Land of Rain, a hidden cave.
Danzo and a group of Root operatives had set up camp here.
Danzo was in an exceptionally good mood today—truly, exceptionally good.
If not for the presence of his subordinates, he might have even hummed a tune.
Who would've thought that Hanzo actually bought it!
He actually believed that the Akatsuki was secretly plotting to seize control of the Land of Rain!
And he really bought that they'd killed his men!
What an idiot—so easy to fool!
Speaking of which, when he met Hanzo this time, why did he look so much older?
Skin and bones, wrinkles all over his face, and now he's even using a cane!
Recalling the frail old man he had seen just days ago, barely able to stand, Danzo couldn't help but sigh deeply, feeling the relentless passage of time.
The once mighty demigod who had dominated the Shinobi World had been reduced to such a state.
Noticing Danzo's melancholy and realizing it was lunchtime, one of his loyal subordinates from Root quickly approached, kneeling on one knee to offer him a tuna rice ball.
"Danzo-sama, please have something to eat."
Instead of accepting the offering, Danzo seemed lost in thought, an uncharacteristically gentle smile appearing on his face.
'Oh no!'
The subordinate's internal alarm bells rang wildly.
Their Danzo-sama was displaying a kind expression they'd never seen before!
This must mean something terrible is about to happen!
Is he going to kill someone?
Wait, is he going to kill me?
Preparing for the worst, the subordinate closed his eyes, ready to meet his end.
There would be no point in pleading—Danzo-sama wouldn't listen anyway!
But just then, the subordinate heard a rustling sound.
Opening his eyes, he saw Danzo pulling out a lunchbox from his ninja tool pouch.
'He brought his own meal?!'
The subordinate analyzed Danzo's expression and concluded that this must have been prepared by someone important to him before he left.
Opening the wooden lunchbox to reveal two sandwiches inside, Danzo couldn't help but smile warmly, his expression filled with rare contentment.
Though he was the darkness beneath Konoha's roots, even he had things he cared about.
Family bonds mattered to him too.
His worthless younger brother, who had passed away from illness earlier that year, leaving behind a four-year-old niece and a two-year-old nephew—just thinking about him filled Danzo with deep sorrow.
Though he had been no shinobi and amounted to nothing, he was still Danzo's own flesh and blood.
How could he have left this world so soon, forcing his elder brother to bury him?
Ah!
Overcome with bitterness, Danzo picked up one of the delicious-looking sandwiches, his thoughts turning to his four-year-old niece—so mature and obedient for her age.
At just four years old, she had already learned to cook for herself.
And when she heard her uncle was going on a long journey, she had even prepared this bento for him!
How could he not be moved?
Kira, rest assured!
As long as your elder brother lives, Otae and Shinpachi will never want for anything!
When I become Hokage, they will enjoy a life of wealth and privilege!
Your daughter and son—I will take good care of them!
Feeling his emotions welling up, Danzo stopped himself before his thoughts could go further.
He couldn't risk showing his true feelings in front of his subordinates.
That wouldn't do.
So, Danzo composed himself, his expression turning cold again as he slowly brought the sandwich to his mouth.
Mmm! Otae's homemade sandwich tasted amazing!
Especially the fried egg inside...
And then, Danzo lost consciousness.
...
The Root members stared in shock at Danzo, whose pupils had dilated dramatically, his gaze vacant.
"Who... am I?"
At their leader's confused question, the Root operatives panicked.
"DANZO-SAMA!"
"Hold on!"
"Hey! Medic Ninja on duty! Hurry!"
"Danzo-sama! You mustn't die!"
Watching the panicking strangers, Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"Are you... kidnappers?!"
"Danzo-sama, we are your subordinates!"
"Who is Danzo-sama?" Danzo asked again.
"It's you, Danzo-sama!"
"I am Danzo-sama?" Danzo looked skeptical.
After examination by the accompanying Medical Ninja, a conclusion was reached.
Danzo-sama was suffering from amnesia!
"What do we do? At such a critical moment!"
"We were supposed to deal with the Akatsuki leader together with Hanzo today!"
"Damn it!"
"Wait.... I heard amnesia can be cured by hitting the head."
Some naive subordinate suddenly said this, and instantly, all the Root Ninja stopped moving.
After several seconds of silence, they began scolding the comrade who suggested this—calling him treasonous! Dishonorable! Lacking respect! A complete beast!
After nearly five minutes of berating, someone else proposed.
"Should we try it anyway?"
Another five minutes later, Danzo—who was crouching in a corner of the cave, silently eating a sandwich while facing the stone wall—suddenly felt pressure building above his head.
Just as he was about to look up...
Bam! Clang! Crackle! Thud! Smack...
When Danzo opened his eyes again, the black of his eyes had completely overtaken the whites.
"Who... am I?"
At this moment, all the Root members burst into tears!
"Uh, maybe we didn't hit hard enough?"
Someone else suddenly muttered.
...
In any case, with just half an hour left before the scheduled meeting with Hanzo, Danzo still hadn't regained his memories.
So, to avoid delays, the Root Ninja left the accompanying Medical Ninja to take care of Danzo—who was now throwing a tantrum, demanding hugs, piggyback rides, and to play horsey—while the rest sent one member disguised as Danzo using a transformation jutsu straight to Hanzo!
Even if Danzo-sama's mind isn't right now, his plans must go on!
We are his most loyal subordinates!
...
On a barren, rocky plain with no greenery.
Under the relentless rain, Yahiko and Nagato looked up at the gaunt old man holding Konan hostage, their hearts sinking.
Who leaked the information?
The fact that Akatsuki would eventually seize power in the Land of Rain was supposed to be a secret known only to the highest echelons of the organization!
On the surface, Akatsuki was just a peace-loving group that helped disaster victims and built goodwill among them!
'What do we do, Nagato? Should we reveal our hand now?'
Yahiko glanced at Nagato, signaling him.
Since they had long planned to seize power, preparations were always in place.
Even if Konan had been ambushed, it wouldn't derail Akatsuki's plans!
First, check if Konan is ready...
Nagato signaled back, and the two subtly observed Konan's reaction.
Understanding immediately, Konan discreetly twitched her pinky finger.
Meaning—she could break free!
But subduing Hanzo wasn't guaranteed!