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Mastermind of the Akatsuki 266
🕑 Added 2024-12-17 05:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 266: Kitsuchi's Mission
Not long after Byakuya and Konan left, Kitsuchi led the Iwagakure ANBU to the outskirts of the training ground.
Even from several kilometers away, he could hear explosions booming intermittently and saw the blinding light of a Dust Release beam. His heart began to worry about the old man’s health.
Although the old man was one of the most powerful shinobi in the ninja world, his age was catching up to him. His stamina and reaction time were no longer what they used to be. If he were to face an entire foreign ANBU squad’s attack, there would still be a risk of him falling in battle.
On his way there, Kitsuchi saw the devastated land marked with deep craters caused by Dust Release.
His ominous premonition grew stronger. He feared something had happened to his father.
Upon reaching the massive training ground and seeing his father, Ōnoki, standing with Deidara, Kitsuchi finally sighed in relief.
It must have been the old man reprimanding Deidara for running off but using a lethal technique like Dust Release to discipline a child seemed a bit much. That could easily get someone killed.
Though he muttered this to himself, Kitsuchi dared not voice his thoughts aloud to his father.
Having grown up under a strong-willed father, Kitsuchi was used to Ōnoki making all the decisions. All he needed to do was follow his father’s plans.
Ōnoki noticed Kitsuchi and the others nearby. He turned to Deidara and said, “When we return, I won’t put you under house arrest. However, until you’ve gained the ability to protect yourself, I won’t allow you to leave the village again.”
Deidara nodded, then hopped onto a clay bird and flew back to Iwagakure.
Once Deidara left, Kitsuchi approached Ōnoki and asked, “Third Tsuchikage, were you sparring with Deidara just now? Half the village could hear the commotion here.”
Ōnoki shook his head, his gaze sharp as he replied, “I wasn’t sparring with Deidara. I encountered a powerful shinobi outside the village. We fought, but unfortunately, the match ended inconclusively.”
“A shinobi on equal footing with the Third Tsuchikage?” Kitsuchi’s expression was one of shock.
As an elite jōnin, he knew very well how strong his father was. While there were many shinobi in the ninja world with so-called Kage-level strength, none were his father’s match.
Yet today, outside Iwagakure, there appeared an opponent evenly matched with his father.
“The ninja world is filled with powerful shinobi. We can never let our guard down,” Ōnoki said sternly.
After a pause, he continued, “I have two tasks for you. Send people to carry them out tomorrow morning.”
“I await your orders, Third Tsuchikage,” Kitsuchi replied formally.
When it came to work, Kitsuchi preferred to address his father by his title, always maintaining a respectful distance.
Ōnoki glanced at his honest, straightforward son and sighed softly. “First, investigate the Land of Rain, particularly Amegakure and the Akatsuki organization’s strength. Second, look into Konoha’s Uchiha Clan. I want to know how deep their conflict with Konoha’s leadership runs.”
Kitsuchi nodded obediently, then respectfully followed Ōnoki and the others back to Iwagakure.
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Meanwhile, on the other side, Konan approached Byakuya.
Having just seen Byakuya and Ōnoki standing side by side, she was puzzled, “Byakuya, what happened back there? Why were you with the Third Tsuchikage?”
Byakuya replied casually, “I just fought with the Tsuchikage. Neither of us could do anything to the other, so we decided to call it a draw. Ōnoki doesn’t want to offend strong individuals like us.”
Konan was silent for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
Byakuya had recently fought the Fourth Raikage to a standstill, and now he had gone toe-to-toe with the Third Tsuchikage. It seemed Byakuya had truly become one of the ninja world’s peak powerhouses. If he weren’t, he wouldn’t have dared to provoke Iwagakure.
As for Byakuya claiming she also possessed Kage-level strength, Konan didn’t believe it.
She still had a long way to go before reaching that level.
At that moment, Byakuya’s face turned slightly mysterious as he said, “Of course, apart from fighting Ōnoki, I also discussed cooperation between our two villages with him.”
Konan paused in surprise and asked, “Did the Third Tsuchikage agree to cooperate?”
Byakuya shook his head lightly. “Ōnoki didn’t agree, but he didn’t refuse either. If we don’t offer enough benefits, it’ll be hard to convince this old veteran of the ninja world.”
Konan agreed with this assessment.
Cooperation between shinobi was only possible when the two sides were equally matched in power. Even then, it was difficult to satisfy both sides, let alone form any kind of alliance.
Suddenly, Konan thought of something and asked Byakuya, “Where are we headed next? You’re not planning to take another detour, are you?”
Byakuya looked slightly embarrassed. Unable to refute her, he simply reassured her, “This time, we won’t take a detour. Once we’ve arranged things with Kabuto and Nonō, we’ll head straight back to the village.”
After leaving the Iwagakure training grounds, Byakuya and Konan found Kabuto and Nonō in a hidden cave.
At that moment, Kabuto and Nonō were discussing the commotion outside. They were debating whether to go out and help Byakuya and Konan. Staying put was torture, but if they went outside, they might end up being a burden due to their lack of strength.
Hearing the conversation between Kabuto and Nonō, a faint smile appeared on Byakuya’s lips. Over the years, his efforts to cultivate Kabuto Yakushi had not been in vain. By now, his importance in Kabuto's heart might have even surpassed that of Orochimaru in the original timeline.
However, unlike that venomous snake Orochimaru, Byakuya had no plans of dying so easily, nor did he intend to fragment his soul.
The method of splitting one’s soul and dispersing it across the ninja world did enhance survival capabilities, but it also drastically reduced personal strength.
The reason was simple—chakra is the product of the fusion between physical energy and spiritual power.
Without a complete soul, no matter how strong the body is, it will still have defects. This is also why, despite mastering numerous cloning techniques, Orochimaru still relied on unorthodox powers when dealing with enemies.
With these thoughts in mind, Byakuya walked into the cave, deliberately making his entrance obvious.
Kabuto and Nonō turned around sharply, their senses on high alert. Seeing that it was Byakuya, they both breathed a sigh of relief. Kabuto immediately spoke, “Lord Byakuya, Lady Konan, it’s a relief that you’re unharmed.”
Byakuya let out a faint snort and replied, “Iwagakure is no match for me and Konan. After a friendly exchange with the Third Tsuchikage, he voluntarily let us go.”
Kabuto and Nonō were unsurprised by Byakuya’s display of power.
In their eyes, Byakuya was expected to possess such strength.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Byakuya turned to Kabuto and Nonō, his voice calm as he asked, “Back to the question from earlier. Nonō, do you intend to return to Konoha, wander the ninja world, or join the Akatsuki?”
Nonō, having long made up her mind, responded without hesitation, “Lord Byakuya, I am willing to join Amegakure and become a member of the Akatsuki.”
