Naruto: Fate System

When Shin began stirring in the tavern, Hanzō's subordinates, who had come to fulfill the escort commission, remained blissfully unaware.

They had followed merchants to the area, but instead of going outside, they stayed in the base, shut the doors, and indulged in abundant supplies. Drunk with glee, they occasionally laughed uproariously, mocking the naivety of Akatsuki.

Bottles clinked against each other as they passed drinks around.

"Ha! Those fools! Do they truly think they're saviors?" One guard lifted his cup, sake spilling over the rim. "They're just children playing at being heroes!"

But as soon as the mocking words left his mouth, they heard a commotion at the entrance.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The temperature in the room suddenly spiked. They barely had time to turn their heads before the massive fireball blasted through the base's doors. The wooden barriers exploded inward, showering the room with burning splinters.

"Who are you?!"

The nearest of Hanzō's subordinates managed only to cry out before a katana, slicing through flames, cleaved him in two from the shoulder down.

Blood sprayed in an arc as his severed body flew through the air, sizzling with the scent of burnt flesh.

Emerging from the parted flames was Sanda, shirtless, his blood-stained katana hanging low, its crimson droplets evaporating from the intense heat. Steam rose from his bare skin, making him look like a demon stepping out of hell.

He walked alone through the main door, yet his presence felt like a tidal wave crashing over the Ame ninjas inside. The remaining guards scrambled to their feet, knocking over tables and chairs in their panic.

"Scatter!"

"Get out!"

"Water Style: Water Wall!"

Yet not one of them dared to attack him head-on, instead choosing to set up defensive water walls. The water hissed as it met the remaining flames, filling the room with steam. Through the mist, Sanda's silhouette looked even more menacing.

When the Ame ninjas attempted to scatter by jumping to the rooftops to escape, they found Akatsuki members emerging from every corner—rooftops, alleys, and all directions.

Cold sweat ran down the back of Hanzō's subordinate leader. How did they surround us? he thought, searching desperately for a way out.

"Do you know what you're doing?!"

Sanda didn't bother with a reply. He raised his left hand and slashed it down.

"Attack!"

In an instant, shuriken and needles rained down upon the courtyard, mixed with explosive tags and some poison pellets. Then, perfectly synchronized—

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Multiple fireballs converged on the courtyard, turning it into an inferno. The water walls evaporated instantly, leaving their creators exposed.

Sanda guarded the main entrance alone, effortlessly taking down any who dared charge forward. His blade moved like lightning, each strike precise and lethal. Blood painted patterns on the walls as bodies fell.

When he reached the last Ame ninja, their leader, he looked him dead in the eyes. The man's face was covered in soot and blood, his uniform torn.

"From now on, there will only be Akatsuki."

In response, the Ame ninja roared like a cornered beast.

"Damn you! Water Style: Water—"

But before he could finish the hand signs, Sanda struck him down with a single swing, engulfing him in fire. The scent of roasted meat filled the place as the man's scream cut off abruptly. His charred body crumpled to the ground, still smoking.

Similar assaults were unfolding at other strongholds. Nagato's intelligence network provided precise coordinates, and Shin's forces struck with deadly accuracy.

An hour later, Shin sat in a spacious dining hall, enjoying his meal. Across the long table sat trembling merchants from Ame.

Moments ago, they had been gleefully discussing how they would hike up prices and divide the profit. 

"When we return, we'll pay back Hanzō's cut, and we split the profits from the peasants—thirty-seventy," one merchant had said.

"Why only thirty?"

"Idiot! Thirty is Hanzō's cut. What were you thinking?"

"Don't complain. As long as Akatsuki keeps helping the peasants, we'll always have more chances to earn, right?"

Their laughter had echoed through the hall, until Akatsuki ambushed them, 'inviting' them to this meeting.

Before long, Shin presented several heads right in front of them, placing them on the table with the same care one might arrange dinner plates. Blood dripped onto the fine tablecloth.

"All the ninjas assigned to guard you—are dead, not a single one remains." Shin picked at his food casually, as if the severed heads were merely table decorations.

After waiting for the terrified merchants to finish their screams—some had fallen from their chairs, others had wet themselves—Shin continued, dabbing his mouth with a napkin.

"You have two options. One: restore fair prices, pay the penalties and reparations, and promise never to harm Akatsuki again." His voice was pleasant, almost friendly.

"What's the second option?" one merchant asked, trembling.

At that moment, a ninja emerged from the shadows, clamped his mouth shut, and drove a kunai into his back. The merchant's eyes widened in shock as blood spread across his expensive robes.

Shin chuckled, taking a sip of tea. "Anyone want the second option?"

With a cold glance, he scanned the room, and the remaining merchants huddled together like frightened sheep, none daring to meet his gaze. The dead merchant's body was still twitching on the floor.

Just then, a man shuffled in, rubbing his hands together—the tax officer Shin had recently recruited after killing an Ame noble. His silken robes rustled as he bowed repeatedly.

Though despicable, he was also quite capable. The man had a talent for extracting every last coin from his victims while maintaining an air of bureaucratic legitimacy.

Shin instructed, setting down his chopsticks, "Take them away, tally their fines and reparations. If they can't pay, think of a way to resolve it."

The officer grinned as he agreed. They had a sinking feeling that they would be stripped of every last coin.

Shin, however, was indifferent to their fear. He then returned to the base to meet his team.

"Were there any casualties?" he asked, surveying his assembled forces.

"No, everything was dealt with smoothly," Sanda answered formally, still carrying his blood-stained katana. The other members stood at attention.

Shin relaxed but did not stop there.

"All of you, listen up!"

He shouted suddenly, drawing everyone's attention.

"If you don't have a mission, then focus on training. Don't waste your time. In one month, I'll organize a chunin exam and a jonin assessment. Those who pass will receive bonuses."

"From now on, all chunin and jonin in Akatsuki will receive monthly allowances, but in return, those who accept the support must obey the organization's orders at all times. Loyalty deserves reward."

"This is all for Ame, for a brighter tomorrow!"

The response was a unified and fervent shout, "For Ame! For a brighter tomorrow!"

Later that day, a belatedly aware Yahiko rushed back to the base, questioning him. "Are you planning to attack Hanzō?!"

Considering the recent changes in Akatsuki, even he could now see Shin's intentions. The evidence was everywhere—the training, the raids, the growing military structure.

Shin looked at him in silence, which only intensified Yahiko's anger.

"You're deliberately inciting a war! Have you forgotten our ideals, our goals?"

Shin didn't rush to explain; instead, he suddenly chuckled, replying coolly.

"I'm the leader now."

For a moment, Yahiko stood there, stunned. After a while, he left, closing the door behind him. The soft click of the latch felt more final than any slam could have been.

As Shin was affirming his position, Danzō was not faring well at all. 

On one hand, the state of the Great Ninja War was growing increasingly unfavorable for Konoha, and on the other, Hiruzen didn't entirely trust the Uchiha clan. Hiruzen needed Danzō to keep a close watch on them.

So, he was sent to the northern front.

A Root agent materialized beside him, kneeling. "Danzō-sama, another report about that Uchiha. Three more squadrons of Iwa ninjas defeated this morning."

As the year began, a young genius from the Uchiha clan immediately made a name for himself on the battlefield: Uchiha Shisui.

Despite the differences in the battlefield from the original storyline, his rapid, stunning rise remained unstoppable. The same technique that once troubled Kiri was now proving to be a major headache for Iwa as well.

"They say he appears like a—"

"Silence," Danzō cut him off. "Another Uchiha gaining too much influence."

The title 'the Teleporter' wasn't official yet, but his fame had spread widely across the battlefield. Unless Shisui fell or suffered a significant defeat, in another month at most, his title would likely break through regional boundaries and become known throughout the entire ninja world.

All of this annoyed Danzō, especially as his recent attempts to sway Shisui had been repeatedly rebuffed, leaving him increasingly resentful. The Uchiha... always resisting what's best for Konoha. Just like their cursed bloodline—too proud to see the bigger picture.

"I thought this kid might be the next Kagami..."

Kagami, a disciple of the Second Hokage and Danzō's former comrade, was also a direct ancestor of Shisui.

Due to this connection, Danzō had been confident that he could recruit the kid easily. Although Shisui did not reject his overtures outright, he kept a distinct distance and scrutinized Danzō closely, which only fueled Danzō's anger.

Everything I do is for Konoha; you have no right to question it. You should just obey!

Recently, however, on the front lines, he had managed to catch a hint about this new Uchiha prodigy. His Root ninjas discovered that Shisui seemed particularly interested in the news from the neighboring Land of Rain. They'd caught him multiple times reviewing reports from the border.

"Ties to the Land of Rain?" Danzō's question left his subordinates at a loss.

At such times, he missed his former right-hand man, Torune, the only subordinate who had truly understood him and could provide both emotional and practical support. Sadly, such a loyal aide had died in the Land of Rain.

Wait, died in the Land of Rain?

Danzō's eyes narrowed dangerously. Could there be a connection?

"Send people to the Land of Rain to gather information," he ordered. "And restart the investigation into Torune's disappearance."

One of his subordinates hesitantly responded, taking a half-step forward, "But...last year, Minato-sama issued a declaration on behalf of Konoha, recognizing the Land of Rain's neutrality."

Danzō instantly grew angry. "Who gave him the authority to speak for the village?"

Mentioning this only aggravated him further, as if someone constantly reminded him: "Doesn't it bother you? Now everyone believes Minato is the next Hokage, and the village has even given tacit approval—doesn't it bother you?"

Like a blade repeatedly piercing his heart, it drove him to resent Minato as well.

"Send someone to the Land of Rain immediately. Get me information—I'll personally avenge Torune."

At the end of last year, Iwa launched a sudden attack, which caught Root off guard, forcing them to lie low in the village. But now, after some time had passed, the skies had cleared, the rain had stopped, and Danzō's desire for action was stirring once again.

And this was quickly noticed by Black Zetsu. Delighted at the opportunity, Black Zetsu immediately sent White Zetsu, disguised as an Ame ninja, to secretly facilitate a connection with Root.

He was immensely pleased, feeling confident in its victory. The shadows seemed to pulse with its silent laughter.

---

A month had passed since Shin's last speech, and, as promised, he organized a grand exam within Akatsuki for ranking ninjas.

Nearly all of Akatsuki's ninjas signed up for this test. Over the past month, their training had been more intense than ever, and Shin held nothing back, teaching all suitable techniques he could to his people.

Veteran followers like Sanda, Kazuya, and Tanaka all advanced to jonin, becoming top-tier fighters within the organization.

Though Ajisai didn't pass the jonin test, he decided, based on her unique summoning abilities, to grant her the rank of special jonin, following the major ninja villages' system. The young girl was overjoyed, skipping around happily.

Many other members also achieved higher ranks during this exam. Thanks to Shin's policy that promoted chunin could receive a monthly salary, even formerly complacent genin were inspired to push themselves.

Many old genin in their thirties experienced a new vigor, training daily alongside younger ninjas. The training grounds never emptied, filled with the sounds of sparring and jutsu practice from dawn to dusk.

In the middle of this exam ceremony, which was part assessment and part military parade, someone suddenly arrived with urgent news.

"Captain Shin, there's a strange man outside."

"Define strange."

"He's wearing a mask, refuses to show his face, and keeps demanding money. When we asked him to join, he refused, but he also wouldn't leave and kept asking for money."

Could it be? The timing is perfect, Shin thought. "I'll go take a look."

He responded to his subordinate, using the Body Flicker to reach the outer area.

Sure enough, he saw a familiar face.

A man with tan-skinned, wearing a simple black robe, a scratched forehead protector indicating he was a rogue ninja, with green eyes. The surrounding Akatsuki ninjas were cautiously encircling him.

Someone had previously challenged the man's arrogant and mercenary attitude, only to be swiftly knocked down in a single move. Fortunately, this stranger knew enough to hold back, not dealing any lethal blows.

Seeing Shin approach, the man remained utterly unfazed and asked, without any hint of deference, "I heard that jonin in your group get paid every month. Is that true? Why don't I get paid?"

Shin laughed. This man, as it turned out, did indeed have some fated connection with Akatsuki.

---

---

47/100 reached for bonus chapter.

If we somehow reached the top 10, which is so unlikely: 2 chapters/day for 1 week.

Consider leaving comments and reviews!

Advance Chapters: [email protected]/Malphegor