Several kilometers outside Amegakure.
Hanzo the Salamander and the ninja under his command waited here for Akatsuki's arrival.
He had received word that Danzo of Konoha could not come due to other matters, but had sent Root ninja under his command to assist.
"Lord Hanzo!"
At that moment, two Rain Ninja arrived, escorting a captive.
Hanzo's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at the person being brought before him.
One subordinate reported, "While tracking Akatsuki's ninja, we captured this person as well. He seemed to be secretly exchanging messages with Akatsuki."
This person did not appear to be a member of Akatsuki, and his attire was not that of a ninja from their country.
Hanzo gestured for a subordinate beside him to search the man. Before long, they found a Konoha forehead protector and a letter.
The instant Hanzo saw the Konoha forehead protector, he frowned. After taking the letter and reading it carefully, his expression grew even darker.
"To Mr. Yahiko: Our village's ninja have gained Hanzo the Salamander's trust. The overthrow of Amegakure and the seizure of control over the Land of Rain are at hand. Proceed according to plan. —Fourth Hokage Orochimaru."
His fingers lightly brushed over the Hokage seal on the letter before he crumpled the entire sheet into a ball.
Hanzo stepped forward and tore the black tape from the man's mouth. "You think so highly of Yahiko's Akatsuki?"
The man merely sneered in silence.
"When will Root's people arrive?" he asked the subordinate beside him.
The man glanced at the sky and replied, "It's almost time for the appointment."
Hanzo rubbed the paper ball in his hand, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
Other than himself, only a handful of trusted confidants knew about his plot with Shimura Danzō of Konoha.
The letter