16 - Shifting Winds

Afterward, most of the regular members of Akatsuki, feeling satisfied, went back to rest. Only a few key core members stayed behind to discuss the next steps.

Nagato was the first to speak, asking, "Are we really going to carry out this mission that Hanzō gave us?"

Shin thought for a moment and nodded, studying the map spread before them. The paper crinkled under his fingertips as he traced the marked routes. "Judging from the map, the movements of the Suna squad are very close to our base. Even if we don't want to do this for Hanzō, we have to deal with them for the safety of our own headquarters."

He didn't forget to further criticize the current structure of Akatsuki. "Also, this situation reveals another problem: our intelligence work is utterly terrible. Suna ninjas are operating so close to our base, and Hanzō knew about it, yet we had no clue. This is a serious failure."

As he mentioned 'failure', his sharp gaze unflinchingly targeted Yahiko. He had always been like this—his defiance was never hidden.

Yahiko could only endure Shin's criticism in silence, as Akatsuki's current state did leave much to be desired. I know he's right, but his methods... His jaw clenched imperceptibly.

Shin's characterization of the group as a makeshift, amateur team wasn't without reason. The disorganization was shown in every corner of their operation, from messy patrol rotations to haphazard supply management.

He then smoothly proposed, leaning forward slightly to command attention, "I'll take a team with Konan to handle this mission."

His eyes shifted to Nagato. "During this time, select a group of sensor-type ninjas from the organization to handle intelligence gathering. We can't continue being blind to everything around us."

This was indeed necessary. We need eyes everywhere.

In the future, he even planned to preemptively assassinate Danzō's spies in the Land of Rain. But how could they counter him with their current cluelessness?

Nagato was startled and instinctively responded in a socially anxious tone, "Huh? This, this task is for me?"

He looked at Yahiko, then at Shin, a troubled expression on his face. He was a bit reserved but not stupid. Wasn't this clearly a move to divide Yahiko's authority?

Seeing this, Shin smiled softly. Though the smile was gentle, it made Nagato feel uneasy, like watching a snake coil before striking.

"Nagato," Shin said, more intimate, "you know the situation of the Uzumaki clan in the current ninja world, right? You've seen what happened to your aunt. Across the entire ninja world, many villages—it's not just Kusa—would love to capture or imprison the Uzumaki survivors."

"If we don't handle intelligence properly, what if another ninja village covets the bloodline and heritage of the Uzumaki clan next time? Do you want to see your aunt fall into despair again?"

"Nagato, without power, you can't protect anything. Your aunt has already suffered so much; you wouldn't want her to go through more pain, right?" 

At that moment, Nagato was completely shaken. His hands trembled slightly on the table. In his heart, Yahiko had always been irreplaceable, but now Shin had forcefully planted a new weakness in him.

The connection of blood, the long-lost sense of family, motherly affection, and Kaori's pitiful backstory easily broke into Nagato's closed-off heart.

In that instant, even his childhood friendship with Yahiko couldn't compete. Although it wasn't related to love, this time Yahiko still seemed to lose in every possible way.

After a few moments of struggle, Nagato finally nodded. "Alright, I'll handle the intelligence work."

"Yahiko, I won't take too many people," he said, unable to meet his friend's eyes.

Given Yahiko's personality, he couldn't refuse, even through his sadness. Why does it feel like I'm losing everything I built?

Forcing a smile, he reached out and patted Nagato's shoulder, his gentleness betraying his pain. "Don't worry about it. It's okay to take more people if you need them. I'll take care of the other organizational matters."

He couldn't bring himself to blame Nagato over something like this, but he still couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Why did things turn out this way? I was the one who found you first...

Konan and Nagato... I was the one who met them first...

After settling this matter, the meeting for the night came to an end.

Shin believed that Nagato would handle the intelligence work well, as in the original story, after his descent into darkness, he single-handedly managed Akatsuki's entire intelligence and surveillance network.

While that success was due in part to his powerful Rainmaker Jutsu, it still demonstrated Nagato's capability in processing and filtering a vast amount of information.

Shin was quite confident in him. 

On a cold, misty morning, he and Konan picked three teammates for the mission. They prepared to head to the location provided by Hanzō, where they would deal with the Suna ninjas who had infiltrated the region.

---

At the same time, about 96 kilometers away, the Suna squad marked by Hanzō had just finished resting for the night and was packing up their camp.

The leading jonin spread out a map on a flat rock, brushing away loose dirt. His weathered fingers traced the routes they'd scouted as he examined it closely for a moment, then called his team over with a sharp whistle.

"After these days of reconnaissance, we've confirmed that the group those bandits referred to as 'the fat sheep' is indeed this organization called Akatsuki, located in the southern part of the Land of Rain."

Easy prey. Just what we needed.

The Suna captain pointed to a spot on the map, his finger pressing hard enough to leave an indent. "They have a good reputation locally and often help the poor. But recently, they somehow obtained a large amount of supplies, which attracted the attention of nearby bandits. According to reliable information, their base should be around this area."

A team member laughed, adjusting his kunai pouch. "So when we killed those bandits a few days ago, we were actually helping Akatsuki? Shouldn't we ask them for a reward, then?" His attempt at humor drew several smirks from his companions.

A Suna puppeteer cruelly responded. "You'd be satisfied with just a reward? You're too naive." His fingers twitched, making the puppet's joints click ominously. "Small groups like this get wiped out in the ninja world all the time. Why not just kill them all?"

The Suna captain nodded, showing no concern for his teammate's cold-blooded attitude, even affirming it with a grim smile. "The village is currently in a stalemate with Konoha. We lack the resources Konoha has, and even with surprise attacks, it's hard to overcome the gap."

"At a time like this, any additional supplies will help the village recover on the battlefield. We must obtain all of Akatsuki's supplies and bring them back to the village."

"Captain," a young chunin spoke up, rolling a senbon between his fingers. "What about the civilians helping them?"

The puppeteer's face darkened. "Leave no witnesses. People die in war—that's just how it is."

"The patrols might notice if civilians start disappearing," another ninja pointed out. "The Land of Rain isn't exactly friendly to outsiders."

"Then we'll make it look like bandits," the captain cut in sharply. "If anyone tries to stop us, we'll show them the difference between a small nation's militia and shinobi of a great village!"

At these words, the surrounding Suna ninjas became fired up, as if they had been injected with adrenaline. 

All except one kunoichi, who leaned quietly against a tree apart from the group, arms crossed and eyes half-closed in apparent boredom.

The captain frowned and looked up. "Did you hear what I just said, Pakura?"

She glanced at him impatiently. "Yeah, I heard. Kill civilians, steal supplies, blame bandits." She didn't even bother to fully open her eyes.

"Attacking merchants and framing others. How far Suna has fallen. We can't even match Konoha without resorting to theft."

Damn this woman and her attitude!

The captain's face reddened with rage as the other team members carefully avoided looking at either of them. Despite his fury, he knew there was nothing he could do.

Because in terms of strength, Pakura far surpassed him. She had only been assigned to the Land of Rain because she wasn't favored by the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage. Her presence on this mission was both a blessing and a curse—power they needed but couldn't control.

The captain could only fall back on his one advantage over her: rank.

"Nobody asked for your opinion, Pakura," he spat. "You're here to follow orders, not criticize village policy."

"And don't forget, I'm the captain here!"

Pakura lazily responded, finally opening her eyes to fix him with a bored stare. "Oh, sure, whatever you say. Just don't regret it later."

After speaking, she nonchalantly walked away.

The captain, meanwhile, was left fuming, wishing he could slam a door. One day, I'll show her what real authority means, he thought, though even in his mind the threat rang hollow.