"Akatsuki?" Itachi's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
It seems that Shisui has clashed with members of this organization more than once.
"It's similar to when I was doing part-time tasks at Root. Now I'm doing part-time work at Akatsuki to earn some extra money," Aoki Tsuki replied.
"To my knowledge, it has been designated a terrorist organization by the Five Great Nations."
"I know, but I have reasons for doing so, just like how you guys just helped those Jashin Cult, which was truly shocking."
In that short time, the remaining members of Gen's forces had already taken the opportunity to evacuate.
Kakashi was speechless.
He absolutely cannot admit that it is Root, otherwise no one can bear the responsibility of openly attacking and killing the Uchiha.
Aoki Tsuki explained, "Akatsuki's significance to the Shinobi World is the same as Root's significance to Konoha; both are tools for others to achieve their goals."
You should condemn the person who uses the tool, not the tool itself. By the way... I used to help Konoha with dirty work too.
What exactly do you want to do?
"Of course it's robbery. Our Akatsuki has our eyes on this shipment. Kakashi, Tenzo, we're taking this into consideration because we all betrayed Danzo."
It's best not to resort to violence, lest it damage the relationship.
"Sorry, we're not on the same wavelength."
Kakashi, seeing that he couldn't get any valuable information out of him, stopped wasting time. This mission was, after all, aimed at potential enemies.
Clearly, Akatsuki is that potential enemy.
"Do it!!"
Wood Release: Wood Release: Great Forest Technique
In an instant, several vines shot out from Tenzo's right hand, stabbing towards Aoki Tsuki. At the same time, Uchiha Itachi coordinated by launching Ninjutsu.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
Water Release can block Fire Release, but not Wood Release; swordsmanship can break through Wood Release, but not Fire Release.
Beside him is Kakashi, an expert in stealth and ambushes, whose battle intelligence and timing allow him to go toe-to-toe with 99% of the ninjas.
These three guys are all incredibly difficult to deal with, and together they form what is arguably the strongest combination in the history of Konoha's Anbu.
Fortunately, he wasn't alone. Juzo Biwa was also a Water Release ninja. When Aoki Tsuki swung his sword to intercept the Wood Release, he activated his Water Release.
" Water Release · Water Formation Wall "
puff...
Amidst the billowing white mist, a bolt of lightning pierced through the fog and seized the opportunity to attack Aoki Tsuki's chest.
" Countercurrent Fang "
The backhand upward slash is a sword technique used for close-range counterattacks. Its core is a sudden burst of power at close range, a desperate counterattack.
Thud...
The Lightning Blade struck the blade, but was blocked by the powerful force.
Kakashi was about to unleash the piercing power of Lightning Release to cut the sword in half when he discovered that Aoki Tsuki had simultaneously converted the Chakra on the sword into lightning style.
It's offset!
" Kakashi, your power has increased a lot since then. I can't even gain the upper hand anymore."
"Hmph, your new knife seems quite sturdy."
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Several Shuriken flew from the tricky Kakuzu, taking advantage of the opening when he clashed with Kakashi.
Itachi's Shuriken throwing technique is considered the pinnacle of the Uchiha.
Ding ding ding!!
Blue hair intertwined like ropes, spreading out to parry the Shuriken.
Kakashi hurriedly tried to escape, but found his body tightly bound by hair and unable to break free.
"This is... the power of sealing."
Pfft...
"Senior!!" Tenzo exclaimed in surprise.
Kakashi stepped up from behind Tenzo and said, "Don't worry, I'm not that easy to kill."
Sizzle... Sizzle...
Kakashi, pierced by the blade, transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished.
Lightning Clone!
"Hmph, you're really cautious."
Kakashi is incredibly cunning; he won't risk his true form until he's fully understood the enemy's abilities.
"Those are some troublesome guys..."
Aoki Tsuki sighed inwardly. In just one round, he had been forced to use his trump card, which he relied on for a sneak attack.
Juzo Biwa was fighting with the Root members earlier, and his sword was broken. At this moment, he can only serve to hold back the rest of Team Kakashi.
He also didn't want to reveal too much of his abilities in front of the Sharingan, otherwise it would be very detrimental to his future actions.
Itachi and Kakashi are both highly intelligent people; once they've seen something, it won't work anymore.
Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, running away is the best!
Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique
A high concentration of white mist was created by Aoki Tsuki, filling the area within sight. A water dragon used the mist as cover to crash into it.
Earth Release: Multiple Earth-Style Walls
Kakashi was prepared and promptly raised three thick earthen walls to protect the group.
Rumble...
Sizzle... Sizzle...
Lightning flashed across the Earth-Style Wall, the soil structure destroyed by the Lightning Release, and with a crack, cracks spread rapidly.
"Ah... this is..." Kakashi exclaimed in surprise.
Itachi, standing nearby, remarked, "It seems to be a composite Ninjutsu incorporating Lightning Release: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet."
" Wood Release · Wood Locking Wall "
Before the Earth-Style Wall collapsed with a roar, a cone-shaped wooden wall blocked the impact, protecting the three behind it. It was Tenzo who had made his move.
"Senior, there seems to be no movement from the other side."
"He must have left."
Sure enough, the thick fog dissipated after a while, leaving nothing behind except the blood-stained ground, which proved that a battle had taken place there.
"Let's clean up the battlefield and retreat," Kakashi said.
Because the Root members had returned to Konoha ahead of time, they immediately reported the situation to Danzo.
"Damn the Uchiha, they actually teamed up with the Akatsuki..."
Danzo was furious that the Uchiha Danzo had actually resorted to external forces to retaliate.
You dare to fight back?!
The most severe punishment must be imposed immediately.
Otherwise, if one can act in self-defense today, fight for legal rights tomorrow, and then be running for Hokage the day after?
" Danzo, the Third has most likely found out about our ambush of the Uchiha while we were impersonating the Jashin Cult."
"Foolish! Do you really think there's anything in Konoha that can be kept from the Third? You bunch of idiots didn't even realize you'd been set up, and you think you can fool the Third?"
Looking at his men, he was furious. The team he had painstakingly assembled had been almost entirely wiped out.
Are those who know this destined to be afflicted by fate?
Before the Anbu returned to report on the mission, he needed to hurry and apologize to the Third Hokage.
Let's also discuss how to punish the Uchiha and defend the absolute rule of the higher-ups.
Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the Hokage's office, he ran into Kakashi giving a work report; the guy had taken a shortcut back.
After Kakashi finished reporting the mission, he stepped out the door and saw a one-eyed figure staring at him from the darkness outside.
I broke out in a cold sweat.
"Danzo- Danzo... What a coincidence!"
"Hmph, it's no coincidence. I've been here for a while now. I heard you went on a mission. How did it go?"
"Thankfully, everything has been handled properly," Kakashi quickly replied.
He swore that he had only reported the facts, saying what he saw without embellishing or adding any personal speculation.
I believe the Third will make their own judgment.
"Then I'm relieved. I've discovered some suspicious clues about the Uchiha colluding with outsiders, and I'm about to report it to the Third. If you have any relevant evidence, please don't cover it up."
Danzo stared at Kakashi's left eye under his Forehead Protector, giving a subtle hint.
Everyone knows that Kakashi's Sharingan was a gift from his Uchiha friend; it's necessary to remind this guy of his stance.
" The Uchiha are one of the founders of the village, and they shouldn't be involved in colluding with outsiders. If I discover anything like this, I will definitely report it to the village truthfully."
I hope you really do what you say you will.
Danzo turned and walked into his office.
Kakashi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
A fool likes to create trouble for himself, but his greatest wisdom lies in automatically filtering out the vast majority of trouble.
His father's White Fang incident should serve as a warning for him for the rest of his life; he must never get involved in high-level power struggles.
" Hiruzen, I suspect the Uchiha Akatsuki," Danzo reported.
call...
The Third exhaled a smoke ring and countered, "Where's the evidence?"
Nonsense evidence. I don't believe Kakashi didn't say that earlier.
Danzo knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi was forcing him to admit that he had Root members disguise themselves as the Jashin Cult to secretly capture the Uchiha.
Don't try to outsmart the Third.
After a moment's internal struggle, he said, " The Uchiha can't turn back now. I'm doing this to weaken their armed forces. For the sake of the village, I can't worry about anything else."
Whenever Danzo was caught red-handed, he always liked to use the village as a shield, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew perfectly well.
" Danzo, your actions will only escalate the conflict and push things to an irreversible point."
"But the fact that the Uchiha colluded with Akatsuki is undeniable. Can you guarantee they won't hire Akatsuki members to overthrow the village's government?"
Danzo knew his old friend well; the Third seemed kind.
If anyone truly threatens the safety of Konoha, let alone the Uchiha, he would take action even against his beloved disciple.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment, then said, "I have my own way of handling this. Danzo, keep an eye on your men and make sure they don't do anything to harm our comrades again, or you will not be let off lightly."
"Hmph, indecisiveness, your naiveté will ruin the village sooner or later."
Danzo tapped his cane and stormed out of the office.
A month later, Aoki Tsuki returned to the Ancient Tanzaku Castle base, having rested in Amegakure for a while along the way.
"Have you been busy lately?"
" Konoha has suspended its attacks on us, so things are relatively calm for now. However, the Uchiha is very dissatisfied."
We strongly condemn our act of killing their people.
Aoki Tsuki said nonchalantly, "That was an accidental killing. As allies, we won't shoot ourselves in the foot."
" Konoha seems to have noticed our clandestine cooperation with the Uchiha and has intensified its surveillance of their clan."
We hope we can help divert Konoha's attention and alleviate the pressure on them.
"So, does this count as a commissioned task?"
Kikuno Momo nodded. " The Uchiha has offered an S-rank commission to support our missionary activities in the Land of Fire."
This is not a formal assignment, and there will be no written documentation.
It's just donations from believers.
"Hehe... it seems the Uchiha has started to worship Jashin too," Aoki Tsuki said with a laugh.
"That's for sure; anyone who has experienced it firsthand will become a loyal believer."
"That makes sense. I have dedicated my life to the Jashin, but personal problems have troubled me, and I have never been able to devote myself wholeheartedly to missionary work."
Sister Mimoto, how could you possibly see this?
Kikuno Momo felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this. Here we go again, that pervert...
On a sudden inspiration, he quickly drew a symbol of Jashin on his chest. "I am willing to pray to the Lord Jashin for you every day."
Aoki Tsuki took Kikuno Momo's delicate hand and placed it in his own, patting it gently, and said with a longing look, "Praying for blessings is not as good as bestowing them!"
Shameless bastard!
Kikuno Momo immediately burst into tears:
"Waaaaah... Waaaaah... Little Tsuki, you know how tragic my fate is. I'm so unlucky, I don't want to drag you down with me."
However, Aoki Tsuki's next sentence completely shattered Kikuno Momo.
"It's alright, we can think about it differently. I've been blessed since I was a child, accumulating good fortune for over twenty years, and I'll give it all to you!"
puff...
"Um... I have a bit of an upset stomach, I'm so sorry..."
Kikuno Momo left with a single sentence, picked up her bucket, and ran away, saying she couldn't live like this anymore.
Inside the private room, Aoki Tsuki looked puzzled. "Was I too subtle in my speech? Married women might not like these roundabout ways."
Next time I'll be even more offensive!
This reminds me of the 'dormitory.../... take' series that I used to enjoy watching, which was specifically designed for this kind of 'tsundere' group.
These are all valuable experiences summarized by our predecessors.