Obito-Sensei Chapter 58
Fleeting Minutes
April 12, 1988
Minutes of the Meeting of the Akatsuki of Amegakure
Top Secret
Double Copy
(Draft Record)
All Amekage Present
One New Member Present; Sakura Haruno (Chunin)
1. Discussion of the Events in the Land of Waves
Yahiko. [...] It's definitely a tragedy but the implications are more complicated. There are two things we need to consider, I think. What Sand has done and what it means for them and their Jinchuriki, and the effect this will have on the continental economy, especially trade, for both shinobi and non-shinobi sources. On the first, this will reduce Sand's reliability across the world. Even if it's a polite fantasy, shinobi are expected to destroy things with meaning, but their Tailed Beast's rampage was apparently random, even if it did destroy their expected target.
Konan. The Great Channel Bridge.
Yahiko. Yes, and much of the city's industry. Such unpredictable actions will create impressive negative shifts among the more conservative shinobi of the world, not just in Waves' neighbors, and generate more concern, anxiety, even fear. That will breed considerations of another kind, the crux of which will be, I think, to lower expectations, to increase doubt and suspicion and a reliance on native shinobi. This will advance the disintegration of village alliances, especially those held by Sand. It would be shocking for Leaf to maintain the alliance after this no matter their military value; Konoha's reputation is worth infinitely more than those who would leave mad ninja unleashed. Of course, this will also unfortunately increase attention on us. [The Akatsuki] are proposing and willing to build a new world, to destroy the old basis, which naturally heightens paranoia. It may be that those who truly oppose a new order are a minority, but as we are always reminded that minority retains impressive command of the majority with their manipulation of the shinobi economy. Right now, the villages still cannot survive without the economic assistance and stimulus of the various Daimyo's governments [...].
Nagato. Which brings us to the second point.
Yahiko. Precisely. The Land of Waves was a longstanding experiment, I would say. [The Nation of Rain's] shift towards a traditional construction, military, and bureaucracy in the last several years has netted us both gains and losses. It was perceived as a departure from our more radical actions and the Daimyo's usurpation, which granted us the benefits of open diplomacy and even an invitation to an inter-village Chunin Exam. In other words, our dismantling of novel structures and renouncing radicalism were perceived as forced steps which brought us more in line with the other villages, into something more comfortable to them. There is a grain of truth to this, but only to a degree: obviously we had something different in mind when we formulated those policies and shifted the presentation of the Akatsuki. We were willing to do such a thing because more economic systems that were not reliant on shinobi were emerging in the wake of the Third War, with Waves among them. When we removed the Gato Corporation, which was so badly stunting its growth and stealing its wealth for its own, the country blossomed, an economic hub that had no want or need for ninja. Until now. Even that was done out of a consideration of internal needs, of course, but it is more important that people see it and Waves continued resilience as proof that Shinobi should not be required to build a strong country or economy.
Kimimaro Kaguya. But now it is obvious that this was a project born of naivety.
Yahiko. [The Akatsuki] shouldn't go that far. The Land of Waves will rebuild and continue to provide an example, especially with our assistance. It is certainly a setback though. Sand's actions have proven to us and the world that so long as shinobi exist, a shinobi-less economy is impossible, the exact same principle as ninjutsu. Even those who abhor ninja must hire or produce them to protect themselves from other ninja. Because of that, [The Nation of Rain's] shift towards a more traditional structure will benefit us here as well. We can begin to play the role of arbiter of the other village's more openly now that our military strength has increased, and expand our defensive and economic alliances with minor countries like Waves. This omnipresence will further our strategic goals and cement our position as a great power on par with the Five Villages.
Konan. [...]This may be the time to move on Sand more aggressively. Rain as a Sixth Village has always unsettled existing powers. It signals an expansion of the world and a destabilization of something that has only just become a comfortable status quo. The villages are still young in the grand scheme, after all. However, with Sand becoming more unreliable and Rain more reliable among a variety of shinobi villages, it could be more comfortable for them to be seen as transitioning to a minor [village] and Rain replacing it. [The Nation of Rain] surely outstrips them in wealth, population, military might, and all things that villages are measured by.
Nagato. Sand has a Jinchuriki, and a tremendously powerful and destructive one. While Rain lacks an asset such as that, it will not be considered a great power.
Konan. We have [Nagato]. That is worth more than any Jinchuriki [in military strength], and the other villages may already recognize that, depending on their level of intelligence. [The Nation of Rain's] ascension could not be questioned.
Kie. The Rinnegan is doubtlessly known to at least the Hidden Leaf, given their connection to [Jiraiya the Toad Sage]. Their opinion would also be the most important as the Hidden Sand's former ally. If Konohagakure perceives us as a legitimate replacement, the other villages will have no choice but to follow their lead.
Yahiko. [...] In sum, knocking out Sand could and should be accomplished without military force. Let's return to that matter for further consideration when we are finished [with this meeting].
2. Discussion of the Question of Jinchuriki
Konan. Speaking of the Jinchuriki, another has vanished.
Yahiko. The Nibi. It represents an unnerving shift, considering the weakening of traditional methods of deterrent by the villages. Without Jinchuriki, open war becomes more likely. We do not have confirmation that Itachi Uchiha was responsible for this incident as well.
Kie. [...] There is no one else who has acted so boldly as to steal the Bijuu of other nations. His actions in Waterfall may have been the beginning of a series of thefts.
Konan. That is true, but that does not indicate guilt in of itself. The Sanbi disappeared long ago without indication that Itachi Uchiha was responsible for its vanishing, especially given what his age would have been at the time. It is difficult to believe he would have held an ambition like that so close and for so long. The motivation is also suspect. No one has been able to ascertain if [Itachi Uchiha] is a rational actor or moving without a purpose. Even after a year in his supposed possession, the Nanabi has not reappeared.
Yahiko. It is possible [Itachi Uchiha] is simply destroying them to remove their power from the Villages. If he is the cause he has targeted the Hidden Mist, Waterfall, and now Cloud, all Villages that could threaten the Hidden Leaf's military supremacy with their Tailed Beasts. Perhaps he is acting out of loyalty to Konohagakure in some way.
Nagato. He killed too many for that to be believable for me. There are Shinobi who would sacrifice anything, but half one's own clan simply for the sake of deniable acts over the course of many years is simply too far even for one such as that.
Yahiko. It would solidify [The Hidden Leaf's] military might over the rest of the world. Konoha's Shinobi forces are the largest and most prestigious among all the villages, in all of history: there has never been a stronger or larger village. Current estimates put them at over fifteen-thousand active shinobi with another five-thousand in reserve. That is nearly equivalent to the Hidden Rain, Sand, and Stone combined. But with only one Jinchuriki, their capabilities on the offense are limited against those with other Jinchuriki.
Nagato. Do not forget that [The Fourth Hokage] is mighty enough to render those ordinary considerations obsolete.
Kie. Like yourself.
Nagato. More than myself. Minato Namikaze's terror is known and respected worldwide. In comparison, I am merely a myth. All the shinobi of the world fear challenging Konoha solely for the dread of challenging its Hokage. He is beyond even the power of [Tailed Beasts].
Konan. I concur. It would be foolish of Konoha to violently attempt to disarm the other villages when their strategy so far has been to form detentes backed by their existing overwhelming strength.
Yahiko. So you would contend that Itachi Uchiha is acting without meaning or direction.
Nagato. No, but his meaning is beyond us. If he is targeting the Jinchuriki, he is targeting them opportunistically, and for a purpose that either holds no foundation or has a very deep and dangerous one. There is nothing in-between for men such as that.
Konan. He is still being hunted by us, but of course there has been no progress there. A rogue element is a particularly dangerous thing; his actions have turned the attention of the world to Amegakure while providing it no commensurate benefit. It's a powerful reminder to us that all actions, even the ones we do not take, affect us equally. If [Itachi Uchiha] has stolen the Nibi, he's pulled the carpet out from under [the Nation of Rain] once more; just as we took blame for the Nanabi, we will likely take up presumed guilt for the disappearance of Yugito Nii. The Hidden Cloud could react.
Kie. We will have to wait. If we acted proactively, they would know we were aware of her disappearance, and attention would turn to the spies there. It is a miracle that we got anyone close to their Jinchuriki when the rest of the village has remained so impenetrable. It would also seem an obvious deflection to prematurely turn the blame to another; their suspicion and aggression would increase.
Nagato. [Waiting could be equally dangerous. But we have little choice [...].
3. Discussion of Trade from Waves, Stone, Waterfalls, Rivers, and Grass
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4. Discussion of Updating the Uniform of the Akatsuki
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5. Discussion of the Spring Budget
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6. Discussion of the Daimyo's Correspondence
Yahiko. Lastly, as usual we have some of the Daimyo's correspondence to look over. Unfortunately, this may be the last material we receive from the court of the Land of Fire for some time, but we will likely be able to place another source in the near future. There is one letter in particular I would like to present for general discussion, addressed from the Court of Fire to the Court of Lightning. As usual, there are many things the Daimyo are considering behind closed doors, so we cannot know if these things have been discussed with their shinobi yet. Or even if they will ever be discussed: they can certainly act at their own discretion through missions and other subsidies without ever making their intent explicit.
[...]
Konan. It would seem obvious that the Land of Fire is attempting to shift the blame for Waves away from their own village's ally. It's a pragmatic move.
Yahiko. And naturally, the blame will fall on us. The Daimyo seems to be proposing a mutual alliance against [The Nation of Rain]. But [The Land of Lightning] cannot make the first move; they are too far away, and more than that they regard Konoha as a military rival over us. At most, this may increase pressure on our foreign missions.
Nagato. Unless they fully place the blame for their Jinchuriki's disappearance on us. That, combined with the tragedy in Waves, could push them to drastic action.
Konan. It could, but not a response that we would not be able to predict. Our sources [within the Hidden Cloud] have been quiet; they have continued their military projects and recruiting efforts, but there has been no sign of heightened deployments outside of the Land of Lightning, and our spy for their chakra weapons project has determined it has stalled. [Katasuke Touno] has had nothing of importance to report for months.
Yahiko. It's true that could change, especially with the obvious anxiety of this letter. Perhaps it wouldn't be out of the question to look into placing leverage on the new Daimyo already. He will have more access to the [Hidden Cloud] than us.
Kie. It's interesting that their language is growing more fervent. Before, the Akatsuki has always been a policy concern, but now [Saitama Sugawara] speaks of the heaven's and spiritual duties. They are growing more intimidated and more existential.
Nagato. That could be for good and ill.
Kie. Yes, it's more worrisome when they feel backed into a corner, and enough to reach out to a foreign warhawk.
Yahiko. It may be time for a lot of work to be done on static military positions on the border with [The Land of Fire]. Not enough to be provocative, but there needs to be no illusion of weakness. We may be nearing the point of some of the Daimyo being desperate enough to pounce at any sign of it; it would take only one rashly assigned mission for things to spiral out of control.
Nagato. Which applies to us as well. We must consider our directives more carefully than ever. It would be a shame to bring down the thunder of Cloud.
Konan. I think that is all our main discussion. If there are any individual initiatives, please bring them forward now.
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Sakura Haruno. I have one as well.
Kimimaro Kaguya. Right off, huh? What is it?
Sakura Haruno. Without being too presumptuous, I'd like to discuss it with the Amekage at a later date.
Kimimaro Kaguya. Some stage fright, [Sakura Haruno]?
Sakura Haruno. No, just information unique to my circumstance.
Yahiko. We will allow it. Will later today be sufficient?
Sakura Haruno. That will be more than enough. I appreciate the privilege.
Konan. Very well. Is there anyone else?
[...]
[...]
Yahiko. Then let's finish our exchange. As always, thank you for coming and for working towards such a grand ideal, everyone. We will finalize some of our resolutions at a later date. For now, I hope no one was too bored. Now, grab [a drink]! Towards Peace!
Members of the Akatsuki. Towards Peace!
[Minutes End]
