The two crows, perched on her left and right shoulder, were dispatched from Konohagakure and Kirigakure. Both carried scrolls confirming the discovery of Danzō's whereabouts. However, a notable distinction arose—the locations disclosed in each scroll differed. Essentially, there were two separate places where traces of Danzō were detected.
The missive from Kirigakure, endorsed by the Yondaime Mizukage Yagura, asserted that Danzō's trail was identified in the Land of Waterfall. Conversely, the communication from Konohagakure, conveyed by Itachi, indicated the trace's existence in the Land of Frost.
Her conviction held that neither location was a fabrication; instead, she suspected a deliberate leakage by Danzō. The purpose behind such a strategy? 'He is likely contemplating the prospect of the entire Amatsukami converging on him simultaneously. Hence, he intentionally disclosed two locations, aiming to fragment those pursuing him into two distinct groups.'
She found this to be the most logical explanation. This implies that only one of the two locations is accurate, while the other serves as a diversion. Perhaps Danzō believes that facing only half of the Amatsukami members gives him a chance to escape, even if he can't retaliate.
The question of whether Danzō is overthinking or is correct remains uncertain, a mystery that only time can unravel. Her current concern revolves around identifying the authentic location.
"Which track is real?" she mused for a while, yet found no answers. The information at her disposal was limited, providing no clear means of discerning Danzō's true hiding place. Failing to reach a definite conclusion, she relinquished her attempts to unveil his location.
Instead, she assessed her current position. The desolate island belonged to the cluster in Haran Bay, situated in the sea between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Hotsprings. Consequently, it was in proximity to the Land of Frost, making it reachable within a few hours.
However, the same convenience did not extend to the Land of Waterfall. This land and the Land of Frost were partitioned by three kingdoms: the Land of Hotsprings, the Land of Rice, and the Land of Iron. Only two routes connected the Land of Frost to the Land of Waterfall. The first involved sailing through Gaikotsu Pass, traversing the Land of Snow, and then navigating through Aisu Bay to reach the Land of Waterfall. The second method entailed passing through the three kingdoms that separated the Land of Frost and the Land of Waterfall.
Certainly, she had the option of flying, but regardless of the chosen method—be it sailing or flying—the substantial distance between the two kingdoms meant that even at her fastest, it would take more than two days to reach the Land of Waterfall. There was a considerable risk that by the time she arrived, Danzō might have changed his location, rendering her efforts futile. Therefore, the most logical choice was to head to the Land of Frost, reachable within a few hours of flying.
Having made this decision, she signaled the clay bird soaring at a high altitude to descend. She secured her Shinobi bag, extracted a scroll from it, and unsealed it. A cloak and a mask emerged from the scroll.
The cloak she put on was the standard Amatsukami cloak, distinguished by the fact that hers symbolized the Earth Chakra Nature. Similarly, the mask she wore was reddish-brown, adorned with rock patterns, signifying the Earth Chakra Nature.
Once attired in the cloak and mask, she directed the clay bird to soar in the direction of the Land of Frost.
…
A few hours later, at the border between the Land of Iron and the Land of Waterfall, a gathering transpired within a cave. The participants, clad in black turtle-neck cloaks with red cloud prints, consisted of seven individuals in total. Among them, six sported orange hair and black piercings, unmistakably the new iteration of the Six Paths of Pain. The seventh member was the blue-haired and coldly alluring Konan, also known as Angel.
Deva Path, gazing toward the Land of Waterfall, queried Konan, who stood beside him, "In the Land of Waterfall?"
Konan affirmed with a nod, "The Land of Waterfall is one of the two locations where Shimura Danzō's tracks have been detected."
"Shimura Danzō..." muttered Deva Path, his eyes harboring hatred. Danzō was one of the culprits responsible for Yahiko's demise. Deva Path had harbored a deep-seated desire to end him. However, the wily old man had never once appeared before the Akatsuki Organization, denying Deva Path the opportunity to exact revenge.
Similar to Deva Path, Konan's eyes glinted with anger. She addressed Deva Path, "Nagato, you don't need to expend your strength on him. Let me handle it. After all, at that time, Hanzō and Danzō used me to trap all of you. So, it should be me avenging Yahiko."
Deva Path shook his head, "There's a strong possibility that, having undergone Hiruko's ritual, his strength has surpassed what you can handle. I'll handle it myself. Your task is to find his exact location; leave the rest to me."
Given the rumors surrounding Danzō, including the awakening of the Mangekyou Sharingan and possession of various Kekkei Genkai, Deva Path wanted to spare Konan from a battle she might not win.
Konan, wearing a somewhat bewildered expression, felt a mix of emotions. Deva Path, unaware of her inner turmoil, inquired, "By the way, where is the other location?"
Konan snapped back to attention and, after a brief pause, responded, "In the Land of Frost. Don't worry, 'Madara' is on his way."
…
Simultaneously, at the border between the Land of Hotsprings and the Land of Frost, three figures adorned in black turtle-neck cloaks with red cloud prints occupied themselves while waiting. Two of them wore masks, while the third boasted a unique appearance—half black and half white with a Venus Flytrap head. These individuals were none other than 'Madara,' Zetsu, and Tobi, respectively. Their anticipation centered on the clones of White Zetsu.
During this wait, 'Madara' directed a query to Zetsu, "How is the situation on the other side?"
Zetsu responded, "Nagato didn't come in person. He dispatched the Six Paths of Pain and Konan. I'm uncertain about the developments on his end, but considering Nagato's current power, the Six Paths of Pain should be competent to handle Danzō if they locate him."
'Madara' nodded slightly and pondered aloud, "I am genuinely curious about how Danzō acquired the Mangekyou Sharingan. There are only two plausible scenarios: either he is utilizing Uchiha Kagami's Mangekyou Sharingan, as the rumors suggest, or he extracted those eyes from one of the Homusubi."
Zetsu took a moment to consider it and inquired, "What are your thoughts on the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual he underwent? Could the awakening of those eyes be a result of the ritual?"
'Madara' thought for a moment and then shook his head, "We've investigated the volcano where he conducted the ritual. Although the signs were faint, there were traces of a battle leading to the eruption. I believe Danzō likely engaged one of the two Homusubi with his newfound strength after the ritual, and it's plausible that he managed to extract the Mangekyou Sharingan during that confrontation."
While Zetsu considered the possibility plausible, a nagging doubt surfaced in his mind, and he expressed it, saying, "If it were truly the Mangekyou Sharingan of Homusubi, then I fear he would have met his demise at their hands long ago. Those beings are not to be trifled with! And yet, he is alive months after, with Amatsukami remaining entirely silent. They've shown no signs of interest, which leaves me questioning..."
Despite 'Madara' wanting to reject Zetsu's conjecture, he couldn't. He shared a similar unease regarding Amatsukami. Those entities were formidable, and if Danzō had genuinely provoked them, he would have been eradicated with no remnants left in the Shinobi World.
'Madara' was well aware of Amatsukami's formidable capabilities. Aside from Yama, a powerhouse beyond comprehension, there was Suijin capable of transforming into a Giant Dragon, the second Homusubi, and Fujin, likely stronger than the other two. The thought of Danzō surviving their wrath seemed implausible.
'Madara' acknowledged that the Mangekyou Sharingan Danzō possessed likely didn't originate from the Homusubi. The rumors pointing to Uchiha Kagami held more weight in his mind. The prospect of obtaining those eyes fueled his determination, and he pondered, 'If I could acquire them, perhaps I could entice Uchiha Shisui...'
Regarding the notion that Danzō might have awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan through a ritual, 'Madara' dismissed it outright. Having witnessed Hiruko's ritual before, he knew it granted the ability to claim various Kekkei Genkai from others, but it couldn't facilitate the awakening or evolution of a Kekkei Genkai.
As 'Madara' concluded his thoughts, the ground beneath Zetsu stirred, and a completely white figure—the White Zetsu Clone—emerged. The clone commented, "I had to be very careful, or he would have spotted me. It seems he has developed some sharp sensory skills!"
'Madara' rose with a serious expression, addressing the White Zetsu Clone, "It doesn't matter. Tell me his location."
.
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