Chapter 77: Everyone Who Should Be Here Has Arrived
Hanzō of the Salamander was even more cautious than imagined.
Even for an invitation from Shimura Danzō, he brought a large contingent of personnel.
Just after arriving at the valley, Amegakure's (Village Hidden in the Rain) reconnaissance ninja squads began to move actively. Uehara Naraka also quickly discovered their tracks and hurried forward to greet them.
After all, if you start something, you should see it through properly.
Led by a group of Ame reconnaissance ninja squads, Uehara Naraka met Hanzō of the Salamander.
This man, hailed as standing at the pinnacle of ninjas in this world, claimed to be the ninja closest to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
"Lord Hanzō, I didn't expect Your Excellency to bring so many subordinates."
The Uehara version of Yamanaka Fū went up to greet him, scanned the Ame ninjas, and said softly, "Our leader, Lord Shimura Danzō, to show sincerity, only brought one squad of guard ninjas this time to attend the negotiations."
These words weren't wrong either.
At least, on the surface in that valley, there were only four Pains.
Salamander Shinda retorted somewhat contemptuously from the side, "Hmph, facing Lord Hanzō, no matter how many ninjas you bring, it's useless, right!"
"Hmm, Your Excellency Shinda also makes a good point."
The Uehara version of Yamanaka Fū showed an awkward yet polite smile, "If the number is small, it can also avoid detection by Lord Third."
Hearing Uehara Naraka's explanation, Hanzō of the Salamander relaxed.
This old man turned his head, chatting interestedly with the Yamanaka Fū before him, "If the Third Hokage's control is strict, when we cooperate, how many ANBU can His Excellency Danzō mobilize to attack Akatsuki jointly with us?"
"I am merely a tool in Lord Danzō's hands; I am not privy to this."
The Uehara version of Yamanaka Fū didn't directly answer or promise, instead saying gravely, "However, please believe in Lord Danzō's sincerity. After the two lords discuss, it will surely lead to a result satisfactory to Lord Hanzō."
Hanzō of the Salamander's eyes narrowed slightly. After watching Yamanaka Fū for a long time, he finally spoke, "You Konoha ninjas are truly loyal and devoted to Shimura Danzō..."
"Lord Hanzō overpraises."
The Uehara version of Yamanaka Fū humbly lowered his head.
Uehara Naraka's acting this wave was good. A trace of envy appeared in Hanzō of the Salamander's eyes as he looked at him. Who wouldn't want ninjas like Shimura Danzō's, who only obeyed his orders?
Hanzō of the Salamander casually asked a few more questions about Shimura Danzō. Uehara Naraka answered smoothly, even subtly praising Hanzō.
Hanzō of the Salamander mentally tagged the Root ninja before him again.
These ninjas speak pleasantly too.
Hanzō of the Salamander looked up at the four figures standing on the cliff, couldn't help frowning. Why wasn't this guy Shimura Danzō coming down to greet him?
Uehara Naraka saw the Ninja Demigod was somewhat displeased and quickly said, "Lord Hanzō, truly sorry, we didn't communicate the procedure well between us..."
"What procedure?"
Hanzō of the Salamander was somewhat confused; his intuition told him something wasn't quite right.
The Ame ninjas, originally somewhat dissatisfied with Shimura Danzō's discourtesy, also pricked up their ears, listening quietly to Uehara Naraka's words.
"Our procedure..."
Uehara Naraka blinked. His entire body suddenly rose onto tiptoe and flew into the air, "Is how to put on a good show before killing Your Excellency!"
Uehara Naraka slowly rose high into the air, his figure gradually changing, revealing his original appearance. This sight made the Ame ninjas' faces change drastically.
Uehara looked down at the Ame group on the ground, spread his hands helplessly, "Unfortunately, it seems now this procedure can only be skipped!"
To be honest, Uehara was a bit disappointed.
Hanzō of the Salamander's mood changed drastically!
He looked up at Uehara Naraka in the air, his gaze sharp, remembering several portraits, "That kid! Is he that Akatsuki kid who was very active recently!"
"...It's him!"
Salamander Shinda quickly nodded.
Hanzō of the Salamander's face grew uglier. He said coldly, "Where is Shimura Danzō? Did he betray me? Or perhaps... this was Akatsuki's conspiracy all along?"
Whichever it was, it wasn't good news for Hanzō.
Uehara Naraka flew down, landing beside the four figures on the cliff, looking down at Hanzō of the Salamander and the numerous Ame ninjas below, "Correct. Yesterday, the Konoha ninjas already told us the information about your meeting here, hoping we would kill you."
Uehara Naraka looked at the tense expressions of the Ame ninjas and continued with a light chuckle, "Konoha's Lord Shimura Danzō proposed generous conditions: as long as we can kill you, Konoha will support us in becoming the leader of Amegakure!"
Deva Path Pain: "..."
Why did he feel Uehara sounded somewhat practiced at telling lies?
But such an obvious lie, no one would believe it, right!
"Akatsuki kid..."
Hanzō of the Salamander's expression was uncertain. He looked up at Uehara Naraka and the four dark figures beside him, "Did that bastard Shimura Danzō think he could use them to kill me? Do you think the ninjas in the village will support you?"
Others didn't believe it, but Hanzō of the Salamander believed.
Because back when ambushing the first-generation Akatsuki, many Ame ninjas and Konoha Root ninjas present were killed by the Gedo Statue; Hanzō himself barely escaped with his life.
Clearly, in that confrontation, Hanzō had lost out.
Perhaps precisely for this reason, Danzō wanted to switch cooperation partners?
No, it was also possible that bastard Shimura Danzō wanted to incite Amegakure's Ninja Demigod and the Rinnegan ninja into mutual destruction!
Regardless of who won or lost, it benefited Konoha.
Shimura Danzō was known as the Darkness of the Shinobi World. No matter what inconceivable actions he took, it seemed unsurprising. Luring Amegakure on one side and Akatsuki on the other—Danzō was definitely capable of such unscrupulous deeds!
Hanzō of the Salamander abruptly looked up at Uehara Naraka, asking in a muffled voice, "Hasn't your Akatsuki organization ever suspected that this is Konoha wanting to incite the Land of Rain's two strongest organizations into mutual destruction?"
"This question is really interesting..."
Uehara Naraka smiled, looked at Hanzō of the Salamander, and asked back, "Back then, when Your Excellency Hanzō led people to besiege our Akatsuki's three leaders, didn't you consider the same question?"
"..."
Hanzō of the Salamander was instantly choked speechless.
Uehara Naraka spread his palms and said softly, "Alright, Hanzō, we don't need to speak these high-sounding words anymore... We just want you to know how the person standing in your position back then felt."
"..."
Hanzō of the Salamander's face grew even uglier.
But a smile touched Uehara Naraka's lips, "I've probably said enough. It's time for the real avengers to come out and meet..."
"..."
A trace of panic appeared in Hanzō of the Salamander's eyes. He remembered Nagato and the Gedo Statue, who nearly killed even him back then. If it really was Nagato ambushing him...
Then how could he possibly escape?
Just at this moment, the sound of a wheelchair gradually became audible.
Nagato and Konan's figures appeared at the edge of the cliff. They calmly watched Hanzō of the Salamander on the ground below. This sight made Hanzō's heart tremble with shock!
"Long time no see, Hanzō of the Salamander."
What terrified him even more was that the Deva Path Pain slowly walked over, removed the disguise on his body, revealing his true face.
That was a person who had died many years ago!
Hanzō of the Salamander tightly clenched his fingers, looking fearfully and uneasily at the orange-haired figure, "You're the kid who... died back then..."
"Apart from Shimura Danzō, everyone who should be here has arrived."
Nagato coldly interrupted Hanzō of the Salamander's words, turned his head to glance at Konan and Uehara Naraka, "Konan, Uehara, shall we begin?"
Konan's fingers parted, slightly raised, "...Then let's begin!"
(End of Chapter)
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