Land of Rice Fields, Otogakure.
Since the conclusion of the "Konoha Crush" operation, this place had become a frequent haunt for spies from various hidden villages. Simultaneously, it had become a sanctuary for ambitious dreamers and those harborings a burning hatred for the shinobi system, all of whom were desperate to enter its borders.
The reason was simple.
Allen was fulfilling his original promise. He was rapidly disseminating scrolls containing the complete training methods for Nen, as well as hundreds of Ninjutsu and even Forbidden Jutsu, throughout the entire world.
Furthermore, he included Engineering technical guides for manufacturing firearms, explosives, and artillery.
One could say he had dumped every single thing capable of threatening a shinobi into these scrolls.
The endless stream of people arriving to claim a scroll made it clear just how brutally the commoners of this world had been suppressed. It revealed how many people wished for the total eradication of the decadent, obsolete interest groups comprised of shinobi, hidden villages, Daimyos, and nobles.
In just one short month, over twenty thousand copies of the scroll were distributed.
Concurrently, the mortality rate of Genin from the major hidden villages out on missions spiked by over 300%. Daimyos, nobles, and samurai factions also faced frequent assassinations.
Although many were captured and executed during this process, and the scroll itself was declared a forbidden book, once certain wheels start turning, they never stop.
Scanning the intelligence gathered from various regions, Orochimaru couldn't help but grin, sighing in admiration. "Allen-kun is truly a terrifying individual! By simply spreading knowledge and power, he has easily stirred the entire shinobi world, even forcing a bottom-up revolution in this stagnant pond."
"No, Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto Yakushi pushed up his glasses, his tone betraying raw, undisguised admiration. "I believe Allen's most terrifying trait lies in his vision and his unconventional way of thinking. Anyone else, upon obtaining so many forbidden arts, knowledge, and the power known as Nen, would likely hide it away, ensuring no one else ever discovered it."
"But he did the exact opposite, choosing to broadcast it openly. Consequently, wars that were originally the exclusive domain of a few elite shinobi will gradually evolve into total wars involving the entire populace. The hidden villages, Daimyos, and nobles will be forced to face violent resistance from the masses. Against such a massive population base, an elite selection policy cannot possibly compete. It means that shinobi, like the samurai of old, will gradually become obsolete."
"As the catalyst for all of this, he will be elevated to a pedestal, becoming a legendary figure akin to the Sage of the Six Paths, the founder of Ninshu."
To Kabuto, this was what a top-tier powerhouse should do: create history, rather than merely repeating the actions of those who came before.
"Heh heh heh~ Exactly. That's why I find him so unique and fascinating. I wonder... how will Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki, and those other lawless individuals react to this?" Orochimaru's lips curled into a playful, intrigued smile.
"Perhaps... they are currently nursing a massive headache over how to deal with this powerful disruptor," Kabuto added, his expression filled with excitement and anticipation.
…
Meanwhile, within Amegakure, the core members of the Akatsuki were gathered.
The leader, Pain, wasted no words. He threw a commission sent by Iwagakure in front of the assembly. "Tsuchikage Onoki wants us to act. He wants us to kill this young man named Allen. The offer is 500 million Ryo!"
"500 million? Please, ensure this mission is assigned to me."
The money-obsessed Kakuzu was instantly dazed by the astronomical bounty, his eyes flashing with an intense hunger for wealth.
"To you? This person simultaneously possesses Wood Release and the Mangekyo Sharingan. I believe it would be better if we handled it. What do you think, Itachi-san?" Kisame Hoshigaki asked his partner in a respectful tone.
"Setting aside the Wood Release, which is the hallmark of the First Hokage, the Mangekyo Sharingan alone is quite troublesome. I simply do not understand how this man named Allen obtained the Sharingan without Uchiha blood," Itachi replied, his brow furrowing as confusion and concern flickered in his eyes.
He knew his brother, Sasuke, had left Konoha and was now traveling with this mysterious individual who harbored such dangerous thoughts.
Indeed. Even in the eyes of the Akatsuki, a group brimming with rebellious ideologies, Allen's rhetoric about directly overthrowing the Daimyos, nobles, and the entire shinobi hierarchy was far too radical, even extremely dangerous. After all, their stated ideal was merely to displace the Five Great Nations and become the sole arbiters of the shinobi world to ensure war never broke out again.
"Hmph. You're giving that guy too much credit. I don't believe he can withstand my art!" Deidara scoffed, pouting with disdain.
Seeing this, Sasori immediately scolded him. "Shut up! Neither Wood Release nor the Mangekyo Sharingan are easy to deal with. Moreover, he is the Jinchuriki of the Four-Tails. Let's hear what the leader intends."
"Regardless, the Four-Tails within him is something the organization must obtain. Therefore... I have decided to send a few people to test his strength. According to intelligence, he appeared near the border of the Land of Earth a few days ago. Deidara, that is your homeland. Can you and Sasori handle this?" Pain asked in a toneless, detached voice.
"Of course! I'll show him exactly what true ultimate art looks like," Deidara grinned with a manic smile.
"To what extent should we take this?"
Sasori, clearly more grounded than his partner, inquired about the mission specifics.
"If his strength is lacking, use force to bring him back. If his strength is high, then extend an invitation to join the Akatsuki on behalf of the organization. In short, use your own discretion," Pain explained nonchalantly.
"Understood," Sasori nodded.
As the meeting concluded, the Akatsuki members quickly departed to attend to their respective tasks. Only one person remained: the man who called himself Tobi to the outside world, claimed to be Madara Uchiha in front of Nagato and Konan, but was actually Obito Uchiha.
Playing three distinct personalities with completely different habits was a miracle of psychological endurance. But more likely, his psyche had shattered the moment he saw Kakashi's Chidori pierce through Rin Nohara, allowing an extreme, alternative persona to take over.
The mastermind walked directly up to the Deva Path Pain and lowered his voice. "Regarding this sudden disruptor, I think you are being too reckless. Wood Release and the Mangekyo Sharingan are not things easily obtained through cell transplants or biotechnology. I suspect Orochimaru is deeply involved in this."
"Are you suggesting... he was created by Orochimaru?" A strange light flickered in Pain's eyes.
"I don't know yet. But I will go personally to confirm his true identity. If possible, this person could become an excellent tool to help us achieve our great goal sooner."
With that, Obito turned and vanished into the darkness, leaving behind only the echoing sound of fading footsteps.