Wager Battle

Inside the tallest iron tower of Amegakure, pale yellow light fell upon the face of Salamander Hanzo.

Salamander Hanzo frowned slightly, slowly lifting his head to look directly at Shimura Danzō opposite him, and asked, "The people of Akatsuki haven't noticed anything, have they?"

Shimura Danzō sat there, half of his figure hidden in the dim shadows.

He unhurriedly extended a hand wrapped in bandages, picked up the teacup on the table, took a light sip, and said indifferently:

"Of course not."

Upon hearing Shimura Danzō's reply, Salamander Hanzo said slowly, "As long as that brat Yahiko dies, Akatsuki will naturally scatter."

"Oh? And what about your side? Can tomorrow's plan proceed smoothly?"

Hearing Shimura Danzō's skeptical tone, Salamander Hanzo's expression sharpened, and he replied calmly, "Rest assured. If we count the time, the hostages are already in hand."

"Once they are eliminated, Amegakure will remain yours."

Having said this, Shimura Danzō set down his teacup and rose to leave.

The next day, Akatsuki base.

"It has finally come to this."

Nagato looked out at the curtain of rain, his heart filled with infinite reverie.

"Nagato."

As the voice fell, Nagato snapped to attention and turned to look behind him.

"You are... Uchiha Madara? Why have you come..."

"Nagato, reality is about to undergo a massive change. Leave Akatsuki now and act with me.

Yahiko's ideas are ultimately just ideals. Even if you can understand the pain of others, they will never care about your pain.

Therefore, you who possess the Rinnegan should understand what reality is."

"Madara, no matter what you say, I will continue to believe in Yahiko's ideals."

"Very well. Then, follow your own pain and take a good look at this world."

As Uchiha Madara's words faded, the air around him seemed to be pulled and twisted by an invisible force.

Immediately after, his figure dissipated into a vortex like a phantom.

Just after Uchiha Madara vanished, Uchiha Shisui stepped out from the side and looked at Nagato, saying, "Nagato, if you see this world he speaks of clearly, will you still persist in your current choice?"

Nagato was startled to see Uchiha Shisui emerge; he hadn't sensed him at all.

Hearing Uchiha Shisui's question, he nodded and said, "The same answer as before: no matter what, I will persist in Yahiko's ideals."

"If the world is indeed about to undergo a massive change as that Uchiha Madara said, let's make a bet.

If you change your mind after the change occurs, you must unconditionally grant me one request. If I lose, I will unconditionally grant you one request."

Upon hearing Uchiha Shisui's wager, Nagato looked toward the rain outside and said slowly, "I don't believe there will be any massive change. I accept your bet."

Just as the two reached an agreement, Yahiko walked over and waved his hand:

"So you two are here. It's about time, let's head out now. Don't keep Lord Salamander Hanzo waiting."

Heavy black clouds pressed down on the horizon, and fine threads of rain wove an impenetrable net between heaven and earth, shrouding the entire world in a hazy mist.

Uchiha Shisui, Yahiko, and Nagato had been rushing through the rain for several hours. Rainwater slid down their cheeks and hair, and their soaked clothes clung tightly to their bodies, yet they did not slow their pace.

Finally, they arrived at the agreed-upon Vale. The surrounding high cliffs were shadowy in the mist, and the scent of damp earth permeated the valley.

"That's Konan! Damn it, we've been played!"

Yahiko's voice instantly shattered the silence of the Vale. His eyes widened abruptly, his gaze burning as he stared fixedly at the earthen cliff ahead.

Following his line of sight, he saw the tall figure of Salamander Hanzo standing there, his hand gripping a slender woman—it was Konan.

Her hair was soaked by the rain, sticking messily to her face. Though her eyes showed stubbornness, they could not hide a trace of panic.

Seeing this, Yahiko gritted his teeth, his face full of rage.

Salamander Hanzo's lips curled slightly, pulling into a triumphant and cold smile. The Kunai in his hand glinted with a chilling, icy light in the dimness.

He tilted his head slightly, looking down at Yahiko from his vantage point, and said, "Yahiko, I want you, the leader, to die here. If you dare to resist, then this woman will lose her life."

As soon as he finished speaking, Salamander Hanzo flicked his wrist, tossing the Kunai beside Nagato, splashing a puddle of mud.

The Kunai stood firmly in the mud, its sharp blade flashing with a biting light.

He looked at Nagato again, his tone filled with an unquestionable threat: "That red-head, kill Yahiko, and I will let you, the brat beside you, and this woman remain unharmed."

At this moment, aside from the pattering of the rain, only heavy breathing remained in the Vale, the atmosphere so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

"Nagato! Stop! Don't worry about me, the three of you, run!"

Konan's voice was carried by the wind and rain, intermittent yet filled with unquestionable resolve.

Nagato's eyes widened, filled with struggle. At this moment, his mind was in chaos, leaving him completely unable to decide what to do.

Just as the tension reached its breaking point, a hand landed firmly on Nagato's shoulder.

Nagato instinctively turned his head, seeing Uchiha Shisui's calm expression, his gaze revealing a sense of resolve.

Uchiha Shisui gently patted Nagato on the shoulder, his voice low yet possessing a piercing clarity that cut through the sound of the wind and rain to reach Nagato's ears:

"Why must you choose from the options they give you? Rather than letting one of you die, why not fight for a chance? Are you really content to be manipulated like this?"

Yahiko had intended to sacrifice himself to ensure his companions' safety, but Uchiha Shisui's actions interrupted him.

"Do it now! Don't you care about this woman's life?"

Salamander Hanzo pressed his Kunai against Konan's neck and shouted at Nagato.

"Hey! Salamander Hanzo! Look over here!"

As the words fell, the Sharingan manifested in Uchiha Shisui's eyes, and Salamander Hanzo happened to turn his head slightly, locking his gaze onto Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan.

In the instant their eyes met, Salamander Hanzo's body stiffened abruptly, as if held in place by an invisible yet immensely powerful force.

At the same time, Nagato seized this fleeting opportunity, stomping hard against the ground to splash up a spray of murky mud as he launched himself into the air like an arrow released from a bow.

During the brief moment Salamander Hanzo was trapped in the genjutsu, Nagato reached his side, extended his long arm, and pulled Konan securely into his embrace.

"Release!"

A violent roar erupted from Salamander Hanzo. He was no ordinary man; despite the strength of the genjutsu, he relied on his profound power and wealth of combat experience to break free from its shackles shortly after being ensnared. His eyes quickly locked onto Nagato, who was attempting to escape with Konan, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his gaze.

Immediately after, Salamander Hanzo rapidly formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Explosive Flame Formation!"