Assault on Amegakure

Kazan moved fast, streaking through the night.

"Who's there?!"

The Akatsuki mole had barely sensed something was wrong when a large hand seized his head.

"Don't speak. Grit your teeth."

The mole obeyed instinctively. Then the world spun, and his consciousness blurred.

"..."

A moment later, Konan and Yahiko stared at the unconscious traitor lying on the ground.

The Ghost of Konoha certainly had a blunt way of doing things.

"I'll leave him to you."

Kazan left as soon as he had brought the man back.

This was Akatsuki's internal affair. He had no business interfering further.

"Wake him up, Konan."

Yahiko hardly needed to ask. He was already certain the man was a spy sent by Hanzō.

If the Ghost of Konoha hadn't visited Akatsuki, they might have remained in the dark forever.

The rest of the night passed without incident.

When Kazan woke the next day, Yahiko and Konan were still sitting in the Meeting Hall.

Judging by their expressions, they had gotten something out of the mole last night.

"Did you get an answer?"

"Yeah."

Yahiko said nothing more.

Konan was the one who told Kazan.

"He admitted he was Hanzō's spy. Hanzō sees us as a threat to Amegakure's peace."

"But we never wanted to rule Amegakure! We only wanted to make it better!"

Yahiko slammed his fist on the table.

They were doing everything they could to bring about peace and change Amegakure, yet Hanzō saw them only as enemies who threatened his rule.

Kazan spoke up with little regard for the mood. "So what's your answer?"

Akatsuki was a key part of his plan.

He was going to kill Hanzō. That would not change.

But once Hanzō was dead, someone needed to take his place in Amegakure.

Otherwise, someone like that crafty old fox