"We can accept the upcoming contracts accordingly."
Yahiko, understanding Nagato's feelings well, finally gave a tactful nod to the bounty mission proposed by Rasa.
Seeing Yahiko's agreement, Rasa smirked in satisfaction.
With the Daimyo of the Wind Country aggressively funding Sunagakure due to growing fears of war, Rasa used his Magnet Release to collect gold. From a financial standpoint, Sunagakure wasn't lacking resources—it was easy to spare a few million ryo to secure Akatsuki's services.
However, the real prize wasn't just hiring Akatsuki; it was forging a powerful alliance.
As Yahiko and the others departed, Rasa, seated at his desk, pulled out a sealed letter.
"At the end of the day, Akatsuki is just a mercenary group. If I want to take on Uchiha Shin and the growing power of the Land of Fire, I need real allies."
The three major villages—Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure—were the most viable options.
As for the smaller nations, their ninja forces were barely worth considering as allies. At best, they'd serve as disposable pawns in the upcoming war.
"Iwagakure and Kumogakure will be easy to sway."
The entire shinobi world could see Uchiha Shin's ambitions.
Once Sunagakure declared war, the other villages wouldn't be able to sit idly by. They'd be forced to act, whether they liked it or not.
Only Kirigakure posed a problem.
Being an isolated village, persuading them wouldn't be simple. However, their strategic position made them indispensable.
If a four-way siege against the Land of Fire could be arranged, victory would be within reach.
After all, Uchiha Shin was just one man. No matter how strong he was, he couldn't possibly fight the entire world alone.
Rasa wrote three secret letters, sealed them, and handed them to his most trusted shinobi for delivery.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Shin remained unaware that Rasa was conspiring against him. At that moment, he was simply preparing to enjoy his "dinner" in Hoshigakure.
Inside the grand mansion he had personally built, a hesitant knock sounded at the door. Rika stood outside, her head lowered, her face flushed with embarrassment.
She already knew what Uchiha Shin was going to ask.
In a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, "Yes… the Hoshikage sent me here."
The meaning behind her presence was clear.
The Third Hoshikage had shamelessly persuaded Rika to offer herself to Uchiha Shin as a token of goodwill.
Of course, the deeper reason was that Rika herself, due to past events, found it difficult to refuse.
Sitting comfortably on the sofa, Uchiha Shin gazed at Rika with an amused expression.
He had originally planned to head to Loulan, but it seemed that Hoshigakure's leadership was more "understanding" than expected. They had gone out of their way to send him a pleasant distraction.
Perhaps this dessert should be enjoyed sooner rather than later.
"Come now, no need to be so stiff. Sit."
Uchiha Shin waved her over, his tone deceptively gentle.
Rika hesitated, her fingers tightly clenched. But eventually, she took small, measured steps forward and sat down beside him.
Even without touching her, Shin could see how tense she was.
Her entire body was practically frozen, a bundle of nerves barely holding together.
"Relax, Rika."
Warm breath ghosted across her cheek, and suddenly, a pair of strong hands grasped hers.
The sudden contact made Rika jolt, her legs instinctively pressing together.
Like a startled rabbit caught in a trap.
Shin smirked.
He had plenty of ideas about how to play with her.
Rika's voice trembled. "I-I don't understand…"
"Don't understand?" Uchiha Shin echoed mockingly. "You'll learn soon enough."
Rika, as if entranced, looked up at him.
Before she could lower her gaze again, Shin pinched her cheek, tilting her face toward him.
Without warning, he pulled her into his arms.
The intoxicating scent of her skin, the soft warmth of her body—it all made the amusement in Shin's eyes deepen.
He could see the uncertainty in her expression.
She had no idea what was coming next.
And that was exactly how he wanted it.
Scooping her up effortlessly, Shin carried her further inside.
"W-Wait…!" Rika's voice was a soft whimper, barely audible.
Shin ignored her hesitation, setting her down on a nearby vanity table.
Her reflection in the mirror captured everything—her flushed face, her unsteady breath, her eyes clouded with confusion.
"A mirror?"
Rika blinked at her own reflection, as if waking from a daze.
But before she could react, Uchiha Shin whispered against her ear.
"Take a good look at yourself."
"Mmm…?"
She still didn't fully understand.
Shin merely chuckled, brushing his fingers through her hair.
He wanted to see every flicker of emotion on her face.
Outside, barriers formed around the house, sealing them off from the rest of the world.
To any outsider, the mansion remained eerily silent.
The Third Hoshikage had no idea what was happening inside. He could only pray that Rika was successfully "pleasing" Uchiha Shin.
The long night passed in silence.
When dawn finally broke, only one person emerged from the mansion—Uchiha Shin.
Standing at the entrance, the Third Hoshikage had been waiting anxiously.
Shin approached him with an unreadable expression before clapping him on the shoulder.
"I won't drag this out. Your Hoshigakure will now serve as a vassal of the Land of Fire."
The Hoshikage swallowed, nodding rapidly.
"I have no plans to station my forces here," Shin continued. "You're free to send your shinobi to Konoha to train. Any with real potential will have access to our resources."
With that, Shin pulled out a small token infused with his chakra, pressing it into the Hoshikage's hands.
"This will serve as your pass. Your people may enter Konoha without issue."
The Hoshikage immediately dropped to his knees, bowing his head low in gratitude.
"Thank you, Lord Uchiha Shin! This is a great honor for Hoshigakure!"
The deal was worth it.
If offering Rika as a tribute had secured their future, then so be it.
After all, the opportunity to train under Konoha's elite was priceless.
For smaller villages like Hoshigakure, such an offer was equivalent to peasants from a forgotten land gaining entrance to the most prestigious academy in the world.
And to the Hoshikage, that alone was more than enough justification for the night that had passed.
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