"Did we… fail?"
Inside the Akatsuki base, Pain stared at the strange, plant-like figure before him, his expression turning subtle and unreadable.
Akatsuki members were never meant to stay in one place for long. Every one of them was difficult to manage, each with their own affairs and obsessions.
Nagato had neither the time nor the patience to keep them all under watch. As long as they showed up when summoned for missions, that was enough.
So when Sasori and Kakuzu didn't return after their task, he hadn't thought much of it.
What he hadn't expected was for this creature—wearing an Akatsuki ring and lurking beside the so-called Uchiha Madara—to appear instead, bringing such disastrous news.
They lost.
And not just lost—they were utterly crushed.
From a certain perspective, the mission had technically succeeded. They had obtained intelligence on Konoha.
But listening to the pig-trap plant's account of how miserably the two had been beaten still left Nagato incredulous.
"…There's also a more troublesome issue," the black half of Zetsu said hesitantly.
He really didn't want to bring this up.
But Obito, that bastard, had chickened out at the critical moment and dumped everything on him instead.
"What is it?" Nagato frowned, controlling Pain to speak coldly. "And where is that 'Uchiha Madara'? Why isn't he here?"
Because he panicked and didn't have the face to show up, Black Zetsu cursed inwardly.
Outwardly, he maintained a calm tone.
"He was… shaken. Wood Release is the power of his former nemesis. Seeing it again stirred some emotions."
"As for the real problem—it's serious. We need to deal with it carefully."
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had been mortal enemies. Wood Release versus the Mangekyō Sharingan was a clash etched into history.
Using that excuse wasn't entirely wrong—though even Black Zetsu felt awkward saying it.
"What problem?" Nagato pressed. "Get to the point."
"That boy—Ren. Or rather, Senju Ren, as some believe—has likely deduced parts of our situation. More precisely… our location."
"…Go on."
"He's extremely intelligent. Based solely on Sunagakure's condition, he pinpointed their weak spots and forced them to lose the initiative. And now…"
Black Zetsu paused.
"…He's concluded that Uchiha Obito may be within Akatsuki. Because Sasori and Kakuzu are missing-nin, he connected the dots."
He couldn't continue.
Because Obito really was there.
Even if they denied it, would Konoha believe them?
Of course not.
Uchiha Obito was the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident. Even the slightest lead would be chased relentlessly.
And if one thought more darkly—
Even if Konoha didn't fully believe it, following that trail could still justify infiltrating a small nation.
Why wouldn't they?
"So… Konoha has its eyes on us," Nagato said grimly.
At this stage, Akatsuki had to remain low-profile.
The Gedo Statue was still maturing. It couldn't yet devour tailed beasts. That process would take years.
Their priorities were secrecy, recruitment, and funding.
And now, because of one mission, Konoha was watching them.
"Yes. They even captured Kitsuchi—clearly trying to squeeze out more intelligence."
Black Zetsu looked up at Pain.
"We won't give Iwagakure anything meaningful, but it's hard to say what conclusions that boy might draw. From what I know, he's already begun examining every small nation."
Nagato fell silent.
That boy was far more dangerous than expected.
Left unchecked, he could disrupt everything.
"…Then what do you suggest?" Nagato finally asked. "Assassinate him?"
"No," Black Zetsu replied irritably. "That's difficult. He has Flying Thunder God."
Space-time techniques were broken. Infuriatingly broken.
Just like Obito abusing Kamui.
"What we need is deception. We can't let them suspect Amegakure."
"Also, we must accelerate recruitment—send members to operate in other villages and divert Konoha's attention."
"For leverage, we can proactively recruit someone. What about Jūzō Biwa?"
"Jūzō Biwa?"
Nagato frowned.
Formerly one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, wielder of the Executioner's Blade.
Strong—but broken.
Did someone who'd lost his fighting spirit still have value?
"That's not enough," Nagato said. "I want more."
"What do you want?"
"I want to move against Hanzō. I want more intelligence. And I need detailed information on Danzo Shimura and Ren. Can you do that?"
"No problem."
Black Zetsu agreed instantly.
Gathering intelligence was his specialty—and he already had most of it.
"Ren doesn't need deep investigation," he added. "He's Danzo's man. Understand Danzo, and you'll understand Ren."
Nagato snorted.
"…Then make sure Konoha keeps its eyes elsewhere."
Pain turned and left.
But one name echoed in Nagato's heart.
Danzo Shimura.
The man who had joined hands with Hanzō to corner Yahiko.
A wound that would never heal.
"Yahiko… I'll deal with Hanzō soon."
"And then Danzo."
"And after that—I will create a peaceful world."
"Don't be nervous, kid. Treat this place like home."
In Konoha, at the Senju ancestral residence, Tsunade drank freely as she smiled at Karin.
Her cheeks were flushed. Karin sat stiffly beside her, awkward yet warmed by a feeling she'd never known.
"I… I understand, Lady Tsunade."
Karin was still cautious, guarded by instinct. Years as a test subject had carved that into her bones.
Tsunade snorted and downed another cup.
"Hey, you brat," she said, turning to Ren. "Didn't expect your Wood Release to be this advanced already."
Ren froze for a moment.
Which gave Yūgao the chance to pull her hand free from under the table.
She lowered her head and focused on eating, cheeks slightly red.
Ren coughed lightly.
"It's thanks to the scrolls you gave me, sensei."
"Oh?" Tsunade leaned back, amused. "With all those missions, when did you even have time to read?"
"I focused on the key points."
Flattery wasn't shameful.
"Still," Ren added carefully, "you've had a bit much to drink."
"Tch. Don't lecture me."
She drank again, then sighed.
"You've captured the Fourth Raikage once, and now the Third Tsuchikage's son. You're showing strength—but remember this: the shinobi world isn't peaceful."
"Especially for rare geniuses."
Ren nodded. He understood.
Tall trees catch the wind.
And shinobi lives were fragile.
"I understand, sensei."
"Good."
Tsunade stretched, leaning closer.
"Oh, by the way—what's your dream?"
"…To become Hokage."
Ren said it seriously.
Tsunade snorted.
"Another clueless brat."
To others, it was a dream.
To her, it was a curse.
"Be careful," she said softly. "Hokage isn't an easy seat."
Late that night, Ren sat on his bed and opened his panel.
[Ren]
Physical Attributes: Lv.10
Chakra: Lv.9
Abilities:
• Wood Release Lv.6 (Water, Earth, Yang Lv.6)
• Flying Thunder God Lv.6
• Curse Mark Lv.6
• Wind Release Lv.6
• Yin Release Lv.5
• (Others omitted)
Freedom Points: 45
Special Ability: Kakuzu's Fire Release
The harvest was absurd.
He extracted Kakuzu's Fire Release.
[Fire Release acquired – Lv.7]
After upgrades:
Wind Release → Lv.7
• Wood Release → Lv.7
• Curse Mark → Lv.7
Freedom Points remaining: 15
Then—
[Bloodline mutation detected due to Wood Release enhancement.]
And finally—
Ren chose curiosity.
[Physical Attributes upgraded → Lv.11]
Pain exploded through his body.
The room trembled.
Glass shattered.
Dust fell.
[Bloodline mutation intensified due to physical enhancement.]
Ren gasped, trembling.
"…So this is beyond the system's 'Kage' limit."
Elsewhere, in the Uchiha district, Fugaku listened grimly to Itachi's report.
Ren was too strong.
Too dangerous.
And in the moonlit training ground, Shisui watched the sky and murmured—
"Danzo Shimura…"
Some answers already existed.
They just couldn't act on them yet.
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