Tsunade's resolve is extremely firm.
The current situation poses both a crisis and a tremendous opportunity for Konoha. If they succeed in eliminating the Akatsuki, Konoha's status will surely surpass that of the already devastated Hidden Sand Village and Hidden Mist Village.
Tsunade is indeed a qualified political figure. Compared to her political wisdom, Gaara from the Hidden Sand Village is still too young.
Even if Terumi Mei from the Hidden Mist Village realizes this, she is powerless, as forming an alliance to eliminate the Akatsuki is now politically correct in the Ninja World.
Of course, Tsunade is also quite adept at this game.
If they want their allies to follow Konoha's will, besides these grand justifications, there must also be substantial rewards. Konoha's interests certainly cannot be betrayed, so they can only sacrifice the interests of another country.
"Previously, we proposed to interrogate the Third Tsuchikage Onoki of the Hidden Rock Village, demanding he hand over information on the Akatsuki. Unfortunately, this matter has not been pursued."
Tsunade tightened her grip and said gravely, "Especially after the Akatsuki successively destroyed the Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Mist Village, it's even harder for us to sanction the Hidden Rock Village. After all, if the Akatsuki is truly a hidden force of the Hidden Rock Village instigating wars in the Ninja World, we must sever the Hidden Rock Village's claws!"
Her words carried a touch of Haki.
After her righteous words, Tsunade naturally needed to say something everyone liked to hear: "Once we eliminate the Akatsuki and find concrete evidence, we must use that as a pretext to strike against the rampant terror in the Hidden Rock Village, demanding that the Hidden Rock Village compensate all nations!"
"That might trigger a war..."
Uehara Naraku subconsciously frowned: "If we proceed this way, I must report to Lord Hanzo, who has always been committed to the peace of the Ninja World."
Tsunade turned to look at Gaara and Terumi Mei, speaking solemnly: "Peace is not attained by begging for it! Only with a sufficiently strong attitude and possessing enough power can one embrace peace!"
"Hmm..."
Gaara hesitated for a moment before gently softening the topic: "Right now, our top priority is to capture Akatsuki members within the Land of Fire, right? Let's discuss our battle plan first!"
"Alright."
Tsunade beckoned for Nara Shikaku, introducing him softly: "This is Jonin Squad Leader Nara Shikaku of our Konoha. He will be explaining this operation to everyone!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Nara Shikaku stood where Nara Shikamaru had been and took out a map of the Land of Fire, spreading it out on the table.
"Because the number of Akatsuki members is small but their strength is formidable, in this operation to capture the Akatsuki, the ordinary squads will mainly be responsible for intelligence gathering and establishing a blockade. The primary combat forces will be the village's Jonin squads and Anbu squads.
First, a comprehensive encirclement.
According to our latest intelligence, the Akatsuki members are likely in this area. We will start with a sweeping search by teams of perception ninja here, with the main battle squads following closely and ready to surround Akatsuki's members at any time.
Second, divide and conquer.
Based on our years of confrontations with the Akatsuki, we've determined their cooperation in group battle is extremely high, a result of their many years of fighting experience.
However, they seem to have a peculiar trait, which is that each member is very proud. Therefore, we might use intermittent attacks to gradually disrupt their teamwork, isolating and encircling the six members of the Akatsuki.
Third, less against more.
According to our intelligence, although the members who have infiltrated the Land of Fire may be slightly less powerful, they are still very formidable. Therefore, capturing them requires powerful ninja to subdue them.
The main battle squad, led by Lord Hokage and Lord Jiraiya, will launch an attack, targeting and killing one or two Akatsuki members, while deploying Jonin and Anbu squads to intercept and entangle the other members, defeating them one by one.
The members each encirclement and main battle squad will face have already been listed, maximizing each squad's strengths. However, unexpected situations may occur on the battlefield, requiring on-the-spot judgment.
Above all."
Nara Shikaku spoke leisurely, lacking any sense of urgency that might accompany a looming major battle, yet his strategy sent chills down the spine.
Even Uehara Naraku couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive.
Luckily, he came to Konoha this time; otherwise, just Kakuzu and the other six could really be annihilated here due to Nara Shikaku's schemes.
It's truly surprising; this future commander of the Ninja Alliance in the upcoming great Ninja World War is brilliant beyond underestimation!
Not to mention Kakuzu and the other six, if Konoha ninja follow his remote command and engage in field battle, even the Pain of Six Paths could be defeated piece by piece...
Looking at Nara Shikaku, the man smiled pleasantly, laying out his strategy with an honest demeanor... yet his moves were unexpectedly ruthless!
Clap, clap, clap...
Uehara Naraku gently clapped, unable to resist praising: "I've never seen such a brilliant strategy..."
"Hehehehe..."
Nara Shikaku awkwardly rubbed his forehead; crafting this strategy took considerable effort, especially since Tsunade asked him to come up with a suitable strategy in such a short time, which was somewhat taxing.
Tsunade surveyed everyone present and spoke softly: "So does anyone have any differing opinions? If there are no objections, we could consider commencing..."
"The Hidden Mist Village has no objections."
"The Hidden Sand Village has no objections."
"The Hidden Rain Village has no objections."
Everyone present nodded in agreement.
After presenting this strategy, Konoha seemingly didn't require much assistance from them, mainly for an extra layer of security.
After all, everyone is an ally.
After nodding, Terumi Mei raised a concern: "After this operation concludes, we hope that the three members of the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist are handed over to us for disposition..."
"Of course."
Tsunade nodded calmly.
Uehara Naraku also spoke directly: "Then after the operation, we from the Hidden Rain Village hope to be given Kakuzu for disposal."
Tsunade furrowed her brows but didn't immediately agree: "We have to consider this matter, after all, Kakuzu is a rogue ninja from the Hidden Waterfall Village..."
Information about Kakuzu had also been collected by Konoha.
The leader of the Hidden Waterfall Village gave Konoha Ninja a dossier on Kakuzu, which had shocked even Tsunade.
Kakuzu had become a Jonin of the Hidden Waterfall Village decades ago, slaughtered the high officials of the Hidden Waterfall, and fled after seizing their geographical advantage!
What does this even mean?
How long has Kakuzu been alive!
"This won't do."
Uehara Naraku shook his head with a smile and said softly: "Kakuzu stole a valuable artifact from our Hidden Rain Village, Lord Hanzo specifically instructed me to capture him."
"Heh..."
Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle, looking at Uehara Naraku as she curled her lips: "Is that really a valuable artifact of your Hidden Rain Village? What he stole was a treasure from the Hidden Waterfall Village…"
"..."
Uehara Naraku's expression changed slightly, standing up slowly, he leaned over the table and looked Tsunade straight in the eye, speaking softly: "It seems you've already figured out Kakuzu's secret; Konoha should understand well why we want Kakuzu, Lord Hanzo..."
"Uehara!"
Tsunade promptly interrupted Uehara Naraku's words, jumped over, and wrapped her arms around Uehara Naraku, pulling him out of the office.
Holding Uehara Naraku's arm, Tsunade waved to Gaara and Terumi Mei: "I need to talk to this kid, feel free to do as you please…"
"Uh..."
Terumi Mei and Gaara exchanged glances.
A moment later, the two began to ponder why a single Kakuzu could cause a contention between Konoha and the Hidden Rain Village, what secret was that guy hiding?
In the hallway of the Hokage Tower.
Uehara Naraku glanced at Tsunade, who walked out with a beaming smile, feeling the softness and warmth transferred from her arm, and inexplicably thought of Konan.
If he recalled correctly, when chatting idly with Teacher Konan some time ago, he vaguely heard… that Teacher Konan didn't seem to mind him marrying an older woman.
At the time, Uehara Naraku thought Konan was referring to his issues with Terumi Mei, which was unfounded, so he didn't pay it any mind.
Now, it seems, perhaps…
Sometimes, one should listen more to their teacher!
Tsunade, still smiling, entered a dim room holding Uehara Naraku's arm, then suddenly shut the door, pressing Uehara Naraku against the wall!
"Hey, kid!"
Tsunade's smile vanished without a trace, her face now filled with malice: "Hanzo of the Salamander wants Kakuzu's body for longevity, right?"
"..."
Uehara Naraku glanced down at Tsunade and her chest.
After a moment of silence, Uehara Naraku lowered his head again.
Since he didn't know how to respond, he could only lower his head as confirmation, anyway, they almost slipped up in the Hokage Office earlier!
Tsunade also knew this fact, she scoffed at Uehara Naraku's expression, "If this action succeeds, Konoha will definitely not hand Kakuzu over to the Hidden Rain Village, let that old guy forget it!"
Fortunately, Uehara Naraku remembered his duties, he immediately raised his head and glared angrily at Tsunade, saying coldly: "This is our bottom line, you are simply worried that Lord Hanzo will continue to live, making the Hidden Rain Village even stronger under his leadership…"
"Enough."
Tsunade shook her head contemptuously, trailing a finger across Uehara Naraku's cheek, saying coldly: "If it's only about strength, I might very much admire him, after all, Hanzo of the Salamander once beat dozens of Konoha elite squads on his own, only Jiraiya, Orochimaru and I survived.
But when it comes to leadership, that old guy led the Hidden Rain Village for so many years, do you think the Hidden Rain Village has grown stronger? Even you, as a kid, have done more than that Hanzo guy."
This statement seemed somewhat provocative.
Uehara Naraku almost instinctively nodded, of course, he felt he did more for the Hidden Rain than Hanzo of the Salamander did! The Land of Rain expanded nearly twice its size, wasn't that all thanks to him?
Uehara Naraku lowered his head, breathing heavily. After a struggle, he said in a deep voice: "No need to say more, Lord Hokage, when the action comes, we will each rely on our methods, and whoever manages to kill Kakuzu will have ownership!"
"Alright, then let's bet on it!"
Tsunade curled her lips and extended her hand: "Let's make a bet! If you manage to kill Kakuzu, then Kakuzu will belong to your Hidden Rain Village!"
"..."
Something seemed off here.
Uehara Naraku pondered for a while and slowly extended his hand to grasp Tsunade's small hand, as if knowing he was about to lose to Tsunade in this bet again.
Even if it was a sure-loss bet, it was still necessary to make the wager to avoid arousing Tsunade's suspicion.
One wouldn't kill Kakuzu over a bet, after all!
Old man Kakuzu was the diligent moneymaker for the Akatsuki, a ninja Uehara Naraku even admired!
"Come here!"
Tsunade grabbed Uehara Naraku's shirt, pulling him down close to her, blowing hot air into his ear: "Ha, kid, you have never won our bets, have you!"
"..."
After a moment of thought, Uehara Naraku clenched his fist, his lips close to Tsunade's ear: "Don't worry, for Lord Hanzo's sake, I will definitely win this time!"