Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 154: That Fool, Shimura Danzo!

The arena was in chaos.

The contestants in the preparation area were also evacuating.

Tendo Pain remained motionless, wearing his gas mask, his expression calm as his gaze swept across the battlefield—until it landed on an elderly man in the audience.

Shimura Danzo.

The old man remained seated, just as composed.

As Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado left their seats to issue commands to the Konoha shinobi, Danzo did not move.

The old man...

Was not worried about the One-Tail's rampage at all.

As a former intelligence officer of Konoha, Danzo was well aware of the One-Tail Shukaku of Sunagakure. He knew every instance of its rampage within the village and every time it had been subdued by the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.

The tailed beast with the least chakra in the ninja world...

Handling its rampage was not a difficult task.

The real trouble...

Was never the tailed beasts.

Danzo slightly lifted his gaze, scanning the chaos in the arena until it stopped at the calm Ame ninja in the preparation area.

Even though that Ame ninja was wearing a gas mask, Danzo was certain—he was watching him.

"Still not making a move?"

Danzo gripped his ninjato and glanced around, searching for someone.

"Where is that snake, Orochimaru?"

That same question...

Was also on Pain's mind.

Pain's gaze remained locked on Danzo.

Meanwhile, his true body, Nagato, and Konan were also scanning the field for Orochimaru's whereabouts. They had not received any information from him.

When...

Would be the perfect time to act?

Konoha seemed to be in chaos due to the One-Tail's rampage. This might be the right moment to make a move against Danzo.

However...

Pain had not anticipated this—

At that very moment, two Kage were discussing him from the viewing platform.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wore a deeply grave expression. Ever since the Uchiha massacre, he had been acutely aware of the threat posed by Akatsuki.

Orochimaru...

Uchiha Obito...

Uchiha Itachi...

Based on his intelligence, Sarutobi knew that all three of Konoha's S-rank rogue nin were closely tied to Akatsuki, a group with immense ambition.

Now, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had suddenly revealed that Akatsuki's leader had infiltrated Konoha—news that alarmed Sarutobi immensely!

The leader of an organization that recruited S-rank rogue nin...

Could not be an ordinary person.

And he would not have come to Konoha without a purpose!

"I'm just curious..."

Sarutobi's gaze turned sharp as he questioned, "How does the Kazekage know so much about Akatsuki?"

"This matter..."

"I'd rather not go into detail."

Rasa seemed to notice Sarutobi's dissatisfaction and abruptly changed his tone.

"However, to gain the Hokage's trust, I don't mind sharing some embarrassing intelligence from Sunagakure..."

"I assume..."

"You haven't forgotten about the disappearance of the Third Kazekage before the Third Great Ninja War?"

"..."

Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully.

That incident...

He had never forgotten.

The Third Kazekage vanished while still in his prime, and his disappearance had triggered the Third Great Ninja War. The case remained an unsolved mystery...

"Wait!"

Sarutobi suddenly made a connection between the Third Kazekage's disappearance and Akatsuki. His face darkened.

"Was it Akatsuki?"

"In theory...yes."

"Our village's S-rank rogue ninja, Sasori of the Red Sand, was the one who assassinated the Third Kazekage. During our pursuit of him, we discovered he had joined Akatsuki..."

"Because of this..."

"I've always kept an eye on Akatsuki."

Rasa continued, "For instance, Konoha's S-rank rogue nin, Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, are both Akatsuki members..."

"And even..."

A strange smile appeared on Rasa's face.

"The Hokage's former student, Orochimaru, was once a member of Akatsuki as well."

"Orochimaru..."

Sarutobi's expression darkened further.

He was starting to believe Rasa's words.

This intelligence was not something easily obtained.

Had it not been for Uchiha Itachi, Sarutobi himself would not have known about Akatsuki, let alone Obito's true identity.

"And there's more."

Seeing Sarutobi's reaction, Rasa knew he was convinced and decided to push further.

"The S-rank rogue ninja from Kirigakure, Kisame Hoshigaki, who assassinated the Fourth Mizukage, is also a member of Akatsuki..."

"!!!"

Even though Sarutobi had known Akatsuki was dangerous, he was still shocked to learn that another Kage's death was linked to them!

No...

To be precise...

Three Akatsuki members had assassinated Kage-level figures—

Obito, responsible for the death of the Fourth Hokage.

Sasori, who killed the Third Kazekage.

Kisame, who assassinated the Fourth Mizukage.

This organization...

Was beyond dangerous.

It wasn't just gathering rogue nin—

It was actively orchestrating the assassinations of Kage!

The death of a Kage not only weakened a village's power but could also plunge it into prolonged political turmoil!

"Conveniently..."

Rasa smirked.

"After learning about Kisame's assassination of the Fourth Mizukage, I intensified my investigation into Akatsuki... and uncovered more secrets."

Follow current novels on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

"Konoha and Akatsuki have a long-standing grudge."

Rasa spoke as if he knew everything.

"Your village's advisor, Shimura Danzo, once allied with Hanzo the Salamander of Amegakure in an attempt to annihilate Akatsuki. That old grudge has yet to be settled."

"Danzo..."

Sarutobi turned his gaze toward Danzo.

That bastard...

Was always stirring up trouble.

Sarutobi had long been frustrated by Danzo's reckless actions.

But...

What truly angered Sarutobi was—

Danzo had secretly collaborated with Hanzo against Akatsuki and never informed him!

If he had known about Akatsuki's activities earlier, he could have prepared accordingly!

"Then..."

Sarutobi looked toward the still-seated Ame ninja in the arena, trying to confirm his suspicions.

"Kazekage, do you think Akatsuki's leader infiltrated Konoha for revenge?"

"Hokage, you already know the answer."

Rasa smirked and delivered the final proof.

"Just as you suspect."

"I found out that Hanzo was killed, and all his subordinates were executed by Akatsuki's leader. Akatsuki took control of leaderless Amegakure."

"So..."

"When I saw Ame nin participating in the Chunin Exams, I suspected Akatsuki's leader would use this event to infiltrate Konoha..."

Rasa's knowledge of Akatsuki was extensive.

He even glanced at Danzo.

"I just don't know if it's purely revenge... or if there's a greater scheme."

"That bastard Danzo..."

Sarutobi took a deep breath, trying to suppress his fury.

That old fool...

Had kept this information from him.

Sarutobi didn't care that Danzo had worked with Hanzo against Akatsuki—he was furious that Danzo had withheld such crucial intelligence!

Now, Konoha was being cornered.

And worst of all...

The Fourth Kazekage knew that Sarutobi had been kept in the dark.

Sarutobi's gaze turned cold as he fixed his eyes on Rasa.

"Kazekage..."

"You and Danzo..."

"Yes."

Rasa's eyes gleamed with amusement.

"In order to deal with Akatsuki..."

"We've had some... minor collaborations."

----------

New fics out, one called Hogwarts: Don't Call Me a Wand Maker and another called One Piece: Farming from the Rocks Era. I will delete one based on the reception later, if both do well, I'll keep both.

Powerstones?

For 20 advance Chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates