Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 273: Hidden Agendas and Akatsuki's New Vision for Peace!

Four days after the defeat of the Hidden Cloud and the execution of the Fire Daimyo for treason, the news spread across the entire ninja world.

The nations were furious, strongly demanding that their respective ninja villages mobilize against Konoha.

The smaller villages, like the Hidden Grass, Hidden Frost, and Hidden Waterfall, immediately accepted the call. However, the other four major villages remained collectively silent.

Hidden Sand Village.

Upon receiving orders from the Wind Daimyo, Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, summoned the reclusive elders Chiyo and Ebizō to an emergency meeting of the Jōnin council.

This was a major issue, and while Rasa had his own opinions, he needed the support of the village's upper echelon to present a united front.

The Wind Daimyo had repeatedly cut the Sand Village's funding, forcing Rasa to personally search for gold in the desert just to keep the village afloat.

Even then, the income barely covered the village's basic expenses.

If this continued, the Sand Village was destined for a slow, inevitable decline.

Moreover, Rasa had witnessed Haneda's power firsthand during the Third Shinobi World War.

When it came to Konoha under Haneda's leadership, he saw no chance of victory.

His plan was to give the appearance of compliance without actually committing to war, possibly securing additional war funds in the process.

At the Jōnin meeting, after Chiyo and Ebizō took their seats, Rasa began solemnly:

"Konoha's Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Haneda, has defeated the Hidden Cloud."

"Based on their official report, Haneda likely captured the Fourth Raikage and two Jinchūriki."

At this point, Rasa took out the letter sent by the Wind Daimyo and unfurled it for all to see.

"Furthermore, the Fire Daimyo was caught secretly aiding the Hidden Cloud and was executed for treason by the Fifth Hokage."

The room filled with expressions of shock and thinly-veiled schadenfreude.

The battle-hardened Chiyo and Ebizō were momentarily stunned but soon fell into contemplation as they read the letter.

Suddenly, Rasa tore the letter to pieces and said mockingly:

"The Daimyo finds endless excuses to cut our funding year after year. Why should we protect his interests and declare war on Konoha?"

"For the pittance he offers us?!"

One of the Jōnin immediately agreed, "Exactly, Lord Kazekage! Why should we protect a Daimyo who doesn't value the Sand Village?"

Another added, "Besides, it's a Daimyo from another nation. What does that have to do with us?"

…

As Rasa listened to the mix of passionate and supportive voices, he felt a quiet sense of satisfaction.

For the first time since becoming Kazekage, he had the majority's support.

He then turned his gaze to Chiyo and Ebizō.

In many ways, their influence in the Sand Village was unmatched.

Rasa's authority alone wasn't enough to sway the village; major policies required their approval to move forward.

Chiyo knew it was time for her to speak. After exchanging a glance with her brother, she stood up and declared:

"The Sand Village maintains a policy of non-interference in other nations' internal affairs."

Ebizō was even more blunt:

"Uchiha Haneda has already defeated the Third Tsuchikage and the Fourth Raikage. Neither the Hidden Stone nor the Hidden Cloud poses a threat to Konoha."

"Even if the Sand Village and Hidden Mist join forces, along with the smaller villages, we still wouldn't be able to threaten Konoha."

"If the Daimyo insists, we'll take the money—but do nothing."

With Chiyo and Ebizō's approval, Rasa immediately announced:

"To ensure the Daimyo's safety, we'll request additional funds to expand our military and protect the Land of Wind."

...

Across the Sea, the Land of Water.

Upon hearing about the absurd death of his neighboring Daimyo, the Water Daimyo ordered the Hidden Mist to mobilize against Haneda.

But that very night, a masked figure attacked the Daimyo's mansion, setting it ablaze. The Daimyo died in the inferno.

Those who had spoken out against Uchiha Haneda all met similarly gruesome ends in their homes.

After that night, no one in the Daimyo's court dared mention the matter again.

...

Unlike the Sand and Mist, the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud had relatively good relations with their Daimyo.

However, when their Daimyo issued orders to attack Konoha, everyone pretended not to hear, maintaining a tense silence.

The Hidden Stone's previous Tsuchikage had recently died, and the new, younger Tsuchikage lacked the authority to command the village.

As for the Hidden Cloud, with their Raikage captured by Konoha, they were more focused on negotiating his ransom.

Besides, after the battle four days ago, the Cloud's ninjas were left traumatized by Haneda's overwhelming power.

Every time they passed through the Valley of Despair, they couldn't help but recall the divine Senju Buddha that had loomed over them.

It was not the power of mortals, but of gods.

...

In the Hidden Rain Village.

The Rain Village received the Daimyo's orders like the other villages.

In his hidden underground base, Nagato was reading Haneda's writings when Konan descended from above, a letter in hand.

She handed the letter to the Deva Path Pain and reported:

"Haneda has acted. He captured the Raikage and two Jinchūriki, and executed the Daimyo for treason."

Pain read the letter and remarked coldly, "This was expected."

Konan asked, "The Daimyo wants the Rain Village to attack Konoha. What will you do?"

This time, it was Nagato himself who responded.

He turned to the first page of My Struggle and said:

"Capitalism has come to the ninja world, and from head to toe, every pore drips with blood and corruption."

"A Daimyo isn't even as useful as capital. He is more like a slave master, enslaving his entire nation."

"I want to see what Haneda does next. Will he become the very evil he set out to destroy, or lead humanity toward true happiness?"

Konan smiled and asked eagerly, "So, you're abandoning Madara's plan?"

Nagato closed the book and shook his head.

"Haneda will lead the world to happiness, but the path to peace remains difficult."

"As long as nations have conflicting interests, and as long as people's loyalties are divided, war will continue."

"The citizens of great nations will flourish, while those of smaller nations will suffer in the crossfire."

"In the end, nothing will change."

Nagato, controlling the Deva Path, shredded the letter. He glanced back at the Gedo Statue connected to his body and continued:

"This world needs a common enemy, a goal that can unite all nations."

"Once the Gedo Statue absorbs all the Tailed Beasts and creates a weapon capable of destroying any great nation, the nations will have no choice but to stop warring and unite for survival."

"This is what Haneda described as unity through conflict—seeking common ground despite differences."

"The Akatsuki, led by Pain, will become the world's enemy."

"Pain will guide the world to peace, while Haneda will lead it to happiness."

"This is the mission our era has given us, Konan."

"The plan to collect the Tailed Beasts will not stop!"

Konan sighed inwardly as she looked at Nagato, who had become a devoted follower of Haneda.

She didn't want Nagato to bear such a heavy burden.

But this was the destiny he had chosen—the mission of their time.

As Haneda had written:

"When the world is young again, when the stars shine brightly once more, peace shall finally come."

...