Chapter 268: The Fate of Traitors

The news that the Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Dan, had awakened the Rinnegan, shocked the entire shinobi world as soon as it spread.

What was the Rinnegan? It was the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths.

As a result, the millions of villagers in Konoha immediately began to gossip in private, saying that the Sixth Hokage was the chosen one, and every villager in Konoha was a disciple of the Sage.

Soon after, another piece of insider information leaked out from Konoha.

The content was that Uchiha Dan's true identity was actually the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths!

In the Naka Shrine of the Uchiha clan's ancestral temple, there was an ancient stone monument that had endured thousands of years of wind and rain. It was left behind by the ancestor of this clan - the Sage of Six Paths. This was already common knowledge.

What Dan was going to do next, was to follow the instructions on the monument of the Sage of Six Paths, absorb the chakra of the nine tailed beasts, and become the legendary ten-tails jinchūriki.

At present, Konoha had six tailed beasts, all of which had been absorbed by Dan.

The remaining three were in the hands of the Akatsuki.

Thus, without thinking.

Dan's next move would be to mobilize the forces of the entire Uchiha clan or even all of Konoha, to hunt down the Akatsuki and collect the last three tailed beasts.

Once this Sixth Hokage obtained the nine tailed beasts and successfully became the ten-tails jinchūriki, he would not only gain invincible power, but also achieve immortality.

At that time, the entire shinobi world would be Dan's possession, and the Uchiha clan would rule this world forever!

As soon as this insider information spread, the Hokage's office immediately issued a rumor clarification stating:

This is not true at all!

The message that "the Uchiha clan wants to rule the shinobi world" is purely a malicious rumor deliberately spread by those with ulterior motives, making wild speculations.

In the statement, the Konoha authorities once again made a commitment to always adhere to their own permanent neutral position, and never interfere in shinobi world affairs.

However.

This ostentatious rumor clarification seemed to deliberately avoid some content. That was - Dan's plan to become the ten-tails jinchūriki.

There was no denial. Was this tantamount to an admission?

Originally, there were still many people who doubted the authenticity of this insider information. But the attempted cover-up by the Konoha authorities had the opposite effect.

For a time, many people outside of Konoha could no longer sit still.

In another part of the shinobi world, the Akatsuki base.

Naruto, Konan, Gaara, Fu, Kakuzu, and Karen who had just returned to the organization, were gathered together at this moment.

"Sure enough, this is the case."

Naruto's expression was solemn. What he had feared most had still happened.

Not only had Uchiha Dan awakened the Rinnegan, but as expected, he had gone down the same path as Madara, charging straight for becoming the ten-tails jinchūriki.

Back then, Madara was at the end of his days, and did not have long to live, so he could only painstakingly plan, using Nagato and Obito's hands to help him realize his ambition.

But Dan now was in his prime, with power overwhelming the shinobi world. After learning about the secret of the ten-tails jinchūriki, there was no reason for him not to covet this power.

The momentum was fierce.

Akatsuki's three jinchūriki, plus Naruto, were undoubtedly Dan's targets.

"Now...what should we do?"

Fu asked worriedly.

Naruto pondered for a moment, and said,

"One word, stall! Facing an enemy like Uchiha Dan, we must avoid his blade for now, seize the time to first hide the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and quietly wait for an opportunity.

In addition, Gaara, Fu and I will separate and go to different hiding places, so as not to be caught all at once by the other party."

Everyone nodded upon hearing this, and then began to offer their own suggestions.

In this process.

Karen, who was in the corner, seemed a little absent-minded.

She had not told Naruto-sensei and Konan-sensei the truth about what had happened in Konoha's operating room, only that she had successfully withdrawn.

After returning to Akatsuki, Karen realized - she couldn't forget Lady Tsunade, Shizune-senpai and Tayuya. She kept unconsciously recalling the bits and pieces of her time in Konoha.

In recent years, she had gained affection, friendship and happiness there.

But when she returned to the organization, everything was like a dream, disappearing in an instant, leaving only a bleak and vengeful atmosphere, shrouding everyone.

Karen couldn't help but think to herself, Konoha was so peaceful and beautiful, why did Akatsuki have to destroy it and make millions of people homeless?

Wasn't such behavior no different from a terrorist organization?

Moreover, what Karen found even more incomprehensible was -

As a spy for Akatsuki, she had stolen a large amount of top secret information about Konoha. If it was another hidden village, once her identity was exposed and she was caught by the enemy, she would surely be tortured in all kinds of ways, before dying a miserable death.

But the Sixth Hokage, knowing that she was a spy, had actually let her leave unharmed. No one had tried to stop her all along, nor did anyone follow her.

How could such a person really be an utterly wicked villain?

However, Karen did not ask these questions in her heart in the end.

Because she knew Konan-sensei's hatred for Uchiha Dan and Konoha was ingrained.

In addition to Karen, there was another person who didn't say much.

Kakuzu.

Apart from occasional words of agreement, he remained silent most of the time, not knowing what he was thinking.

After the meeting ended, everyone hurried away according to Naruto's instructions, taking separate actions.

After Kakuzu left the base, his eyes flashed, and he made a decision in his heart.

He could see that Akatsuki's fortunes were declining.

Even if Naruto had inherited Nagato's Rinnegan, and was even better than his teacher, he still couldn't possibly be a match for Uchiha Dan.

Kakuzu was too clear about how terrible that man was.

In his opinion, Akatsuki now was like a sinking ship. As a crew member, in order to survive, he could only jump ship halfway.

Kakuzu's plan was simple. He would inform on Naruto and the others to Konoha in exchange for a chance to live.

Unfortunately, he revealed his intentions.

"Where are you going?"

In a forest clearing, Naruto suddenly appeared and blocked Kakuzu's path, asking lightly.

Konan, Gaara, Fu and others also walked out from various directions, surrounding Kakuzu with expressionless faces.

Careless!

Kakuzu sighed inwardly. He didn't say anything, because he knew that any explanation was weak and futile now.

So.

Earth Grudge Fear!

As Kakuzu made a hand seal, his back continued to bulge until Akatsuki's cloak was torn open, and four masked monsters separated from his body.

Water, fire, wind, lightning, earth.

The four masked monsters plus his original body were the manifestations of Kakuzu's five hearts, also his five lives.

Fire Style: Searing Migraine!

Wind Style: Pressure Damage!

Lightning Style: False Darkness!

...

Kakuzu went all out with ninjutsu bombardment against Naruto and the others from the start, and the wild chakra instantly destroyed the entire forest.

But Kakuzu knew very well in his heart.

He had no chance of winning this battle.

So his aggressive attacks were just an illusion. His real intention was to create an opportunity to escape.

Kakuzu's thoughts did not escape Naruto.

Whoosh.

Braving Kakuzu's ninjutsu bombardment, his figure flickered and appeared next to one of the masked monsters. He summoned two mechanical arms from his right arm, grabbing its hands and neck respectively.

Then.

Buzz buzz buzz.

The mechanical arms unfolded and turned into cannon barrels, firing laser cannons at the masked monster at point blank range.

Ninja Art: Asura Attack.

Boom!

The masked monster was blasted into smithereens by Naruto, turned into flying ash.

And Kakuzu's other three masked clones also failed to escape as he wished.

Sand Waterfall Funeral!

Scales Powder Capturing Field!

Paper Shuriken!

Gaara, Fu and Konan took action one after another, each entangling a masked monster and successfully destroying them.

In the blink of an eye, only Kakuzu's original body was left.

In despair, he was surrounded by Akatsuki members again.

Naruto's expression was calm without ripples. He walked step by step towards Kakuzu.

Damn it!

Kakuzu's heart sank. Just as he was about to risk it all, he saw Naruto stretch out a hand towards him.

Universal Pull.

Buzz buzz.

A powerful attractive force instantly acted on Kakuzu's body, making him lose control. His feet left the ground as he flew towards Naruto.

"Wait, Leader!"

Kakuzu finally pleaded for mercy. Having lived over eighty years, he had gradually come to appreciate the wonderful taste of immortality, and no longer wanted to give it up.

However, just as Kakuzu's voice fell.

Puff!

A black rod suddenly protruded from Naruto's palm, piercing Kakuzu's heart like lightning.

His last heart.

An unbelievable expression appeared on Kakuzu's face, then it turned into unwillingness, anger and despair. Just a few seconds later, the light in his eyes faded away, and his head slumped.

Dead.

Kakuzu, a legendary shinobi who had fought the First Hokage and Uchiha Dan and survived, had finally met his end today.

He died at the hands of Uzumaki Naruto.

Naruto retracted the black rod and looked at Kakuzu's corpse indifferently.

Konan-sensei had said that guys like Kakuzu were just tools. One day when they were useless, they would naturally be disposed of.

"This is the fate of traitors."

Konan said coldly, pronouncing Kakuzu's death sentence, while surreptitiously glancing at Karen, who was not far away.

Looking at Kakuzu's corpse on the ground, Karen felt a sudden chill, then walked away silently without saying a word.

"Sensei, what's wrong?"

Naruto noticed Konan's glance and went up to ask.

Konan was silent for a moment, then frowned and admonished Naruto,

"Karen has been a little off since she came back this time. You have to be careful."

Naruto was shocked when he heard this:

"You mean...how is that possible?"

"I don't want to doubt Karen either."

Konan shook her head with a solemn expression and said, "But if Karen has been turned by Konoha, then Uchiha Dan could easily find us. Akatsuki would be finished then. So..."

Saying that, Konan paused, and her eyes flashed coldly,

"If Karen really betrayed the organization, as leader, you should know what to do, right?"

"..."

Naruto was stunned and didn't say anything for a long time.

In another part of the shinobi world.

In a mountain cave, under the dim light, Orochimaru's expression was solemn after reading the intelligence Kabuto had brought back.

"Claiming to be the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths... Uchiha Dan's ambition is frightening."

Orochimaru couldn't help but exclaim.

Just as his voice fell, Black Zetsu emerged from the darkness, and said ominously:

"If Dan really obtains the nine tailed beasts and successfully becomes the ten-tails jinchūriki, he will no longer need the identity of the 'Sage of Six Path's reincarnation'. By then, he will be the second Sage of Six Paths!"

"So what should we do now?" Orochimaru asked nonchalantly.

"We can only resurrect Uchiha Madara to deal with Dan. After all... we can't just watch Uchiha Dan succeed."

Black Zetsu said in a deep voice.

Orochimaru's eyes flickered when he heard this.

He had always used the excuse that the Impure World Reincarnation technique was not yet perfected to deliberately delay resurrecting Madara.

Because Orochimaru had to ensure that after he resurrected Madara, he could control that guy.

Otherwise, if Madara broke free of the restraints of the reincarnation and took over, wouldn't it all be a waste of effort?

But now it seemed there was no more time to delay.

After all, once Dan became the ten-tails jinchūriki, even resurrecting ten Uchiha Madaras would probably be useless.

Just then.

Kisame also came into the cave, carrying Samehada. He smiled and said:

"The corpses of other powerful shinobi have also been prepared, and can be resurrected together with Madara."

Kisame was born to be a tireless worker.

Over the past few years, he had not been idle, and had taken up the profession of grave robbing.

Except for Konoha where he didn't dare venture, he had visited the cemeteries of the other major hidden villages, digging up the bodies of powerful shinobi who had left their names in shinobi history.

The Gold and Silver Brothers of Kumogakure, the strongest Kazekage of Sunagakure, the Second Mizukage and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from Kirigakure...

In addition to Uchiha Madara, these powerful shinobi who possessed Kage or elite jounin level strength in their lifetimes would also become important battle strength.

Orochimaru knew he had no reason to delay any longer. He could only sigh inwardly, and then asked Black Zetsu:

"The sacrifices, they are prepared, right?"

"Of course."

Black Zetsu nodded. "They are all high-level White Zetsus. Using them as sacrifices will allow the revived to retain their power from when they were alive to the greatest extent."

Kisame's eyes lit up and he said with interest:

"In other words, we might get to see Uchiha Madara at the peak of his powers? If you add the other powerful shinobi, maybe...we really have a chance to fight Konoha."

"Let's wait and see."

Orochimaru said with a smile, licking his lips, also getting excited.

On an uninhabited island overseas.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was somber like water after reading the letter Jiraiya had sent back, then he looked up at Asuma across from him and said:

"According to the intelligence Jiraiya has obtained, Uchiha Dan did indeed awaken the Rinnegan, and the rumor of him becoming the ten-tails jinchūriki is likely true."

"This is..." Asuma and Kurenai looked at each other when they heard this, both with solemn expressions.

"However, there is also good news."

Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and said slowly, "Jiraiya has finally located Naruto. The latter appeared in Konoha a few days ago and fought with Uchiha's people before withdrawing safely."

This was indeed good news.

Because according to the prophecy of Mount Myoboku's Great Toad Sage, Naruto was the prophesied child of the prophecy, the blue-eyed boy who frolicked with the nine tailed beasts.

Only he could stop Uchiha Dan's ambition.

Although Jiraiya had lost track of Naruto, he accidentally discovered the identity of an Akatsuki member, and followed that person all the way back to Akatsuki's main base.

That member's name was Karen.