Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 119: The One Who Broke the Agreement

Time moved forward.

The Akatsuki's operations gradually fell into place.

With Sasori gaining a new partner, a young artist named Deidara, the organization was officially complete. While carrying out high-paying missions in the shadows, its rogue ninja members continued honing their strength or pursuing their own "artistic" ambitions, making the base livelier than before.

Shigen, however, did not remain with the Akatsuki.

This was no time to be idle—he needed to use this period to study Hidan's genetic makeup and secretly acquire even greater power to counter the looming threat of Kaguya.

Conveniently enough—

He had a perfect excuse.

With the unexpected death of the Three-Tails Jinchūriki, it was now necessary to ensure the safety of the most powerful of all tailed beasts—the Nine-Tails—before proceeding with the capture plan.

"But..."

"You're not very good at lying."

Black Zetsu fully supported Shigen's decision to protect the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki but strongly opposed his plan to personally go to Konoha. "Why not send Obito to guard the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki instead? With his abilities, nothing should go wrong."

"...I recall..."

Shigen glanced at Black Zetsu with a raised brow. "Didn't Obito kill the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki's parents? Would he really be willing to do this?"

"..."

Black Zetsu hesitated.

Would Obito refuse and defy their orders?

Thinking about it...

That fool probably would!

In truth, Obito had been trying to rebel for some time now, secretly working with Orochimaru to eventually betray the Akatsuki.

Had Orochimaru perfected the Impure World Reincarnation technique—allowing resurrected individuals to retain their full power—the two of them would have already made their move.

Of course...

If not for Orochimaru's continued usefulness...

If not for the fact that Obito was still needed as a sacrificial pawn for reviving either Madara or Kaguya...

Shigen would have eliminated them both long ago.

"All right."

Shigen placated Black Zetsu before calmly stating his own decision. "I will proceed with caution. And besides, won't you be there as well?"

"Hmm."

Black Zetsu, feeling reassured, couldn't help but voice another suggestion. "We could have Nagato fully resurrect you. With your power—"

"Nagato is our comrade."

Shigen refused outright.

Part of his reasoning stemmed from the respect Nagato and Konan held for him. But more importantly, he had to avoid becoming a sacrificial pawn himself.

It was obvious that Black Zetsu wanted Shigen to be fully revived—so that it could use him as a stepping stone. With Madara's Rinnegan, Shigen would become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, ultimately serving as the perfect sacrifice for reviving Kaguya.

Black Zetsu...

Was another reason why Shigen avoided staying at the Akatsuki's base.

Because Black Zetsu never gave up on this plan.

And Shigen had his own.

Just as Black Zetsu had endured a thousand years for its goal...

Shigen had done the same.

In fact, his patience far exceeded Black Zetsu's.

He had endured for far too long.

Dawn was approaching.

There was no way he would allow everything to fall apart now.

Though his patience would be tested in the coming days...

The rewards would be all the sweeter.

And fortunately—

Returning to Konoha had always been part of his plan.

Before setting off, he had already prepared the Konoha ninja for his return. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made a point to see Tsunade in the Land of Hot Water.

No—

His preparations had begun much earlier.

Even when he had disguised himself as Orochimaru and abducted Anko Mitarashi...

He had already set the board in motion.

After all—

Orochimaru was the perfect scapegoat.

Konoha Village.

Tsunade and Shizune had finally returned home after many years.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had originally intended to convince his student to stay in the village.

Instead, Tsunade shattered his expectations with a shocking revelation.

"Lord Shigen..."

"...May have been resurrected by Orochimaru through the Impure World Reincarnation."

Tsunade stood in an empty chamber, rubbing her temples in frustration, trying to recall the fragments of her drunken memories in the Land of Hot Water.

"I have to track down Orochimaru."

She took a deep breath, unwilling to remain in Konoha. "Old man, do you have any intel on him?"

"...Not yet."

Hiruzen's expression darkened with concern.

The last time Konoha had received word about Orochimaru, it was when someone impersonating him had kidnapped Anko Mitarashi.

That individual had exceptional skill in kenjutsu and Wind Release...

Kenjutsu? Wind Release?

A sudden realization struck Hiruzen!

Because aside from Danzo Shimura—

There was only one other person in this world who excelled in both swordsmanship and Wind Release.

And it would explain why the impostor had spared Kakashi Hatake.

After all...

Shigen never killed.

Hiruzen's heart clenched.

A terrible thought took root.

What if Shigen had already been used by Orochimaru?

No—no, wait...

What if someone else had been using him?

"Tsunade."

Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his voice heavy with weariness.

"If Lord Shigen truly has been resurrected... and if Orochimaru has managed to exploit his knowledge and power... then this will become a nightmare for the entire world."

"He will break free from Orochimaru's control."

Tsunade stated her trust in Shigen without hesitation.

"But... he is also easily deceived."

Hiruzen murmured, recalling his past with Shigen.

"I spent more time with him than you did. I once traveled by his side for ten years."

"In truth, Lord Shigen has always been a man who trusted too easily. Whether it was the First Hokage or the dangerous Madara Uchiha... in his eyes, they were simply people in need of help."

"The problem is..."

"If those with good intentions seek his aid, there's no real harm in it."

Hiruzen paused, thinking of his old friend Danzo.

"But if he is manipulated by those with ulterior motives..."

"What are you trying to say?"

Tsunade's brows furrowed tightly.

"...Forget it."

"Finding Orochimaru should be our top priority."

Hiruzen sighed, tapping the ash from his pipe. "Even if Orochimaru has deceived Lord Shigen, we can still convince him not to trust him."

"If you need information..."

Hiruzen suddenly recalled Uchiha Itachi, who had infiltrated the Akatsuki.

"...I may be able to arrange something."

"And—"

"Jiraiya might have some leads."

Since Orochimaru's defection, Jiraiya had been pursuing him, gathering intelligence on his movements.

Compared to Konoha—

Jiraiya's network was far broader.

After all, he had the support of Mount Myōboku's toads, who constantly scouted the ninja world and relayed information to him.

"I understand."

Tsunade clenched her fists.

"If we can't find him..."

"Then I'll bring Jiraiya back with me."

Hiruzen stared into the unknown.

He had no idea what the future held.

Everything was shrouded in thick fog.

But beyond that fog—

He was certain...

That a disaster was waiting.

To prepare for that disaster...

Konoha needed to rally as much strength as possible.

Tsunade and Jiraiya, who had long been away, were crucial to Konoha's defense.

Land of Fields.

Orochimaru's base.

Recently, the facility had grown much livelier.

Kabuto had brought back a group of children from the northern outposts.

Both he and Orochimaru were deeply engrossed in their experiments.

To accelerate their progress—

Even Anko Mitarashi, who had long been used as a pawn in their games, had been forcibly sealed and imprisoned, her memory suppressed with the Curse Mark.

After forming an alliance with Obito Uchiha, Orochimaru no longer feared the Akatsuki.

And in doing so—

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He had completely forgotten about the agreement he once made with Shigen.

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