Chapter 287: A Gift

Chapter 287: A Gift

The sky was heavy with thick clouds, and endless rain poured down over the towering buildings of Amegakure, making them resemble bamboo shoots rising from the earth. The scent of blood lingered in the damp air.

People hurried through the narrow streets, their bodies concealed beneath large rain cloaks. Every step they took splashed water onto the slick ground.

Yet, amidst these seemingly ordinary individuals, there were others who moved with an eerie silence—shinobi trained in the art of stealth. Their attire distinguished them: dark combat suits, small cloaks barely shielding them from the rain, and strange respirator masks covering their faces.

These were Ame-nin.

They moved purposefully, weaving through the village, forming an encirclement around another group of shinobi.

Though both sides wore the same headbands, their blades were drawn against one another.

"Tanagi, don't force my hand. We're all from Amegakure—there's no need for bloodshed," said a masked shinobi standing at the center of the larger force. "Acknowledge my authority, and your status will remain unchanged. I'll even grant you the position of deputy leader."

The man named Tanagi ripped off his mask, his expression twisted in fury. "Zengimaru, you're a disgrace! You're selling out Amegakure—selling out our homeland! Ever since Hanzo-sama died, you've become Konoha's lapdog. Doesn't that make your blood boil?"

His men, though vastly outnumbered, bristled with anger at his words.

The masked shinobi—Zengimaru—removed his own mask in turn, his eyes burning with rage. "You don't understand anything! You weren't there! You didn't see what we faced on the battlefield!"

His voice trembled with emotion.

"You still speak of Hanzo-sama, our so-called god of Amegakure, but you weren't there when he was slaughtered like an animal! You weren't there when our best warriors fell in mere moments! His legendary salamander died alongside him, and our forces were reduced to nothing in an instant!

You talk of pride, but what does pride matter when we're all dead?

If I hadn't stepped forward to lead, to follow the new order, Amegakure would have been wiped out entirely. You call me a traitor, but I saved our people! This is survival, not betrayal!"

Tanagi spat on the ground. "And that's worth becoming a slave to Konoha?"

Zengimaru's face hardened. "I don't expect you to understand. But I won't let you ruin everything."

Tanagi's grip tightened around his kunai. "Then we have nothing more to say."

His men exchanged uneasy glances.

Not all of them shared Tanagi's resolve. Some hesitated, their loyalty wavering in the face of certain death.

Zengimaru saw their hesitation and seized the moment. "Anyone who wishes to live—throw down your weapons and kneel."

Silence.

Then, as Zengimaru raised his hand, his forces lunged forward.

Battle erupted in the streets of Amegakure.

It wasn't the first time the village had seen civil conflict since Hanzo's death. And it wouldn't be the last.

Despite its impressive military history, Amegakure was now a battleground of its own making. Its strength had dwindled, and now, it was on the verge of falling into foreign hands.

And watching from above, unnoticed by either side, a small origami crane hovered in the air.

Though rain poured down in torrents, the delicate paper bird remained untouched by the moisture.

It fluttered its wings and flew off toward a distant hideout.

—

In a remote mountain cave outside Amegakure, Konan raised her hand. The origami crane landed on her palm, merging seamlessly into her skin.

Her eyes darkened as she processed the information it carried.

Moments later, she unfolded her paper wings and flew deeper into the cavern.

Past the narrow tunnels, the hideout expanded into a vast chamber, where several cloaked figures gathered.

"Konan," a voice called out.

She landed beside two men—one with spiky orange hair, the other with long red locks partially covering one eye.

"Yahiko, Nagato… Hanzo is dead. Amegakure is in chaos. And Konoha has begun asserting control."

Yahiko's expression was torn between relief and regret. "So Hanzo's finally gone… but I wish we could have done it ourselves."

Nagato, the red-haired man, slowly stepped forward. His single visible eye bore a ripple-like pattern—the legendary Rinnegan.

"We've been waiting for this moment. It's time for Akatsuki to act."

His body lifted off the ground, hovering slightly in the air.

The gathered members of Akatsuki looked up at him with reverence.

But before Nagato could speak again, a voice echoed from the cave's entrance.

"Well, well… Nagato, you've finally come to terms with your power. You're even calling yourself a god now?"

The atmosphere tensed.

"Who's there?!" Yahiko snapped.

Nagato's Rinnegan locked onto the figure emerging from the darkness.

Dressed in a white Hokage robe, a man with sharp features and dark hair stepped into the firelight.

"Tonari…" Yahiko growled. "The Fourth Hokage. So it was you last time, too."

Tonari smirked. "Yahiko, is this how you greet your savior?"

"Savior?" Yahiko scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself. You only saved us because you wanted Nagato's eyes."

"Oh? Is that how you see it?" Tonari folded his arms. "I suppose I should have let you die, then."

Yahiko's hand tightened around a kunai. "Why are you here?"

Tonari's expression remained unreadable. "I come bearing a gift."

Nagato's eyes narrowed. "What kind of gift?"

"An opportunity." Tonari's voice was calm, almost amused. "Amegakure is in turmoil. Without Hanzo, it's only a matter of time before Konoha takes full control. But I'm offering you a deal."

"A deal?" Yahiko's voice was laced with suspicion.

"You want to spread your message of peace, don't you? I can give you that chance."

Konan stepped forward, wary. "What are you proposing?"

"Simple. I will recognize Akatsuki as an official organization under Amegakure's rule. You'll have freedom of movement and the ability to act publicly. In return, you'll take on missions that Konoha assigns."

Nagato's eyes glowed faintly. "You want to turn us into Konoha's mercenaries?"

Tonari chuckled. "You already take on mercenary work to fund your operations, don't you? This is no different—except it gives you legitimacy."

Yahiko and Nagato exchanged glances.

Tonari continued, his tone casual. "Of course, I have one small condition."

Yahiko bristled. "I knew it. What do you want?"

"Relax." Tonari waved a hand dismissively. "I just need a small vial of Nagato's blood."

The air in the cavern grew thick with tension.

Yahiko's kunai twitched in his grip. "Over my dead body."

Tonari sighed. "Come now, it's just a sample. If I wanted Nagato's eyes, I could have taken them long ago."

Nagato remained silent, then, after a long pause, raised his hand.

A small cut opened on his arm.

A sphere of floating blood rose into the air, drifting toward Tonari.

"Is this enough?" Nagato asked.

Tonari extended his hand, letting the blood settle into a sealed vial.

"More than enough."

He pocketed the sample and smiled.

"Congratulations. From now on, Akatsuki is officially part of Amegakure."

With that, space twisted around him, and he vanished.

Silence hung in the air.

Konan bit her lip. "Did we just make a deal with the devil?"

Nagato exhaled. "No. We made a deal with a man who understands power."

Yahiko clenched his fists. "We'll see if this was the right choice."

---

Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb

{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}

*Thank you*