Hatake Sakumo's face turned green. He was just about to lead the Konoha-nin to charge forward and capture both masked men when...
Konoha's ANBU suddenly jumped out?
Could that Mangekyō really be from Konoha, a secret weapon hidden by the village?
Were the clan massacres and weapon thefts really all done by Konoha?
If not...
Why would Konoha's ANBU only block the Rinnegan user?
This was clearly meant to cover the Mangekyō user's retreat!
"Lord Hokage, what exactly are you trying to do?" Hatake Sakumo looked toward Konoha with a face on the verge of tears. If they were going to do something like this, couldn't they at least do it secretly?
Or at least give him a heads-up so he could prepare and provide support.
After all, no matter what, he, Hatake Sakumo, was part of ANBU—one of their own!
Now, things were ruined...
Tomorrow's ninja world headlines would definitely feature Konoha.
"Move out!" Hatake Sakumo gritted his teeth and ordered the Konoha-nin beside him. "Assist the ANBU and block the Rinnegan user. But remember, do not harm anyone."
Judging from the earlier situation, Konoha and the Rinnegan user didn't seem to be mortal enemies. Moreover...
Since the identity of the Mangekyō user was still unclear, and he hadn't received any orders from the Hokage, it was best not to escalate things.
Besides, this Rinnegan user who could fly was no ordinary ninja. Even if they wanted to keep him here, it probably wouldn't be possible.
Right now, the only option was to stop the fight and assess the situation.
Hatake Sakumo sighed inwardly and immediately shunshined next to the Rinnegan user. "Please stop—"
However, before he could finish...
"Boom!"
He was instantly kicked away by Pain's shunshin.
Did they think his Kage-level taijutsu was just for show?
Even if you're the Konoha White Fang now, you're no match for me!
"Finally showing yourselves?" Pain coldly smirked as he looked at the Konoha-nin who had appeared. "You've been following me the whole way, only acting now?"
"That Mangekyō user's defection was clearly orchestrated by Konoha."
"..."
Hatake Sakumo flipped back up and touched his ribs. Damn, this Rinnegan user's taijutsu was ridiculously strong!
If he weren't a swordsman with a tough body, he'd probably be calling for a medic right now.
And...
"Was it a sensor ninja or the Rinnegan's ability?" Hatake Sakumo frowned. It seemed they had been discovered long ago.
So...
Holy shit!
Even if those ANBU hadn't shown up, the Mangekyō user would still have been linked to Konoha.
"Apologies, we mean no harm," Hatake Sakumo quickly said. "We were just—"
"Hmph, no harm?" Pain sneered. "Because of your interference, that Mangekyō user has already escaped."
"???"
Escaped?
All the Konoha-nin turned to look where the Mangekyō user had been standing. Sure enough...
He was gone?
How had none of them noticed?
"As expected of the Mangekyō!" one of the Uchiha clansmen exclaimed in admiration.
But...
Damn it, now was not the time for that!
While the ninja under Hatake Sakumo tried to negotiate with the Rinnegan user, the ANBU remained indifferent. Their orders were to block the Rinnegan. Anything else was irrelevant to them.
"Actually..."
Hatake Sakumo stepped forward helplessly. "If we also say we don't know him, do you think—"
However...
"Enough talk. Let's settle this with action!" Pain interrupted sharply. "Let me see what gives Konoha the audacity to declare war on the Akatsuki!"
...
"Lord Hokage, we couldn't find Lord Danzō in the village," an ANBU operative reported respectfully to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "He wasn't at the Uchiha compound either."
"Not found?" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe and muttered. "Where did Danzō go?"
During wartime, instead of staying in the village on standby, he was wandering around.
What was he trying to do?
"Sigh." Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled. "Never mind—"
But before he could finish...
"Lord Hokage." Another ANBU jonin suddenly appeared in the Hokage's office, looking urgent.
"What is it?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart skipped a beat. This was definitely a sign of trouble.
"Traces of battle were found in the forest outside the village. It seems some ANBU operatives left the village without authorization."
"What?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. ANBU acting without orders?
This was a serious issue. Only ninja who followed orders were valuable, especially ANBU—the Hokage's direct subordinates. Acting without authorization was unacceptable unless...
There was no other explanation.
"Have you identified who it was?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked sternly. "Were there any mission records?"
"Not yet," the ANBU jonin replied. "And there are no records of it."
"In that case..." Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the ANBU operatives waiting for orders, suddenly feeling a sense of unease. Danzō had left the village without permission, and now...
ANBU had also left without permission. Was there some connection?
Or was it...
ROOT?
At this thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes sharpened. He ordered the ANBU jonin below, "Dispatch ANBU immediately to investigate. If you find Danzō, order him to return at once!"
"Yes!" x2
Watching the ANBU depart to carry out his orders, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe and stared blankly at the reports on his desk.
"Danzō... don't do anything reckless."
...
"So strong!" Hatake Sakumo's eyes widened as he stared at the Rinnegan user floating mid-air.
This Rinnegan user's taijutsu and ninjutsu were both incredibly powerful. He was completely outmatched!
Even with so many jonin on their side, they still couldn't stop him!
Especially his own sword techniques—the Rinnegan user dodged them effortlessly. Just who was this person?
Or rather...
What exactly was the Akatsuki?
Were they really just a peace organization in the ninja world?
And according to rumors from the Land of Rain, this Akatsuki had a member who once fought the First Hokage!
"Why has no one noticed this organization before?" Hatake Sakumo thought bitterly. "To have so many powerful members..."
And to remain hidden so deeply...
What were they planning?
"Stop! Konoha truly means no harm," Hatake Sakumo pleaded while still fighting. "Perhaps we can talk this over?"
Since the situation was still unclear, it was best not to act rashly.
"No harm?" Pain sneered. "You send so many people to block me, yet claim no harm?"
"It seems Konoha wants to declare war on Akatsuki."
"In that case..." Pain's eyes narrowed. "Let me test Konoha's resolve!"
"Not good!" Hatake Sakumo recalled the strange scene from earlier—no chakra fluctuations, yet the Mangekyō user was instantly blasted away, causing massive destruction in the area. That was likely the Rinnegan's ability!
Sure enough...
"Shin! Ra!" Pain stared at the people before him, enunciating each syllable. "Ten..."
"Everyone, evade!" Hatake Sakumo shouted in panic. "Get out of the way!"
But just as Pain was about to utter the final syllable...
"Pain, what's going on here?" A familiar voice rang out.
...
"Achoo! Achoo!" Danzō rubbed his nose irritably as he glared at the forest ahead. "How much longer do I have to wait?"
What were the ROOT operatives inside doing?
Why were they taking so long?
"Karasu," Danzō called impatiently.
"Lord Danzō." A masked ROOT operative stepped forward.
"Go in and see what's happening," Danzō ordered, frowning. "And what are Mushi and the others doing?"
"Yes!"