"Ahaha, Mr. Higashi Iwa, you're finally back! Please, have a seat, have a seat."
The man before him, Myōba Tarō, was now a far cry from the downtrodden ninja he had once been. His hair was slicked back into a shiny, polished pompadour, his scruffy beard meticulously shaved clean. Dressed in a sharp ninja outfit topped with a stylish woolen cloak, he exuded an air of sophistication and charisma.
"Where have you been all this time, sir? Did you hear? The Kazekage, Jinghang, has declared war on Iwagakure! Two-thirds of the Hourglass Group's factory guards have been redeployed, and the city is in chaos. Rumors are flying everywhere. Our Akatsuki has grown even stronger! Don't you think it's time for us to act?"
Myōba Tarō appeared exhilarated, his words tumbling out in a disorganized rush. But Mr. Higashi Iwa remained composed, smiling faintly as he gestured toward the tent entrance.
At his command, three burly men entered, each carrying a large chest. They lined up before Myōba Tarō and opened the chests, revealing stacks upon stacks of cash.
Myōba Tarō was utterly stunned, his face lighting up with astonishment.
"Leader, there's no need to be so surprised. During my absence, I secured a powerful ally for you. This funding is their contribution to our cause."
"Oh? And which esteemed benefactor is so generous?"
Myōba Tarō, unable to resist, picked up a bundle of cash and flipped through it eagerly.
"Hoho, none other than the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki."
A flicker of caution crossed Myōba Tarō's face as he tossed the money back into the chest.
"Sir, with Sunagakure already at war with Iwagakure, and Iwagakure facing enemies on both fronts, their defeat is inevitable. Aligning ourselves with them at this time might be..."
No longer the naive rookie who once spouted off in taverns, Myōba Tarō now had a keen understanding of the "international situation." A glint of sharpness flashed in Mr. Higashi Iwa's eyes, but he quickly masked it with a smile.
"Leader, you may not see the full picture yet. Allow me to explain."
He beckoned Myōba Tarō to sit closer.
"The current situation is volatile and unpredictable. This is the perfect moment for us to rise up. Opportunities are fleeting. As long as it benefits us, we should take Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform."
Myōba Tarō seemed puzzled and signaled for Mr. Higashi Iwa to elaborate.
"Right now, Sunagakure's army is massing on the Wind-Earth border, and two-thirds of the Hourglass Group's factory guards have been redeployed. If you were to rally our organization and strike at the factories along the Shule River, I believe that within ten days, this vast industry would belong to Akatsuki! With external aid from Iwagakure and internal Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform. Higashi Iwa spoke with fervor, his words brimming with confidence. Yet Myōba Tarō remained silent, unmoved.
"There is merit in your argument, sir, but you overlook two critical points."
After a long pause, Myōba Tarō finally raised his head and met Mr. Higashi Iwa's gaze.
"First, while Akatsuki has many members, their skills vary widely, and their combat strength is mediocre. Nōshin Kongō may be weak in the shadows, but he still commands over a thousand ninjas. Even with the factory guards reduced, they are seasoned warriors. If it comes to a fight, we may not have the upper hand.
Second, even if we successfully seize control of Amegakure and the Hourglass Group's assets, it will undoubtedly provoke a furious retaliation from Sunagakure's army. Iwagakure is already struggling to defend itself; what reinforcements could they possibly send us? At that point, Akatsuki—no, all of Amegakure—would be reduced to ashes!"
"Hahaha, leader, your prudence is admirable. But rest assured, reinforcements have already arrived!"
Mr. Higashi Iwa laughed heartily and clapped his hands three times.
At once, thirty masked ninjas clad in black cloaks filed into the tent. Each carried a ninja blade on their back. Though they bore no forehead protectors, their attire and demeanor were indistinguishable from Akatsuki members.
These individuals stood in perfect formation, their breathing synchronized. Though silent, their every movement exuded a powerful energy. Upon closer inspection, their hands bore thick calluses, marking them as hardened warriors forged in the crucible of countless battles.
Myōba Tarō pointed at the group, bewildered.
"These are elite jōnin under the command of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. They are battle-hardened veterans, survivors of countless deadly encounters. With them, the factory guards are no match."
Mr. Higashi Iwa declared with conviction.
Myōba Tarō began counting the ninjas, his expression skeptical.
"Only thirty? That might be enough to deal with the factory guards, but against Nōshin Kongō's forces..."
"This alone won't suffice."
Mr. Higashi Iwa nodded.
"Of course, it's not enough. What we need is a reason—a reason that will ignite the fury of every Akatsuki member and every citizen of Amegakure!"
"Oh? And what reason would that be?"
Myōba Tarō's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Without warning, a blade appeared in Mr. Higashi Iwa's hand. In a swift, fluid motion, he slashed Myōba Tarō's throat.
Blood gushed from the wound like water from a broken dam. Mr. Higashi Iwa stepped back disdainfully, as though avoiding the spray of blood on his cloak. Myōba Tarō writhed on the ground for a moment before his body went still.
Glaring coldly at the corpse, Mr. Higashi Iwa sneered.
"What better reason than the assassination of our leader by Sunagakure ninjas to enrage the masses?"
He turned to the thirty elite ninjas.
"Spread the word: Leader Myōba has been assassinated by Sunagakure ninjas! Rally the members, distribute the weapons and funds. By morning, we will rise!"
Meanwhile, outside the tent, a shadow flitted away toward the Shule River, moving with incredible speed.
Yura furrowed his brows, staring intently at the map of Amegakure on the wall. He remained silent for a long time.
Thanks to the groundwork laid during Rasa's tenure, the Hourglass Group had established an extensive intelligence network throughout Amegakure. No disturbance within the village went unnoticed. Upon succeeding Rasa, Yura had inherited this "asset."
He had anticipated that the Akatsuki organization would eventually cause trouble, but he hadn't expected the uprising to come so soon, at such a precise moment, and with Iwagakure's forces involved.
Tracing his finger along the map, Yura followed the Shule River down to the canning factory, then abruptly pointed to the Amegakure Tower.
As the deputy general manager, Yashamaru had been standing by, awaiting orders.
"Organize the core workers into a factory defense team and distribute weapons. If the enemy's forces are overwhelming, abandon the ninja tools factory, but hold the canning factory at all costs! Every worker who joins the defense team will receive 50,000 ryō upfront. For those who die, their families will receive 100,000 ryō. Damn the costs!"
Yura gritted his teeth.
"Yes, sir. And what about the factory guards?"
"The factory guards... will remain inactive."
"Unless Akatsuki's Iwagakure unit shows itself, the factory guards are to hold their position."
"Me? I'm going to break the stalemate."
Yura clapped Yashamaru on the shoulder.
"Break the stalemate? Where?"
"Amegakure Tower. Nōshin Kongō."
Yura declared, his gaze fixed on the map.
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