If the combat personnel sent by Konoha aren't Akihara Kagura, can their Pursuing Ninja Team really capture Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi?
Not Akihara Kagura...
Wouldn't it be okay to send some more powerful ninja instead?
At least send members of Kakashi Hatake's caliber! Sending an old man as the captain of the Pursuing Ninja Team, isn't that a bit unreliable?
The Hidden Mist Village has other ideas.
They sent the thirteen or fourteen-year-old Hozuki Mangetsu to represent the Mist Village Ninja because he's the same age as Akihara Kagura. They hope the two peers can communicate more, maintaining a friendly future relationship between Konoha and The Hidden Mist Village.
Who knew Konoha would send this lousy old man Shimura Danzo!
"..."
Shimura Danzo unconsciously clenched his cane.
This brat from The Hidden Mist Village had the audacity to mock him like that!
Even though Shimura Danzo understood that he wasn't powerful, couldn't he be useful in any other way? Just by talking a bit, he could have Uchiha Itachi willingly come to help. If it were that kid Akihara Kagura, he'd just extreme and kill both Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito!
Moreover...
Does Akihara Kagura know how to act for Konoha?
Shimura Danzo squinted at Hozuki Mangetsu. Just from his age, it was clear he was The Hidden Mist Village's genius ninja. Danzo immediately planned to find an opportunity to secretly eliminate Hozuki Mangetsu during the action, weakening The Hidden Mist Village's future strength...
Only when The Hidden Mist Village becomes weaker and weaker...
Will they respect the alliance with Konoha in the future.
This way of acting for Konoha...
Could that kid Akihara Kagura think of it if he were here?
"After all, it's a joint operation between two villages."
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Shimura Danzo, helping his old friend find an excuse: "Danzo once served as the Hokage Assistant. His experience is richer than Kagura's, and Kagura is my assistant. I'm getting old, and many of Konoha's affairs still rely on him..."
Furthermore, if Akihara Kagura were to be involved in tracking Uchiha Obito, his style would easily trigger a world war in the Ninja World...
Hozuki Mangetsu was dissatisfied, but he couldn't argue with Konoha's decision. After all, the representative sent by Konoha was a high-ranking official, so he could only agree.
After assembling, the Pursuing Ninja Team roughly consisted of eleven squads with more than forty members, all elite ninjas above the Chunin level.
Shimura Danzo decided not to linger and left Konoha with a group of people, searching all over the Ninja World for Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Itachi, and Hoshigaki Kisame, these three S-Class Traitorous Ninjas.
"Let's go back."
After seeing off Shimura Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt relieved, no longer having to worry about Danzo causing trouble in the village.
Unfortunately.
Things weren't as simple as Sarutobi Hiruzen thought.
Root Base.
Twelve people stood in front of Akihara Kagura.
The average age of these individuals was only fifteen or sixteen. They all wore animal masks, and behind the mask holes, crimson eyes were revealed. Their bodies also seemed particularly sturdy.
Because all of them had Hashirama Cells implanted, some even showing white Hashirama faces on their chests or shoulders.
These twelve individuals were selected from the Uchiha Clan's survivors. Their first mission was to infiltrate Shimura Danzo's residence.
"From today onwards."
"No one is allowed to close their Sharingan."
"During this period, you must hide within Shimura Danzo's home. Find his basement or any hiding place to avoid having your whereabouts discovered by anyone."
"Shisui will assist you in the shadows. If you encounter any difficulties, you can go to Shisui for help. Under no circumstances is anyone allowed to appear in public... when the time comes, I'll have Shisui inform you."
"Don't forget."
Akihara Kagura looked at the masked individuals in front of him and continued: "The deceased clan members are expecting your revenge in the Netherworld. The living clan members are in my Genjutsu Tsukuyomi World, waiting for you to carve out a path for their survival in the real world."
"Yes!"
This group of Uchiha, trained by Shisui, was obedient.
The twelve individuals bore the mission of ensuring the survival of the Uchiha Clan in the world, and they couldn't act rashly.
"Go."
Akihara Kagura waved his hand.
The group of Uchiha fighters sprinted toward the outside of the Root Base.
Since the Root Ninjas had left, Akihara Kagura also had the other Root members leave. The entire Root Base was now empty, and Akihara Kagura released a group of the Uchiha's elderly and children, all wearing masks serving as the support staff for the Root Base.
The surviving Uchiha have only two goals.
The first goal, naturally, is to exact revenge on Uchiha Itachi and Shimura Danzo.
The second goal is the future inheritance of the Uchiha Clan.
This Root Base, which has always been isolated from Konoha Village and rarely visited, has now become the sanctuary for this group of Uchiha.
Time flew by.
Shimura Danzo was still out searching for the Traitorous Ninjas.
No one in Konoha missed Danzo.
Akihara Kagura's days seemed somewhat dull and boring, except for attending meetings at the Hokage Tower as usual. The rest of his time was spent visiting Karin and Naruto, while also continuing his Taijutsu training.
During this time, there was some good news.
For example, under Mitarashi Anko's supplemental lessons, Karin, eager to join Root, insisted on graduating early, but she also managed to earn her teacher's approval. The teachers of the Ninja Academy would help her apply for early graduation.
Konoha entered a period of peace.
However, this peace appeared particularly illusory amid the undercurrents of the Ninja World. Akihara Kagura had to find every possible way to enhance his combat power, with Taijutsu undoubtedly a top priority.
To be honest.
The Taijutsu of Konoha Jonin is generally quite good.
Especially a Jonin renowned for their Taijutsu. Not only are they powerful, but they also have extensive Taijutsu combat experience. They could certainly teach Akihara Kagura a lot.
However...
It's not the right time to meet yet.
In a training ground in Konoha Village.
Two figures were engaged in a fierce fight in this training ground, battling solely with Taijutsu until Akihara Kagura sent his opponent flying with a punch, ending the battle.
"Your Taijutsu is improving rapidly."
Shisui's body floated gently, stopping beside Akihara Kagura.
As a genius of the Uchiha Clan, Shisui had long honed his skills in Taijutsu, Kenjutsu, Genjutsu, and Shuriken Throwing Jutsu to quite an excellent level, making him an ideal sparring partner for Akihara Kagura.
"How long has Danzo been gone?"
Ignoring Shisui's praise, Akihara Kagura casually asked.
"Almost two months."
Shisui immediately provided an answer.
"Two months, time sure flies."
Akihara Kagura wiped the sweat off his forehead and instructed softly, "Forget it, someone I've been monitoring has returned to Konoha Village. Let them discover the secrets in Danzo's house! If he finds Danzo's secrets, he probably won't pursue further details..."
"By the way."
After speaking, Akihara Kagura added a reminder: "There's one more thing, be careful and send at least a squad. One person alone isn't a match for that person."
"Just right."
"I have something to do tomorrow."
"The Ninja Academy submitted Karin's early graduation application."
Akihara Kagura offered his own reason, saying softly, "Tomorrow morning, I'll review Karin's graduation application together with the Third Hokage. In the evening, Kakashi, Naruto, Anko, and I have arranged a celebration at the barbecue shop after Karin passes the graduation assessment."
"So, let the action coincide with my visit to the barbecue. It won't raise any suspicions."