Mastermind of the Akatsuki

For ordinary people, learning ninjutsu isn't always a blessing. According to the standard rules of the shinobi world, ninja are not supposed to harm civilians. However, once someone learns even a simple jutsu like the Body Replacement Technique, they're viewed as ninja, and the protections they previously had as civilians may no longer apply.

Jiraiya felt compelled to warn Yahiko. On one hand, he worried about the safety of the Land of Rain's citizens, but he was also concerned about Amegakure's vision of turning everyone into a ninja.

Hearing Jiraiya's concerns, Yahiko gave a wry smile and responded, "Jiraiya-sensei, I understand where you're coming from. But Amegakure is a small village, and if we're ever invaded, being labeled as ninja is a small price to pay if it means our people can fight back. After all, didn't you teach me, Nagato, and Konan yourself?"

Jiraiya fell silent, unsure how to explain the complex feelings behind his initial decision to train them.

After a moment, Yahiko continued, "But having the villagers learn basic jutsu isn't only for defense; it's also part of our move toward industrialization."

"Industrialization?" Jiraiya repeated, puzzled. He'd never heard this term before.

Noticing Jiraiya's confusion, Yahiko explained with a smile, "It's chakra industrialization—an idea proposed by Byakuya. When Hanzo relinquished his position, Byakuya suggested we industrialize. He believes that using ninjutsu only for combat is wasteful. Besides fighting, jutsu can also be applied to infrastructure and heavy industry. Even learning one or two basic jutsu makes villagers far more efficient at their jobs, allowing them to produce more goods and materials."

Jiraiya still didn't fully grasp the concept but sensed that it was something significant.

Seeing Jiraiya's discomfort, Konan quickly interjected, "Yahiko, perhaps Jiraiya-sensei is a bit tired. Why don't we give him a tour of the village tomorrow morning? Words alone may not do justice to what we're building."

Jiraiya nodded, indeed feeling the day's fatigue weighing on him.

He needed a quiet space to reflect on Yahiko's words. After collecting his thoughts, though, Jiraiya still couldn't fully understand what "chakra industrialization" entailed. However, from the positive growth in Amegakure and the smiles on its citizens' faces, it seemed this direction was the right one. Goods in the Land of Rain were also much cheaper than in the Land of Fire.

The transformation of the impoverished Land of Rain into what it was now revealed the impressive abilities of his former students—and of that mysterious figure, Byakuya, whose motives Jiraiya couldn't yet discern.

---

While Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were busy welcoming Jiraiya, Byakuya was showing Orochimaru around Amegakure. After three months of effort, Orochimaru had secured a base in the Land of Rice Fields, establishing his own shinobi village and completing Byakuya's assigned task.

With his territory secured, Orochimaru was eager to procure equipment to build a massive lab in his new domain. However, a shortage of funds delayed his progress, forcing him to turn to his current superior, Byakuya. Byakuya, without hesitation, brought Orochimaru to Amegakure for a tour.

Initially, Orochimaru felt skeptical of Byakuya's offer of help. It wasn't that he doubted Amegakure's capabilities, but that many advanced pieces of equipment were only available in the major countries like the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Lightning.

Yet upon entering Amegakure, Orochimaru was taken aback by the village's industrial prowess. Amegakure not only excelled in heavy industry but also in advanced technology, with numerous skilled professionals recruited into the Akatsuki as administrative members.

After acquiring the necessary materials, Byakuya and Orochimaru prepared to return to the Akatsuki base. However, they happened to see Jiraiya being led to the main building by Nagato.

The sight of Jiraiya caused Orochimaru's heart to skip a beat. Jiraiya had a keen intelligence network and was highly sensitive to Orochimaru's chakra. If he detected Orochimaru here, Byakuya would likely find himself in a precarious situation.

Orochimaru glanced nervously at Byakuya, who merely looked unconcerned.

This nonchalance made Orochimaru even more uneasy. If Jiraiya detected his presence, would Byakuya betray him and hand him over to Jiraiya?

Just when Orochimaru thought he might be exposed, Byakuya casually patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Relax, Orochimaru. Nagato and Jiraiya have already left. Although I must say, Jiraiya has quite the nose. He tracked you all the way here."

Feigning calm, Orochimaru replied, "That's typical of Jiraiya. But doesn't he fear Hanzo the Salamander? Coming to Amegakure so brazenly…"

As a recent member of the Akatsuki, Orochimaru now understood the true dynamics of Amegakure's leadership. While Yahiko's group publicly claimed to have inherited Hanzo's title, the truth was that the transition had been more of an insurrection, and Hanzo hadn't been seen by the villagers for years. To most Amegakure shinobi, Hanzo was long dead. They saw it as the Akatsuki's era.

But Jiraiya was probably unaware of that. Wouldn't he be worried about encountering Hanzo? And if Hanzo were still alive, wouldn't his presence pose a significant threat?

Byakuya paid no mind to Orochimaru's musings. He had his reasons for helping Orochimaru acquire supplies and was simply interested in Orochimaru's funds and in demonstrating Amegakure's uniqueness. Unlike other shinobi villages, Amegakure was more open and inclusive, promising a research environment that Orochimaru wouldn't find elsewhere.

As for Jiraiya's visit, Byakuya knew about it shortly after Nagato, though he remained a step ahead of Yahiko and Konan. He had been monitoring Jiraiya's movements all along.

Yet this time, Byakuya neither greeted nor intercepted Jiraiya. He wanted to observe from the sidelines to see how Jiraiya would respond to the new Amegakure.

Would he see Amegakure's changes as a threat to the one-village-per-nation system, potentially becoming an enemy of Konoha? Or would he appreciate Amegakure's progress and consider introducing similar reforms in Konoha?

Byakuya wasn't sure what Jiraiya's final decision would be, but he was certainly curious.

Could Jiraiya, under his influence, abandon his loyalty to Mount Myoboku and become a staunch ally of the Akatsuki?

After all, compared to Konoha, Amegakure was far cleaner and embodied the very ideals Jiraiya once dreamed of.