if the war hero remained a non-factor for the next three years, Akatsuki itself would inevitably initiate a confrontation with the Amegakure.

The reason was simple – the Amegakure was a small nation, and its limited territory was insufficient to sustain two thriving ninja organizations.

Regardless of the circumstances, a clash between the fledgling Akatsuki and the established Amegakure was a matter of when, not if.

Their ideologies and goals were fundamentally incompatible, making peaceful coexistence an impossibility. Byakuya knew this as he envisioned the inevitable conflict.

The scene shifted after the charged exchange of the bet. Byakuya, ever the strategist, steered the conversation back to his primary objective.

"Speaking of which, how's the contribution system faring lately?"

The bet had been a calculated ploy, a way to test the waters. True to his nature, Byakuya hadn't strayed from his purpose in seeking out Yahiko. He needed a clear picture of Akatsuki's current state to formulate their next move.

Yahiko pursed his lips in thought before replying,

"The system is currently functioning adequately. While there is a general sense of satisfaction, some people continue to grumble. It's easy to measure the contributions of those who go on the mission, but it's tricky to gauge the value of those who stay behind. Even though no one openly complains, there is an underlying feeling of discontent."

Byakuya leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers.

"People used to selflessly contribute without expecting anything in return. But now, with quantifiable measures, even the smallest unfairness becomes very noticeable. This is not about scarcity, but about perceived unfairness."

Yahiko's brow furrowed in understanding.

"So, it's not about having less, but about feeling like some contribute less."

"Precisely. Previously, the spirit of camaraderie fostered acceptance. Now, with a system emphasizing individual gain, a sense of imbalance can easily arise."

Yahiko acknowledged this with a thoughtful nod.

"Byakuya, your analysis of the contribution system's woes is spot on. What solutions do you propose?"

A sly smile played on Byakuya's lips.

"There are two options. Do you seek a temporary bandage or a permanent cure?"

Yahiko felt a tremor of unease snake down his spine at Byakuya's cryptic words, but curiosity spurred him on.

"Explain both methods and I'll decide which works best."

Byakuya's eyes gleamed with a predatory light.

"The most definitive solution is to simply dismantle Akatsuki. Without the organization, the question of allocation becomes moot."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, before turning his gaze back to Yahiko's now tense form.

Seeing the stunned silence he'd elicited, Byakuya continued, outlining the second method.

"The alternative is to continuously refine the existing system based on feedback. We can strive to find a solution that resonates with the majority."

Yahiko offered a hesitant nod. "The second one sounds like a viable method..."

Byakuya, however, extinguished that spark with a casual shrug.

"I figured you'd lean towards refining the system. But the harsh reality is, option one might be more likely. Our financial situation is projected to take a nosedive soon. When that happens, distribution issues become a moot point – there simply won't be anything left to distribute."

Yahiko blinked his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief.

"Another financial crisis? But the financial reports I've seen indicate a healthy surplus!"

The cheerful outlook Byakuya had offered just moments ago seemed a cruel illusion now. Here they were, supposedly on the upswing, and yet another financial crisis would be coming for their necks.

Byakuya cleared his throat, gesturing towards his glass. Yahiko reacted swiftly, refilling his drink. After taking a sip and composing himself, Byakuya continued.

"Recall that earlier point I made about an impending crisis? It's multi-faceted, Yahiko. It's not just about our ninja force, but our financial well-being as well. Think about it. With Konohagakure and Iwagakure avoiding large-scale conflicts lately, who exactly is buying Konan's explosive tags?"

He leaned forward and raised his finger.

"And let's not forget, the inflated prices we're currently charging for those tags barely keep us afloat. Once the market forces those prices back down to normal, Akatsuki will face a critical decision: we will either have to stop recruiting or cut back on winning hearts and minds.

Don't delude yourself, Yahiko. These days of relative comfort are temporary. We're destined for another period of hardship."

Yahiko slumped back in his chair, a heavy silence descending upon them. Byakuya's words, harsh as they were, painted an undeniable picture of Akatsuki's precarious situation.

Akatsuki's financial situation was a precarious tightrope walk, with only two meager sources of income: missions, which were sporadic bursts of revenue, and Konan's explosive tags. Mission income was practically negligible compared to the steady stream generated by tag sales. A drop in those inflated tag prices wouldn't be a gentle nudge; it would be a plummeting freefall into a financial crisis.

The only seemingly viable solution – restarting the very wars they sought to abolish – went against their core principles. But halting recruitment meant stagnation, hindering their ability to expand and spread their message of peace. It was a vicious cycle with no apparent escape hatch.

Byakuya monitored Yahiko's deepening worry with a flutter of concealed satisfaction.

The world of shinobi might glorify raw power, but for those lacking a Mangekyo Sharingan or Six Paths prowess, it still operated under a similar set of rules as the world he came from.

Wars, initially decided by cunning strategies and meticulous tactics, inevitably devolved into tests of endurance. The victor wasn't solely determined by the strength of its shinobi, but also by the financial backing of the nation behind them.

This explained why Konohagakure, despite minimal gains from the Great Ninja Wars, always bounced back swiftly. The Land of Fire, Konoha's supporting pillar, was a powerhouse of wealth.

Smaller villages outside the Big Five presented a stark contrast. Take the Land of Rain, for example.

Even with a formidable leader like Hanzo, their lack of resources meant any temporary success was unsustainable. They'd inevitably regress, forced into isolationist policies.

The reason Akatsuki, during Yahiko's era, hadn't encountered this dilemma was due to their small size.

Once they expanded to the scale of a ninja village, even a smaller one with just a few hundred members, financial considerations became paramount.

Otherwise, why else would Nagato and Konan, in later years, resort to taking bounty missions to fund their war preparations? By that point, Yahiko's ideals had long been corrupted.

After a thoughtful silence that stretched taut between them, Yahiko met Byakuya's gaze. The strategist, anticipating this moment, held up two fingers, outlining a path forward.

"Two methods exist. The first is to manipulate events from the shadows, to sow discord and ignite conflicts. I'm certain you wouldn't entertain such a notion."

A resolute glint flashed in Yahiko's eyes. "Of course not. It is just against the very basis of my vision."

Byakuya continued, a hint of a plan forming in his eyes.

"The second option is to utilize our current funds to invest in lucrative industries. We could develop groundbreaking new products and leverage these ventures to sustain the organization's future operations. We wouldn't be reliant on the sale of explosive tags for survival anymore. I suspect you'll find this option more suitable."