Naruto: Zanka No Tachi

Chapter 180: NZNT: Chapter 180

News of Pakura’s ascension as the Fifth Kazekage, and Sunagakure’s subjugation by Konoha, spread rapidly throughout the ninja world, causing

News of Pakura’s ascension as the Fifth Kazekage, and Sunagakure’s subjugation by Konoha, spread rapidly throughout the ninja world, causing considerable alarm, particularly among the other major villages: Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure.

Konoha’s plan for Sunagakure revealed its ambition. If Konoha used the same tactics on other villages, it would soon control the ninja world, and the nations dependent on the villages would become vassals of the Land of Fire.

In the Tsuchikage’s office in Iwagakure, Ōnoki studied the intel scroll with a furrowed brow.

His granddaughter, Kurotsuchi, stood behind him. In front of his desk were Akatsuchi, Rōshi, and Gabimaru—Iwagakure’s elite ninjas, trusted by Ōnoki.

”You’ve heard about Sunagakure’s subjugation. This scroll has more accurate intel. Konoha’s control might be stronger than we thought,”

Ōnoki said gravely, placing the scroll on his desk.

Everyone was silent except Kurotsuchi, who smiled, ”Grandpa, you’re not planning to fight Konoha, are you? Uchiha Yusuke isn’t someone ordinary ninjas can fight. Your old bones can’t handle him.”

Akatsuchi nodded in agreement, ”Father, you weren’t at the Chunin Exams. His fight with Nagato was incredible. Maybe Hashirama and Madara fought like that!”

Ōnoki floated up, pacing and thinking. He remembered visiting Madara Uchiha with the Second Tsuchikage when he was young.

They’d been powerless; Madara rejected all their requests. They were rebuked and had to endure it silently.

This memory haunted Ōnoki.

After a long silence, Ōnoki sighed, ”Are the Uchiha truly invincible? Hashirama and Madara could restrain them; how do we deal with Yusuke?”

Gabimaru, an Iwagakure Assasin, said, ”There are two options.”

”First, ally with Konoha. But we’d become their vassals. However, as long as Konoha hasn’t unified the ninja world, we still have a chance.”

”Second, we unite with other villages against Konoha. But as one of the Five Great Nations, we’ll bear the brunt of the attack.”

Rōshi, a thirty-something-year-old jōnin with sharp purple markings under his eyes, was highly respected in Iwagakure for his strength and intelligence. He was one of Ōnoki’s most trusted aides.

Ōnoki pondered, then slammed his desk, ”Rōshi, contact the Raikage and Mizukage. We need to discuss this. I’m sure they’re worried too.”

He patted his head, ”I heard intel found Deidara. Kurotsuchi, find him. Tell him we forgive the past; we need him.”

Kurotsuchi’s face lit up. She thumped her chest, ”Grandpa, leave Deidara to me!”

She wasn’t happy about Deidara’s return; she was happy to leave the village. She’d been cooped up since the Chunin Exams.

A few days later, Rōshi arranged a meeting between Ōnoki, Darui (Raikage), and Mei Terumī (Mizukage) to discuss Konoha.

Because the Land of Lightning was centrally located, the meeting was held there. For security and secrecy, it wasn’t held in Kumogakure but in an unknown town.

”Raikage, Mizukage, you know why we’re here. Konoha, using its strength, has conquered Sunagakure. If we don’t act, we’ll suffer the same fate,” Ōnoki said gravely.

In a hidden room, Ōnoki, Mei Terumī, and Darui sat around a circular table, their aides behind them. Rōshi was behind Ōnoki, Ao (with a Byakugan) behind Mei Terumī, and Dodai behind Darui.

Mei Terumī smiled at Darui, ”Raikage, Kumogakure has interacted with Konoha. You recently redeemed the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails Jinchuriki. What are your thoughts?”

Kumogakure hadn’t publicized that Killer B and Yugito were no longer Jinchuriki. Konoha didn’t either; the ninja world still believed Kumogakure had redeemed the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails.

Darui frowned, recalling an unpleasant experience. Sighing, he said, ”Six years ago, I fought Yusuke Uchiha. I was defeated quickly. The Fourth Raikage and Killer B weren’t his match either.”

”And it’s not just him. The Uchiha clan and Konoha’s research institute have made Konoha too strong for any village to match.”

Looking at Ōnoki and Mei Terumī, Darui said bluntly, ”If you want to unite against Konoha, I won’t join.”

Following Darui’s statement, Ōnoki’s already grim expression darkened further, while the smile on Mei Terumī’s face faltered, her expression turning somber.

Though Darui’s words were few, his meaning was clear: a military confrontation with Konoha would be suicidal.

Darui’s pessimistic assessment plunged the meeting into silence.

After a moment, Ōnoki, as the meeting’s convener, broke the silence, ”While the Raikage’s words are harsh, they reflect reality.

Konoha, like the Konoha under Hashirama and Madara, now dominates the ninja world.”

”But we didn’t gather to despair; we’re here to find a solution.”

Ōnoki’s words steered the conversation back to finding a solution. But after some discussion, they couldn’t find a good one.

Then, Ao, standing behind Mei Terumī, leaned in and whispered to her. Mei Terumī’s eyes lit up; she seemed to have heard a good plan.

Ōnoki and Darui stopped talking and looked at her.

”Mizukage, do you have a plan?” Ōnoki asked curiously.

Mei Terumī nodded, and Ao relayed the plan.

Ōnoki and Darui exchanged glances; the plan seemed feasible.

Ōnoki said gravely, ”Ao’s plan isn’t guaranteed, but it might force Konoha to compromise with minimal conflict.

We must unite. I’ll contact the neutral party, the Iron Country’s commander, Mifune, to convene a Kage Summit!”

On a remote cliff overlooking the sea, an ancient castle stood. Orochimaru and his subordinates were hidden inside.

”This is the Rinnegan’s power. Extraordinary. But if it weren’t for the Reanimation Jutsu on my body revealing that Hashirama cells stabilize the Rinnegan, I wouldn’t have transplanted it so easily!”

Orochimaru had been researching Rinnegan transplants. Initially, he faced many problems, the biggest being that the Rinnegan’s power exceeded his body’s control.

But his Reanimation Jutsu, created using Hashirama cell fusion liquid, allowed him to stabilize the Rinnegan, enabling the transplant.

Today, Orochimaru had successfully transplanted the Rinnegan, opening new avenues of power.

Seated on a stone throne, Orochimaru surveyed his subordinates. An invisible pressure made them tremble.

”Lord Orochimaru, our spies in Amegakure haven’t found Nagato. After we destroyed Akatsuki’s base, the members haven’t appeared,”

Kimimaro reported. Since Orochimaru had been researching the Rinnegan, Guren had gone to find Yukimaru, leaving Kimimaro in charge.

Orochimaru frowned. He’d escaped after taking a Rinnegan, but he knew a masked figure had also taken Nagato’s Rinnegan. Then it was reported that Nagato had escaped Konoha.

”Where’s the other Rinnegan?”

As Orochimaru pondered, he sensed someone approaching. Whoever found this place was dangerous.

”I hope they’re not too weak; I’d be disappointed!”

Orochimaru wanted to test the Rinnegan; this was perfect.

He went outside with Kimimaro and the Sound Four to find his guards killed.

Seeing the enemy, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his relaxed expression turning serious. He was shocked but remained calm.

It was Madara Uchiha and Zetsu. Orochimaru was shocked to see a Rinnegan in Madara’s eye socket.

”Orochimaru, you’re hard to find. A seaside villa in such a remote place,” Zetsu said smoothly.

”Zetsu, long time no see. Where’s the leader? And who’s this?”

Orochimaru smirked, ignoring Zetsu. His eyes were fixed on Madara.

Madara wore Sengoku-era armor. His aura alone showed he was powerful.

Only someone with immense power could have such an air of disdain.

Looking at Orochimaru, Madara said flatly, ”So it was a woman who tricked Nagato! Hand over my eye, and I’ll let you die whole.”

Orochimaru was using a woman’s body, though he’d disguised it. Madara saw through it.

Orochimaru laughed coldly, ”You took that eye from Nagato too, didn’t you? Give me your Rinnegan, and I’ll let you die whole.”

Madara laughed, killing intent flashing in his eyes as he walked toward Orochimaru.

”Since you don’t want to die whole, I’ll grant your wish. And that eye wasn’t Nagato’s; I gave it to him!”

Seeing Madara’s empty socket, Orochimaru understood. If Madara was the Rinnegan’s true owner, who was he?

”Who are you?” Orochimaru asked cautiously.

”Madara Uchiha.”

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