"No no no, you're wrong to say that."
"How could we possibly be taking advantage? Our Sand Hidden Village has always been sincere with our allies."
"We may need help from Akatsuki Village in the future as well."
Nohara got so anxious he stood up. He was almost about to say, "You're taking this money whether you like it or not!"
"I'm truly touched by what Nohara just said."
"I've already felt the sincerity of your Hidden Village."
Yahiko barely held back a smirk, pretending to be moved.
"However, this really isn't a small amount. The Sand Hidden Village hasn't been wealthy since the Second Shinobi World War."
"How can you only consider the interests of your own Hidden Village?"
Nagato spoke like a traitor feigning concern, but didn't earn even an ounce of gratitude from Nohara.
How did this guy become an elder?
Back in our Sand Hidden Village, even if you killed him and fed him to scorpions, there'd still be some brains left over.
"Well... sigh..."
Yahiko sighed, looking torn between duty and doubt.
That indecisive look made Nohara especially irritated.
This kid hasn't even grown stubble—how reliable can he be? Where's the majesty of a Kage (Village Leader)?
"Leader-sama, forming an alliance is more beneficial than not."
"The Sand Hidden Village has come with sincerity. I think we shouldn't disappoint Kazekage-sama."
"As for aid, we can just go through the motions."
To maintain appearances, Konan had no choice but to say things against her conscience. She was just hoping they'd get as much money as possible.
"That's right, Akatsuki Shadow-sama."
"Forming this alliance will definitely benefit both parties."
"As for monetary support, our Sand Hidden Village will spare no effort."
While thinking finally someone was speaking sense, Nohara completely failed to realize he was being manipulated into compliance.
"This doesn't seem right."
The way Nagato spoke reminded Nohara greatly of someone else.
"Nagato, don't speak anymore."
"If the Sand Hidden Village is this sincere, even without any assistance at all, I'm still willing to form this alliance."
Yahiko interrupted whatever Nagato was going to say next, finally giving Nohara a satisfactory answer.
"Akatsuki Shadow-sama, your wisdom is unmatched."
"Once I return to my village and report to Kazekage-sama, we'll send someone to handle the follow-up details."
Fearing Yahiko might change his mind, Nohara immediately solidified the agreement.
"That's easy enough. We need secrecy—I understand completely."
Yahiko wore an enigmatic smile, seeming a little clueless.
"May I ask how much financial support your Hidden Village can provide?"
At this moment, Kakuzu finally spoke his first words.
"Didn't I just say? Even without assistance, I'd still form the alliance."
Immediately, the smile vanished from Yahiko's face. This was exactly how someone looked when publicly undermined by their subordinate.
"Akatsuki Shadow-sama, please don't be angry."
"This honorable one simply speaks his mind bluntly."
"Our Sand Hidden Village would never refuse to assist our ally."
Unexpectedly, Nohara became the one calming Yahiko down, now feeling completely relaxed having completed his mission.
"My apologies for letting you witness such behavior, Nohara-kun."
"Kakuzu here comes from humble origins—he's just a bit money-minded."
Yahiko forced a smile while apologizing, keeping his posture very humble.
"Not at all, Kakuzu-dono shows admirable honesty."
Nohara felt a shiver of fear inside. Though he didn't personally know Kakuzu, he had heard his name before.
Never would I have guessed there's such a tough character in Akatsuki Village. I must report this to Kazekage-sama immediately upon my return.
"So then, how much are you Sand ninja willing to offer for aid?"
Kakuzu played his part perfectly, brushing off Yahiko's words like they were going in one ear and out the other.
"Don't know about much, but one hundred million should be no problem."
Nohara sounded confident. One hundred million wasn't even close to reaching Kazekage-sama's upper limit.
"I thought you guys had deeper pockets than that."
"The Leaf ninja are more generous than you."
Kakuzu scoffed with disdain, clearly not impressed by the amount of one hundred million at all.
"Kakuzu, what nonsense are you spouting now?"
"If you haven't woken up yet, go back to sleep."
Yahiko first appeared shocked, then loudly rebuked Kakuzu.
Just from the look on his face alone, he was clearly the star of the show.
"Has Akatsuki had contact with Konoha?"
Nohara's expression turned grim at once. Konoha was practically a nightmare incarnate for the Sand ninja.
Konoha nearly wiped out the entire Hidden Sand Village before.
"No way, absolutely not."
"We've never interacted with anyone from the Leaf."
Yahiko's denial looked feeble before Nohara.
"That's only because you wouldn't know. It was me who made contact."
"The Leaf offered five hundred million right off the bat. That's quite a difference."
Kakuzu took full responsibility, speaking with absolute conviction.
"No way. Forming an alliance with Konoha is like bargaining with a tiger for its hide."
"I wouldn't agree even if it were ten hundred million."
Yahiko declared firmly, which struck a chord with Nohara.
"The Leader of Akatsuki speaks wisely indeed."
"The Leaf's strength ranks first among the Five Great Ninja Villages."
"To put it bluntly, any alliance with the Leaf would merely reduce Akatsuki Village to a mere puppet."
At this moment, Nohara felt that Yahiko was truly brilliant—he'd misjudged him.
"If being a puppet is worth five hundred million, then your Sand Village really lacks sincerity."
Kakuzu clearly intended to play the villain till the end.
"Kakuzu, don't speak anymore."
"Absolutely no further contact with Leaf ninja. I'm the one who calls the shots in Akatsuki."
Yahiko rebuked Kakuzu again, making Nohara feel even more reassured.
"Leader of Akatsuki, you're showing great sincerity too."
"The Sand Village just can't match that amount."
"But I'll definitely inform Kazekage-sama and do everything possible to assist Akatsuki Village."
"Does that work for you?"
This chapter isn't over!
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Nohara knew perfectly well how much Rasa feared Konoha. Just to prevent Akatsuki Village from allying with the Leaf, he'd willingly offer more money.
Now wasn't the time to worry about the two hundred million limit. He needed to stabilize Akatsuki Village for now.
"No problem. You can rest assured."
"I am the Leader of Akatsuki Village after all."
Yahiko's heart blossomed with joy. He slapped his chest in promise to Nohara.
"Hmph! Ungrateful fool."
Kakuzu stormed off angrily, providing a perfect ending to the drama.
Crash!
As the laboratory doors slammed shut, a faint smile tugged at Kawaki's lips.
"Don't worry about him. Our deal stands firm."
"Nohara-san, feel free to return. I'll wait for good news from you."
Yahiko's face flickered with irritation at Kakuzu's departure, though he visibly restrained himself.
"Thank you, Akatsuki Kage. Rest assured, we will deliver on the funds."
Nohara had no idea he'd already fallen into the trap.
"No problem at all. From now on, Akatsuki Village and Hidden Sand Village will be allies."
"Feel free to visit anytime."
Yahiko grinned brightly, being unusually polite.
"Definitely."
"Well then, I should take my leave. Kazekage is waiting for my report."
Nohara prepared to excuse himself before things could get complicated.
After all, Kakuzu was an unstable factor—one Nohara clearly recognized.
"Alright, safe travels."
"I still have work to do, so let Kazuhiro escort you partway."
Yahiko escorted Nohara and his group out the gate and summoned Kazuhiro.
Once Kazuhiro and Nohara's group were out of sight, Yahiko and the others broke out laughing.
"I wonder how much money we can con from them?"
Kakuzu stepped out from a nearby corner with a slight smile.
"At least two hundred million ryō."
Yahiko spoke without full confidence. As long as Rasa feared an alliance with Konoha, he wouldn't dare offer less than half that amount.
"Better make it happen."
Kakuzu found playing this role more tiring than actually killing someone.
...
Akatsuki Village acted swiftly. Within a week, a second delegation secretly arrived at the village.
They also brought along three hundred million ryō in cash, which pleased Yahiko greatly.
The alliance was officially solidified.
Just as Hidden Sand cursed Konoha behind its back, Yahiko's group pulled the same con again, swindling another large sum from Iwagakure.
Meanwhile, Konoha's supplies slipped quietly into the Land of Rain under Shouta's oversight.
With money came convenience. Construction across the Land of Rain kicked off in full swing.
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