A Ruthless Blade

The rain, which had stopped only briefly, began falling again. The Uchiha now knew it was a man-made sensory ninjutsu, so they did not wander around Amegakure. Instead, they diligently carried out their proper duties as guards.

They did not like operating under others’ watchful eyes, and this mission was an escort mission. Completing it was the highest priority.

A few dull days of guard duty meant nothing to Jonin like them, who had lived through war. Moreover, the Yasunori Trading Company’s mission reward was extremely generous—twice the reward for a Konoha S-rank mission, without a middle layer taking its cut.

Once they completed the mission, every last bit of the reward they received would be handed over to them. Uchiha Fugaku had not withheld even a single ryo.

These people held no positions in the Military Police Force and did not have the status of Konoha Ninja. Their income depended entirely on support from the clan. Although the clan’s treatment was decent, it could not compare to those clansmen who accepted missions on their own.

However, the Yasunori Trading Company’s mission rewards counted as extra income for them and offered considerable benefits to the Uchiha Clan as well. They could increase the clansmen’s income while also allowing them to gain experience completing missions.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Tekka accompanied Yasunori Sakai in a game of shogi, taking the opportunity to probe him for information.

To Android 18, such a tactic was incredibly clumsy, and Uchiha Tekka’s shogi skills were atrocious. If she had not deliberately wanted to leak some information to him, Android 18 would not have wanted to waste even one hundred-millionth of her computational power on Uchiha Tekka.

In one of Amegakure’s most secret locations, only Konan and Nagato knew of this place. However, through Zetsu’s investigations, Obito had also learned that Nagato’s real body was here. Obito did not know that Nagato had regained his mobility and was currently undergoing rehabilitation training. Because of Nagato’s Rinnegan, Zetsu did not dare approach and could only watch from afar.

With treatment from the Medical Machine, Nagato had recovered from his skeletal state and regained the appearance of a normal person. His movements were still somewhat stiff, however, and he needed more training to return to his former mobility.

Once Nagato truly recovered his ability to move, he would have a chance to rid himself of the Black Receivers in his back. Even so, after recovering, Nagato would most likely still have Pain’s Six Paths act on his behalf.

"Konan, do you want to do this?"

After reading through the proposal provided by the Yasunori Trading Company, Nagato asked Konan. It had been written in great detail. Since Hyuga Mirai had considered people like Nagato and Konan, who had received little schooling, Android 18 had specifically explained it in plain language.

After reading the proposal, Nagato knew how to change the Rain Country’s perpetually rainy climate even without relying on the Yasunori Trading Company. All he had to do was level a mountain range, then use ninjutsu on a scale equivalent to one hundred Wind Release ninja to blow away the cumulonimbus clouds that had accumulated above the Rain Country year-round.

"Yes, Nagato. We defeated Hanzo, but it seems the Rain Country has not changed much. This is somewhat different from Yahiko’s dream and the oath the three of us made in the beginning. If we can change this situation, I don’t want to miss the chance."

Konan spoke slowly. Her words also made Nagato recall Yahiko’s grand declarations.

Changing this country had once been the dream of all three of them. But ever since Yahiko’s death, Nagato had wanted to become the world’s only God and thereby change this war-torn world.

"If that is the case, then do it, Konan." An indescribable look appeared in Nagato’s eyes. He then continued, "Do not worry about threats from Sunagakure. I am currently training to restore my real body, and Pain’s Six Paths have also grown stronger. If Sunagakure plans to attack the Rain Country after the barrier is removed, I will show them the power of God."

Konan nodded, then said to Nagato, "Nagato, that Yasunori Trading Company is not simple. If they could become involved with Sunagakure, they likely did not rely on financial power alone. There must be someone else behind them. Perhaps Sasori of the Red Sand, whom we have never managed to find, is connected to the Yasunori Trading Company."

"Why do you think that?"

"I’m not sure. It’s only a feeling." Konan shook her head. But from what Yasunori Sakai had said, as well as their sudden encounter with Sasori of the Red Sand after they ambushed Rasa, everything gave off a strange feeling.

It was Konan’s intuition, but she did not have the slightest bit of evidence.

"You do not need to be wary of Sasori of the Red Sand, Konan. If those puppets are all he has, then he will absolutely be no match for Pain."

Nagato’s words carried immense confidence. After his body had been treated, Pain’s Six Paths had become much stronger than before. If Nagato got serious, he could easily deal with everyone in Akatsuki using Pain’s Six Paths alone.

Nagato’s words eased some of Konan’s concerns. Strength truly was the greatest source of confidence. Konan had seen Pain’s true power before, and once Nagato regained his mobility, he would be able to wield all of Pain’s power. By himself, he would be worth six Pains.

After discussing it, Konan decided to take on this matter. She rarely went on missions within Akatsuki, and this was the dream and oath they had shared as children. Konan was the best choice to handle it.

From outside the door, Uchiha Tekka said, "Yasunori-kun, the lady from last time is here to see you."

"Understood."

A reply came from inside. Before long, Yasunori Sakai opened the door and saw Uchiha Tekka and Konan outside.

"Konan-san, please come in. This plan is rather complicated, so I will need to explain it to you in detail."

After speaking, Yasunori Sakai stepped aside to let Konan enter. He had already cleared out an open area in the room. Then, Yasunori Sakai took out a Space Capsule and brought out the computer once more.

"Konan-san, this is the detailed proposal and the associated costs. Please take a look first. If there is anything you disagree with, I will explain it."

The moment Konan heard about the costs, she took the scroll and opened it directly. Once she finished reading it, her purple eyeshadow creased into a frown.

"3 billion ryō for the project? Are you joking!?"

Konan’s tone contained fury. What ninja village could afford such a cost? Although most of the Rain Country’s authority had been seized by Amegakure, its financial power still remained in the Daimyo’s hands. As for the ninja village’s budget, it was only around one hundred million ryo per year.

The Rain Country was a small country, and with its constant rain, being able to support Amegakure with one hundred million ryo each year was already no small feat. That was only possible because Pain had forcefully killed Hanzo and intimidated the Rain Country’s Daimyo into providing so much.

By the Yasunori Trading Company’s standards, even emptying Amegakure’s coffers would not be enough. They would probably have to take all of Akatsuki’s funds just to barely gather the 3 billion ryō.

"Konan-san, this is a massive undertaking that will change an entire country. It also involves the border mountain range between the Rain Country and the Saudi Federation. 3 billion ryō is already very cheap."

As Yasunori Sakai spoke, he pulled up numerous engineering images on the computer and displayed them to Konan.

"It is not only the Rain Country. Even the Saudi Federation must pay the Yasunori Trading Company. We treat everyone equally. Besides, you already know the method for changing the Rain Country: level the mountain range between the two countries, then hire over a hundred Wind Release ninja every day to blow away the cumulonimbus clouds above the Rain Country, while ensuring the clouds do not gather again. That will be enough."

"If the first method is difficult to accomplish, then there is no choice but to follow the Yasunori Trading Company’s method. Konan-san, forgive me for being blunt, but only the Yasunori Trading Company can do this."

Yasunori Sakai chuckled, a merchant’s false smile appearing on his face.

Seeing the smile on his face, Konan’s fist clenched slightly beneath her cloak. Then she quietly talked herself down. It was all for the Rain Country’s civilians, for Yahiko’s dream.

"Then please explain in detail why it costs as much as 3 billion ryō."

Yasunori Sakai smiled at her words and said, "Of course. After hearing the explanation, Konan-san will certainly feel that the money is well spent."

I’ll write as much as I can this week. There may be extra updates at irregular times!