"Shin, since you know so much, you must have your own ideas. My mind's a mess right now. Tell us your plan."
The flood of earth-shattering secrets had drastically broadened Yahiko's perspective. Realizing how simplistic his earlier thinking had been, he rubbed his forehead and turned to Ōoka Shin for direction.
Ōoka Shin's proposal was straightforward, and he laid it out step by step.
"No matter what, in the shinobi world, strength reigns supreme. If we aren't strong enough, forget about protecting peace or defending the weak—we'll eventually be killed by someone stronger."
Though Yahiko and the others were kind, they were not naïve. Their past hardships had already taught them the importance of strength. They all nodded.
"So our core path must be to strengthen ourselves by any means necessary. If we gain enough power to suppress a city, we can bring peace to that city. If we gain enough power to suppress a nation, we can bring peace to that nation. And if we gain enough power to suppress the entire shinobi world, we can bring peace to the world. Anyone who dares start a war—we eliminate them."
Konan looked uncertain.
"Even though Jiraiya-sensei trained us, and we're stronger than most shinobi, there are still many in this world far stronger than we are. How do we grow stronger?"
Yahiko glanced at Nagato thoughtfully.
"Shin… you're thinking of relying on the Rinnegan?"
Ōoka Shin nodded.
"Exactly. Madara may have had sinister intentions, but since the Rinnegan now resides in Nagato, it belongs to him. We must help Nagato unlock its full power. If one day he attains strength comparable to the Sage of Six Paths, he can deter all the shinobi villages. They won't dare wage war lightly."
Suddenly burdened with such responsibility, Nagato looked flustered and uncertain.
"M-Me? That's impossible… The Sage was a godlike figure. I couldn't… Maybe Yahiko should—"
Yahiko grinned and threw an arm around Nagato's shoulders.
"Nagato, we'll be counting on you from now on. Once you become a sage, our dream will come true."
"I—I…"
Nagato stammered, but Ōoka Shin continued.
"However, I only know the legends of the Rinnegan, not its detailed mechanics. We need to establish a research facility—recruit personnel, purchase equipment, and study it properly. The Rinnegan isn't Nagato's original eyes. Forcing its development could put him at risk."
Yahiko nodded repeatedly. Nagato fell silent again.
If it would help everyone—and if there was a cautious plan—Nagato did not want to refuse.
At that moment, Konan pointed out the obvious problem.
"But none of us know how to conduct research. And we don't have money or specialists."
Ōoka Shin waved his hand with a smile.
"This is a long-term goal. We can take it step by step. It doesn't conflict with your original approach. We can continue helping civilians while recruiting allies and accumulating funds. Eventually, we'll succeed."
"Right! Let's call Jūzō and the others in and discuss it together," Yahiko said eagerly, newly inspired.
Ōoka Shin immediately objected.
"Yahiko, this world is full of strange and dangerous techniques. Even the dead cannot always keep secrets. The fewer people who know, the safer we are."
But Yahiko's expression turned firm.
"Shin, you said the Sage of Six Paths and the First Hokage were wiser and stronger than I am. The only thing I might surpass them in is sincerity. If I hide something like this from my comrades in the name of secrecy, I'll never achieve our dream."
Nagato and Konan firmly supported him.
Ōoka Shin sighed inwardly.
So this is who Yahiko is. If he were a calculating warlord, I wouldn't have dared join him in the first place.
As expected, when Daibutsu and the other four were called in and told the secrets—about the Rinnegan, the origin of chakra, Madara's survival and schemes, and even the potential resurrection of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—they were stunned.
Each piece of information alone could shake the entire shinobi world if leaked.
That Yahiko entrusted them with such knowledge filled them with overwhelming emotion. Their blood ran hot.
A leader like this was worth following unto death.
Once they calmed down, the group began brainstorming seriously.
One person's wisdom may be limited, but several minds together produced genuine insight. Soon, practical suggestions emerged.
"We know too little about the wider shinobi world. If this information leaks, the consequences could be good—or disastrous. We can't assume the major villages think like we do. For their own interests, they might even attempt to revive the Ten-Tails—or unseal Kaguya Ōtsutsuki."
"We need to expand the organization. Strong individuals who share our ideals can become core members. We should also recruit a large number of peripheral members to gather intelligence and generate funding."
"I know of a canyon with treacherous terrain. It's near towns and a river. It could serve as our base."
"If Madara contacts us, we shouldn't confront him outright. We can pretend ignorance and maneuver around him."
"I know some shinobi from Amegakure who are tired of endless killing. I can try to contact them and have them join us. They could provide intelligence from within."
This was the benefit of comrades. What would have been immensely difficult for Ōoka Shin alone became manageable through collective effort.
Otherwise, merely finding trustworthy allies would have consumed vast amounts of time.
They were all resolute people. Once a direction was set, they acted immediately.
The very next day, they departed to scout the canyon. Jūzō was sent to contact the Amegakure shinobi he knew.
There were small undercurrents as well. Privately, Jūzō and the others reminded Yahiko that Ōoka Shin's background was mysterious and advised caution.
That night, within their shared dream space, Ōoka Shin reported the Akatsuki's developments. The group speculated about possible future scenarios, exchanged insights on newly learned Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, then logged off to sleep.
In the Land of Lightning, Oniichirō stood outside a mine, watching carts of ore being hauled out. He fell into deep thought.
The mine's reserves were decent. Its steady daily income was enough to afford him a comfortable life.
But compared to his grand ambitions, it was far from sufficient.
How to earn far more money—that was his headache.
Kyōsuke and the others had proposed many ideas, but the final decision rested with him.
"Young Master, it's time for lunch."
His steward, Mikuri Tomokazu, approached and reminded him softly.
Oniichirō nodded, murmuring to himself,
"Right… everyone has to eat. Maybe we start with the restaurant business. Low investment, quick returns—and it won't attract the attention of major powers."