Chapter 165: The New King of Amegakure

The shinobi stepped into a muddy puddle, causing murky rainwater to splash onto his boots, which then slid off without leaving a trace. The boots were made from local water buffalo leather, smooth and durable, both waterproof and warm, making them an expensive commodity that few locals could afford.

This shinobi was not only a native of Amegakure but also a wealthy individual.

He hurried along, eventually reaching a small river at the border of the Land of Rain, hiding under a tree like a ghost avoiding the light. Soon, a bamboo raft floated down the river, with two men in raincoats waving at him.

The shinobi frowned and jumped onto the raft. Even though they were alone on the river, he instinctively lowered his voice.

"Do you Konoha shinobis always act so recklessly? What if someone sees us..."

"Don't worry, Yukio," one of the Konoha shinobi replied softly. His face was covered by a fox mask, making his voice sound muffled in the rain.

"There are no inhabitants near this river anymore. Although Amegakure shinobi used to patrol here regularly, they stopped after the Akatsuki leader died."

"Hmph... Konoha sure knows how to investigate these things."

"Of course," the shinobi in the fox mask said lightly. "After all, this land will soon belong to us."

Yukio hesitated. The river below them meandered for tens of kilometers, with fertile plains on both sides. Years ago, the area had been well-populated. However, since the Third Shinobi World War, the Land of Rain had become a battlefield for the three great nations, losing half its population. This river was near the Konoha border, far from Amegakure. The original inhabitants were either killed or fled, leaving the land barren.

But if cultivated again, it could produce good crops.

Yukio had played in this river as a child.

"Do you Konoha people think it's a done deal?" Suddenly irritated, Yukio said, "Technically, Amegakure can't interfere with the Land of Rain's Daimyo's decisions. Even I can only operate in secret. Adding land cession clauses to the peace treaty is no simple task..."

"We understand the difficulty, which is why your reward is very generous, Yukio. Do you have any complaints?"

"...No." Suppressing his inappropriate thoughts, Yukio pursed his lips and was about to say something when he saw the two Konoha ANBU simultaneously take defensive stances.

The Amegakure traitor instinctively turned around, his body instantly freezing.

Standing by the river was a handsome youth in a black robe.

It was Kitsu Yoshihiro.

"Gentlemen," Kitsu pointed at Yukio, "can you leave here? What follows is an internal matter of Amegakure."

The two ANBU did not change their stance, but cold sweat slid down their necks.

In the past year, Kitsu Yoshihiro's photo had often been on the desk in the Hokage's office, and every ANBU member remembered his face. Mysterious origins, suspected connection to the Moon God, possessing the First Hokage's Wood Release techniques...

Although the ANBU were all elite shinobi, they knew from Kitsu's impressive record in the Akatsuki that they stood no chance against him, not even with Yukio's help.

"Not leaving yet?" Kitsu laughed softly, his fingers turning into sharp wooden spikes.

The two ANBU exchanged glances, jumped off the raft, and abandoned Yukio.

Their mission was to contact Yukio, not engage in combat. Moreover, for frontline intelligence agents, the information that "Akatsuki is purging traitors in Amegakure" was far more valuable.

Yukio swallowed hard. As a high-ranking member of Amegakure, he was more familiar with Kitsu, knowing there was no way he could fight or escape.

"Yoshihiro-sama, please allow me to explain..."

Shing!

A flash of white light, and Kitsu's wooden spike shot out at high speed, piercing Yukio's head in an instant.

"Sorry, no need for explanations. The leader's order is to bring back your head."

...

Yukio's head hung below the high tower.

Sixteen sharp flagpoles were erected, each topped with the head of an Amegakure high-ranking member.

Blood and brain fluid mixed together, flowing down the flagpoles and disappearing into Amegakure's advanced sewage system.

Sixteen high-ranking members, involving all aspects of the village: diplomacy, education, medical system, secret jutsu... Individually, they might not seem significant, but killing them all was equivalent to uprooting half of Amegakure's foundation.

Yet the resurgent Akatsuki had ruthlessly done just that.

Violence and iron-fisted rule would bring fear, but in this era, a leader's strong stance would give their followers a peculiar sense of security.

In just half a month, the chaos subsided, and order was restored.

...

Above the flagpoles, at the top of the high tower.

A purple-haired woman stood quietly at the edge, letting the rain soak her body.

When Yahiko and Nagato were leaders of the Akatsuki, they had also stood here alone. Back then, Konan did not know what the two men were thinking, only able to watch their backs from afar.

But now, as the third leader of the Akatsuki, Konan somewhat understood Yahiko and Nagato's feelings.

In the war-torn Land of Rain, there might be no hope for peace. As long as war existed, Amegakure would face one tragedy after another.

Even the strongest chakra and dōjutsu could only extend peace for a short time.

A man in a hannya mask suddenly appeared behind Konan. She turned and bowed slightly.

"Moon God-sama."

"Konan," Yuto said approvingly, "you've done well."

In just half a month, Amegakure had returned to order. As the leader of the Akatsuki, Konan had indeed done a commendable job.

Not everyone in Amegakure was a traitor. Many shinobi wanted to contribute to their country. With Yuto's secret assistance and an "initial consensus" with Madara, the village had regained stability.

"But Moon God-sama, are you really not going tomorrow?" Konan hesitated. "The four-nation talks with Fire, Earth, Wind, and Rain countries will establish the Akatsuki's rule over Amegakure. As the leader of the Akatsuki, you should be the one in that position, not me."

"Don't forget, you are the one Yahiko and Nagato entrusted with their Will, Konan," Yuto said, waving his hand. "After today, I might not be here for a long time. I need you to do something for me."

"Please instruct me, Moon God-sama."

"Amegakure's assassination business is large, and its intelligence network is well-established. Help me find some people, as many as possible. Shinobi or civilians, it doesn't matter. I only ask for one thing... they must be descendants of the Uzumaki clan."

(End of Chapter)