Inside a dark room in the West Tower, Nagato ate a steamed bun while listening to Konan recount the situation.
When he heard that the person he brought back was a member of his clan, he fell silent. Having lived in the Land of Rain since childhood, he did not feel much of a sense of belonging to the Uzumaki Clan.
But when he heard that his own people were willing to become medicine people in order to survive, he still felt a strange anger.
"It's truly tragic that the Uzumaki Clan has lost their own country."
"I heard that the Uzumaki Clan was feared by all the villages for their powerful Sealing Jutsu. Later, when Uzushiogakure was destroyed, the clan members scattered in all directions."
Having lost their country, they were forced to wander and live as dependents.
"Yes, that's when my mother came to settle in the Land of Rain. So I guess I was lucky," Nagato said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"Yue said that little girl is special and has great potential."
"Why?"
"Because she has bright red hair, it is said that even within the Uzumaki Clan, only those who have inherited a powerful bloodline can have this hair color."
Rumor has it that the First Hokage's wife had this hair color, and she was also the first Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Upon hearing this, Nagato glanced at her hair, which had turned dark red, and said, "I see, so there's such a saying."
Do you want to see them?
"No need. Just arrange a job for the child's mother. We can talk about it again when she's a little older."
How could Nagato not understand Konan's meaning?
He didn't want to drink the blood of his own people unless absolutely necessary.
"Hmm." Konan nodded. Not having it and not using it are two different things.
Yurika daughter spent the night in their new house, filled with anxiety about the future, only to receive a new notification.
The next day, Aoki Tsuki had just finished breakfast when he saw Yurika.
What... you want me to help you find a job?
Yurika a little embarrassed. Remembering that this was what Konan had instructed, she could only bite the bullet and ask Aoki Tsuki for help again.
Having just arrived, I didn't know anyone in this village except for Aoki Tsuki.
"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Lord Yue."
"Okay, what skills do you have?"
"I can cook, do housework, and I know a little about embroidery. If needed, I can continue to learn." Yurika enthusiastically promoted herself.
Aoki Tsuki reached out and rubbed her face.
Listen to what skills these are! They definitely can't handle respectable jobs; clerical work is for young girls.
Without a special skill, one can only work as a dishwasher or general laborer in a restaurant.
"Actually, I also run a grilled fish restaurant. Why don't you give it a try...?"
As a result, Yurika successfully applied for a job as a waitress at ' Silver Fish Pavilion '. The monthly salary wasn't high, but the key was that meals were provided.
She can even pack up leftover food to take home for Karin every day, so she basically has no living expenses.
Several months passed peacefully, nothing bad happened, and the person who said he wanted to drink her blood never appeared.
Yurika gradually felt relieved, and if possible, she hoped that these days could continue forever.
Karin is very adaptable. After finding a sense of belonging here, she would run to Aoki Tsuki's house to play while her mother was at work.
There were many children's toys here, which deeply attracted her.
Aoki Tsuki once again carried some daily necessities to the basement to visit Kikuno Momo, still thinking of her deceased boss's wife.
"Sister Mimoto, I brought you your favorite pastries, come and have a taste."
As expected of someone trained by the Root, he didn't break down after being imprisoned for so long and remained calm.
"Thank you so much, it's kind of you to remember my hobby."
Kikuno Momo was somewhat touched. Aoki Tsuki was practically the only person who spoke to her. Before, she had thought that he had ulterior motives towards her.
After getting what he wanted from her, why would he continue to treat her well as before?
"Haha... Sister Mimoto, I have two pieces of good news for you. Your ' Silver Fish Pavilion ' is thriving under my management, and business is getting better and better."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Kikuno Momo was overjoyed to hear this; the restaurant was her own hard work. "What's the other good news?"
" Danzo already knows that we've both betrayed the organization. He even sent people to infiltrate the village to gather intelligence a while ago, with Aburame Ryoma leading the team himself."
Kikuno Momo's heart skipped a beat. "It's him..."
In terms of infiltration ability, Aburame Ryoma is the best in Root. He is deeply trusted by Danzo and was sent to investigate Amegakure.
This confirms that the problem is indeed on this side.
"Yes, it's a pity none of them escaped."
Aoki Tsuki stated this fact before saying, "I dare not go to Konoha again now, but I have good news for you."
Maybe in a few years you'll be able to get out.
Kikuno Momo didn't have much hope. "The village probably doesn't really trust me, and besides, I'm old."
I reached for the mirror and looked at my face. When I first came in, I was in my prime, but now I'm almost thirty.
The best years of my life were wasted in this dark and hopeless prison.
Aoki Tsuki analyzed, "As time goes by, the information you once possessed will lose its value. What's the point of keeping you locked up then?"
Intelligence has a time limit, and Danzo may have already guessed the situation in Amegakure, rendering Kikuno Momo useless.
And that very night, Kikuno Momo was arrested; not many people knew the details.
"Haha... I hope so."
Unbeknownst to Kikuno Momo, the Uchiha was plotting a coup and would be wiped out within the next few years.
No one associated with the Uchiha will be trusted by Konoha anymore, and even if she is released, she will be homeless.
After the prison visit ended, I went back to work as usual. The consultant's job was anything but idle; he spent most of his time researching things that interested him.
Konan suddenly walked in, glanced at Aoki Tsuki's mental state, and said:
"Look how happy you are! You've gone to see your old flame again, haven't you!"
"I've said it many times, she's my former boss's widow, and you know I'm a grateful person..." Aoki Tsuki said stubbornly.
"Yeah?"
"Yes!"
"Having such a considerate subordinate like you is truly reassuring for a superior."
"Haha... I guess you're complimenting me. I've always been a likable person since I was little; it's just innate, there's nothing I can do about it."
Aoki Tsuki pretended not to notice the sarcasm in Konan's words and changed the subject:
"Is something the matter? As your capable assistant, please give me a chance to demonstrate my value, otherwise this salary is too hot to handle."
When it came to serious matters, Konan finally returned to normal.
"Recently, Iwagakure has been active in various places for reasons unknown. News has come from Konoha that they are preparing to send an envoy to meet with Hanzō to discuss matters of joint defense."
"Could it be that they're trying to use this opportunity to spy on the village?" Aoki Tsuki exclaimed in surprise.
Danzo failed, he resorted to open ones.
Once concrete evidence is obtained that Amegakure has been occupied by the assassin organization Akatsuki, the Land of Rain will face a siege, and the situation will be extremely dire.
"This is a common tactic used by Konoha. The people who have come this time are definitely not simple. We must be fully prepared."
Konan looked at Aoki Tsuki and said, "You, who prides yourself on being the strongest strategist, do you have any good ideas?"
"Hehe... There really is a way, but we'll have to trouble the chief."
Konoha, Hokage's office.
"According to reliable information obtained by our intelligence personnel in Iwagakure, Iwagakure does indeed plan to deliberately create a border conflict. Just in case, we must prepare in advance."
Shisui, this time you will go to Amegakure to visit ' Hanzo of the Salamander ' and present him with my handwritten letter.
"Hi!"
After several years of battlefield experience, Shisui became more mature and composed, and even earned the title of " Body Flicker Shisui ".
Having accepted the mission, he had just left the Hokage Building when he was stopped by the Anbu.
" Shisui Uchiha, Danzo requests your presence."
Within the base of the roots.
"This trip to Amegakure also carries a secret mission of great importance; we must find out the truth about it."
" Danzo, please speak..."
" The Third already told you, didn't he? He wants you to deliver the letter to Hanzo of the Salamander. I need you to use your Sharingan to confirm the other party's true identity."
Upon hearing this, Shisui was greatly puzzled, "I don't quite understand what you mean..."
"I suspect that Amegakure has been seized by an organization called Akatsuki, a newly emerging international criminal organization."
They collude with cults to perform evil rituals; in short, this organization is extremely dangerous.
"Dawn?..."
Shisui's heart skipped a beat. He had been assassinated by members of this organization when he was on the front lines. That time was really dangerous.
"Oh, you've also heard about the recent massacre of innocent civilians in the Land of Lightning?"
Danzo assumed that Shisui had also heard information about Akatsuki, and given the Uchiha Clan's capabilities, knowing this wouldn't be difficult.
"I've heard about it," Shisui replied.
This made what should have been a simple diplomatic mission complicated.
However, considering the Uchiha's current situation, he couldn't refuse; otherwise, the Uchiha would completely lose their value in the eyes of the higher-ups.
"So, the real mission this time is to obtain definitive evidence of ' Ibuse the Hanzō's ' suspected death, is that right?"
"Yes, Amegakure has become very isolated these days, and it's hard to find such a good opportunity anymore."
Danzo's voice became extremely sinister.
"So, as a genius of the Uchiha Clan, are you willing to accept this secret mission? If you find it difficult, I can discuss it with the Third Hokage."
It might be better to use someone from the Hyuga Clan, but that would seem too contrived.
"Yes, I'm willing to do it."
"That's good. I'll send someone to deliver the relevant information about Hanzō to you later."
Shisui walked out of the Root base with a heavy heart. She thought she could catch her breath after returning from the front line, but she didn't expect to be assigned a mission as soon as she got back.
As soon as he returned to the Uchiha clan's territory, he heard his clansmen call out, " Shisui's back? Today's the clan meeting, don't be late."
"Okay, coming right away."