I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 712 Don't assume you can easily do someone else's work, even if it seems simple.

The Akatsuki organization, which had risen to prominence in the Land of Rain, suddenly disappeared, and all the established camps and refugee settlements were taken over by the Hanzo Group.

During this process, no armed conflict occurred, but also no Akatsuki ninjas were taken over by Hanzo's group.

It's as if the Akatsuki organization completely disappeared from the Land of Rain, but some say that the Akatsuki organization did not disband but went underground, but no one knows what their purpose is.

Even Hanzo himself found it strange. He didn't expect that after Yahiko and the other two died, the Akatsuki would still be organized and disciplined, and he even felt a little anxious.

After all, in just one month of taking over, he discovered just how "great" the Akatsuki organization was, devoting a large amount of ninja power to helping refugees, which was too resource-intensive.

The value that ninjas themselves can create is almost zero, and they have to spend a lot of extra money every day to subsidize the refugee settlements that have not yet achieved self-sufficiency.

However, Hanzo dared not abandon these refugees, since his reason for leaving was that he had completed peace negotiations with the Akatsuki leader and accepted all of the Akatsuki's assets and obligations.

If he were to renege on his promise so quickly, it would severely damage his reputation. In fact, if the Akatsuki were to make a comeback at that time, they would gain even greater support from refugees and civilians.

If he wanted to take action against Akatsuki again, he would face severe obstacles, since the refugees no longer believed that his subordinates could take over Akatsuki's duties.

Even if the Akatsuki organization doesn't resist, the refugees will spontaneously rebel, and if Hanzo attacks these refugees, the reputation of the common people will completely collapse.

Therefore, Hanzo felt like he had been tricked.

He thought that taking over those refugees would increase the power of the Land of Rain and the ninja group, and that refugees, like civilians, had similar output.

But I never expected that the Akatsuki organization had been subsidized all along, and I don't know where the Akatsuki organization got its money from.

Hanzo suddenly felt a strong urge to confront Danzo. If it weren't for Danzo's instigation, how could he have attacked the Akatsuki? And if he hadn't attacked the Akatsuki, how could he have fallen into this financial trap?

If the internal resources cannot cover this additional financial expenditure, then we will have to find a way to request external assistance.

Inside the office, Hanzo, his body heavily bandaged and his face showing signs of weakness from his injuries, asked his subordinate who had just finished reporting on his work, "Is the Fourth Hokage planning to visit Iwagakure soon?"

"Yes, Lord Hanzo, do you intend to make specific arrangements? For example, defense?"

After answering, the Rain Ninja asked a somewhat strange question. Hearing the Rain Ninja's tone, Hanzo frowned and said, "What are we doing defending against the events between Konoha and Iwagakure?"

"After all, this is a diplomatic visit from Konoha. Last time they made a diplomatic visit, they almost wiped out the Land of Water."

The subordinate said with some concern that, compared to Hanzo, who was gradually becoming detached from external affairs, he, as the subordinate, actually had a better understanding of the outside world.

I heard that a month ago, when Konoha proposed to visit Iwagakure, Onoki immediately ordered all Chunin and above ninjas in the village to return to the village, just waiting for Sakamoto Tatsuma to make the visit.

Moreover, other countries and ninja villages all seemed to be watching the show, as if they were already certain that Sakamoto Tatsuma would go to Iwagakure to cause trouble.

If it's really like the time when Konoha sent a delegation to the Land of Water, then the number of people in the "diplomatic delegation" led by Tatsuma this time will definitely not be small, and the Land of Rain will almost always be on the way from Konoha to Iwagakure.

Therefore, the Rain Ninja had long wanted to bring up the matter of establishing a defensive system with Hanzo and making way for him appropriately.

However, the refugees under Akatsuki's control have been making Hanzo very unhappy lately, and his subordinates dare not mention it.

At this point, Hanzo mentioned that his subordinates also took the opportunity to express their concerns.

Hanzo pondered for a moment, recalling Konoha's actions in the Land of Water. After a brief pause, he said, "No need. Actually, I'd rather have a proper talk with Sakamoto Tatsuma."

"Isn't Konoha currently involved in some kind of talent recruitment program? I'm planning to send all those refugees to Konoha in a package."

Although he doesn't concern himself with foreign affairs, Hanzo does remember some important intelligence. When his subordinate heard him say this, he replied, "Konoha is indeed expanding, but their talent recruitment is a bit harsh."

With physical examinations and background checks, not only would people from outside the Land of Fire be excluded, but even those within the last three generations would be eliminated. Moreover, Konoha currently mainly recruits descendants of the second or third generation of ninjas who did not become ninjas.

"Konoha may not be willing to accept our refugees from the Land of Rain."

"If we send them directly to the Land of Fire, how can they refuse? If they don't, we'll have people accuse the Land of Fire and Konoha of being inhuman. Under the pressure of public opinion, they will definitely accept them."

"Whether we accept it or not is hard to say, but if Konoha is labeled as a country of rain intending to invade the country of fire, we will not be able to shake it off."

The subordinate's face turned bitter. This Lord Hanzo still thought Konoha was the Konoha during the reign of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The current Konoha is truly daring to fight, and they win every time they fight. Even a great ninja village like Kirigakure, which is part of a large country, can just grit its teeth and get through a few major defeats. At worst, it will only take five or eight years to recuperate.

If Konoha were to deliver its current powerful blows to the Land of Rain...

That would really get you hammered to death.

He desperately wanted to grab his master Hanzo by the collar and yell, "Master Hanzo, wake up!" but he didn't dare.

Fortunately, Hanzo, upon hearing his subordinate's words, recalled Konoha's actions over the past few years, nodded, and said, "It seems that a direct confrontation won't work, but we still need to talk."

Go and investigate the route of the Konoha delegation. If they pass through our Land of Rain, be sure to invite Sakamoto Tatsuma for a meeting.

"If you went to Konoha now to ask to see the Fourth Hokage, he probably wouldn't even pay you a visit."

Despite inwardly grumbling, the subordinate outwardly remained respectful, saying, "Yes, Lord Hanzo! I will arrange it as best I can, but the route through Konoha is unpredictable, and we might not even pass through the Land of Rain."

"If it happens, we'll figure out another way."

Hanzo waved his hand, dismissing his subordinates, while he continued to worry about the financial problems.

However, just as Hanzo was thinking about figuring out Tatsuma's route and wanted to have a talk, the time for his visit had already passed.

Inside the Tsuchikage's office in the Tsuchikage Building, Onoki, with a grave expression, asked, "Haven't you figured out the Konoha delegation's route yet?"

"Lord Tsuchikage, according to our spies in Konoha, Sakamoto Tatsuma was still in the village yesterday and did not go on any missions. There was also no large-scale ninja mobilization within Konoha."

With others present, Huang Tu addressed his father by his official title. Onoki touched his strawberry-like nose and said, "No matter what, we must be prepared."

Has the plan I mentioned—to establish a defensive line on the perimeter and give the Konoha delegation a show of force—been completed?

"It's done. The Konoha delegation will definitely be thoroughly intimidated before they enter the village."

Huang Tu nodded. He had personally overseen this arrangement, so there wouldn't be any mistakes. Upon hearing this, Onoki also nodded in satisfaction.

Although they knew that such methods were somewhat disreputable, the shadow that Konoha had cast on Iwagakure still lingered, and the entire village needed a major event to regain some confidence.

"Who goes there?!"

But just then, a loud shout came from outside the house from the guard ninja. Onoki frowned and looked at the door, which had been closed, as it was pushed open.

"So everyone's here? Did they know I'd be arriving at this time?"

"Tatsuma Sakamoto?!"

(End of this chapter)