316-320

*Chapter 316: Aizen’s Fury*

“I know what you're worried about,” Tsunade said, standing up and gazing out of the window. "I just want to understand what’s going through that guy's mind. Why would he do something like this?"

Jiraiya tried to reason with her. "You don’t need to take such a risk. I can go instead."

“That guy did say, the next time we meet, he won’t hold back against anyone except you, Aizen, and a select few.”

“But let’s not forget, I’m technically his brother-in-law. As long as I don’t provoke him, he won’t go for the kill.”

"Fine," Tsunade turned back, a sly smile appearing on her face. "But the Five Kage Summit has invited the Hokage of the Leaf. If you take over as the Sixth Hokage, I'll agree to let you go."

“No room for negotiation, huh?” Jiraiya gave a wry smile. He knew that if he truly accepted the Sixth Hokage position, Tsunade would waste no time taking Aizen to find their father.

Things would only spiral out of control then.

“What do you think?” Tsunade countered with a mischievous smile. Then her tone turned serious. "In any case, the Leaf is now in your hands. And keep a close eye on Naruto."

"I think this time, no matter if it's Aizen or Sasuke, Naruto will be deeply affected."

---

Meanwhile, at Ichiraku Ramen.

Iruka was treating Naruto to his usual meal.

"Hey Naruto, as the hero who saved the Leaf, here's something special for you—Ichiraku's Deluxe Ramen! I added extra fish cakes, bamboo shoots, and naruto rolls. Enjoy!"

Teuchi handed Naruto a massive bowl of ramen with a cheerful grin.

"Thanks a lot, Teuchi-ossan!" Naruto clasped his hands together before breaking apart his chopsticks. "Time to dig in!"

Iruka sat nearby, resting his cheek on his hand, quietly watching Naruto devour the meal. A fatherly smile of pride spread across his face.

“What’s up, Iruka-sensei?” Naruto asked, noticing his teacher’s gaze.

Iruka shook his head with a soft smile. “Nothing, just thinking how time flies. The mischievous kid I used to know is now a hero recognized by the village.”

"Hehe," Naruto scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. “Speaking of which, I owe a lot to Aizen-nii this time.”

“If it weren’t for him using genjutsu to disrupt Pain’s senses, forcing that destructive technique to land outside the Leaf, and for returning Pervy Sage’s body to the village...

"Even if I defeated Pain, the Leaf would have been destroyed, and Pervy Sage wouldn’t have been revived.”

“Aizen, huh?” Iruka’s expression grew thoughtful as he recalled a recent encounter with some Cloud ninjas.

From their conversation, Iruka had learned that Aizen and Sasuke had captured the Eight-Tails.

Teuchi, overhearing Naruto’s words, became visibly more excited. “Wait, did you say Aizen? You’ve seen that kid?”

“No, we didn’t.” Naruto shook his head, puzzled. “Why, Teuchi-ossan, do you know Aizen-nii?”

“Ah, that’s from a long time ago,” Teuchi said, his face full of nostalgia. “He used to be a regular here. Do you remember? He even treated you to ramen once when you were a kid, especially during New Year when you were five. He paid for your meals that entire holiday.”

"Of course I remember! I could never forget that." Naruto's face lit up with excitement.

Teuchi sighed. “It’s just a shame what happened later... If only that incident hadn’t occurred...”

The ramen shop fell silent.

Suddenly, an angry voice cut through the stillness.

“I overheard you talking about Fujiwara Aizen. Tell me everything you know about him.”

The entrance curtain was slashed open, and a dark-skinned kunoichi stepped inside.

She wielded a blade in one hand, pointing it directly at Naruto. The pure white blade was mere inches from his shoulder.

Behind her stood another dark-skinned ninja, chewing on a lollipop and wearing a grim expression.

They were none other than Killer Bee’s students—Karui and Omoi.

“That forehead protector...” Iruka gasped and shouted a warning. “Naruto, they’re Cloud ninja!”

“Cloud ninja?” Naruto’s face hardened. He’d matured after his battle with Pain and didn’t act impulsively. “Why are you here in the Leaf?”

Karui snapped, “We’re here for intel on Fujiwara Aizen—his ninjutsu, chakra nature, everything. And also about Uchiha Sasuke.”

Omoi added, “Those two rogues from your village kidnapped our master. We have to avenge him!”

“So not just Aizen-nii, but Sasuke too...” Naruto took a deep breath, then gestured toward the door. “Why don’t we talk somewhere else?”

“No can do,” Karui retorted. “That ramen shop owner seems to know Aizen. Nobody leaves until we get the information we need!”

Karui’s aggression left Naruto torn. He couldn’t risk a fight that might harm Iruka or Teuchi.

Just as the tension reached its peak, a melodious voice suddenly rang out.

“What if I insist on them leaving?”

Everyone turned in shock to find a girl standing silently atop Karui’s shoulder as if she’d always been there.

She was breathtaking, with a cold elegance and delicate, ethereal beauty. She wore a moon-white ninja uniform, her neck adorned with a Leaf forehead protector.

Golden hair flowed around her face, framing a strong yet graceful figure. The metallic gleam of her forehead protector shimmered in the breeze, exuding an air of noble authority.

It was none other than Aizen and Tsunade’s daughter, Chika.

“Damn it, when did she get there?” Karui and Omoi cursed inwardly.

Karui swung her blade upward, aiming to strike Chika. Omoi drew his weapon to guard against Naruto and Iruka.

“We’re in the Leaf! Don’t actually hit her!” Omoi warned.

“I know, stop nagging!” Karui snarled, flipping her blade to use the blunt side.

But before she could swing, an immense force pressed down on her shoulders.

With a thud, Karui was pinned to the ground by Chika.

“So this is the strength of Cloud ninja? How unimpressive,” Chika said coldly.

She pressed her foot slightly harder, and with a crack, Karui’s shoulder dislocated, forcing her to drop her blade.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 317: The Five Kage Summit (Part 1)

“Ah, you bastard! Let me go!”

Karui roared furiously, struggling against the pain in her shoulder. However, the agony kept her grounded, stripping her of the strength to resist.

Omoi’s eyes widened in shock, his pupils constricting sharply. “Karui!” Ignoring Naruto and Iruka nearby, he flipped his sword around and slashed at Chika.

Clang!  

A familiar scene unfolded again as Chika caught Omoi’s blade effortlessly with a single hand.

“This… how is this possible? Barehanded…?” Omoi’s pupils dilated in disbelief, his face reflecting utter shock. He hadn’t held back, especially after seeing his comrade injured.

Chika gripped the blade firmly, his expression cold as he mocked, “You Cloud Ninja really are pathetic. No wonder the rogue ninjas from our village have wreaked so much havoc on you.”

“Damn it! Don’t underestimate the Cloud!” Enraged, Omoi pulled his blade free, stepped back, and lunged forward again, slashing toward Chika with lightning speed.

Boom!  

Another dull impact resounded. This time, apart from Naruto, no one present could discern Chika’s movements.

When the dust settled, Omoi was lying on the ground, his weapon now in Chika’s hand. His head was pinned to the ground under Chika’s foot, leaving him utterly subdued.

“Omoi!” Karui, clutching her dislocated shoulder, struggled to stand. “Who… who are you?”

Before she could finish, Chika pressed the blade to her throat. Stepping on Omoi’s head as if he were a defeated stray dog, Chika said coldly, “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that? You’re Cloud Ninja, trespassing in our village and attacking Leaf Ninja and residents unprovoked.”

“I could kill you both right here, and the Raikage wouldn’t dare say a word. Didn’t your village try to kidnap Hinata back during the Third Hokage’s reign? You even killed her uncle, Hizashi Hyuga. I’d say you owe a life in return.”

With those words, Chika raised the blade, preparing to strike Karui down. Her eyes shut tightly as she braced for death.

At that moment, unsurprisingly, Naruto’s protective nature kicked in.

He clasped his hands together, intercepting Chika’s blade. “Stop, Chika! They only acted this way because their teacher was taken!”

“And?” Chika asked flatly, clearly unimpressed. Were it not for her respect for Naruto’s genuine affection for his father and his hapless brother Sasuke, she wouldn’t have even entertained his plea.

“Leave it to me. I’ll resolve this,” Naruto insisted, tossing the blade aside earnestly.

“You’ll resolve it?” Chika’s tone was scornful. “Let me guess—you’ll beg for forgiveness in the name of stopping the cycle of hatred? Let them beat you up to vent their anger?”

Naruto hesitated, caught off guard by her spot-on assessment. “How does she know my plan?”

But then he steeled himself. “No. I’ll offer to help them rescue their teacher as a condition.”

“Suit yourself.” Chika relented, recognizing his intent to protect his father and Sasuke. Turning back to Omoi and Karui, she warned them sternly, “You two—”

“Yes, I’m talking to you, idiots. If either of you lays a hand on any Leaf Ninja again, I’ll kill you on the spot.”

“Don’t think I won’t notice. I’m a sensory-type ninja. The moment your chakra shifts, I’ll know.”

With that, Chika disappeared into the street.

“Hey, Omoi! Are you okay?” Karui, wincing from her injury, struggled to help Omoi to his feet.

“I’ll… survive,” Omoi panted, his head still spinning from Chika’s attack.

Karui glared at Naruto. “Don’t think you’ve resolved this just because you saved us! I’ll report everything to the Raikage!”

“Do as you like,” Naruto replied, exhaling deeply. “Now, can we talk properly?”

---

*At the Hidden Sand Village.*

The village gates buzzed with activity as villagers and shinobi gathered to bid farewell to their Kazekage and his escort.

“Kankuro, you’re late!” Temari, one of the Kazekage’s guards, scowled at her brother.

She and Kankuro had been assigned to protect Gaara as he traveled to the Land of Iron to attend the Five Kage Summit, convened by the Raikage and chaired by Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron.

“I couldn’t help it,” Kankuro defended, adjusting the puppet scroll strapped to his back. “I needed time to assemble my new puppet.”

With a nod to the Sand villagers cheering them on, Kankuro turned to Temari, his expression serious. “This summit was called because the Akatsuki kidnapped the Raikage’s brother, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer Bee.”

“And the ones responsible,” Temari added grimly, “are Fujiwara Aizen and Uchiha Sasuke.”

“Sasuke… and the monster who killed our father,” Gaara murmured, the siblings picturing Aizen’s menacing figure.

It had been three years since their last encounter. Though they had grown stronger, the memory of Aizen single-handedly defeating Konoha’s elite—including Kakashi, Might Guy, and Asuma—still haunted them.

Even Elder Chiyo, the Sand’s most experienced ninja, had returned from facing Aizen shaken and silent. She resumed her peaceful retirement, advising only, “If you encounter Fujiwara Aizen, don’t fight. Don’t meet. Just run. Even as a Kage, fleeing is no shame.”  

“Gaara…” Temari’s voice betrayed her worry as she looked at her brother.

Understanding her concern, Gaara gave her a reassuring glance. “Let’s go.”

This summit wasn’t just about meeting the other Kage. Gaara intended to warn them of the Akatsuki’s threat and protect his only true friend, Naruto Uzumaki.

---

*Meanwhile, in the Hidden Stone Village.*

A similar scene unfolded as the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, and his two guards prepared to depart.

“Good grief…” Onoki grumbled. “At my age, attending a summit is hard enough without lugging all this baggage. You two could stand to be more considerate of an old man!”

He glared at his guards, Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi, who exchanged exasperated looks.

*Chapter 318: The Five Kage Summit (Part 2)*

“Heh heh,” Kurotsuchi chuckled, gloatingly saying, “Then why not let the Tsuchikage give up Iwagakure’s honored position? Just look at Sunagakure—their current Kazekage is only sixteen.”

“A snot-nosed brat, nothing more. Speaking of Sunagakure, they’re truly a disgrace. Even their own Kazekage was killed by the Akatsuki,” Onoki sneered, clearly relishing the thought.

“Killed by the Akatsuki?” Kurotsuchi was startled. “Wasn’t it Orochimaru who killed him?”

“Nope, Kurotsuchi,” Akatsuchi explained, “That Orochimaru, who died at the hands of the Uchiha, was just a clown. The real one who killed the Fourth Kazekage was Aizen Fujiwara.”

“I recall you fought that Aizen Fujiwara once, didn’t you, Kurotsuchi? What kind of person is he?”

“Don’t even mention him!” At the mention of Aizen, Kurotsuchi’s face turned bright red. She could never forget the scene where he touched her thigh and jokingly called her the ‘Leg Kage.’

It was unforgettable—engraved in her memory. She ground her teeth in fury, wishing she could eat him alive, strip his skin, and hang him up for a beating.

Even so, the grudge in her heart wouldn’t be satisfied.

“Grandpa, speaking of which, isn’t the Akatsuki’s goal the tailed beasts? Why would Aizen Fujiwara kill the Fourth Kazekage?”

“Who knows? Including that incompetent brat Deidara, the Akatsuki is a group of S-class rogue ninjas from across the ninja world. They’re impossible to figure out with common sense.”

As Onoki turned around and bent to bow, he heard a cracking sound, immediately followed by a scream.

“Ah!” He had thrown out his back.

---

*Kirigakure.*

The elder Genji, holding a snake-headed staff and sharing equal power with the Mizukage, handed over the Mizukage’s ceremonial hat to the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi. He said kindly, “Well then, Mei... Oh no, Mizukage-sama, this time the Five Kage Summit is in your hands.”

“Leave it to me, Elder Genji. I’ll stake my title as Mizukage on completing the mission.” Mei took the hat and raised it above her head. “Haku, Ao, let’s go.”

“Yes, sensei (Mizukage-sama),” the two responded respectfully, following closely behind.

Indeed, the Haku saved by Aizen three years ago in the Land of Waves had taken the place of Chojuro in the original story, becoming one of Mei Terumi’s bodyguards alongside the Byakugan-wielding assassin, Ao.

Not only that, with the power of his Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, Haku had found new meaning in life after Zabuza’s death. Over the past three years, he had shone brightly in Kirigakure.

His strength and contributions had earned widespread recognition and praise.

Now, he was Mei Terumi’s disciple and was being groomed to be the Sixth Mizukage.

This time, besides escorting the Mizukage to the Five Kage Summit, another objective was to showcase Kirigakure’s strength to the other nations, proving that the Mist Village had recovered from the bloody mist era.

“Is something troubling you, Haku?” Mei noticed Haku’s gloomy demeanor and asked curiously.

“It’s nothing, sensei,” Haku shook his head, hesitant to speak, though his grip on his bag was visibly tight.

Seeing his expression, Mei immediately understood. She whispered, “Are you worried about him?”

By him, she naturally meant Aizen, the man who stole her first kiss when they first met.

Over the past six or seven years, he had repeatedly harassed her, each time going further, until, in a half-resisted, half-consenting manner, he had ultimately succeeded in making her his.

Every time Mei thought about it, she would grind her teeth in anger.

Yet she was powerless.

In the past six months, however, the Akatsuki’s frequent activities—capturing tailed beasts—had made him stay away, no longer coming to bother her.

But instead of feeling relieved, Mei had grown restless and anxious.

She began to overthink, wondering if he had grown tired of her or found someone new.

If not for the frequent news about Aizen in the ninja world, she might have thought he was already dead.

Amid these conflicting emotions, Mei realized she had completely fallen for him.

Perhaps this was love born of time.

Of course, Mei herself would never admit it.

To outsiders, and even to Haku, she still feigned disgust at the mere mention of Aizen’s name, wishing she could tear him apart.

Hearing Mei’s question, Haku nodded quietly. “Sensei, do you think Aizen-sama will be okay?”

“Who knows? After stirring up so much trouble and kidnapping the Raikage’s brother with the Uchiha, he’d deserve it if he got killed,” Mei said, turning her flushed face away with a tsundere tone.

Sensei really is as contradictory as ever, Haku thought, smiling wryly.

Unbeknownst to Mei, Haku had long been aware of her and Aizen’s secret. He had even eavesdropped on their conversations—deliberately orchestrated by Aizen.

---

*Kumogakure.*

In the Raikage’s office:

“Darui, Shi... time to leave. Follow me!”

The Raikage smashed through his office window, heading rapidly toward the Land of Iron.

After nearly two weeks of healing and rest, Darui and Shi, now recovered, were ready to serve as the Raikage’s bodyguards.

---

*Konohagakure.*

In the Hokage’s office:

“Well, it’s time for us to leave as well. Chika, you can’t act out this time. If you do, I won’t take you next time,” Tsunade said sternly, putting on the Hokage hat and looking at her mischievous daughter, Chika, who had just beaten up two Kumogakure ninja.

“Don’t worry, Mom. Once we’re there, I’ll do everything you say,” Chika said, blinking her big, innocent eyes.

But in her mind, she added, Of course, if I meet Dad, that’s a different story.

“I hope so.” Tsunade turned to Shizune. “What about Kakashi?”

“He’s been delayed by something related to Naruto. He said he’ll meet you at the village gate,” Shizune replied.

“Naruto, huh. None of them ever let me rest easy,” Tsunade sighed, then looked to Jiraiya. “The village is in your hands.”

“Don’t worry,” Jiraiya nodded solemnly. “Go and come back soon.”

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 319: The Current State of Sasuke

*At the Gates of Konoha Village*

Tsunade and Chika, ready to set off, encountered Kakashi, who had been waiting for them. Alongside him were Naruto, Yamato, and Karin.

Wherever Naruto went, Yamato and Karin, capable of suppressing the Nine-Tails within him, followed closely. This had become the norm in Konoha.

The only exception had been during Pain’s attack on Konoha when Aizen’s intervention prevented them from stepping in.

When Tsunade arrived, Kakashi and the others scratched the back of their heads awkwardly.

“Kakashi, Naruto, Yamato, Karin?” Tsunade crossed her arms, her face a mix of suspicion and amusement. “Out with it. What’s going on here?”

At her words, the four exchanged uneasy glances. Avoiding eye contact, they finally turned to Kakashi.

Among them, only Yamato was without ulterior motives. Naruto wanted to meet the Raikage, Kakashi aimed to support Naruto as his student and Minato’s son, while Karin harbored hopes of seeing the Aizen she admired so deeply.

“Ahaha... Well, you see, Lady Tsunade,” Kakashi laughed awkwardly. “Naruto just had a conversation with the two Kumo emissaries and learned about Aizen and Sasuke. Now, he wants to meet the Raikage. Fortunately, Yamato has already placed Wood-Release seeds on those Kumo ninja to track them.”

Kakashi’s nervous laugh betrayed his anxiety—whether over his presumptuousness or fear of Tsunade’s rejection. A rejection would ruin their plan.

“As I thought,” Tsunade sighed helplessly, then smiled brightly as she delivered her refusal: “Absolutely not.”

“Why not, Granny Tsunade? Please?” Naruto pleaded unusually, his wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

If this were a cute girl, few could refuse such a look.

But Naruto... No.

Tsunade smacked him on the head. “Let me finish talking first!” A large lump formed on his head.

“Kakashi needs to accompany me to the Five Kage Summit. You’re a prime target of the Akatsuki, and I can’t trust just Yamato and Karin to handle your safety.”

Tsunade turned to Kakashi. “What’s the status of Guy’s team?”

“They’re recovering,” Kakashi replied. “Neji, Tenten, and Lee were under Aizen’s genjutsu but have healed. Guy was more severely injured and needs more time.”

Tsunade nodded thoughtfully. “Then I, as the Fifth Hokage, order Team Guy and Team Eight to temporarily join forces with Yamato and Karin. Together, they will escort Naruto to meet the Raikage. Yamato will serve as the team captain due to Guy’s injuries and Kurenai’s absence. Gather at the village gates in thirty minutes.”

“Thanks, Granny Tsunade!” Naruto beamed, grabbing Karin and Yamato as he dashed off to assemble the team.

“That boy is as energetic as ever,” Tsunade said with a smile, watching them leave.

“That’s Naruto for you,” Kakashi chuckled. “By the way, Lady Tsunade, it’s been a while since I’ve seen Kurenai. Is she on vacation?”

“She’s been on leave for months,” Tsunade sighed, gazing at the sky.

She couldn’t bring herself to admit the truth—Kurenai was pregnant, and like herself, carrying Aizen’s child.

---

*A Dark Stone Chamber in the Land of Hot Springs*

“Finally healed. A squad without a medical ninja is a hassle,” Suigetsu grumbled, flexing his arms as he removed his bandages.

“There’s no helping it. Jūgo replied calmly. “Jirōbō was captured by Konoha long before we encountered Itachi.”

Suigetsu snorted. “Jirōbō was useless anyway—always gambling and contributing nothing. A waste of space.”

“Don’t be so harsh,” Jūgo chided. “At least he didn’t betray us.”

Clicking his tongue, Suigetsu turned his gaze to the shadowy figure at the stone staircase’s end. “Sasuke, are you fully recovered yet?”

“Yes,” came Sasuke’s cold reply. His crimson Sharingan glowed as he rose, heading for the exit.

“Where are you going?” Suigetsu asked in surprise.

“To find a comrade skilled in sensing and medical ninjutsu,” Sasuke said, pausing briefly. “Then to Konoha.”

“Konoha?” Suigetsu blinked. “Aren’t you waiting for that masked man? Didn’t you say your goal was to kill that Dan-whatever guy in the Akatsuki?”

“Danzo,” Sasuke corrected, his Sharingan flashing with icy resolve. “I’ve waited long enough. Before the Fifth Hokage’s regime solidifies, I’ll target the remaining two high-ranking Konoha officials who aided in my clan’s massacre.”

Though Danzo’s whereabouts were unclear, Sasuke intended to eliminate the others first.

But Sasuke’s true aim lay deeper—to destroy Konoha itself, the village that sacrificed the Uchiha for its false peace.

This secret he had shared only with Obito. To maintain his team’s loyalty, he disguised his vengeance as a quest against Konoha’s leaders.

Suigetsu sighed. “Whatever. Guess I’ll stick with you and see this through.”

Jūgo added, “Your will is the continuation of Kimimaro’s. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.”

Sasuke smirked faintly. “Then let’s go. Destination: Konoha.”

The trio stepped out of the cave, but their path was soon blocked by a lone figure in the forest ahead.

*(To be continued...)*

*Chapter 320: The Ultimate Mastery of Tiangang Technique*

“Yo, Sasuke, it’s been a while. Looks like you’ve fully recovered from the injuries you got fighting the Eight-Tails.”

The speaker, clad in a black robe with red clouds and wearing a swirling mask, was none other than Tobi.

“It’s you?” Sasuke frowned and coldly asked, “How did you know we were here?”

“Don’t underestimate me.” Tobi narrowed his eyes slightly. “I have my ways.”

“So, are you here to hand Danzo over to me?” Sasuke asked indifferently.

“No.” Tobi shrugged. “To be honest, Sasuke, I’m disappointed in you. Aizen blocked reinforcements from the Raikage and even stopped a Tailed Beast Bomb that could’ve killed you all.”

“What do you mean by that?” Sasuke asked, confused.

Suigetsu, standing behind Sasuke, asked in puzzlement, “Does that mean the Eight-Tails we fought wasn’t real?”

“It wasn’t,” Tobi said. “You failed. The person you brought back was just an octopus clone. So, Sasuke, you didn’t fulfill your end of our deal.”

“An octopus clone?” Sasuke’s mind raced back to the moment he cut off one of the Eight-Tails’ tentacles.

“Seems like you’ve remembered,” Tobi remarked. “But don’t worry. I’m not here to blame you. In fact, we can still proceed with our deal, as long as you…”

“Not interested.” Sasuke’s gaze grew icy. “Move aside.”

“As one of the masterminds behind the Uchiha massacre, you’re not interested?” Tobi sounded surprised.

“Of course I am,” Sasuke replied, “but how can you prove Danzo is actually in your hands?”

Sasuke had grown more cautious. If Tobi provided Danzo’s location or brought him forth, Sasuke would strike immediately, disregarding any deal with Tobi. Conversely, if there was no proof, he’d wait.

“I can’t prove it. Danzo has been with Aizen this whole time,” Tobi admitted after a brief pause. Looks like Sasuke has gotten smarter, he thought.

“In that case, there’s no point. That twisted guy wouldn’t hand Danzo over to me so easily anyway.” Sasuke shrugged, then turned serious. “Get out of my way.”

“I can’t do that. Perhaps you haven’t heard while you’ve been recovering—Konoha has already been destroyed. My subordinate, Pain, leveled it to the ground. Even if you went there now, you’d only find ruins.”

This was a lie. Tobi needed Sasuke to go to the Land of Iron and disrupt the Five Kage Summit.

“And if I insist on going?” Sasuke’s gaze grew colder.

“Then I’ll have no choice but to fight you here,” Tobi threatened.

Sasuke didn’t respond further. Instead, a crackling bolt of lightning appeared in his hand. With a chirping sound, he lunged at Tobi with his Chidori. The attack passed through Tobi as if he were a ghost.

“So, it completely passed through him. Is this his ability?” Sasuke turned to stare at Tobi, his mind racing.

“Have you calmed down now? Then let’s get back to the topic,” Tobi said.

“Because Pain overdid it, and Aizen injured the Raikage and his guards, forcing them to kneel and humiliating the Hidden Cloud Village, the Five Great Nations are holding a Kage Summit,” Tobi explained.

“One of the attendees is the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade.”

“You should see the opportunity here. Kill the Hokage, and I’ll have Aizen hand over Danzo to you. It’s a win-win situation.”

“Heh.” Sasuke smirked mockingly. “That Aizen, with power to dominate the entire ninja world, would listen to you? Don’t make me laugh.”

“It’s not about orders. It’s cooperation. We share the same goal: reshaping the ninja world,” Tobi replied, his tone persuasive. “So, what do you say?”

“The Kage Summit—Tsunade will only bring two bodyguards. There won’t be a better chance than this.”

“If you agree to attack her, whether you succeed or not, I’ll hand Danzo over to you afterward as a gift.”

After a brief silence, Sasuke closed his eyes, considering the proposal. Finally, he replied coldly, “You’d better keep your promise. If you lie to me or fail to deliver Danzo, I’ll kill you on the spot.”

“Of course.” Tobi tilted his head slightly. “Zetsu, come out.”

“What a talkative guy you are, Tobi,” came a voice as a giant Venus flytrap emerged from a nearby tree, revealing Black Zetsu.

“White Zetsu, guide Sasuke to the Kage Summit,” Tobi instructed.

“Got it!” White Zetsu separated from Black Zetsu and led Team Taka away.

“Looks like things went smoothly on your end,” Black Zetsu remarked as Sasuke vanished.

“Of course. Sending White Zetsu’s clone to guide Sasuke to the Land of Iron was always part of the plan,” Tobi replied casually. “What about White Zetsu’s main body? Has Aizen shown up yet?”

Black Zetsu shook his head. “Not sure. White Zetsu couldn’t even approach the clock tower where Nagato used to live. Aizen’s daughter noticed him and almost killed him. That girl seems to have inherited her father’s unique sensory abilities. She’s also incredibly strong. She said she’d pass on a message to Aizen.”

“Aizen’s daughter?” Tobi recalled Chika’s image—her abilities and appearance were so much like her father’s.

If not for her being Tsunade’s daughter...

Tsunade, after all, was from an older generation of ninjas.

Tobi dismissed the thought. At this point, Chika’s connection to Aizen was irrelevant.

As long as the Moon’s Eye Plan succeeded, nothing else mattered.

“Let’s move. Aizen loves causing trouble. Once she gets the message, she won’t miss the Kage Summit,” Tobi said to Black Zetsu.

---

*Outside the Rain Village, atop the highest mountain.*

The former stronghold of the Akatsuki.

Atop a mountain shrouded in clouds, Aizen sat cross-legged, eyes closed.

With hands resting on his knees, he formed a peculiar hand seal. His chest rose and fell as faint blue streams of energy flowed into his body through his nose and mouth, coursing through his limbs and nourishing his bones and flesh in a perfect cycle.

As the energy circulated, natural energy gathered in his dantian, forming a vortex and compressing into a small, concentrated mass.

When the compression reached the size of a palm, a vast chakra erupted from Aizen’s body, sweeping through the mountain range.

When the storm settled, the mountain peak had vanished, leaving the terrain in ruins.

Aizen opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.

“Heavenly Technique, Level Ten, finally mastered.”

(End of Chapter)