Within the Akatsuki, Tendō (the Deva Path of Pain) stood motionless in the relentless rain. He gazed down at the Land of Rain with eyes that seemed devoid of all human emotion.
The Rain Tiger at Will Technique was a specialized sensory ninjutsu maintained by Nagato. Within its vast radius, every falling droplet was infused with his chakra and linked directly to his senses.
Even the likes of Black and White Zetsu found their movements restricted under this omnipresent surveillance.
In the Hidden Rain, it rained every day except Sundays—a schedule dictated by Pain's chakra-induced storm clouds to monitor for any intruders whose own chakra might disrupt the rhythm of the rain.
"Nagato, do you truly intend to reclaim the Ota District from the Sand?"
From the shadows, the masked man known as Uchiha Obito slowly materialized behind Tendō. Obito was somewhat blindsided by this decision; he hadn't expected the Akatsuki to move against the Sand's interests so soon.
During the Third Great Ninja War, the Sand had seized Ota District in the Land of Rain and a portion of the Land of Rivers to stabilize its borders. The "Ota Issue" had remained a thorn in the side of the Rain ever since.
"A Land of Rain without the Ota District is not a whole Land of Rain," Tendō replied coldly.
Nagato's perspective always differed from Obito's. Obito cautioned him, "You must realize that this is tantamount to declaring war on the Sand. That Kazekage is a persistent and dangerous opponent."
"The Land of Rain has always been the intersection for the Stone, Leaf, and Sand," Tendō said, looking at a visibly confused Obito.
"Do you think me so foolish as to launch a direct war? Beside the Akatsuki, the Land of Rain is home to many mercenary groups. They are bargaining chips; they can perform 'special tasks' for the Sand in exchange for territory."
A trade of conditions? Reclaiming territory through diplomacy rather than force?
Nagato, controlling the Deva Path, explained patiently: "The Sand occupied Ota for two reasons. First, its water reservoirs were needed to improve the environment of the southern Land of Wind.
Second, it served as a strategic outpost to contain the expansion of the Stone and Leaf. But now, the Sand controls the entire Land of Rivers and is at the Leaf's doorstep.
Ota's strategic value—like Mount Kikyo in history—has plummeted."
Having been mentored by Jiraiya, Nagato and Konan were far more intellectually and strategically grounded than Obito, who had spent much of his youth skipping lessons.
Reclaiming the land Hanzo lost required a leader's clarity, not just a warrior's aggression.
Obito, finding himself unable to contribute to the high-level geopolitical discourse, vanished into a swirl of space-time ninjutsu.
"When did Uchiha Madara's vision become so narrow?" Konan asked, stepping forward with a shake of her head.
"The name 'Uchiha Madara' is just a tool," Nagato replied. "As long as he serves the current stage of the Akatsuki's ideal, it is enough."
The Marine Admiral Reform
The formal request from the Land of Rain soon landed on Shiraishi's desk. The original agreement—signed years ago when Shiraishi first visited the Rain—stipulated that Ota District would be returned within five years. That time had come.
Nagato's proposal was savvy: the Sand would continue to manage the Ota reservoirs and regulate irrigation for the southern Land of Wind, ensuring Shiraishi kept the water he needed.
In exchange, the Rain would cede a basic, abandoned peninsula town on its western border near the Land of Earth to the Sand.
This town, though desolate, was the perfect site for a Sand military garrison to monitor the Stone. Nagato knew exactly what Shiraishi needed and what he was willing to trade.
Shiraishi favored the deal, though the formalities would require coordination through the Daimyo's office.
"Lord Kazekage," Maki said as she handed over a new report. "The Marine Department has finalized the list for the three new Admirals. However, Lord Joyu Tsukigaya is quite displeased."
The Marine rank reform was Shiraishi's first step in overhauling the military-political system of the Land of Wind. Since the Navy was a new entity, it was easier to experiment with.
However, Shikasa, as head of the Jonin Commander's office, felt the promotions were too aggressive.
"These three were only recently promoted to Jonin. Is Morimoto really promoting them directly to the rank of Admiral?"
"The number of Jonin in the Navy is restricted by the Commander's office every year," Maki explained. "While they are new, their strength is comparable to veteran Jonin. Lord Shikasa suspects Morimoto Ryoji is playing favorites."
Shiraishi rubbed his temples. "If he suspects bias, we'll let their strength speak. Arrange a combat assessment. Let Shikasa himself face these three 'Admirals' in a simulation. That should end the bickering."
The Marine Headquarters was established at the massive sea-gates of the Land of Nan. With the Land of Ogres and the Land of Artisans serving as intelligence hubs and military fortresses, they formed a defensive triangle.
In the center of this triangle lay Shiraishi's most ambitious project: a massive offshore command base.
This offshore base wasn't just for the Navy; it was Shiraishi's secret laboratory for high-level calculations and experiments—a sanctuary protected by the three surrounding fortresses.
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