Ōnoki having such thoughts wasn't strange at all.
Anyone would think the same after seeing the lineup before him.
A towering Wood Golem.
The Five-Tails, forcibly controlled.
And a toad the size of a small mountain.
If these three really went berserk inside Iwagakure, even he—Ōnoki—would be powerless to stop them.
What, was he supposed to indiscriminately carpet-bomb his own village with Dust Release?
He didn't even dare imagine how many of his own people would die by his hand if he did that.
What exactly are these Konoha bastards trying to do?
Ōnoki cursed inwardly. Right now, he didn't dare make any rash moves. But his sharp eyes suddenly caught sight of another group nearby.
"…Akatsuki? And wait—that's Orochimaru?"
Seeing this, things finally started to make a twisted kind of sense.
So this was why these lunatics had come to Iwagakure.
But even so, Ōnoki still didn't dare gamble.
For example—joining forces with Akatsuki to deal with these monsters.
It sounded easy in theory, but reality wasn't that simple.
This was Iwagakure.
Just like how he didn't dare use Dust Release freely, if this were outside the village, he'd have already dragged Akatsuki in and attacked together.
But not here.
"You—"
Ōnoki struggled to rein in his emotions, his trembling finger pointing at the group below.
"You've got some nerve, coming to Iwagakure to run wild like this! You—"
"Well, um—"
Jiraiya was just about to say something to smooth things over when Kakuzu suddenly roared:
"They're being held up by Ōnoki! Let's go—NOW!"
The instant his voice fell, Kakuzu used Earth Release to sink into the ground and vanished.
The other Akatsuki members didn't hesitate either.
Truth be told, they'd wanted to leave for a while already.
Even if Iwagakure had business ties with Akatsuki, now was clearly not the time to care about that.
After all, they'd been beaten half to death by Ren—there was no dignity left to lose.
"Hmph."
Konan didn't linger for a second. Her paper wings spread, and she disappeared into the night sky.
"Konan!"
Jiraiya couldn't help calling out—but she didn't even look back.
And he didn't dare pursue.
Ōnoki was glaring nearby, countless Iwa shinobi were closing in, and cold sweat was already rolling down Jiraiya's forehead.
"Um… Tsuchikage-sama, I think there might be some misunderstanding between us—"
"Oh?"
Ōnoki responded coldly, but inwardly he breathed a small sigh of relief.
This Jiraiya seemed… easier to handle than expected.
He was honestly worried things would spiral completely out of control.
"Ah, Captain Jiraiya—are you sure that's the case?"
At that moment, the kid standing atop the Wood Golem suddenly spoke.
"Those people just now were Akatsuki. Captain Jiraiya has seen their basic intelligence files.
"But what you might not know is that the Third Tsuchikage has a close relationship with Akatsuki.
"Lord Tsuchikage often uses Akatsuki to eliminate resistance forces in nearby small countries—wiping them out completely.
"And this," Ren added calmly, "was personally admitted by Lord Kitsuchi when he visited Konoha."
"..."
Jiraiya stiffly turned his head to look at Ren.
He suddenly understood what this kid meant by calling him 'Captain'.
Not far away, Kitsuchi, who was rushing over, felt his whole body tremble.
Damn it—haven't you Konoha people done the same things?!
Especially you, you little bastard—you followed Danzo! You've done worse than us!
And Ren had even amplified his voice with chakra.
Not just Kitsuchi—every Iwa shinobi nearby heard it.
"Kitsuchi."
Ōnoki's face darkened instantly.
Was this something you could just blurt out?!
Even if it were true, you didn't say it to the enemy!
Of course, he didn't believe his son was that stupid. More likely, he'd been tricked into talking.
"Utter nonsense!" Ōnoki roared.
"Iwagakure acts openly and honorably—how could we possibly—"
"Tsuchikage-sama, we all understand."
Ren interrupted gently.
"Which village doesn't do such things? For the sake of the village's利益—its interests—some painful decisions have to be made."
"..."
Ōnoki's eye twitched violently.
What the hell are you doing? Helping me wash this clean?
Then realization struck.
No—he's washing himself clean.
This brat is Danzo's man!
Ōnoki's gaze turned gloomy.
Shimura Danzo… what kind of monster did you raise this time?
"I don't know what nonsense you're spouting, and I don't care to listen!"
Ōnoki snapped, forcefully changing the subject.
"What exactly did you criminals do in Iwagakure?!
"You captured and controlled the Five-Tails! You burned down the Tsuchikage Tower! You deserve death!"
As he roared, more flames appeared around them.
Reinforcing Iwa shinobi had arrived, forming a tightening semicircle.
Their fury was palpable even from a distance.
"…What?"
Jiraiya barely had time to think. He turned to look at Ren—
And saw disbelief even in Ren's exposed eyes.
What the hell?
Capturing the Five-Tails—Ren admitted that.
That was Shisui's "final madness" as an ANBU. And besides, the Five-Tails could be released later.
But burning down the Tsuchikage Tower?
When did that happen?
Ren had ordered chaos, not arson against a Kage building!
"…Isn't there some misunderstanding here?"
Ren lowered his voice, looking directly at Ōnoki.
"Tsuchikage-sama, please understand—our mission was to investigate Orochimaru.
"According to reliable intelligence, he appeared in Iwagakure—and very likely under your employment.
"We came to investigate that. Why would we escalate things to this extent?"
At this point, Ren could only deny everything to the end.
Even though admitting it could hurt Danzo badly—
He knew better than to sacrifice himself for that satisfaction.
"Bullshit! I never hired Orochimaru!"
Ōnoki was furious beyond words.
Orochimaru sneaked in. Akatsuki sneaked in.
And now Konoha's most dangerous lunatics sneaked in too.
What kind of defenses did Iwagakure even have anymore?!
"Then why is he here?" Ren tilted his head.
"Right, Captain Jiraiya? And we do have records proving that the Tsuchikage has hired such people before. It's hard not to draw connections."
"Yes—yes!" Jiraiya nodded hurriedly.
His scalp was numb. He'd never dealt with a situation like this in his career.
And Ren's argument was airtight. If he took over negotiations, it would probably be worse.
"Tsuchikage-sama, we're just here to investigate. Why is Orochimaru here?"
"How would I know why he's here?!"
Ōnoki felt utterly wronged—but then he snapped back to his senses.
"Wait—why am I even talking about Orochimaru with you?
"You're criminals! That's what needs punishment!"
"But we didn't actually do anything," Ren spread his hands helplessly.
"As I said, under Captain Jiraiya's leadership, we came to investigate Orochimaru. Everything else is unrelated to us."
"Then explain Han!"
Ōnoki's gaze sharpened.
"And explain the Wood Release at the Tsuchikage Tower!"
Wood Release—that was the key point.
If he weren't wary of their strength, he'd have attacked already.
Now he just wanted to see what kind of nonsense they'd try next.
"Wood Release…"
Jiraiya's mouth twitched.
Both Wood Release users Konoha had were right here. How was he supposed to explain this?
"Wood Release?"
Ren, however, looked calm.
After a moment of thought, he spoke gravely.
"Then it seems that guy is here too. No wonder we didn't run into him earlier—he was plotting behind our backs."
"That guy?" Ōnoki asked warily.
Before Ren could answer, Shisui immediately understood.
"Ren—do you mean Uchiha Obito?"
Uchiha Obito?
The name made Ōnoki pause.
Unfamiliar, yet familiar.
Hero of Kannabi Bridge.
Presumed dead.
Uchiha who returned from the dead.
A Konoha S-rank missing-nin with strangely vague records.
Hard not to remember.
"It should be him," Ren nodded seriously.
"Only he could pull this off."
Kakashi felt his mind go blank.
He glanced at Tenzo—who looked completely innocent.
At Shisui—who was fully cooperating.
At Yūgao—silent as ever.
This… actually works?!
"You little brat—what trick are you playing now?"
Ōnoki frowned.
"Tsuchikage-sama," Ren sighed.
"This information is an absolute Konoha secret. I have no authority to reveal it.
"But—"
He looked at Jiraiya.
Ōnoki followed his gaze.
"Jiraiya, explain! If this isn't made clear, we're not done here!"
"Captain Jiraiya… it's up to you now," Ren added helpfully.
At the same time, he adopted a combat stance.
The Wood Golem shifted slightly—the earth trembling.
Shisui turned the Five-Tails, its eyes gleaming with menace.
"..."
Jiraiya swallowed hard.
He suddenly realized that the word he least wanted to hear now was 'Captain'.
But there was no escape.
"Uchiha Obito's existence," Jiraiya said quietly, lowering his voice,
"is Konoha's most critical—and most helpless—secret.
"He somehow possesses abilities similar to Shisui's eyes… and abilities like Ren's.
"Whether it's space-time movement resembling Flying Thunder God, or the powers he's shown now—"
He tried to be as vague as possible.
But he knew it was pointless.
Ōnoki understood immediately.
"You expect me to believe a resurrected Uchiha has the power of Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, andSenju Tobirama?"
Ōnoki sneered.
"Say something more believable."
"I—"
Before Jiraiya could continue, Ren spoke again.
"Tsuchikage-sama, I know this sounds unbelievable. But please trust the integrity of the Three Legendary Sannin.
"If the situation weren't this severe, Konoha would never issue such repeated, large-scale bounties just to track one man.
"We don't believe ordinary means can handle him either. His body must be retrieved by Konoha."
Ōnoki frowned.
It… did sound plausible.
Konoha wouldn't mobilize like this without reason.
And Akatsuki loved recruiting missing-nin.
Could Obito really be among them?
"Tsuchikage-sama," Ren suddenly changed the topic, lowering his voice.
"What do you think of this team?"
He gestured subtly.
"Captain Jiraiya. Me. Uchiha Shisui. Hatake Kakashi.
"What do you think our goal is?"
Ōnoki didn't answer.
"Simple," Ren continued.
"To hunt Uchiha Obito. We've long suspected he's tied to Akatsuki.
"And we came to Iwagakure because we traced Akatsuki's contact with Orochimaru—which now seems confirmed."
"Pure nonsense," Ōnoki snorted, though doubt had crept in.
"Tsuchikage-sama," Ren sighed, then looked up steadily.
"Konoha has no intention of starting a war.
"But please don't push us too far either.
"With our lineup—what do you think would happen if we really went on a rampage inside Iwagakure?"
"You—!"
Ōnoki's face changed instantly.
Jiraiya's did too.
Why are you threatening him now?!
"Don't bring Danzo's methods out here," Jiraiya hissed.
Ren glanced at him, then sighed.
"I understand, Captain Jiraiya. It was just a comparison.
"Tsuchikage-sama, rest assured—we're not insane.
"Yes, we caused distractions—like burning a mountain.
"But that's all.
"Controlling the Five-Tails was an accident—and it can be undone.
"Konoha has no intention of war. We're only pursuing Akatsuki and Orochimaru.
"And frankly—hiring someone like Orochimaru is far more questionable, isn't it?"
Ren paused, then spoke earnestly.
"If you're willing to trust us, we don't need to fight.
"I can even authorize the withdrawal of two Konoha spies embedded in Iwagakure, reducing your losses.
"In return, I'll persuade Captain Jiraiya to share more intelligence on Uchiha Obito, and you can open talks with the Hokage.
"I believe the Hokage will offer appropriate compensation for acting without prior notice."
He looked straight at Ōnoki.
"But if not—"
Ren clasped his hands.
Chakra surged.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
A colossal wooden dragon burst forth, coiling around the Wood Golem.
At the same time, Shisui forced the Five-Tails to open its mouth.
A terrifying chakra sphere began condensing—aimed at the ground below.
"Then," Ren said calmly, arms crossed atop the Wood Golem,
"we'll settle this the hard way.
"Konoha survived the Night of the Nine-Tails.
"I wonder… can Iwagakure?"
Jiraiya closed his eyes.
We're finished when we get back.
Ōnoki felt cold sweat bead on his forehead.
This damned brat… threatening war at the drop of a hat?
Who the hell made him a shinobi?
Then the answer surfaced.
"…Shimura Danzo."
Ōnoki nearly burst a vein.
You really deserve to die, Danzo.
Konoha — Hokage's Office
They've been gone a while…
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the scroll in his hand, pipe clenched between his teeth.
He wasn't worried about Jiraiya.
He was worried about Ren.
That boy's strength and intelligence were exceptional.
But his methods were far too extreme.
Everything he did was for Konoha—Hiruzen didn't doubt that.
But there were so many ways to protect the village.
You don't have to become Danzo.
"Danzo…"
Thinking of his old friend gave him a headache.
Destroying things behind his back was one thing.
But turning a good child into someone this extreme—
That made his blood boil.
A knock sounded.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Hiruzen's expression turned strange.
"...Tsunade?"
Since when did she knock politely?
"Sensei, do you have time?"
She even smiled—sweetly.
Alarm bells blared in Hiruzen's head.
"…Just say what you want."
She sighed.
"ANBU sent an urgent report. I think you should prepare yourself."
His heart sank.
"I was worried about Ren," she added, pulling out a scroll.
"So I intercepted the report."
"You read it already?" Hiruzen's face darkened.
"…So what happened?"
Tsunade handed it over.
"There has to be some misunderstanding," she said, smiling again.
Hiruzen opened the scroll.
Fire.
Tsuchikage Tower burned.
Five-Tails controlled.
Wood Golem, giant toad, Five-Tails confronting Ōnoki.
His heart nearly stopped.
I told you to investigate Orochimaru!
Why does it look like you tried to invade Iwagakure?!
"Is this what you call a misunderstanding?" he croaked.
"There probably is one…" Tsunade hedged.
"With Jiraiya leading, there must be some hidden reason?"
Hidden reason?!
Hiruzen stood—then his vision spun and he collapsed back into his chair.
"Oi, old man!"
Tsunade rushed over.
"…Anger-induced fainting?" she muttered. "Tch. Such a small heart."
"..."
"Relax. I'm here. You won't die."
"..."
"I don't want to be Hokage anyway. Save that for Jiraiya."
"..."
Akatsuki — Border of Earth and Rain
Only after confirming there were no pursuers did Akatsuki finally stop.
Iwagakure had gone completely mad—hunting them relentlessly.
Normally, they wouldn't fear such pursuit.
But after being beaten senseless by Ren and fleeing nonstop, their condition was terrible.
At least they were close to their destination.
Kakuzu glanced at the group and coughed awkwardly.
"Orochimaru… what exactly is that kid?"
"That kid?" Orochimaru sneered faintly.
"Wood Release. Flying Thunder God. And likely a Senju descendant.
"Of course he's terrifying."
"And how did Konoha find you?" Kakuzu pressed.
"…Danzo," Orochimaru replied flatly.
Everyone looked at him.
"My presence here was arranged by Danzo.
"He supplies me with materials. I help him handle problems he can't touch.
"This time—he wanted to cut ties."
Konan frowned. "So you know too many of his secrets?"
"No," Orochimaru smiled coldly.
"He wanted me to become Ren's enemy—so Ren would rely on Danzo forever."
Silence fell.
"…You're saying Ren can be controlled?" someone muttered.
"Impossible."
"You're joking."
Orochimaru shook his head.
"You don't understand Ren.
"He's an orphan. His bonds are limited—to his old director, and to the children trained with him in Root.
"He grew too fast. Danzo feared losing control.
"So he created an enemy—me."
Orochimaru licked his lips.
"I came to witness his director and his companion kill each other—and clean up afterward."
Sasori's eyes sharpened.
"So Ren would definitely come."
"And once you fled," Kakuzu realized, eyes gleaming,
"Ren would have no one to rely on but Danzo."
Everything clicked.
They'd all been pieces on Danzo's board.
"…A terrifying man," Sasori said coldly.
Konan's gaze darkened.
Danzo's name still reeked of blood.
Only Kakuzu looked awkward.
Danzo's not that god-like, he thought.
But he wisely kept quiet.
"Then why didn't you tell Ren?" Kakuzu asked.
Orochimaru scoffed.
"I did.
"But Jiraiya showed up, and I wasn't sure if those two were dead—or if one survived.
"And Ren trusts Danzo deeply.
"In his orders… killing me was probably included."
He remembered Ren's words:
'Lord Danzo asked me to pass on his regards.'
"…In the end," Orochimaru concluded softly,
"we were all used."
Another wave of Iwa shinobi appeared in the distance.
They sighed.
Time to run again.
And in many of their hearts, the same thought surfaced—
Shimura Danzo… you really deserve to die.
Iwagakure
"Father… are we really letting them go?"
Kitsuchi asked hesitantly.
Ōnoki snorted.
"What else could we do? That brat had Wood Golem and Wood Dragon aimed at us!"
His gaze darkened.
"But our losses aren't as big as they seem."
"They withdrew two spies—that hurts Konoha more.
"And we gained intelligence on Uchiha Obito."
Kitsuchi hesitated.
"…You want to leak it?"
Ōnoki smiled grimly.
"Konoha doesn't get to be the only one embarrassed.
"Let the entire shinobi world see what kind of monster they've created."
Hashirama's power.
Madara's malice.
Tobirama's techniques.
"And hatred for Konoha itself."
Ōnoki clenched his fist.
Ren is Danzo's man.
And that operation—
Danzo's shadow is all over it.
"Shimura Danzo…"
Ōnoki's voice was icy.
"Very good."
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