Chapter 58: Stealing the Ryūmyaku!
Chapter 58: Stealing the Ryūmyaku!
While Obito was internally breaking down, far away on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, Haruta and Kabuto Yakushi had already arrived in secret.
A month had been more than enough for them to make preparations—especially since Danzo, that old bastard, had been breathing down their necks like the grim reaper.
With no other choice, Haruta had calculated the perfect timing and decisively set off.
---
"So… what's your plan after this?"
As the cold desert wind howled, lifting layers of golden sand into the air, Kabuto turned to Haruta and asked.
**"You said you wanted Sunagakure to hate Danzo, and from what I've seen, you've succeeded.
But how do you plan to handle this negotiation?"**
"Why, according to Lord Danzo's wishes, of course."
Haruta chuckled, tightening the windproof scarf around his neck before speaking in a low voice.
**"Negotiations are very important.
If they go smoothly, it's a win-win.
But if they don't… well, that would be a disaster.
You understand this, don't you?
Our task is simple—we just need to follow Lord Danzo's 'highest standards' to the letter."**
---
Hearing this, Kabuto broke out in a cold sweat.
Negotiations always involved a range—a best-case price and a minimum acceptable price—with room for haggling in between.
But what Haruta was suggesting…
Was starting the negotiations at Danzo's ideal price.
Which basically meant they were intentionally trying to make the talks collapse.
---
"Are you insane?!"
Kabuto couldn't hold it in anymore.
**"If you just want to leave me here, you could've just said so!
Do you really have to go this far?
You can use Flying Thunder God to escape, but I can't!
When Sunagakure gets pissed, they're going to take it all out on me! Give me a break!"**
"I'm not insane. And you're not going to die."
Haruta rolled his eyes, thinking that Kabuto was way too paranoid.
**"We're just employees doing our jobs.
If someone has a problem, they should take it up with Danzo.
Besides, I wouldn't be doing this unless I had a reason.
I can tell you in advance—I have information they desperately want.
And the best part? It's real.
They have no choice but to accept it.
Which means we can even negotiate for a better deal."**
---
"Wait… you mean…"
Kabuto's sharp mind immediately connected the dots.
**"You have even more leverage?
If we keep pushing the price down, we'll piss them off, but they won't be able to retaliate?
Are we also… escalating the situation further?"**
**"Escalating?
I prefer to call it… praising Lord Danzo's great wisdom and achievements."**
Haruta glared at Kabuto, pretending to be offended.
**"We're just following orders.
If something goes wrong, that's Danzo's responsibility, not ours.
Right?"**
Kabuto instinctively adjusted his glasses, feeling morally conflicted.
He couldn't bring himself to be this shameless.
**"Praising Danzo?
This is obviously just fanning the flames.
Why are you making it sound so righteous?"**
---
**"Also—pay attention while you're in Sunagakure.
If you're going to do something shady, make sure to leave evidence.
And that evidence…"**
Haruta paused before continuing.
Kabuto sighed in defeat.
**"Fine, fine.
I'll make sure to leave traces that point back to Danzo.
But what if you're wrong?"**
**"Even if I am…
Don't you want more control over your own life?
To actually help people like the orphanage director?"**
---
Danzo thought he had total control over Haruta—believing that between his brainwashing and the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, Haruta was loyal to him.
But in reality, it was Haruta who held the leash on Kabuto.
Unlike most Root members, Kabuto's brainwashing wasn't as deep.
After all, he had been sent to infiltrate other villages early on.
He didn't know much about Danzo, so he never received the Cursed Seal, making him far more independent than others.
Haruta understood Kabuto's nature and ambitions perfectly.
That was why he was willing to invest in him.
---
"You're really confident, huh…"
Kabuto shook his head helplessly.
Then, he suddenly noticed Haruta handing him a kunai.
"What's this?"
"We don't know when exactly it will happen, but it's best to be prepared."
Haruta smiled, explaining,
**"I'm worried that Danzo might stage a meeting between you and the orphanage director.
Either as part of some mission, or by setting up a scenario where she tries to kill you.
It's just a guess…
But being prepared is always better than being caught off guard."**
---
"You really are… unbelievably paranoid."
Kabuto complained, but still took the kunai without hesitation.
Then, after a moment, he smirked.
**"Am I the first guy you've given a kunai to?
You sure weren't like this back at the orphanage."**
"You talk too much."
Haruta rolled his eyes, briefly considering snatching the kunai back.
But before he could, Kabuto changed the topic again.
**"One more thing—Konoha and Iwagakure are very far apart.
Even if you can get there…
Will you have enough chakra left to fight?"**
---
"That's exactly what we're solving tonight."
Haruta's gaze shifted toward the horizon.
The distance wasn't a problem—not for him.
"Are you ready?"
"Huh? Ready for what?"
Kabuto looked confused, but before he could react, Haruta flicked a kunai onto the ground and placed a hand on his shoulder.
**Zzzzzzzzt—!
With a low hum of chakra distortion, Kabuto suddenly felt his world spinning.
When his vision cleared, he found himself inside a towering structure.
---
"This… This is…"
Fighting the urge to vomit, Kabuto turned to Haruta.
But Haruta was already popping a soldier pill into his mouth.
"This is Rōran."
Still chewing, Haruta spoke between bites.
"I assume I don't need to explain the history of this place to you?"
"I know about it…"
Kabuto forced himself to stand, scanning the area—until his gaze landed on a kunai embedded in the ground.
His eyes narrowed.
**"That kunai design…
Wait… This is…?"**
**"Yes.
The Fourth Hokage's kunai.
He was here once… and he sealed something beneath this very tower."**
---
Haruta walked forward, waiting for the soldier pill's effects to kick in as his chakra gradually recovered.
**"I heard about this mission.
I also did some digging through old scrolls and books…
And I found my answer."**
"Your answer…?"
Kabuto muttered, already guessing what Haruta intended to do.
**"Yes.
Buried beneath this tower is a massive, ownerless chakra source—one that technically belongs to Rōran…
But in reality, has no master."**
Haruta grinned, turning to Kabuto.
**"Sunagakure has wanted it for years, hoping to use its power to become stronger.
But tell me—who would make a better ally?
A stable, relatively peaceful faction?
Or an ambitious one that could stab you in the back at any time?
So, for Konoha's sake…
I think it's best to cut off their ambitions before they grow too big."**
---
"….."
Kabuto was speechless.
He had seen shameless people before—hell, he himself was one of them.
But Haruta was on a whole different level.
**"You're literally stealing it…
Why are you making it sound so noble?"**
***
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