Chapter 29: Whispers of the Crimson Tide
The holographic meeting of the Akatsuki was convened with a grim, urgent air. Every active member was present, their ethereal forms flickering in the gloom of the Amegakure hideout. They were waiting.
Zetsu's form materialized on its designated finger, and the atmosphere in the chamber grew heavy.
"Report," Pain commanded, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.
The white half of Zetsu, usually a source of morbid cheer, was uncharacteristically subdued. "We found them," it said, its voice a low, nervous whisper.
"And their status?" Konan pressed.
It was the black half that answered, its voice a gravelly rasp filled with something that sounded almost like fear. "Neutralized. They are alive... but they are no longer a factor."
He proceeded to recount what he had witnessed, his words painting a horrifying picture. He described the tranquil house, the Jinchuriki, Fū, sitting unharmed, and the two most resilient members of their organization kept in a catatonic state in a cellar, like preserved specimens. He described the woman, the elder known as Retsu Uzumaki .
"An old woman did this to them?" Deidara scoffed, though his voice lacked its usual arrogant bite. "To the Zombie Duo? Impossible."
"She is no mere 'old woman'," Black Zetsu countered, the memory of her suffocating presence still fresh. "Our intelligence on her was catastrophically incomplete. She is a Kunoichi from the founding era, a contemporary of the First Hokage. Her name... is Retsu Uzumaki."
The name dropped into the chamber like a stone in a silent pool. Uzumaki. The clan of sealing jutsus, of immense vitality, of red-haired powerhouses. The same clan as their leader. The same clan as their primary target, the Nine-Tails.
Pain's impassive facade finally cracked. A flicker of something—surprise? interest?—passed through his Rinnegan. "An Uzumaki..." he murmured. The legendary vitality of the clan would explain her longevity, but not the monstrous power Zetsu described.
"But... how?" Kisame asked, genuinely baffled. "An elder, no matter how skilled, shouldn't be able to handle both Hidan and Kakuzu. Especially Hidan's immortality."
"Her power is not Ninjutsu," Black Zetsu stated, his voice dropping lower. "It is an unknown energy. When she appeared before us, she did not move. She simply... was there. Her presence alone felt like a physical weight. She warned us. She told us to inform you that the Seven-Tails is under her protection... and that she is not bound by the laws of any Gotei 13."
"Gotei... thirteen?" Itachi's voice was quiet, analytical. "An unknown term."
"It doesn't matter," Pain said, his authority silencing the speculation. "An Uzumaki elder of legendary status, possessing an unknown and overwhelming power, has taken possession of the Seven-Tails." He looked at the empty fingers where Hidan and Kakuzu's forms should have been. "She is a threat of the highest order. All operations in the Land of Waterfalls are to be suspended immediately. Retsu Uzumaki is now designated an S-Rank+ target, to be engaged only with my direct authorization."
The message was clear. The Akatsuki, for the first time in their history, were actively avoiding a confrontation. They had stumbled upon a ghost from the past, and that ghost had proven to be a true monster.
Meanwhile, in Kirigakure, Gin Ichimaru left a precisely crafted clone of himself—one imbued with a significant portion of his Reiatsu to appear authentic to sensors—to maintain his presence in the village.
A few days later, he arrived at the gates of Konoha, not as a ghost or an infiltrator, but as an official diplomat.
He was escorted to the Hokage's office, his ever-present smile and casual demeanor a stark contrast to the grim-faced ANBU who flanked him. He entered the office to find Tsunade behind her desk, with Shizune present .
"Mizukage-sama sends her greetings, Hokage-sama," Gin said with a polite, shallow bow. "She is eager to establish stronger diplomatic ties between our two villages, in light of the... increasing activities of certain rogue elements."
Tsunade nodded, her expression professional and stern. "Kirigakure's proposal for a joint intelligence-sharing initiative is welcome, Lord Ichimaru. We live in uncertain times. Cooperation is paramount."
They spoke for a while, discussing trade routes, security patrols, and the shared threat of the Akatsuki. Gin was a master of this game, his words a perfect blend of flattery, veiled threats, and genuine offers of cooperation.
But all the while, he was observing.
He watched Tsunade, listened to her words, analyzed her posture. Something was wrong. Her chakra was strong, her will as fiery as ever, but there was a subtle dissonance, a faint, almost imperceptible layer of something else overlaying her own intentions. It was like a perfectly tuned instrument with one string that was just slightly off-key. Most would never notice it. But Gin, a master of deception and perception, felt it on an instinctual level.
A genjutsu? he thought, his smile never faltering. No... it's too clean. Too perfect. It's not controlling her actions, just... guiding her thoughts. A masterpiece of mental manipulation. How fascinating.
His business concluded, Gin prepared to leave. He paused at the door, turning back as if with an afterthought.
"By the by, Hokage-sama," he said, his tone light and casual. "I was hopin' I might have a word with an old acquaintance. I heard a rumor that he's recently returned to the village."
Tsunade's expression hardened instantly. The shift was subtle, but Gin saw it. The professional mask became a guarded, almost hostile one. "And who would that be, Lord Ichimaru?"
"Just a loud, boisterous kid with bright yellow blackish hair," Gin replied breezily. "I was wonderin' where I could find Ken—"
He stopped himself instantly, his smile tightening for a fraction of a second. It was a near-fatal slip, a name from a world that wasn't supposed to exist here. He recovered so smoothly it was almost imperceptible.
"—ken-chaku na, as they say. A 'dangerously-fun' kid to be around. Naruto Uzumaki?" he finished, the linguistic save slick and flawless.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed with suspicion, though she couldn't pinpoint the source of the sudden unease she felt. "Naruto is a Konoha shinobi. His activities are an internal matter," she stated, her voice cold. "What business do you have with him?"
There it is, Gin thought. The dissonance. That wasn't her own caution speaking. That was the 'guidance'.
Gin's smile widened, becoming a picture of friendly innocence. "Oh, no business, really. We're old friends. I heard he spent a couple of years gettin' some private lessons from another dear friend of mine, the elder from Taki. Retsu Uzumaki-san." He let the name drop deliberately, watching for a reaction. "I was simply hopin' to catch up. See how the kid's doin' after his... sabbatical."
Tsunade's suspicion warred with her confusion. The connection to the legendary Taki elder was unexpected. "He is currently on a mission l.
"Ah, what a shame," Gin said, his voice dripping with false disappointment. He gave another shallow bow. "Well, if you see him, do tell him Gin says hello."
He turned and left the office, his mind racing.
So, someone has the Hokage on a leash, he mused as he walked through the halls of the tower. And they're usin' it to isolate Naruto. The elders? Danzo? Most likely. Which means the kid is walking into a viper's nest without even knowin' it.
His smile sharpened into a predatory grin.
This is going to be so much more interesting than I thought.
____
Chapter 29, Part 2: A Serpent's Whim
The official diplomatic procession moved slowly through the bustling streets of Konoha. Gin Ichimaru walked at its head, flanked by two of Mei's most trusted shinobi, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his formal robes, a placid, closed-eye smile on his face. He nodded politely to the Konoha ANBU escort, played the part of the esteemed foreign dignitary, and endured the suspicious glares of the villagers with a serene, almost saintly patience.
It was all a lie.
His mind was a whirlwind of calculations, a chessboard of possibilities shifting and rearranging with every step. The revelation in the Hokage's office had been... delicious. It was a complication, a beautiful, intricate knot in the grand tapestry of this new world, and he couldn't resist the urge to pull at its threads.
A genjutsu on the Hokage, he mused, the thought bringing a flicker of genuine amusement to his lips. So subtle. So perfect. Not a crude puppet-master's trick, but a gentle guiding of the will. An artist's touch. Uchiha work, most likely. Danzo, then. It always comes back to the old warhawks hiding in the shadows.
He understood the game now. Danzo had tried to seize Konoha's most powerful weapon—the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—and failed spectacularly. Now, with the weapon having returned far sharper and more dangerous than before, Danzo was using his political poison to cage the beast from the inside, manipulating the village's own leader to enforce the isolation.
His diplomatic duties were, for all intents and purposes, complete. The intelligence-sharing proposal was on the table. He had presented Kirigakure's goodwill. He could, and should, return to the Mist and report his findings to Mei. It was the logical, responsible thing to do.
But since when had Gin ever been logical?
The procession passed a small, quiet park. Children were playing on the swings, their laughter bright and carefree. For a fleeting moment, Gin's smile faltered, a ghost of a memory—a girl with strawberry-blonde/orange hair, a shared persimmon—flashing through his mind. He pushed it away.
Zaraki is a force of nature, he reasoned, his smile returning, sharper this time. A walking catastrophe. Lettin' him run wild in a viper's nest like this... it's bound to be entertainin'. But...
He thought of Unohana. She had invested two years in forging that boy into the ultimate Kenpachi.
And besides... he was bored.
The Kirigakure escort paused, waiting for him at a crossroad. One path led to the main gate, back to the mission, back to duty. The other led deeper into the village.
"I believe I've forgotten something," Gin said suddenly, his voice as smooth as silk. "A souvenir for the Mizukage-sama. You two go on ahead to the gate. I'll catch up shortly."
The two Mist shinobi exchanged a hesitant look, but they knew better than to argue with the Ghost of the Mist. They bowed and continued on their way.
The moment they were out of sight, Gin turned, his form flickering. He reappeared on a nearby rooftop, his gaze sweeping over the village, not as a diplomat, but as a hunter. His senses, a keen blend of a shinobi's perception and a Shinigami's ability to feel spiritual signatures, began to search.
He was looking for a specific energy. Not the raging inferno of the Nine-Tails, but something sharper, wilder. A chaotic, golden pressure that felt like a barely contained storm. The Reiatsu of the Kenpachi.
Tsunade-hime said he was on a mission, Gin thought, a sly grin spreading across his face. But missions end.
His search was no longer about politics or diplomacy. It was about a simple, selfish desire.
He wanted to see the look on Kenny's face when he stole his prey.
____
Chapter 30: The Root's Betrayal
The forest was silent, save for the rustling of leaves and the heavy, ragged breathing of the two threats who had just fled for their lives. Far away from the decimated ruins of the Tenchi Bridge, in a secluded clearing bathed in dappled sunlight, Orochimaru and Kabuto came to a halt.
A figure stepped out from behind a tree, blocking their path. It was Sai, his expression placid, a scroll held loosely in his hand.
Orochimaru stared at the boy, his golden eyes narrowing. He recognized the uniform. "Danzo, huh?" he rasped, his voice dripping with venom. "That senile geezer is still alive and still up to his old tricks." He shifted his weight, his presence still oppressive despite his earlier defeat. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Sai offered a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I come bearing a message from Danzo, to be delivered to you. He says…"
"Hold it," Orochimaru interrupted, his voice dropping to a low, threatening rumble. The humiliation of his battle with Naruto was still fresh, bubbling just beneath his skin. He was in no mood for games. "When you speak to me, I suggest you choose your words carefully. Or else, you'll pay."
Sai's smile didn't waver. "But sir, I am only allowed to relay exactly as Danzo has instructed me. If the message meets with your displeasure, by all means, do what you wish."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his tongue flicking out in a grotesque, snake-like manner. A sinister grin spread across his face. "Is that so?"
In a blur of motion, Orochimaru's mouth unhinged. The Sword of Kusanagi shot forward with blinding speed, a silver flash aimed directly at the boy's heart.
The blade pierced Sai's chest, exiting through his back.
But there was no blood.
The boy's body rippled and dissolved, collapsing into a puddle of black, viscous ink.
"You don't know the first thing about good manners, do you?" Orochimaru sneered.
The sword retracted, transforming back into a snake that slithered into his throat. He turned his gaze to the forest floor. "When addressing someone of superior rank, proper etiquette dictates you face them directly."
A smaller white snake materialized on Orochimaru's shoulder, hissing a warning.
A few feet away, the earth shifted. Sai's head emerged from the ground, his expression unchanged. He climbed out of the dirt, brushing the soil from his clothes with calm precision.
"Well then," Orochimaru commanded. "Speak up."
"The truth of the matter is," Sai began, standing straight, "my master, Lord Danzo, has longed to meet you, Lord Orochimaru, ever since the time you nearly destroyed the Leaf."
High above, concealed perfectly within the grain of a thick tree trunk, a wood clone of Yamato watched the exchange, his eyes narrowed. 'So it's true. Danzo is making a move.'
"And that is the message Danzo wanted me to convey," Sai finished.
Orochimaru chuckled, a dry, raspy sound. "I find that very interesting. But give me one good reason why I should believe you."
Sai reached for the pack on his back. "I have—"
He never finished the sentence. Kabuto, moving with desperate speed despite his shattered arm, lunged forward. He slammed into Sai, pinning him face-down against the forest floor. Several scrolls and a sealed envelope spilled out of Sai's bag, scattering across the grass.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kabuto hissed, pressing Sai's face into the dirt.
"Let's not be hasty, Kabuto," Orochimaru said, his gaze landing on the scattered items. "Calm down. I believe our ranks may have just increased by one."
Kabuto looked up, skepticism written all over his face. "You don't actually think that we can trust this one? He's Konoha. He's Root."
"The contents of that envelope might convince you," Sai said, his voice muffled by the ground. "Open it. It's from Lord Danzo to you."
Orochimaru walked over, picking up the envelope with a slender hand. He tore the seal, pulling out the documents inside. As he read, his expression shifted from amused curiosity to genuine, serious interest. It was a list. A roster of ANBU black ops agents, patrol routes, and security codes. A betrayal of the highest order.
"Kabuto," Orochimaru ordered, lowering the papers. "Let the child go. We're going to be taking him with us."
Kabuto hesitated for a fraction of a second before releasing his hold and stepping back, clutching his injured arm.
"Shall we be leaving... Sai?" Orochimaru asked, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's your name, isn't it?"
Sai stood, dusting himself off. He looked at the Sannin and gave a small, genuine-looking smile—the best forgery in his arsenal.
The three of them turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the forest.
High above, the wood clone of Yamato watched them go, a cold knot of dread tightening in his chest.
"As we feared," he whispered to the wind.
Tbc