Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 122: The Xuanyuan Group

Looking at the unconscious Nagato in the distance and the crying little girl beside him, the ninja with a tail glanced at Yahiko and Konan, who had been captured by their group. He asked the leading ninja:

"Why did we go out of our way to knock out the red-haired boy just to send a message? Why not capture all of them? That way, we'd have one more hostage."

The leader of the Xuanyuan Group frowned and replied, "A strange man in a mask warned me not to touch him."

From the shadows, a figure emerged, curiosity evident in his tone. "We're already planning to take on the Hokage. What's there to fear from some unknown masked guy?"

"Our trump card won't work on him," the leader responded.

"..."

The group's expressions turned serious as the shadowy figure muttered, "This is the first time I've heard of such a thing."

The Xuanyuan leader nodded. "Indeed. I only exchanged a single move with him, but every attack passed straight through his body. I have no idea what kind of jutsu he's using. Since he's also involved in this mission, we'll give him this one concession. If that red-haired boy decides to court death, so be it. Besides, we already have enough leverage."

Their gazes shifted to Yahiko and Konan.

"To think one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, actually took on disciples in the Land of Rain. It's unbelievable. If not for the intelligence provided by the upper echelons of the black market, I would have thought it was fake."

The Xuanyuan leader shook his head, his figure disappearing like a mirage, leaving behind one final remark:

"Intelligence from smaller nations? The underground black market never gets that wrong. Prepare yourselves."

The more chaotic the place, the more prosperous the black market.

While they lacked reliable intel on major nations and prominent shinobi villages, the black market had a wealth of information on the disorderly smaller nations.

Jiraiya's three years in the Land of Rain had left far too many traces.

…

"What did you say?"

Hearing the report from the Ame-nin in front of him, Hanzo felt a wave of dizziness.

A boy named Nagato claimed that members of Akatsuki—Konan and Yahiko—had been captured by a group of ninjas?

And those ninjas even demanded that the Fourth Hokage arrive within ten minutes, or they would kill the hostages?

There was no need to think too deeply. Those two from Akatsuki must have some connection to the Fourth Hokage, possibly a very close one.

Otherwise, why would those ninjas dare to issue such a demand targeting him?

In the past, when Hanzo had heard of Akatsuki, he hadn't paid much attention to the young idealists. Their actions seemed incapable of bringing real change to the Land of Rain—just futile idealism.

But now, realizing their significance, it was already too late.

For such an incident to happen in the Land of Rain, and during the Five Kage Summit no less… He couldn't escape accountability!

"Quickly send someone—never mind. Bring that Nagato to inform the Fourth Hokage. If they have any demands, comply with them."

Hanzo waved his hand despondently.

The two from Akatsuki were both skilled at the Jōnin level. Whoever captured them could not have been ordinary ninjas.

Perhaps Hanzo could rescue them personally, but he knew his own limits.

He was no longer the young "Demi-God" who had once dared to face the three Sannin alone. In recent years, he had grown more cautious, rarely even leaving Amegakure.

The chaotic state of the Land of Rain was something he had never tried to change.

For Hanzo, maintaining his title of Demi-God and preserving his own life were more important.

Once, like Akatsuki and Minato, he too had idealized change for the Land of Rain. But over time, both reality and age had eroded those ambitions.

…

"What did you say?!"

Jiraiya grabbed Nagato's hand in shock.

"Konan and Yahiko were captured?"

"Yes," Nagato replied, glancing at the frightened and confused little girl beside him. His lips trembled before he finally said, "I… couldn't protect them."

It wasn't the child's fault. She had only wanted to share some food with them as a gesture of gratitude.

The true villains were the ones who deceived her and laced the food with a sedative!

Damn it. If he had been awake, he never would have let those bastards take Yahiko and Konan!

"It's the underground black market!"

The heavy voice came from Minato, who stood nearby. The group turned their attention to him as he looked at Nagato apologetically.

"This is their retaliation against me. I'm sorry, Nagato, it's our actions that got you involved."

"No! Destroying the underground black market was the right thing to do."

Nagato shook his head. His passionate tone startled the girl beside him. "That place has brought too much suffering to the shinobi world."

"That's not what I meant…"

"You did nothing wrong. Destroying the black market was the right decision. Jiraiya-sensei teaching us was also right. If there's blame to assign, it's because I wasn't strong enough."

Nagato's expression was resolute.

Without Jiraiya's guidance, they wouldn't have survived in the Land of Rain.

Without Minato's support, Akatsuki wouldn't have lasted this long.

Their recent cooperation with Minato had shown the Akatsuki members a like-minded ally on the international stage, someone striving for the same goals.

The current situation was his own failing, not theirs.

Minato opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. He could only respond softly, "Let's focus on rescuing them first."

"I'll take the lead," Nagato volunteered.

If it weren't for the risk of being overpowered and making things worse, he wouldn't have sought their help.

This was obviously a trap, but involving Minato had become inevitable. Naturally, the probing work should fall to him.

"Minato-sama, you should focus on the Five Kage Summit. I'll use a transformation technique to handle the rescue," Hyuga Fuji suggested.

"What are you two arguing about? Clearly, as their teacher, I'm the most appropriate one to go," Jiraiya interrupted. Seeing everyone's attention shift to him, he added, "They're my disciples. Minato, don't you dare—"

Minato chuckled wryly but replied seriously, "I never said I'd go alone. If this really is the black market's doing, we all need to be cautious."

The timing of this incident… Could one of the other Kage be involved?

The thought weighed heavily on Minato, filling him with unease.

…

"I'm here."

"You actually came alone? Hokage-dono, how bold of you."

In a cave within the Land of Rain, five figures emerged silently. One of them dragged out Yahiko's unconscious body and tossed it forward.

"Minato" stood before the five, his gaze particularly sharp as he noticed the tails behind them.

The Xuanyuan Group...

Known as "ninja hunters," each member of the Xuanyuan Group possessed unique secret techniques. They were the premier bounty hunters of the underground black market.

Their missions rarely left survivors, meaning no village had detailed records of their abilities.

No survivors… jutsu designed to guarantee death?

Turning his gaze to Yahiko, "Minato" frowned inwardly.

Without Konan here, things were more complicated.

"Though I doubt you'll agree, let me ask anyway. If Hokage-dono is willing to take his own life here, this one will live."

The Xuanyuan leader smiled faintly, kicking the unconscious Yahiko. "Of course, the same goes for the other one. What's your decision?"

(Chapter End)