The news of the Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Dan, awakening the Rinnegan spread quickly, shocking the entire ninja world.
What is the Rinnegan? It’s the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths.
As a result, millions of Konoha villagers whispered among themselves, claiming that the Sixth Hokage was the chosen one and that every Konoha villager was a citizen of the sage.
Soon after, a rumor emerged from Konoha.
It claimed that Uchiha Dan was actually the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths!
In the Naka Shrine of the Uchiha clan, there is a stone tablet that has endured for a thousand years, left by their ancestor—the Sage of Six Paths. This fact was already widely known.
Dan’s next task was to follow the instructions on the stone tablet, absorb the chakra of the Nine-Tailed Beasts, and become the legendary Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
Currently, Konoha had six Tailed Beasts, all of which Dan had already absorbed.
The remaining three were in the hands of the Akatsuki.
Thus, it was obvious.
Dan’s next move would be to mobilize the Uchiha clan and even the entire Konoha to hunt down the Akatsuki and collect the last three Tailed Beasts.
Once this Sixth Hokage acquired all Nine-Tailed Beasts and successfully became the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, he would gain invincible power and achieve immortality.
At that point, the entire ninja world would be in Dan’s grasp, and the Uchiha clan would rule the world forever!
When this rumor spread, Konoha’s Heavenly Pavilion issued a statement debunking it, saying:
“There’s no such thing!”
The statement claimed that the rumor about the Uchiha clan wanting to rule the ninja world was completely unfounded and deliberately spread by those with ulterior motives to incite fear.
In the statement, Konoha’s officials reiterated their commitment to permanent neutrality and non-interference in the affairs of the ninja world.
However.
This high-profile debunking statement deliberately avoided certain content, namely—Dan’s plan to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
By not denying it, was it essentially an admission?
Initially, many people doubted the authenticity of this rumor, but Konoha’s overzealous debunking backfired.
Soon, many people outside of Konoha could no longer sit still.
Somewhere in the ninja world, in an Akatsuki base.
Naruto, Konan, Gaara, Fuu, Kakuzu, and the recently returned Karin were all gathered together.
“As expected.”
Naruto’s face was grave; his worst fears had come true.
Uchiha Dan not only awakened the Rinnegan but also followed the same path as Madara, aiming to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
Back in the day, Madara was old and dying, so he could only achieve his ambitions through careful planning and using Nagato and Obito.
But now, Dan was in his prime, his strength dominating the ninja world. Upon learning the secret of the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, he had no reason not to covet this power.
A fierce storm was coming.
The three Jinchuriki of the Akatsuki, including Naruto, were undoubtedly Dan’s targets.
“What do we do now?”
Fuu asked worriedly.
Naruto thought for a moment and then said:
“One word, delay! Facing an enemy like Uchiha Dan, we must avoid direct confrontation for now. We need to hide the Gedo Statue and wait for an opportunity.
Also, Gaara, Fuu, and I must split up and go to different hiding places to avoid being caught all at once.”
Everyone nodded in agreement and began offering their own suggestions.
During this process.
Karin, who was standing in the corner, seemed somewhat distracted.
She hadn’t told Naruto and Konan the full story of what happened in Konoha’s operating room, only saying that she had managed to escape.
Upon returning to the Akatsuki, Karin found she couldn’t forget Tsunade, Shizune, and Anko. She kept reminiscing about every moment she spent in Konoha.
In those years, she had found family, friendship, and happiness there.
But back in the Akatsuki, it all felt like a dream that vanished instantly, leaving only a deeply oppressive atmosphere.
Karin couldn’t help but wonder why the Akatsuki had to destroy the peaceful and beautiful Konoha, displacing millions.
How was this different from a terrorist organization?
Moreover, one thing Karin couldn’t understand—
As an Akatsuki spy, she had stolen a lot of Konoha’s secret information. If she were caught by another village, she would undoubtedly be tortured and killed horribly.
But, even though the Sixth Hokage knew she was a spy, he let her go unharmed. No one stopped her, and no one followed her.
Was he really a heinous villain?
However, Karin didn’t voice these questions.
She knew that Konan’s hatred for Uchiha Dan and Konoha ran deep.
Besides Karin, there was another person who wasn’t talking much.
Kakuzu.
Apart from occasionally agreeing, he mostly remained silent, lost in thought.
After the meeting, following Naruto’s instructions, everyone hurriedly left, each going their own way.
Once Kakuzu left the base, his eyes flashed with a decision.
He could see that the Akatsuki was finished.
Even though Naruto had inherited Nagato’s Rinnegan and surpassed him, he still couldn’t be a match for Uchiha Dan.
Kakuzu knew too well the terror of that man.
In his eyes, the Akatsuki was a sinking ship, and as a crew member, he had to jump ship to survive.
Kakuzu’s plan was simple: betray Naruto and Konan to Konoha in exchange for his life.
Unfortunately, he was exposed.
“Where are you going?”
Naruto suddenly appeared in a clearing in the woods, blocking Kakuzu’s path, asking calmly.
Konan, Gaara, and Fuu also emerged from different directions, surrounding Kakuzu with expressionless faces.
Too careless.
Kakuzu sighed inwardly, knowing that any explanation now would be futile.
So.
Secret Technique: Earth Grudge Fear!
As Kakuzu made a hand sign, his back bulged, and his Akatsuki cloak was soon torn apart as four masked creatures separated from his body.
Water, fire, wind, lightning, earth.
These four masked creatures were the embodiment of Kakuzu’s five hearts and his five lives.
Fire Style: Searing Migraine!
Wind Style: Pressure Damage!
Lightning Style: False Darkness!
…
Kakuzu unleashed a barrage of jutsu on Naruto and the others, the violent chakra destroying the entire forest.
However, Kakuzu knew very well.
He had no chance of winning this battle.
His fierce attack was just a facade to create an opportunity to escape.
But Naruto saw through Kakuzu’s plan.
Whoosh.
Ignoring Kakuzu’s jutsu bombardment, Naruto flashed to one of the masked creatures, summoning two mechanical arms from his right arm, gripping the creature’s hand and neck.
Then.
Buzz, buzz.
The mechanical arms expanded into barrels, firing a laser cannon at the masked creature point-blank.
Ninja Art: Asura Attack.
Boom.
The masked creature was blasted into pieces by Naruto, and reduced to ashes.
Kakuzu’s remaining three masked creatures didn’t fare any better.
Sand Waterfall Funeral!
Scale Powder Hiding Technique!
Dance of the Shikigami!
Gaara, Fuu, and Konan each attacked, binding and destroying a masked creature.
In no time, Kakuzu was left with just his main body.
Surrounded again by Akatsuki members, Kakuzu was at his wit’s end.
Naruto, expressionless, walked slowly toward Kakuzu.
Damn it.
Kakuzu’s heart sank. Just as he was about to make a desperate move, he saw Naruto extend a hand toward him.
Bansho Ten’in.
Buzz.
A powerful gravitational force acted on Kakuzu, lifting him off the ground and pulling him toward Naruto.
“Wait, leader!”
Kakuzu finally begged for mercy. After living over eighty years and tasting the wonders of immortality, he didn’t want to give it up.
However, just as Kakuzu finished speaking.
Poof.
A black rod shot from Naruto’s palm, piercing Kakuzu’s heart.
His last heart.
Disbelief, then anger, and finally despair, crossed Kakuzu’s face before his eyes dimmed and his head slumped.
Dead.
The legendary ninja, who had fought both the First Hokage and Uchiha Dan and survived, finally met his end.
Killed by Uzumaki Naruto.
Naruto retracted the black rod, looking indifferently at Kakuzu’s body on the ground.
Konan had said before that someone like Kakuzu was just a tool, and when a tool was no longer useful, it was naturally discarded.
“This is the fate of traitors.”
Konan declared coldly, glancing subtly at Karin in the distance.
Karin looked at Kakuzu’s corpse, feeling a chill in her heart. She silently moved to a corner to rest.
“What’s wrong, sensei?”
Naruto noticed Konan’s expression and approached to ask.
Konan was silent for a moment before frowning and advising Naruto:
“Karin has been acting strange since she returned. Be careful.”
Naruto’s face changed slightly:
“You mean… how could that be?”
“I don’t want to suspect Karin.”
Konan shook her head, her expression serious, “But if Karin has
been turned by Konoha, Uchiha Dan could easily find us, which would be the Akatsuki’s end. So…”
She paused, her eyes cold:
“If Karin has indeed betrayed the organization, as the leader, you know what to do, right?”
“…”
Naruto was stunned, unable to say a word.
In another part of the ninja world.
In a dimly lit cave, Orochimaru’s face turned serious as he finished reading the information sent back by Kabuto.
“Claiming to be the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths… Uchiha Dan has grand ambitions.”
Orochimaru couldn’t help but sigh.
Just then, Black Zetsu emerged from the shadows, speaking eerily:
“If Dan really obtains all Nine Tailed Beasts and becomes the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, he won’t need the ‘reincarnation’ title. He’ll be the second Sage of Six Paths!”
“So, what now?” Orochimaru asked quietly.
“We must revive Uchiha Madara to deal with Dan. We can’t let Uchiha Dan succeed.”
Black Zetsu said gravely.
Orochimaru’s eyes flickered.
He had been delaying the revival of Madara under the pretext of perfecting the Edo Tensei.
Orochimaru needed to ensure that once he revived Madara, he could control him.
Otherwise, if Madara broke free from the Edo Tensei, it would all be for nothing.
But now, there was no more time to delay.
After all, once Uchiha Dan became the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, even ten Madaras wouldn’t be enough.
Just then.
Kisame, carrying his giant sword Samehada, entered the cave, smiling:
“I’ve prepared the bodies of other strong ninjas. We can revive them along with Madara.”
Kisame had been busy over the years, essentially becoming a grave robber.
Apart from avoiding Konoha, he raided the cemeteries of other major ninja villages, finding the remains of notable figures in ninja history.
The Gold and Silver Brothers of the Cloud, the strongest Kazekage of the Sand, the Second Mizukage, and the original Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist…
These strong individuals, who had possessed Kage-level or elite jōnin strength, would become crucial combat power.
Orochimaru knew he had no more excuses. He sighed inwardly and asked Black Zetsu:
“Are the sacrifices ready?”
“Of course.”
Black Zetsu nodded, “High-level White Zetsus, to ensure the dead retain their strength as much as possible.”
Kisame’s eyes lit up with interest:
“So we might see Uchiha Madara at his peak? If we add the other strong ninjas, we might really have a chance against Konoha.”
“Let’s wait and see.”
Orochimaru licked his lips, also excited.
Meanwhile, on a deserted island.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face solemn, finished reading Jiraiya’s letter, then looked up at Asuma, saying:
“According to Jiraiya’s information, Uchiha Dan has indeed awakened the Rinnegan, and the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki rumor is likely true.”
“This…” Asuma exchanged a serious look with Kurenai beside him.
“But there’s good news too.”
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, saying slowly, “Jiraiya has found Naruto. He appeared in Konoha a few days ago, fought with the Uchiha, and escaped.”
This was indeed good news.
According to the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, Naruto was the child of prophecy, the blue-eyed boy who would play with the Nine-Tailed Beasts.
Only he could stop Uchiha Dan’s ambition.
Although Jiraiya had lost Naruto, he had discovered a member of the Akatsuki and tracked them to their base.
The member’s name was Karin.
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