Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

Land of Rain.

In a secluded canyon, members of the Akatsuki, cloaked in black robes, were locked in a fierce battle against a group of Iwagakure shinobi wearing rock-patterned forehead protectors.

The relentless downpour from the sky provided a natural advantage to the Akatsuki's water-style ninjutsu specialists, amplifying their power in the rain-soaked battlefield.

Under the leadership of Yahiko and Nagato, the Akatsuki clashed head-on with the Iwagakure jonin who led their opposing forces.

This was a sudden and unexpected confrontation!

After Konan successfully began crafting Healing Tags, Yahiko had immediately sought out clients, including the Rain Village and Iwagakure, who were conducting a search in the Land of Rain.

Due to the unique properties of the Healing Tags, both the Rain Village and Iwagakure unsurprisingly showed strong interest in acquiring them.

Compared to the impoverished Rain Village, Iwagakure's Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had no objection to the Akatsuki's proposal of trading Healing Tags for supplies.

The two sides had already completed one successful transaction, with Iwagakure delivering a shipment of supplies, including food, as promised.

This was their second trade!

The meeting location had been chosen by Iwagakure.

But just as the transaction was about to proceed, Iwagakure suddenly turned on them, launching a surprise attack.

At the same time, numerous Iwagakure shinobi, who had been lying in ambush, revealed themselves, surrounding the Akatsuki from all sides.

Caught off guard, many Akatsuki members were injured immediately. If not for the swift intervention of Yahiko and Nagato, the ambush would have wiped out the majority of their group in an instant.

"Why?"

Yahiko's furious roar echoed through the rain, mingling with the clash of kunai. His face was a mask of rage.

However, the Iwagakure jonin fighting Yahiko showed no remorse, only a glimmer of mockery and cold indifference in his eyes.

Did this rogue organization, unrecognized even by the Rain Village, truly believe they could negotiate as equals with Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Nations?

Such naivety was pitiful.

"Are you sure it's fine not to help them?"

Beyond the battlefield, on the steep cliffs overlooking the canyon, a man named Shinnō softly asked as he observed the skirmish below.

"This is something they must go through! Only by proving their strength can they secure a foothold in the ninja world, surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Otherwise, the Healing Tag won't be the salvation of the Land of Rain—it'll become a death warrant."

Jiraiya's expression showed a hint of reluctance, but his tone remained firm.

"You're not entirely honest with yourself, are you? If they were in danger, even if it meant exposing your identity, you'd still go save them, wouldn't you? They're all kind-hearted kids who dream of peace." Shinnō responded dismissively to Jiraiya's words.

"And what about you, Kakuzu?" Shinnō turned to the third person present—the silent and reserved Kakuzu. For some time now, Shinnō had occasionally felt a sense of being watched. Yet, whenever he tried to investigate, the feeling would vanish without a trace.

Though Shinnō had great confidence in his sensory skills and abilities, this experience left him slightly paranoid. Both Jiraiya and the mysterious Kakuzu were on his list of suspects.

"I'm only responsible for protecting the girl named Konan. As for the other two, that's a separate fee," Kakuzu replied gruffly.

"It seems Iwagakure's mission is doomed to fail."

After a moment, Shinnō looked down at the crumbling Iwagakure team and remarked.

"Are you leaving too?" Jiraiya suddenly turned to ask Shinnō.

"Yes, I've already taught Konan everything she needs to know. There are still many places in this world I need to travel to and countless patients waiting for me to treat them. With Konan and the Healing Tag, the Land of Rain no longer needs me."

Shinnō's expression was filled with pride as he responded to Jiraiya, much like a teacher watching a student grow capable of standing on their own.

So far, Shinnō had presented himself as a gentle, caring, and compassionate medical-nin. During his time with the Akatsuki, he had easily won the respect and admiration of many members.

Yahiko, in particular, resonated deeply with Shinnō's empathetic words, which often reflected his own ideals of ending war and pursuing peace.

"You should also be preparing to leave the Land of Rain, shouldn't you? Iwagakure and Kirigakure have already tacitly joined forces to wage war against the Land of Fire's Konoha. As one of the Legendary Sannin, Konoha won't let you stay stationed here in the Land of Rain for long."

As they spoke, the battle in the canyon had reached its peak. Although the Akatsuki was initially caught off guard, Yahiko and Nagato's fierce counterattack turned the tide. The Iwa-nin who had surrounded them suffered significant casualties and losses.

Nagato, in particular, turned ninjutsu into an art form. Under the pouring rain, every Water Release technique he unleashed caused devastating harm to the Iwa-nin.

The typical chakra principle of Earth overpowering Water had no effect on Nagato. His Water Release techniques effortlessly broke through Earth Release defenses, injuring the Iwa-nin in the process.

The Iwa-nin facing Nagato were horrified to realize that he was like a monster who could see through the mysteries of their ninjutsu—and even copy and use it effortlessly!

Nagato moved like a master artist, blending raindrops into his attacks, creating and unleashing all sorts of ninjutsu with fluid grace.

Water Release, Lightning Release, Fire Release, and even the Earth Release techniques that the Iwa-nin excelled in—Nagato wielded them all with ease.

His techniques were executed effortlessly, yet their power was astonishingly immense!

The two Iwa-nin Jonin leading the team only held a brief advantage before Nagato completely turned the situation around.

Shinno, observing the victorious Akatsuki members below as they began securing prisoners and cleaning up the battlefield, decided to test Jiraiya's reaction.

"So, have you been summoned back to Konoha?" Shinno asked.

"Yes, I've received orders from the Hokage to return," Jiraiya replied without hesitation. He had a certain level of trust in Shinno.

"And what about Kakuzu?" Shinno's gaze shifted to Kakuzu. Compared to Jiraiya, he harbored much deeper suspicion toward the bounty hunter.

Shinno had a sharp intuition for detecting malice. His exposure to the dark chakra of the Zero-Tails had heightened his sensitivity to shifts in people's emotions and intentions.

Yet, with Kakuzu, Shinno found himself puzzled. His instincts couldn't definitively determine whether Kakuzu harbored malice toward him.

Fortunately, Shinno was about to leave, taking the Healing Tag technology with him.

The only regret was that Kakuzu guarded that girl, Konan, too closely. Coupled with Jiraiya's presence, Shinno hadn't found an opportunity to abduct her.

Otherwise, Konan could have become a gold mine in his hands, playing a crucial role in his grand plans.

"I'll be staying," Kakuzu replied.

As he spoke, Kakuzu felt the faint warmth of the mask stored on his shoulder, subtly signaling him.

Shinno—he's the person Kagetsu has been searching for! Or perhaps, he has had contact with the corpse of the Third Raikage!

****

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