A Story Every Family Has to Tell

Inside the top-floor meeting room of the Hokage Tower Konoha, a heavy atmosphere hung in the air. Jiraiya's deep voice echoed between the walls as he peeled back the layers of intelligence he had brought back from the Land of Rain: "----After Yahiko's death, Akatsuki was indeed destroyed. But the current leader of Amegakure, Daigo Masakazu, himself admitted----" His Adam's apple bobbed, and his gaze swept over the dark-faced Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Back then, it was Hanzo of the Salamander, in league with our Konoha's Shimura Danzō, used peace negotiations as bait to set a trap and wipe out the core members of Akatsuki."

"Cough cough cough!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was suddenly choked by the smoke and burst into a heart-wrenching cough, his aged face instantly turning red.

His hand holding the pipe trembled slightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Those dirty deals deliberately buried under the dust of time, those conspiracies carried out by Danzo, the underhanded hand, under the guise of "Konoha's interests," with his tacit approval or even indulgence, are now laid bare in the sunlight, scorching his old face.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a knowing glance, both seeing the awkwardness and heaviness in each other's eyes.

"Danzo —it's Danzo again!" Minato Namikaze's azure eyes flashed with a cold light as he slammed his hand on the table, making a dull thud.

The Nine-Tails' rampage, collusion with other villages, and the slaughter of fellow village ninjas—the legacy of this deceased elder is like a leech, constantly tearing at Konoha's wounds.

"His actions are a disgrace to Konoha!" Minato's voice was filled with suppressed rage.

Jiraiya nodded heavily, ignoring the Third Kazekage's embarrassed expression, and continued, "Daigo Masakazu this person—smooth and worldly-wise, his words are watertight, he tries his best to sever any connection between Amegakure and the current state of Akatsuki, and repeatedly emphasizes that Akatsuki is already history."

Based on what I Scout along the way, the memories of "Akatsuki" among the people of Amegakure and the surrounding area are basically from many years ago.

On the surface, it seems that Akatsuki has truly vanished with Yahiko's death.

Some people in the conference room breathed a sigh of relief, while others still frowned.

Hiruzen Sarutobi then spoke, breaking the silence.

"Now it seems that this organization may not still be operating under the name of 'Xiao', or they may still be in a dormant phase, hiding very well."

However, judging from their recent activity frequency, they may be planning to end their hibernation and officially Jonin world.

This conjecture was reasonable, and even Nara Shikaku nodded slightly, his finger unconsciously drawing a circle on the table as he considered this possibility.

Utatane Koharu sighed, "If that's the case, the situation will be really bad. Should we continue to keep an eye on Amegakure? It seems there's nothing left to waste manpower on there."

"Wrong!"

All eyes immediately focused on the blond Hokage in the main seat.

Minato didn't look at anyone; his self-illumination seemed to penetrate infinite distance, landing on that rainy village.

"Jiraiya- sensei, you just mentioned that the weather was—very good—during your investigation in Amegakure?" Minato raised his head, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, fixed on Jiraiya.

Jiraiya was taken aback, and subconsciously replied, "Yes, those few days were unusually sunny, the sun was nice, and I was even thinking—" His words stopped abruptly, and his expression changed drastically!

An anomaly that everyone had overlooked was instantly illuminated by Minato's question!

"Amegakure!" Minato's voice was resolute. "According to the Anbu's intelligence, that place is rainy all year round, and in the last two years it's been even more outrageous, with basically no sunny days."

It's rare for a day or two to go without rain, so how could there be continuous and frequent sunny days during the period you were investigating?

He suddenly stood up, placed his hands on the edge of the table, leaned forward slightly, and scanned every face in the room.

"When did Taiichi encounter Pain's ambush at the border of the Land of Hot Water? Eight days ago! When did Jiraiya arrive at Amegakure? Five days ago! This unusually clear weather started precisely after Taiichi's attack!"

It was like a thunderclap exploding in everyone's minds!

Nara Shikaku was the first to react, gasping sharply. "They've retreated! After their failed attack on Taiichi, realizing their identities might be exposed, they anticipated that Konoha would inevitably investigate the Land of Rain as the source!"

Therefore, they decisively abandoned Amegakure, their long-established stronghold! This clear weather is likely a side effect of the large-scale Ninjutsu they used to lift the shroud over Amegakure!

"Utatane Koharu exclaimed in disbelief.

Jiraiya slammed his fist into his thigh, his face filled with regret and self-reproach. "Damn it! How could I not have thought of that! I was so focused on gathering information that I completely overlooked this most obvious environmental anomaly! I should have investigated more thoroughly—"

"It's no use, teacher." Minato's voice regained its composure as he slowly sat back down. "Since the other side chose to withdraw on their own initiative, they must have made thorough preparations."

The traces will be erased, the clues will be cut off. That guy named Daigo Masakazu was just a smokescreen they left behind to evade Scout. If you go back now, you'll find nothing but an empty shell that's been deliberately cleared out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe had long since gone out, and his wrinkled face was more solemn than ever before. "But since they once occupied this place, it's hard to guarantee they won't make a comeback. Amegakure must be added to a long-term, closely monitored list."

"That's natural." Minato nodded, his eyes flashing sharply. "Akatsuki's voluntary retreat precisely exposed their weakness and their fear of Konoha! They possess the Rinnegan, yet they dared not confront us head-on after it was exposed, choosing instead to sever their tails and escape. This proves that, at least for now, their power is insufficient to shake Konoha!"

He surveyed the crowd, his tone resolute and brimming with powerful confidence. "Time is on our side! Konoha possesses elite combat power like Taiichi, rapidly developing medical and technological capabilities, and a recovering vitality and cohesion! Given enough time to grow and strengthen, the Akatsuki is nothing to fear!"

He paused, his gaze becoming profound. "At the same time, immediately send the highest-level diplomatic letters to the four great ninja villages of Sunagakure, Cloud Village, Mist Village, and Iwagakure in the name of the Hokage!"

They were informed of the existence of the Akatsuki organization, its terrifying plot to collect the Tailed Beast was exposed, and they were warned to strengthen the protection of their respective Jinchuriki to prevent the Tailed Beast from being stolen! The disaster of the Ninja World cannot be borne solely by Konoha!

Under the clear commands of the Fourth Hokage, Konoha's war machine once again sprang into action at high speed. Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, Iwagakure presented a completely different scene.

Deep within Iwagakure, in a special prison cell constructed of heavy rock, the light was dim, and the air was filled with earth, stones, and a sense of oppression.

Rōshi, the Jinchuriki the Four-Tails, sat cross-legged on the cold stone bed, like a silent volcano.

Imprisonment did not break him; on the contrary, it strengthened his will and gave him a clearer understanding of his own thoughts.

During his imprisonment, several elders came to visit, offering comfort and advice in an effort to help Rōshi recognize reality and stop fighting against the Tsuchikage.

Sure enough, the heavy stone door made a screeching sound again and opened a crack.

A figure slipped inside, and then the stone door slammed shut again.

The newcomer was around forty years old, with a square face and the resilient temperament unique to Iwagakure Ninja. He was none other than Toki Kengo, one of the elders (mentioned in Chapter 319, who was controlled by Obito's Genjutsu). He walked up to Rōshi with just the right amount of concern on his face.

"Rōshi —sigh," Toki Kengo's voice was low and gentle, carrying a heartfelt sincerity, "You've suffered, everyone is very worried about you."

He sighed, as if he felt the same way. "Lord Tsuchikage this time—alas, he was also under pressure. The stability of the village is above all else, you know that."

His decision to confine you wasn't targeting you personally; it's simply that your words and actions that day had a significant impact on the higher-ups. The Tsuchikage must uphold the village's discipline and authority; there's no other way."

He observed Rōshi's unmoved face and continued, "The village is currently at a critical juncture. Konoha has just experienced a major upheaval, which is a good opportunity for Iwagakure to accumulate strength and strive for more resources and a stronger voice."

War and necessary hard-line measures are sometimes unavoidable bargaining chips, Rōshi. You've protected Iwagakure for so many years, wasn't it all for the village's prosperity? Why escalate a temporary ideological difference to this point? We're all doing this for the good of Iwagakure— "

Toki Kengo's words were like poison coated in sugar. On the surface, every word made sense, urging Rōshi to consider the bigger picture and understand the Tsuchikage. He even glorified Ōnoki's imprisonment as a necessary means of "maintaining authority."

However, to Rōshi, who was already extremely dissatisfied with the policies of the higher authorities, these words were like red-hot steel needles, precisely piercing his most sensitive nerves.

"For the good of Iwagakure?" Rōshi's eyes twitched slightly beneath his tightly closed eyelids, his heart roaring, "Imprisoning me like a prisoner, depriving me of my freedom and voice, is this what it means to be in the good of Iwagakure? War and plunder, militarism and aggression, binding the village to the war machine, is this what it means to be strong?"

To Toki Kengo's seemingly comforting words sounded to him like nothing more than nauseating hypocrisy and condescending accusations.

A surge of anger burned fiercely in his chest, but he forcibly suppressed it, his fists clenched so tightly on his knees that his knuckles turned white.

Seeing that Rōshi remained silent, but his breathing seemed even heavier, Toki Kengo noticed a fleeting, almost imperceptible, strange light flashing in his eyes.

He knew the time was almost right, and then he sighed slightly, his tone even more "earnest": "Rōshi, think it over carefully. I'm leaving now, take care of yourself."

After saying that, he sighed again, turned and left the cell.

The stone door closed, cutting off the last ray of light. In the darkness, Rōshi suddenly opened his eyes, and deep within those eyes, it seemed as if molten lava was flowing!

A few days later, after being "persuaded" by several high-ranking officials and elders, Tsuchikage Ōnoki personally came to the prison cell.

His short body hovered in mid-air as he looked down at the seated Rōshi, his tone still carrying the authority of Tsuchikage, but somewhat softened.

"Rōshi, how have you been reflecting these past few days? The village's interests and unity are paramount; personal squabbles are meaningless. As long as you recognize your mistakes and are willing to contribute to the future of Iwagakure, the past can be forgiven."

Rōshi slowly raised his head, his face expressionless, his eyes eerily calm.

He looked at Ōnoki, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said in an unusually flat tone, devoid of any emotion, "Lord Tsuchikage is right. I acted impulsively and recklessly, neglecting the overall interests of the village. I am willing to continue protecting Iwagakure."

Ōnoki's tense brows finally relaxed a little. Although Rōshi's attitude was too indifferent, even a little stiff, it was already rare for him to admit his mistake and soften his stance.

He waved his hand. "Well, it's good that you've realized your mistake. Confinement is over, go back and get some rest. The village still needs your help."

He planned to appease and restrain Rōshi slowly once he came out.

Rōshi silently got up, nodded slightly to Ōnoki, and then walked steadily Earth Flow of the cell without any extra movements or words.

As Ōnoki watched his retreating figure, the slight doubt in his heart was temporarily suppressed by the relief of "successfully solving the problem."

However, only one day later...

"Lord Tsuchikage! Something terrible has happened!" An Anbu Ninja practically burst through the heavy stone door of the Tsuchikage's office, his voice filled with panic, "Rōshi —he—he's gone!"

"What?!" Ōnoki abruptly landed from his suspended state, his small frame exuding an astonishing aura. "What do you mean 'gone'? Explain yourself!"

"Your subordinate was ordered to secretly protect Rōshi." The Anbu knelt on one knee, speaking rapidly, "But this morning, after Lord Rōshi entered his residence, he never came out again. Your subordinate sensed something was wrong and went in to check, only to find the house empty!"

There were no signs of a struggle, and all his personal belongings, including his combat uniform and Ninja Tool Pouch, had vanished! It was as if—as if they had evaporated into thin air!

Ōnoki felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his vision blurred. A surge of furious rage at being fooled instantly overwhelmed his reason. "Useless! A bunch of useless trash! A living, Jinchuriki, vanished right under your noses!"

He roared, spittle almost landing on the faces of his Anbu, "Find them! Search high and low! Block all roads in and out of the village! Activate the highest level of tracking plan! Find them alive or dead!"

The entire Tsuchikage Office reverberated with the roar of Ōnoki. For an entire day, his furious howls and rebukes of the Anbu's incompetence echoed in the Tsuchikage's office, creating an oppressive and suffocating atmosphere.

The following day, just as Ōnoki was in a state of utter distress, a group of weary Iwa Rock Ninja returned to the village; they were a team that had gone out to complete a mission.

The Captain nervously took out a letter and presented it to Ōnoki.

"Lord Tsuchikage, we encountered Rōshi on the southern border. He asked me to bring this letter back to you."

Ōnoki snatched the letter, tore it open in a few quick movements, and saw a single sentence written in a flamboyant style on the entire sheet of paper, "The Ninja World is vast, I'm going to go and see it for myself, don't worry!"

At the bottom of the page was Rōshi's extremely arrogant signature.

Bang!

Ōnoki slapped the cup of freshly brewed hot tea off the table next to him, sending it flying and scalding hot tea and porcelain shards splashing all over the floor.

His wrinkled old face, at this moment, was like a dye vat, turning from iron-blue to deathly white, then from deathly white to a purplish-red like pig liver, and finally turning into a deathly ashen gloom.

"Old... Purple!" Ōnoki squeezed out the two words through gritted teeth, his fingers gripping the letter trembling violently from the extreme force.

What a disgrace! This is like rubbing his face, the Tsuchikage's face, into the ground repeatedly! Yesterday he was still somewhat relieved by Rōshi's "apology," but today he was slapped hard in the face by this mocking "farewell letter"!

Just as Ōnoki's chest was filled with anger and resentment, almost to the point of exploding, an Intelligence Department ninja strode in, his hands trembling as he presented a perfectly sealed scroll.

"Lord Tsuchikage! Urgent report! The Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Minato Namikaze, has personally issued a top-level warning!"

Suppressing his urge to tear up Rōshi's message, Ōnoki grabbed the scroll, roughly broke the seal, and scanned the contents with lightning speed.

When you see phrases like "mysterious organization Akatsuki," "possessing the Rinnegan," "aiming to collect the Tailed Beast," "extremely dangerous," or "all ninja villages must strengthen the protection of their Jinchuriki"—

Ōnoki's body swayed violently, as if he had been struck hard by an invisible hammer!

A chilling coldness instantly overwhelmed all his anger, shooting wildly up his spine, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave!

What a coincidence! The timing was so coincidental that it sent chills down his spine and made him feel uneasy.

No sooner had Rōshi defected than Konoha issued a warning! Its message directly targeted the Tailed Beast!

"Men!" Ōnoki's voice was hoarse and shrill, filled with unprecedented resolve. "Pass on my orders! The four Anbu squads we sent out to find Rōshi weren't enough! Send four more squads immediately! No! Five! Find that bastard Rōshi and bring him back to me as quickly as possible! Now! Immediately!"