Becoming the Tsuchikage in the Naruto World

Chapter 267: Dark Akatsuki

Although Ishiro was asking for intelligence on the Konoha Genin, Might Duy, he didn't expect Jūzō Biwa to be able to give him any answers. Not to mention that Jūzō himself wasn't very clear on the intelligence about Might Duy, even if he knew, he wouldn't tell Ishiro.

What Ishiro was truly interested in was the ring in Jūzō's hand. A red ring, with a single character on it: 南 (South).

Ishiro recognized this ring; it was the symbol of an official member of the Akatsuki in the original story. But, why?

In this life, the Akatsuki was doing well, and Nagato hadn't turned to the dark side, so why would this ring appear?

Had the Akatsuki started recruiting rogue ninjas? Was this Yahiko's idea? Or was it something Nagato did on his own?

Ishiro looked at Jūzō's clothes again; they were not black with red clouds. Then Jūzō probably hadn't joined the current Akatsuki. In that case, it wasn't Yahiko's idea?

Jūzō naturally didn't know the complex thoughts in Ishiro's mind. Hearing Ishiro's blunt demand for him to give up intelligence on Might Duy, he was instantly furious. "Even if you are the Fox of Iwa, you are underestimating me too much."

Without another word, Jūzō swung his Executioner's Blade and launched an attack on Ishiro. In the intelligence reports, Ishiro was a typical ninjutsu-type ninja. Jūzō had no intention of giving Ishiro a chance to use his long-range ninjutsu advantage.

And Ishiro also wanted to use Jūzō to draw out Nagato, who was behind the scenes, so he didn't hold back either. He formed hand seals, and various ninjutsu came to him with ease.

"Sage Art: Lightning Release, Lightning Guide! Sage Art: Water Release, Raging Water Wave!" Ishiro didn't hold back, starting with a combination ninjutsu. Relying on his far-beyond-ordinary hand seal speed, Ishiro completed the combination ninjutsu by himself without the cooperation of a clone.

In the original story, Hiruzen Sarutobi alone cast Fire Dragon Bullet and Earth Dragon Bullet, creating a Fire-Water combination ninjutsu. And at that time, Hiruzen was casting two A-rank ninjutsu.

Ishiro couldn't yet reach Hiruzen's level. He could only cast a combination ninjutsu composed of C-rank ninjutsu by himself, not even B-rank.

But Hiruzen, with his decades of experience as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," could cast a combination of two A-rank ninjutsu. This contained Hiruzen's understanding of ninjutsu, which the current Ishiro could not hope to match.

However, Ishiro had the enhancement of Sage Mode. The two C-rank ninjutsu, enhanced by Sage Chakra, both reached A-rank in power. So this wave of attack from Ishiro was no less powerful than Hiruzen's in the original story. After the two C-rank Sage Arts were combined, Jūzō was completely dumbfounded.

Without hesitation, Jūzō, who had already escaped once, had no mental barriers and chose to flee again.

But it seemed a bit too late to run now. The coverage of Ishiro's combination ninjutsu was too large, and Jūzō was not a ninja who excelled in speed.

In the end, Jūzō couldn't completely escape the range of the Water-Lightning combination ninjutsu. He was hit by it and was immediately injured.

Although it wasn't fatal, being taught a lesson by Ishiro in a single move right at the start, Jūzō very clearly recognized the gap between the two of them. Without hesitation, Jūzō directly channeled chakra into the ring with the character for 'South' on it, calling for Nagato.

According to their agreement, if Jūzō needed to contact Nagato, he just had to inject chakra into the ring. Nagato would then use the Magic Lantern Body Technique to pull his thought projection before him.

But if Nagato cast the Magic Lantern Body Technique and Jūzō did not cooperate, then Nagato would know that Jūzō was in danger, and at that time, Nagato should come to his aid.

Sure enough, after a short while, Jūzō felt the summons of the Magic Lantern Body Technique. After decisively refusing, Jūzō fled while waiting for support.

Ishiro naturally sensed Jūzō's small movements. He was not in a hurry and deliberately slowed down his attack speed. Another wave of combination ninjutsu, this time wind and fire. Ishiro's Wind Release was not at a high level; this was a good opportunity to use Jūzō for practice.

However, this time Ishiro cast it with the cooperation of a fire clone and his main body.

But no matter how Ishiro achieved this step, Jūzō was in unspeakable misery. "Is there an end to this? Is combination ninjutsu so cheap? And how did Ishiro manage to cast this A-rank level combination ninjutsu so quickly?"

After the second wave of combination ninjutsu, Jūzō's injuries were even more severe, and at this time, Jūzō had a feeling that he probably couldn't withstand a third wave.

Should he throw away the Executioner's Blade? This large sword for close combat was completely useless against this level of combination ninjutsu, and its heavy weight was also dragging down his escape speed.

Fortunately, Jūzō didn't have to struggle with this decision anymore. Because of Ishiro deliberately going easy, the reinforcements he had been desperately waiting for finally arrived.

A ninja dressed in a black robe flew over from the distance. That person extended a hand and used Bansho Ten'in on Jūzō.

Seeing this, Ishiro was stunned. "Putting on a show?"

No sooner said than done. Ishiro feigned great shock, "Bansho Ten'in? Nagato?" While shouting, he flew towards that person.

The newcomer also heard Ishiro's voice. His heart stirred, and he recognized Ishiro.

But before he could speak, Ishiro saw his face. Then Ishiro was first stunned, then furious, shouting, "You're not Nagato! Who are you?"

Then Ishiro pointed at his eyes and shouted, "You stole Nagato's eyes!?"

Then, the "enraged" Ishiro began his ninjutsu assault.

Ishiro's clone: "Sage Art: Fire Release, Great Fireball Technique!" Ishiro's main body: "Sage Art: Wind Release, Breakthrough!"

The Wind-Fire combination ninjutsu reappeared. However, the combination ninjutsu that had left Jūzō in a sorry state was not very difficult for this "Deva Path Pain" to block.

"Shinra Tensei." The "Deva Path" extended a hand and stopped the combination ninjutsu.

Seeing the "Deva Path" use the Rinnegan's ability, Ishiro appeared even more furious. He formed a seal with his left hand, "Porcelain Release: Kunai Rain." Meanwhile, his clone continuously cast Fire Release.

The "Deva Path" was naturally not afraid of these attacks, occasionally using Bansho Ten'in and Shinra Tensei to interfere. But he couldn't find an opportunity to counterattack under Ishiro's continuous assault.

After all, Ishiro's understanding of these two ninjutsu was deep enough; he knew their characteristics and weaknesses. The continuous attacks kept the "Deva Path" from freeing up his hands. The scales of victory began to tip in Ishiro's favor.

If this trend continued, it wouldn't take long for Ishiro to take down the "Deva Path."

However, after the battle continued for a while, just as he was about to win, Ishiro suddenly stopped.

"The Rinnegan has many abilities, yet you only know one. You are a puppet created by Nagato!" Ishiro said with absolute certainty, but his eyes were fixed on the "Deva Path," as if afraid of getting an answer that proved his judgment wrong.

The "Deva Path" was silent for a moment, then opened its mouth and said, "It is me."

Ishiro breathed a sigh of relief, but his guarded posture did not relax.

Nagato knew what Ishiro was waiting for, so he extended one hand and said, "One minute."

The corner of Ishiro's mouth twitched. Nagato was referring to the interval time when Ishiro had first learned Shinra Tensei: one minute.

Having confirmed his identity, Ishiro looked at Jūzō again, looking as if he wanted to say something but was holding back.

The "Deva Path," without turning its head, said to Jūzō, "Jūzō, you can go and carry out your mission first."

Jūzō breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had escaped disaster today. He had no desire to inquire about what Nagato and Ishiro were going to talk about; the secrets between ninjas of this strength were not something he could touch.

After Jūzō left, Ishiro used the Light/Heavy Rock Jutsu to fly in front of the "Deva Path" and found a place to sit down. The "Deva Path" also sat down in front of Ishiro.

The two sat opposite each other. For a moment, Ishiro was somewhat speechless.

After a while, it was Ishiro who spoke first, "Nagato, you've established an organization other than the Akatsuki. Do you feel that the Akatsuki's ideals are incorrect?"

Nagato hadn't expected Ishiro to talk about this. He had thought Ishiro would explain the matter of Jiraiya. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I just feel that after the Akatsuki entered the Land of Rivers, its development seems to have reached a limit, unable to expand its influence any further. And the peace we hoped for has not arrived."

"Before this war broke out, to prevent the Land of Rivers from being drawn into the war, our Village Hidden in the Rivers also began war preparations. This approach is no different from Hanzō's before, but I don't know what else to do."

"It wasn't until later, when the Fourth Kazekage chose to dispatch troops through the Land of Rain, that I understood that only strength, only a strength that instills fear, can bring peace. If not for the Land of Rivers having two Kage-level individuals, me and Yahiko, the Land of Wind might have chosen to dispatch troops through the Land of Rivers. Once that happened, the Land of Rivers might have become the next Land of Rain, and the civilians of the Land of Rivers would likewise not have peace."

Ishiro sorted through Nagato's logic and then understood his meaning. Although the current Nagato had not turned to the dark side, some experiences had still led him down the path of using force to oppress all nations, to bring peace to the ninja world under the suppression of his unparalleled strength.

Ishiro did not reply immediately but fell into a long silence.

After a long while, Ishiro said, "I understand. When I first met you all back then, I was moved by your desire for peace. But as time has passed, I have always been worried, worried that one day I would walk a completely different path from you all."

"Because I discovered a long time ago that Yahiko's ideas are too subjective. There are too many ambitious people in the ninja world. They will not easily give up the power in their hands, nor will they give up the ambition in their hearts. Take Hanzō, for example. He can't even control one Village Hidden in the Rain, one Land of Rain, yet he still can't help but want to participate in the Great Ninja War."

"I came from the direction of the Village Hidden in the Rain. I believe it won't be long before Hanzō leads the Village Hidden in the Rain to join the war. From Hanzō, we can see that these ambitious people will not see reason so easily."

"It's just that I didn't expect you to have found your own path a step ahead of me. Yahiko probably doesn't know about your choice yet."

The "Deva Path" was silent. Ishiro was right. Nagato didn't want to separate from Yahiko, but he also knew that Yahiko would not agree with his methods.

Ishiro said, "I don't know if your approach is correct, but having one more path, one more glimmer of hope, is also good."

"However, the current me will not agree with your approach. I will continue to follow my own ideas to achieve the peace in my heart."

After a pause, Ishiro said, "Nagato, let's make a pact. Let's not have any conflict between us. Let's each walk our own paths first. If one day, all the ninjas and hidden villages that obstruct peace are defeated by us, then we can decide whose method to follow."

"Just like Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju back then. They walked a path together to establish hidden villages and end the Warring States period. They defeated their common enemies together."

"Afterward, Madara and Hashirama's ideals clashed, but the two did not start a war. Instead, they chose to fight one-on-one. Hashirama won, and the ninja world has been passed down according to Hashirama's ideals to this day."

"Me, you, and Yahiko, our ideas are not completely the same, but our desire for peace is the same. We can first do as much as we can according to our own ideas. We can defeat our common enemies together, and then the three of us can decide among ourselves, to see whose method is most suitable for governing the ninja world."

Nagato hadn't expected Ishiro to say such a thing. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Alright. But you have to help me persuade Yahiko. I don't want to lose this bond."

Ishiro shook his head and said, "Nagato, actually, you don't know Yahiko as well as I do. Believe it or not, as long as you seriously and completely tell Yahiko your thoughts, Yahiko will not object to you."

"Yahiko has great love. He knows that everyone has their own ideas. He won't scold you, he won't abandon you, he will only try to persuade you. If you are reasonable enough, if you are truly for the peace of the ninja world, then Yahiko will, on the contrary, support you."

Nagato was silent. He said, "I understand."

After a while, Nagato continued, "Are you coming to the Village Hidden in the Rivers?"

Ishiro nodded and said, "Yes, I was originally coming to find you all."

"Then you should go. I still have business on the border of the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain," Nagato said, then got up to leave.

Seeing the "Deva Path" about to leave, Ishiro asked, "Nagato, what is the name of this organization you've established?"

The "Deva Path" didn't turn back and said directly, "Dark Akatsuki."

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