Chapter 320: The Impending Coup in the Bloody Mist
"Hmm. Not bad. Very beautiful. Very nice!"
Haneda nodded perfunctorily at Deidara's display of artistic zeal before steering the conversation toward the real reason for his visit.
"Deidara, how would you feel about going to Sunagakure to help me retrieve something important?"
Deidara glanced at the eager faces of the miners surrounding him. Their admiration was palpable, and he hesitated before answering.
"Haneda-nii… well, I don't really want to leave. But if you really need me to, I can go. Hmm!"
Haneda read the hesitation in Deidara's eyes and the reluctant tone in his voice. Smiling, he made a dramatic gesture.
"Seeing how hard everyone is working, laboring tirelessly for the prosperity of the Fire Nation's People's Republic, I've decided—everyone gets a paid half-month vacation!"
The miners, who had been clinging to Deidara's presence, erupted in cheers. They instantly pivoted, urging Deidara to assist the Hokage with his mission.
Deidara, only a young teenager, was dumbfounded.
Amid a cacophony of enthusiastic goodbyes, he reluctantly followed Haneda and Kakashi away from the mine he had grown to love so much.
Next to them, Kakashi muttered under his breath, "Masterful."
Once aboard Deidara's clay bird, the young artist regained his composure and turned to Haneda.
"So, Haneda-nii, what exactly do you need me to do in Sunagakure? Something to do with the Ryūmyaku (Dragon Vein)?"
Haneda shook his head. "No, it's not about the Ryūmyaku. I need you to help me locate a jutsu called Izanagi Tensei (Self-Reanimation). This is an important mission."
Deidara's expression lit up with determination. "Izanagi Tensei? Never heard of it. But if it's important to you, Haneda-nii, I'll get it done. Hmm!"
Haneda gave him a sidelong glance, wondering if Deidara's confidence could truly be enough. In a decade, perhaps, Deidara's skills might suffice. But for now, Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage Rasa was still alive, and stalwarts like Chiyo and Ebizō were formidable Kage-level veterans. Deidara alone wouldn't be enough.
"I'll also have Pakura and Zabuza accompany you," Haneda added. "Plus, I plan to hire the Akatsuki to assist you."
"Akatsuki?!" Deidara exclaimed, his eyes widening. "Haneda-nii, you're not planning to make a move against Master Sasori, are you?"
Haneda waved off the idea. "I've considered it before, but not now. I'm not sending you after him. Just meet the Akatsuki's leader and arrange for their help. The payment will be handled by Shikaku."
Deidara smirked. The prospect of reuniting with Sasori on a mission excited him, even if the chances were slim. At the very least, he might run into his old mentor in Amegakure.
Haneda's reasons for involving the Akatsuki weren't as simple as hiring muscle.
He wanted to probe Nagato's stance on the Tailed Beasts and test how the Akatsuki weighed their so-called Moon's Eye Plan against their relationship with him and Konoha.
Infiltrating Sunagakure wasn't just about obtaining Izanagi Tensei—it was also an opportunity to let the Akatsuki abduct Gaara, the One-Tails' jinchūriki.
The beauty of the plan was that the Akatsuki could easily shift the blame onto Konoha, creating a perfect alibi without exposing their own operations.
By orchestrating this scenario, Haneda aimed to discern whether the Akatsuki prioritized the Tailed Beasts or their budding rapport with him and Konoha. It was also a way to gauge whether Nagato's faction still harbored ambitions of capturing the Tailed Beasts.
As they discussed strategy, Deidara's clay bird descended, landing at a steampunk-inspired train station.
The station was located about ten kilometers from Konoha and served as a hub connecting the Fire Nation's key cities as well as routes to Amegakure.
Haneda planned to take a train with Kakashi to a southeastern port near the Land of Waves, where they would part ways with Deidara.
Yes, even Deidara planned to take the train. Compared to enduring wind and sun aboard his clay bird, the train's comfort was far more appealing.
And with the trains running almost continuously, their speed rivaled that of skilled ninja.
Since both Haneda and Kakashi were widely recognized public figures, they took the precaution of disguising themselves.
Haneda wore a black mask and a hat, exuding an air of aloofness that discouraged interaction.
Kakashi, on the other hand, swapped his usual black mask for one of a different color and adopted the guise of a traveling detective, complete with a camera for good measure.
The two booked tickets for a soft sleeper cabin—mostly because the hard sleepers were sold out, leaving only uncomfortable seats or pricier accommodations.
Their cabin was cozy, equipped with four beds and a large window offering scenic views.
As the train occasionally jostled along the tracks, Haneda lay on his bed, his thoughts drifting back to the grueling train journeys of his university days.
Still, by the standards of this world, trains were the epitome of convenience, comfort, and affordability—a marvel of the era.
Yet Haneda couldn't help but feel dissatisfied. Glancing over, he noticed Kakashi snoozing soundly, his mask still in place.
Haneda sighed inwardly. I'll need to ask Orochimaru to refine these trains further when I return—at the very least, eliminate these damn noises that keep me awake!
...
Two and a half days later, in the center of the Bloody Mist, within an underground chamber in Kirigakure, Obito sat on a dark, sinister stone chair, listening to White Zetsu's report.
"Madara-sama, the rebel faction under Mei Terumi seems to have discovered the genjutsu you cast on Yagura Karatachi."
"They've approached Ao and are preparing to break your control over the Mizukage."
Obito responded indifferently, "Let them try. Kirigakure holds no value beyond the Tailed Beast. I'll retrieve the Three-Tails before the Bloody Mist comes to an end."
A faint smirk played across his lips as he added, "The Byakugan pales in comparison to the Sharingan—especially when wielded by an outsider."
"The genjutsu I used? He's the one who taught it to me."
Hearing this, White Zetsu's grin widened theatrically. "Madara-sama, you seem quite fond of Fifth Hokage Haneda. I remember you used to mumble his name in your sleep. Hehe!"
"Oh, and that idiot Kakashi too!"
"Enough." Obito's voice grew cold, and he adjusted his mask. At the mention of Kakashi, a slight frown marred his features.
Just then, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground, merging with White Zetsu's body.
Seeing Black Zetsu, Obito straightened, his tone steady once more.
Black Zetsu reported, "Haneda has sent Deidara to Amegakure to meet with Nagato's group."
"What's the nature of their meeting?" Obito asked.
"They're negotiating a contract," Black Zetsu replied. "Haneda plans to hire the Akatsuki to infiltrate Sunagakure and retrieve something."
"The specifics are known only to Deidara. Nagato has assigned Sasori to accompany him. Should we dispatch operatives to monitor or protect them?"
Obito contemplated briefly before replying, "Send a few White Zetsu operatives. What about Haneda? Is he still in Konoha?"
Black Zetsu shook his head. "He and Kakashi are aboard a train headed for a port city. It's likely they're bound for the Land of Water."
"Haneda has previously visited the Land of Water to take Yekura, Zabuza, and two children with him."
"Zabuza once attempted a coup. It's possible Haneda intends to intervene in Kirigakure's affairs again."
Obito remained silent, weighing his options. He knew a confrontation with Haneda and Kakashi was likely.
"Once the Three-Tails is secured, I'll leave Kirigakure. There's nothing of value left here."
...
***
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