As Danzo gathered his supplies, he hesitated briefly before speaking. "I'll need at least one of my Root Shinobi to accompany us."
Kenshin stopped mid-step and turned to face him, his gaze sharp. "One. No more. Make your choice wisely."
Danzo nodded, already prepared. "Sai. His ink animals are invaluable for reconnaissance. He can provide us with the information we'll need without putting us at unnecessary risk."
Kenshin considered this for a moment before nodding. "Fine. Have him ready and waiting at the gate within the hour. No delays."
While Danzo left to retrieve Sai, Kenshin turned his attention to the equipment stored within the Root base. Among the supplies, he found a set of tactical binoculars. Picking one up, he examined it carefully, turning the lenses and noting its adjustments.
An idea began to form in his mind. 'If I take one half and strap it to my shoulder and calibrate the lenses just right, I could use it as a makeshift scope for my Gust Bullet. With this setup, I can take down targets from over a mile away, giving me the range I need to strike and escape without being noticed.'
The practicality of the plan solidified his decision. He gathered a few of the binoculars, storing them in his storage scroll along with the rest of his equipment.
'It's always better to be over-prepared than underprepared,' he thought, sealing the scroll before heading toward the village gate.
At the gate, Kenshin arrived to find Shizune waiting for him. Danzo appeared moments later with Sai in tow. The young artist looked calm and composed, his neutral expression betraying nothing of his thoughts.
He gave Kenshin a polite bow as he approached, his sketchbook and ink brush secured at his side.
Shizune stepped forward, her gaze lingering on Kenshin for a moment before she spoke. "Be careful. And good luck."
Kenshin gave her a small nod, his expression softening just enough to reassure her. "I'll be okay. Just make sure my sister doesn't rush after me."
She glanced at Danzo and Sai, her concern evident but unspoken, then stepped aside, allowing the trio to leave.
With that, Kenshin, Danzo, and Sai began their journey toward the Land of Grass. The atmosphere between them was tense but quiet, each focused on the mission ahead. Kenshin led the way, his sharp eyes occasionally scanning the surroundings, while Sai moved silently at their flank.
The group maintained a steady pace, knowing they could reach the Land of Grass by dawn if they didn't stop along the way. Kenshin's mind worked through the details of their plan, considering every variable.
As the trio moved swiftly through the dense forest, Kenshin glanced over his shoulder and noticed Danzo lagging slightly. Though the old man was doing his best to keep up, there was a stiffness in his movements and a slight hitch in his step.
Kenshin's earlier kick had clearly inflicted severe damage, and the slave seal must have been preventing him from tending to his injuries.
Kenshin stopped abruptly, raising a hand to signal the others to halt. Sai and Danzo came to a stop as well, the latter breathing heavily and doing his best to mask his discomfort.
"Danzo," Kenshin said with a sigh, his tone calm but firm. "Don't make me regret letting you come along. And don't tick me off ever again."
Danzo opened his mouth, perhaps to protest or apologize, but Kenshin didn't give him the chance. Activating his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, the signature red glow of his eyes intensified as he focused his gaze on Danzo.
Through his right eye, Kenshin saw faint blue glows emanating from various places on Danzo's body—fractured ribs, torn muscles, and internal bleeding. The impact from his earlier kick had caused significant damage, and the injuries were clearly affecting Danzo's performance.
"Stay still," Kenshin ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Danzo froze in place as Kenshin stepped closer, locking his gaze on him. Concentrating, Kenshin channeled the healing ability of his right eye.
The blue glows marking Danzo's injuries began to fade, one by one, as the damage was mended. Kenshin maintained his focus for about a minute, ensuring every injury was addressed.
When the blue glow finally disappeared from Danzo's body, Kenshin deactivated his Sharingan and stepped back. "Better?" he asked, his tone neutral.
Danzo flexed his fingers and shifted his shoulders, testing his range of motion. For a brief moment, surprise flickered in his expression before his face returned to its usual stoicism. "Thank you," he said, bowing his head slightly.
"Don't make me do that again," Kenshin said curtly, turning on his heel. "Let's go. We're going to reach the meeting place before dawn."
The trio resumed their journey, Kenshin leading the way with unwavering focus. At full speed, the group moved through the dense forest, their target now within reach by dawn.
At midnight, Kenshin stopped suddenly, noticing Danzo's fatigue. They were having trouble keeping up with him, even though they were hiding it very well. Danzo's situation was worse because of his age, but Sai seemed like he was mostly unfazed.
"We'll rest for an hour and have a meal here. Then we'll keep on moving untill we reach the meeting place. I'm not planning on getting there with the Akatsuki waiting for us." Kenshin ordered, lighting a small fire with a fireball jutsu and unsealing their meal from a storage scroll.
The scene shifted to the towering, snow-covered buildings of the Hidden Rain Village.
In the darkened chamber of the Akatsuki headquarters, Pain sat upon his throne, his Rinnegan glowing faintly in the dim light. Konan stood by his side, her expression calm yet curious.
A parchment lay before them, bearing the details of a mission request—sent by none other than Danzo Shimura of the Hidden Leaf.
Nagato studied the request carefully, his fingers steepled as he considered the implications. "Danzo Shimura...," he murmured, his deep voice carrying a hint of disdain. "I have no interest in his personal vendettas, but this mission aligns with our goals. Hidden Grass is weak, its leadership unstable. If this leads to further destabilization in the region, it could work to our advantage."
Konan's gaze flickered toward Nagato. "The details are vague, but it's clearly an infiltration and assassination mission," she said softly. "Danzo is requesting that the Akatsuki eliminate certain officials of the hidden grass, and free the former daimyo from captivity."
Nagato nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Indeed. The question is, who to send for such a task?"
He leaned back in thought. "Itachi, Kisame, and Sasori are the most suitable. Their skills are precise, and they understand the need for discretion. However, Konan..." He glanced at her briefly. "You would be ideal for this mission as well, but—"
"I'll take it," Konan interrupted, her voice firm but respectful. "The Hidden Rain will not fall apart in my absence. My subordinates can handle the day-to-day governance while I'm away. This mission requires precision, and I'm more than capable of handling it."
Before Nagato could respond, Zetsu materialized from the ground, his black and white halves blending unnaturally. "It might not be a bad idea to send her," Zetsu said, his dual voices merging in eerie harmony.
"Konan has the skills to handle this mission, and if anything goes wrong, she can retreat safely. Besides, Danzo might find the lady's presence less... alarming than some of the others. It would be wiser to send her."
Nagato's Rinnegan locked onto Zetsu for a moment before shifting back to Konan. He remained silent, deep in thought.
Finally, he nodded. "Very well. You will take this mission, Konan. But proceed with caution. This could be more complicated than it appears. The meeting point is on the border of the Land of Grass, at dawn the day after tomorrow. Meet the client there and gather the full details before deciding how to proceed."
Konan inclined her head. "Understood," she said calmly.
She turned to leave, and once downstairs, paused briefly to address her subordinates, who waited nearby. "I will be gone for a few days on an official matter. Until I return, handle the affairs of the village as usual."
As she stepped out into the snow outside, her cloak fluttering slightly in the breeze, she cast a quick glance back at the towering headquarters.
A sense of unease tugged at her, though she wasn't sure why. Nevertheless, she dismissed the thought and strode into the night, her mind already focused on the task ahead. She would hide her face with a mask, and her skill would allow her to not get into direct contact, preventing the possibility of Danzo recognizing her.
The scene shifted back to the present as Kenshin, having finished his meal, stood and stretched. He glanced at Danzo and Sai, who remained seated in silence.
"Stay here," Kenshin ordered firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll be back shortly."
Without waiting for a response, he stepped out of their sight, walking a short distance into the surrounding trees. Once confident he was alone, Kenshin retrieved his entrance scroll from his pouch. With a pulse of his chakra, the intricate Uzumaki seals glowed, and he found himself in the Uzumaki library.
Standing near the entrance was the spectral form of Ashina Uzumaki, his great-grandfather, who greeted Kenshin with a warm smile.
"Welcome back, Kenshin," Ashina said, his voice resonating with pride. "It's always good to see you."
"Thanks, Great-Grandfather," Kenshin replied, his tone respectful but hurried. "I'm just here to work on something quickly. I'm meeting the mercenaries at dawn.
Ashina raised an eyebrow but said nothing, watching with quiet curiosity as Kenshin pulled out a pair of binoculars from his pouch. Kneeling on the floor, Kenshin began disassembling the device with practiced ease.
He worked in silence, his hands moving deftly as he removed the outer casing and meticulously arranged the components.
Memories of his past life flooded his mind—of tinkering with electronics, breaking them down just to see how they worked, and then putting them back together, often with modifications. That old habit now proved invaluable as he repurposed the binoculars into a makeshift scope.
The process took him forty minutes, during which Ashina occasionally commented, his tone a mix of admiration and amusement.
"You truly are an ingenious boy, Kenshin," Ashina said, his ethereal form leaning slightly closer to observe. "It's rare to see someone so at ease with both ninjutsu and craftsmanship. You remind me of your grandfather. He used to enjoy craftsmanship more than sealing."
Kenshin smirked but kept his focus on the task. When the scope was finally complete, he strapped it onto his right shoulder, adjusting the alignment.
He peered through it, testing its functionality. The small mark at the center of the lens made it easy to aim, though it felt strange to use a scope on his shoulder rather than on a firearm, as he might have in his previous life.
Still, it worked.
Satisfied, Kenshin unstrapped the scope and carefully tucked it into a hidden pocket under his armor. He stood, brushing off his hands, and turned to face the spirit.
"Thanks for letting me use the library," Kenshin said. "I'll come back once I've finalized the plan for this mission."
Ashina gave a solemn nod. "Take care out there, my boy."
Kenshin inclined his head in acknowledgment, then exited the library through the scroll. Stepping back into the forest, he glanced toward the makeshift camp where Danzo and Sai waited. His eyes narrowed as his mind refocused on the mission ahead.
Tomorrow would be critical. He couldn't afford any mistakes. Kenshin signaled Danzo and Sai to prepare for departure. As the trio resumed their journey under the dim light of the stars, the scene shifted back to the Hidden Rain Village.
Konan, clad in her Akatsuki cloak, stood near the gates of the village. The snow fell steadily, tracing down her face as she prepared to leave. She cast a final glance back at the village before departing.
The scene transitioned back to Kenshin's group. They reached the designated meeting place on the border of the Land of Grass about half an hour before dawn.
Kenshin stopped and surveyed the area carefully, his Sharingan scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Satisfied, he formed a series of hand seals, summoning multiple shadow clones.
"Form a perimeter," Kenshin ordered. The clones dispersed instantly, each taking up a hidden position around the area. Kenshin himself moved to a vantage point some distance away, crouching low as he watched through his binoculars.
His attention was fixed on Danzo and Sai, who stood in the clearing, waiting for the Akatsuki to arrive.
As dawn's faint light began to illuminate the horizon, a lone figure appeared in the distance. Kenshin's Sharingan flared slightly as he focused on the figure's chakra. His breath caught for a moment—not in surprise that the Akatsuki had arrived, but at who had arrived.
It was Konan.
Kenshin recognized her chakra immediately. The unique, familiar presence was unmistakable. He wasn't surprised to see her among the Akatsuki—his memories from his past life had already prepared him for this. But what puzzled him was Nagato's decision to send Konan alone for a mission like this.
'Why her? Why alone?' Kenshin thought, narrowing his eyes. 'Nagato rarely allows her to leave his side, let alone handle missions solo. Does he feel this mission really that low-risk, or does Nagato trust her that much?'
Konan approached gracefully, her movements calm and calculated. Her Akatsuki cloak billowed slightly in the breeze as she stopped a few meters away from Danzo and Sai. Kenshin noted the way she held herself—poised, professional, and completely unbothered by the situation.
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Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.