---
"It seems we're quite fortunate."
Thanks to the merchants from the Land of Waves, renowned for their unique information-gathering techniques, Muzan had swiftly discovered Tsunade's whereabouts. His companion, Yamanosatsu, had located her and relayed the information. Among gamblers, Tsunade was notoriously nicknamed the "big fat sheep" for her infamous losing streak.
"Tsunade is a famous fat sheep," Yamanosatsu remarked with a smirk, a hint of mockery in his voice.
Once they pinpointed her exact location, they found her and her assistant Shizune preparing to leave. Below, Shizune suddenly sensed a sharp, murderous intent. Her instincts screamed danger as she drew her kunai, scanning the area.
"Tsunade-sama, an enemy is coming!" she called out urgently.
"Crash!"
The sound wasn't Shizune's attack but the unmistakable clatter of Tsunade dropping her sake bottle as she slumped to the ground, drunk and unconscious.
"Seriously?" Shizune muttered, moving protectively in front of her mentor. Her kunai was poised, and her sharp gaze scanned the shadows. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
A figure emerged from the darkness. Shizune hurled her kunai, but Yamanosatsu intercepted it with unsettling ease, his movements almost lazy.
"Calm yourself," Muzan said, his tone smooth yet commanding as he handed the kunai back to Shizune. "I'm not here to harm Tsunade-sama. She is, after all, my former mentor and the one who taught me medical ninjutsu."
Shizune's breath hitched. Memories of Tsunade's tales about a prodigious student, one who mastered all her teachings only to betray Konoha, flooded her mind. The description fit one person: Muzan Hatake.
Why now? Shizune cursed internally. Of all times, why do we have to encounter him while Tsunade-sama is drunk?
As Shizune plotted how to escape with Tsunade, Muzan closed the distance using the Body Flicker Technique, bypassing her guard entirely. He stood beside Tsunade, gazing at her unconscious form with something akin to nostalgia.
"Still the same as ever," Muzan said softly. "Able to fall asleep anywhere after drinking."
Ignoring Shizune's defensive stance, Muzan sat down and opened a medical journal, feigning nonchalance. Yet his piercing eyes flicked toward the window, his killing intent briefly surfacing.
"Yamanosatsu," he said coldly, "pests have infiltrated. Dispose of them, but ensure Tsunade-sensei isn't disturbed."
"Understood, my lord," Yamanosatsu replied, his black cloak rippling ominously as countless eyes emerged on his body. His figure disappeared into the shadows, leaving Muzan, Tsunade, and Shizune alone.
Shizune's hand trembled on her kunai, but she forced herself to remain steady. Muzan's oppressive presence felt suffocating.
I'll protect Tsunade-sama, even if it costs me my life! she vowed silently.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Explosions echoed outside, smoke rising in the distance. Muzan frowned in displeasure.
"Yamanosatsu is overexerting himself," he muttered. "Using Sage Mode on such trivial nuisances is unnecessary."
The noise stirred Tsunade from her drunken stupor. She groaned, rubbing her temple. "Shizune, get me some—" She froze mid-sentence, her eyes locking on Muzan.
"Long time no see, Tsunade-sensei," Muzan greeted with a respectful bow, his voice calm yet edged with a hint of mockery.
Tsunade's expression darkened. Her fists clenched, and the room seemed to vibrate with her rising anger. "What are you doing here, Muzan? You've caused enough trouble for Konoha."
Muzan raised a placating hand. "I'm not here to fight, Tsunade-sensei. I have a request. I poisoned Killer Bee of the Hidden Cloud. Only you can neutralize it."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed dangerously. His tone implied a veiled threat, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"Of course, I won't force your hand," Muzan added smoothly. "But if neutrality is difficult, consider relocating to the Land of Waves. No one will disturb you there."
"You brat," Tsunade growled. "Are you threatening me?"
The air grew heavy with tension. Muzan knew one wrong move could provoke Tsunade into action, and her strength was not something to underestimate.
Then, Muzan spoke words that sent a chill through the room.
"Miss Shizune," he began, his tone calculated, "you lost your family too. What if I told you I could bring them back?"
Both women froze, shock evident on their faces. Muzan pressed on, his voice smooth and enticing.
"Tsunade-sensei, I can help you undo your regrets. Nawaki, Dan—they don't have to remain just memories."
"How?" Tsunade demanded, her voice trembling between hope and fury.
Muzan spread his hands in a gesture of invitation. "There are ways—methods to recall souls from the afterlife. Techniques like Impure World Reincarnation can bring them back."
"You're mocking me!" Tsunade roared, her emotions raw. She punched the wall, creating a deep fissure.
"Mocking you?" Muzan repeated calmly. "Hardly. I'm merely offering you what others cannot."
Tsunade's mind raced, old memories resurfacing. Could it be true? Could Nawaki and Dan truly return?
Muzan's confidence remained unshaken. "The choice is yours, sensei. But don't take too long to decide."
---
The two individuals before Tsunade were people she could never forget. Gazing into Muzan's cold, calculating eyes, Tsunade spoke with unshakable determination:
"I hope you're not lying. If you fail to keep your word, I will hunt you down using the full authority of Konoha as one of the Sannin!"
In that moment, the weary gambler was gone, replaced by the resolute warrior known as Tsunade Senju. Her presence now demanded both respect and fear.
"As you wish, Tsunade-sensei," Muzan replied, his tone calm, though a faint smirk betrayed his amusement.
"But there are conditions. Resurrecting them isn't simple—it comes with a cost. You must agree to it beforehand."
Muzan's voice lowered as he explained, "To summon souls from the Pure Land, sacrifices are required. One life for each soul. I can arrange for this in the Land of Waves. There are plenty of... willing candidates."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, but she allowed him to continue.
"Secondly, they won't truly return to life. They will exist in a state between the living and the dead, bound by the limitations of jutsu like Impure World Reincarnation. True resurrection is beyond even my abilities... for now."
To Muzan's surprise, Tsunade didn't hesitate. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of her brother Nawaki and her lover Dan. Even if they couldn't be fully restored, she was willing to endure the cost for a chance to see them again.
For now, she would not assist Kumogakure, regardless of the consequences.
---
Outside the Room
Yamanosatsu returned, blood-soaked and unscathed. The destruction he left behind was evident, the aftermath of Muzan's dark influence.
"Muzan-sama, the intruders have been eliminated," Yamanosatsu reported, his tone as cold as the rain that poured outside. "However, a group escaped before I could intercept them. They're likely heading back to Kumogakure for reinforcements. The Raikage will arrive soon."
Muzan's brows furrowed at the mention of the Raikage. The potential interference was an unwelcome complication. With a glance at Tsunade, Muzan made his decision.
"Let's move. There's nothing more to accomplish here," Muzan ordered, vanishing into the storm with Yamanosatsu.
---
In the Shadows
As Muzan and Yamanosatsu traveled through the rain-soaked terrain of Amegakure, Muzan felt a presence that set him on edge. The sensation was sharp, distinct—a predator recognizing another.
Activating Sage Mode, his senses expanded, and he locked onto the source.
"Uchiha Itachi," Muzan muttered.
From the shadows, Itachi stepped forward, his Sharingan glowing faintly under the rain. His expression betrayed nothing as he regarded Muzan.
"Muzan."
Itachi's voice was calm, his demeanor unyielding. His kunai remained sheathed, though his body language was prepared for a fight.
"What brings you here?" Itachi asked, his tone devoid of hostility but laden with curiosity.
"Checking on an old acquaintance," Muzan replied smoothly, gesturing vaguely toward the horizon. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with."
Itachi remained silent, his gaze scrutinizing Muzan's every move. As a member of Akatsuki, Itachi's objectives required him to tread carefully, even against someone as unpredictable as Muzan.
---
Inside Amegakure
Meanwhile, in the heart of Akatsuki's stronghold, Konan received word of Muzan's arrival. Her brow furrowed as she considered the implications.
"Why is he here now?" she murmured, her tone laced with suspicion.
Konan's concerns weren't unfounded. Muzan's alliances, though often beneficial, were precarious at best. His involvement in the destruction of the Twelve Kizuki had already destabilized several regions, including Sunagakure.
"Muzan is unpredictable," Konan thought. "But his power... it could tip the scales in our favor."
Her musings were interrupted by the heavy door creaking open. Six figures stepped inside, their presence instantly suffocating.
Pain's Six Paths had arrived.
"Muzan is here," Pain spoke, his voice resonating with an eerie calm. "But it seems we have another guest as well."
Konan's eyes widened in realization.
"Jiraiya..."
The rain of Amegakure, infused with Nagato's chakra, had detected the intruder. Now, both Muzan and Jiraiya stood at the center of a brewing storm.
---
Outside the stronghold, Jiraiya emerged from the mouth of a summoning toad, muttering in frustration.
"Next time, I'm summoning a bigger one. That was way too cramped," he grumbled before focusing on his surroundings.
Amegakure's oppressive atmosphere was as he remembered. The memories of his former students haunted him as he pressed forward, determined to uncover the truth about Akatsuki's plans.
---
The convergence of forces—Muzan, Jiraiya, Itachi, and Akatsuki—was a volatile mix. Unbeknownst to Muzan, Konoha's ANBU had infiltrated Amegakure as well, silently gathering intelligence.
In the depths of Akatsuki's base, Muzan found himself face-to-face with Pain's Six Paths. The air crackled with tension, every figure ready for conflict.
Yet in the chaos of the moment, no one noticed Itachi slipping away, his mind already formulating his next move.
---