Chapter 46: The Wind Rises in the Fire Country
"Damn Akatsuki organization!" The Fourth Raikage clenched his fists, his voice icy. "It would be best for you if Yugito Nii's fate has nothing to do with you!"
...
Meanwhile, Across the Shinobi World...
No matter how the Fourth Mizukage tried to cover it up, news of the Kaguya clan's rebellion in Kirigakure spread like wildfire. It immediately caused a significant stir.
The Kaguya Clan (also known as the Shīrotsuchi Clan) of Kirigakure held a position roughly equivalent to the Uchiha Clan in Konoha. The level of attention paid to the Uchiha's demise was now matched by the focus on the Kaguya's rebellion.
"The Kaguya clan actually rebelled? What is going on? First Uchiha, now Kaguya. Is another war coming?"
"What are the Kage of the Five Great Villages thinking? Why are they compromising their own strength like this?"
No one could make sense of it. But when combined with Orochimaru's death not long ago, the defection of Konoha's "Friend Fist" user and the "Demon of the Hidden Mist," the desertion of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen... it all made many smaller nations feel a terrifying sense of impending catastrophe.
Was war truly approaching again?
This plunged the previously peaceful shinobi world into a state of anxiety. Areas that were already unstable became even more chaotic, creating a scene ripe for a storm.
This turbulent wind naturally blew into Amegakure a few days later.
[Fruit Development Progress: 61%]
"This 'windmill' of the shinobi world was actually spun by the 'winds' of circumstance, creating 'ripples' in the stagnant pond of public opinion," Uchiha Naoki mused, emerging from the scorching 'lake' he used for training and looking up at the sky, which was rarely clear but now cloudy due to his exertions. He sighed. "The 'wheels' of reality are derailing further and further from the 'tracks' of the plot, spinning forward uncontrollably."
This kind of turmoil should have been caused by the "Konoha Crush" plan launched by the now-deceased Orochimaru five years later, in Konoha year 61. Now, it had been moved up to the end of Konoha year 56.
"Then again, the Konoha Crush Plan is no longer possible. A deviation in the plot is to be expected."
He put on his clothes, tied his hair into a short braid at the back of his head, and set off for the Land of Water.
Undoubtedly, compared to the route of Land of Rain -> Land of Rivers -> Cross Sea -> Land of Fire -> Land of Whirlpools -> Cross Sea -> Several Small Islands -> Land of Water, the route of Land of Rain -> Land of Fire -> Cross Sea -> Land of Water was faster and saved time and effort.
The only drawback was the certain probability of encountering Konoha ninja within the Land of Fire. But clearly, Uchiha Naoki, Deidara, and the other six were not people a few Konoha ninja could stop. Therefore, without any suspense, the six of them chose the faster route.
"Passing through the Land of Fire again?" In the underground Root headquarters of Konoha, Shimura Danzo's eyes flickered. "In that case, let me test your strength a little, Uchiha Naoki. It will also be convenient to gather enough information in advance for when I eliminate you in the future."
Uchiha Naoki possessed such mysterious abilities. Having experienced the despair and shock of the night of the Uchiha clan's massacre, he would inevitably hold resentment towards Konoha. To prevent him from taking revenge on Konoha in the future, causing irreparable loss and damage, Danzo decided to eliminate this potential disaster early.
As for why the masked man had disclosed this information to him, he knew very well. It was simply to use his hand to probe Uchiha Naoki's depths. But it didn't matter. He had an agreement with the masked man: whoever eliminated Uchiha Naoki would grant the other certain benefits. He wasn't worried the masked man would dare to take everything for himself. In fact, he hoped the masked man would eliminate Uchiha Naoki first. That way, he could still reap the benefits without lifting a finger.
...
After arriving in the Land of Fire from the Land of Rain, the oppressive, damp atmosphere gradually faded. However, this movement attracted unwanted attention.
The six Akatsuki members split into three pairs, taking three different routes, planning to meet finally at the "Yukiguni Port" in the Land of Water.
However, while walking through a certain forest, Uchiha Naoki, who had been chatting with the Scarlet Sand Scorpion, suddenly stopped.
"What is it?" Sasori asked immediately. Of course, he quickly understood. Judging by the way Uchiha Naoki was staring straight into the forest ahead, there was no doubt enemies lay in wait.
"A few little mice have come. And they're targeting me." Uchiha Naoki smiled. "Brother Sasori, take a rest."
He then called out to the forest ahead, "Come on out, all of you! Aren't the poisonous insects in the forest making you anxious?"
No sooner had he spoken than eight figures rushed out, surrounding Uchiha Naoki. They wore distinctive animal masks—the uniform of Konoha's Anbu. Their identities were unmistakable.
Root.
"These guys again?" the Scarlet Sand Scorpion couldn't help but complain. "Do they have a grudge against you?"
Complaints aside, Sasori quickly realized the crux of the problem. Their whereabouts had been leaked. Otherwise, how could members of Konoha's Root have ambushed them here so precisely? This made him very uncomfortable because it meant there was a traitor within the organization.
"Attack!"
The Root members offered no extra words and launched their assault directly. All eight were at the Jonin level. Seeing them act like this, they had clearly come prepared.
"Do you have some trump card that can actually harm me?" Uchiha Naoki thought to himself. To be fair, it wasn't that he looked down on them. As long as he remained in his elemental state, these people couldn't do anything to him. He believed that whoever sent them here couldn't be ignorant of his abilities. Since they could attack so calmly, they must have something to rely on.
"Water Style: Water Collision!"
Two of the masked members, one tall and one short, simultaneously spewed forth turbulent waves of water, forcing Uchiha Naoki to either retreat or counterattack from the start, preventing him from simply relying on elemental intangibility.
"So you do know how to counter me." Uchiha Naoki understood now. He activated his Observation Haki and suddenly detected strange chakra fluctuations from the two attackers approaching from behind.
"A sealing technique..." Having learned the Demonic Dragon Illusionary Seal Chains, Uchiha Naoki immediately recognized the source of the weird fluctuation. "Are you planning to use this method to sever my elemental ability? Or to imprison my powers altogether to inflict physical damage?"
He suspected they intended both. And with that, he immediately guessed the general purpose of this group.
"You want to use this opportunity to probe my details so someone can target me properly in the future, is that it?"
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, he immediately shouted to the Scarlet Sand Scorpion not far away, "Brother Sasori, please stand back!"
Hearing this, the Scarlet Sand Scorpion immediately understood Uchiha Naoki's intention. After partnering with him for so long, they had developed a certain(mòqì - tacit understanding).