Chapter 129: The Trial
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There was no alleyway battle that night.
Neither Huang Quan (possessed by Moryo) nor the Suna shinobi dared to fight inside Konoha Village.
It didn't matter if they killed each other.
What mattered was—if they accidentally injured a civilian and triggered a response from Konoha's Police Force, they'd be finished.
Rasa's expression darkened.
"The Moryo of Numa no Kuni… I know of you."
"You think I'd trust a demon like you?"
Moryo sneered.
"Who else can you turn to?"
"I've already analyzed the battlefield."
"That Rinnegan user's chakra is terrifying. His organization is powerful."
"Konoha's Second Hokage and his old allies—they're also formidable."
"I estimate these two factions alone will claim two of the five final slots."
"You're clearly not allied with the Land of Lightning shinobi, which means you're on your own."
"If Kumo and Iwa work together, they will take at least one slot—possibly two."
"The last remaining slot…"
Moryo curled his lips in disdain.
"You and the Mist shinobi? Hah. I can defeat you both."
Rasa's face grew darker.
"If that's the case, why don't you just fight us head-on?"
"We, the shinobi of Sunagakure, will crush you!"
Moryo scoffed.
"I'm trying to negotiate, not listen to your empty bravado."
"Or did you forget about Konoha?"
"Even if Uchiha Kagami, Namikaze Minato, Hatake Sakumo, and others don't participate—do you really think Konoha has no other strong fighters?"
"If I had to guess, at least one slot is already reserved for Uchiha Shisui."
"The entire ninja world knows how overprotective Kagami is toward his clan."
"If he orders all the Uchiha to support Shisui, that alone would be a terrifying force."
"Even I would need to gather allies to stand a chance at one slot."
"And more importantly—our goals are different."
Moryo's eyes turned pitch black.
"I only want the Dragon Vein Crystal."
"The title of 'Kage' and one additional reward—I'll leave those to you."
"Furthermore…"
"If our cooperation proves successful this time…"
"We can continue working together in the future."
"I'll help you reclaim the Land of Wind, and you'll help me conquer the Land of Earth."
Rasa sneered.
"You haven't even conquered the Land of Demons, yet you're already dreaming of ruling a nation?"
"If it weren't for the sudden appearance of Fire Hidden Village, I would have already taken both the Land of Demons and the Land of Wind."
Moryo's tone was calm.
"I survived an encounter with Senju Hashirama."
"That alone proves my strength."
In reality, Hashirama had barely lifted a finger against him.
During Moryo's invasion of the Land of Wind, Hashirama had repelled his army of undead soldiers with ease.
Hashirama had actually hesitated to eliminate Moryo, as doing so would also kill the Miko (Shrine Maiden) of the Land of Demons.
It was Tobirama and Orochimaru who convinced him to leave Moryo alone.
After all, when war broke out across the ninja world, many criminals and renegade ninja fled to Fire Hidden Village.
The village couldn't just execute them all.
If rumors spread that Fire Hidden Village exterminated defectors, then no one would dare defect to them.
Instead, they allowed those seeking redemption to fight against Moryo's undead forces.
If they survived, it counted as atonement.
If they died, it was retribution.
Tobirama had learned from his brother's mistake.
After Hashirama's death, Konoha had enjoyed long-term peace, but that peace made them unprepared for war.
Fire Hidden Village needed to keep external threats alive—not to eliminate them completely.
Because what Fire Hidden Village did to other nations wasn't war—
It was annihilation.
Tobirama suspected that Uchiha Kagami's decision to host this tournament stemmed from the same idea.
"Warriors who grow complacent… forget how to fight."
Tobirama understood the Uchiha better than anyone.
If they didn't keep fighting, their bloodline would weaken over generations.
The Third Ninja War had produced a monster like Kagami.
---
In the end, Sunagakure formed an alliance with Moryo.
They wouldn't discuss future plans yet—only the terms of their current cooperation.
Moryo would claim the Dragon Vein Crystal.
Suna would claim the Land of Water.
Rasa had already made up his mind—once they were guaranteed a slot, he would betray Moryo.
He was certain Moryo was thinking the exact same thing.
The real battle would come after the tournament.
Neither side realized that, hidden in the corner, a miniature puppet had been watching them.
No…
One person had noticed—Chiyo.
But she chose to say nothing.
A small selfish act… as a grandmother.
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In a dimly lit room…
A tiny puppet crawled onto Sasori's palm, linking its chakra thread to him.
A visual feed appeared in Sasori's eye, showing him Suna and Moryo's secret conversation.
No audio, but…
Both Sasori and Kakuzu were skilled in lip-reading.
"Suna is working with that demon, huh…"
Kakuzu, counting money, let out a cold chuckle.
"I was considering teaming up with that thing."
"No chance," Sasori shook his head. "His target is the Dragon Vein Crystal, same as mine."
Kakuzu glanced at him.
"What even is that thing? Is it valuable?"
Sasori was silent for a moment.
"I don't know."
"But if Uchiha Kagami considers it a top-tier reward, then it must be."
"The Dragon Vein contains massive reserves of chakra."
"I once thought no one could control it—but he did."
"The Dragon Vein Crystal… I suspect it contains chakra comparable to a Tailed Beast, with even greater versatility."
"...Then yeah, that's valuable."
Kakuzu nodded.
"We'll need more allies."
"I don't mind splitting the reward, as long as I get my 20 billion ryo."
Sasori thought for a moment.
"We should contact the Mist ninja."
"I'll show them the evidence of Suna and Moryo's alliance."
"They'll want to crush Suna."
Kakuzu grinned.
"Sounds like a plan."
---
That night, few found rest.
All across the village, shinobi scrambled to form alliances.
Some, confident before arriving, had lost their arrogance after witnessing true power.
Now, they banded together, hoping to seize even a small piece of Fire Hidden Village's bounty.
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At the Uchiha Clan Compound…
Inside Kagami's residence…
Kagami, Kakashi, and Shisui sat facing one another.
"Kakashi, have you found teammates?" Kagami sipped his tea.
Kakashi glanced at Shisui.
"I was going to ask Shisui to join me. What do you think?"
Shisui gave a bitter smile.
"I can't. My brother ordered me to team up with Ryuuzetsu."
"…I see."
"My team so far consists of Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, Yamato, and Kabuto."
He paused.
"Kagami… do you know where Jiraiya-sensei went?"
Kagami smirked.
"He went to team up with Akatsuki."
Kakashi's eyes widened.
"...You mean Nagato and Konan?!"
Shisui frowned.
"Brother… this trial… What exactly are you planning?"
Kagami set his teacup down.
"Shisui… This tournament is your trial."
"I will protect you."
"You won't die."
"But…"
"Ryuuzetsu is your responsibility."
"Protect those you cherish."
"And make the world remember your name."
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