Kaito Chapter 113
Mukai finished dressing the corpse and then asked, "What about them?" He pointed to Itachi and Shisui.
Kaito replied, "Itachi is my friend, and I trust him." He pointed at the body. "Itachi already has your corpse to return to the village."
Mukai then asked, "When will you relocate my family?"
Kaito hummed thoughtfully. "I just did. My clones have already relocated them." He created a shadow clone. "This clone will take you to them."
Mukai nodded and touched the shadow clone's shoulder. The clone performed a few hand signs and transported them away.
Kaito turned to Itachi and asked, "So, what do you want to know?"
Itachi, eyeing Kaito intently, asked, "What did you mean by 'new Hokage'?"
...
Kaito's shadow clone perched atop a sturdy tree, leaning casually against the rough bark, had been silently observing the area for the past two days. The clone had positioned itself about two kilometers away from Mukai's home, using the Mind's Eye of Kagura to carefully monitor Mukai's family while keeping a vigilant eye on the Root ANBU spying on Mukai family.
As the clone kept watch, it noticed Mukai's own shadow clone, which had been spending time with his family, suddenly disperse in the midst of their lunch. The timing wasn't lost on the Root ANBU either, they had clearly detected the sudden disappearance.
"It seems Mukai dispelled his shadow clone to regain his chakra to face Itachi and Shisui," Kaito mused to himself through the clone's thoughts.
The shadow clone continued its monitoring, waiting patiently for the signal from the original Kaito. Then, a sudden rush of memories from the original flooded the clone's mind. the signal had been given.
"Heh," the clone thought with a smirk, "it seems the boss has found a replacement for Itachi in the Akatsuki."
The shadow clone moved silently, darting through the dense foliage towards Mukai's home, careful not to alert the Root ANBU.
Upon reaching the house, Kaito's clone quickly created three additional clones. they slipped inside the home, moving with the speed and efficiency of seasoned shinobi. Before Mukai's wife and child could even register their presence, the clones knocked them out gently, ensuring they wouldn't feel any pain.
Without wasting a moment, three clones transformed themselves into perfect replicas of Mukai's family members, seamlessly taking their places within the home. another of Kaito's shadow clones wrapped Mukai's wife and kids with his chakra chains and then lifted them close to him, nodding to the transformed shadow clones he made a few hand signs and activated hiraishin no jutsu, and in a blink, they were gone, reappearing in a secluded forest clearing near the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Tea. The location had been carefully selected, it was remote, with little chance of being caught in the crossfire of any conflicts, yet close enough to Degarashi Port. Kaito had deemed Hachō Village safe for Mukai's family to be relocated without leaving the Land of Fire.
The clone gently placed Mukai's unconscious family on the soft grass, before dispelling itself, sending the memories back to the original Kaito.
Minutes later, another shadow clone of Kaito appeared in the same spot, this time with Mukai by his side. As soon as Mukai saw his family, he rushed over to them, as he knelt beside his wife, checking her pulse before doing the same for his child. Relief washed over him as he confirmed they were alive.
"They're just unconscious," Kaito's clone said calmly, watching Mukai's reactions closely. " They should wake up in a few minutes."
Kaito's clone looked at Mukai and said, "We're near the Land of Fire's border with the Land of Tea." He pointed in a specific direction and added, "Hachō Village is that way." The clone then tossed a scroll to Mukai, who caught it with practiced ease.
"This scroll contains the funds I promised you," the clone explained. "Use it to purchase a house and set up a business so your family can support themselves while you're on your mission. Spend a few months helping them settle into the village. They should be safe here."
Mukai took the scroll, his expression serious as he listened. The clone continued, "My clones have made sure your family can't be tracked to this village. To Konoha, Your family died in an explosion,"
Mukai nodded, accepting the information. Kaito's clone went on, "As I said before, the Akatsuki is composed of S-class shinobi. Make sure your new identity reflects that level of reputation. Also, be cautious ensure the Akatsuki don't learn about your family"
Kaito's clone handed Mukai a ring and said, "Channel chakra into this if you find yourself in something that you can't handle. It will transport you to this place."
As Mukai took the ring, Kaito's clone sensed movement and noticed Mukai's wife beginning to stir. "They're starting to wake up," he said. "I'll leave it to you to explain the situation to them. Remember to give me a report every month."
With that, Kaito's clone dispelled itself, leaving Mukai and his family in the clearing.
…
Meanwhile, Kaito stood across from Itachi, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. Itachi's eyes focused on him as he asked, "What did you mean by 'new Hokage'?"
Kaito replied with a calm demeanor, "Exactly that."
Itachi's gaze hardened, and he said, "Explain."
Meeting Itachi's intense stare, Kaito elaborated, "Most of the village's current issues could be resolved by appointing a new Hokage."
Itachi's expression grew more serious. "Kaito, what you're suggesting is treason."
Kaito shrugged slightly, his tone unfazed. "Why does everyone seem to forget that The Third Hokage already retired even before the Third Shinobi War ended? He's just a stand-in until a suitable successor is found. And since he hasn't found a successor, us finding someone that has the approval of the Daimyo, the clans, and the Jonin council, isn't treason."
Kaito sighed, running a hand through his hair before continuing, "Itachi, what do you think would happen if the tension between the Uchiha clan and the village grows? I can only see two outcomes from this, seeing how stubborn both sides are. Scenario 1: the Hokage and the Elders wipe out the Uchiha clan, or Scenario 2: the Uchiha clan launches a coup d'état, and a civil war breaks out in the village. And I know that the Uchiha clan are already at a point that might think a coup d'état be their only solution."
Itachi's eyes widened at the mention of a coup d'état. Observing Itachi's reaction, Kaito thought to himself, "So the Uchiha clan have already started thinking of a coup d'état, or he hasn't thought of the possibility that the Hokage would wipe out the Uchiha clan."
Kaito nodded gravely and continued, "Ideally, appointing someone from the Uchiha clan as Hokage would be the most straightforward solution. However, with how the current situation with the village is, I don't think the other clans would support someone from the Uchiha clan being elected Hokage. That's why appointing a new Hokage who is well-liked by all and someone who is willing to give back all the Uchiha clan's rights with something that guarantees there won't be something like this in the future would solve the issue. Even Sensei agrees with me on this."
Itachi's eyes widened further as he asked, "Are you saying that Shikaku Sensei is involved in this plan?"
Kaito nodded and said, "Yes, I have discussed this with Sensei, and he agrees with me. He has also offered to help in getting backing from the other clans since all of them are not that happy with the Third right now."
Itachi mulled over Kaito's words, his expression thoughtful. "I don't really like the idea, but...," he began, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "I agree if the tension between the clan and the village grows... I can see things happening as you predict." With a resigned sigh, Itachi added, "I will assist you if it means we can resolve this issue. You and Sensei must have already identified a candidate."
Kaito smiled and nodded. "That's good because I was planning on asking for your help in convincing the Uchiha clan, and as for the candidate, it's Lady Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin."
Itachi nodded in understanding. "Lady Tsunade. She is indeed respected, even among the Uchiha clan."
Kaito gave Itachi a nod before saying, "Well, I will leave you to your mission. When Shisui wakes up, tell him that Mukai just stabbed himself. Mukai had a seal that would cause him to suicide without leaking information when they are under genjutsu. All ANBU have this placed on them."
Itachi nodded in acknowledgment.
Kaito walked over to Mukai's body double and, with a swift motion, stabbed it with Mukai's tanto. He then tossed the tanto to Itachi, saying, Talk to Sensei if you still don't seem sure about this plan. I trust you, Itachi, you won't say a word to anyone about the plan or my deal with Mukai."
Itachi caught the tanto and replied, "Hai, I already figured as much when you knocked out Shisui.... I trust you, Kaito, I won't tell anyone."
Nodding Kaito activated the Hiraishin no jutsu and vanished from the clearing, leaving behind Itachi, the unconscious Shisui, and the Mukai clone.
Itachi let out a sigh and turned his attention to waking Shisui, preparing for the next steps of their mission.
….
Kaito arrived in his room, landing in a crouched position as he surveyed the scene. His gaze fell on the clone sleeping on his bed. With a hand seal, he dispelled the clone into a puff of smoke. and the clone memories came to him. He stood up, reflecting on the day's events. "Alright, everything is in motion. Hope this goes well." With a sigh, Kaito picked up a towel and walked toward the bathroom
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