218. The Real Culprit

Swish.... swish.... swish...

Author Style: Double Chapter Release-No-Jutsu

For next few days (until I am free), I will post double chapters to make up for the days we missed. So, enjoy.

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Inside Konoha Intelligence Division Department,

In the Torture and Interrogation Force,

Splash…

One of the jounin splashes a glass of water at one of the Suna Elder.

"Wake up!"

Argh…

Jōseki groggily opens his eyes as he confronts the member of the Torture department.

Spit…

He spits on the jounin and yells.

"Never! I will never reveal any intel to Konoha scums. No matter what torture you use, I won't open my mouth!"

Hmph…

*BANG!*

The Jounin angrily kicks Jōseki's sack as he turns and walks out of the room.

"So, how was it?"

Ibiki is calmly sitting on a chair as he turns towards the Jounin.

"No success! No matter what method we try, he won't budge."

The Jounin shakes his head.

Hmm…

"Give me a minute and he will sing like a canary."

Ibiki stands up from his chair and saunters towards the interrogation room.

The Jounin reverently stares at Ibiki's back as he murmurs.

"If it's Captain Ibiki, then even a mute can sing an Opera!"

---------------

"Inoichi! Any leads?"

Izuna and Tsunade follow Inoichi as Tsunade question him.

"Er… Hokage-sama! I think it is better if you question the person. He holds the same position as you after all." Inoichi replies.

"Very well." Tsunade nods her head.

"Aaaaaaaaah!!"

Screams echo through the hallway.

The group turns towards the Torture and Interrogation department.

"Looks like Ibiki is cracking a hard nut!" Inoichi remarks.

The group enters the Analysis Team Headquarters.

A person with auburn hair is strapped to a chair. His hands are tied behind his back and a suppression seal is placed on them. A blindfold covers his eyes.

Tap… Tap…

Rasa raises his head as the sound of footsteps echoes in the room.

"I have said it before and I will say it again! I have nothing to say."

Swish…

Inoichi removes the blindfold as Tsunade and Izuna stand in front of Rasa.

"Hoh! So, the Kazekage of the Sand is such a coward. He can't even bear the burden for his crimes." Tsunade taunts him.

"Say whatever you want! But I hope you will still treat me like a fellow Kage."

Rasa closes his eyes.

"I see."

Izuna steps forward as he lifts Rasa's chins.

"Kazekage or not! I don't give a shit about your position. It was because of you; I lost my unborn child. It was because of you; I lost my arm. Tell me, how do you want to repay this debt?"

*BAM!!*

Izuna tightly clutches Rasa's neck and lifts him. The seal on Rasa's body breaks as Izuna lifts him into the air.

'Finally, the suppression seal is lifted. I can exert my chakra."

Rasa tries to rile up his chakra as he resists Izuna's grasp.

Humph…

Izuna snorts and exerts his chakra.

*BOOOMM!!*

The floor beneath them collapses as a small crater is formed.

"Hokage-sama, at this rate, he will…"

Inoichi tries to interrupt Izuna.

"It's fine, Inoichi."

Tsunade stops him.

"The Sand Village has crossed their limits this time. Despite the peace treaty with Konoha, they dared to plot against us; not only that, they even conspired with the traitor of Konoha and brought a calamity to the village.

If not for Izuna, the entire leaf village would have met its doom by now. Thanks to his efforts, there were no war casualties. The only person who suffered is Izuna and his family.

Let him vent his feelings. Besides, I have faith in Izuna. He won't do something reckless."

"I see." Inoichi stops in his tracks as he waits for orders.

*BAMM!!*

Izuna smashes Rasa on the floor.

Guffaw…

Rasa pukes a mouthful of blood as he weakly sprawls on the floor.

"You want respect, then I will give you respect."

*BAMM!!*

He smashes Rasa again.

Crack…

Rasa's bones crack as he weakly sprawls on the ground.

Aah…

He releases a weak squeal as he lifelessly stares at Izuna.

"Had enough respect?… Or you want more?"

Crack… snap… pop…

Izuna grabs Rasa as his bone snaps and pops.

"Izuna! I think it's enough. Let me take over."

Tsunade stops Izuna.

"Fine!"

Izuna drops him on the ground.

Tsunade walks in front of Rasa.

"Kazekage! Every action has consequences, and you must be prepared to face them. If I could, I would get rid of you this very instant."

Tsunade clutches her fists.

"But I won't. I don't want to prematurely start another Shinobi war and embroil the entire shinobi world in chaos. "With the death of all elite shinobis from Sunagakure; the Land of Wind will be defenseless, and it will unleash the greed of other nations.

Fourth Shinobi War will break out as relentless struggle to claim the territory and resources of Land of Wind will start."

Swoosh…

Tsunade uses the 'Mystical Palm Technique to heal his injuries.

"Still, I can't allow you to leave scot-free. My disciple bled from this attack and Suna will pay the price for this."

Tsunade turns towards Izuna and asks him.

"What do you think about this proposal?"

"I don't agree." Izuna shakes his head.

"Eh!… why?" Tsunade is stunned to hear this.

"This matter involves Kiri, too. Mei suffered greatly in this battle. He is also a culprit of Kirigakure for attempting murder on their Mizukage. I will let her decide his fate.

As for me, since I lost my unborn child due to him; he will pay the price in kind."

Izuna activates his Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Kamui"

Whoosh…

He opens a swirling portal in front of Rasa.

Swoosh…

An asleep Gaara appears in Izuna's hand.

"GAARA!"

Rasa's eyes widen in horror as he struggles to stand up.

Whoosh…

Izuna waves his hand as Gaara disappears into a portal.

"The price of blood shall be paid by blood. From now onwards, your son will be a 'Guest' of Konoha."

"But… But he is a jinchuruki!" Rasa protests.

"I agree with him." Tsunade nods her head.

"NOOOO!!"

Rasa screams in despair as Izuna walks out of the room.

Bzzzt…

A sealing formula appears in Izuna's palm.

Hmm…

'A message from Wrath.'

Izuna infuses some chakra into the seal as a scroll appears in front of him.

He opens the scroll and reads its content.

"Leader, I have caught the real culprit of this incident."

"Huh! The real culprit?"

Izuna continues to read the contents.

"The real culprit who orchestrated this event and manipulated Suna is none other than one of the elders of the Suna council.

His name is Tojuro."

Izuna rolls down the scroll as a picture of Tojuro is imprinted on it.

'Tojuro holds the number two position in Suna council and his authority is only below the Council leader Honorary Grandfather Ebizo.

A few years after the Third Shinobi War, Elder Ebizo retired from the council which left all power and authority in the hands of Tojuro.

Tojuro is very ambitious, and he aims to gain control of Suna through the Suna council. Most of the decision-making power lies in his hand and… and it was him who ordered for my assassination.'

"I see."

Izuna tightly clutches the scroll as anger blazes in his eyes.

"TOJURO!"

'… after further investigation, I think he has some involvement with Kara and he could be one agent of Kara.

After searching through all his belongings, I saw various shady transactions of Suna's resources. If my speculation is correct, then elder Tojuro may very well be the sole reason for the economic downfall of Suna and the funder of Kara.'

"I see." Izuna burns the letter into ashes.

He takes out a scroll from his pocket and scribbles something on it.

Whoosh…

He activates his Flying Thunder God seal and teleports the scroll.

'Rasa might be innocent and a part of some big scheme; but it doesn't change the fact that he partook in it.

I am no Saint. Those who mess up with my family must be ready to face the consequences."

Whoosh…

Izuna teleports away.

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Inside an underground hideout,

Whoosh…

Obito walks out of a portal.

"Madara Uchiha! What brings you here?"

Pain and Konan turn towards him.

"I am here to remind you that Akatsuki has only one goal, and it's about time to take a step towards that goal."

Whoosh…

He throws a scroll towards Pain.

"It has all the necessary intel in it. Because of the interference of Izuna Uchiha; we have to change our original plan."

"I see."

Pain grabs the scroll and reads its content.

"The time for the salvation of this true world has come."

He dissipates the scroll and walks out of the underground sewage system of Amegakure.

"Release the six paths of pain from their slumber."