Naruto: Veigar the Ninja

After leaving the command center, Regan led his entourage toward the Shimura clan's encampment.

In his heart, there was no trace of the submissiveness he'd shown earlier when facing Tsunade. On the contrary, he cursed furiously to himself:

"The Princess of Konoha? Hmph!"

"As long as this mission succeeds, our Shimura clan will rise again, and I'll be the hero who made it happen."

"Even the Legendary Sannin won't be able to hold a candle to us then!"

It must be said, Regan's fantasy was vivid and grand. Unfortunately, that's all it ever would be: a fantasy.

Even if he completed this mission and made significant contributions to Konoha and the Shimura clan, his position wouldn't change in the slightest when standing before the Sannin, before Tsunade. The political landscape would remain untouched.

After parting ways with the jōnin who supported him, Regan returned alone to the clan's quarters and immediately began summoning his kin.

"Regan-sama, is there a mission?"

A chunin from the Shimura clan asked.

Regan replied firmly:

"That's right. We have a mission."

"And it's of vital importance, both for our Shimura clan and for Danzō-sama himself."

"This mission could very well determine whether our clan can regain influence within the village."

"So understand this: Failure is not an option."

Hearing Regan speak with such gravity, and invoking the name of Shimura Danzō, his kin responded with immediate fervor:

"Yes, Regan-sama!"

Satisfied, Regan nodded and asked:

"How many of us are unable to participate?"

A chunin in charge of daily operations at the outpost answered:

"Regan-sama, only a few of our people were injured in battles a few days ago. They're still recovering."

"Everyone else is ready and able."

Learning that only a handful were out of commission made Regan even more pleased.

"Excellent. That's what I expect from the proud sons of the Shimura clan. Aside from the injured, everyone else will join this mission."

The surrounding shinobi shouted in unison:

"Yes!"

Without delay, Regan began outlining the mission:

"We've been ordered to find an opportunity to strike the Sand shinobi encampment. So, everyone not wounded, prepare to depart with me."

In Regan's heart, this was his moment to redeem himself, to fulfill the task Danzō entrusted to him. His current approach was an all-in gamble.

"Huh?"

"Regan-sama, is this really wise?"

"If we send every available shinobi, who will defend this outpost?"

One of the jōnin voiced concern, he knew well that this location on Mount Kikyo was designated for them to hold under Danzō's orders.

But Regan, riding high on confidence, waved it off:

"What is there to fear?"

"This is our chance to prove the strength of the Shimura clan, to do what others can't."

"Danzō-sama was recently ordered to remain at home. That means it's our opportunity, our time to seize back influence and command."

His words struck a chord. The assembled Shimura shinobi were stirred.

It was true. Ever since Danzō had been suspended and confined, the Shimura clan's standing in the village had fallen sharply.

Almost to the point of collapse.

"That's right!"

"Regan-sama speaks the truth!"

"When the time comes, we'll make those who kicked us while we were down regret it."

"Give the order, Regan-sama!"

"We're ready to move out!"

The crowd's morale surged as they rallied around Regan's vision. Capitalizing on this fervor, he quickly assembled the troops. Without waiting for rest or recovery, they set off for the border, their eyes set on the Sand Shinobi encampment.

...

Back in the command center, a small snake slithered quietly toward the seated figure at the head of the room. Its body was the color of sun-scorched sand. As it neared, it opened its mouth and spoke:

"Orochimaru-sama, the Shimura clan, everyone except the wounded, has departed for the border."

Orochimaru's expression remained unreadable, though a sliver of cruel amusement flickered in his serpentine eyes. He murmured:

"Heh…"

"So Regan Shimura wishes to lead his clan to their demise? Let them."

"I've fulfilled my promise to Danzō."

Then, Orochimaru turned toward another figure seated in the shadowy corner of the command center and asked:

"Wouldn't you agree, Veigar?"

Only the two of them remained in the command room now, Orochimaru and Veigar. When asked, Veigar replied with a cold, flat expression:

"Almost without exception, those who teeter on the brink of annihilation behave as if possessed."

Whether it was a direct answer or not, Orochimaru understood the intent behind Veigar's words.

Let them die, all of them.

Watching Veigar's small, emotionless face, Orochimaru chuckled softly.

"The others may perish, but Regan must live."

"That much, I leave to you."

From a pragmatic standpoint, Orochimaru had no real affection for Regan. But as the eyes and ears of Danzō planted within Mount Kikyo, Regan had political value, one Orochimaru wasn't quite ready to discard.

Veigar turned to him and asked coolly:

"Are you certain?"

Orochimaru gave a single nod.

Without another word, Veigar turned and walked toward the exit. As he neared the doorway, he paused briefly, his back to Orochimaru, and said:

"So long as he doesn't die… that's enough, right?"

"The others… are expendable."

And with that, Veigar departed.

Though Veigar was nominally under Orochimaru's command, there was little loyalty in his heart. He regarded Orochimaru more as a temporary collaborator.

For now, he needed Orochimaru's influence as cover, and the benefits that came with it. In exchange, he took on assignments Orochimaru couldn't be publicly associated with.

Ever since mastering the Flying Raijin Technique, Veigar had begun plotting his future. He now had both the power and the means to protect himself.

As for the Shimura clan?

He held nothing but disdain. After all, their banner was carried by Konoha's greatest scapegoat, Shimura Danzō.

Guilt by association.

If it were up to Veigar, every last Shimura shinobi could perish on the battlefield and he'd sleep just fine.

Still, he'd accepted Orochimaru's task. How strictly he followed those instructions… that was up to him.

...

Regan, accompanied by over a dozen elite jōnin and more than two hundred chunin and genin, journeyed for half a day before arriving at the border of the Land of Fire.

Just beyond that threshold lay the Land of Rivers, and with it, their target.

Finding a concealed location, Regan ordered the group to rest and prepare.

"Takuya, take two squads and begin laying traps for our retreat route after the mission is complete."

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