Loot, Masks, and Brotherhood (of Coughing)

T/N: First of all, apologies for the radio silence! Turns out, real life decided to stage a hostile takeover of my schedule. Think of it like my brain suddenly decided to run a marathon... backwards... in high heels. Personal work and stuff piled up.

But fear not, loyal readers! I've wrestled that metaphorical marathon-runner to the ground (it involved copious amounts of coffee and a healthy dose of denial). From now on, expect a deluge of 2-5 chapters daily! Prepare to be drowned in translated goodness. (Okay, maybe not drowned, but definitely at least… splashed? Okay, maybe a persistent, annoying drizzle? Point is, updates are coming. Get your popcorn ready!)

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"What, you want this eye too?"

After confirming that the Mangekyo Sharingan Uchiha Itachi had given him was indeed genuine, Pain swallowed the crow perched on his shoulder, Sharingan and everything, directly in front of Obito.

"It doesn't matter who has this eye. Either way, it'll end up being used to deal with the Tailed Beasts."

Obito was indeed envious, and a little wary of Shisui's Sharingan.

But Pain (Nagato) wasn't about to hand the eye over to him, so he didn't push the issue.

Anyway, one day, not only would this Mangekyo Sharingan return to his hands, but even the pair of Rinnegan in Nagato's face would be his.

He wasn't in a hurry.

"You're right, but the Tailed Beast plan is still..."

Although everyone's goal was to collect the Tailed Beasts and bring peace to the world, Nagato and Obito had significant differences regarding the final disposition of the Tailed Beasts. Moreover, even aside from that, Nagato had always been wary of this suspicious ninja who wore a mask every day, never showed his true face, and claimed to be Uchiha Madara.

Therefore, there was absolutely no way he would hand over Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan to him.

"Is the Outer Path Demonic Statue ready yet?"

To revive the Ten-Tails, they had to seal the One-Tail to Nine-Tails Tailed Beasts into the Outer Path Demonic Statue, the former shell of the Ten-Tails, in a strict and specific manner.

"It still needs some time."

Nagato had been trying his best, even overdrawing his own life force, to restore the Outer Path Demonic Statue's vitality.

But right now, it was still a bit short.

"More importantly, why did Uchiha Itachi have to return to Konoha?"

He even willingly handed over a powerful technique like 'Kotoamatsukami'.

Nagato was curious about what Uchiha Itachi's goal was, considering the great price he had paid.

"Because of a Little Kid named Uchiha Kage. But the main reason is probably concern for his younger brother's safety."

There was a hint of disdain in Obito's words toward Uchiha Itachi.

To think that a powerful ninja would have such an obvious weakness; he was still nothing to fear.

"...Kage?"

Nagato wasn't interested in the Uchiha clan's unique younger brother complex.

But the name Obito mentioned...

"What's wrong?"

"No, it just reminded me of an old acquaintance from many years ago. His name also had the Kage character in it."

"There's nothing to be attached to in this false world. In any case, prepare the Outer Path Demonic Statue as soon as possible. The capture of the Tailed Beasts can't be delayed any longer."

Without chatting any further with Pain (Nagato), Obito disappeared from the spot after finishing his instructions regarding the Outer Path Demonic Statue.

----

"There really is treasure here!?"

Gekko Hayate pushed open the door to a vault, and the glittering gold coins and jewels inside nearly blinded him.

"Rather than a treasure, it's more like the loot that these Rogue Ninja hiding in the Whirlpool Country Ruins have accumulated over the years through robbery and plunder."

Uzuki Yugao was also somewhat surprised to see so much wealth.

But once she thought about how these riches were tainted by the suffering of ordinary people, she quickly calmed down.

The Whirlpool Country Ruins, as a no-man's-land between several major countries, had been a haven for Rogue Ninja and various criminals for many years.

"Even if it is stolen goods, no one will claim it anymore. The Hokage-sama will definitely praise us this time! We... cough, cough, cough..."

Gekko Hayate was already imagining the scene of him being rewarded by the Third Hokage and worshiped by the villagers after transporting these treasures back to Konoha.

However, due to excessive excitement, his already poor health caused him to cough violently again.

"That's also thanks to Kage. He led us to the Rogue Ninja's hideout and found the location of these treasures."

Uzuki Yugao looked at Uchiha Kage, who was walking at the back.

Then, she quickly patted Gekko Hayate's back to help him catch his breath.

"Your physical condition is too poor. You really shouldn't have participated in this mission."

"This is an old problem. It's nothing."

After coughing several more times, Gekko Hayate finally calmed down.

"But this time, it was indeed thanks to Uchiha Kage. I think, why don't we leave him here to guard these treasures? Anyway, with us and Captain Kakashi over in the Land of Water, that should be enough."

"This..."

Uzuki Yugao hesitated.

"You still think he'll hold us back?"

"After all, he's just a Genin fresh out of the academy. I think it's better to let him stay here than to watch him go to Kirigakure to die."

Infiltrating Kirigakure to obtain intelligence was an S-rank mission, and Gekko Hayate didn't think that bringing Uchiha Kage along was a good decision.

No matter how talented the people of the Uchiha clan were, a Genin was still a Genin.

"Let's ask for his opinion. After all, it was Hokage-sama's personal order to have him participate in the mission."

Although Uzuki Yugao felt that what Gekko Hayate said made some sense, she still decided to let Uchiha Kage make the decision himself.

Regardless of whether he'd slow us down, staying here is certainly better for Uchiha Kage.

"What's he doing?"

As they talked, both of them turned their gazes to the young man at the back.

They saw him staring blankly at a row of shelves filled with masks.

"Is there something special about these masks?"

Uzuki Yugao also curiously looked at the various masks on the shelves.

"The rumors about the God of Death here are probably because of these masks, right?"

"It's nothing."

Uchiha Kage shook his head gently. Although he was outwardly calm, he was inwardly surprised.

Because one of the masks on the shelf actually displayed the words 'Shinigami Fragment'.

If he wasn't mistaken, this mask was probably the one Orochimaru would use to summon the God of Death in the future.

But what was the Shinigami Fragment that was displayed on it?

Could it be that, like the Ninja Fragments, this Shinigami Fragment could also be absorbed by me?

"I just thought this mask was very realistic."

Uchiha Kage calmly reached out and took the God of Death mask in his hand.

Sure enough... it could be absorbed!

He pretended to put the mask in his arms, but in reality, he had already absorbed it.

[Fused Shinigami Fragment X1]

Could it be that I can also have the powers of the God of Death now?

Come to think of it, what kind of abilities does the God of Death in this Ninja World have?

Uchiha Kage felt that he had undergone some changes after absorbing the Shinigami Fragment, but it also seemed like nothing had changed.

"It is very realistic. These Rogue Ninja hiding in the Whirlpool Country use these masks to play tricks and pretend to be ghosts, right?"

Gekko Hayate also took a mask from the shelf.

To be attracted by this kind of mask, Uchiha Kage was indeed just a Little Kid.

----

"For my own good, so... you want me to stay here?"

After collecting the treasures and surveying the terrain of the Whirlpool Country, Uchiha Kage was informed of Gekko Hayate's proposal.

"But, Senior Hayate is the one who should be taken care of, right?"

"Me? Why?"

Gekko Hayate didn't understand why Uchiha Kage would turn the tables on him.

"Because Senior's dark circles are very heavy, his complexion is very pale, and he coughs frequently. It's obvious that he's seriously ill."

To be honest, looking at Gekko Hayate's frail appearance, Uchiha Kage was really worried that something would go wrong with him during the mission.

"I... cough, cough, cough... I'm just weak, I'm not sick! Cough, cough..."

"See, if Senior Hayate suddenly coughs while performing the mission—"

"I won't cough! Yugao, why are you looking at me like that? I *can* hold it in!"

Gekko Hayate realized that the pit he had dug seemed to be burying him now, and he became increasingly anxious.

And when he became anxious, he couldn't help but cough.

This sharp-tongued Uchiha actually turned the tables on him...

No, he had to prove himself, or Yugao would really try to persuade him to stay here later.

"Let's have a fight, Uchiha Kage. If your strength is good enough for me, then I'll *allow* you to come with us to the Land of Water."