Konan Arrives

The next morning.

Jin lay on White's bed, grinning happily. "I think I should write a book."

"Oh? What kind of book?" White asked, lying beside Jin.

"An S-rank Ninjutsu: Complete Guide to Deception!" Jin laughed heartily.

"You big liar. I really don't know what goes on in that head of yours," White said with a smile.

"I'm trying to create a new kind of ninjutsu!" Jin made up an excuse.

"All right, I'm going to practice my senbon! You should go back and train too. Otherwise, the next time we run into Orochimaru, we'll still have to flee," White advised.

"Fine. Once all of us have improved, we'll form an incredibly powerful team and go make trouble for Orochimaru. Then he'll be the one running from us."

"Are your eyes telling me you don't believe me? I really don't know what you people are thinking. Even Orochimaru has fallen for my tricks before! Believe it or not."

"But you have to admit I'm a genius! Not only did I hire a top-class chef like Meiko, I also stole money from dozens of bandits. I'm getting more and more impressed with myself. I'm starting to wonder how old I really am."

"All right, I can't stand that contemptuous look in your eyes anymore. I'll be back for dinner. I'm leaving first!" Jin said with a laugh as he left the house shared by Meiko and the other two. Then, escorted by three jonin bodyguards, he headed home.

A paper crane drifted into Naruto's office.

The Third Naruto unfolded the paper crane and read it. "It seems the rumors are true! The mysterious Akatsuki has indeed arrived!"

"Huh! That woman looks a little familiar?" Jin blurted out as he stared at a woman shopping some distance away.

"You know me?" The woman turned and met Jin's gaze. The two sized each other up. Jin was shocked to discover that she was Konan, the Akatsuki's only woman—a master who loved paper folding. At the same time, a storm raged in Jin's heart. Could Akatsuki really be moving against the Uchiha Clan ahead of schedule? Is the Third Naruto going to move against the Uchiha Clan too? If so, who will Itachi help? Me or the Third Naruto? I just hope the Third Naruto doesn't add fuel to the fire at a time like this. Looks like they might act tonight! What should I do?

"Oh, I mistook you for someone else! Sorry to bother you!" Jin hurried away.

Konan thought curiously, What an interesting little brat! He looks a lot like me when I was young. Then she muttered to herself, "Sigh, so this is Jiraiya-sensei's village? What a wonderful place! Why is Jiraiya-sensei never home? I haven't seen Sensei in so long. I wonder how he's doing now."

Jin sat alone in his room, thinking about the impending destruction of the clan.

"Jin, my little brother, are you here? Good, I have something to tell you." Itachi barged in without knocking, making the urgency of the matter clear.

"What is it? Is it about the rumors spreading through the streets?" Jin asked in return.

"For certain reasons, I'll be leaving for a while. As for why, you'll understand later. During this time, you must take my place as the Uchiha Clan's eldest young master. In the future, you must make the Uchiha Clan prosper. No matter what happens tonight, do not leave this room. Understand? If you do as I say, I'll treat you to barbecue tomorrow." Without waiting for Jin's answer, Itachi turned toward the door.

"Don't worry! Leave everything to me!" Jin did not know whether he was saying that to himself or to Itachi.

Itachi smiled and left.

Watching Itachi's departing figure, Jin felt that Itachi's smile was filled with helplessness and bitterness. Jin deeply understood Itachi's feelings because of it. After Itachi left, Jin used the Gale Technique to conceal himself and ran out the door.

Dark clouds shrouded the sky above Konoha, and an oppressive feeling hung in the air. Rumble! A light rain suddenly began to fall.

The Third Naruto stood before the window, quietly watching the rain outside. He sighed. "Must the Uchiha Clan truly be destroyed? Why are so many people in favor of wiping out the Uchiha Clan?"

Hiashi Hyuga watched the rain falling from the sky and murmured, "Is the weather about to change? Will our Hyuga Clan become Konoha's greatest clan? I'm really looking forward to it."

"You'd better not look forward to it so much." A voice suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling Hiashi Hyuga.

"Who? Who are you?" Hiashi Hyuga turned toward the source of the voice and asked in alarm. He had never seen anyone use invisibility while still being able to speak.

"Who I am isn't important. I only want to tell you this: once Konoha loses the powerful Uchiha Clan, the Hyuga Clan will take the Uchiha Clan's place. Although you sealed away the powerful strength of the branch family's Byakugan, I think those in power are well aware of your intention to hide your strength. Not everyone is an idiot. Once you become Konoha's number one clan, as long as you possess the ability to remove the branch family's seal, you will become a threat to Konoha. Then your fate will be the same as the Uchiha Clan's! When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold. Think it over carefully!"

"Uchiha Fuchiu, are you prepared for battle? The rumors are true. If you don't prepare to fight, your clan may be destroyed in an instant."

"Who? Who are you?" A voice suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling Uchiha Fuchiu.

Inside Naruto's office.

"Third Naruto, are you planning to destroy the Uchiha Clan, or help the Uchiha Clan? You'd better think carefully!"

"Who? Who are you?" A voice suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling the Third Naruto. With the Third Naruto's strength, he had actually failed to notice the intruder.

That was right, the voice was Jin's, altered through a voice-changing technique. Jin had only one goal: to make them carefully weigh the gains and losses of this matter.

After warning these key figures, Jin went on to speak to the various clans about the same matter, hoping that all of Konoha's ninja would unite against Akatsuki's attack.

At last, Jin found Itachi beneath a large tree.

"Itachi, genius of Konoha's Uchiha Clan. How will you face Akatsuki's extermination of the clan?" Jin asked while concealed.

"Who? Who are you?" A voice suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling Itachi.

"Akatsuki is going to wipe out the Uchiha Clan. Have you also received orders from Konoha's higher-ups to eliminate the Uchiha Clan? How will you choose? Can you tell me?" Jin asked.

"Who are you? How do you know so much?" Itachi watched Jin warily as Jin revealed himself. "Short-legged Steelyard Weight!"

"That's right! You still haven't answered my question." Jin activated the Sharingan in his right eye, bringing it to the Mangekyō Sharingan state.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan? Who are you?" Itachi asked in shock.

Seeing Itachi's surprised expression, Jin felt a little smug. My disguise is too powerful. Itachi really didn't recognize me. Great! I was worried my identity would be exposed.

"Answer my question first. Then I'll tell you who I am," Jin said first.