Chapter 113: The Mysterious Third Party, Second Sage Eyes?

Konoha Year 61, January 1st.

For most people, today was a day to celebrate the New Year. But for the Five Kage and their escorts, it was a day spent on the road.

Because they sought to avoid surprises and losing the initiative, the Five Kage Summit was never held in any of the Five Great Nations.

So, just like in the original storyline, the Five Kage Summit made use of the Land of Iron as the venue, and Admiral Mifune of the Land of Iron was invited to serve as the Summit's host.

Only the Land of Iron, whose strength was second only to the Five Great Ninja Villages, could safeguard the Five Kage and command their respect.

The very day after Samui's squad departed Konoha, Tsunade set out for the Land of Iron with two personal bodyguards. Those two bodyguards were none other than Izayoi and Hatake Kakashi.

…

That evening, they camped in the wild. Seated in a wooden house created by Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique, Kakashi ate roast boar from their hunt. He complimented Izayoi:

"Your Wood Release is better than Tenzo's—proves an experimental subject can't match a real Senju."

Before Izayoi could speak, Tsunade—gnawing a large boar leg—grinned proudly:

"I never met that Wood Release experimental subject, but Wood Release isn't just any kekkei genkai. Onoki's Dust Release is a 'kekkei tōta' formed by fusing three nature transformations. By contrast, Wood Release might look like a fusion of Water and Earth styles, but at its core is Yang Release chakra."

"In terms of vitality and Yang Release chakra, nobody can compare to the Senju or Uzumaki clans—not even the Akimichi. Regardless of that test subject or, say, a random person with massive chakra stumbling upon Wood Release, they couldn't match Izayoi's mastery. The gap in Yang Release is simply too big."

Saying that, Tsunade instinctively went to pat Izayoi on the shoulder, but he dodged in distaste. Glancing at her greasy hand, she resumed devouring the boar, speaking indistinctly:

"Also, Izayoi inherited the blood of the Senju and the Uzumaki both. Not only did he awaken my grandfather's Wood Release, he also gained the two unique powers of the Uzumaki clan. Who's to say his blood is not purer than my grandfather's?"

Kakashi's eyes flashed; he regarded Izayoi meaningfully:

"That's why Sasuke awakened Wood Release?"

"Sasuke awakened Wood Release?" Tsunade asked, surprised, reflexively turning toward Izayoi. "You transplanted your cells into Sasuke?"

"Yes."

Izayoi nodded, lying without blinking:

"When Itachi Uchiha returned to the village, Sasuke took it pretty hard. If I hadn't helped him, I worried he'd yield to Orochimaru's temptations and go astray.

"A few years back, my Mind's Eye of Kagura sensed a very interesting chakra. That person's chakra possessed both the Sharingan's and Wood Release's aura. Unlike Kakashi-senpai—who's constantly draining chakra—this person's chakra never diminished; the two energies balanced each other."

"Combining that with accounts of Lord First and Uchiha Madara, I hypothesized that Wood Release and the Sharingan could counterbalance each other, letting someone wield both at once."

"And as it turns out, I was right."

Izayoi smiled at Kakashi:

"Sasuke's strength can't have disappointed you, right?"

"Not at all—it's far beyond not disappointing," Kakashi mused. "At this rate, I won't be able to match him soon. Maybe, once the mid-year Chūnin Exams end, I'll do like Kurenai and hand Team 7 over to him."

Tsunade frowned a bit, then fixed her eyes on Kakashi's left eye hidden by his headband:

"If Wood Release can suppress the Sharingan, do you want to transplant Izayoi's cells like Sasuke did?"

"No. My ocular power's not as strong as Sasuke's, so I'd rather remain as I am," Kakashi refused, shaking his head.

He'd lost friend after friend; he had no more drive to get stronger. Anyway, the new generation had Izayoi, Sasuke, and Naruto—so he needn't risk himself. Being content was enough.

Seeing Kakashi's state of mind, Tsunade didn't press the issue further. Honestly, she was somewhat impressed he never collapsed, defected, or left the village like she once had.

After dinner, Tsunade dragged Izayoi and Kakashi into playing a card game. Since Tsunade was "giving money away," Kakashi happily accepted.

He'd earn a bit, then go buy Jiraiya's new Icha Icha volumes. And since Izayoi was her main creditor, he joined too. Plus, if Tsunade started winning abnormally big, that probably meant a huge incident was about to happen—one beyond even Izayoi's ability to control.

…

The Land of Iron lay north of the Land of Fire, bordering the Land of Fields. Unlike the Land of Fields, where one travels through forests and plains, the Land of Iron's terrain was harsh—similar yet not identical to the Land of Rivers.

A chain of snowy peaks gave it a perpetually wintry climate. Especially in winter, the deep snow posed a grueling test for a ninja's Shunshin no Jutsu.

Even with Tsunade's party, it took more than two days from Konoha to reach the Land of Iron.

"Lady Tsunade, it's been a while."

Upon receiving the news, Mifune came out immediately to greet her. He addressed her by a respectful but Admiral title rather than the specialized style used for other Kage.

"Mifune… I almost didn't recognize you."

Tsunade, recalling her interactions with him in the Second Great Shinobi War, sighed softly.

"Time spares no one, but Lady Tsunade remains every bit as beautiful," Mifune said.

"Hahaha…it's my special jutsu—aren't you jealous?"

After bantering briefly at the entrance, Tsunade asked:

"So, who's already here? I'm not the first to arrive, am I?"

"The Raikage and Tsuchikage have arrived," Mifune answered honestly. "We're just waiting on the Kazekage and Mizukage's representatives."

"Makes sense." Tsunade nodded, recalling something and grimacing a bit: "Sunagakure still hasn't chosen a Fifth Kazekage, so it's likely that old lady Chiyo's coming. Ugh, I really don't want to see that poison-happy crone."

Mifune gave a slightly awkward smile. Then he spotted Izayoi, wearing a green vest for this formal occasion—quite unusual—and his eyes lit up:

"So that young man must be Lord Izayoi?"

"Yep, even in a neutral country, folks hear about him," Tsunade teased. Then she pointed at Izayoi. "He's the Admiral Mifune of the Land of Iron, leader of the samurai. You'll probably deal with him one day."

Her words also introduced Izayoi to Mifune—implying that he was the future Sixth Hokage.

"Admiral Mifune." Izayoi bowed politely.

"Such a talented youth! I grew up hearing of Lord Hashirama, always wanted to see him, but never got the chance." Mifune smiled. "I hope I can witness another golden era in my lifetime."

As the leader of a neutral country, Mifune was among those most eager for Izayoi to mature—and the world to have peace.

Izayoi merely smiled, saying nothing. After finishing the small talk, Mifune led Tsunade's trio into the city, arranging lodging at the Admiral's residence.

Two days later, the representatives from Sunagakure and Kirigakure also arrived. The Five Kage Summit convened in the Land of Iron's conference hall.

A single spotlight shone on a table bearing five kage hats, each a different color, respectively marked 風 (Wind), 火 (Fire), 水 (Water), 土 (Earth), and 雷 (Lightning). Those five kanji represented both the five Chakra natures and the five Great Countries that ruled the ninja world.

As the light widened, it illuminated six figures around the table—four men, two women:

1. The Fourth Raikage, who had called the summit.

2. Admiral Mifune, host of this meeting.

3. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.

4. Chiyo, acting Kazekage of Sunagakure.

5. Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure.

6. Genshi (not an interim Mizukage but equal in status) representing Kirigakure.

Further back, in the audience area, stood many samurai as well as bodyguards from the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Tsunade's guards: Izayoi and Hatake Kakashi. Chiyo's: Baki and Gaara. Ōnoki's: Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi . The Fourth Raikage's: Darui and C. Genshi's: Terumī Mei and Ao.

Seeing Ao seated near Terumī Mei, Izayoi sidled over to Kakashi—who, in a rare show, was solemn rather than lazy—and asked in feigned ignorance:

"That eyepatched guy—he's the so-called 'Byakugan Killer' from the high-priority bingo books?"

"Yes," Kakashi nodded, quietly reminding him, "but remember, this is neutral territory. Don't do anything foolish."

"Just asking," Izayoi said with a smile.

While Izayoi sized up Ao, the other villages' guards were quietly sizing up Izayoi, the Wood-Release user. Before Sasori and Tendo Pain rose to the top bounties, Izayoi had ranked first in the underworld. And before Akatsuki shattered all norms, every major village viewed Izayoi as the biggest future threat.

Gaara stared at Izayoi with complicated emotions, recalling the Konoha Crush. Temari, for her part, remembered Hinata—wondering whether that "impossibly well-endowed Byakugan girl" had grown any stronger. Terumī Mei—twenty-eight, in her prime, exuding a certain mature charm—quietly remarked:

"So that boy is Izayoi? Heard he only graduated last March, but he doesn't look it."

Ao's right temple bulged, his uncovered eye scanning Izayoi. His left eye flickered behind the eyepatch:

"His chakra is enormous—on par with the One-Tails Jinchūriki from Suna."

"So at that age he's already as strong as a Jinchūriki? What happens when he's grown?" Terumī Mei's face turned grim. If the next generation of Kage included her and Izayoi, the thought of competing against such a monster weighed heavily on her—even though she herself possessed two rare Kekkei Genkai.

Meanwhile, the Five Kage themselves began talking.

"Lord Genshi, I'm surprised to see you here to represent Kirigakure," Ōnoki said, feigning mild amazement while inwardly speculating. The other Kage similarly wondered.

After all, Chiyo was already an example: an elder acting as Kazekage. Genshi made no secret of it, replying honestly:

"The Mizukage has passed away. I am representing Kirigakure for this Summit—regarding Akatsuki."

"You don't mean…"

Tsunade and the others stiffened.

"Indeed, the Mizukage died because of Akatsuki," Genshi said. "Even our village's 'Bloody Mist' era was all orchestrated by them. The Mizukage had long been controlled by Akatsuki's genjutsu."

"I see…"

They all showed sudden realization, finally understanding why Kirigakure had used such brutal methods to train its ninja. It was not that they wanted kill-crazy weapons, but that the Fourth Mizukage had been manipulated by illusion.

"What kind of genjutsu can control a Kage—especially a perfect Jinchūriki?"

Chiyo wondered aloud. Instantly, all eyes turned to Tsunade. Her expression grew dark, not because they suspected Konoha but because it reminded her of the Nine-Tails incident thirteen years earlier.

Very few abilities could suppress Tailed Beasts: Wood Release was one, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan was another, the Uzumaki clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains yet another.

A strong enough individual might do so too, e.g., the Third Raikage stalemating the rampaging Eight-Tails.

But specifically controlling a Tailed Beast, the illusions of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan—the legendary Mangekyō—were known for that.

Thirteen years ago, Uchiha Itachi had still been a small child. So the Nine-Tails Attack might have had another culprit. All of Kushina's midwives had died, after all.

Out loud, Tsunade said in a serious tone:

"Sharingan genjutsu can control Tailed Beasts, but at least a Mangekyō-level power is required. Plus, the timeline for the Bloody Mist and Itachi's age don't match. And we still know little about the Sage Eyes. We can't rule out that the Rinnegan may also dominate Tailed Beasts and Jinchūriki."

"I doubt the Sage Eyes," Genshi replied, shaking his head. "Ao used his Byakugan to confirm that the Yin Release chakra controlling the Mizukage was extremely similar to the Uchiha's Sharingan."

Bang!

After silently listening all this time, the Fourth Raikage slammed a palm on the table, startling his guards behind him into tensing up and flickering to their Kage's side, eyes wary, ready for a fight.

"Konoha again!"

He pointed at Tsunade angrily:

"First Danzo and Root, now the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan—Hokage, you owe me an explanation!"

"Is your brain made of muscle?! What's it got to do with us?" Tsunade retorted, black lines creasing her brow. "I know your village was leveled, and you're upset, but remember—Konoha was a victim too.

"The Uchiha clan's been gone for years, leaving only Itachi as a Mangekyō user, and the timeline doesn't match the Bloody Mist era. If it really was done by Akatsuki, either they have two Mangekyō users or the Sage Eyes can indeed control Tailed Beasts—and not until Itachi joined them did the Akatsuki leader entrust him with that job, which then got exposed."

"Of course… it's also possible it wasn't Akatsuki's doing."

"What do you mean?"

Tsunade's last remark promptly drew everyone's attention. They weren't fools; they instantly gleaned her implication. All eyes focused on her, awaiting the explanation.

Arms folded, Tsunade said solemnly:

"What I'm about to tell you may sound unbelievable, but keep it in mind anyway.

"According to intel Jiraiya collected, there isn't just one set of Sage Eyes—there are two."

"Nani?! Impossible!"

The Five Kage all froze in shock. A single Rinnegan already produced a transcendental force that obliterated Kumogakure. If there were two such owners, then they had two transcendent war potentials. Was the world reverting to the era of the God of Shinobi and the Demon of the Shinobi World?

Tsunade ignored their outcry:

"Jiraiya's Shadow Clones infiltrated Amegakure, and one Clone even spoke with the Akatsuki leader. The existence of a second Rinnegan user came from him. Furthermore, the Rinnegan can animate 'puppets' that use ninjutsu and summoning, but such puppets have distinctive black rods in their bodies and Rinnegan eyes, which don't match the puppets that attacked Konoha and Kumo."

"A puppet army might sound like Sasori's style." The Fourth Raikage scowled. "But can we trust anything the Akatsuki leader says?"

"I'm not fully convinced either, but…"

Tsunade locked eyes with Chiyo, whose face looked grim:

"Puppet master—can you really manipulate hundreds or thousands of puppets without chakra threads, supply them all huge amounts of chakra, and even make them cast ninjutsu? Are you puppet masters known for ninjutsu prowess?"

Hearing that, the Fourth Raikage's face changed again, grasping the crucial detail. Indeed, it was an enormous chakra supply, all sorts of Five Elements ninjutsu, and techniques beyond anything the original bodies had. If that puppet horde's master was Sasori, then not only was Sasori a puppet genius, he was also a ninjutsu master with monstrous chakra?

Chiyo realized someone was framing her grandson. She shook her head:

"A puppet is a puppet master's weapon; it can't stray too far from its user. Even Magnetic Release controlling metal demands a ton of chakra and doesn't have that large a range. Such 'wireless puppets' that can cast ninjutsu aren't genuine puppet arts."

"But the Rinnegan's puppets do operate wirelessly," Tsunade insisted. "Jiraiya witnessed them personally, seeing them use ninjutsu and summoning. However, the Akatsuki leader's puppets don't match those which invaded Konoha and Kumo."

"According to Jiraiya's deductions, whoever owns the 'second Rinnegan' disguised themselves as Akatsuki in those incidents, aiming to spark chaos so that we Five Great Nations would crush the Akatsuki leader for him.

"They each want to destroy the other—maybe to ensure their Rinnegan remains unique, or maybe fighting over some secret only Rinnegan users know, something that could overturn the ninja world's balance."

The Five Kage's expressions shifted between gloom and shock, leaving them wordless for a long time. The implications were too heavy. If it were only Akatsuki, they could gather forces—Amegakure was its base.

But if the Konoha Crush, plus the incidents with Kumo and Kiri, were caused by a "mysterious third party" disguised as Akatsuki, then they'd all been pawns. They'd fight till both sides were weakened, and then that third party would show up. How would they handle it then?

~~~

Patreon(.)com/Bleam

— Currently You can Read 100 Chapters Ahead of Others!