Konoha's Mission Master

"Why don't you three come with me to live in the Land of Fire and stop being ninjas? It'll be better than... this constant wandering."

Jiraiya continued to persuade him.

“No, I want to stay in Amegakure, change the environment here, and gradually realize my dream.” Yahiko immediately refused.

As for Nagato and Konan, what could they possibly think? Of course, they chose to unconditionally support Yahiko's decision.

"Sigh." Jiraiya sighed softly.

Yakumo understood Jiraiya's wavering. The Third Hokage had been urging him to complete the mission quickly, but Jiraiya had been using various excuses to refuse and delay.

The three of them combined could probably fight two Jonin to a draw. But Yahiko's strength alone is probably not even at the Jonin level. How could someone with such strength control Amegakure?

Idealists, in the end, die because of reality.

Jiraiya looked up at the rooftop, and Yakumo immediately understood. The two of them went to the top of the tower and stood quietly in the rain.

"I plan to carry out the old man's mission tonight and help the Akatsuki become the de facto rulers of Amegakure."

Jiraiya explained that he had been dragging this mission out for a long time and had even considered giving up, but Yahiko was too proactive. The Konoha Anbu infiltrated the Akatsuki organization very easily and even rose to the top ranks within thirty days.

"Yes, sir..." Yakumo said quite seriously.

"I will cooperate with Lord Jiraiya tonight."

Yahiko possessed the sunshine and romance unique to idealists, and he firmly believed that those who were willing to join the Akatsuki would one day become the disseminators and practitioners of his ideals.

"Haha, I feel very reassured with you protecting me in the shadows. Most importantly, please keep an eye on the three of them for me."

Jiraiya earnestly instructed.

“With pleasure,” Yakumo replied.

"Start with the most threatening guard team, then the medical and ANBU forces. As for those wandering ninjas, they're just a bunch of opportunists."

After a moment's thought, Jiraiya began to calmly analyze the situation inside Amegakure, while methodically arranging his plans for the evening.

Compared to Yahiko's naive defensive preparations, Jiraiya's plan was undoubtedly much more mature, since eliminating all enemies was the best defense.

"Tonight, I will only be responsible for protecting Yahiko and the other two. After all, Konoha's Anbu will be participating in tonight's plan. If I am exposed... it will be easy to link it to Danzo's attack."

“Okay,” Jiraiya nodded in agreement.

"You can't take care of them for the rest of their lives."

Yakumo spoke with a pointed tone.

"I know," Jiraiya replied seriously.

For three whole years, they lived together. Although they were master and apprentice, their relationship was more like that of a father and son. After all, Jiraiya had never married or had children, so this genuine affection was very precious to him.

"It's good that Jiraiya-sama knows what's going on."

In Yakumo's view, the trio of Yahiko represented trouble, especially the Rinnegan in Nagato's eye socket, which was an extremely crucial part of Madara Uchiha's plan.

In that guy's script, Yahiko is bound to die.

"Alright, let's not talk about them. When do you plan to leave Amegakure? My affairs have taken up too much of your time. Are you homesick now?"

Jiraiya suddenly recalled the reluctance in Yakumo's eyes when he left Konoha. For this young man, Konoha still held an inseparable bond with him.

"Jiraiya-sama's affairs are my affairs."

Yakumo answered very sincerely.

"Haha, I have some information to tell you. A few days ago, the old man attributed Danzo's death to Hanzo of the Salamander. In other words, you don't have to worry anymore."

Yakumo laughed heartily.

He began to recall what he had gained from leaving Konoha. The most important thing was that he had solved the problem of Danzo, and the second was that Jiraiya had expressed his support for Sakumo Hatake to become the Fourth Hokage.

The two chatted for a few more minutes... Yakumo then led Rina Uzumaki back to the inn. He had already understood Jiraiya's determination. Since he couldn't dissuade Yahiko from his dream, he would cut the Gordian knot and end the mission as soon as possible.

That evening, Yakumo quietly changed into black clothes and went out.

According to the ripples in his mind, Jiraiya had already left the Akatsuki's stronghold and was heading towards Hanzo's guard. At the same time, the Konoha Anbu, who were hidden within the Akatsuki, were also moving.

Yakumo was secretly following them; this night was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Swish.

Yakumo appeared at the very top of the tower.

The guards occupied the tower where Hanzo the Salamander once lived, turning it into their base of operations and stronghold. The huge drainage pipes outside the tower resembled giant black snakes.

Jiraiya, dressed in black and crouching low, silently approached the guard's stronghold, while the ANBU ninja behind him also skillfully suppressed the sound of their footsteps treading on water.

The sharp blade pierced the air, and blood splattered everywhere.

The skilled assassins were quickly eliminating the sentries on guard duty; from Yakumo's perspective, they were like silent, invisible, and elusive ghosts.

"Swift, deadly, and clean."

Yakumo commented in a low voice.

This level of assassination skill is like an art master performing. Perhaps even Yahiko did not expect that his Akatsuki organization had so many talented masters.

Finally… the sirens pierced the night sky.

Humans are not machines; they will always make mistakes, or trigger some traps left by Hanzo the Salamander before his death.

Flames and shouts of battle erupted.

Rio Yamashita and her deputy, Sadanori Okamura, worked together to hold Jiraiya back, while the other ninjas surrounded and killed the remaining Akatsuki members. Unfortunately for them, their enemy was the well-trained Konoha Anbu.

The battle situation has become largely one-sided.

Rio Yamashita and her deputy, under Jiraiya's pressure, made frequent mistakes, creating a perilous situation.

"Earth Release: Earth Rising Spear!"

Someone was secretly forming hand seals.

Suddenly, dense rock spears about two meters long sprouted from the platform, repelling Jiraiya.

The Hidden Stone Village's Anbu have made their move!

This is just the beginning; a fierce storm is brewing...

To Yakumo's surprise, the Sunagakure Anbu joined forces with the Iwagakure Anbu to begin annihilating members of the Konoha Anbu, two of whom possessed an aura that was remarkably close to that of a Kage.

It's as if this is... a plan targeting the Akatsuki organization.

It seems as if a mastermind is orchestrating this incident.

Yakumo was about to get up and provide support, but he stopped abruptly as the enemy's presence was revealed not far behind him.

"Um... I don't know who you are, but... someone gave me fifty million to hold you off here for half an hour, so could you please cooperate?"

Chapter 134 Clash with Kakuzu

The two people on the tower faced each other.

The newcomer was tall and wore a large raincoat. He had eerie blue eyes and wore a headband from Takigakure, except that it had a line drawn down the middle.

Kakuzu, the number one money-grubber in the ninja world.

Kakuzu shouldn't be here. The Akatsuki members are in dire straits as they are besieged by the ANBU of both countries. Jiraiya is also in a tough fight, being held back by two elite Jonin and unable to provide any support.

This scene was absolutely flawless.

Yakumo understands.

Madara Uchiha's plan is slowly unfolding...

Tonight... Yahiko will definitely die.

He silently watched the rain. Kakuzu on the other side didn't make any attacking moves either. It's true that he likes making money, but he prefers to make money easily, preferably while lying down.

“All sorts of tragedies are happening all the time in this world. Yahiko is just one of the most insignificant ones. Most importantly, you don’t even like Yahiko. Just let him die. Jiraiya-sama will be sad for a while, but it will pass. There’s no need to risk ruining Madara Uchiha’s plans for Yahiko.”

"You are still weak and need to keep a low profile."

Many thoughts flashed through Yakumo's mind.

"Sigh." Yakumo sighed softly.

He slowly drew his weapon, the blade pointing directly at Kakuzu. His meaning was quite clear. Kakuzu shook his head and pulled off his raincoat.

Although Yakumo strongly disagreed with Yahiko's method of achieving his dream, in this world where bloodline is paramount, it's remarkable that someone could genuinely care about the hardships and suffering of the lower classes and be willing to risk their life for them...

This is really difficult.

Even if you disagree, Yakumo still deserves your respect.

In a matter of seconds, Yakumo made his decision.

This world tells me that bloodline is everything.

And I will use my fists to show the world...

All beings are equal.

The light drizzle fell on Kakuzu's body, which was covered with stitches, and Yakumo seemed to have completely swept away the gloom in his heart.

In life, it is very important to have a clear mind.

"Just because I want to, I'll do it...!!"

Yakumo shifted his weight forward, focusing his mind and calming his spirit. His gaze was more resolute than ever before, as if it contained the imposing and unshakeable grandeur of a towering mountain.

"I hate trouble! I hate rain even more!"

Kakuzu began to use his teeth to dismantle the stitches on his forearm, and five distinct types of chakra within him gradually expanded and erupted.

"Tentacle Fist!"

Kakuzu's wrist detached from his forearm and, propelled by the black threads, hurtled toward Yakumo's heart at incredible speed.

This is both a killing move and a test.

"Earth Escape·Earth Flow Wall."

Yakumo slammed his hands on the ground, channeling chakra into them.

Almost instantly, a three-meter-high earthen wall blocked the two of them. Kakuzu's fist collided with the earthen wall, causing it to dent and scattering broken stones. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Yakumo quickly created two shadow clones.