Naruto, starting with immortality, I'm going to buy up the ninja world!

Chapter 347 Takigakure Village Seeking Refuge

Takigakure is a village hidden behind a mysterious waterfall in the Land of Waterfalls.

This village had been in seclusion ever since Kakuzu's rebellion.

Since the Daimyo of Takigakure personally vouched for Kakuzu and cleared him of the title of traitorous ninja, this secluded village has been able to reconnect with the outside world.

Under Kakuzu's leadership, and with the Chiba Trading Company's continued support, living conditions in Takigakure Village improved steadily.

Kakuzu also gradually rose to the position of leader.

In the office of the leader of Takigakure Village, Kakuzu was processing the financial report.

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, the office door was suddenly pushed open by someone.

A ninja from Taki cried out in alarm.

"Chief, something terrible has happened!"

"What's wrong? Calm down, talk it out."

Kakuzu put down the financial report in his hand and gestured for the visitor not to panic.

"Leader, we have just received reliable information that the Tsuchigumo clan has been attacked by the Akatsuki."

The Tsuchigumo clan was wiped out, and Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki who had been hiding within the clan, was captured by the Akatsuki.

"What? The Six-Tails Jinchuriki has been captured by the Akatsuki? Even earlier than I thought."

With that, Kakuzu slammed his hand on the table and said.

"Summon the council of elders for a meeting!"

"Yes!"

Soon, the conference room was filled with people.

The high-ranking officials of Takigakure Village gathered here.

"Everyone."

Kakuzu stood up from his seat, and his words immediately drew everyone's attention to him.

"I'm sure you've all been informed that the Tsuchigumo clan has been wiped out because of the Six-Tails Jinchuriki and the Akatsuki."

As you all know, the statement Konoha sent to all the ninja villages indicated that the heinous criminal gang had begun operating again.

Their goal is to become a Jinchūriki (human jinchūriki), so our village will inevitably become their target as well.

So, let's discuss how we should respond.

As soon as Kakuzu finished speaking, a group of people started chattering amongst themselves.

"The Akatsuki organization, those people are truly hateful."

"By capturing Jinchuriki everywhere, are they planning to make enemies of the entire ninja world?"

"They are now the enemy of the entire ninja world."

"What should we do? The Tsuchigumo clan has been wiped out. Could we be their next target?"

"What else can we do? If they dare to come, we'll fight them!"

"Can you beat them? I've heard that the core members of Akatsuki are all S-rank rogue ninjas, and the ordinary members are all A-rank rogue ninjas."

"Damn it! You're already scared before it even starts!"

"How can this be fear! I'm just stating the facts..."

The meeting room was filled with arguments, though no resolution was reached.

However, Kakuzu could tell that most people felt that their Takigakure village alone could not possibly withstand the Akatsuki's attack.

If the Akatsuki organization arrives, their Takigakure village will most likely suffer the same fate as the Tsuchigumo clan.

"Everyone, please be quiet!"

Kakuzu tapped the table, signaling everyone to be quiet.

The meeting room quickly fell silent, and everyone looked at the angle.

"I have an idea, but I'm not sure about it, so I'd like to hear everyone's opinions."

"Chief, please share your thoughts so we can all discuss them together."

"Yes, yes, Chief, why don't you tell us your thoughts first?"

"We support the leader's idea..."

Kakuzu raised his hand again, and everyone fell silent once more.

"First of all, one thing we can be sure of is that our village alone is absolutely no match for the Akatsuki."

Everyone nodded. Although it wasn't exactly honorable, they were indeed no match for the Akatsuki.

"Now that everyone knows this, things will be easier."

I think we should find someone to rely on.

What do you all think of Konoha?

"Does the leader want to form an alliance with Konoha?"

"But aren't there rumors circulating that Konoha is the real mastermind behind Akatsuki?"

I don't think so.

"Who knows?"

"Everyone!"

Kakuzu raised his voice and said.

"So far, there is no evidence to definitively prove that Konoha is behind Akatsuki."

We must not believe everything we hear; we must have our own judgment.

Secondly, I was just asking what everyone thought of Konoha. If Konoha isn't suitable, we can look for other ninja villages to cooperate with, such as Iwagakure, Kumogakure, or even Kirigakure and Sunagakure?

Upon hearing about the other villages, the group began to discuss it again.

"Let's forget about Sunagakure. They can't even protect their own Kazekage. There's no point in forming an alliance with them."

"The Mist Shadows were similar, even more outrageous. They directly forced Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, to defect."

"The other two villages are indeed stronger than Kirigakure and Sunagakure, but they also have Jinchuriki who have been captured."

"Looking at it this way, it seems that Konoha really is more suitable."

"But what if, I mean what if, what if Konoha really is the mastermind behind Akatsuki...?"

Unable to reach a conclusion, everyone eventually looked at Kakuzu.

"Chief, please continue with your thoughts."

Kakuzu spoke again.

"I think we can trust Konoha this once. Right now, everyone in the ninja world is doubting Konoha. If we stand up and express our belief in Konoha at this time, we will surely gain Konoha's great favor and help."

Of course, all of this is a gamble; we have to gamble that all those rumors about Konoha are false.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

In fact, many people agree with Kakuzu's statement that if they bet correctly, they will gain huge benefits from Konoha.

If they were wrong, to be honest, they had no other choice but to either choose Konoha or wait for the Akatsuki to come knocking.

In the Hokage's office in Konoha.

"What? What do you mean? I didn't hear that wrong, did I?"

Tsunade picked at her ears, somewhat unable to believe what she had just heard.

Nara Shikaku had no choice but to repeat it again.

"The envoy from Takigakure said that their village wants to form an alliance with our village, Konoha, and hopes that our village can protect the Jinchūriki of Takigakure."

"Takigakure wants to form an alliance with us and hopes we will protect their Jinchūriki?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade sat down in her seat and took a deep breath.

"Jiraiya, what do you think about this?"

Jiraiya pondered for a while before finally looking up and answering.

"Tsunade, I think we should agree. This might be a good opportunity to prove ourselves to the entire ninja world."

"Chance?"

“That’s right. Many people outside believe that we are manipulating the Akatsuki organization behind the scenes. But if we agree to the alliance with Takigakure and protect their Jinchūriki, then those rumors will be dispelled!”