Akatsuki, Eastern Base.
On the stone throne, Nagato rested his chin on his hand, quietly awaiting Sasori of the Red Sands's arrival.
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path behind him had already opened its seven eyes, which were bloodshot and revealed a deep sense of foreboding and coldness.
Even non-sensory ninjas could clearly sense the massive Zaku within him and the icy malice emanating from him.
Squeak!
The door slowly opened, Sasori of the Red Sands stepped inside, looking at the figure on the throne with a hoarse and gloomy voice.
" Uchiha Itachi, that Konoha spy is being harassed by his younger brother, Konoha ninja. Should we...?"
"No need. Uchiha Itachi was already Uchiha Sasuke and eventually committed suicide."
The figure emerging from beneath the rock answered Sasori's question, and also made Sasori of the Red Sands scoff.
"It was suicide. That kid got off easy. I was planning to test how the Mangekyō Sharingan into Human Puppet."
"Don't worry about these trivial matters. The world is about to fall into chaos, and the operation of this Ninja World will come to an end. People will live in a world without pain."
Nagato's tone was indifferent, yet he still couldn't hide his exhaustion.
"Alright, let's begin, the sealing of the Eight-Tails..."
Eyes rolled, fixed on the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki below, and pale purple chains emerged from its mouth, coiling around Killer B's body.
Meanwhile, Danzo and his entourage of Anbu returned from the Five Kage Summit, where the two Hokage Advisor had been waiting for them for quite some time.
"How is it? Why Ōnoki in such a hurry to convene the Five Kage Summit? What exactly happened?"
Utatane Koharu spoke first, Danzo remained calm, but the words he uttered shocked the two of them.
"Among the Five Great Shinobi Nations, only the village's Tailed Beast were not plundered by the Akatsuki's villains. From the One-Tail to the Eight-Tails, none of them escaped death."
"The formation of the Allied Shinobi Forces is imperative. I will assume the role of the Allied Forces' Commander-in-Chief and will surely capture the Akatsuki traitors!"
These words startled not only the two Hokage Advisor, but also Nara Shikaku and Hatake Kakashi, who were following behind them.
" The Allied Shinobi Forces? This is truly an unprecedented event. The Rinnegan and the eight Tailed Beast are enough to shake the other major powers. This is an unprecedented event."
Nara Shikaku muttered to himself, but Danzo's next words made Kakashi's heart skip a beat.
"Of the Nine Tailed Beasts, only the Nine-Tailed Fox remains. I order my Anbu to immediately restrict Uzumaki Naruto's movements and ensure that he is not taken away by the Akatsuki."
Instantly, the meeting room fell silent, and Mitokado Homura even stood up to dissuade them.
"We are at a critical juncture of turbulent times. A slight misstep could trigger a major problem. If you push too hard, it could very well lead to a huge mess!"
"I am now the Fifth Hokage and the commander-in-chief of the Allied Shinobi Forces. It is only right that I set an example for the other ninja villages and protect the last Nine-Tailed Fox."
The two Hokage Advisor gazed intently at their old friend, who had lived in darkness for so long, and Danzo that Danzo was determined to officially confront Uchiha Huayue.
For a moment, the two lost interest and waved wearily.
"Do as you please. The succession ceremony for the Fifth Hokage will be held in three days. In any case, we both hope that you will not oppress the village too much, Danzo."
Seeing that Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had given up their thoughts of resisting him, Danzo became even more smug and replied with a smile.
"There's a way of doing things that's rooted in the darkness, and a way of doing things that's bright in the sunlight. We're all ninjas from the same village, all serving the Will of Fire. How could I possibly turn against my comrades?"
Danzo, who secretly murdered Kagami Uchiha, stole Uchiha Shisui's eyes, was the unsung hero of the Konoha Crush Plan, and the one who spearheaded the Akatsuki's rebirth, Danzo this with a bright smile.
Just then, a Root ninja rushed over and Danzo something to Danzo. Danzo's expression changed drastically, and he immediately ran out of the Hokage Office Building.
Seeing this, everyone followed suit, and a certain guess arose in their hearts.
A moment later, outside the Uchiha clan's territory.
Dozens of Root ninjas were frozen in place, their movements restricted by the flowing, regular patterns of azure blue.
"This Curse Mark... Uchiha Huayue, you bastard..."
Danzo's expression was ferocious, and he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth. A soft laugh came from the distant mansion.
"I, as Uzumaki Naruto's teacher, will personally handle Naruto's matter. It would be better for the Fifth Hokage to focus on the Hokage succession ceremony."
"No one can take the Nine-Tailed Fox away from me, not even the Rinnegan. Please leave."
The voice was clear and resonant, echoing through the empty road. Kakashi's eye twitched; this was the first time he had ever heard such a domineering declaration from Uchiha Huayue.
After a long silence, Danzo coldly, uttered a harsh remark, and turned to leave.
"If anything happens to the Nine -Nine-Tailed Fox, don't think you can continue to be so carefree, Uchiha Huayue!"
Seeing that the new Fifth Hokage had returned empty-handed, the others naturally wouldn't risk offending him.
Only a few dozen Root ninjas stood frozen in place, looking towards the Uchiha Clan's stronghold with tears in their eyes, unable to move.
Now that they're no longer involved, they should at least remove the Curse Mark on their bodies. If they just stand there staring blankly like wooden figures and let others see them, wouldn't that damage the reputation of the elite Root ninjas?
The sun rose in the east and set in the west, and it wasn't until late at night that the Curse Mark on the many Root ninjas disappeared.
A silver moon hung in the sky, Uzumaki Naruto looked out of the village, a hint of worry in his eyes.
"Teacher, Sasuke, he..."
"Don't worry, he's already on his way back to Konoha. However, his expression seems a bit off. He's probably been instigated by that guy. I'm going to help him get back on the right path. I'll be back soon."
With a slight smile, Huayue disappeared into Konoha as Naruto watched her go.
Within the Land of Fire, at the Valley of the End.
Lost in confusion, Uchiha Sasuke stood atop the stone statue of Uchiha Madara, gazing up at the sky.
The stars in the sky were obscured by dark clouds and dimmed.
The rushing stream flows endlessly into the distance, as if in an endless cycle.
"How does it feel to have avenged your great enemy? Has your heart regained peace, or has it sunk into a deeper darkness, Sasuke?"
A familiar tone rang out from in front of him, Sasuke's eyes changed, Mangekyō Sharingan.
" Uchiha Huayue, I ask you, on that day... when Uchiha Itachi slaughtered the Uchiha Clan, who was secretly cooperating? Was it you? Or the Konoha High Command led by the Third Hokage? Answer me!"
" Hokage Advisor, Danzo."