Chapter 45: Chapter 44: Byakuya vs. Ryoma
Following their venture into the black market, Byakuya maintained clandestine surveillance on Shigure for several more days. Concurrently, he employed a strategic method to control a faction of rogue ninjas situated outside the village, employing a mixture of incentives and threats—enticing them with the promise of secret techniques and mastery over curse seals. This ensured they remained vigilant regarding Shigure's activities.
But why didn't he extend an invitation for them to join the Akatsuki as official members? It could be attributed to the rarity of individuals who resonate with Yahiko's ideology among the ninja ranks. Such resonance is primarily found in those hailing from the Land of Rain, individuals who have intimately experienced the ravages of war and misfortune. Only they can truly comprehend and empathize with each other's plight, willingly aligning themselves with the Akatsuki. Once beyond the borders of the Land of Rain, however, Yahiko's ideals lose their allure.
Just as the princess of a prominent ninja clan in the first ninja village cannot fathom the struggles of a fallen nation's remnants, ninjas from disparate villages struggle to grasp each other's motivations or assimilate seamlessly into a unified organization. Their desires and aspirations differ vastly, unless faced with a common existential threat compelling unity.
Above all, Byakuya sought to cultivate a force exclusively under his control, enabling him to operate autonomously without the need for oversight or disclosure to other senior members. This way, even in the event of a significant upheaval, he would possess the means to rise again. It had become his modus operandi to always have a contingency plan in place before taking action.
During this period, Konan embarked on numerous visits to nearby towns and villages, meticulously recording the prices of goods and fulfilling requests pro bono as a form of restitution for the harm they inadvertently caused to ordinary folk during their wanderings. Their proficiency in petty theft had been their lifeline, preventing Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko from succumbing to starvation in the wilderness before establishing the Akatsuki.
As she made her way back to the designated rendezvous point, Konan caught sight of Byakuya, straw dangling from his lips, a faint flicker of resignation in her eyes. Byakuya remained as enigmatic as ever, scarcely visible throughout the day. Furthermore, despite being tasked with managing investments, he single-handedly oversaw the investment sector, leaving Konan in the dark regarding his expenditure of funds.
"Konan-senpai, you're finally back," Byakuya greeted Konan quietly as he trailed behind her.
At that moment, Konan couldn't help but inquire, "Byakuya, where have you been all this time? How much money do we have left?"
"It's a secret..." Byakuya nonchalantly replied, his hand lazily resting on the back of his head. "I went to procure funds for bribing the Jonin of Amegakure. Our organization's covert operations within the Land of Rain rely heavily on their assistance to maintain discretion."
"Bribing Jonin..." Konan found herself somewhat at a loss for words. Were Jonin truly so susceptible to bribery? Ninjas, provided they lacked moral scruples, were indeed susceptible to manipulation for monetary gain. Yet, those lacking moral scruples didn't always deliver on their promises even when compensated—it would be a squandering of resources.
Nevertheless, she pondered, Byakuya wouldn't part with funds without a purpose.
It seemed more plausible that Byakuya had diverted the funds for his own use. However, Byakuya likely wasn't lacking in resources either; like herself, he possessed the capability to mass-produce explosive tags.
Just as Konan was about to interject, Byakuya swiftly gestured for silence, his demeanor shifting to one of seriousness as he indicated the trees flanking the road.
In the next instant, accompanied by the distinctive sound of air being sliced, kunai adorned with explosive tags hurtled between Byakuya and Konan, detonating upon impact. Amidst the ensuing blaze and smoke, the two were compelled to retreat, their attention drawn to the approaching four-man ninja squad.
Clad in somber black garb and concealing their visages behind animal masks, the team exuded an aura reminiscent of ruthless assassins. Following a brief standoff, the squad launched another assault.
One of them charged headlong wielding a short sword, while the remaining trio strategically flanked, deploying shurikens entwined with steel wire to ensnare Byakuya and Konan. Simultaneously, they brandished kunai adorned with explosive tags once more.
For average Jounin, contending with such a coordinated onslaught would prove formidable. However, for Konan and Byakuya, masters of the Paper Release technique, evading the traps was a matter of simplicity.
Transforming their forms into myriad sheets of paper, Konan ascended skyward, observing their adversaries from above. A deluge of shurikens cascaded like raindrops, swiftly dispersing the four-man team.
A shared glance conveyed a palpable sense of trepidation in the eyes of the assailants before they swiftly retreated in the direction from whence they came, swiftly vanishing into the dense foliage.
Observing the fleeing ninjas in the distance, Konan furrowed her brow. She struggled to fathom why they had been targeted. Had the Akatsuki drawn the ire of unknown adversaries, or was the assault directed specifically at Byakuya?
"Byakuya, do you recognize these people?"
Byakuya certainly did. With their animal masks and distinctive combat maneuvers, they bore the unmistakable hallmark of Konoha's ANBU Black Ops, although discerning whether they hailed from the regular ANBU or the clandestine Root division posed a challenge.
However, in the presence of Konan, Byakuya merely shook his head, feigning ignorance.
"I'm unfamiliar with them as well. But we shall extract the answers if we wanna know once we capture and interrogate them."
Konan hesitated for a fleeting moment before assenting to Byakuya's proposition. This band of ninjas clearly surpassed the capabilities of typical rogue operatives. Ordinary wanderers lacked such precision and prowess. If this encounter was anything but coincidental, if indeed they targeted the Akatsuki, it was imperative to pursue the truth and unravel the mystery.
Exchanging determined glances, Byakuya and Konan surged into the dense undergrowth, hot on the heels of their retreating enemy.
---
Shortly after Konan departed, Byakuya, who remained stationary, cast a cold gaze towards the nearby foliage.
"Stop hiding like a bitch. I've been aware of your presence for quite some time. Heck, are you even trying to hide?"
He had detected the concealed adversary during the recent attack by the ninja squad. However, their chakra signature was subtle, prompting him to withhold acknowledgment of their existence until Konan had left.
After a brief pause, Ryoma Aburame emerged from the bushes, meeting Byakuya's unwavering stare. He had initially contemplated ways to isolate Konan and Byakuya, but he hadn't anticipated Byakuya remaining behind alone, presenting an opening for dialogue.
"I am..."
Ryoma began, but before he could utter another word, Byakuya sprang into action. With uncanny speed, he materialized Paper Release shurikens, hurtling them towards Ryoma's visage.
Ryoma narrowly evaded the projectiles, his expression morphing into one of heightened seriousness. Byakuya's prowess far exceeded the intelligence reports that pegged him as a mere Chunin. The information gleaned from the black market was evidently unreliable.
Summoning poison bugs from beneath his sleeve, Ryoma released them, enveloping the paper shurikens in a dense cloud akin to a smokescreen. Seizing the opportunity, Ryoma lunged towards Byakuya.
Simultaneously, the paper shurikens, now infused with the poison bugs, erupted into flames. Amidst the ensuing conflagration and shockwave, the poison bugs plummeted to the earth one by one.
Observing this development, Ryoma broke into a cold sweat. Previous encounters had unveiled Byakuya's status as a formidable Jounin, far surpassing the norm. How could the Akatsuki, an ostensibly obscure organization, produce such a master?
However, Ryoma remained resolute. His trump card lay in his Taijutsu prowess.
Discarding the gloves that impeded him from inadvertently harming his comrades, Ryoma exposed his purple palms and activated the Body Flicker Technique, materializing beside Byakuya.
Without a backward glance, Byakuya intercepted Ryoma's strike, effortlessly repelling him several meters with a single blow.
Although propelled backward, a faint smile crept onto Ryoma's lips. In his estimation, he had emerged victorious in this confrontation. All that remained was to assist in detoxification before brokering negotiations with Byakuya.
However, in the ensuing moment, the smile on Ryoma's lips froze abruptly.
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