allendalepharm Chapter 204 From Spy to Leader of Four
Chapter 204 From Spy to Leader of Four
So they never considered the possibility of espionage, and even took the initiative to help the other party improve the paper and ink to make up for the shortcomings of the secret technique.
It must be said that Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato are indeed geniuses.
Konan offered numerous suggestions regarding paper and ink, which significantly improved Nagatomo's ninjutsu skills. Originally only at the Chunin level, he was now approaching the Jonin level.
After that, he named himself Changxin, which was actually his real name before he joined the Akatsuki organization.
He also had a surname, Yakushi, which was given to him by a kind old auntie who was the director of the orphanage. He also had a junior sister named Yakushi Nono.
As a child, he had vowed to marry his junior sister, but unfortunately, they were both orphans and had no right to choose their future. He was forced to join Root, and because of his outstanding intelligence, he was trained to be a spy.
Let's leave the past behind and get back to the present.
At first, he was just observing how the city was functioning, but he soon discovered that it was already completely rotten.
So he gradually transferred the knowledge he had learned from the roots of Konoha and from the orphanage.
The first reform: Clear distinction between rewards and punishments.
He told Yahiko, "The leader of any organization must be clear about rewards and punishments in order to gain people's trust and make them follow the rules."
He wasn't actually offering advice; he just couldn't stand by and watch. He considered himself mediocre in Root, just a nobody, but at least he had received proper training.
The Akatsuki's chaotic management is simply appalling. Even without his interference, it would disintegrate on its own in no time.
If the Akatsuki organization collapses on its own, his espionage mission will end. He will probably find it difficult to encounter such an easy mission again, with ample resources and guidance.
This was the first time Yahiko had heard such a statement. He had not been taught this way before; his master had only told him that with great power comes great responsibility.
Those who are strong should understand and help those who are weak; those who are rich should help those who are poor.
Changxin almost rolled his eyes, then patiently explained, "Not everyone is as wise and selfless as you, Leader. For example, it's difficult for me to share my things with others. You should receive as much as you put in the effort."
"Therefore, rewards and punishments must be clearly defined to prevent people from reaping rewards without working."
Yahiko nodded, reluctantly accepting his suggestion. Sure enough, within just a few days, the organization's internal management improved considerably.
He then proposed a second reform plan: "Establish laws and regulations, for without rules there can be no order. Organizations and cities without rules will sooner or later descend into chaos."
Upon hearing this, Konan and Nagato nodded in agreement. The reason they were unable to manage the city was precisely because of a lack of discipline; when they made mistakes, no one cared, and no one punished them.
But how exactly should the rules be set? All three of them were completely clueless. With no other option, Changxin, the only one with any education, was conscripted into the army.
Changxin himself never expected that on his fourth day as a spy, he would be responsible for drafting laws and regulations.
However, this did not stump him. He quickly pieced together the knowledge from the ninja school, spy training, and the old dean's teachings, and managed to draft a few dozen points.
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This set of rules would naturally have many loopholes in a large country, but it works exceptionally well for this small town.
Firstly, it has few rules and its expression is simple and easy to remember; almost everyone can remember it after reading it once or twice.
Secondly, the population is small, so those loopholes are difficult to trigger. Even if someone does try to exploit the loopholes, Changxin can easily solve them. After all, as a spy, understanding people's hearts is a basic skill.
After the rules were established, the city's security improved significantly. But a new problem soon arose: an economic crisis.
The underground organizations in major cities have been almost completely wiped out, and with Hanzo the Salamander's suppression, there is almost no need for mediation between different social classes.
This is why the Akatsuki organization almost lost its source of income. As for ninja missions, whether because they were too young or because they were not well-known, almost no one came to them.
Lacking funds, Yahiko was deeply troubled. He eventually summoned all members to the assembly hall for a meeting—a total of eighteen people, all high-ranking members of the Akatsuki. Their strength ranged from Jonin and Chunin to Genin.
But according to Xiao's policy, everyone is on the same level, and anyone can speak and vote.
Before long, everyone was talking at once, with all sorts of opinions, and some even suggested robbing or taking on assassination missions.
Yahiko was somewhat tempted by what he heard, but he quickly thought of the strategist in the organization.
"Changxin, what solutions do you have for Dawn City's financial crisis?"
Without hesitation, Changxin replied, "It's simple, just restore the tax system."
A ninja immediately jumped out to object: "How can this be! Lord Yahiko has already announced a tax exemption. If you ask him to retract his decision, wouldn't that be putting him in an unjust position?"
Changxin calmly said, "Taxation is inevitable. Which country doesn't collect taxes? Even thugs and street thugs know to collect protection money."
Do you really think they're just bullying people? No, they're providing protection. People feel secure only after paying taxes because they believe that if you take their money, you'll genuinely protect them. This is a rule passed down for thousands of years.
Xiao Nan found this argument particularly mind-boggling: "Does this mean that ordinary people pay taxes to the government simply so that the government can protect them?"
Changxin shrugged, saying helplessly, "Your understanding isn't wrong. In my view, the state is the biggest gang, and taxes are protection money. Is that so hard to understand?"
For a moment, Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato were all stunned. Not only them, but all the Akatsuki members present were stunned.
At this moment, someone came to their senses and retorted, "Changxin, you also came from the bottom of society, you should know that the people of our country have to pay two taxes! One goes to Lord Hanzo of the Salamander, and the other goes to the city. Nearly half of the grain has to be handed over! Without grain, how will the people survive?"
Changxin explained again: "That's right. If it were the Rain Country of the past, the people would indeed not be able to survive. But this place originally belonged to the Grass Country, with fertile soil and multiple harvests a year. As long as one is diligent and hardworking, even if one pays 70%, it would be enough for a family of five to live on for a year, let alone half."
"Compared to ordinary people, we are the real poor. And with our protection, as long as there are no natural disasters, they will not starve to death if they work hard."
"So, is it that we don't understand ordinary people, or that you don't understand them?"
"To be frank, the ones who really don't want Yahiko to collect taxes are you guys, aren't they?"
Changxin turned his attention to the other members. Indeed, this time, he was prepared to oust everyone who stood in his way and take over for himself.
He raised his hand and said, "Lord Yahiko, I must report that other Akatsuki members are abusing their power to oppress people, secretly hoarding land, enslaving the people, and exploiting the local population!"