Chapter 225: 221: Ame and Danzo

Chapter 225: 221: Ame and Danzo

Amidst the rain, a tall tower loomed.

"Ah!"

A cry of extreme pain escaped from Kandachi's mouth. Yet, no one offered assistance.

Having betrayed Ame's interests to Konoha, many wished for Kandachi's immediate death. Those who colluded with him had already faced execution. In essence, Kandachi found himself in a desperate state of isolation and helplessness.

"You...you are Akatsuki..."

Kandachi moved his body backward with difficulty, fear in his eyes as he stared at the person standing before him. He had long red hair and a calm expression on his face, as if he was seemingly indifferent to everything, lacking the emotions humans should have. It was as if he had become a 'being' of another level, looking down on the world from above, including the struggling humans.

"Long time no see. It's been about two or three years since Hanzo-sama and Yahiko passed away." Nagato's tone had respect and politeness, without even releasing any murderous intent. For someone like him, displaying murderous looks seemed unnecessary and was a waste of time.

Kandachi's body trembled, lips quivering, and he couldn't utter a word. Fear had dominated his eyes. Just standing in front of him, Nagato made him feel an irreversible invisible force, and his body seemed extraordinarily heavy.

"However, I didn't think you would pay too much attention to someone small like me. Which is why I'm here today to take away everything that doesn't belong to you." Nagato spoke indifferently, as if he was speaking about something trivial.

Kandachi swallowed and finally answered, "Are you here to avenge Hanzo?"

Nagato remained silent, but in Kandachi's view, he undoubtedly acquiesced to this.

"Actually... I had no other choice... If Ame was allowed to continue under Hanzo's rule, it would definitely be brought into the darkness. You see, now with Ame and Konoha cooperating, neither Iwanor Suna would dare to make trouble with us...".Kandachi spoke. He didn't know if his sophistry was useful or not, but the.man was a member of the Akatsuki and he was that idiot Yahiko's subordinate, who put Ame's future first, no matter what, the situation wouldn't be too bad. At least, until Konoha's reinforcements arrived.

"So you're saying, everyone in Ame should thank you for your understanding and righteousness?"

"I wouldn't dare. In fact, that old man at time had already lost his will. As his right-hand, I knew everything about him. He was just forced to go to the battle. He didn't dare to confront Konoha and Suna at all...He was just an old man with vanity. In order to protect his demigod title, he didn't hesitate to watch the Land of Rain fall apart...He was the chief culprit who had caused the country's current situation today."

"Hmmm?"

"That's right. Even the demigod couldn't resist the washing o years, he become an evil old man who was greedy to live and scared of death. I had no choice but to cooperate with Konoha. It was the only way out for Ame and the Land Of Rain. If you don't believe me, I can..."

"No, I do believe you." Nagato smiled. In that moment, He seemed like the embodiment of compassion, and his smile brought incomparable peace of mind.

Kandachi was momentarily taken aback, but before he could express his joy, Nagato stretched out his hand, effortlessly grabbed him by the throat, lifting him into the air.

"Uh...uh...you...cough...do..."

Kandachi, whose throat was being strangled, was almost suffocated, and could only speak intermittent words that couldn't be connected into sentences. Despite Nagato's slender frame, the power contained within felt like that of an extremely dangerous and powerful beast, leaving Kandachi's face pale.

"But... Is there any necessary connection between that and me killing you?" Nagato remarked lightly, Kandachi's pupils shrank, there was a plead for mercy in his eyes. However, Nagato's grip tightened like steel, attempting to crush Kandachi's throat alive.

"Let... let me.. go... Please..." Kandachi's face was congested and red because he couldn't breathe. When Kandachi was the brink of suffocation, Nagato suddenly released his grip.

"Hah... hah..."

Sitting on the ground, embarrassed and panting, Kandachi, who had narrowly escaped death, knew for the first time how wonderful it feels to be alive. He still had a beautiful life he hadn't yet enjoyed, dying here wasn't an option.

Kandachi had no idea why Nagato spared him, but it definitely wasn't because of mercy. The notion that the other party intended to kill him was undeniably true. But, he didn't think too much; he crawled on all fours like a desperate animal, rushing towards the door in an ungraceful manner.

Nagato didn't intervene; Kandachi saw a glimpse of hope for survival. However, at that moment he grasped this hope, a shadow appeared in front of his eyes. The shadow, with eyes resembling Nagato's, an old face, stared at him with calm pupils.

"Han... Hanzo..." Kandachi looked as though he had seen a ghost, stepping back in horror, uttering incoherent sentences.

Having glimpsed hope only to have it snatched away intensified Kandachi's desperation. He seemed to have been poisoned by some kind of poison, his face twisted in fear, muttering incomprehensible words, he stiffened and fell to the ground, lifeless.

"He was scared to death, he's truly useless." Konan emerged with a cold expression l, with the emanating pungent odor from Kandachi's body, she showed no hesitation in showing contempt at Kandachi. Someone like him becoming the leader of Ame, relying on Konoha's power, was an shame as an Ame n8n.

Nagato disregarded Kandachi's body, he was just an insignificant.

"Has the situation outside stabilized?"

"Um." Konan nodded.

Kandachi was far too unpopular in Ame, particularly in the past two years with the power granted by Konoha. He has acted mischievously during his rule which displeased many. His death will bring happiness to many.

"The next step is facing Konoha." Nagato went outside, listened to the rain, he spoke indifferently.

Kandachi, the spokesperson, was dead, and Konoha wouldn't let it go. However, there was no reason to relinquish what was in his possession. The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, who filled him with dread, was dead, so currently within Konoha, there was no one who could rival him except for maybe the Third Hokage who stayed at home.

Yet, Konoha's might extended far beyond individual prowess. The combined strength of its united ninja troops was a formidable force to be reckoned with. Even the mighty Nine Tails could be temporarily subdued with their combined firepower – Konoha's greatest strength.

"The Fourth Hokage is dead, and Kumo's side has resumed the war. They don't have extra energy. Moreover, the deliberately disclosed information to Konoha may play a role in the restriction." Nagato agreed with Konan's deduction. Yet, despite this, they couldn't underestimate Konoha.

"They won't do anything on the surface, but there will undoubtedly be some underhanded means behind the scenes. Moreover, we also need to increase our strength."

"Amegakure... Do they intend to break free from Konoha's control? Hiruzen is truly unreliable. If it were up to me, Ame would remain firmly within Konoha's palm." Danzo expressed dissatisfaction with the information presented.

The Land of Rain served as a critical war buffer zone, acting as a protective barrier against enemy attacks on the Land of Fire during times of war. Losing this barrier would be a significant blow to Konoha.

"Yes, after the Third's return to power, many in the village have raised objections. Some suggested selecting the Fifth Hokage from the Sannin." Ryoma sighed. Despite being an adversary of Root, the Fourth Hokage Minato, as a young and high-ranking Hokage, held positive significance for Konoha, even from the Root's perspective.

"Hiruzen won't allow anyone to interfere with the power of the Hokage, even if the Fourth were alive. His original intention was to groom the fourth as his puppet. Otherwise, Orochimaru would have become the fifth Hokage already."

Danzo never missed a chance to criticize Hiruzen. Ryoma couldn't refute Danzo's words, as he, too, harbored some dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage. He felt a need for a more decisive leader in Konoha.

"How do we handle the situation with Ame?"

"Root has been disrupted, and it will take time to regroup. Moreover, an unknown change has occurred within Ame. Kandachi hasn't contacted us, which means he might have been killed. by someone. Even if Root intervenes now, it will be difficult challenge to restore the stability in Ame." Danzo's eyes showed a deep meaning.

Ryoma nodded, acknowledging the complications of the situation. The reason Ame surrendered to Konoha was Kandachi, a man driven by self-preservation. Only if he lived well could he bring benefits to Konoha. With his death, the connection between Ame and Konoha was severed.

"It seems Hiruzen will have to handle it. Let's hope he doesn't disappoint again."

"I wish so... Uh!" Danzo's expression suddenly changed, his face contorting in pain. His right arm wrapped in bandage trembled violently, it emitted a violent chakra.

"!"

Seeing this, Ryoma rushed to the side, retrieved a medicine bottle from the cabinet drawer, poured out a few pills, and fed them to Danzo. After taking the pills, Danzo breathed a sign of relief. His face, covered in fine sweat, the pain had been reduced.

"How are you feeling?" Ryoma asked with concern.

"It's okay, I barely suppressed it." Danzo breathed lightly.

"That's good. I didn't expect the power of the wood release to be quite overbearing." Ryoma stared at Danzo's bandaged right arm with concern. Despite Danzo's extraordinary strength, controlling the arm transplanted with the implant carried the risk of backlashing.

"There's a price for gaining power. My original arm was cut off by that stupid girl from the Hyuga clan. Otherwise, I wouldn't risk being backlashed to transplant the cells from the Wood Release.".Danzo shared with lingering fear. However, in his view, obtaining the power of Wood Release was worth any sacrifice. To become Hokage, strength was essential.

"But if this continues..."

"It's okay. The results of Orochimaru's experiment should be almost out...." Danzo whispered to himself.

"Experiment?"

"The reason I can't control the power is because it is too violent, it keeps disrupting the balance with my chakra. I just need to find another something as powerful to counterbalance ."

"Since that's the case, what should be used to balance the power of wood release?" Ryoma became confused.

Danzo's face took on a cold expression, and he uttered a word.

"Sharingan."

Ryoma's body suddenly stiffened.

"After combining the powers of the Senju and Uchiha, even Hiruzen won't be my opponent!" Danzo spoke with unwavering confidence.

"Danzo-sama, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but this isn't an easy task."

"That's why Orochimaru's existence is meaningful. His brilliant research mind surpasses his ninjutsu prowess."

"No, I meant the Uchiha." Having worked with Orochimaru, Ryoma was well aware of Orochimaru's capabilities.

In terms of strength, he was only slightly inferior to Orochimaru. However, with the unique insects he bred, he could contend with Orochimaru for an extended period. Yet, when it came to research, he fell short. Of course, he wasn't denying Orochimaru's abilities. The crux of the matter was the Uchiha. To acquire the Sharingan, the Uchiha clan couldn't be bypassed.

"Stealing the kekkei genkai of fellow villagers... This is a serious offense."

Especially when the Uchiha clan was involved. This was a menace even more terrifying than Orochimaru once it took root. Although their strength had reduced due to the war, they remained the most powerful force in Konoha, unshakable.

"Don't worry, Ryoma. I've found a suitable candidate from the Uchiha."

A sneer replaced the earlier expression on Danzo's face, silencing Ryoma. Ryoma understood that once Danzo made a decision, it was impossible to change, even by the Third Hokage's authority.

Danzo had been warned repeatedly against privately studying the Wood Release, but he persisted in violating this taboo, still continued on studying it secretly. Now, he not only sought to obtain a foothold in Wood Release but also had no intention of not letting the Sharingan go.

A storm of bloodshed would inevitably ensue within the village.

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