Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

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Some intelligence agencies used this "fishing" tactic to identify and punish smaller villages or organizations selling illegal ninja tools.

Ōnoki of Iwagakure had even proposed to the other Kage a complete ban on the production of explosive tags, except by the Five Great Villages. Smaller villages would have to purchase them.

However, considering that the Land of Fire had the most extensive network of smaller villages and the most developed explosive tag industry, producing the cheapest tags, Ōnoki had ultimately withdrawn the proposal. He'd essentially be shooting himself in the foot.

These essential ninja tools could only be produced by villages, whether large or small. Even the most skilled individual couldn't establish a complete production chain, from importing chakra metal to recruiting craftsmen and building factories.

Underground workshops, lacking access to legitimate chakra metal sources, faced exorbitant costs and produced inferior, unreliable products. Sometimes, they even exploded prematurely.

Even the Akatsuki relied on Amegakure for their supplies.

Amegakure's isolation had protected it from the scrutiny of the Five Great Villages. Otherwise, their chakra metal imports would have been cut off, crippling the Akatsuki.

Sasori's puppets, crafted from inferior materials, would be subpar. And Konan's explosive tags, though she could create them with her Paper Ninjutsu, still required chakra metal for certain enhancements. Using inferior materials would weaken her jutsu.

Having Sasori create puppets for sale was also impractical. Firstly, only Sunagakure had the necessary expertise. Secondly, it would be too easily traced back to them.

The explosive tag scheme was a non-starter.

"This won't work," Black Zetsu said, shaking his head. "Before the plan begins, all actions must be approved. We can't attract unwanted attention. If you insist on entrepreneurial ventures, then stick to the Fourth Kazekage puppet's gold-finding abilities."

Accepting assassination missions was one thing. The Five Great Villages focused on the "underground" in general, not specifically on the Akatsuki or Amegakure.

"Who said anything about Konan selling explosive tags?" Sasori asked. "I'm suggesting we use the Edo Tensei to generate income."

"Targeting ninja is inefficient. They're all broke. They barely have enough money for basic equipment."

Black Zetsu's eyebrow arched. "So, you're saying…"

"We target the merchants, the nobles, the daimyo!"

Black Zetsu couldn't quite grasp the connection between the Edo Tensei and profit. "You want to use resurrected ninja to kidnap them? That won't work. It'll attract too much attention. And if they discover it's the work of the deceased, it'll trigger a multi-village investigation, exposing the Akatsuki."

"There's no need to resurrect ninja. I told you, that's too slow. We resurrect beautiful women. They're easily controlled. And popular," Sasori said coldly.

"Women?!" Black Zetsu's eyes widened. This was a new approach. He was, after all, a plant creature. If not for certain biological differences, he wouldn't even distinguish between genders.

And Sasori how had he connected the Edo Tensei to women?

He instinctively glanced at Sasori's lower body.

"Merchants, nobles, daimyo they have money. The bounties they offer ninja are just a small fraction of their wealth. We can use the Edo Tensei to resurrect beautiful women. They're obedient. And immortal. I'm sure those wealthy patrons would be interested. Whatever their preferences we can accommodate."

"Once we control their minds and their bodies, our financial problems are solved."

Sasori's calm explanation belied the darkness of his plan.

Where would they acquire the bodies? Unlike powerful ninja, whose burial sites were recorded in history books, finding suitable female corpses required extensive fieldwork.

And the Akatsuki didn't have time for that.

The most efficient method was to acquire them directly. Kill, resurrect, and then provide services.

A ruthless approach, but for these two morality was irrelevant. Profit was their only concern.

"It might actually work."

Black Zetsu's face lit up with excitement.

Sasori was a genius!

He'd been so focused on using the Edo Tensei to resurrect powerful ninja for combat, he'd overlooked its other applications.

And "selling" it was a lucrative business, sometimes even more profitable than high-risk missions.

And in the current ninja world, it wasn't even illegal, except in a few places like Konoha.

And even if it were, the consequences were minimal. It wasn't something the villages cared about.

As for the Edo Tensei's aesthetic drawbacks – the cracks on the faces, the unnatural feel makeup and Orochimaru's modifications could solve those.

Improving certain aspects was far easier than enhancing a jutsu.

And he knew more about the Edo Tensei than Sasori.

It resurrected the soul, meaning the Edo Tensei bodies retained their consciousness.

Though he couldn't comprehend the appeal, he suspected those wealthy patrons would be pleased.

Of course, a conscious Edo Tensei that would cost extra. As would special requests.

And the Edo Tensei's power depended on the quality of the sacrifice.

But for ordinary women any corpse would do.

"So, my suggestion it's not bad, is it?"

"It's excellent, Sasori. You truly are the Akatsuki's most resourceful member."

"Perhaps we shouldn't limit ourselves to women. There are male patrons as well," Black Zetsu suggested.

"And female clients we can't ignore their needs. They're often more generous."

"Where did you learn that?" Sasori asked, a hint of disgust in his voice. Unlike Zetsu, he'd once been a normal ninja.

"I overheard some merchants from Tanzaku Quarters," Zetsu replied.

"Whatever. It's just a suggestion. As for the profits from Rasa's puppet I'll keep those." Sasori's modified face betrayed no emotion.

But his tone it hinted at his disapproval.

"So, Sasori, since this was your idea, perhaps you could suggest suitable locations and business models. Direct sales? Franchises? Independent contractors? Delivery or dine-in?" Black Zetsu, having immersed himself in the ninja world's underbelly, spoke like a seasoned businessman.

"Are there commissions involved?"

"Naturally."

"The Land of Fire. It's the most populous and wealthiest nation," Sasori said without hesitation. "But Konoha's security is tight. Edo Tensei bodies would be easily detected."

"Perhaps the Land of Lightning or the Land of Water. Their elite are wealthy, and indulgent."

Black Zetsu nodded. "You're right. Though Edo Tensei bodies lack chakra, a ninja could easily detect the difference. The Land of Lightning is currently at war. Not ideal. The Land of Water they're more relaxed."

"We'll target both! To avoid detection, we'll start with franchises and in-person services. Once we've established a foothold, you can eliminate the competition."

A new revenue stream had been established. Once this industry was under their control, the Akatsuki would be wealthy.

Ninja it was just a profession.

And sometimes legitimate work wasn't enough.

On their way back to the hideout, Black Zetsu's mind raced, formulating new strategies. They'd start with high-end clients and then, once Hiruko could control more Edo Tensei expand.

Perhaps they could even issue fake bounties, targeting mid-level ninja from other villages, luring them out and then well, let's just say they'd drain their wallets.

He envisioned it now: ninjas, their pockets full of crumpled bills, paying exquisite Edo Tensei courtesans.

It would weaken the villages, disrupt their unity, undermine Konoha's Will of Fire…

"Splendid."

They arrived at the Akatsuki hideout. Konan, her face grim, was waiting.

As they landed, she clapped her hands, and the giant paper bird disintegrated, the paper returning to her.

"Where's Kakuzu?"

"We regret to inform you that Kakuzu died in the line of duty."

"Dead? How?"

Konan was genuinely shocked. Kakuzu he'd been so confident. He'd promised to handle the organization's finances.

"Ambushed by Konoha ninja. They used a special technique to bypass my detection. They brought Tsunade, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, the Tailed Beast Without a Tail, and even the Third Hokage himself."

"They were protecting Gojo Kaigetsu. Such a display of force only our leader could have overcome it."

"Even escaping was difficult. They were clearly targeting a Kage-level ninja. Or rather, anyone who wasn't our leader would have been captured."

"Rasa, however, was easily eliminated. Sasori has the body."

A light rain began to fall, the already gloomy hideout seeming even colder.

Of the ten rings, it seemed they were being returned faster than they could be distributed.

The vast hideout felt empty.

Was it truly this difficult to find ten suitable members?

Konan felt a pang of despair. She was a kunoichi, a powerful one, but she lacked a personal dream, a driving force.

Her ninja way had been to follow Yahiko and Nagato.

But with Yahiko gone her only goal was for Nagato to let go, to abandon his obsession, to relinquish the Rinnegan's power, and find peace.

But that was impossible.

The original Akatsuki members gone. And now, even the newer recruits were dying. How long until it was her and Nagato's turn?

She turned to leave.

"Konan," Black Zetsu called out. "There's something we need to discuss."

"What is it?"

Sasori, glancing at them, retreated to his lab.

Black Zetsu, oblivious to human emotions, explained his and Sasori's plan. Konan, seemingly normal, even attractive, would be the perfect recruiter for their Edo Tensei establishment.

The Akatsuki's current members they weren't exactly presentable.

Only Konan.

The more he spoke, the more Konan's face darkened.

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