It's true, isn't it?" Uchiha Itachi sighed deeply, a wave of disappointment washing over him as he looked at Izumi.
Izumi, he thought bitterly, after all these years, your strength has undoubtedly grown far beyond what it once was. But your mindset remains chained to the same old beliefs of the Uchiha Clan. You still cling to the arrogance that only force can solve everything. Why can't you humble yourselves and listen to the voice of Konoha?
Izumi reached out gently and stroked his face and hair with a calm expression. "Itachi, I'm curious. Your father said that you and Shisui were like brothers. Shisui wanted peace, but he was killed by Konoha, right? Then why are you still hesitating? Which side will you choose to stand on?"
Itachi lifted his head from Izumi's lap and slowly stood up, preparing to leave. His thoughts were swirling in turmoil, torn between loyalty to his clan and the complicated web of duty he felt towards the village.
Izumi followed close beside him, gently grabbing his hand. Her voice softened but was firm as she said, "This is the last time I'll advise you. From now on, let's not speak about the clan or the village. I believe you will make the right choice. You are the pride of the Uchiha Clan. Hehehe, now, come on."
"It's a promise then." Itachi responded with a nod.
The two silently left the park. Neither spoke on their way back, but Izumi rested her head softly on Itachi's shoulder, clutching his arm in a quiet intimacy. Their pace was calm as they made their way back to the clan grounds.
When they arrived, Itachi said gently, "I'll take you home first."
"Mm," Izumi agreed with a small nod.
Suddenly, a young voice rang out on the path ahead: "Big Brother!"
Both Itachi and Izumi turned to see Uchiha Sasuke approaching them. Upon seeing his older brother, Itachi's face brightened with a warm smile.
However, Sasuke's expression shifted the moment he noticed Izumi. His smile faded, and without hesitation, he tugged on Itachi's other arm, saying, "Big Brother! Who is she? Let's go home."
Itachi glanced at Izumi, feeling awkward. "Ah… she is…"
Izumi smiled kindly at Sasuke, her eyes twinkling with fondness. "Wow! Sasuke, you've grown so big! I even held you when you were little. Do you remember me? I'm Uchiha Izumi — your big brother's girlfriend. Do you know what a girlfriend is, hmm?"
Sasuke scowled and pulled Itachi with more force. "Big Brother, this woman is so annoying! Let's stay away from her!"
"Sasuke! Be polite!" Itachi immediately reprimanded his younger brother, but Sasuke stubbornly insisted on going home.
Izumi chuckled softly and said to Itachi, "You take Sasuke home first. I'll head back by myself."
Itachi looked apologetic. "Sorry, Izumi."
She waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine." Before parting ways, Izumi opened her arms wide and said with a playful smile, "Itachi, give me a hug."
Reluctantly, Itachi let go of Sasuke's hand and slowly embraced Izumi again, feeling the familiar warmth of her body close to his.
Izumi then turned toward Sasuke, a triumphant smile spreading across her face as she narrowed her eyes mischievously. She stuck out her long, cute tongue at the young boy and said cheekily, "Goodbye, Itachi and little Sasuke. Hehehe."
Itachi opened his mouth to reply, but Sasuke interrupted, yelling, "Ah! You hateful woman! How dare you mock me? Big Brother, teach her a lesson for me!"
"Sasuke! That's rude!" Itachi scolded, looking distressed as he glanced between Izumi and his brother.
Izumi waved cheerfully and left without another word.
Sasuke started crying dramatically. "Big Brother doesn't like me anymore! Ahhhhhh…"
With no choice, Itachi lifted Sasuke into his arms and carried him home. Immediately, the boy's expression brightened, feeling safe in his older brother's embrace.
Upon entering their home, Uchiha Mikoto looked at Sasuke's new clothes and asked in surprise, "Itachi, what happened? Did Sasuke get new clothes too?"
Itachi smiled warmly. "Izumi and I went shopping. She bought these clothes for me. She also got gifts for Father and Sasuke. Sasuke ran into her earlier, and they had a little disagreement."
Sasuke crossed his arms, pouting. "That woman hugged Big Brother. It was too hateful!"
Uchiha Mikoto laughed softly. "Oh my, Sasuke just doesn't want Big Brother to be hugged by anyone else, does he? Hehehe. Itachi, you've really grown up. That reassures me. I thought you wouldn't get along with others in Anbu, but I didn't expect Izumi to be so kind! Not only did she buy you a gift, but she also bought presents for us. You better seize this opportunity — a good girl like her might be snatched away if you don't act fast!"
Itachi smiled shyly. "Ah, yes, I understand."
Mikoto looked over his clothes approvingly. "This outfit looks really good on you! Try it on so I can see. You'll definitely look handsome."
"It's troublesome," Itachi muttered, "I'll wear it for you later."
"No, no!" Mikoto insisted, "Hurry and change so I can see! I want to see how you look in these kinds of clothes, quick, quick, quick!"
Itachi had no choice but to change into the outfit. When he reappeared, Mikoto clapped her hands delightedly. "Wow, so handsome! As expected of my son. It would be bad if you were as stiff-faced as your father."
Uchiha Fugaku glanced helplessly at his wife, shaking his head slightly.
Itachi chuckled quietly.
Meanwhile, Izumi had changed back into her ninja uniform and resumed her patrol duty.
"Ah, such a hassle — another patrol," she muttered, rubbing her neck. Since she'd spent the whole day playing with Itachi and had little time to patrol, she had to be extra thorough tonight.
"But… is this what love feels like? It's actually quite interesting — very sweet, hm hm," Izumi thought, savoring the memory of being with Itachi earlier. The warmth of his embrace lingered in her mind, and her heart beat faster at the thought.
She reflected on how she had been the one to hold his arm, rest her head gently on his shoulder, and even climb onto his back for a piggyback ride. She sighed. "What kind of luck did this guy have to make me so proactive? But I suppose good men are rare. At the very least, a partner should be handsome and strong."
"Ah! What am I thinking?" Izumi shook her head, frustrated. "Even my thoughts are becoming more feminine. If only I had a beautiful woman like this when I was a man…"
Suddenly, envy flickered in her eyes toward Itachi.
"No, forget it — it's just an experience. That guy is beyond saving, still trusting the village that killed Uchiha Shisui. He really carries the Ninja World in his heart, unlike the others who only think about strengthening the clan."
Izumi's tone sharpened. "Compared to those old geezers, I'm still far behind. I need to learn more. How could he have been brainwashed like this?"
Lost in thought, Izumi suddenly noticed a strange power pulling at her attention. Curious, she followed the sensation without hesitation.
Before she realized it, she found herself walking into a residential area — unfamiliar territory. Then she recognized the mansion ahead.
"Kurama," she whispered to herself, a smile curling on her lips.
"So that's where she is — Kurama Yakumo." Izumi stuck out her tongue and licked her lips playfully, then activated Kamui and slipped inside.
The Anma Clan had been an integral part of Konoha since its very founding. For generations, they were revered as masters of genjutsu — illusionary techniques so powerful they could bend reality itself. Yet, over time, the clan's glory began to wane. The rarity of individuals who could inherit the Bloodline Limit—the source of their extraordinary genjutsu abilities—led to a slow but steady decline.
In the current era, the clan's hopes rested entirely on a young girl named Kurama Yakumo, the daughter of the clan head and his wife. From the moment her talents were discovered, she was heralded as a prodigy who might restore the clan's former prestige.
Yakumo possessed a rare gift, one that went beyond ordinary genjutsu. She held the power to manifest illusions into reality itself — a terrifying and magnificent ability that marked her as exceptional even among the Anma bloodline.
However, fate had dealt her a cruel hand. Since childhood, Kurama Yakumo had been plagued by a frail body that refused to strengthen despite her spirit's overwhelming power. Her physical weakness barred her from the path of becoming a ninja—a dream she cherished deeply.
Her parents, worried about her health, tried everything to protect her. Even Kurenai Yuhi, a respected jonin and expert in genjutsu, was invited to be Yakumo's teacher. After spending time with the girl, Kurenai gently advised her to abandon the dream of becoming a ninja and to instead seek a normal, peaceful life—one that would not risk further damage to her delicate condition.
Yakumo's parents, though heartbroken, agreed with this counsel. They wanted nothing more than to preserve their daughter's fragile health and spare her from the dangers of shinobi life. But for Yakumo, this imposed limit became a source of growing resentment and bitterness.
Within her heart, a monster of desire and revenge began to stir — a dark alter ego she called Idu.
The pressure and hopelessness weighed so heavily on her spirit that one fateful night, after another failed attempt to convince her parents to let her pursue her dream, the boundary between her true self and Idu shattered completely. In a violent outburst of fury, Idu took control, setting fire to their home. Yakumo's parents perished in the flames, victims of the very desperation that burned inside their daughter.
Now, Kurama Yakumo lay alone in her bed, sobbing quietly. The crushing loneliness of her loss settled deep within her soul. She mourned not only the death of her parents but also the death of her dream—the dream that had been ripped away by the fragility of her body.
At night, hidden beneath her blankets, she wept in silence, unable to share her pain with anyone.
Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared beside her bed.
"You seem very sad," the figure said softly.
Startled, Kurama threw off her blanket and looked at the newcomer with wide, wary eyes. "Ah! Who are you?!"
Before her stood a girl with long, flowing hair, pale as snow, and an unsettlingly confident smile. Her beauty was undeniable, yet her presence made Kurama's skin crawl.
"Who are you?" Kurama asked nervously, backing away.
The figure smiled knowingly and said, "Look around."
Kurama's gaze shifted to the room's edges, only to realize that everywhere outside her immediate surroundings was shrouded in pitch darkness.
Panic surged through her veins. "What did you do? What do you want?"
The mysterious girl stepped closer, her smile widening. "I know you, Kurama Yakumo."
Kurama's voice trembled. "You know me?"
The figure nodded. "Your genjutsu talent is among the top tier in Konoha, perhaps even the strongest in your clan. But it's a pity—your body won't allow you to become a ninja."
Kurama clenched her fists in frustration. "Damn it! Are you here to mock me too?!"
"No," the girl said, her voice calm but powerful. "I'm here to save you."
"Save me?" Kurama repeated, incredulous.
The girl stepped even closer and whispered into her ear, "I can make you a ninja."
Kurama's eyes widened in disbelief. "Ah! Really?!"
She grasped the girl's arm with desperate hope. "You can make me a ninja? If you can, I'll do anything! Anything at all!"
Her voice trembled with longing, her gaze shining with raw desire.
The girl smiled, her lips curling with a mixture of amusement and calculation. "Anything?"
"Yes," Kurama nodded without hesitation.
"Then," the girl said slowly, "if I ask you to betray Konoha and serve me instead, would you do it?"
Kurama froze, uncertainty flashing across her face.
As a loyal villager of Konoha, the idea of betrayal was difficult to accept.
"Are you lying to me?" she asked cautiously.
The girl's smile didn't waver. "I have no reason to lie to someone who cannot become a ninja on her own."
She reached out and placed her hand over Kurama's chest, channeling a warm and gentle energy into her body. It was Divine Ink spiritual power — a force from the heavens and the earth, carefully refined through cultivation and the Sage Arts of Ryuchi Cave.
This power was unlike the harsh energy Kurama's body usually suffered from. Instead, it soothed and replenished her worn-out vitality.
Kurama's physical weakness stemmed from the paradox of her spirit: it was so powerful that it stunted her bodily growth, making her appear delicate and frail.
Though many had tried, no one had been able to restore her body's strength — until now.
The spiritual power coursing through her filled Kurama with a gentle warmth, making her body feel more alive than ever before.
She sensed that, if this infusion continued, her body could be fully healed.
But before she could say anything, the girl withdrew her hand.
"How does it feel?" she asked.
Kurama remained silent, overwhelmed by the sensation.
Seeing her hesitation, the girl's eyes glinted with understanding.
She knew Kurama was torn between her loyalty and the promise of power.
Just like the Konoha elders who pressured Itachi to believe their path was the only way to prevent war, this moment was a test for Kurama—a crossroads where desire, fear, and loyalty clashed.
The girl smiled gently, yet her words carried a sharp edge.
"What a pity. I thought you and I were alike — both desperate, both yearning for strength. But if you choose to cling to the past, then so be it. Find someone else to make you a ninja. Though such opportunities are rare."
She chuckled darkly. "Later, find a man to marry, have children, and pin your hopes on them. Maybe there's still hope in that."
Kurama's fists tightened at the cruel irony.
"But if he ends up like you, disappointing everyone like you have, then what will you do with that burden? The pressure will crush you."
The girl's figure began to fade, her smile lingering like a haunting promise.
Kurama's bloodshot eyes remained fixed on the floor. Her hands gripped the fabric of her pajamas so tightly her knuckles whitened, as though she wished to tear them apart.
Her entire body trembled with anguish.
She thought of her parents' hopeful eyes — the same eyes that had grown weary and disappointed.
Her own talents, her dreams, all now seemed like cruel jokes.
And around her, whispers of ridicule echoed.
"They said she was talented, but she's just a failure who can't become a ninja."
"The Kurama Clan is finished. They should accept it."
"She's a liar, just like the rest of them."
"Her parents were killed by her genjutsu — is that true?"
"No, they were burned alive. Their clan is full of lies."
The voices grew louder in her mind, until she could bear it no longer.
With a cry, she lunged forward and clutched the fading figure's leg.
"Wait! Don't go! Please don't leave me! I agree! I agree! You can make me do anything!"
The girl smiled, revealing a long, slender tongue which she licked over her lips with satisfaction.
"Do you really agree?" she asked.
Kurama dropped to her knees before her, desperation pouring from her every word.
"Yes, I agree! Please help me! I'll obey you, control me however you want — just make me a ninja!"
Her forehead was pressed to the ground, swollen and red from repeated bows.
Her gaze was fierce and unwavering as she looked up, meeting the girl's eyes with an unbreakable determination
Quan-sama looked deeply into Kurama Yakumo's eyes, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Good eyes," she said softly. "I understand your resolve. Very well, then…"
Without warning, Quan-sama's appearance shifted. Sharp fangs suddenly emerged from her mouth as she sank her teeth into Kurama Yakumo's neck.
"Orochimaru did it this way, didn't he?" Quan-sama mused with a sly grin. "But I can do it better."
She began to inject her Divine Ink spiritual power—her very flesh and blood—into Kurama Yakumo's body.
Within Quan-sama's veins, the Divine Ink condensed and formed a complex talisman across her skin. This talisman then traveled through the bite wound, entering Yakumo's body along with the Divine Ink.
Quan-sama infused a massive amount of Divine Ink, creating a network of mystical talismans within Kurama Yakumo's flesh. The talismans shimmered, constantly shifting in shape and pattern, weaving a powerful enchantment over her entire body.
At the same time, Quan-sama's consciousness delved deep into Kurama Yakumo's mind — a domain where a darker presence awaited.
Inside Yakumo's mental realm, there was another self — the entity known as Idu, a malicious and resentful spirit born from Yakumo's pain and bitterness.
Upon seeing Quan-sama, this other Kurama Yakumo transformed angrily into a terrifying long-fanged demon, charging fiercely at her.
"Hahaha! Someone actually came to die here? Go to hell! I am invincible in this world!" Idu roared defiantly.
Quan-sama remained calm, her smile widening as she raised her hand, summoning a legion of talismans that wrapped tightly around her own body.
"That's impressive," Quan-sama said with admiration. "To create something like you—an entirely new personality born from malice and talent—is truly rare."
Suddenly, the talismans enveloping Idu began to multiply rapidly. Idu screamed in shock, "What? My body… how is this possible? I am invincible!"
But her panic grew as she realized she was immobilized. Countless talismans sprang up across her entire form, binding her tightly and stripping away her freedom of movement.
"No matter how invincible you think you are, you are still bound by Kurama Yakumo's body," Quan-sama said coldly as she approached the trapped demon.
She reached out, touching Idu with a hand glowing with pitch-black ink. Slowly, Idu began to merge back into Kurama Yakumo's body through the spreading runes and dark ink, being absorbed entirely.
"Ah! No! Don't! Help me…" Idu's scream echoed through the mental space before fading as she was fully consumed.
With the absorption complete, Quan-sama licked her lips and retracted her consciousness.
Then, with a sudden bite to the wound she had created, Quan-sama transformed it into a powerful cursed seal — a mark reminiscent of Orochimaru's seals but far more refined and deadly.
Her eyes gleamed as she withdrew her bite, licking the blood from her lips. "Get used to it," she said with a wicked smile.
Kurama Yakumo's body collapsed to the ground, trembling violently as the fusion of Quan-sama's Divine Ink, talismans, and cursed seal coursed through her.
The transformation was painful but necessary — the overwhelming power of the Divine Ink was rebuilding her from the inside out, enhancing her body and spirit.
Watching Yakumo struggle and cry out in agony, Quan-sama remarked with appreciation, "Her talent is remarkable."
"By absorbing her mental energy and genjutsu power, I have lessened the burden on her fragile body while gaining her extraordinary genjutsu abilities for myself. It's a perfect exchange — killing multiple birds with one stone."
"She's only lost a small fraction of her talent, which would have been destroyed eventually anyway. So giving it to me is the best outcome."
"And now, with my spiritual power and flesh integrated into her, she has been reborn and enhanced."
Quan-sama's lips curled in pride. "My mind is stronger than ever, my perception sharper, and my genjutsu has become more potent. Illusions that become reality — hehehe…"
At that moment, the runes all over Kurama Yakumo's body vanished and converged into her eyes, which darkened ominously.
Slowly, she rose to her feet, testing her new body by jumping and swinging her fists with excitement.
"A normal person's body?!" she exclaimed in disbelief.
Tears sprang to her eyes, and she covered them as sobs of joy escaped her lips.
"Wuwuwu…" she cried freely.
Quan-sama smiled warmly at her. "From now on, your physical abilities will surpass those of an ordinary person. You will also be able to tap into some of my power. With your genjutsu skills combined with these new abilities, becoming an elite among elites is within your reach."
Her tone then shifted, becoming more serious.
"But remember this: I am the source of your strength, and I can just as easily take it away. Do you understand?"
Kurama Yakumo immediately dropped to her knees, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Yes! I understand! Thank you, Quan-sama! From today on, you are my master, and I will obey your every command."
Quan-sama smiled broadly. "Good. If I ever need you, I will find you."
"My name is Uchiha Izumi," she added. "Pretend you don't know me. From now on, you are my pawn planted in Konoha. Work hard."
"Yes, Quan-sama," Yakumo answered respectfully.
Then, Quan-sama's smile twisted into a sneer.
"Oh, and I have embedded a talisman in your body. If you ever disobey me, it will kill you. You understand?"
Yakumo nodded fervently. "Yes! This is my own free will! Quan-sama, rest assured, I will always be loyal."
"Hmph, good." With those final words, Quan-sama's figure gradually faded away, and the world around Kurama Yakumo returned to normal.
Tears of excitement streamed down Yakumo's face as she looked at her transformed body.
She was finally able to become a ninja and fulfill her dream of revitalizing the Anma Clan.
---
Meanwhile, Quan-sama had finished absorbing the power of Idu and safely stored it within her Ink Jade Pupil.
She activated Kamui, teleporting herself onto the busy streets of Konoha.
Her cold gaze swept over the ninja patrolling the village.
"Hmm, who should I test my new power on? So boring."
Her lips curled in a sinister smile as she spotted a ninja nearby.
"Ah, a ninja of the Shimura Clan. Perfect."
Walking up to the unsuspecting man, she cast a genjutsu with ease.
Shimura Huakang, who was strolling casually, suddenly caught sight of what appeared to be the Third Hokage.
But before he could register it, a massive fireball surged toward him.
"Hokage-sama? What are you doing?!" he shouted in confusion as dozens of fiery spheres rained down from every direction.
Panicked, he tried to dodge, but the flames moved impossibly fast, overwhelming him.
"No! Hokage-sama, please! Help! Ah! Ugh…!"
Nearby, two patrolling ninja caught the scent of burning flesh.
"Do you smell that? Something's burning."
"Yeah, but where?"
They hurried toward the smell, only to find Shimura Huakang lying unconscious, his body charred black.
"What happened here?" one asked urgently.
"Call for medical aid!"
As one ninja ran off, the others searched the area in confusion.
"There are no signs of a battle or fire."
"How was he burned then?"
Reinforcements soon arrived and began treatment, but after examining the wounds, they shook their heads sadly.
Suddenly, Shimura Huakang's eyes fluttered open.
"We… what happened? Who did this?" a ninja hurriedly asked.
His voice was weak and hoarse. "Thi-rd… Hokage…" he whispered before passing away.
The stunned ninja exchanged confused looks.
Nearby, Quan-sama's voice echoed softly with a hint of amusement.
"Ah, is this the power of Kurama Yakumo? The ability to turn illusions into reality by manipulating the victim's mind? Hahaha, not bad at all."
---
The shadows lengthened across the streets of Konoha as Quan-sama vanished once again into the crowd, her plans taking shape. With Kurama Yakumo reborn as her loyal pawn, the balance of power was shifting dangerously in the village—and the dark game had only just begun.
Previously, Izumi had sent two Divine Ink clones on separate missions — one dispatched to the moon, the other to the Akatsuki Organization in the Land of Rain.
On the moon, Izumi was deeply engaged in extensive research, studying Ninjutsu and uncovering mysteries that few dared to explore. Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain, she officially joined the Akatsuki Organization, adopting the role of financial officer. Her main responsibility was attracting investments and managing the organization's growing wealth.
During this time, Izumi opened a series of large, luxurious shopping malls across multiple countries in the Ninja World. These sprawling centers of commerce greatly influenced the region's economy and generated massive profits for the Akatsuki.
However, such immense wealth did not go unnoticed.
The Daimyo — the feudal lords of various nations — began to grow suspicious, their ambitions stirring with greed and caution. To maintain peace and avoid unnecessary political conflict, Izumi devised a clever plan: she proposed allocating a portion of the profits as tribute to the Daimyo.
This approach was delicate — too little money would breed resentment, and too much would only inflame their greed further.
Drawing on her connections through her main body, Izumi began cultivating relationships with the Daimyo of different countries, starting with the Land of Fire. Thanks to these relationships, the malls flourished, becoming vibrant centers of commerce and culture.
Currently, Izumi was overseeing a major cooperative project between Amegakure (the Village Hidden in the Rain) and Sunagakure (the Village Hidden in the Sand). They were collaborating to construct a vast canal designed to divert the endless rainfall from the Land of Rain into the arid Land of Wind.
This ambitious engineering project promised huge benefits: Sunagakure would receive a much-needed water supply, while Amegakure would gain funds and rights to use the canal.
The Daimyo of both the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind had generously funded the venture, smoothing the way for its rapid progress.
Yet, trouble brewed from Konoha. Danzo Shimura, infamous for his shadowy tactics, frequently sent agents to sabotage the project.
Izumi personally collected evidence of these disruptions and handed it to the Daimyo of both the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind.
Furious, the Daimyo confronted the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, who then pressured the Third Hokage to rein in Danzo's activities.
The Third Hokage sternly reprimanded Danzo Shimura, who hissed bitterly, "Hiruzen, you will regret this!"
Despite his threats, Danzo's open interference ceased, though he continued his schemes through subtler means.
Izumi, growing tired of Danzo's meddling, took matters into her own hands, eliminating half of Root's operatives working outside Konoha, silencing his threats effectively.
---
At an Akatsuki gathering, Izumi declined to attend as a formal member. Instead, she followed Konan as an intern, keeping a low profile.
To avoid recognition, Izumi wore an absurdly large bird-shaped mascot costume — somewhat resembling the character Elizabeth from Gintama, but without the yellow feet. Only her calves and feet were visible beneath the huge Akatsuki cloak.
The oversized costume featured a comical bird head with enormous eyes and two white wings protruding from the sides. The sight was so ridiculous that even Pain froze in place in stunned silence.
"What are you wearing?" Pain asked incredulously.
A different voice, unfamiliar and slightly humorous, echoed from inside the costume: "How do I look? I made it myself! Isn't it mysterious? Hahaha!"
Konan sighed. "She insisted on wearing it. The newly joined Orochimaru knows who she is, and she said she'll keep wearing this from now on."
Pain nodded thoughtfully. "I see… I forgot, you're still undercover in Konoha. If your true identity is discovered, there could be trouble."
Izumi — or rather, Yana, as she was now called — replied enthusiastically, "Yes, that's right! I can officially join next year."
Konan, curious, asked, "Why specifically next year?"
Yana smiled mysteriously. "You'll understand when the time comes. Hehehe…"
Pain blinked in confusion. "Does wearing that costume affect your intelligence?"
Konan responded with a shrug. "Maybe it's just to change her style — so people won't recognize her."
"Oh…" Pain said, clearly perplexed.
---
As the rest of the members arrived, Pain surveyed the gathering and announced, "Alright, everyone's here. Let me introduce our newest member: Orochimaru."
Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely, "Uh, is this everyone?"
Pain nodded. "Yes. You'll be working with Sasori from now on. Let me introduce the others."
Pain began: "This is Konan, Biwa Jūzō, Zetsu, Kakuzu, and Mob A."
Orochimaru nodded in acknowledgement, then asked with interest, "And who's this... mascot?"
The others also turned to look at Izumi — or rather, the large bird mascot figure filling out the Akatsuki cloak.
The ridiculous oversized eyes and fluffy white wings made the costume seem completely out of place among the stoic, ominous members of the Akatsuki.
Pain sighed. "This is Yana, our financial officer and intern. Kakuzu insisted that whoever handled the Akatsuki's finances must be trustworthy and competent. Yana has been preparing for the handover and is now ready to take over. I brought her here so you could meet her."
"She's very capable. If you need anything financial, don't hesitate to ask her."
Orochimaru smirked. "The leader thinks highly of her. But that costume…"
Yana raised a large wooden sign with a white sheet of paper taped to it. Written in neat calligraphy were the words:
"Hello everyone, my name is Yana. I'm an intern with two and a half years of practice. It's a pleasure to meet you all!"
Everyone stared silently, speechless at the sight of the mascot-bird-wearing intern.
Orochimaru asked, "Why the mascot costume?"
Yana lowered the sign, then raised it again with a new message:
"Because everyone here is so amazing, I'm afraid to look at you directly. This way, you can't see my expression either. Plus, it's mysterious and cool!"
The room fell quiet.
Orochimaru smiled, "Interesting… even your interns have unique personalities."
Kakuzu glanced at Yana. "You were handling the accounts before, right? Let's do the handover after this meeting."
Yana raised her sign again, simply stating:
"No problem."
Kakuzu looked slightly confused but said nothing.
---
Because of Izumi's presence, the meeting ended in an unusually strange atmosphere.
Afterwards, Izumi formally handed over the Akatsuki's previous financial accounts and funds to Kakuzu.
Kakuzu inspected the documents and sums carefully. After thorough verification, he nodded approvingly.
"Hmm, you've done very well. I didn't expect the Akatsuki had someone as talented as you handling the money."
Yana raised her sign again. Kakuzu read it, puzzled:
"Can I buy your Ninjutsu?"
Kakuzu blinked, then replied coldly, "My Ninjutsu…"
Yana's sign lowered and rose once more, now reading:
"30 million Ryo."
Kakuzu hesitated for a moment, then said, "My Ninjutsu is limited edition…"
The sign dropped and rose again, this time:
"60 million Ryo."
"Deal," Kakuzu said quickly, grabbing the mascot paw with excitement.
"You really have an eye for talent! But don't spread this Ninjutsu around, or it'll lose value."
Yana's sign replied cheerfully:
"No problem!"
---
With that, the handover was complete.
Izumi—under her alias Yana—had successfully integrated herself within the Akatsuki's financial and political web, laying groundwork for future plans.
Though hidden behind a ridiculous costume, her influence was already undeniable.
The financial power she wielded, the strategic alliances she cultivated, and the mysterious abilities she hinted at all promised to change the course of the Ninja World's future in ways no one yet understood
On the outskirts of Konoha, under the cloak of twilight, Izumi stood silently, her expression cold and unreadable. Before her lay a captured Root ninja, his body limp and defeated. Without hesitation, Izumi reached out and grasped his chest, pulling out his still-beating heart with her other hand.
"No… ah, ah—" The Root ninja's faint, desperate gasps barely registered as Izumi's eyes gleamed coldly.
From her palm, countless black threads began to emerge, thin as silk but as strong as steel. They wrapped themselves tightly around the extracted heart, absorbing it slowly into Izumi's body.
She gazed down at the lifeless corpse, then summoned a swarm of fine black threads again, carefully stitching the wounds on the ninja's chest closed.
As the final thread vanished beneath the surface, Izumi snapped the remaining strands, leaving fragments embedded beneath the skin.
Some of these hidden threads maintained the healing she'd just performed, ensuring the body would remain intact and unnoticeable. Others transformed subtly into talismans, concealed deep within the ninja's body like invisible weapons waiting to be triggered.
Izumi flung the restored corpse onto the ground, and as the black threads slowly retracted into her hand, she murmured with a hint of frustration:
"It seems there's some overlap between my abilities and this Root technique. His Earth Grudge Fear is similar to my Divine Ink, but mine is far more versatile."
She tilted her head thoughtfully, licking her lips with a faint smile.
"Well, at least I can learn a few things from him. Useful as a reference. Divine Ink can replace those rigid black threads and offer more flexibility."
Izumi turned and began walking away from the grim scene. Yet, before she left the area, she stopped abruptly. Slowly, she twisted her head to look at a nearby tree, licking her lips again with a sly grin.
"You've been watching for a while now. Aren't you going to come out?"
From the shadows behind the tree and a cluster of bushes, two masked Root ninjas emerged silently.
One of them scanned the two bodies on the ground and shouted angrily, "Damn it, Uchiha Izumi! What have you done to our comrades? How dare you harm fellow villagers!"
Izumi smiled coldly, unfazed by their outrage.
"So what if I did? What can you do to me? Hm? Hahahaha." She stuck out her tongue arrogantly, mocking them.
The two ninjas immediately drew their blades, eyes blazing with fury, and charged to attack from opposite sides, attempting to sandwich Izumi between them.
Izumi's lips curled into a sneer.
Just as their blades were about to pierce her body, Izumi's form blurred. With impossible speed, she dodged backward, evading the attacks effortlessly.
Before they could recover, Izumi reached out with both hands, gripping their blades firmly and driving them into each other's torsos.
"Pfft!"
"Pfft!"
The two ninjas stared at her in shock and disbelief.
"How… how could you be so fast?" they gasped.
Izumi chuckled, covering her mouth as she laughed softly.
"Do you really think I'm just fast? No, my speed now is extraordinary. And when you attacked… you were already trapped in my genjutsu. That's why my position seemed off."
She smiled wickedly. "Who gave me this powerful Sharingan and genjutsu? Hahaha…"
The two masked ninjas collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around them.
Izumi collected their bodies without a second thought and disappeared into the shadows.
---
Soon after, an Anbu patrol arrived, alerted by the commotion.
They found the bodies lying on the ground and immediately began an inspection. No traps were found, and as they touched the corpses, the surface suddenly erupted with countless talismans.
One Anbu ninja shouted urgently, "Not good! Run!"
The patrol fled in panic, but it was already too late.
With a deafening boom, a massive explosion shook the earth, creating a deep crater where the bodies had been.
The violent blast sent a shockwave through the area, drawing nearby ninjas running toward the scene.
Meanwhile, the instigator of the chaos — Izumi — had already vanished, moving swiftly through the streets she was tasked to monitor.
---
Inside the Third Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat smoking a cigarette, his brows furrowed in frustration.
He turned to Danzo Shimura, who was standing nearby with a grim expression.
"Your Root unit has lost so many members," Hiruzen said sharply, "Why didn't you inform me sooner? You waited until the Anbu suffered devastating losses before reporting! Do you understand how much Konoha has already lost because of your silence? If we had prepared earlier, we could have prevented these deaths."
Danzo's cold eyes flickered with restrained anger.
"Hmph," he replied, "Do you think I don't want to find the killer? I despise that murderer more than anyone."
Danzo leaned in slightly, voice lowered. "I gave you this information so you could better understand the enemy's abilities. I hoped we could work together to capture him."
Homura Mitokado, sitting nearby, asked, "Do you have any leads?"
Danzo shook his head. "No. I don't even know who killed them."
Hiruzen sighed heavily. "Then who do you suspect?"
Danzo's lips curled into a sneer. "I suspect it's someone from the Uchiha Clan."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Do you have any proof?"
Danzo's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Is proof necessary?"
He continued bitterly, "The Uchiha have lost control. Uchiha Fugaku's attitude has grown more hardline; he increasingly ignores our orders. The clan ninja are losing respect for us, especially Uchiha Izumi — she's become outright lawless."
Danzo's gaze darkened. "They think we fear them. That's why their arrogance grows unchecked."
"We must push back, Hiruzen."
The Third Hokage exhaled a plume of smoke, his expression troubled.
"The Uchiha are valuable comrades. This is not the time to abandon them."
Danzo spat, "Naive! How long will you hesitate? Their blades are already pointed at us!"
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu exchanged uneasy glances.
Hiruzen replied, "It's easy for you to say. The Uchiha are exceptionally talented — just Uchiha Fugaku alone is problematic, let alone Uchiha Izumi and Uchiha Itachi."
Danzo sneered silently at Hiruzen's words but maintained a polite smile.
"Uchiha Itachi loves the Village. Don't forget, he's part of the Anbu."
Utatane Koharu chimed in, "But that's his family. Can he really betray them?"
Homura Mitokado considered for a moment, then suggested, "Hiruzen, why not promote him? Form a special Anbu squad under his command. Show the Uchiha that we recognize their talents."
Utatane shook her head. "That's not enough."
"We need to put pressure on the Uchiha," she continued. "Make them anxious. Create internal conflict. Assign Uchiha Itachi sensitive missions near the clan's territory, so suspicions will arise."
"Then, grant him leave to return home. When the clan questions him, he won't share what he knows. That will deepen his dissatisfaction with them."
Danzo smiled coldly. "Excellent."
"Once someone proud like Itachi grows suspicious of his own family, we can appear magnanimous, tolerant — the good guys."
"But eventually, he'll find the clan's behavior intolerable. At that point, we push him harder."
"He's young, inexperienced with major conflicts, and most confident in his own judgment."
"When I offer advice, he'll falter. He's the easiest to manipulate."
Danzo's gaze darkened as he added, "But Uchiha Izumi — she's a different matter. She's impervious to soft or hard tactics. She's intelligent, strategic, and resourceful. She is… troublesome."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke, nodding slowly.
"All we can do is rely on Itachi."
---
The meeting ended in heavy silence, a cloud of tension hanging over Konoha.
Inside, conspiracies unfolded, alliances shifted, and the future of the village — and its Uchiha — remained uncertain