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Mastermind of the Akatsuki 318
🕑 Added 2025-02-08 14:00:02 +0000 UTCChapter 318: Aftermath
The next morning.
As the shinobi of Sunagakure woke up and prepared to head to the Kazekage’s office to receive their missions, they were greeted by an unexpected scene.
The shinobi discovered that the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was not in the Kazekage's office. Instead, Chiyo and Ebizō, two retired elders, were temporarily managing the village's affairs.
Simultaneously, they noticed a fearsome and unfamiliar middle-aged man sitting in the Kazekage’s office.
The sight left the shinobi bewildered. They exchanged confused glances, unable to comprehend what had transpired. It wasn’t that they suspected the elders had usurped power and installed a puppet leader. After all, Rasa’s victory over Pakura in the election for Kazekage was largely due to the support of Chiyo and Ebizō.
With their experience and contributions, either elder could have easily taken the position of Kazekage themselves. But why was there now a completely unfamiliar ninja in the Kazekage’s office? Did something happen to the Fourth Kazekage? Had he left, or worse, faced some accident?
Soon, the shinobi received answers from their colleagues.
The previous night, a series of dramatic events unfolded in the village. These included the rampage of the Jinchūriki, the return of Sasori, and the revelation of the Fourth Kazekage’s collusion with Orochimaru.
In the end, after injuring Sunagakure’s Anbu, the Fourth Kazekage chose to flee the village.
The shocking news spread rapidly throughout the village, with shinobi eagerly gossiping under the pretense of secrecy, "I’ll tell you this, but don’t tell anyone else…”
Before long, the entire Sunagakure knew of the Fourth Kazekage’s departure.
Even Rasa, who was observing the village through his Third Eye, heard the rampant rumors. Furious, he crushed the sand-crafted eye in his hand.
"Where did these absurd rumors come from?” He thought to himself.
When did he ever attempt to harm the Jinchūriki? How could he have colluded with Orochimaru to kill the Third Kazekage? Sasori’s use of the puppetized Kazekage couldn’t possibly implicate him!
This was clearly Sasori’s conspiracy.
In hindsight, when he first heard rumors in the shinobi underworld about a mysterious puppet master, he should have issued bounties targeting puppet masters associated with Sunagakure to capture any suspected rogue ninja.
Calming himself, Rasa began strategizing his return to Sunagakure and expelling Sasori from the village.
First, he couldn’t openly re-enter Sunagakure. The accusations of his collaboration with Orochimaru and the attack on Chiyo and others were undeniable.
Reflecting on the events, he still didn’t understand why he lost his composure and attacked Baki and the others.
Second, he needed to find evidence proving Sasori’s role in assassinating the Third Kazekage. Only with solid proof could he reclaim his authority as Kazekage and pursue Sasori of the Red Sand.
As Rasa pondered his next steps, a desert viper slithered toward him.
Noticing the snake, Rasa hurled a rock at it. The snake was enveloped in a cloud of white smoke, transforming into Orochimaru. Rasa’s expression darkened upon recognizing Orochimaru.
Orochimaru approached him with a sly smile. “Kazekage-dono, I’ve heard about what transpired yesterday.”
“Sasori of the Red Sand infiltrated Sunagakure in your absence and carried out a series of vicious schemes. Not only did he frame us for the death of the Third Kazekage, but he also managed to secure a position as acting Kazekage.”
Rasa’s face remained cold as he sneered, “Do you think Sasori could have managed all that on his own? Your involvement was pivotal in this mess. If not for your meddling, I wouldn’t be in this precarious situation.”
“You suspect me of collaborating with Sasori to frame you?” Orochimaru feigned innocence before continuing, “If that were the case, why didn’t I team up with Sasori last night to eliminate you? Do you genuinely believe that Sasori and I, together, wouldn’t have the strength to kill you?”
Rasa fell silent. Orochimaru wasn’t wrong—he wasn’t a match for both Orochimaru and Sasori combined.
However, if the two hadn’t planned together...
Why did Orochimaru and Sasori appear near Sunagakure at the same time, and why did Sasori choose to act precisely when Rasa left the village? The coincidence was too striking.
Rasa frowned and asked, “Even if I were to believe your explanation, what are you doing here now?”
With a cold snort, he continued, “I am no longer the Kazekage. The ore you procured can no longer be delivered as promised. Our cooperation has ended.”
Orochimaru shook his head and replied cryptically, “Kazekage-dono, I believe our partnership hasn’t ended. In fact, it’s only just beginning…”
Rasa’s gaze flickered, focusing intently on Orochimaru.
Orochimaru continued, “Sasori is just an ordinary puppet master. He has no experience managing a shinobi village. Even if he becomes Kazekage, he won’t be able to secure the funds necessary to keep Sunagakure running.”
The statement gave Rasa pause, and he nodded before realizing something was amiss. He quickly countered, “Orochimaru, the Kazekage puppet is in Sasori’s possession. He has the same ability to extract ore as I do. I cannot agree with your assessment.”
Orochimaru sighed softly, gazing at Rasa with a look of pity.
Rasa was momentarily taken aback before hearing a voice behind him.
“Rasa, why can’t you just be a bit more naive and let yourself be deceived? I’ve already given you plenty of leeway. If it weren’t for the rarity of your Magnet Release ability, I wouldn’t have spared your life. Do you really think you’ve survived thus far on your own merits?”
Startled, Rasa turned around.
On a nearby rock stood a young man, one hand resting on his hip while holding a black rod in the other. He looked down at Rasa lazily.
“Who are you?” Rasa demanded, his expression tense.
He then turned to Orochimaru. “Orochimaru, who is this man? Is he one of your subordinates?”
Orochimaru didn’t respond to Rasa. Instead, he bowed respectfully to the young man and said, “Byakuya-sama, I’ve done as you instructed and tried to persuade Rasa. Unfortunately, he’s too foolish to see his future.”
“Byakuya-sama…” Rasa’s mind raced.
A ninja whom even Orochimaru would address as “sama (Lord)”? Not even the Third Hokage of Konohagakure could command such deference. Who was this person, and why was he targeting both Rasa and Sunagakure?
If Orochimaru served this man, did that mean Sasori was also his subordinate?
The name "Byakuya" struck a chord in Rasa’s memory. Wasn’t that the name of the head of the Amegakure Anbu?
Byakuya glanced at Rasa without wasting any words. He attacked immediately.
In an instant, Byakuya appeared behind Rasa and unleashed a Wood Release jutsu. A forest surged from the desert sands, engulfing the Fourth Kazekage completely.
