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8.09% Mastermind of the Akatsuki / Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Usual quarrel

Chương 20: Chapter 20: Usual quarrel

The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the cluttered desk.

News of Minato Namikaze's triumphant return sent a frown creasing Danzo Shimura's face. As both an advisor to the Hokage and the leader of Konoha's clandestine Root organization, he should have been celebrating the destruction of Iwagakure's base.

This victory tipped the scales of the ongoing war heavily in Konoha's favor, bringing the promise of a swift conclusion closer. Yet, the thought of Minato receiving all the accolades for this success twisted Danzo's gut with envy.

The more recognition Minato garnered, the further Danzo felt from his ultimate goal: the Hokage's hat. This gnawed at him, fueling a desperate need for a feat that would overshadow Minato's accomplishments and propel him to the forefront of the upcoming Hokage election.

But deep down, a nagging doubt persisted. Could Danzo, burdened by his advancing years, truly compete with the youthful and energetic Minato? Was endorsing Orochimaru as the next Hokage his only remaining option?

A sigh of frustration escaped Danzo's lips as he reached for a map of the ninja world, his gaze sweeping across the sprawling network of nations. He needed a way to expand the conflict, to draw more countries into the bloody mire of war. Only then could Konoha's advantage truly flourish, and only then could Danzo achieve feats worthy of Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention.

The Land of Rain emerged as the perfect target. Every move made by Hanzo the Salamander, the demigod who bestowed the title of Sannin upon three legendary shinobi, would reverberate throughout the ninja world, drawing the attention of all the major powers.

Danzo Shimura as he pondered his next move. Finally, he spoke, his voice sharp in the oppressive silence. "Ryoma," he addressed the ninja beside him, "dispatch a team to the Land of Rain. We need to assess the situation and determine if there's an opportunity to embroil Hanzo in the conflict."

Aburame Ryoma, his face obscured by the signature Aburame clan glasses, curtsied sharply. "Understood, Danzo-sama." Then, a flicker of concern crossed his features. "Speaking of teams, should we continue monitoring Kakashi's squad? They just returned from a mission, and apparently encountered a Jonin from Iwagakure. Unfortunately, the Root squad assigned to follow them was also killed in the process."

Ryoma repeated the details of Kakashi's team's return, his voice devoid of emotion. Danzo's expression twitched at this news.

He had placed Kakashi's team under surveillance for two key reasons.

Firstly, the young prodigy was the son of the disgraced Sakumo Hatake, making him a figure of interest.

Secondly, and more importantly, there was Obito Uchiha. Despite being an outlier within his clan, Danzo couldn't ignore the potential threat any Uchiha posed, especially one under the direct tutelage of Minato Namikaze. If Minato truly ascended to Hokage, Obito's position as his student would be a significant advantage for the young Uchiha.

A thoughtful frown creased Danzo's face. After a moment's consideration, he spoke, "Maintain surveillance on their movements. The fact they encountered a Jonin powerful enough to eliminate a Root squad and still returned unharmed suggests there might be more to them than meets the eye."

Ryoma bowed once more. "Yes, Danzo-sama!" With that, he melted back into the shadows, leaving Danzo alone with his plotting and his ever-present ambition.

...

After a grueling journey that stretched over a day, Byakuya and his teammates finally returned to the Akatsuki base. Twenty long days on the road had left him yearning for rest and a chance to unwind the coiled knot of tension in his gut.

However, before indulging in any well-deserved relaxation, he had pressing matters to attend to. A meeting with Yahiko, the leader of Akatsuki, was a top priority. They needed to discuss the organization's future and chart a course for its growth.

Pushing open the door to the Akatsuki office, Byakuya found Yahiko engrossed in conversation with Konan, Nagato, and a woman he didn't recognize. Her face bore the faint traces of a recent ordeal, and a flicker of recognition sparked in Byakuya's memory – Karen, the Uzumaki he'd rescued.

Yahiko's gaze softened as he addressed Karen. "Welcome to Akatsuki, Karen. Consider this your new home. Given your current condition, frontline missions wouldn't be ideal. How would you feel about a logistics role?"

Karen hesitated, her voice barely a whisper when she replied, "I'll follow Lord Byakuya's lead. Wherever he needs me, that's where I'll be."

Yahiko's expression darkened at this. Following Byakuya was a recipe for disaster. Reports from Nagato and Konan painted a vivid picture of Byakuya's reckless raid on the Kusagakure building to liberate Karen.

If not for his mastery of Paper Release jutsu, the entire operation could have ended in catastrophe. Even with Nagato, the prophesied Child of Prophecy, in their ranks, such recklessness couldn't be tolerated.

"Chief Yahiko," Byakuya's voice loomed from the doorway, effectively cutting through their conversation, "if you're looking to recruit new members, perhaps a more discreet approach is warranted. Karen falls under my purview, and I assure you, she's in capable hands. Or perhaps you're looking to poach from my team? In that case, I might just return the favor and extend an invitation to Konan-senpai and Nagato-senpai."

Byakuya's blatant disregard for protocol was evident. Yahiko, seemingly unsurprised by Byakuya's eavesdropping, sighed deeply. "By all means, Byakuya. Those you recruit are your responsibility. However, your recent actions were beyond reckless. They could have ignited a war between nations."

"Calculated risks often yield significant rewards. And I assure you, the items I procured from Kusagakure will prove invaluable in strengthening our organization." Byakuya countered.

"The stolen jutsu scrolls are indeed a boon. But at what cost? What if your mission had failed? What then?" Yahiko conceded, a frown creasing his brow.

"The likelihood of failure was minimal. Besides, how do you propose we maintain the organization's unity without offering tangible benefits? Do you truly believe your idealistic rhetoric is enough?" Byakuya brushed aside Yahiko's concerns.

The tension in the room crackled with unspoken hostility. Sensing an imminent clash between Byakuya and Yahiko, Konan shot a discreet glance at Nagato and Karen, silently urging them to follow her out of the room.

After others left, Yahiko took a deep breath.

His gaze, usually bright with youthful idealism, held a newfound seriousness as he locked eyes with Byakuya. "Let's set ideological differences aside for now. Tell me, what truly motivated your recent actions?"

Yahiko couldn't reconcile Byakuya's recent activities – from black-market dealings on the border to the daring rescue in Kusagakure – with mere recklessness.

After all, Akatsuki was their shared dream, a dream they'd nurtured through countless discussions. Byakuya wouldn't jeopardize their fledgling organization on a whim.

"The future of Akatsuki," Byakuya replied, his voice grave. The playful smirk was gone, replaced by a grim determination.

Even without the advantages of the Konohagakure ninja system, Byakuya was resolved to see Akatsuki flourish. Yet, the initial hurdles seemed insurmountable, almost crushing his spirit.

Yahiko offered a curt nod, urging him to elaborate.

Byakuya's tone shifted to a conversational one. "Think about it, Yahiko. A year has passed since we founded Akatsuki. Our initial vision was to foster peace within Land of Rain, then ripple that peace outwards, touching the entire ninja world. But here we are, a year later, and Akatsuki's influence remains confined to a few villages. Sure, our comrades can stomach meager rations and helping civilians pro bono, but how long will their spirits endure a repetitive, seemingly fruitless existence?"

Yahiko fell into deep silence. Byakuya's words struck a deep chord, echoing a concern that plagued Yahiko himself. He didn't have a solution, and the uncertainty weighed heavily on his leadership.

Finally, Yahiko broke the silence, "Do you have a plan to change this, Byakuya?"


SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
OberonLA OberonLA

Read advance chapters here:

www.patr eon.com/OberonLA

Chương 21: Chapter 21: The Reward and Punishment System

"Do you know how to bring about change? How to achieve peace in the Land of Rain?"

Yahiko's own words hung heavy in the air, surprising even him.

Just a month ago, Yahiko might have only half-listened to Byakuya's musings. After all, the seemingly flippant Byakuya often tossed out thought-provoking ideas along with his jokes.

But the past month had been a harsh teacher. The Akatsuki had faced a relentless series of challenges – dwindling weapons stockpiles, a critical lack of medical supplies. The exhaustion etched on his companions' faces mirrored the growing doubt gnawing at Yahiko himself. He wasn't the only one questioning the Akatsuki's ideals anymore. It was why he'd recently proposed stepping down as leader to Nagato.

Byakuya, sensing Yahiko's genuine turmoil, offered a gentle head shake. "Peace for Amegakure, in the short term, is beyond the Akatsuki's reach. Even with Lord Hanzo's strength, achieving that would take years, if not longer. But there is something we can do – normalize the organization."

Yahiko's brow furrowed. Byakuya's words were cryptic, their meaning lost on him. Orphaned at a young age, his education had been limited to Jiraiya-sensei's three years of tutelage. Beyond that, the world was a vast unknown. His guiding principles were a patchwork of Jiraiya's teachings, his own experiences, and the ever-present ache for peace.

Byakuya felt a hit of helplessness as he saw the eager hope surfacing in Yahiko's eyes.

This Yahiko, a year into their comradeship, was far more mature than his counterpart from the original timeline. Yet, a certain naivety lingered, a stark contrast to the steely resolve Konan and Nagato would develop in the coming decade.

Back then, Konan ruled the Land of Rain with an iron fist, a semblance of order amidst the lingering poverty, a far cry from the war-torn existence they currently endured.

Though life remained impoverished, at least they weren't plagued by the ravages of war.

Byakuya's words cut through the air, clear and concise. "Think of it like this. We need to run Akatsuki like a proper shinobi village. By establishing a ranking system and a fair system of rewards and punishments, we can offer our members something more tangible to fight for than just empty dreams."

Yahiko furrowed his brow in concentration. "So, these from jutsu scrolls you captured from Kusagakure, you're suggesting we use them to build this system, not distribute them directly?"

Byakuya met his gaze earnestly. "Yahiko, if you want Akatsuki to remain a tiny band of just a few dozen, then by all means, hand them out freely. But listen closely. The reason I suggested using these scrolls for a reward system is because… I, more than anyone, want Akatsuki to become a truly powerful organization."

"Sharing every jutsu scroll with every member, might work for a small, core group – three, maybe five people at most. But once a group grows too large, that kind of free access becomes a detriment. It hinders healthy competition and undermines the organization's internal growth." Byakuya elaborated,

The weight of Byakuya's words settled heavily on Yahiko. The idea of internal collapse, Akatsuki falling apart not from external enemies but from its own flaws, sent a shiver down his spine. He yearned for a world of open sharing, but Byakuya's logic was undeniable.

"Alright, so how do we set up this reward system?" Yahiko finally asked, his voice hesitant. "And wouldn't implementing such a drastic change make us look just like another run-of-the-mill ninja village?"

Byakuya sighed, a hint of exasperation coloring his expression. "Yahiko, you're the leader. Whether it's based on the number of completed missions or their difficulty, you can create a point system that works for us. Look, we don't have to be exactly like the established villages. We can learn from their mistakes, keep their strengths, and build something entirely new."

A chuckle escaped Yahiko's lips. Byakuya was right. Why hadn't he considered this before? Here he was, yearning for a world of trust and open hearts, while the solution might have been right under his nose all along.

A genuine smile spread across Yahiko's face as he looked up at Byakuya. "Byakuya, you're a wealth of knowledge! Why didn't you share these ideas earlier? We could have avoided so many arguments and had productive discussions instead."

Byakuya snorted, a dismissive puff of air escaping his nose. "Don't be naive, Yahiko. A world of perfect trust? That's a fantasy. Here's the reality: no matter how bright the light, there will always be shadows that darkness clings to."

With that final, cryptic statement, Byakuya placed the storage scroll containing the jutsu scrolls on the table and turned to leave the office, leaving Yahiko with a thoughtful frown.

Yahiko watched Byakuya leave, his departing words echoing in the silent office. "I believe you do think such a world can exist. Otherwise, you wouldn't have shared your ideas with me."

Meanwhile, Byakuya emerged from the office to find Nagato, Konan, and Karen waiting nearby. His gaze swept over them before settling on Karen. "Karen, for now, follow Yahiko's arrangements and stay at the base. Given your current skill level, going on missions would be unwise."

With that, Byakuya vanished into the labyrinthine halls of the base.

Karen frowned, bewildered. "What's wrong with Lord Byakuya? Wasn't he just arguing with Yahiko-sama? Why is he asking me to follow Yahiko-sama's orders now?"

Konan, her face unreadable, finally spoke after spending weeks studying Byakuya's interactions with Yahiko. "They weren't arguing," she said simply.

Nagato offered a curt nod in agreement.

The trio then returned to the office.

Yahiko, his demeanor noticeably lighter than just moments ago, retrieved a blank notebook and addressed them all with newfound seriousness. "Following discussions with Byakuya, we're planning some changes within the organization. We'll establish a clear system of rewards and punishments based on the jutsu scrolls we acquired. If anyone has suggestions, please don't hesitate to speak up."

Karen's brow furrowed, a vein pulsing on her temple. Karen realized – Nagato and Konan were right. Yahiko and Byakuya hadn't been arguing at all. They'd been engaged in a thoughtful exchange about the Akatsuki's future. This collaborative atmosphere was a far cry from what she'd envisioned, yet a strange sense of satisfaction bloomed within her.

As Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, and Karen delved into the creation of the reward and punishment system, a paper clone of Byakuya observed them from the shadows.

The scene unfolding before him brought a satisfied crease to his brow. It wasn't just Yahiko's receptiveness to his ideas that pleased him; there were deeper reasons at play.

Byakuya's recent mission, which yielded a wealth of resources and spurred him to propose reforms for the Akatsuki, had fundamentally altered his standing within the organization.

Members who initially disagreed with Yahiko's idealistic vision now found themselves aligned with his goals, albeit disillusioned by the harsh realities they faced and the Akatsuki's current state of disarray.

===

BONUS CHAPTERS!

Let's aim for the ranking this time, and you will get bonus chapters:

1000 PS = 5 Bonus Chapters!

1500 PS = 10 Bonus Chapters!

Please get this book in ranking so I can translate more chapters in a batch.


SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
OberonLA OberonLA

Read advance chapters here:

www.patr eon.com/OberonLA

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