Chapter 75: For You, Where is the Place That Truly Has Meaning?
The group of Ame (Rain) ninjas instantly flew into a rage.
The sound of ninja swords being drawn rose one after another.
The Konoha ninja opposite actually humiliated their Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain) like this! How could this group of Ame ninjas loyal to Hanzō tolerate such provocation!
The anger on Salamander Shinda's face flashed and disappeared. He waved his hand to stop his other subordinates' actions and said coldly, "Is Your Excellency humiliating our Amegakure?"
"If you want to fight, then come!"
The Uehara version of Yamanaka Fū coldly surveyed the numerous Ame ninjas and said gravely, "I don't care about being insulted myself, but right now I represent Lord Danzō!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the other Ame ninjas halted their actions.
Generally, those willing to die for their insulted superior would earn their respect. This was also the culture of the ninja world, especially since Amegakure had quite a bit of a samurai atmosphere.
Yamanaka Fū was fearless in the face of death, yet seemingly just wanted to secure an opportunity for his superior to meet Lord Hanzō, lest his superior return empty-handed.
Quite admirable!
Salamander Shinda felt nothing. He frowned and asked gravely, "I actually approve of letting Lord Hanzō and His Excellency Danzō meet... But the time and place..."
"We have considered this matter."
The Uehara version of Yamanaka Fū immediately pressed his advantage, proposing his idea, "If Lord Danzō were to appear in Amegakure, it would be very detrimental both to Lord Hanzō's prestige and Lord Danzō's safety..."
Pausing here, Uehara Naraka continued, "Therefore, Lord Danzō intends to arrange the location for this meeting where we last cooperated to annihilate Akatsuki, to discuss how to completely resolve this Akatsuki trouble."
"..."
Salamander Shinda was silent for a moment, then nodded, "I will find a way to facilitate this meeting. Tomorrow, I will reply to you as soon as possible... If Lord Hanzō agrees, the meeting time will also be told to you tomorrow!"
"Acceptable."
The Uehara version of Yamanaka Fū nodded.
Since the negotiation was over, there was no need for them to linger here.
"Wait..."
Just as Uehara Naraka and the Six Paths of Pain turned to leave, Salamander Shinda suddenly called out to stop them again, "If His Excellency Danzō cannot satisfy Lord Hanzō's conditions, this meeting might end unhappily..."
"..."
Uehara Naraka stopped his steps, a smile touching his lips. Facing away from Salamander Shinda, he said softly, "Rest assured! Since Lord Danzō is willing to come personally, he will definitely give Lord Hanzō a satisfactory answer."
A very satisfactory answer.
Okay, perhaps some people wouldn't be too satisfied with the answer, but at least Konan and Nagato would be very satisfied, and that was enough.
Uehara Naraka was willing to guarantee it with his integrity.
But these words clearly gave Salamander Shinda reassurance; he believed Shimura Danzō's concessions would surely satisfy Hanzō of the Salamander.
Some idiots were truly beyond saving.
To quickly reach cooperation, Salamander Shinda hastily took his men back to Amegakure to report their negotiation results to Hanzō of the Salamander, incidentally showing off his own ability.
It was precisely because of his forceful arguments that the Konoha ninja conceded a step.
Hanzō of the Salamander couldn't be bothered with him, just frowning in thought, "Is that guy Shimura Danzō still willing to cooperate with us?"
After their last cooperation, he had stood Danzō up!
Shimura Danzō sent people to urge him periodically, but Hanzō of the Salamander didn't want to get involved in Konoha's Hokage struggle at all; he just wanted to use Danzō.
Hanzō of the Salamander did indeed greatly hope for Danzō to take power.
But if he were to truly publicly support Shimura Danzō, if it provoked Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrath, Amegakure's current strength might not be able to withstand it.
As the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.
Even though Konoha's Uchiha clan perished not long ago, a time when Konoha was severely weakened, it was still not a hidden village that their Amegakure could contend with.
Hanzō of the Salamander was old and somewhat afraid of death.
He now only wanted to maintain his title of Ninja Demigod, protecting his existing power and prestige.
It was a bit embarrassing to say, but if Hanzō and Shimura Danzō cooperated again this time, he planned to stand Danzō up again.
Anyway, this guy Danzō was over sixty this year, didn't look like he could take the Hokage seat; deceiving him wouldn't invite Konoha's full retaliation...
Besides, Shimura Danzō acted sinisterly and darkly; sooner or later, he would come to a bad end.
If not for Akatsuki's resurgence, Hanzō of the Salamander really didn't want to continue colluding with Danzō, lest he invite some disaster.
Hanzō of the Salamander remembered the matter he cared about most and asked gravely, "Is there any movement from the Akatsuki organization? Have any more outposts been attacked by their members?"
"Yes."
Salamander Shinda nodded and said in a low voice, "When I returned today, I also just received news. The northern outpost was sneak-attacked. Two kids with decent strength suddenly attacked them and killed most of the personnel."
"..."
After being silent for a moment, Hanzō of the Salamander lowered his head, "Has the Akatsuki organization started recruiting those exceptionally gifted ninja kids... Shinda, agree to the Konoha ninja! I want to meet with Shimura Danzō."
Seeing Salamander Shinda nod, Hanzō added another sentence, "On the day of the meeting, remember to bring more manpower. Absolutely ensure it's foolproof."
"Yes."
Salamander Shinda respectfully complied.
After Hanzō nodded with satisfaction, he continued asking, "The location for our meeting, where will it be arranged?"
"The place where Lord Hanzō ambushed Akatsuki back then."
Salamander Shinda replied in a low voice, "This was also the location proposed jointly by the Konoha ninja and myself. Because they don't want Shimura Danzō to enter the village, lest he encounter danger; I also don't want His Excellency Danzō to come in, lest it damage Milord's prestige."
A trace of fear flashed in Hanzō of the Salamander's eyes, then was quietly hidden by him. This old man, nearing the end of his life, clenched his fist and slammed it on the desk, "Fine, let's set it at that location! This time, we must annihilate Akatsuki!"
Everything went just as Uehara Naraka expected.
Salamander Shinda agreed to their request and sent someone to arrange the formal meeting time (the day after tomorrow) and location.
That place was precisely where Yahiko committed suicide back then.
Konan felt somewhat emotional, her nails digging tightly into her palms, "Does this mean our plan succeeded?"
"At least half successful."
Nagato nodded and continued gravely, "When the day after tomorrow comes, if Hanzō of the Salamander really appears there, this time we absolutely cannot let him escape!"
Uehara Naraka scanned the two of them and chuckled lightly, "That Ninja Demigod should probably feel very surprised, right?"
"This time, we will definitely surprise him!"
Nagato hatefully clenched his fists. Moments later, he looked somewhat doubtfully at Uehara Naraka, "Uehara, why did you think Hanzō would choose to contact Danzō there?"
"Because Konan-sensei and Lord Nagato consider that a meaningful place."
Uehara Naraka slowly looked up and continued softly, "Hanzō will also believe it's a place with unique significance for his next step in annihilating our Akatsuki, so he will definitely agree to meet there."
Perhaps this is metaphysics?
People in the ninja world are actually very superstitious!
After speaking, Uehara Naraka added another sentence, "Just like if one day I couldn't find Konan-sensei, I would go to the cave where we first met to look for her, because I know that place holds extraordinary significance for Konan-sensei."
"Is that so?"
Konan's gaze was somewhat doubtful. After thinking carefully, she actually felt Uehara Naraka made a lot of sense.
After thinking for a moment, Konan asked back, "Naraka, where is the place that has meaning for you?"
Uehara Naraka met Konan's curious gaze, looked at her, "I'm still searching. Perhaps Konan-sensei will find the answer before I do?"
(End of Chapter)
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