Shigeo Aburame had originally intended only to offer Yahiko and the others a better direction to avoid their tragic demise at the hands of Hanzō, as seen in the original storyline.
However, to his surprise, his advice led them to implore him to become their leader.
This was completely at odds with his initial intentions, so his first reaction was to refuse.
But as the words formed on his lips, facing the pleading and hopeful gazes of the trio, he found himself unable to utter them.
*Sigh, fine. Let's take it one step at a time.*
With this thought, he nodded toward the three in front of him.
"Alright, I agree. You can get up now."
"That's great!"
The moment Shigeo agreed, Yahiko jumped up in excitement. Nagato and Konan also showed joy on their faces.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
"Shigeo-senpai is the best!"
The trio couldn't contain their happiness, and their enthusiasm brought a smile to Shigeo's face as well.
"Thank you for your trust. But let me make it clear: this leader status is for our knowledge only. No one else must know."
Yahiko was about to object immediately. "How can that be? Senior Brother, you—"
"Yahiko, listen to me first!"
Shigeo raised a hand to stop him and placed it on his shoulder.
"Who the leader is doesn't matter. Our goal is to change the Land of Rain, but that means facing countless challenges. Do you know what the biggest obstacle will be?"
"Uh…" Yahiko hesitated, trying to answer tentatively, "The surrounding great nations?"
Shigeo shook his head and then turned to Nagato. "Nagato, what do you think?"
Nagato frowned in thought before replying firmly, "It's Hanzō!"
"Hm?"
Hearing this answer, Shigeo raised an eyebrow in mild surprise and then looked to Konan. "What about you, Konan?"
Konan nodded. "I think it's Hanzō too."
"Why?" Shigeo asked with a smile. "Clearly, the wars are caused by the great nations. Why do you see Hanzō as our obstacle?"
"Because we have different goals!"
Konan, evidently clear in her thoughts, promptly shared her reasoning.
"We want to plant our own apple tree and protect it with our strength. But Hanzō wants to seize apples from other nations."
"Then why not make him the one who plants the apple tree?" Shigeo chuckled. "After all, he's the leader of the Hidden Rain Village."
Konan fell silent, pondering this suggestion.
Nagato, however, shook his head.
"Hanzō wouldn't do that. The current state of the Land of Rain proves that he won't be the one to plant the tree. His ambition will only bring more war to the country."
"True. Hanzō is an ambitious man," Shigeo said thoughtfully, then turned to Yahiko, who stood dumbfounded beside him.
"Yahiko, Nagato and Konan have already figured it out, but you still don't get it. With your intelligence, trying to change this country is going to be tough. Maybe you should just give up!"
"Uh… I… I…"
Yahiko flushed with embarrassment, unable to string a coherent sentence together.
Nagato and Konan, aware that Shigeo was teasing him, couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing Yahiko's face turn red, Shigeo decided to stop the jest and raised a hand with a smile.
"Alright, enough joking around. Let's get to the serious part."
With that, his smile disappeared, and his expression turned serious.
"Our goal is to change the Land of Rain, but we're too weak right now. We'll have to proceed step by step, which will take a long time."
"We're not afraid!" Yahiko immediately declared. "No matter how long it takes, as long as we can change this country, it's worth it!"
Nagato and Konan nodded in agreement.
Seeing their determination, Shigeo smiled in satisfaction and continued.
"I've divided the plan into three stages, each lasting five years. If all goes well, the Land of Rain will achieve peace in fifteen years."
"That's awesome!"
Yahiko clenched his fists, his face full of excitement.
"If it takes fifteen years to change this country, that's nothing! Senior Brother, tell us what we need to do!"
"Don't rush. Sit down and listen."
Shigeo smiled gently. Once the three sat down, he raised a finger.
"First, the first five-year plan. Yahiko and Nagato, I need you to join the Hidden Rain Village as ninjas, make a name for yourselves on the battlefield, and gain Hanzō's trust. Can you do that?"
"We can!"
Yahiko nodded without hesitation but then frowned.
"But isn't Hanzō our obstacle? Why should we help him?"
"Because it's a prerequisite for the next stage of the plan."
Shigeo raised a second finger.
"In the second stage, I want you both to become Jōnin in the Hidden Rain Village and gain Hanzō's favor, becoming his trusted aides. This will also take five years."
Turning to Nagato, Shigeo continued.
"Nagato, I've explained the first two stages. Now, tell me, what should we do in the final stage?"
"Seize control of the Hidden Rain Village!" Nagato clenched his fists. "Replace Hanzō and change the country completely!"
Perhaps too overwhelmed, his body began to tremble slightly as he spoke.
Shigeo gently patted his shoulder, waited for him to calm down, and then turned to Yahiko and Konan.
"Nagato is right. The third stage is to take control of the Hidden Rain Village, replace Hanzō, end the war, and bring peace to the Land of Rain. What do you think of this plan?"
"It's fantastic!"
Yahiko stood up, excitement written all over his face.
"I believe if we follow Senior Brother's plan, we can definitely change this country. Don't you think so, Nagato?"
"Yes!" Nagato smiled and nodded. Then he turned to Shigeo. "What about you, Senior Brother? Will you come with us to the Hidden Rain Village?"
"Of course, but my role will be different from yours."
Shigeo smiled slightly and looked at Konan beside him.
"Konan and I will be working to find an economic pillar for the Land of Rain. Strength alone isn't enough to ensure lasting peace for a nation."
"Haha, I get it now!" Yahiko laughed. "Senior Brother and Konan are the ones planting the apple tree, right?"
"Oh?" Shigeo raised an eyebrow. "Yahiko, you've finally had a smart moment. I'm starting to see you in a new light!"
"Hahaha, of course!"
Yahiko laughed as he dashed out of the room, standing in the rain with his arms raised to the sky.
"I'm the man who's going to change this country! Ah… ah… achoo!"
Watching this, Shigeo covered his forehead with his hand.
"Yahiko, that hot-blooded fool. Doesn't he know a man destined to change the country shouldn't catch a cold so easily?"
"Ahahaha…"
Nagato and Konan burst into laughter together.
*(End of chapter)*