Black Zetsu hadn't actually discovered anything — he simply had a vague premonition, an inexplicable feeling that something wasn't quite right.
"Something's off?" Uchiha Obito frowned slightly. After thinking it over for a moment and finding nothing unusual, he asked, "What exactly feels off?"
"I don't know." Black Zetsu shook his head. "It's just… a feeling."
A feeling?
Obito glanced at the pitch-black figure of Black Zetsu, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
Had this guy been spending too much time with White Zetsu and gotten influenced by him?
"What kind of look is that?"
Black Zetsu clearly sensed the ill intent in Obito's gaze and felt offended.
"Nothing. Don't overthink it," Obito said, quickly averting his eyes and changing the subject. "This matter doesn't really concern us anyway. Even if it fails, it doesn't matter."
"Just keep an eye on things. If it doesn't work this time, we'll find another opportunity."
Black Zetsu nodded and said nothing more.
After all, Nagato was merely a tool. It was Obito's own twisted amusement that led him to drag Nagato into darkness.
Whether this succeeded or failed wouldn't affect the bigger picture.
…
Several hours later, inside a cave somewhere in the Land of Rain.
Danzō Shimura sat deep within the cave, resting with his eyes closed. Around him, the Root shinobi were mostly at rest as well.
Tap, tap, tap…
Suddenly, hurried footsteps broke the silence.
Everyone in the cave opened their eyes at once, but no one moved.
The sentries outside hadn't raised an alarm, and the approaching person had deliberately made noise to signal their presence.
It could only be one of their own.
"Lord Danzō!"
A masked Root shinobi approached and knelt on one knee before him.
Danzō spoke calmly, "Report."
The shinobi said, "There's no abnormal activity on Hanzo of the Salamander's side. He has sent word to meet with the Akatsuki leaders, and just now he captured one of the trio—the woman."
A sharp glint flashed through Danzō's eyes. "Any unusual troop movements in Amegakure?"
"None. All Rain Shinobi are under surveillance. No abnormalities detected."
"Good."
Confirming that Hanzo had taken the bait, Danzō finally relaxed slightly.
Nagato's Rinnegan—he was determined to claim it.
And perhaps… he could do even more.
If Hanzo were to suddenly die, a leaderless Amegakure would be utterly vulnerable.
Handled properly, he could swiftly seize the Land of Rain and reap enormous benefits.
Danzō closed his eyes again, analyzing possible scenarios, weighing gains and losses.
Swallow the Rain, seize the Earth… suppress the Wind, crush the Lightning… sweep across all lands, unify the shinobi world… rule as sovereign for generations…
"Danzō, I am the Hokage!"
Danzō suddenly opened his eyes again, fury blazing within them.
His grand ambitions had been cut short by that nightmare-like voice.
With the forces he currently commanded, even if he captured the Land of Rain, he wouldn't be able to hold it.
He would become a target for all—besieged from every side.
More importantly, Konoha would never support him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had long since lost his edge. Obsessed with maintaining balance, he would never approve of such aggressive action.
"Damn it!"
Danzō cursed under his breath, his voice thick with resentment.
Konoha had clearly emerged victorious in this Great Ninja War, yet gained nothing—only sacrificing countless shinobi for nothing.
On the battlefield of the Land of Rain, Konoha had been the strongest force, yet acted timidly, without any of the bearing of the greatest shinobi village.
If he were Hokage, Konoha would never have become like this.
If he were Hokage, the shinobi world might already be unified.
But he wasn't.
The frustration in Danzō's heart deepened, his gaze growing ever colder.
No need to rush. He still had a chance.
Hiruzen would inevitably have to take responsibility for the losses in this war and step down as Hokage.
Orochimaru had leverage in his hands, and Minato Namikaze lacked political power—neither would be his match.
As long as the war continued, he could build his reputation. With his seniority, he might yet contend for the position.
Yes—Danzō's actions in the Land of Rain weren't just for Konoha's interests, but for his own ambitions as well.
Originally, with Hiruzen's support and Orochimaru's qualifications, the position of Fourth Hokage had been all but decided.
But not long ago, Danzō noticed that Hiruzen had suddenly changed his mind, turning instead to support the rising Minato Namikaze.
Danzō could guess part of Hiruzen's reasoning—and it gave him hope.
He couldn't compete against Hiruzen and Orochimaru together, but once their strength was divided, his opportunity would come.
"Lord Danzō, it's about time."
A Root shinobi spoke, interrupting his thoughts.
Danzō looked up. A faint ray of light pierced through the clouds, illuminating the dim cave.
"Let's go. It's time I stepped into the sunlight."
He rose and strode out of the cave.
Amegakure — Hanzo of the Salamander's residence.
"Lord Hanzo, please let us accompany you!"
Tenyu and Kanzo knelt on one knee before him, their voices filled with concern.
Hanzo calmly donned his battle gear and said, "I already told you—no. Just guard Amegakure and the Land of Rain."
"But—"
"There are no 'buts.' You know my fighting style. If it comes to battle, you won't be able to help—in fact, you'd only distract me."
His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
He knew this was the only way to ensure they would let him go alone.
And just as he expected—
"Lord Hanzo, we…"
The two lowered their heads in shame. In the end, they were simply too weak.
"Enough. There's no need to feel ashamed. It's not that you're inferior to other villages' elite shinobi—it's that I am… exceptional."
Hanzo fastened his ninja tool pouch and picked up his sickle. "I'll leave things here to you."
"Yes, sir! Please rest assured, Lord Hanzo!"
"Let's go."
Hanzo turned toward Konan, whose hands were bound with rope, and gave her a reassuring look.
She nodded. A trace of worry appeared on her usually expressionless face as she lowered her head slightly.
Not bad acting, Hanzo thought, somewhat surprised.
Konan was usually calm and expressionless—he hadn't expected this level of performance from her.
With that, Hanzo led Konan out of Amegakure.
Once outside their own territory, there were too many unknown eyes watching. Neither of them spoke along the way.
Before long, they arrived at a valley.
Danzō Shimura and dozens of Root shinobi were already waiting.
"Lord Hanzo."
Danzō's gloomy gaze swept over Konan before he greeted Hanzo.
Hanzo nodded and glanced at the Root forces behind him. "Konoha's strength truly runs deep—to think you can still mobilize such a force after fighting all four great nations in succession."
Most of these Root shinobi carried the presence of elite chūnin and special jōnin, with over a dozen full jōnin among them—enough to serve as the backbone of a small-scale war.
"Nothing special," Danzō replied flatly. "They're merely my personal guard."
To ensure overwhelming advantage on this battlefield and keep events aligned with his plan, Danzō had brought most of Root's elite forces.
For Nagato's Rinnegan, he held nothing back.
At the same time, it served to demonstrate Konoha's strength—and intimidate Hanzo.
Danzō's gaze shifted to Konan. "Lord Hanzo, why did you bring her?"
Hanzo nodded. "They are, after all, seedlings of the Land of Rain. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to act against them personally."
"I've heard the three Akatsuki leaders grew up together, bound by life and death. So I thought—I'd use her as leverage and make them kill each other."
"What do you think of that idea, Lord Danzō?"
Konan trembled, her eyes widening in disbelief as she looked at Hanzo.
Even knowing this Hanzo was merely a puppet controlled by Uchiha Ren, she couldn't suppress the unease rising in her heart.
This method was far too cruel.
By contrast, Danzō's eyes gleamed with approval. "As expected of the 'Demigod of the Shinobi World.' To rule the Land of Rain for decades… truly impressive."
"A method that destroys both body and spirit—remarkable."
Hanzo wasn't just trying to eliminate the Akatsuki physically—he intended to break them mentally.
No matter how strong the bond between the three leaders, once casualties occurred, resentment would inevitably arise.
Not just toward each other—but toward themselves.
Even if they held firm, what about their followers?
Over time, division would be inevitable.
"You… you can't do this!"
Konan's voice trembled as she shouted at Hanzo, her face filled with fear.
Whether it was genuine or an act to deceive Danzō—no one could tell.
"You have no choice."
Hanzo raised two fingers like a blade and pointed at her. "For the sake of the performance to come, you'd better stay quiet."
He tapped her throat. A black sealing mark appeared, spreading into dark patterns that covered her mouth.
Konan's lips moved, but no sound came out—her voice was completely sealed.
Danzō's eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of wariness flashing within them.
Though it was a minor technique, Hanzo's chakra control and precision were something even Danzō couldn't match.
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