The Uchiha clan, which was wiped out entirely, lacked vision.

Chapter 24 Only those who have experienced pain know the preciousness of peace.

Itachi and Orochimaru's assessment of Nara Shikaku was correct.

While the Akatsuki members were having their conversation, Nara Shikaku had already made the decision to retreat.

But a sliver of hope remained in his heart, so he stepped forward from the crowd, stood at the front of the line, and loudly proclaimed to Payne in the sky:

Are you from the Land of Rain?

"Thank you for helping to seal the tailed beast."

"We did not intend to deceive you before, but it was because of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki that we had no choice but to do so. We hope your country will understand."

"The reason our comrades crossed the line is because we didn't want the tailed beasts to get out of control in Amegakure and cause damage to the village."

"I am willing to apologize to the Land of Rain for our previous concealment and pay the corresponding compensation for the losses."

"However, this is the Nine-Tails of our Konoha Village, and it cannot be revealed to the outside world. We hope you can allow us to take the sealed Nine-Tails back with us."

Payne, high above in the air, looked down at him with a cold gaze and slowly spoke:

"Truly the shamelessness of a great power!"

"Before Konan appeared, you didn't care at all about the fate of Amegakure!"

"The only reason you're willing to talk to us now is because you've lost your military advantage here."

"Indeed, those who have never experienced suffering cannot appreciate the preciousness of peace!"

Upon hearing Pain's rambling words, Nara Shikaku frowned and changed his tune:

"Is Hanzo the Salamander here?"

"Please announce that Nara Shikaku of Konoha Village requests an audience."

Compared to this strange and unfamiliar ninja, Nara Shikaku preferred to deal with Hanzo of the Salamander, whom he had met before. Even though Hanzo of the Salamander was a powerful demigod, a leader would certainly not act impulsively.

"Hanzo the Salamander..." Payne didn't answer, but just lowered his head and pondered.

The Akatsuki organization is not yet fully prepared to begin collecting the Tailed Beasts. They lack manpower, sufficient resources, and even the location of the nine Tailed Beasts is not fully known.

Starting a war at this time would be too hasty and not a good choice.

This time, the Nine-Tails practically offered itself to me, so it would feel a bit of a waste not to eat it.

But after eating it, Payne realized that it was a useless thing.

If the Ten-Tails wants to be resurrected, all nine tailed beasts must gather together.

But once they start collecting the tailed beasts, the operation cannot be stopped.

Otherwise, the village to which the tailed beast belongs will inevitably continue to attack, trying to take the tailed beast back, and the other villages will also become alert, adding to the difficulty of the mission.

There is only one chance. If they fail, the Akatsuki will become the enemy of the ninja world, and there will be no second chance. The Land of Rain will also be destroyed.

Perhaps we can use the Nine-Tails to exchange for some supplies first, and then collect all nine tailed beasts in one go once everything is ready.

Sensing Pain's hesitation, Nara Shikaku was overjoyed and quickly pressed on, speaking sincerely:

"Konoha and Amegakure have always been allies. Our Hokage and the Salamander have been exchanging letters frequently. We would appreciate it if your village would do us a favor."

"Later, the Hokage will personally write to Lord Salamander to express his gratitude."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a strange laugh came from the side, like the hooting of an owl, extremely jarring.

"Hehe...we really are allies!"

"It wasn't just Hiruzen Sarutobi who frequently corresponded with Hanzo the Salamander!"

"And there's also Danzo Shimura!"

"Back then, Hanzo of the Salamander didn't intend to wipe out the Akatsuki organization, but Danzo Shimura sent someone to persuade him, telling him that the Akatsuki organization would definitely shake his rule in the future, and urging him to wipe out the Akatsuki organization."

Nara Shikaku turned his head and saw "Uchiha Itachi" grinning coldly, his blood-red eyes flashing with a fierce light, exuding a tangible killing intent.

He frowned, ignored him, and turned to try to persuade Payne again, but suddenly felt a chill in his heart as a murderous intent pressed down on Payne from the sky.

"Ha ha……"

Uchiha An burst into wild laughter, completely ignoring the killing intent emanating from Pain. Instead, he spread his arms wide, adopting a submissive posture, and mocked with a maniacal expression:

"Hey, Payne, you don't actually know who was behind Yahiko's murder after all these years, do you?"

"Or is it that you actually knew all along that Konoha was the enemy, but because the enemy was too powerful and you couldn't afford to provoke them, you pretended not to know?"

"what?"

"Ha ha……"

After provoking Payne, he turned to provoke Nara Shikaku.

"Oh, right, you don't know Nara Shikaku over there, do you?"

"The Land of Rain is now under the control of the Akatsuki!"

"What kind of bullshit is Hanzo the Salamander? He's been dead for ages!"

"What kind of demigod is that? Compared to the Akatsuki leader who possesses the same Rinnegan as the Sage of Six Paths, he's not even worth an ant!"

"What?!" Nara Shikaku was shocked. His pupils contracted sharply, and all color drained from his face.

He suddenly looked up at Payne in the sky, only to see Payne's expressionless face and cold indifference in his mosquito-coil eyes. He knew in his heart that something bad was about to happen.

In a normal village, a change of leadership would certainly be announced to the surrounding countries. However, the people of the Land of Rain not only failed to announce it, but also strictly controlled the information, not letting a single word out. The underlying hostility was blatantly obvious.

Add to that the "Rinnegan similar to that of the Sage of Six Paths," and it becomes even more terrifying!

While inwardly cursing Danzo for ruining things again, he hurriedly retreated, shouting:

"Now that Amegakure has a new leader, I should return to the village to report this matter. In a few days, Konoha will send a delegation to negotiate with Amegakure."

"Haha... You truly live up to your reputation as Konoha's most brilliant mind! You figured it out so quickly!" Uchiha An clapped his hands and laughed, leaping forward to block the Konoha members from behind. "Too bad, too late!"

Nara Shikaku raised an eyebrow, not rushing forward to fight, but turning to Pain and shouting loudly:

"New leader of Amegakure, are you sure you want to stop us from leaving?"

"You need to understand, we represent Konoha. Do you want to start a war with Konoha?"

"Konoha is the largest country in the ninja world; it's not something a small country like the Land of Rain can contend with!"

"Even the demigod Hanzo of the Salamander, at his peak, was only on par with the Legendary Sannin!"

"But Konoha Village has far more powerful ninjas than just the Sannin. Aren't you afraid that starting a war rashly will reduce the entire village to dust?"

But the more he threatened, the more determined Payne in the sky became in his killing intent.

"I really shouldn't have believed the lies of the big powers!"

"Domineering, arrogant, self-righteous..."

With each word he spoke, his tone grew deeper and his voice became louder.

This was not only meant for the people of Konoha below, but also a way to reaffirm the conclusions he had reached through long-term reflection.

"So-called goodwill is nothing but a lie to appease others, a tactical deception used to buy time!"

"So-called peace is nothing but a mirage, a fragile illusion that can be easily shattered!"

"Only by experiencing immense suffering yourself will you truly understand the preciousness of peace!"

"Only war is the sole way to avoid war!"

After confirming the correctness of his belief, Payne opened his arms and pressed down.

"Shinra Tensei!"