Chapter 12: The Naive Nagato

Since both Nagato and Byakuya shared the Uzumaki bloodline, they boasted exceptionally keen senses. Their infiltration proceeded without a hitch. They effortlessly reached a spot near the secret room within the building, crouching in the shadows to listen intently to the conversation between Kusagakure shinobi.

"Why bring back this redheaded woman from up north? The village doesn't need a Jinchuriki, and if Leaf Village gets wind of this, it could brew unnecessary trouble," one shinobi grumbled.

"The alliance between Konohagakure and the Land of Uzushiogakure crumbled decades ago, and this woman holds immense value," another countered.

"Her blood can act as a substitute in medical ninjutsu with minimal side effects. As long as we draw from her regularly, we can fetch a hefty price for it on the black market," a third explained.

"Wouldn't frequent bloodletting harm her health?" a voice raised a valid concern.

"Of course it would. That's why those higher up want us to keep her comfortable. But in an emergency, who has the luxury of such concerns? Compared to the exorbitant cost of medical supplies, her blood is a more cost-effective solution," the third shinobi elaborated coldly.

"Word on the street is they're planning to find someone to fool her into marriage to continue the Uzumaki bloodline," one revealed, a hint of disgust in his voice.

"As long as they can trick her into getting married and having kids, they'll have another useful medical tool in a few years," another added, the callousness evident.

"Isn't that a tad too cruel for her?" a sliver of doubt crept into one voice.

"What cruelty? She came seeking refuge on her own, and the village took her in. She owes them for that, otherwise why should the village waste resources protecting a leftover from the Uzumaki clan?" the third shinobi scoffed, his words dripping with disdain.

The conversation between the Kusagakure shinobi contorted Konan's face with anger, while Nagato's blood began to boil.

Initially, he had harbored doubts about this rescue mission, worried that their intervention might be unnecessary. Perhaps Karen Uzumaki was leading a decent life in Kusagakure and didn't require their help.

Now it seemed he was too naïve.

Now it seemed his initial optimism had been naive. Byakuya, with his keen perception, saw right through Nagato's thoughts. In a calm but firm voice, he said, "Nagato-senpai, you're not clinging to the fantasy that the shinobi world will ever truly accept Uzumaki ninja, are you? They only see them as tools to be exploited for their bloodline's power until they're spent."

"Even Konohagakure isn't innocent. They offered no aid when the Land of Uzushiogakure was under attack, yet the moment they need a Jinchuriki, they remember the Uzumakis – after all, they possess the ideal physique for sealing a tailed beast."

Byakuya's words struck a chord with Nagato, disarming his earlier optimism. He was right. No village in the shinobi world welcomed Uzumaki ninja anymore. The sole exception seemed to be Byakuya's own organization, Akatsuki. Their goal, Byakuya revealed, was to liberate Karen from Kusagakure's clutches and offer her a place within Akatsuki.

Konan, listening intently from the side, couldn't shake off a growing unease. Byakuya's extensive knowledge about the Uzumaki clan felt suspicious, and a flicker of resentment seemed to color his words when he mentioned Konoha and Uzushiogakure.

"Enough talk," Konan finally interjected, her voice cutting through the tension. "When do we make our move? Should you take the lead, Nagato, or perhaps me?"

Nagato inhaled deeply, his resolve hardening with each breath. He was ready to act whenever the moment came.

Byakuya, however, shook his head, his gaze fixed on the Kusagakure building in the distance. "Leave the rescue to you two. I'll stay behind and create a diversion. My true self has other pressing matters to attend to."

"What kind of matters?" Nagato pressed.

Byakuya offered a cryptic smile. "For now, it's classified information. Trust me, it won't hinder your mission."

With that, Byakuya's body contorted, transforming into countless white paper sheets that fluttered away, vanishing without a trace.

Nagato recognized the jutsu – Konan's signature Paper Style. Confused, he turned to Konan. "Konan, isn't that your technique? How did Byakuya learn it? Are we infiltrating using this method?"

Konan remained silent, the heavy silence hanging thick in the air, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. Faced with this strange turn of events, Nagato held his questions back, silently following Konan as they crept closer to their objective.

Several minutes crawled by, punctuated only by the unsettling silence.

Suddenly, a series of violent explosions erupted in the distance, shattering the quietude.

Konan gritted her teeth, a flicker of worry crossing her features. "Byakuya's a prodigy when it comes to Paper Style, even surpassing my own abilities. Unfortunately, I haven't yet grasped the art of flight using paper."

"Let him create a diversion, even if it means putting himself at risk. We have a rescue mission to complete," Nagato declared, her voice laced with determination.

As if conjured from thin air, dozens of paper sheets materialized around Konan, each emblazoned with explosive seals. With a flick of her wrist, she sent them soaring towards the unsuspecting Kusagakure shinobi guarding the perimeter.

A deafening roar echoed through the air as the explosive seals detonated, engulfing the unsuspecting Kusagakure shinobi in a fiery inferno. The remaining guards, momentarily stunned by the sudden explosion, were swiftly dispatched by Nagato, who remained concealed within the shadows.

Byakuya's instructions had placed limitations on Nagato's abilities. He rarely utilized the formidable power of his Rinnegan. However, this restraint did not equate to weakness. Even relying solely on the enhanced physical prowess granted by the Uzumaki bloodline, Nagato possessed the raw strength and combat skills of a seasoned Jonin.

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of the chaos, Byakuya, having concluded his diversionary attack with a flourish of exploding paper clones, silently crept towards the heart of Kusagakure's main building.

The Kusagakure forces, deceived by the paper doppelgangers and the thunderous explosions outside their walls, had diverted most of their manpower, including the village leader, to quell the supposed attack.

Byakuya, his footsteps barely a whisper, slipped past the distracted leader and entered the main building with an air of chilling calmness.

The Uzumaki bloodline coursed through his veins, augmenting his physical prowess. Coupled with a meticulously prepared arsenal of explosive tags, he was confident in his ability to overpower any Kusagakure ninja below Jonin rank in a one-on-one encounter.

Jonin-level opponents? Kusagakure simply lacked the numbers to boast such elite defenders.

In truth, Byakuya could have orchestrated the rescue with just Konan by his side, eliminating the need for Nagato's assistance. However, the potential for unforeseen complications necessitated a more cautious approach.

Facing down hundreds of Kusagakure shinobi head-on was a fool's errand, even for someone with Byakuya's formidable skills.

A deafening explosion ripped through the air as Byakuya detonated explosive tags, blasting a hole through the main building's fortified walls.

Emerging from the smoke and dust, he found himself in the secret chamber housing Kusagakure's collection of ninja scrolls. A satisfied smirk played on his lips as his gaze swept across the neatly organized shelves.

Kusagakure, strategically positioned between the major powers, had managed to cultivate a decent level of strength.

This hidden chamber served as a testament to that, brimming with scrolls containing techniques meticulously mimicked from the arsenals of various prominent shinobi villages.

Securing these imitation jutsu was a key objective of the mission, and a reason Byakuya had requested Nagato's assistance. He alone couldn't effectively split his focus between rescuing Karen and plundering Kusagakure's prized collection.

Now, with Nagato and Konan creating a diversion, they had bought him valuable time to gather these scrolls. These stolen techniques would prove invaluable to Akatsuki's growth.

Byakuya understood that raw passion wouldn't be enough to fuel Akatsuki's rise. A well-defined system of rewards and punishments was essential for a thriving organization. As the leader, it was his responsibility to plan ahead and establish such a framework.

With a silent nod to himself, Byakuya meticulously packed the stolen scrolls and vanished from the main building, leaving no trace of his intrusion.