In truth, the workload of Akatsuki's management wasn't that heavy—receive missions, assign missions, and that was about it. The intelligence system and mission system were always active, and sources of tasks were guaranteed. For Akatsuki's leaders, all one had to do was occasionally check for new mission requests; if a request aligned with Akatsuki's principles, send an acceptance letter along with the account information. If it didn't, simply decline. In short, the management of Akatsuki wasn't particularly demanding.
But being the leader of Amegakure was a different story—it was genuinely a heavy responsibility.
From village construction, personnel placement, mission delegation, negotiations with the daimyo, village defense, and countless other matters, all needed the village head's attention. Konan had complained more than once—why, as the second-in-command, did she have to handle first-in-command work for second-in-command pay?
"…Angel, there have been three invasion incidents in the past two months. The formation of an ANBU unit is urgent. If the village's ninjas keep handling these tasks, everyone will eventually grow resentful."
Shigure spoke with absolute seriousness. His imposing frame, solid features, standard ninja attire, and black half-sleeved cloak made him look unyieldingly strict. He referred to spies secretly sent into the village by Hanzo's faction under Pain's control. Hanzo was dead, but some rogue elements remained. The spies weren't especially skilled—village defenses would detect them—but they could still cause chaos.
Konan leaned lazily over the desk, playing with her pen. Knowing Shigure's personality, once the ANBU was formed, he would assign a team to follow her around 24/7. Now, she could sneak off work without being seen. Later, she'd have to dodge four guards, constantly rotating shifts. Was she really that weak, needing protection?
"And many secret missions aren't suitable for ordinary ninjas. Their involvement is inconvenient. As the village grows stable, the guard team becomes overstaffed. If we don't reduce their numbers, trouble will arise. Several people have reported that guards were illegally collecting taxes. The people involved have been dealt with, but without further action, serious risks remain," Shigure continued, talking without pause. Konan, bored, let her mind wander.
If the guards assigned to the lower stream hadn't been withdrawn, this surplus wouldn't have happened. Konan's thoughts drifted for a moment.
Calloused hands slammed onto the desk, accompanied by a roar from a loyal subordinate.
"Angel! Are you even listening?!"
Konan sighed, resigned, and straightened up, looking at Shigure with mock grievance.
"Can't you ever report some good news for me?"
"They've already started suspecting the relationship between you and that person, Angel. I mean, can you be careful? Even if the lower stream is off-limits, I can't station someone there all day, every day!"
Shigure was the only one in the village who knew about her and Konan's real relationship. At first, there had been awkwardness, but over the years, he had come to understand and accept it. He was also the one who ordered the villagers to keep away from the lower stream.
Konan gave him a pitiful look, feeling powerless.
"Shigure, you're so annoying. Can't you say something nice to your direct superior once in a while?"
"What do you expect me to say? Be vigilant even in times of peace, Angel! Be vigilant!" Shigure scolded patiently. Konan knew he would inevitably return to talking about forming the ANBU. She needed a new tactic to temper his enthusiasm.
"Shigure-san, do you know how much it costs to form an ANBU unit?"
"I'm willing to donate the next three years of my salary to support it!" Shigure thumped his chest, eager. Konan considered his modest salary—less than 100,000 ryō per month. Even three years, let alone ten, wouldn't fund a single ANBU tower. She glared at him with disdain.
Shigure coughed, dispelling the awkward moment.
"Really, Angel, this can't be delayed. Forming an ANBU would reduce the number of guards, avoiding unnecessary trouble. Many village operations are sensitive; ordinary ninjas shouldn't be overly involved. A stronger military force above the lower ranks is essential."
Public authority shouldn't be abused too much, Konan thought. With a decisive wave of her hand, she approved Shigure's ANBU formation request, then instructed efficiently:
"Divide the guards by strength into three tiers. First-tier are ANBU candidates, second-tier remain in place, third-tier return to lower ranks. Give me a list of the candidates."
Her instructions were clear, calm, and precise, as if prepared for a long time. This was why Shigure was exceptionally loyal to Konan—exaggeratedly loyal. Even if Pain issued orders, Shigure's first reaction wouldn't be obedience but checking with Konan first. This wasn't exaggeration; it was fact.
After giving all the instructions, Shigure still felt compelled to remind her:
"Angel, I'm not joking. The villagers are really starting to suspect your relationship with that person."
Konan blinked, raising an eyebrow at his serious expression.
"What do you think would happen if they found out?"
Shigure's lips twitched. He knew Konan's expression—she was scheming again. Regarding "that person," Angel would stop at nothing.
"Do you think now is the right time?"
"I think it is," Konan replied, arguing with herself. Shigure paused, then stated the villagers' perspective as an outsider:
"I think it's not appropriate."
"Why not?"
"You tell me."
Konan fell silent. Shigure sighed. Even after carefully confirming that she had not been deceived and had accepted the truth, he could imagine how others might react. Seeing Konan now, he remembered her during the disappearance incident—cold, calculating, machine-like, fully immersed in work. Compared to that, he preferred the current, playful, lazy, and mischievous Konan. Then, she seemed truly angelic; now, she was very human.
"Angel, take your time. One day it will be fine. I trust you," Shigure said sincerely. Konan grinned, teasing her rigid subordinate:
"Hmm, so obedient~ Now get to work~"
"Yes… Understood."
As Shigure left, he even closed the door behind him. His playful expression quickly gave way to a faint sigh. Konan stood from her chair, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked over the upstream village. My plan is correct. Occasional drizzle kept the villagers on alert subtly; after six years, there was still no real progress in detecting her infiltration. Sometimes, she had to admire Konan's impeccable secrecy—her plans were nearly impossible to execute.
Well, forming the ANBU might actually help. Twenty-four-hour rotational guards could be a solution.
She allowed herself a small, self-satisfying smile.
When Shigure sneezed violently while organizing the ANBU team, he had no idea where it came from. Well, whatever—let's just finish forming the ANBU first.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
If you're enjoying the journey so far and want to read ahead, you can check out 50+ advance chapters on Patreon: Patreon.com/Crimson_Lore
Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
Add to Library!