Jiraiya had indeed secretly added fuel to Yahiko's peace plan.
He didn't do much, just spreading so news about the 'Dark Akatsuki' in taverns and red-light districts of various countries, explaining its danger level. Combined with the tragic annihilation of the Land of That, it made these small countries more nervous and much more eager to join the Akatsuki organization.
"Taverns and... red-light districts?" Masahiko's attention shifted slightly.
"Ahem, ahem." Jiraiya coughed twice. "It was all for spreading intel or gathering intel."
Masahiko rolled his eyes. "Explaining is just covering up. It seems Tsunade..."
"Senior, I really didn't!" Jiraiya panicked.
"Oh?" Masahiko raised an eyebrow, half believing and half doubting.
Fortunately, the three children had chosen their rooms and walked out at this mont, stopping Masahiko from dwelling on this topic.
"Look at the new generation of our Land of Whirlpools. They are quite unconvinced by you, the legendary Sannin."
Unlike the casual and goofy manner he displayed when facing Masahiko, when Jiraiya turned to the three children, the aura of a senior master spontaneously erged. Although Masahiko wanted to laugh no matter how he looked at it...
"The two boys are not bad, this girl... hmm..." Jiraiya, who had "read countless won", could tell at a glance that Haku was a boy. However, when he saw Karin, he hesitated and sized her up and down.
Karin looked disgusted and hid behind Kimimaro, muttering softly, "Pervert."
Jiraiya: "..."
If it were his younger days, Jiraiya would have imdiately retorted, 'What's there to look at on your flat chest?' But now he was much more mature. He just clicked his tongue twice and shrugged at Masahiko. "She looks quite like Kushina when she was little; good potential."
It wasn't clear whether the potential he spoke of was her looks or her strength. After saying this, Jiraiya got up and hid in the next room, just as soone knocked on the villa's door.
Masahiko waved his hand, and the villa's main door opened automatically. Yahiko stood straight outside.
"Senior, you really ca personally."
"I had to co. Nagato told that most of the countries trading with the Land of Whirlpools are joining your Akatsuki. What if you, the leader, wave your hand and cut off our source of wealth? We wouldn't be able to bear it."
Yahiko smiled bitterly and shook his head. "You're joking."
Seeing Yahiko's sincere attitude, Masahiko stopped teasing him. "Co in and sit. Karin, serve tea."
Karin: ???
"Great Elder, let go instead," Haku said softly.
Masahiko nodded and looked at Karin. "Girls need to learn how to serve tea and pour water. Learn more from Haku."
"Do you dare say that in front of Aunt Kushina?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Masahiko glared, then turned to Yahiko. "Ahem, you're here?"
Yahiko blinked. "Hmm? Oh! I'm here, Senior."
A question mark popped up on Kimimaro's head, and the corners of Karin's mouth curled up.
Skipping past this, Masahiko shifted the topic to serious business. As he expected, Yahiko was currently very troubled, just trying his best to maneuver among the various countries, big and small.
To put it bluntly, he lacked strength.
The Land of Rain only had the S-rank Yahiko, the S -rank Ayuri Ringo, and a little over ten other Jonin, not enough to even make a splash among the Great Nations. Making such a big scene, the Great Nations would definitely pay attention. The ninjas coming this ti wouldn't be weak. The Land of Rain, as the host, would likely beco the weakest faction.
"Do you still want to secure the leader position?" Masahiko asked.
"I know it's impossible, but I'm just unwilling to accept it. Almost none of these joining countries ca truly for peace. If I can't even get the nominal leader position, the original intention of establishing the Akatsuki organization will be easily changed, or even disbanded! It was so hard to get this close to peace..."
Masahiko nodded. "It's impossible for you to get the leader position. Seeing how busy you've been running around, it's not easy. Let give you an idea. Look at the Land of Iron, why is its status so special? It's because it doesn't participate in ninja world disputes, and it also hosted the Five Kage Summit. The Land of Rain's strength isn't enough, so you can find a way to extract it—not participate in the specific affairs of the Akatsuki organization, but still act as the host, occupying a special position within the Akatsuki organization..."
Yahiko nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you very much, Senior. By the way, I heard that Jiraiya-sensei ca. Did you see him?"
Masahiko glanced at the next room and shook his head with a smile. "Didn't see him. I only saw a pervert peeping at the won's bath. How could that be Jiraiya?"
Yahiko smiled bitterly and glanced at the next room. "Senior, if you see Jiraiya-sensei, please say hello for . I'll take my leave first."
After Yahiko left, Jiraiya naturally walked out from the next room and even complained to Masahiko. "It's all because of your soap, otherwise I couldn't have been caught! Ahem, that boy who looks like a little girl, bring the tea over. Yahiko left, I'll drink it for him as his teacher."
Masahiko raised an eyebrow. "You... plan to freeload at my place?"
Jiraiya scratched his head. "You made it so I can't show my face in front of Yahiko. If I don't stay at your place, where else can I stay?"
Masahiko took a deep breath. "Staying at my place is great. We can play with the ball together."
Jiraiya was stunned. "I forgot to ask you, what is this black ball of yours?"
"Good stuff, catch!"
"Ah~~~"
...
Perhaps it was Yahiko's intention, or perhaps it was unintentional on the part of Ajisai and those three little girls, but the news that Masahiko was staying here was sohow spread out, and Masahiko accepted visits from guests from various countries.
So people were okay, very polite when visiting him, and knew to bring so gifts. So were outrageous, not visiting him at all, but 'worshipping' him, praying for longevity... Masahiko almost wanted to invite those few people to play with the ball.
The personnel from the other Great Nations and the Land of Iron arrived one after another, and Masahiko t them one by one.
Mifune of the Land of Iron ca personally, accompanied by Okisuke, Tatewaki, and even the young lord of the Land of That.
Konoha sent 'Team Minato'. Hiruzen probably didn't feel very assured about Obito, so he had Kakashi tag along as well. Because they were still observing, the Land of Fire didn't send any officials. The other four Great Nations each sent a mid-level official, accompanied by two ninjas, and Masahiko basically knew all of them.
The Hidden Stone Village sent the Four-Tails Jinchuriki Roshi and the Explosion Release ninja Gari; the Hidden Mist Village sent Mangetsu Hozuki and the legal shota Yagura; the Hidden Sand Village sent Chiyo and Sasori, who was already here; the Hidden Cloud Village sent two of the few beautiful ninjas in the village: the Raikage's secretary Mabui, and Yugito Nii, who was supposed to be the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
Masahiko didn't know most of the ninjas from the other small countries. Besides his old acquaintance Kakuzu, only the two unknown ninjas from the Land of Sound could make Masahiko pay a little attention. Orochimaru, as expected, wouldn't miss this lively event.
Ti passed, and May 20th arrived.
Masahiko held the Soccer-Truth-Seeking Orb and raised an eyebrow. "Let's go. With so many powerful ninjas here, it's enough to form a soccer team."
Jiraiya lay on the bed with a dispirited face. "Senior, you go play with them. I'll sit this one out..."
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