章 129: Ch.129 Negotiation
After leaving Moryo behind, Obito and Zetsu departed from Shinno's hideout. They stood on a cliff overlooking the area. Obito glanced back and then instructed Zetsu beside him, "This Shinno isn't as simple as we thought. Keep an eye on him; make sure nothing goes wrong."
Zetsu asked, "What's the issue with him?"
"He's no ordinary doctor," Obito paused, recalling Moryo's earlier comment, "He's likely practiced some secret jutsus that have made his body far stronger than most."
"Secret jutsus…"
Zetsu seemed to think of something.
Obito glanced at Zetsu, prompting Zetsu to quickly explain, "There were rumors in the black market that this guy was an incredibly skilled spy. It's said he once infiltrated the Hidden Leaf's secret archives and stole some forbidden jutsus."
Obito narrowed his eyes, "Is that true?"
Zetsu shrugged, "It might just be a rumor."
The black market was full of such tales.
However, most of these stories were baseless rumors, sometimes even spread by various shinobi villages for their own purposes.
"Regardless, keep a close watch on him!" After issuing the command, Obito asked, "Have you found out anything about those two Uchiha members Nagato secretly recruited?"
Zetsu shook his head, "Not a single clue. They don't seem to be hiding in Hidden Rain Village."
"I figured as much," Obito muttered, his face darkening, "Any Uchiha who awakens the Mangekyo Sharingan couldn't remain unknown. We're clearly missing something. Keep searching, I need to know their identities!"
During the battle in the small town, both Itachi and Zabuza witnessed Karin's red Susanoo. Meanwhile, Obito himself had seen Uchiha Shinji's golden Susanoo during the fight with Moryo.
They were certain that Nagato had secretly recruited two Uchiha with Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Don't worry, I'll keep investigating." After a brief pause, Zetsu smirked, "By the way, I have some news that might interest you."
"What news?"
Zetsu grinned, "Do you remember Uchiha Itachi's younger brother in the Hidden Leaf Village?"
"Uchiha Sasuke?"
Zetsu slowly revealed, "Yes, Uchiha Sasuke! I just received word that he has awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan."
Obito's expression immediately changed.
He remembered that Itachi's younger brother was only seven or eight years old.
Zetsu sighed, "A seven-year-old awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan? This kid's talent might even surpass Itachi's!"
Obito nodded slightly.
Even he couldn't help but be amazed by such talent.
He then recalled another survivor from the Uchiha massacre and asked, "I remember there was another Uchiha survivor in the Hidden Leaf, right?"
"Yes, an eight-year-old kid named Uchiha Shinji," Zetsu continued before Obito could ask, "But this kid hasn't awakened his Sharingan yet. He's nothing compared to Uchiha Sasuke, just a lucky brat who managed to survive the massacre."
Obito remarked calmly, "It's normal for an eight-year-old to not have awakened yet."
Given that Obito himself hadn't awakened his Sharingan until he was eleven, Zetsu didn't argue and merely chuckled quietly.
"Keep an eye on Uchiha Sasuke," Obito ordered before vanishing into a swirling vortex.
Clearly, despite his statement that it was normal for an eight-year-old not to have awakened the Sharingan, Obito still agreed with Zetsu's assessment. He deemed Uchiha Shinji unworthy of much attention, instructing Zetsu only to monitor Sasuke.
...
Hidden Leaf Village.
Inside the Hokage's office.
After returning to the village from their mission, Kakashi wasted no time in reporting to the Third Hokage.
Having listened to Kakashi's account of the monster Moryo's escape and the Akatsuki's involvement in the incident, the Third Hokage furrowed his brow. "Kakashi, are you suggesting that the Akatsuki orchestrated the monster's release?"
Kakashi nodded, "It's highly possible. The leader of the Yellow Springs Sect, who released the monster, was wearing the Akatsuki's red cloud robe. During the battle, several other Akatsuki members also appeared."
The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe. "Then how do you explain the Akatsuki member who intervened to stop the monster?"
"I can't explain it." With a sigh, Kakashi's expression grew grim. "We know almost nothing about the Akatsuki."
"We almost know nothing."
The Third Hokage spoke as he handed a document to Kakashi.
Upon reading it, Kakashi's pupils constricted, and he took a sharp breath.
The document listed several known Akatsuki members whose identities had been uncovered.
The first was Uchiha Itachi, originally from the Hidden Leaf, responsible for the massacre of the Uchiha Clan.
The second was Zabuza Momochi, a rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist and a former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
The third was Sasori of the Red Sand, a rogue ninja from the Hidden Sand Village and a puppet master.
The fourth was Deidara, a rogue ninja from the Hidden Stone Village and a former disciple of the Third Tsuchikage.
The fifth was Kakuzu, a rogue shinobi from the Hidden Waterfall Village.
Suppressing his shock, Kakashi asked, "Hokage-sama, are all of these S-rank rogue shinobi members of the Akatsuki?"
The Third Hokage nodded. "Yes, it has been confirmed through various sources. Everyone on this list is now part of that organization!"
Kakashi had already known that Itachi and Zabuza were members of the Akatsuki.
But he hadn't expected that Sasori, the grandson of the Hidden Sand Village's influential elder Chiyo, or Deidara, the disciple of the Third Tsuchikage, had also joined the Akatsuki.
Sasori, in particular, was not only powerful but also had a prestigious background in the Hidden Sand Village, making him a strong candidate for Kazekage.
Similarly, Deidara's status as a disciple of the Tsuchikage indicated his high standing in the Hidden Stone Village, possibly even a future Tsuchikage.
Even Kakuzu, though not as prominent as the others, was notorious in the bounty-hunting world.
It was mind-boggling to think that all these powerful shinobi had joined the Akatsuki.
However, having survived the Third Shinobi World War, Kakashi quickly regained his composure. "Hokage-sama, this document still needs to be updated with five more names."
The Third Hokage looked at Kakashi.
Kakashi continued, "During the battle in the town, aside from Itachi and Zabuza, there were two other groups of Akatsuki members. One group with markings in their eyes was wiped out by the other group wearing masks. The masked group had three members."
After a brief pause, Kakashi added, "Two of those three used the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyo Sharingan dojutsu, 'Susanoo,' and the third wielded the Hidden Mist's Ice Release Bloodline Limit."
The Third Hokage nodded. "Yes, we should add these three."
Kakashi continued, "The Yellow Springs Sect leader also seems to have joined the Akatsuki, and the mysterious masked man who rescued him is clearly another Akatsuki member. We should include these two as well."
While speaking, Kakashi quickly jotted down the five individuals he had described and handed the updated file back to the Third Hokage.
As the Third Hokage glanced over the document, his expression grew increasingly grim.
With the addition of these five individuals, the Akatsuki's membership had swelled to ten.
And every one of them was at least as strong as a Jonin. Among them were three Uchiha with Mangekyo Sharingan, and a monstrous creature that once terrorized the shinobi world.
Even the Third Hokage, as experienced as he was, couldn't help but feel unsettled. "What exactly is this organization after?"
Having witnessed both the battle in the town and the clash between Uchiha Shinji and Moryo, Kakashi had a more direct and profound understanding of the Akatsuki's power than the Third Hokage did.
He believed that even the Hidden Leaf, as the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, would struggle to handle the Akatsuki alone. So, stepping forward, Kakashi suggested, "Hokage-sama, the Akatsuki not only targets shinobis from various villages but has also released the sealed monster from the Land of Demons. We can no longer ignore this threat."
The Third Hokage understood the implication behind Kakashi's words. "You want to form an alliance with other villages to investigate the Akatsuki?"
Kakashi nodded immediately. "Considering that the Akatsuki's members are rogue shinobis from multiple villages, we could use that as a reason to gather the other villages for a meeting to discuss countermeasures."
The Third Hokage pondered silently.
He was well aware that the Hidden Leaf no longer had the strength to deal with such a formidable organization on its own.
However, the fact that three Uchiha, including Uchiha Itachi, were members of the Akatsuki would severely damage the Hidden Leaf's reputation if other villages found out.
But knowing that this couldn't be kept secret forever, the Third Hokage finally nodded and said, "Send messenger hawks and extend invitations to the other villages."
Kakashi nodded, "Should we invite only the villages whose rogue shinobis have joined the Akatsuki?"
"No, invite all the villages!"
The Third Hokage's voice was resolute.
He had thought further ahead than Kakashi. The threat posed by the Akatsuki was apparent to anyone who paid attention, so it was better to seize the opportunity and bring all the villages together.
Just as Kakashi was about to leave, he paused. "Hokage-sama, there's one more thing I need to report. Uchiha Sasuke awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan during this mission."
The Third Hokage didn't seem particularly surprised.
Kakashi hesitated for a moment before adding, "Also, during this mission, we were attacked by what appeared to be a Root squad."
This time, the Third Hokage's expression darkened.
Kakashi continued, "It seems Root's target was once again Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Shinji, but the two of them managed to fend off the attack."
"Oh?"
The Third Hokage was intrigued.
Kakashi then described how a Root squad had ambushed the convoy from the Land of Demons, only to be killed by Shinji and Sasuke.
Upon hearing that Uchiha Shinji had single-handedly killed a Root shinobi, the Third Hokage asked, "What's your impression of Uchiha Shinji?"
Without hesitation, Kakashi replied, "A genius!"
"A genius?"
Kakashi nodded, "He may not be as flashy as Uchiha Sasuke, but he's undoubtedly a genius. Especially with his medical ninjutsu, he's already on par with a full-fledged medical shinobi."
"True. If we set aside his Uchiha lineage, he's indeed quite remarkable." The Third Hokage shook his head. "But unfortunately, he's an Uchiha."
Kakashi remained silent.
In the Hidden Leaf, an Uchiha without the Sharingan wasn't considered a genius, while an Uchiha with the Sharingan was always viewed with suspicion, no matter how ordinary they appeared.
At present, without the Sharingan, Uchiha Shinji couldn't truly be considered a genius.
The Third Hokage then said, "Keep a close eye on Sasuke. I hope you can serve as his and Naruto's Jonin instructor in the future. As for Shinji… I'll handle the situation with Root."
"Yes, sir."
Kakashi bowed and left.
Once Kakashi was gone, the Third Hokage gazed out the window, his hands clasped behind his back.
In his heart, he had already given up on Shinji. He hadn't expected the boy, who had narrowly escaped the Uchiha massacre, to survive multiple assassination attempts by Danzo.
But soon, he pushed thoughts of Shinji aside.
An Uchiha without the Sharingan wasn't worth his time.
Before long, under the Third Hokage's orders, the Hidden Leaf's communications unit sprang into action.
Messenger hawks, each carrying a handwritten letter from the Third Hokage, were dispatched to villages throughout the shinobi world.
In addition to the Five Great Shinobi Villages, even the Hidden Grass Village, Hidden Waterfall Village, Hidden Rain Village, and the newly formed Hidden Sound Village received formal invitations.
...
Hidden Mist Village.
A Hidden Mist shinobi hurriedly delivered a letter from the Hidden Leaf to the Fourth Mizukage. "Mizukage-sama, this is a personal letter from the Third Hokage of the Hidden Leaf."
The Fourth Mizukage opened the letter and his eyes gleamed. "The Akatsuki!"
The Hidden Mist shinobi asked, "Mizukage-sama, what does the Hidden Leaf intend to do?"
The Fourth Mizukage replied, "Good question. I'm curious to see what they're planning this time!"
...
Hidden Cloud Village.
"The Akatsuki?!" The Fourth Raikage slammed the letter onto his desk. "This has nothing to do with us! Why should I attend some pointless meeting? Ridiculous!"
His assistant cautiously reminded him, "Raikage-sama, the recent disappearances of our shinobis could be linked to the Akatsuki."
Boom!
The Fourth Raikage's fist smashed his desk to pieces. "What? It was the Akatsuki who did that?!"
...
Hidden Sand Village.
The Fourth Kazekage handed the letter from the Third Hokage to Chiyo. "See for yourself."
Chiyo read the letter and sighed deeply. "This time, I'll accompany you to the Hidden Leaf."
The Fourth Kazekage nodded.
...
Hidden Stone Village.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, furiously tore the letter from the Third Hokage into shreds. "How dare Sarutobi Hiruzen send me a letter just to mock me!"
His attendant nervously replied, "Lord Tsuchikage, according to…"
"Spit it out!" The Third Tsuchikage snapped.
The attendant nervously continued, "There have been reports of Deidara wearing the Akatsuki's red cloud robe in the Land of Birds."
The Third Tsuchikage's face turned beet red. "What did you say?! That brat really joined the Akatsuki?"
...
Land of Birds.
"Achoo…"
Deidara sneezed, rubbing his nose.
Beside him, Sasori remarked, "The rogue shinobi Hiruko likely hid here."
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