Yami considered himself a very polite person.
Barging into someone's "conference room" without permission would be impolite, so he decided to sit quietly and observe.
But clearly, the Akatsuki organization didn't appreciate his gesture.
The moment Yami appeared, murderous intent surged from their thought-projected bodies.
Unfortunately for them, it was only their spiritual forms.
If everyone had brought their real bodies, the battle would've already started.
"Fifth Hokage, Shimura Yami," Pain said, his voice filled with pressure. "You're truly worthy of being called the strongest in the world. To think you could reverse and crack my illusion technique."
"The world?" Yami tilted his head. "That's not wrong, but it sounds off. Are you excluding yourself?"
"There will come a day when we meet. Hokage, you'll understand what I mean then."
Pain was indeed mad, but he wasn't stupid enough to reveal his identity so easily. He shifted the topic vaguely.
"No need to wait for the future. Just come to Konoha now. I'll treat you well," Yami smiled. "There are plenty of old friends here too... Uchiha Itachi, Orochimaru, you both still remember the way back to the village, don't you?"
"Hehe... Yami-kun is quite the joker," Orochimaru laughed darkly. "I've always thought about returning to Konoha all these years, but I haven't made enough preparations yet."
"Don't worry, Yami-kun. That day will come sooner or later."
"Don't make me wait too long," Yami replied with a calm smile.
Uchiha Itachi also spoke up at this time. "We will go to Konoha. The Fourth Hokage's legacy will eventually belong to the Akatsuki organization."
Yami was stunned for a moment.
Seriously, I'm gonna cry.
Even now, Uchiha Itachi was still risking everything to pass on information, reminding him that the Akatsuki hadn't given up on the Nine Tails.
In truth, this was Itachi returning the favor. Sasuke's explosive growth made him truly grateful to Yami.
"Careful not to get torn apart by the fox's claws," Yami casually responded, then turned to Pain.
"What's your name?"
"Pain."
"You're the leader of Akatsuki?"
"Yes."
"So what's your goal in gathering all these rogue ninja?"
Pain was silent for a few seconds before slowly answering, "To bring peace to the shinobi world. I need their power."
Yami clapped lightly. "Didn't expect someone else in the world to share the same ideals. My dream is also peace in the shinobi world."
"Well, I have a proposal."
Pain looked at him. "What kind of proposal?"
"You Akatsuki members join Konoha, and together we unify the shinobi world. If there's only one nation left, won't peace naturally follow?"
"As for compensation, it's easy. Just money. All of your current salaries will be doubled."
"Really?"
Kakuzu blurted out before quickly shutting his mouth under Pain's cold glare.
"Fifth Hokage, enough with the jokes," Pain said coldly.
Beneath his wide sleeve, his clenched fist trembled slightly. "I'm not like you great nations. When the new era comes, if you can let go of your hatred, Akatsuki might leave a place for you."
[Host has established Hatred Bond with Pain. Acquired Seven Attribute Chakra (Ultimate).]
After speaking, Pain ended the illusion technique. Without the support of the "signal tower," the images of the others started to blur.
"My offer still stands. But when I do come knocking, the welcome won't be as friendly. Take care."
Yami's spiritual body disappeared.
Hidan snorted. "I'll offer you to Jashin-sama one day!"
Kakuzu glanced at him but said nothing.
The cave fell silent again, but none of the Akatsuki members could calm down.
Land of Rain.
Konan and Nagato returned to their bodies, and when their eyes met, both saw the seriousness in each other's expressions.
Yami's strength and unpredictability far exceeded their expectations.
"Nagato, what should we do?" Konan asked, clearly worried. "He just met all our members. Even if it was an illusion, with Konoha's intel network, he could easily uncover all our identities…"
"So what if he does?"
Nagato remained calm and thoughtful. "Didn't you hear what he said? Shimura Yami's ambition is far greater than we imagined."
"He wants to unify the shinobi world. The other major villages are his enemies now. We must capture the tailed beasts before they realize what's happening—and while we're at it, provoke Konoha's relationships with them."
Nagato admitted he felt pressure from Yami.
But to fulfill Yahiko's dream, he was willing to risk everything.
"Have Orochimaru develop a more efficient potion."
Nagato instructed Konan, "I'll personally go and capture Six Tails and Seven Tails. When I return, Two Tails to Four Tails should already be in our hands."
"Orochimaru can't be trusted."
Konan reminded him. "He's had his eye on your eyes for a long time..."
"I know."
Nagato didn't get angry. His tone was steady. "That's why I turned Yakushi Kabuto against him. With Kabuto secretly relaying information and my Rinnegan's insight, Orochimaru won't get his chance."
This was the first time Konan had heard that Nagato had secretly turned Orochimaru's subordinate.
"Is he reliable?"
"Don't worry. I saw the desire for power in Kabuto's eyes. In the future, I'll help him consume everything that belongs to Orochimaru. He has no reason to betray me."
Konan nodded, then left to find him.
Konoha.
A few days later, Yami received a thank-you letter from Suna, but it didn't contain the response he had hoped for.
Yami chuckled, fully understanding Gaara's decision.
But he didn't mind.
Gaara joining was only a consideration out of respect for Temari's loyalty over the years.
Since Gaara didn't accept the offer now, whatever happened later would be on him.
That afternoon, all of Konoha's high-level leaders and department heads gathered on the first floor of the Hokage building.
Many were confused. They had been busy with their own tasks when Anbu suddenly summoned them.
The doors opened, and Yami entered wearing his divine robe, followed by Izumi and Pakura. The room instantly fell silent. Everyone stood at attention.
In just three years, the youngest Hokage had gained more prestige than many in decades.
The clans followed orders, Anbu and Root performed their duties, internal conflicts had disappeared, and the strength of mid-level shinobi had increased dramatically. The village's economy and size had more than doubled.
In terms of accomplishments, excluding founding merit, even Senju Hashirama was rivaled. Among all Hokage, only Tobirama, the founder of the Leaf's system, could compare.
Under everyone's gaze, Yami took the first seat and gestured for them to sit.
"To keep it short—by now you all should know what Akatsuki has done. Kazekage Gaara was captured, and the tailed beast in him was extracted. Their target isn't just one beast, but all of them."
Most of those present looked grim.
Attacking Suna and capturing Gaara with just a few people—this alone showed how dangerous Akatsuki was.
What made rogue ninja dangerous was their lack of weaknesses.
Unlike shinobi tied to a family or a village—like the former demigod Hanzo—these lone actors couldn't be targeted indirectly.
"We have to go on the offensive," Nara Shikaku suggested. "Didn't we capture two prisoners? Have the Intelligence Division extract their memories and locate the Akatsuki base, then launch a swift attack."
Many nodded in agreement.
Yami didn't comment, and Shikaku quickly went quiet again.
"Alright."
As soon as Yami spoke, the room fell silent again.
"Shikaku's suggestion is good—simple and effective. But there's one problem. We'd be protecting the other villages from danger."
Everyone went quiet again. It was true…
Konoha only had the Nine Tails. The Five Tails belonged to Yami personally. Akatsuki's true target was the other villages.
"You mean… let Akatsuki clash with the other countries first?" Danzō guessed.
"That won't work either."
Yami shook his head. "Capturing the tailed beasts means they can harness them. If we wait, Akatsuki will only grow stronger."
"Maintaining peace in the shinobi world and ensuring the safety of the Jinchūriki is Konoha's responsibility. That is the duty of a superpower."
Yami grinned. "I've decided to reclaim all the tailed beasts distributed by the First Hokage. All Jinchūriki will live in Konoha under our best protection."
The higher-ups stared at him in shock.
Was that something someone could just say?
Was he protecting the Jinchūriki… or declaring war on the world?
But Yami wasn't done. He reached behind him, and Izumi handed him a folded bundle.
"Black-cloud-on-red robes?" Kakashi recognized them immediately.
"That's right."
"If other villages refuse, 'Akatsuki members' will retrieve the Jinchūriki. When that happens, they shouldn't say we didn't warn them."
Those who understood immediately had complicated expressions.
Akatsuki capturing Jinchūriki...
That might actually be Konoha's forces in disguise.
Of course, no one was stupid enough to say it aloud. They just complained silently in their hearts.
No one objected. Yami hadn't gathered them for discussion. He had called them to inform them.
As for whether this would offend other villages, honestly, with such a mysterious Hokage, they weren't worried.
Soon, Yami assigned tasks to each department and dismissed the meeting.
Two days later, Konoha's public statement spread across the shinobi world.
In order to stop Akatsuki's plan, all Jinchūriki were to report to Konoha within one month to register and receive Hokage's protection.
If they failed to comply, and Konoha suffered losses due to a Jinchūriki, Konoha would hold the relevant village fully accountable.
Yami didn't even bother with theatrics—he went straight for the throat. This declaration pushed the entire shinobi world to the edge.
Upon hearing the news, Ōnoki grunted and ignored it, but made a mental note of Yami.
Fourth Raikage A dismantled three tables in a row, then sent envoys to form an anti-Konoha alliance.
As for Suna, they had already lost their only tailed beast, and made no move.
Gaara politely declined the Kumo envoy's offer, trying to remain neutral and stay out of the growing conflict.
Unfortunately, Gaara had forgotten one truth—when two powers go to war, those trying to stay neutral are the first to be crushed.
Kirigakure.
"Elder, another Anbu squad has lost contact."
Terumi Mei gave her report with a heavy expression. "Just this month, we've lost 26 shinobi."
"It must be..." the elder closed his eyes. "It must be Konoha's retaliation."
"All over Ao's Byakugan?"
Terumi Mei was furious. "Why is Konoha so overbearing? That eye was clearly taken fairly during war, and they want it back? Just because we refused, they retaliate like this?"
Evil Konoha!
Though resentful, life had to go on. She had to deal with the crisis.
"Elder, what do we do now? Konoha's assassins are too strong. I can't escort every team on their missions."
"That's why we need stronger forces—at least ones who can protect themselves."
The elder revealed his plan. "First, find the Six Tails Jinchūriki, Utakata, who's been wandering outside. The Three Tails will soon resurrect too. We can make a new Jinchūriki before Akatsuki gets to it."
Terumi Mei's eyes lit up. "Utakata? I'll send someone right away."
"No need."
The elder smiled and shook his head. "I've already dispatched two Anbu teams. They've found him. It's just a matter of convincing him."
Terumi Mei admired him greatly. An elder truly was a treasure to the village. Even though she would soon become the Fifth Mizukage, this man was still the backbone of Kirigakure.
What neither of them knew was that while Kiri's Anbu were tracking Utakata...
Konoha's people had already arrived quietly.
(To be continued.)