Naruto: Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan - Chapter 94

“Don’t forget our deal, Fifth Hokage, Danzo-sama,” Orochimaru slowly reminded him. “Because of you, I abandoned the Akatsuki without hesitation, and they’re still relentlessly hunting me down…”

Danzo paused, a slow smile spreading across his face. Without turning back, he tapped his cane and continued walking, his voice drifting behind him:

“Once Konoha survives this crisis.”

“Pain.”

“Neiki Hyuga.”

“Itachi Uchiha.”

“You can choose from these three bodies.”

So confident in the power of Shisui’s eye that can control minds… Orochimaru’s face displayed a hint of greed as he watched Danzo walk away.

In all their time working together, Danzo had never shown him such treasures before. If this item were in his possession…

Orochimaru recalled the young Itachi Uchiha gracefully evading numerous kunai traps on the training ground before he defected from Konoha.

He remembered seeing Neiki Hyuga during a Chunin Exam match, single-handedly maneuvering among three Sand ninjas. He only struck three times in the entire match, but each strike precisely exploited the opponent’s weaknesses, and his Hyuga Clan’s Gentle Fist technique neutralized them.

By the time Neiki bowed to the audience and judges at the end of the match, the three Sand ninjas were already incapacitated.

For Orochimaru, the potential and talent of these two Konoha prodigies were immensely tempting, despite the complications of Neiki’s branch family status.

With the Hyuga clan destroyed by Neiki himself, his branch family status was no longer an issue, making Neiki one of the top three ideal vessels Orochimaru had in mind.

Of course, even the combined allure of the Byakugan and Sharingan didn’t compare to the temptation of the Rinnegan in Pain’s possession.

Having spent so much time in the Akatsuki, Orochimaru understood Pain’s strength well. He knew that alone, he had no chance of obtaining the Rinnegan. Cooperation was necessary.

When Danzo used their old secret contact method to reach out and explain Shisui’s Sharingan’s fearsome capabilities, Orochimaru recognized an opportunity for partnership.

With his next body transfer imminent, Orochimaru wasn’t set on a single target. If Shisui’s eye couldn’t affect Pain or he couldn’t use it on him, it could still be used against Itachi Uchiha or Neiki Hyuga.

Just as Orochimaru pondered deeply, uncertain thoughts swirling in his mind, a figure emerged from the darkness. The former Konoha spy who had roamed various countries, now Orochimaru’s assistant—Kabuto Yakushi—glanced at the package in Orochimaru’s hands and adjusted his glasses, asking softly:
“Are you really going to help Konoha through this crisis, Orochimaru-sama?”

He knew well that his master had once longed to destroy Konoha. Now he was going to help them survive?

Even for the sake of a new vessel, this drastic change seemed too extreme…

“In this world, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests,” Orochimaru tilted his head to look at Kabuto, his face displaying a strange smile. “Do you think I could return to Konoha and even become Hokage?”

“Hmm?” Although he knew of Orochimaru’s obsessive desire for the Hokage position, hearing it directly still left Kabuto speechless.

Making a missing-nin the Hokage… Has Konoha run out of people?

“Unlikely…” Kabuto said diplomatically.

Orochimaru glanced at him sideways, explaining calmly:

“It’s unlikely because the people of Konoha don’t yet see the benefits I can bring them.”

“If it were during the peaceful times under Hiruzen-sensei’s rule, then indeed, it would be impossible.”

“But in these times, facing destruction and grasping at any lifeline, as long as Danzo can ascend and keep the war going, I can smoothly transition from the shadows to the forefront. With the merits of Edo Tensei, and Danzo’s support, my ascension to Hokage would be a natural progression.”

Kabuto pondered for a moment before his eyes widened. He realized that the collaboration between Orochimaru and Danzo was more than a simple exchange; it involved deep mutual benefits.

Danzo craved power but lacked a solid base. The Shimura clan didn’t have any outstanding successors. Once in power, whitening Orochimaru’s name as an ally and positioning him as the Sixth Hokage candidate would be Danzo’s only way to maintain influence after stepping down.

Just like Hiruzen nominating Minato Namikaze, who had few personal connections, relying solely on Hiruzen’s esteemed support.

Similarly, Orochimaru, returning to Konoha as a missing-nin, would be a solitary figure needing Danzo and his subordinates’ support. Danzo could then continue to control Konoha through Orochimaru.

From Kabuto’s understanding of Orochimaru, his obsession with the Hokage position was likely just to fill a void. He preferred research and experiments. Actually running the village was impractical.

Having worked with Orochimaru for over a decade, Danzo likely understood his nature well.

They truly were a match made in heaven.

“Haha, ‘merits determine the Hokage,’ Hiruzen-sensei was clear-headed for once… What a shame. If this war had broken out ten years earlier, it would have been perfect.”

As alarms blared and more Konoha ninjas darted about, Orochimaru watched, donned his hood, and sighed. His figure then slowly disappeared into the forest.

—

“We’ve decided to retreat,” Jiraiya, clad in wartime armor, stated bluntly to those in the room. “A Konoha scout has spotted Kumo forces. They’ve taken a detour through the Land of Wind to avoid our scouts and are now in the Land of Fire. They’ve lost their trail, but at their speed, they’ll reach Konoha in two days.”

“Decapitation tactic…” Aburame Shibi, head of the Aburame clan, murmured, his expression grim.

“Yes, they aim to cut off our leadership. But Konoha received the intel early and has prepared adequately. However, they have few forces and won’t hold out for long. Konoha has ordered us to return quickly to support them,” Jiraiya said seriously.

“What about the situation here?” a Konoha Jonin asked, glancing at the silent blue-haired woman in the corner. “Recently, with Han captured, Iwagakure’s attacks have intensified. Will they let us retreat so easily?”

### Chapter 96

“We have no choice but to retreat,” Jiraiya said, looking at the blue-haired woman in the room. “Konan, is it true that Yahiko—no, Pain—refuses to hand over Han?”

“We can offer a significant amount.”

“This isn’t about money,” Konan replied, looking at the legendary Sannin who had once taught her and Nagato. Her tone was calm but firm.

Jiraiya, known as the Toad Sage, was extremely powerful and had a vastly different approach compared to the other Sannin, Orochimaru, who had defected from the Akatsuki. Despite the unavoidable destruction caused by the war, the Konoha ninjas had shown restraint under Jiraiya’s guidance, which made Konan view him more favorably.

“I know the Akatsuki is a peace-seeking organization. We only want Han to pressure Iwagakure to withdraw. I promise we won’t let the Tailed Beast inside him cause chaos on this land,” Jiraiya said earnestly.

Konan sneered.

Causing chaos with the Tailed Beast on this land? Would you dare?

Seeing her expression, Jiraiya realized she had no intention of handing over the Jinchuriki. He didn’t know why but felt compelled to remind her, “The danger of the Tailed Beast comes not only from the beast itself but also from the ambitions of surrounding nations. Keeping it isn’t beneficial for you.”

Jiraiya had recently caught up on information about the Land of Rain. He knew that the Akatsuki’s initial goal was to achieve peace through various means.

Although something felt off about this…

Given that the organization was led by two of the three children he had once taught in the Land of Rain, Jiraiya felt a natural affinity towards the Akatsuki. The Toad Sage’s prophecy about the Child of Prophecy mentioned Uzumaki Nagato, who had disappeared, and the Rinnegan now appeared on Yahiko’s face. But this didn’t stop Jiraiya from feeling a kinship with the Akatsuki.

Especially since they had helped fend off Iwagakure’s attacks, aiding Konoha greatly.

“This has nothing to do with you,” Konan shook her head.

Jiraiya’s concern was rebuffed, and he rubbed his nose, a bit frustrated. He then mentioned an alternative plan: “If you won’t hand over the Jinchuriki, would you consider acting as rear guards? Just buy us some time to retreat.”

“Not just rear guards, but for the right price, we could even annihilate Iwagakure for you,” Konan said indifferently.

Everyone in the room looked at her in surprise.

“Arrogant!”

“Presumptuous!”

Since Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki, rarely made an appearance, few had witnessed his power firsthand. Therefore, many didn’t believe Konan’s bold claim.

“How much?” a Konoha Jonin asked offhandedly.

Konan named a figure.

“How many explosive tags could that buy…” a trap ninja muttered in astonishment.

Konan glanced at him and quickly answered, “About six billion.”

“You converted that quickly; you’ve calculated this before?” Yamanaka Inoichi chuckled. “What do you need so many explosive tags for?”

Konan tilted her head without answering.

Jiraiya waved his hand, dismissing the unnecessary talk. It seemed as if Konoha could genuinely afford such a price. He leaned closer to Konan and asked, “Can you really act as rear guards?”

“Yes,” Konan nodded, stepping back to create some distance from the Toad Sage. “But it won’t be cheap.”

Jiraiya, though skeptical, recalled the eyes he had seen before… perhaps they could indeed manage it.

“Don’t strain yourselves,” Jiraiya advised, then asked for the Akatsuki’s fee to cover their retreat. His brows furrowed.

“That expensive?”

He exaggeratedly grimaced and said, “I’m your teacher; can’t you give me a discount?”

Konan looked him up and down and said, “It’s only this price because we didn’t consider your status.”

Laughter filled the room, easing the tense atmosphere. Jiraiya returned to a serious demeanor, looking at Konan sincerely.

“Thank you!”

“We can pay the deposit now, but for the rest, you’ll have to come to Konoha to collect it, as we don’t have enough funds here.”

Konan watched as an Anbu member brought in a large chest of gold and jewels, understanding that Jiraiya had prepared to use money to resolve the crisis. Seeing his shameless expression, Konan shook her head with amusement: “This deposit is quite low, and if Konoha is destroyed, who will we ask for the balance?”

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, “Do you plan on chasing after dead people for money?”

Konan had no time for his banter and directly stated: “If you want to hire us to defend against Kumo, the previously agreed amount isn’t sufficient.”

Seeing his ploy exposed, Jiraiya sighed: “We’re already struggling to pay our compensation funds; where will we get the money to pay you?”

“You can use a Tailed Beast as collateral.”

“Haha, I’ve got you now, Konan. You’re not being straightforward. I don’t understand why you need so many Tailed Beasts. Do you know how dangerous this is? What will you do with them? During wartime, it’s one thing, but once peace returns, the nations will demand the Tailed Beasts back.”

“Hand over the Eight-Tails to us, and we won’t charge you.”

“Ah, Konan, Konan, Konoha can handle this ourselves without involving mercenaries. Honestly, Kumo traveling such a long way is futile. We’re prepared with countermeasures, and we have secret weapons specifically for Kumo. I’m only giving you this chance to face the Eight-Tails because you’re my students.”

“Although their strength isn’t much, you should take it seriously. How many members does the Akatsuki have? Make sure to seize this valuable combat opportunity and bring everyone.”

Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉

Read up to 40 chapters ahead on p atreon.