Danzo and the rest were watching Akuro's every movement like a hawk. When Akuro turned his head, they were startled to see the surprise in his eyes. Having heard of his actions, they expected a lot of things, but seeing Akuro surprised was not one of them. What caught them even more off guard was the "eh" he exclaimed aloud! They understood Akuro had noticed something he didn't expect, but none of them could say what that thing was.
Danzo, who was confused too, suddenly felt Akuro's gaze observing him even more deeply than he was observing Akuro earlier! Danzo immediately realized, 'He was surprised by me… But what is it?'
While Danzo's body contained several shocking secrets, all were hidden carefully with the help of seals. Unlike Fujin, who used countless seals to achieve his objectives, Danzo used the minimal number of seals to achieve the same. As such, even his seals were difficult to spot unless a Grandmaster was specifically looking for them.
Akuro opened his mouth, his jagged but archaic voice echoed, as he chuckled, "Fufufu, not bad. Not bad at all. I didn't expect to see such an individual in this era. There are 3… No, I can feel 8 distinct auras emanating from you. Did Mushigami start to spread his influence already?"
Much like his expressions earlier, Akuro's words also caught Danzo and his subordinates off guard. They never expected Akuro to see through Danzo's seals at a mere glance.
A good portion of Danzo's body now consisted of Hashirama's cells. His right eye held Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan. In addition, 5 pairs of Sharingan were embedded in Danzo's right arm. Along with his own, Danzo's body held 8 different auras.
Danzo wondered, 'How did he look through my seals with such ease? Or, did he just feel it instinctively? And, who is Mushigami?'
Before he could get any answers, his shock grew deeper as Akuro continued, "The auras are quite special too. Ashura and Indra… No… The auras are too weak to be theirs. Ashura's aura is quite pure, so it must be from one of his reincarnations. As for Indra's aura, it seems to come from his descendants. An interesting attempt, though I doubt you understand the true essence of what you have done. A pity… Your life force is too weak."
Fu wondered, 'Ashura? Indra? Is he talking of the Sage of Six Paths and his children?'
Torune wondered at the same time, 'Danzo-sama has the aura of their successors? What does he mean by Ashura's reincarnation? How can someone reincarnate? And how does Akuro know he reincarnated?'
Danzo also analyzed, 'Indra and Ashura… The sons of the legendary Sage of Six Paths… According to the ancient legends passed down through shinobi history, the Uchiha clan is said to be descended from Indra. Meanwhile, the clan that descended from Ashura later split into the Senju and Uzumaki clans.
If this is true, the Sharingans on me can be said to be from Indra's descendents. And, Ashura's aura should be from Lord First's cells. However, what does he mean by Ashura's reincarnation? Is he saying Lord First was Ashura's reincarnation? How would Ashura reincarnate? Does Indra reincarnate too? More importantly, can I take his word for it?'
Instinctively, Danzo felt something was off. He didn't want to believe Akuro's words. However, his logical side didn't agree with his instincts. With a mere glance, Akuro laid bare all of Danzo's secrets. It was something no one had done.
It was important to remember the people Danzo interacted with weren't ordinary. He interacted with the shrewd and cunning clan leaders and elders in Konoha for years. He also frequently met with the Grandmasters in Konoha to discuss the seals gained from Jashin's cult. None of them ever discovered a fraction of what Akuro noticed at a glance.
It wasn't just them. Even the likes of Hiruzen, Jiraiya and Tsunade failed to see through his seals. Hiruzen only found out through other means while Tsunade and Jiraiya learnt about it through him. Hence, Akuro made a big impact on Danzo's subconscious. An impact so big that Danzo doubted his own instincts!
Danzo further analyzed, 'Considering how he spoke, it's as if he experienced their auras first hand! Which means, he must have met them at some point, implying that he has been alive for over a thousand years…
As unbelievable as this is, it perfectly aligns with the rumors coming in from Kumogakure. An ancient expert who terrorized the world to the extent that they started calling him Akuro. However, that doesn't explain why he surfaced just now. Why haven't I ever heard of someone like him? And, why is he targeting my Root?'
From killing over a dozen of his Root subordinates to blowing up his headquarters and now killing more of his subordinates and claiming the Lightning crystal vein, Akuro had targeted Danzo and Root at every turn. Though it wasn't as bad as Kumogakure, Danzo had several reasons to be upset with Akuro.
Before Danzo could say anything, Akuro turned his head and focused his attention on the chicken again. He asked, "So, who are you, and for what reason have you sought my presence? Do you come bearing tribute… or to swear fealty?"
Fu, Torune and the other two Root ninjas looked at Akuro with incredulous looks. Each wondered, 'Did he not hear a word Danzo-sama spoke earlier?'
Danzo's expression also became dark as he asked, "Are you deaf or are you so aloof that you didn't pay attention to a word I spoke?"
With a complete disinterest in his voice, Akuro replied, "I hear when I want to. This world has too much noise for me to lend my ear to it. You still haven't answered my question."
Danzo's lone eye narrowed. Even after all the chaos this madman had caused, he acted as if he was the one owed answers. Still, Danzo reined in his irritation. There was more to be gained by indulging the eccentricities of this ancient monster, at least for now.
"I am Shimura Danzo," he stated evenly. "Leader of Root, protector of Konoha from the shadows, and guardian of the Land of Fire's stability. You've been disrupting that stability."
Akuro chuckled faintly, as though amused by the self-proclaimed titles. He turned the chicken again, the firelight flickering across the intricate seals on his cloak.
Danzo continued, "Your actions in recent months, slaughtering my agents, attacking my headquarters, and now this mockery of a vein, you've been targeting Root. Yet you appear to move without a nation or banner… unless, of course, you act in someone else's name."
His voice lowered a shade, careful, probing. "Fujin's, perhaps?"
"Fujin?" Surprise could be heard in Akuro's voice once again, quite similar to how he had reacted when his eyes landed on Danzo. Fu thought, 'As we suspected. Fujin has some connection with Akuro. Could he have betrayed Konoha and swore fealty to this maniac?'
The other Root ninja and even Danzo had similar thoughts. They looked at Akuro, glad that he didn't seem to be the kind of person to keep secrets. With disdain in his voice, Akuro said, "Since when did the Lord of Wind start calling himself the God of Wind? Is he no longer satisfied with his 'Gale Sovereign' title?"
Akuro's eyes moved towards the Root ninjas as he said, "That's strange. Gale Sovereign hasn't woken up for several eras. How is that you know of him?"
Akuro's gazed at the Root ninjas, waiting for an answer. Unlike his previous questions where he seem disinterested, Akuro was actually looking for the answer. His gaze showed that he won't let them leave without satisfying his curiousity.
Danzo frowned and replied, "Who's Gale Sovereign? I'm talking of a ninja from my village who is named Fujin. It ain't a title. I haven't ever heard of anyone called Gale Sovereign."
Akuro turned his attention back to the chicken and muttered, "What a disappointment… I thought I'd have some company after all. I have never heard of your Fujin. Is he strong?"
Danzo wondered in confusion, 'Is he saying the truth? Or, do the two of them have such close cooperation that he is covering for Fujin? Sigh, I can't get a hang of Akuro's personality. He's too otherworldly, nothing like I have ever seen…'
Danzo nodded, "He is one of the strongest ninjas alive."
Akuro muttered, his tone still showing disinterest, "Oh. I'll look for him after that Raikage fellow finally dares to face me instead of sending his weak underlings."
Danzo thought, 'I thought so. Unfortunately, I can't count on him to take out Fujin. And, I still need answers!' Danzo asked, "Who are Gale Sovereign and Mushigami?"
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