Chapter 50: S-Rank Rogue Ninja Joins Akatsuki
"As per your instructions, I only investigated memories from the last five minutes of their lives. Without a doubt, they all died at the hands of a mysterious person resembling Fujiwara Chiye. Furthermore, during my analysis, I saw the mysterious person use Ninjutsu similar to Kakashi's Lightning Release: Chidori. Based on my judgment, the one who performed these two Ninjutsu might even just be a Shadow Clone."
While speaking, Inoichi Yamanaka displayed footage of Qianye's Shadow Clone using Chidori Sharp Spear and Chidori Senbon to slaughter dozens of Sarutobi Ninja.
Watching the scene in the footage, which resembled cutting melons and vegetables, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo both fell silent, their expressions growing increasingly solemn.
"Inoichi, gather and seal all this footage. I will send people to retrieve the bodies of Shinnosuke and the others later. From this day forward, this matter will be designated as Konoha's highest-level secret. No one is allowed to access it without my command." Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from his bed and said to Inoichi Yamanaka.
"Yes." Inoichi Yamanaka respectfully responded, put away his equipment, and disappeared from the room.
The curtains were drawn, and the room was once again bright. Danzo said from the side, "Hiruzen, Fujiwara Chiye once learned Chidori from Kakashi. With that kid's Ninjutsu talent, it's not surprising for him to completely refine Chidori in a year. All signs point to Qianye. In my opinion, that kid must have faked his death. Otherwise, why would his body disappear into thin air? Just give the order."
Hiruzen Sarutobi heard this but did not directly reply.
He, who was always weak and ineffective externally but struck hard internally, always hesitated at critical moments.
He had not been blinded by hatred.
Because whether or not it was Qianye who slaughtered his entire family, it had already greatly exceeded the control of him, the Most Powerful Hokage of All Time.
With the strength that person displayed, even if he sent out an extermination squad to conquer him…
Leaving aside whether they could even catch up, even if they did, it would just be sending them to their deaths.
After all, Konoha had already successively lost the Uchiha Clan and the Sarutobi Clan, and incidentally, a Shimura Clan.
It simply could not withstand another blow.
If his wrong decision led to Konoha suffering heavy losses again…
That would be a net loss.
At that time, could his position as Hokage still be secure?
After much thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi came up with what he considered a stable plan: "Notify everyone that Fujiwara Chiye is suspected of murdering the Sarutobi Clan and the Shimura Clan. From this day forward, he will be judged as an S-Rank Rogue Ninja along with Uchiha Itachi."
"Are we just going to let that kid off so easily?" Danzo's eyes were bloodshot, and he said with immense unwillingness.
"What else do you want to do?" Hiruzen Sarutobi exposed his true nature of being tough only on his own people, sternly saying, "Leaving aside the fact that Fujiwara Chiye died in plain sight, even if that killer really was him, where would you find him? And how would you capture him after finding him? He was able to kill all of our clansmen in such a short time by himself. If I sent you, could you catch him?"
"This…" Hearing this, Danzo's tone immediately weakened.
Although he was unwilling to admit it, the strength displayed by that mysterious person had indeed greatly exceeded what ordinary Ninja could handle.
Unless a human wave tactic was used, sacrificing lives, there was truly no way to capture the opponent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said impatiently, "Alright, this matter must be approached gradually.
I'm sure even if I don't say it, you know the situation in Konoha.
The most important thing right now is to stabilize the overall situation, and tomorrow I will still announce your punishment.
If you are truly for the Village, you should calmly accept the punishment.
As for other matters, do not get too involved.
Regarding Fujiwara Chiye, I will secretly send people to follow up."
He intended to spend a huge sum of money, at all costs, to issue a bounty at the underground exchange, determined to find Qianye for revenge.
Regardless of whether Qianye was the killer.
He wanted him alive, or his body if he was dead.
Even if it wasn't him, even if he really died, he still needed his body to read from his mind who took his mask and sword, and thus find the true culprit who murdered his Sarutobi clansmen.
The Uchiha Clan, the Sarutobi Clan, and the Shimura Clan were annihilated.
Two S-Rank Rogue Ninja appeared in Konoha simultaneously.
This was undoubtedly a bombshell.
Uchiha Itachi, S-Rank Rogue Ninja, crime: Slaughtered the entire Uchiha Clan.
Fujiwara Chiye, S-Rank Rogue Ninja, crime: Suspected of slaughtering the Sarutobi Clan and the Shimura Clan, suspected of murdering several Anbu members of Konoha.
As soon as the two wanted posters were released, they immediately alarmed all Ninja and civilians in Konoha.
They could understand Uchiha Itachi; after all, under the suppression of Konoha's higher-ups and the influence of the Konoha Military Police Force system…
Almost the vast majority of people did not have much good impression of the Uchiha Clan.
They thought they were insane.
And there was also Uchiha Sasuke, the survivor, serving as irrefutable proof.
It seemed not surprising for them to commit such a heinous act as clan annihilation.
But Fujiwara Chiye was strange.
Not only Kakashi and other Anbu members who had seen 'Qianye's' remains, but even most Konoha civilians found it hard to believe such a thing.
Leaving aside whether he had the strength to wipe out the Sarutobi Clan, which had the Third Hokage guarding it, and the Shimura Clan, which had Danzo guarding it…
Even if he did, there was no motive!
One must know.
In everyone's eyes, Qianye had always been an excellent Ninja with elegant demeanor, kindness, politeness, love for the Village, and care for his comrades.
Before joining Anbu, especially during his Genin to Jonin period, he was highly respected by the villagers.
Even seasoned Konoha Elite Jonin like Kakashi highly praised him.
Now, suddenly becoming an S-Rank Rogue Ninja was truly unbelievable.
Of course, this was only temporary.
According to the Konoha F4's public opinion tactics…
It wouldn't be long before over ninety-nine percent of the people in Konoha would hate Qianye.
If they say you did something, you did it.
Even white can be described as black.
Not to mention this was already black.
Hiruzen Sarutobi issued a bounty for Qianye, defining him as an S-Rank Rogue Ninja.
Qianye was unaware of this.
Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
Because at this moment, he had already followed Obito to the Akatsuki Organization's base, the Land of Rain.
This was a country where it rained for at least half the year.
It was also the most tragic country in Hokage.
A war-exclusive zone.
Located at the junction of the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth.
Caught between the three countries.
Constantly plagued by war.
Qianye, Obito, and Uchiha Itachi arrived at Rain Village by boat.
Perhaps because they knew guests were arriving today…
Nagato did not use his Rain Tiger at Will Jutsu.
Qianye was also glad he didn't have to get drenched.
Following Obito, Qianye and Uchiha Itachi boarded a small boat and drifted downstream along the river.
"In the organization, everyone calls me Tobi. I'm not a formal member, just an apprentice with no great abilities. In the future, you two need to be mindful of your attitude towards me."
At this moment, Uchiha Obito had cut his hair short, and his mask had changed from the original tiger stripe to a swirling orange mask.
He stood at the bow of the boat, arms crossed, and said to the two of them.
PS: Second update, please give recommendation tickets, please give monthly tickets