The evening had fallen.
At home, Sora, Uzumaki Kushina, and Uzumaki Miyuki sat together, eating dinner.
"Sora, how long will you be staying in Konoha this time?" Kushina asked.
Sora replied apologetically, "I came back to Konoha after receiving transfer orders, but I have to leave again tomorrow. I'm sorry, Kushina. I won't be able to spend time with you."
Kushina pouted. "Why are you apologizing? If it's important business, there's nothing you can do about it, right?"
Sora smiled. "That's true. When things become less tense at the front line, I'll take a few days off and come back to spend time with you."
Kushina smiled sweetly. "Okay, then I'll wait for you at home."
Miyuki took a bite of her rice. If she had known better, she wouldn't have stayed to eat with them. She felt like an awkward third wheel.
After finally finishing dinner, Miyuki found an excuse and left without anyone trying to stop her.
...
The next day.
"Has Sora packed everything?"
"Yes, I've packed everything. I need to go now, Kushina."
"Wait..." Kushina stood in front of Sora and straightened his collar.
Sora kept looking at Kushina, making her feel embarrassed. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Sora suddenly made a surprise move and kissed Kushina on the cheek. "Wait for me to return, Kushina."
Kushina blushed and leaned her head against Sora's chest. "I'll wait for you to come back."
Sora left home and went to the Root headquarters.
Danzo nodded with satisfaction when he saw Sora arrive on time.
"Now that you're here, let's go."
Danzo wore a ninja uniform with a sword strapped to his back and departed from Konoha with Sora.
In a forest outside Konoha, Danzo suddenly stopped.
Sora used his sensory abilities to detect approximately thirty shinobi surrounding them.
"Come out," Danzo commanded.
All thirty shinobi appeared and knelt behind Danzo.
These were all Root ninja.
If so many shinobi had left Konoha at once, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have become suspicious. So Danzo had ordered these Root members to leave Konoha quietly in small groups over the past few days, hiding in the woods and waiting.
Danzo ordered coldly, "Follow me to Amegakure!"
A few days later.
The group arrived at Amegakure.
Outside the village, Hanzo of the Salamander appeared with a dozen Ame shinobi behind him to greet them.
Hanzo crossed his arms and looked at Danzo. "Danzo, you've arrived."
Danzo replied, "Since we've established our cooperation, I naturally keep my appointments. Are you prepared?"
Hanzo nodded. "Everything is ready. Tomorrow is when I'll lure Akatsuki into the peace negotiation talks. We'll make our move then. I've already positioned the shinobi, so you can follow me."
Hanzo glanced at Sora twice.
By now, Sora was well-known; his appearance had caught the attention of high-ranking officials from various hidden villages.
Hanzo led the way, bringing Sora and Danzo into his base.
After arriving, Hanzo said to Danzo, "Let's talk."
Danzo nodded. "Very well."
Then Danzo turned to Sora. "Sora, come with us."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
The three entered a room.
Hanzo and Danzo sat in chairs, with Sora standing behind Danzo.
Hanzo looked at Sora and said to Danzo, "Danzo, you're quite skilled at bringing the Blood-Eyed Shura under your command."
Danzo didn't respond to Hanzo's comment and instead asked, "What did you want to discuss?"
Hanzo crossed his arms and said, "I just want to confirm our previous terms of cooperation."
Danzo frowned slightly. "I will help you maintain control over Amegakure, and you will help me compete for the position of Hokage. Is there any issue with these terms?"
Hanzo shook his head. "No issues. I just wanted to confirm."
Danzo spoke dismissively, "You needn't worry. The shinobi I've brought are all elite fighters. Akatsuki is just an insignificant organization—there's nothing to fear."
Hanzo nodded. "Good. After this matter is concluded, I will fully support and assist you in your bid for the position of Hokage."
Danzo and Hanzo discussed the next day's plans for a while before ending their conversation.
Throughout this exchange, Sora stood loyally behind Danzo.
After the conversation ended and Hanzo left, Danzo remained in the room.
Now only Sora and Danzo were left.
Danzo asked, "What do you think about my ambition to become Hokage?"
Sora replied, "That is not something for me to consider. I only take orders from Lord Danzo. No matter who the opponent is, I will fight as long as Lord Danzo requires it."
Danzo's lips curled into a slight smile as he said to Sora, "After this matter is concluded, I will ask Hiruzen to change the Jinchūriki candidate."
Sora bowed. "Thank you, Lord Danzo."
...
Early the next morning.
All the shinobi Danzo had brought were hidden at the designated meeting place where Akatsuki members were expected to arrive.
Sora naturally continued to accompany Danzo.
Yahiko, the leader of the Akatsuki organization, hurried toward the meeting location with his fellow members.
Yahiko excitedly said to Nagato and Konan beside him, "Nagato, Konan, I heard that this time Master Hanzo has invited officials from the three major countries—Fire, Wind, and Earth—to discuss peace proposals.
I'm so excited. Our efforts have finally paid off. As long as this proposal is accepted, peace might soon return to the shinobi world."
Nagato said with mild scepticism, "Yahiko, don't be so optimistic. The three major countries aren't easily persuaded. It's impossible to achieve peace with just one conversation. Things might turn out different from what you're expecting."
Yahiko remained optimistic. "It's a good sign that everyone is willing to sit down and talk. If it doesn't work once, we'll try twice. If twice doesn't work, we'll try three times. Eventually, we'll succeed! Right, Konan?"
Konan smiled and replied, "I believe you will succeed, Yahiko!"
Yahiko looked at the Akatsuki members behind him and said confidently, "I also believe we will succeed. After all, we have so many like-minded companions, don't we?"
Just as Yahiko was looking forward to the future, there was a commotion among the crowd behind him.
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan turned around simultaneously, their expressions suddenly changing.
The members of their organization were being slaughtered by shinobi.
And they were being killed by their fellow Amegakure ninja!
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