Chapter 102: The Beginning
Just as Ishiro predicted, Root conducted a thorough search around the battlefield. But Ishiro had cleaned up meticulously—there were no usable traces left behind.
The intelligence eventually brought back to Danzō led to two hypotheses:
First, Uchiha Tō and the Root captain were both killed by a hidden enemy, someone proficient in Water and Earth Release, capable of sensory ninjutsu, and skilled in Body Flicker. But those characteristics weren't enough to determine the person's identity.
Second, the entire situation had been orchestrated by Uchiha Tō himself. After all, none of the other three Root members had sensed anything unusual, and from their report, Ishiro's location had been too far away for typical sensory ninjutsu. It was possible that Uchiha Tō had manipulated everything—framing a hidden enemy and seizing the chance to kill the captain and take his place.
As absurd as that sounded, considering the strained relationship between Root and the Uchiha, the theory held water. If Uchiha Tō replaced the Root captain, he might gain access to even deeper intelligence within Root.
Danzō leaned toward the second theory—not because it fit his own scheming tendencies, but because it was backed by testimony from his most loyal men. Particularly, the dying captain's accusation had influenced Danzō's perspective heavily.
With the area thoroughly searched and no results, Danzō stopped wasting time and ordered a subordinate:
"Notify Hanzō. It's time. We act now."
After the subordinate left, Danzō remained alone in the room, lost in thought.
---
Meanwhile, Ishiro was busy preserving Uchiha Tō's Sharingan. Handling bodies was routine for him, but maintaining a Sharingan was more delicate.
Fortunately, he had read several medical books and obtained valuable notes from Yamashiro Nonō. Using a special preservative solution he prepared himself, Ishiro removed both Sharingan and sealed them into a scroll for safe transport.
He wasn't interested in transplanting them—unless he knew how to use Izanagi, implanting Sharingan would be more burden than benefit. Turning them in to Iwagakure would yield the highest return.
With that done, Ishiro set out again.
Revisiting the sites he had previously marked, he quickly confirmed Hanzō's ambush location.
It was similar to the original timeline's terrain, but not identical.
Using his sensory jutsu, Ishiro detected at least twenty shinobi in the area. Staying far enough to avoid notice, he couldn't determine how many were Root and how many were Amegakure's ANBU.
Carefully inspecting the surrounding vegetation, he found at least three trees whose chakra signatures resembled natural energy—clear signs of White Zetsu clones.
"I wonder… does White Zetsu know that Nagato is Kage-level now?"
If White Zetsu had been tailing him, and Nagato hadn't taken precautions, then yes. But if Nagato's Rinnegan could detect White Zetsu, then maybe not.
Ishiro couldn't be sure—but if Uchiha Madara was still alive, he probably knew. Which meant Madara might intervene.
That gave Ishiro second thoughts.
But after a long moment, he made a decision: he had to act.
If he could save Yahiko, great. If not, he would at least demonstrate his goodwill to Nagato. That way, Rain Country would be less likely to side against Earth Country in the future. Meanwhile, Konoha would be forced to split forces to monitor Rain due to Danzō's involvement.
That was a net win for Earth Country. At minimum, Ishiro's trip would build rapport with Akatsuki.
Next, Ishiro searched for signs of explosive tags but found none. Either Hanzō was very good at hiding them, or they simply hadn't been placed yet.
Not wanting to risk detection, Ishiro pulled back.
He found a vantage point with a clear view and activated Camouflage Technique, waiting patiently.
Soon after, he saw a group entering the ambush zone. Though too far to make out their faces, a flash of blue confirmed to Ishiro that the plot was still following canon.
He activated Light-Weight Boulder Technique, followed by Camouflage, and began a slow aerial approach—circling around the outer edge and moving to the downwind side of the ambush zone.
Flying too quickly while camouflaged made him visible in open sky. So Ishiro advanced slower than Yahiko and Nagato's walking pace.
He hovered at about 1 km altitude, roughly 5 km away from the center. That was the farthest he dared go—he was certain both Root and Ame-nin had sensory types.
An hour later, Yahiko and Nagato arrived—with no one else. Ishiro shook his head. Akatsuki had grown powerful; Hanzō had hesitated for years. If Yahiko had brought his elites and demanded Konan's release, Hanzō might have backed off.
But instead, they came alone, confirming to Hanzō that his hostage strategy had worked—and worse, emboldened him to escalate.
As they entered the center, Ishiro noted that many of the ambushers shifted their focus to them. Some even began circling behind to cut off their retreat.
Ishiro seized the chance and moved closer.
He advanced slowly and stopped when he was 2 km from the center—about as close as he dared with the perimeter patrols now alert.
He could faintly hear raised voices—clearly Yahiko was arguing with Hanzō.
Ishiro inched forward again.
Then, Nagato noticed him.
Being Kage-level with Rinnegan, Nagato could easily see through camouflage. Ishiro had anticipated this and gently waved, signaling that he meant no harm.
Nagato, knowing Ishiro was clever and well-prepared, said nothing. He subtly shifted his gaze back, ready to assist if needed.
When Ishiro was 1 km away, he heard it—Hanzō telling Nagato to kill Yahiko.
Nagato froze.
Ishiro acted immediately—he held up a kunai and pointed to himself.
Nagato, understanding the cue, pulled out his own kunai rather than use the one Hanzō had tossed. Hanzō frowned but didn't object—most shinobi refused to use unfamiliar weapons.
However, when Nagato had looked toward Ishiro, his expression gave it away.
A nearby Root captain noticed and moved discreetly to a sensor ninja, whispering something.
The sensor ninja, confused, began casting a sensory jutsu toward the sky.
Ishiro saw this and realized he'd been exposed.
Just then, Yahiko suddenly lunged into Nagato's kunai.
It happened too fast. Nagato froze—only to realize there was no pain. The kunai was fake.
Yahiko, having been ready to die, was stunned.
Konan, watching from afar, screamed. Hanzō, still unsure whether Yahiko was truly dead, leaned in to inspect.
Seizing the distraction, Ishiro began flying toward Konan's side, forming hand seals for Violent Water Wave.
At the same moment, the sensor ninja shouted—too late. Most thought he was just reacting to Yahiko's dramatic move.
Only two people realized the truth: the Root captain who had noticed Nagato's glance—and Nagato himself, who had already recovered his composure.
Ishiro's camouflage vanished when he cast the jutsu, and under normal circumstances, Hanzō would've reacted immediately.
But the sensor's shout made Hanzō suspect that Yahiko had used a clone, so he was scanning the area for a second figure—giving Ishiro the opening.
By the time Hanzō sensed Ishiro's chakra surge, the Violent Water Wave was already mid-air.
Even someone as seasoned as Hanzō was startled by the sudden attack from aerial range.
He could've killed Konan then and there—but with explosive tags buried in the ground, he chose to retreat instead, feigning evasion.
Ishiro had anticipated this and kept his distance—he wasn't falling for any traps.
Then, he shouted:
"Nagato! Universal Pull!"
Nagato jolted, instantly understood, and reached toward Konan—grabbing her with Shinra Tensei.
In a blink, Konan flew across the field and landed beside Nagato and Yahiko.
Yahiko, realizing Konan was safe, beamed.
Konan, after checking Yahiko and confirming he was unharmed, finally exhaled in relief.
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