Naruto never would have thought that Uchiha Itachi had noticed the crow he killed.
But even if Itachi had noticed, it made no difference. For Naruto, the objective was already achieved.
As for Uchiha Itachi, his younger brother Sasuke was destined to be the one to kill him. Itachi would willingly die by Sasuke's hand, just to grant him more strength.
In the Land of Rice Fields, Danzo Shimura finally arrived after fleeing into hiding.
Now, Shimura Danzo was a wanted man—one of the highest bounties. Just by providing information on him, anyone could earn ten million ryō from Konoha.
Could Danzo really keep hiding forever?
If he dared show his face, countless people would swarm to capture him.
Danzo had lost an arm and an eye. His strength had fallen to its lowest point.
He came to the Land of Rice Fields to seek out Orochimaru. After all, they had worked together in the past.
But after making inquiries, Danzo discovered that Orochimaru had been killed some time ago… by Uchiha Sasuke.
Danzo didn't even know where to turn next.
"Damn Uchiha brats… already growing this strong? Orochimaru, what a disappointment—defeated by a child."
Danzo cursed, but his mind was already turning.
Since Orochimaru was dead in the Land of Rice Fields, if Danzo appeared openly, he'd only expose himself.
Unwilling. Shimura Danzo was utterly unwilling. To end his era like this…
Hiding in the shadows, he began considering where he might seek shelter. The shinobi world was vast—there had to be a place for him.
At last, Danzo thought of the Land of Rain. As long as Hanzo could be tempted with the right benefits or information, he might offer Danzo refuge.
But in his weakened state, would anyone even take him in?
Still, as a cunning old fox, Danzo would not allow himself to be caught so easily. He wouldn't hand over everything at once—he'd give Hanzo just enough, little by little, to buy time.
Only then could he maneuver.
With that thought, Danzo set off for the Land of Rain.
At Ame's tower, Pain's Deva Path and Konan stood overlooking the village.
"Pain," Konan spoke quietly, "our Akatsuki organization is in a passive state now. We've lost too many members."
"Sasori, Deidara, Kakuzu, and Hidan—all dead. Even the one pretending to be Uchiha Madara betrayed us. Our manpower is seriously lacking. Now it's only Itachi, Kisame, the two of us, and Black and White Zetsu for intelligence. Only one Tailed Beast has been sealed so far…"
Konan trailed off, unable to continue. With her and Pain unable to move freely, and Zetsu tied to intelligence work, the burden fell on Itachi and Kisame. Expecting just them to capture all remaining Tailed Beasts was unrealistic.
"Do not worry," Deva Path answered, his tone heavy with pride. "The power of a god can sweep all obstacles aside."
His confidence came from the Rinnegan.
Since Pain had declared it, Konan could only nod. When the time came, they would strike.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Deva Path's gaze sharpened. "Someone has entered the Land of Rain."
"Who?" Konan asked at once. At such a critical time, any intrusion was dangerous. An invader could risk exposing Akatsuki's headquarters.
That was why Pain used the Rain Tiger at Will Technique to monitor the country constantly.
"It's nothing. Just an insect," he said coldly. "I'll send one of the Six Paths to deal with it."
Konan held her tongue. If Pain called them an insect, they couldn't be strong. Probably just some fool who didn't know what they were walking into.
Danzo Shimura stepped into the Land of Rain, scowling at the endless downpour.
"This damn weather… worse and worse every year. No wonder no news escapes this country. Who would want to occupy a land like this?"
He disliked Ame's climate entirely. Compared to the Land of Fire, it was night and day.
But he had no choice. With Orochimaru dead, only Hanzo remained as a possible ally.
Danzo dared not appear elsewhere in the shinobi world—Konoha's bounty on him was too great. If anyone spotted him, his position would be reported instantly.
So he donned a disguise and entered a crowded street, hoping to gather information.
Inside a noodle shop, Danzo casually asked the owner, "Do you know where I can find Hanzo?"
The shopkeeper frowned. "Hanzo? Never heard of him. But if you're looking for Lady Angel, I can show you the way."
"…Angel?"
Danzo's heart sank. So Hanzo had died years ago. Someone else ruled Ame now. By sneaking in, he had walked straight into another's stronghold.
He abandoned his meal and stood to leave.
"Hey, you haven't paid!" the shopkeeper shouted. "Lord Angel won't forgive this!"
The other diners muttered, pointing. Danzo ignored them and strode away.
In truth, he was terrified of dying here. He hadn't fulfilled his dream. He still wanted to be Hokage, to surpass Hiruzen, to rule the shinobi world. If he lost his life now, everything would vanish into nothing.
Not long after leaving the town, Danzo's path was blocked.
An imposing figure stood before him—the Asura Path.
"So it's you, Danzo Shimura," Asura sneered. "You're nothing but a stray dog."
Danzo snorted. "And what? Do you plan to take my head for credit in Konoha?"
He stripped off his disguise and glared.
But when his eyes fell on the Rinnegan, his blood ran cold.
"T-That's… the Rinnegan? Impossible… the greatest of the Three Great Dōjutsu, here?"
Excitement flickered in his eyes. "No, this is a blessing! If I can seize them, I'll rise again!"
"As if trash missing an arm and an eye could dream so wildly," Asura Path said flatly.
Danzo's excitement cooled. He realized the truth—he couldn't match the power before him. With one arm, his jutsu were limited. At most, he could use basic Wind Release.
Escape was the only option.
He slammed his hand to the ground, sending water splashing toward Asura. Then he bolted.
But Asura Path stood unfazed.
A mechanism unfolded from his arms, launching a volley of cannon shells.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions engulfed the fleeing elder. Danzo staggered under the blasts, struggling to stay on his feet.
"So weak, it's not even worth killing," Asura muttered. "How could Konoha have allowed such trash in its leadership?"
Danzo coughed blood, crawling forward desperately. "No! I can't die here! I haven't become Hokage yet… This world still belongs to me!"
Asura raised his arm. A cannon barrel extended, charging a deadly beam.
This man had helped murder Yahiko. Ending him now would be revenge fulfilled.
But before firing, Asura heard Danzo's hoarse roar—
"Kurama's Jinchūriki brat! You ruined me! You made me like this!"
The words were incoherent, full of madness.
"Ah… so you know of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki," Asura said, lowering his hand. He stepped closer.
"Join Akatsuki—or die."
Danzo trembled with fury. Does he serve under someone else? Unthinkable. But he wasn't so foolish as to refuse outright.
"…I'll join. But I won't be bound like a dog."
"As you wish. Follow me."
Whether Danzo's loyalty was real or not didn't matter. Akatsuki had power enough to crush defiance.
When Asura brought Danzo before Deva Path and Konan, Konan's eyes blazed. She nearly attacked then and there, but Pain stopped her.
"Why?" she demanded. "He was one of those who killed Yahiko! Can Yahiko rest in peace if Danzo still lives?"
Her voice cracked as tears welled.
Nagato, hidden behind Deva Path's expressionless face, felt the same pain. Yahiko was his brother, his most precious friend.
But he only said, "Konan. After we complete the Tailed Beast plan, Shimura Danzo will die. If he proves useful, let him draw attention for us first."
Konan bit her lip, swallowing her grief.
"…I understand."
For now, Shimura Danzo lived. But his life was only borrowed time.
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