Chapter 72

Konoha Police Force - Commander's Office:

Rēn took a deep breath and untied the sack in front of him.

Inside was an unconscious man—short black hair, no eyebrows, a cross-shaped scar on his right cheek, red markings on the lower half of his face… this was a face he vaguely remembered seeing somewhere before.

He sifted through his memories.

Soon, the man's name came to him.

"Member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielder of the Executioner's Blade… didn't expect it to be you." Rēn chuckled softly, then looked up at the travel-worn, visibly exhausted Uchiha Akitarō. "Juzo Biwa. Akitarō, I didn't expect you to bring me such a gift."

"Just a coincidence, really."

Uchiha Akitarō straightened up and respectfully replied, "I found him being hunted by Kirigakure ANBU. He killed them but got injured himself. It didn't take much for me to capture him with genjutsu."

He knew Rēn had acquired Samehada.

Thinking Rēn liked the Mist's swords, he had decided to bring both Juzo and his blade back as a present.

"I see. In that case, Akitarō, your luck wasn't too bad."

"It's nothing. I failed the mission you entrusted to me though. So this is my compensation for my incompetence." Uchiha Akitarō bowed his head in shame. His pride wouldn't allow him to make excuses—failure was failure. Even bringing back Juzo couldn't change that.

"No sign of that snake in the Land of Rice Fields?"

"I searched every corner of the country and found nothing suspicious. I even exposed my identity on purpose, hoping to lure him out, but no one took the bait." Rēn had secretly dispatched Akitarō to the Land of Rice Fields to track down the rogue ninja Orochimaru.

Don't misunderstand—

Rēn wasn't interested in Orochimaru's scientific experiments. He had his own path now and didn't need detours. What he wanted was Orochimaru himself—an ideal sword for slaying a master.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had once been the Hokage, and killing him directly would bring endless trouble for the Uchiha.

Thus, targeting Orochimaru was only logical.

Whether by using Kotoamatsukami to control him or making a deal—anything that would lead to eliminating Sarutobi Hiruzen was worthwhile.

Still—

"Was I being too optimistic?"

Rēn sighed lightly, though without much disappointment.

He knew it had always been a long shot. It was just that since the opportunity was there, he had to try. In hindsight, Orochimaru didn't seem to be in the Land of Rice Fields at all. That meant this so-called Hidden Sound Village was still just a future concept.

"Akitarō, this wasn't your fault. I told you myself the intel wasn't fully reliable. This kind of mission is basically a gamble. And besides, your trip wasn't fruitless—Juzo Biwa…"

Looking at the still-unconscious Juzo, Rēn's thoughts raced. A bold idea suddenly struck him.

Maybe—

Juzo could be put to use?

If he remembered correctly, this guy had once attempted to assassinate the Mizukage. That meant he already had a criminal record. If he could try to kill a Mizukage, killing a former Hokage didn't seem too far-fetched. Though... hadn't the Akatsuki recruited him? Or had something held them up?

Rēn rubbed his chin in thought.

He wasn't wrong. The Akatsuki's attention had been diverted.

They were preoccupied with Konoha's internal chaos.

Compared to someone insignificant like Juzo, Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu were focused entirely on the Uchiha. Whether or not they recruited Juzo meant little. He wasn't valuable enough at that level.

In short, by sheer coincidence, Juzo—who should have joined the Akatsuki—was instead captured and brought back by Akitarō as a gift.

"Akitarō, who else knows you brought this guy back?"

Akitarō scratched his head and replied, "Bringing Juzo into the village wasn't easy. I contacted Ranzan, and he sent people to escort me. But they only knew I brought someone—they didn't know it was Juzo."

"As for on the way back… from the village gates to the Police Force, I didn't notice anyone suspicious. But the Hyūga's Byakugan can see far, and the Yamanaka's sensory techniques are also tricky…"

"No matter. As long as Juzo hasn't been publicly linked to our clan, it's fine."

Rēn waved dismissively.

Since Juzo had been brought in secretly, his plan might just work. The only issue was—compared to Orochimaru, Juzo was much weaker. Hiruzen might be old, but he could still crush someone like Juzo.

A dull blade couldn't kill cleanly.

He'd have to sharpen it.

"You did well, Akitarō. Even if you didn't find Orochimaru, I'll gladly accept Juzo as your offering. Once you leave, tell Ranzan to keep this matter sealed tight. No spreading it around."

"Is this guy actually useful?"

Akitarō perked up.

"He might just be very useful."

Feeling pleased, Akitarō left. He didn't care about Juzo's value—only that he hadn't let Rēn—no, the clan head down. Meeting Rēn's expectations was reward enough.

Juzo was dragged from the sack.

He was in a very bad shape.

First injured fighting Mist ANBU, then captured alive by Akitarō. If not for the plan to bring him back alive, his head would've been taken on the spot—delivering his corpse and blade would've been much easier.

The bandages around his midsection were dark red—his wounds had reopened.

His left arm hung at an odd angle—clearly broken. Other wounds dotted his body. Nothing life-threatening, just troublesome. Rēn sighed and tossed the still-dreaming Juzo onto the sofa.

Then, he began using medical ninjutsu to treat Juzo, thinking how best to hone this dull blade—sharpen it enough to take Hiruzen's head. But no good solution came to mind. Rapid power growth was notoriously difficult.

Improving from a high level was even harder.

Expecting Juzo to reach the level needed to crush Hiruzen in a short time was pure fantasy.

"This won't be easy."

After resetting Juzo's broken arm, Rēn noticed signs of waking. He pried open Juzo's eyelids and projected chakra into them—layering a stronger genjutsu over Akitarō's. Juzo sank into a deeper illusion.

No one short of a top-tier genjutsu user would be able to wake him.

Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Commander, it's the Hokage's envoy," came a familiar voice.

"What is it?"

After about two seconds of silence, an unfamiliar voice replied, "Clan Head Uchiha, the Hokage has summoned you to the Hokage's office for an emergency meeting regarding Kirigakure. Please proceed to the venue as soon as possible."

"Understood. Please inform the Hokage that the Uchiha will not disappoint him."

"Yes!"

The messenger's presence faded from outside the door.

Rēn glanced regretfully at the unconscious Juzo. He had planned to spend the next few hours thinking of how to make use of him—but now that would have to wait. He couldn't disrespect the acting Hokage's summons.

Especially since it involved Kirigakure.

He knew full well that the conflict with Kirigakure was only the surface—Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu were the true masterminds. Even if it was just to stay wary of Obito, Rēn had to pay attention.

And come to think of it—

Juzo's mind probably held a wealth of intel on Kirigakure.

"Chihaya."

Rēn called out.

Less than a second later, his secretary, Uchiha Chihaya, used the Body Flicker Technique to enter the office.

"Go get Ranzan."

Chihaya gave a small nod and disappeared again. In under three minutes, Uchiha Ranzan entered, grumbling as he pushed open the door.

"What now? I haven't been home in three days. Can't I get a break?"

"Haha!"

Rēn chuckled. "Well, the capable get worked hard, right?"

"I'm about to drop dead at my desk! Just tell me what you need."

"He's your responsibility for now. Keep this quiet. I don't want anyone knowing he was ever in our hands."

Rēn pointed directly at Juzo.

Confidential?

Ranzan immediately understood. "So this is the 'gift' Akitarō brought back?" This was going to be trouble—he could tell. Rēn never did anything quietly, and it was never harmless.

But—

It was always the enemy who suffered.

Ranzan nodded. "Got it. I'll handle it."

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