Chapter 106: Stirring Fate

"Who are you...?" Konan's eyes widened, and the paper flower on her head shook slightly.

"Are you... Yuto!"

"It's been a long time, Konan." Yuto waved away his subordinates, creating a private space for him and Konan.

Nearly two years had passed, and Konan had grown into a very beautiful young woman.

"I didn't expect you to recognize me at first glance," Yuto smiled. "Please, have a seat."

"Your reputation precedes you. Even in the Land of Rain, I hear about the 'Lone Lion.' Yahiko told me you're an impressive shinobi... He never praises anyone younger than himself like that."

Konan looked at the young man before her, her tense body gradually relaxing.

Yuto had stayed with the Akatsuki for a month. Though they rarely spoke, he was still a familiar face.

"Konan, why have you come to the Konoha camp? You can tell me. I'm the Vice commander here now."

Hearing this, the pretty woman with short purple hair spoke seriously, "Yuto-kun, on behalf of the Akatsuki, I request Konoha to stop the war through peace talks. Too many innocent lives have been lost in this conflict."

"Peace talks..."

"Yes, peace talks. We can sit down and negotiate slowly, in the Land of Rain. Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure can sign a peace treaty. Why must we fight?"

"Good idea." Yuto touched his chin, curious, "Do you have a specific plan? Like the host of the talks, the exact location, compensation plans, and strategies for reestablishing diplomatic relations?"

Konan was momentarily stunned and pursed her lips, "No, I don't."

"Oh, that's okay, Konan-nee." Yuto remained warm and gentle, "As the vice commander, I can report directly to Lord Hokage. If we can end the war without more deaths, everyone would be happy. This is a good thing."

The woman with purple hair sighed in relief, "Yuto, I knew you would understand Yahiko's feelings..."

Yuto smiled politely but then changed the subject to chat casually with Konan.

The trio from Amegakure had very distinct personalities.

Yahiko could be seen as an idealistic and passionate dreamer, somewhat like Naruto without the luck, valuing friendship and lofty ideals.

Nagato was a naïve believer, easily manipulated, which is why Obito could use him. Later, he even sacrificed himself to resurrect the people of Konoha after a conversation with Naruto.

As for Konan... she was like a drifting flower. She lived for Yahiko when he was alive, followed Nagato after Yahiko's death, and finally fought Obito for Naruto, sacrificing her life in the process.

In a peaceful world, their talents would undoubtedly lead to great achievements. Unfortunately, this was the shinobi world.

Kind-hearted, yet the world was too harsh; such a character rarely meets a good end.

"Yuto-kun, it's great to have you here."

As she was about to leave, Konan sighed,

"Before coming, I thought that if I couldn't see Commander Minato, I would wait outside the Konoha camp until he agreed to meet me."

"Konoha hasn't declared war on Amegakure. Commander Minato wouldn't refuse to see you... But Konan, why did you come? I remember that Yahiko usually handles such diplomatic matters."

"He's tackling a tougher task."

"Oh?" Yuto asked seemingly casually, "Is he going to war?"

"No, like my purpose here, he's meeting the leader of Amegakure to propose a 'peace treaty.'"

"Oh," Yuto Hyuga sighed. "Hanzo the Salamander..."

...

Amegakure, high tower.

A man sat in a chair, watching the departing Akatsuki members.

He had gray-white hair, a strong build, and wore a lead-gray breathing mask. Although he remained silent, there was an oppressive aura about him.

This was Hanzo the Salamander, known as a demigod.

"A remarkable young man," suddenly, a voice came from a secret room behind Hanzo, "So this is the leader of the Akatsuki? Indeed, no matter how detailed the intelligence, it's nothing compared to seeing him in person."

"Danzo Shimura." Due to the breathing mask, Hanzō's voice sounded like a muffled drum, "If anyone else sees you, I'll kill you."

"If you wish, you certainly can."

Danzo, unfazed, sat across from Hanzo, calmly saying, "The Akatsuki's proposal is excellent. Peace talks are indeed one way to end the war."

Hanzo remained silent, his strange, heavy breathing the only sound in the room.

"Intrigued?" Danzo nodded approvingly, "Not surprising for someone called a demigod. If this succeeds, and the three shinobi villages reach an agreement, the Land of Rain could also see peace."

"At that time, both the shinobi world and Amegakure will admire this great achievement..."

He paused, his tone becoming poisonous and sarcastic, "Admit that this achievement... Will belong to the Akatsuki."

Hanzo showed no expression, neither agreeing nor stopping Danzo from speaking further.

"Poor Hanzo," Danzo sighed, "You've dedicated your life to Amegakure."

"To avoid poisoning those around you and to gain great power, you've worn a breathing mask for twenty-four hours a day. Over the years, I've never heard you complain."

"Navigating between three great powers is tough. Although we've often been enemies, I can loudly declare that you are a shinobi worthy of respect!"

"However... if peace talks succeed, there will be no place for you in Amegakure."

"Everyone will forget you, who sacrificed everything for his country. Instead, the Akatsuki will become the pillar of Amegakure!"

"Shut up," Hanzō said quietly, but his voice was filled with murderous intent.

That intent was not directed at Danzo.

...

Somewhere.

A colossal statue, as tall as a mountain, stood in a deep, dark underground chamber.

Several "pipes" extended from the statue, connecting to a man's body.

The man was very old, having been a legend before the shinobi village system emerged. His name had almost become a myth.

But even someone as powerful as him couldn't escape aging.

If not for the chakra supplied by the statue, the man would have aged and died long ago.

A strange creature emerged from the rock, moving as easily as a fish swimming in the sea. It barely resembled a human, with only half a face intact, its entire body white as if made from latex.

The old man opened his eyes, his Sharingan's three tomoe slowly spinning.

These Sharingan were, of course, not his original ones.

His own eyes, which had accompanied him for decades and held immense power, had been transplanted to that red-haired boy long ago.

But even "spare" eyes were chosen from his clan.

An Uchiha's body must have Uchiha eyes.

The proud blood still flowed in his veins, never ceasing for even a moment.

"You're back," he said hoarsely, "Tell me about that 'Moon God' fellow..."

Even though his body was failing and withered, when he said the name "Moon God," his tone was calm and natural, as if referring to a tiny ant.

He had every right to.

After all, he was Madara.

...

The storm caused by Orochimaru's departure from Konoha during the Third Shinobi War was far more than just Konoha's frontlines struggling, the early death of the Fourth Mizukage, and Yuto's promotion to deputy commander.

Deeper repercussions were slowly brewing.

Danzo Shimura, scorned by the Third Hokage because of this incident, was no longer trusted.

This man, who claimed to be the "Root of Konoha," would use extreme methods to prove his worth and loyalty to Konoha.

His actions would become more ruthless and urgent, even speeding up certain plans... such as the "Destroy Akatsuki" plan with Hanzo the Salamander.

The Moon God's appearances, displaying abilities comparable to the Rinnegan, naturally attracted Uchiha Madara's attention. He was also interested in the face behind the Hannya mask.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was weaving a large trap, aiming to kill the Moon God in one strike, likely in the Land of Rain, which would involve many high-level shinobi and make Amegakure's situation even more unpredictable.

Everything had deviated from the original storyline.

The source of these changes was Yuto.

He was a small caged bird, yet also a massive "Jörmungandr" whose movements could influence the world.

Transmigrators were never ants.

The Slug Sage, having lived for a thousand years, had bet everything on that "unpredictable fate."

Maybe it was too clichéd, maybe too chūnibyō, but at this moment, the shinobi world could still be described with one sentence:

Fate is stirring...

(End of Chapter)