Chapter 275: Kazekage Ninja- - 64: How Many Floors Can a Bag of Rice Carry
Just as Aotu Tailuo had predicted, events unfolded with ruthless precision. In less than a week, Konoha massed a massive force—ten thousand strong—at the Fire-Rain border. At their head was none other than Danzo Shimura, the same man who’d once come to talk "cooperation." The sky over Amegakure felt smothered by dark clouds, and the village’s ongoing economic crisis now seemed like a mere prelude to disaster.
Panic, despair, and defeatism swept through the streets of Amegakure. Calls for surrender grew louder by the day. The war hadn’t even begun, and morale had already collapsed.
Yahiko wanted to rally the village, to organize a resistance. But the moment he tried to bring his plan to Akatsuki’s leadership, he realized things were far worse than he’d imagined.
There was a surrender faction within Akatsuki.
And they weren’t small.
At their head was Kijima, an elder Yahiko had always trusted.
Looking around, Yahiko realized—with a sinking heart—that aside from Nagato, Konan, Aotu Tailuo, and Daibutsu, he had no allies left. The resistance was all but gone.
How the hell was he supposed to fight back now?
"Yahiko, it’s not that we don’t want to resist," said Kijima, his tone heavy with false sincerity. "But fighting now is meaningless."
"Konoha’s power is overwhelming. We’re too weak. Think about it—even with Akatsuki’s elite, we couldn’t break through Sunagakure’s puppet defenses. How can we possibly stand against Konoha? Our treasury’s empty after the last hit; we can barely keep the lights on, let alone fund a war. Why not—"
"Why not grovel and become Konoha’s lapdogs?" Aotu Tailuo cut in coldly.
Kijima flushed, anger and embarrassment twisting his face. "Watch your tone! Who do you think you are? How dare you—"