Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 459: The Akatsuki’s Advance

The day passed quietly.

In the early hours of the morning, a tense and solemn atmosphere enveloped Akatsukigakure.

All entertainment establishments in the Land of Rain had shut down, and even the ninja who usually stood guard had gathered here.

Yahiko stood atop a high platform, with Konan and Kakuzu behind him.

The three of them wore their Akatsuki cloaks, which billowed in the wind with a rustling sound.

Gazing at the dense crowd of ninja before him, Yahiko felt a surge of pride and determination.

Years of effort had not only brought immense wealth to the Land of Rain but had also built an unprecedented military force.

While they might not rival the great nations in sheer numbers, Yahiko had no intention of backing down from a fight.

"You all already know the answer in your hearts."

"That's right—today, we march."

"I only wanted to build our country in peace, but some refuse to allow it."

"Kumo pressured us into cooperation, and Nagato went."

"Now, these surrounding nations have their eyes on us too."

"They want our wealth, our land."

"Will you stand for that?"

Yahiko's words were a mix of truth and deception, delivered with passion.

The Akatsuki ninja below, already swept up in the moment, responded with a resounding roar.

"No! No! No!" ƒгeewebnovёl.com

The fury in their voices echoed to the heavens.

"I won't stand for it either."

"Anyone who dares reach for what's ours will have their hand cut off! I want the entire ninja world to understand—"

"We Akatsuki are not to be trifled with!"

"Tell me—what should we do?"

At this moment, Yahiko was less a leader and more a masterful orator.

Even he nearly believed his own words.

Finding the perfect justification for war had taken effort.

He could have simply given the order, but his sensei had insisted that they needed a cause.

So, he played along.

"Crush them!"

"Crush them!!"

"Crush them!!!"

The response was deafening.

The atmosphere had been ignited, sweeping up even the more rational individuals.

Such was the power of a skilled speaker.

"Good."

"Move out."

It was, without a doubt, a successful war rally.

The army split into three forces, each heading in a different direction.

Their momentum was so high that victory already felt within reach.

Yahiko's target was the Land of Grass.

The thieves and scavengers lurking there were beneath his notice.

If all went well, he would push through the Land of Grass and advance into the Land of Waterfalls.

Kakuzu, his face as cold as ever, led his forces toward the Land of Rivers.

A land with significant territory but little military strength, it held no interest for him.

Not a single ninja there was worth a bounty.

Konan soared through the skies, bound for the Land of Birds.

Similarly, the Land of Birds lacked any true warriors, only scattered rogue ninja.

For her, this was hardly a challenge.

In truth, Yahiko's expedition to the Land of Grass was the most difficult of the three.

...

That very day, war erupted.

The Akatsuki forces were unstoppable, slicing through opposition with ease.

The three invaded nations barely had a chance to resist.

As the last of their desperate fighters fell, the outcome was sealed.

In just three days, the Land of Rain's territory expanded nearly fivefold.

At the same time, word of Akatsuki's war spread across the ninja world.

Small nations trembled in fear, terrified that Akatsuki's forces might suddenly descend upon them next.

...

"Lord Akatsukikage, a representative from Kumogakure has arrived."

Inside the administrative building of Kusagakure, Yahiko sat in a fairly luxurious office, stifling a yawn.

"Let them in."

Straightening up, he ran a hand through his short orange hair, preparing to receive his guest.

"Yes."

The Akatsuki ninja acknowledged the order and withdrew, returning shortly with a Kumo ninja in tow.

Due to the ongoing war in the Land of Earth, this Kumo ninja wasn't a high-ranking figure within Kumogakure—at most, he was just a moderately skilled jōnin.

"Hideo Ishikawa, jōnin of Kumogakure, greets Lord Akatsukikage."

Hideo Ishikawa had a somewhat fierce-looking face, and combined with his burly frame, he carried an imposing presence.

"Get to the point."

Yahiko had no interest in his name. Kawakaze had already briefed him on everything.

In the end, these Kumo ninja, unable to extricate themselves from the Land of Earth's conflict, could only apply verbal pressure.

"It's like this."

"As wartime allies, while we are still engaged in a brutal battle in the Land of Earth, you are making a grand show of expanding your territory."

"Don't you think that's a bit unreasonable?"

Yahiko's dismissive attitude irked Ishikawa Hideo, but he had no choice but to suppress his frustration.

"And what's the problem?"

"Isn't Akatsuki also fighting in the Land of Earth?"

Yahiko leaned forward, resting both elbows on the desk, his gaze locking onto Hideo.

"If Akatsuki still has the strength, why not send more troops to the Land of Earth?"

"Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces to take it down first?"

Hideo stared back, unfazed.

He refused to believe Yahiko would actually dare to do anything to him.

"Our role in the Land of Earth was always meant to be support."

"We've already helped divert Iwa's forces, yet you still haven't taken the Land of Earth."

"And now you want to blame me?"

Yahiko let out a cold laugh, stopping just short of outright calling the Kumo ninja useless.

"Lord Raikage never expected Ōnoki to seek Konoha's help."

"And he certainly didn't expect Konoha to actually send reinforcements."

"This isn't a situation we wanted either."

Hideo found himself at a loss.

Though everything he said was true, Yahiko didn't care.

The fact was, Kumo had lost momentum, and they were no closer to conquering the Land of Earth.

"Sorry, but whether Konoha intervenes or not has nothing to do with me."

"I fulfilled my end of the deal with the Raikage."

"The rest is Kumo's problem."

"We've been fighting on the front lines in the Land of Earth, and yet I see no return on my investment."

"I haven't even asked you for war funds—consider that a favor."

"And now that Akatsuki is forging its own path, Kumo wants to meddle?"

"Or do I need Kumo's permission for my every move?"

Yahiko's voice grew sharper, his irritation becoming unmistakable. His eyes burned with restrained fury.

"That's not what I meant."

"It's just that Lord Raikage is very unhappy with your actions."

"He hopes you can provide a reasonable explanation."

"That way, I can report back properly."

Under Yahiko's oppressive aura, Hideo grew visibly uneasy.

Only now did he fully grasp that the man in front of him could easily crush him.

And in his panic, he made a mistake—he said the wrong thing.

"An explanation?"

"What explanation do you want?"

"I don't know if the Raikage is happy or not, but I know I'm not."

"Go back and tell the Raikage—if he has a problem, he can come speak to me in person."

"I don't negotiate with just anyone."

Yahiko nearly laughed in disbelief.

This Kumo ninja was ridiculously naive.

Did he really think throwing the Raikage's name around would pressure him?

"Lord Akatsukikage—"

Hideo attempted to continue, but Yahiko cut him off.

"While I'm still being polite... get out of my sight."

"Did you hear me?"

Yahiko abruptly stood up, his cold, emotionless stare exuding pure menace.

"Farewell."

Hideo, unwilling to risk his life, swallowed his words and left with a face full of frustration.

"Clown."

Yahiko sat back down and, before long, let out another yawn.