Black Zetsu and White Zetsu came to a dark chamber to find Uchiha Obito.
Obito lifted his head, his single Sharingan narrowing.
"What's the latest move over at Nagato's side?"
"Not yet," Black Zetsu answered, tone carrying faint amusement. "But there is something… interesting."
Obito rarely showed interest, but for Black Zetsu to call something "interesting" meant it was not trivial.
"Oh? What is it? Speak."
"Shimura Danzo. Konoha's so-called 'super S-class traitor'—has joined the Akatsuki at Nagato's invitation."
The words made Obito pause. Then his face twisted beneath the mask.
"Has Nagato gone senile? Danzo was his enemy! Yahiko's murderer!"
He leaned forward, voice sharp.
"Even if Nagato forgets, that woman Konan should never have agreed!"
Black Zetsu chuckled, raising a hand. "Who knows what they are thinking."
"Tch. Forget it. In the end, Danzo is just an insect. When the plan reaches its final stage, he'll be discarded like trash." Obito waved the matter aside. "More importantly—what about Uchiha Itachi? Any movement?"
"Itachi has grown increasingly cautious. We cannot get close. His whereabouts are?."
Obito closed his eyes briefly, then muttered,
"Then nine out of ten, he's preparing for his little brother."
"Keep watching him."
"Understood." Black Zetsu sank into the ground and vanished.
Three days had passed since Danzo joined Akatsuki, yet a problem gnawed at him:
His missing right eye. His severed left arm.
Without them, Shimura Danzo could not unleash his true strength.
Finally, he swallowed his pride and sought out Pain. If Akatsuki's leader truly had godlike power, surely he could grant Danzo an arm, an eye.
Konan met him first. The moment her amber eyes fell on Danzo, killing intent filled the air.
"Danzo… what business do you have here?"
Danzo's teeth ground together, but he forced his tone steady.
"I'm here to see Pain."
Hatred burned in his chest. This woman dared glare at him as if he were a stray dog. One day, he swore, she would pay.
Pain appeared, the Rinnegan rippling. His cold voice echoed:
"Speak. Danzo, what do you seek from me?"
Even Danzo—once the shadow of Konoha—felt the crushing pressure of that gaze. He bowed his head slightly.
"…I need a new arm. Help me."
Pain studied him. A crippled old schemer with neither Sharingan nor arm. Hardly more than a corpse.
"Useless," Pain said flatly. "Then you may as well die."
"What!?" Danzo's temper snapped. "You forced me to join Akatsuki, swore you would not kill me—now you mock me with this!?"
Pain raised his hand, Shinra Tensei's invisible force already gathering. Konan's lips can be seen to curl coldly—she had no objection to seeing Yahiko's killer erased.
But before the strike fell, Black and White Zetsu emerged from the wall.
"Oh my… looks like I came at the wrong time. Pretend I'm not here."
The Rinnegan shifted to him. "Speak. What news?"
"Uchiha Sasuke and his team are seeking out Uchiha Itachi. They've agreed on a location for a final battle," Black Zetsu said smoothly.
"Hmph." Danzo let out a low laugh, ignoring everyone's stares.
"A battle between brothers? Ridiculous. Itachi will never kill Sasuke. In the end, he will hand power to his little brother. That much is certain."
Pain's gaze lingered on Danzo. "…Perhaps you still have some value after all."
Danzo's nails dug into his palms. Once, he looked down on others as ants. Now, in Akatsuki's Rain-soaked lair, he was the ant. His hatred only grew.
Pain turned back.
"Is there any way to provide Danzo with an arm?"
White Zetsu perked up. "Yes. My clones can be grafted onto others."
Both Pain and Konan blinked in surprise. They had not known of this ability.
"Very well. Give him an arm."
Danzo didn't hesitate. "Good."
Following Black Zetsu, he entered a separate chamber.
More than a dozen White Zetsu clones emerged from the ground, surrounding him. Danzo stiffened, but before he could speak, one clone tore free its own arm—pale, wet, dripping fluid—and handed it forward.
"Simply attach it," White Zetsu's main body explained. "It will fuse on its own."
Danzo pressed the grotesque arm to his stump. At once, it melted into him, fusing with flesh and bone. Smoke hissed from the wound.
He flexed his fingers. Perfectly responsive. Too perfectly.
Then he felt it—chakra unlike any other.
"…These are Hashirama's cells."
Black Zetsu's grin widened. "Sharp as expected, former Konoha elder. Not much escapes your eye."
Danzo's lips twisted in a sneer. His withered vitality surged back, stronger than even the Hashirama grafts he once had. Those had always clashed violently with his chakra. But this… this arm merged seamlessly, as if it had always been his.
He felt younger. Stronger. Reborn.
But the Hashirama cells within were faint. Enough to extend his life, perhaps—but not enough for Wood Release. Still, it was proof. Proof that true Wood Release power could be his, someday.
Without a word, he left. He would not ask Zetsu for an eye. No. For that, he wanted a Sharingan. Only Wood Release and Sharingan together could balance the scales that fate had tilted against him.
After he was gone, Obito stepped from Kamui's darkness.
"That old snake… getting arrogant already after gaining just one arm."
He clicked his tongue. "Nagato made a mistake. Danzo will never truly serve Akatsuki."
Black Zetsu's smile returned.
"Perhaps. But think, Obito. If Nagato realizes the value of White Zetsu limbs… if he grafts them onto himself… the body that has been crippled for years could be restored. His strength would increase even further. If that happens—can you still claim equality with him?"
Obito was silent for a beat, then chuckled darkly.
"…Let him grow stronger. The more power Nagato has, the faster he can gather the Tailed Beasts."
Meanwhile—Konoha, Training Ground 3.
Might Guy flashed a thumbs-up, teeth gleaming.
"Alright, Narito! Take i, slow. Don't push too hard all at once."
"Got it."
Naruto crossed his arms, crouched slightly, and shouted:
"First Gate—Gate of Opening, open!"
"Second Gate—Gate of Healing, open!"
"Third Gate—Gate of Life, open!"
Boom—!
A massive wave of chakra exploded outward, kicking up dust and rattling the trees.
Guy's eyes widened. Naruto's chakra reserves—already immense thanks to the Uzumaki bloodline—had multiplied under the Gates' release. Even just the Third Gate made his aura terrifying.
Naruto braced, trying for the Fourth Gate—Gate of Pain. But it was as if an invisible wall blocked him, unyielding.
Guy immediately barked:
"Stop! That's enough! If you force the Fourth, you'll damage your body permanently!"
Naruto let out a breath and released the technique. The aura vanished. His blue eyes shone with excitement.
"Teacher Guy… the Eight Gates really are incredible! If even the Third Gate feels like this—what about the Sixth? The Seventh? The Eighth!?"
Guy's face grew serious. "Never speak lightly of the Eighth Gate. It consumes your life. Open it, and you die."
Naruto only grinned, unfazed.
Guy couldn't help thinking—Naruto's talent was monstrous. He had barely begun training, yet he'd already opened the Third Gate. Faster even than Kakashi had managed. Was this really the same boy once called Konoha's dropout?
Naruto pumped his fists. "Let's keep going! The higher I climb, the better!"
"Hah! That's the spirit!" Guy laughed, exhilarated despite himself. He launched back into instruction, detailing every nuance of breathing, muscle control, and chakra flow.
Outside the training ground, two figures watched—Tsunade and Shizune.
Shizune clutched Tonton, her face full of awe.
"Tsunade-sama, Naruto-kun works so hard… he's even learned Sage Mode, and now the Eight Gates! He might have already surpassed you."
Tsunade smiled faintly, unconcerned.
"Let him. I hope he surpasses me a thousand times over. Konoha's future rests with him."
She turned, heading back toward the Hokage's office.
"Shizune, when Naruto finishes here, tell him to come see me. I have a mission for him."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shizune bowed, eyes following her master before glancing back at the golden-haired boy in the field, blazing with chakra and resolve.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San