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Konan chose Yūkaku-jō as the location for Akatsuki's branch in the Land of Fire.
Known as the "Flower Town," it was the country's most notorious pleasure district, a place frequented by famous kunoichi throughout the Shinobi world.
A common saying in the Land of Fire went, "Tanzaku in the south, Yūkaku in the north—one for gambling, the other for—pleasures of the flesh."
Yūkaku-jō was a maze of red-light districts, a tangled web of power.
Nearly every influential figure in the Land of Fire had some kind of business here, and rumors even implicated the Daimyo himself.
This meant that despite lacking any real specialty, Yūkaku-jō had developed its—unique characteristics into a pillar industry, driving the growth of lodging, food, and other related businesses.
Its GDP consistently ranked high, below only Konoha and the Daimyo's capital, making it the third-largest city in the Land of Fire.
Its proximity to Konoha meant that many advanced ideas had been introduced, and goods were plentiful. However, it also meant that the truly "big" business was conducted in the shadows.
Travelers from distant lands, wealthy merchants, powerful nobles, and Missing-nin all found their way here.
This confluence of people from all walks of life made Yūkaku-jō an ideal location for gathering intelligence.
By establishing a base here, creating an underground branch for Akatsuki, and opening a clandestine club, Konan could build relationships with corrupt Shinobi, nobles, and merchants, enticing them to work for the organization.
Then, through viral-like expansion of their underground operations, they could extend Akatsuki's influence throughout the Land of Fire, steadily siphoning its wealth.
And if they could gain leverage over someone like the head of the Chakra Metal Mining Bureau, they'd secure a stable supply of raw materials for producing Shinobi tools.
It was a solid plan, a strong foundation for Akatsuki to inflict pain upon the Shinobi world.
But Konan, tasked with carrying it out, felt the weight of the responsibility.
The "public opinion survey" using the Edo Tensei had eased her conscience. At least innocent people wouldn't die because of the plan.
And then there was Yūkaku-jō's proximity to Konoha.
If the organization's activities were discovered, Konoha's Shinobi could quickly reach Yūkaku-jō and implement countermeasures, like a lockdown.
Furthermore, while Yūkaku-jō was a melting pot, it was also where Konoha's Anbu "fished," hoping to catch those plotting against the village.
If, hypothetically, Gojo Kaigetsu were to say something in the morning, by noon it might be posted on the Hokage Tower's mission board, and by evening, the ever-loyal Uchiha Shinobi would apprehend the culprits.
Here, it was easiest to start from scratch, to establish a base and an intelligence network, to become a—pillar of the underworld. But it was also the easiest place for Konoha to—uproot them.
Danger and opportunity coexisted.
After finishing her day's work, Konan finally had time to relax. She sat on her bed and formed hand seals.
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Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?
FanfictionIn a World where power is everything, Gojo finds himself reincarnated into the Naruto universe, armed with a unique System known as the Konoha Prosperity System. With each investment he makes in the growth and prosperity of the Hidden Leaf Village...
