Chapter 30: A Shift in the Ranks
After all…
Whether it was for utilizing Uchiha Naoki's strength to hasten the implementation of the Eye of the Moon Plan, or for coveting his future three-tomoe Sharingan for his own use, he needed to allow Uchiha Naoki room to grow. But this was akin to playing with fire, and Uchiha Obito had to be the one to control the flames. Otherwise, he risked getting burned.
To that end, he could only begin laying the groundwork, preparing countermeasures in advance.
By a Certain Lake
"Hound Dog, Chase the Red Lotus!"
"Inferno Hound!"
"Great Eruption!"
"Scorching World: Eruption!"
Uchiha Naoki's Shadow Clones were locked in a fierce, unrelenting battle against each other. Elementalization was activated constantly to counter imminent threats, and his agility improved incrementally with each exchange. Thanks to the chakra control scrolls obtained from the Root operatives, he now maintained the same offensive power while significantly reducing his chakra expenditure. Moreover, this precise control had also raised the upper limit of destructive power his Magma Fruit abilities could achieve.
If he were to face Senju Tobirama again, he was confident he could send the Second Hokage back to the Pure Land without sustaining a single injury.
One Hour Later…
The lake that once existed had been completely vaporized, leaving behind only a massive, smoldering crater. The clouds overhead were thicker and darker than ever, and the air was oppressively hot and humid. The surrounding land was parched and cracked, creating an extremely bizarre and desolate scene. This was the environmental-altering power of the Magma Fruit. While he wasn't yet on the level of Sakazuki, who could single-handedly alter the geography of a battlefield, he believed he wasn't far from that day. In the world of Naruto, only Senju Hashirama, with his ability to create forests from nothing, could claim such a feat.
"With Uchiha Obito watching my every move from the shadows, I don't even have a chance to relax," Naoki mused. The ever-present threat of death pushed him forward; he could not afford to be complacent. On the path to becoming stronger, he had to maintain his relentless effort.
He still held a healthy fear of Uchiha Obito's Kamui. But the most pressing threat of death undoubtedly came from the leader of the Akatsuki, 'Zero.' Sooner or later, he would leave the organization. And when that time came, if a standard hunter-nin team wasn't enough, the mastermind behind the scenes, Nagato, would likely take to the field personally. Uchiha Naoki had no intention of being cornered with no way out. In this cruel shinobi world, one ultimately had to speak with strength.
Two Days Later - Akatsuki Hideout
"A new mission… recruitment?" Uchiha Naoki, in his phantom form, was puzzled after hearing the new order from Zero. "Leader, it seems our roster is full. How would we integrate a new member? What status would they be given? And would someone of that caliber even accept a non-core position?"
It wasn't hard to guess. Anyone worthy of the Akatsuki's attention would be an S-Rank rogue ninja. Such individuals were notoriously proud and unruly. Joining as a regular member was one thing, but joining as a reserve or non-core member? How could they possibly be convinced?
Naoki's point resonated with the others. Sasori, Kakuzu, Jūzō Biwa, and the rest nodded in agreement, their projected forms turning toward the leader, Pain.
Hearing this, the Deva Path spoke, his voice as calm and detached as ever. "The situation is this, Seiryū…" His Rinnegan swept over the assembled members. "Due to… special circumstances, Genbu has left the organization to attend to other tasks. Therefore, his position is now vacant and requires a new recruit. The candidate has already been identified."
As he spoke, a scroll unfurled before them, displaying the target's information.
[S-Rank Rogue Ninja of Kirigakure, the 'Demon of the Hidden Mist,' Zabuza Momochi]
Seeing this, Uchiha Naoki was taken aback.
Zabuza Momochi? He was confused. What's going on here? Why would he be invited to join the Akatsuki? This was a complete deviation from the original plot. If they were recruiting from Kiri, it should have been Kisame Hoshigaki!
Is this the so-called 'Butterfly Effect'? Uchiha Naoki frowned slightly. Because of my appearance, the original plot has begun to veer off track? He had been mentally prepared for this, but it was happening sooner than he expected.
But more importantly, where did Zetsu go? A wild thought crossed his mind. It can't be because I detected his spying a few days ago, prompting Obito to immediately and cautiously withdraw him, could it? He found that unlikely. Uchiha Obito was a man with grand ambitions; surely he had more composure than that. He doubted his own influence was that significant.
"However, Zetsu has definitely shifted from the open to the shadows. I'll need to be even more vigilant in my actions from now on," he decided, to avoid leaking any information that could be used against him and landing himself in a passive position.
"What? My partner just… left?" Deidara was dumbfounded, then couldn't help but complain. "No way! I was just getting used to my partner, and now I have to start all over again?"
Hearing this, Zero offered a rare word of consolation. "It was unavoidable. I trust you will understand."
In truth, Nagato, controlling the Deva Path, didn't fully understand why 'Madara' had suddenly withdrawn Zetsu. But the masked man had claimed it was for the benefit of the Akatsuki's ultimate plan, so Nagato had acquiesced.
Deidara had no choice but to grumble and accept it.
"The task of recruiting the new member will fall to the three of you: Ryūsui (Deidara), Seiryū (Uchiha Naoki), and Gyokunyo (Sasori)," Zero declared.
"Suzaku (Itachi) and Nandou (Jūzō Biwa), as well as Hokuto (Kakuzu) and Sanbi (Hidan), your two teams have other assignments."
The named members nodded in acknowledgment.
Kakuzu, however, couldn't hide a note of envy. "The Leader certainly holds Seiryū and Gyokunyo in high regard, entrusting them with the important task of recruitment."
Hearing this, the 'Byakko' (White Tiger), Konan, responded with a faint smile. "We must always give our younger members more opportunities to gain experience. Don't you agree, Hokuto?"
Kakuzu didn't argue. In truth, he didn't particularly enjoy recruiting newcomers anyway. He preferred to stay at the base and manage the organization's finances.
"Another mission so soon?" Uchiha Naoki didn't resist the idea. More missions meant more opportunities to grow and test his limits.
"However, without Genbu's intelligence network, how are we supposed to locate Zabuza Momochi?" Naoki asked.
"There is no need for concern on that front," Zero replied. "Although Genbu has withdrawn from active duty, he remains a member of the organization. The necessary intelligence will be provided in a timely manner."
Hearing this, a glint of understanding flashed in Uchiha Naoki's eyes. Just as I thought. He's been shifted to covertly monitoring the entire Akatsuki. Was this Uchiha Obito's doing? His tolerance is lower than I estimated. It seemed it wasn't without reason that he had been so thoroughly manipulated by Uchiha Madara.
"Let's be on our way then," Sasori's voice rasped, now tinged with anticipation. "I'll use this target to test the capabilities of my newly remodeled Hiruko. After all, he is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. I hope he doesn't disappoint."