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Mastermind of the Akatsuki 119
🕑 Added 2024-08-15 15:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 119: Master and Apprentice Reunited
Soon after leaving the Land of Rain, a team of ninjas wearing animal masks blocked the path of the delegation.
Byakuya looked at the team in front of him, frowned, and said, “These people aren’t from Konoha trying to attack us, are they? I’ll go over and kill them all.”
“Byakuya, don’t be so hasty…”
Konan said this, but she was already preparing for battle. Her clothes gradually transformed into explosive tags, ready to be fired at any moment.
Seeing the delegation’s readiness for combat, Gaku Inuzuka appeared somewhat flustered. Removing his mask, Gaku quickly took out his forehead protector, symbolizing his identity, and explained, “Don’t act rashly. We are members of the Anbu under the Hokage, tasked with escorting the delegation to the village.”
Only then did Byakuya sheath his weapon and walk up to Gaku, smiling lightly as he said, “So you’re from the Hokage’s Anbu. Are you under the Third Hokage or the Fourth Hokage?”
Noticing the hostility in Byakuya’s demeanor, Gaku instinctively took a half-step back, then straightened up and said, “Please don’t ask further. I am from Konoha’s Anbu and follow the Hokage’s orders.”
“Very good, that’s a perfect answer. I’m even more interested in this exchange now.”
Byakuya glanced at Gaku, then slowly moved back to stand behind Yahiko and Konan. He roughly guessed the identity of this Konoha Anbu member and had reasons to give Yahiko and Konan a hint.
After Byakuya stepped back, Gaku appeared somewhat at a loss.
Seeing this, Yahiko sighed lightly, started his performance by apologizing for Byakuya’s rudeness, and then began to subtly probe into the current situation in Konoha.
Back in the team, Yahiko and Konan focused on Byakuya.
Byakuya’s recent actions were quite reckless and could easily damage the relations between Konoha and Amegakure. However, Byakuya was not the kind of ninja to act frivolously, so his actions must have had a deeper meaning.
Byakuya didn’t hide anything and spoke directly, “Although the leader of Konoha’s team is a jōnin, his strength is only slightly better than a chunin, and the other members are only of average chunin level.”
Byakuya smiled before continuing,
“There are two possible reasons why the Fourth Hokage sent such ninjas to greet us. The first possibility is that the Fourth Hokage is underestimating us and deliberately has sent these weaklings to humiliate us. The second possibility is that these are his strongest subordinates.
I lean towards the second possibility. The Fourth Hokage doesn’t have many capable subordinates. This invitation for an exchange is likely an attempt to win us over, so Yahiko, when you negotiate, try to secure more benefits for the village.”
After hearing Byakuya’s analysis, both Yahiko and Konan were somewhat surprised.
Byakuya had deduced so much information from just encountering the Konoha Anbu—his analytical skills were astonishing.
However, knowing this in advance was also beneficial.
Even among close relatives, clear accounts must be kept, let alone when representing Konoha and Amegakure. It would be impossible for Amegakure to bear unilateral costs.
After a brief discussion, Yahiko and the others did not waste time. Under the escort of the Anbu, they continued their journey.
---
After spending a week traveling across much of the Land of Fire, the delegation finally arrived at Konoha’s city limits.
Standing on the outskirts of the city, Byakuya saw the iconic buildings of Konoha.
Konoha's landmark structures are twofold: the Hokage Rock and the Valley of the End statues.
The Hokage Rock represents the past Hokages who silently watch over the village, while the Valley of the End statues symbolize the reconciliation between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, the two legendary figures whose accord founded Konoha.
As the delegation entered Konoha's main gate, Byakuya felt the unique prosperity and tranquility of the village.
Though not as bustling as the great cities of his past life, Konoha stood out among the ninja world for its distinct peace, the air filled with a serene aura unlike the musty smell of Amegakure.
Returning his gaze from the surroundings, Byakuya looked ahead at the welcoming party.
The reception team from Konoha included many high-ranking officials, such as the Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and two elder advisors.
Although Amegakure wasn’t one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, it stood out among the smaller ninja villages.
Upon seeing Yahiko and Konan, the Fourth Hokage remained composed, but Jiraiya could hardly contain his excitement. If the occasion hadn’t been so solemn, he would have rushed to embrace his former student.
Yahiko was also somewhat excited, as he hadn’t seen Jiraiya in many years.
Despite the long separation, Jiraiya’s appearance seemed unchanged, while Yahiko had grown from a war orphan into the leader of Amegakure.
After exchanging pleasantries with the Fourth Hokage, Yahiko and Konan moved to Jiraiya’s side, creating a touching scene of reunion.
Byakuya had little interest in the emotional reunion and instead focused on sensing the chakra levels of those present.
The chakra of Minato Namikaze and the Third Hokage far exceeded that of a typical jōnin, comparable to that of the Uzumaki clan members. This was a fundamental aspect of their strength.
However, Byakuya was somewhat surprised to find that Jiraiya's chakra was not as abundant. Did Jiraiya have a technique to hide his chakra, possibly related to Mount Myoboku's powers?
Nevertheless, these details were secondary, as Byakuya had already sensed Kushina Uzumaki’s chakra.
Kushina’s chakra was slightly less than his own, but the presence of the Nine-Tails’ chakra within her was enormous. Despite the sealing technique masking it, it was still strikingly prominent.
Refocusing his attention, Byakuya shifted his gaze from the shadow-level figures to others.
Recruiting high-level shinobi was challenging and costly; finding and recruiting potential candidates was often a more cost-effective approach.
At this moment, Konoha was not without promising prospects.
Just then, Byakuya detected a malicious gaze. Following it, he saw a figure wrapped in bandages hiding in the shadows—Danzo Shimura.
Without hesitation, Byakuya met Danzo’s gaze directly and offered a friendly smile.
Upon realizing he had been spotted, Danzo frowned. He hadn’t wanted to meet the delegation but couldn’t resist observing their arrival, especially looking for Byakuya.
Danzo had been opposed to the idea of exchanging with Amegakure from the start. On one hand, he feared his actions against Akatsuki might be exposed. On the other, he was wary of Byakuya possibly infiltrating the delegation to undermine Konoha.
Byakuya’s open appearance within the delegation left Danzo unsettled.
He was unsure whether Byakuya was secretly executing a plan to sabotage Konoha or merely making a public appearance.
Regardless, Danzo could not allow Byakuya to roam Konoha unchecked.
