"I know you've researched some things about the Neko Clan. Lately, that cat's gotten a handle on Super Strength, Flying Thunder God, and Ice Release. Aren't you curious how he managed all that?"
In the Northwest Region of the Land of Fire, near an uninhabited border area close to Amegakure, Danzo and Orochimaru walked alone. There was no one else around.
"If I had research subjects, I'd naturally put in the effort to study them. But if there are none... well, forget it. He does have a considerable relationship with Tsunade and Jiraiya, after all, and I am one of the Three Sannin." Orochimaru replied noncommittally.
"Oh? So you still care about your comrades?" Danzo sneered mockingly. "I never knew you were the sentimental type."
They both knew the score.
Neither was a good person, and neither should pretend otherwise. Facing Danzo's veiled threat, Orochimaru showed little emotion, merely a slight upturn of his lips.
"Orochimaru, I appreciate your talent even more than Hiruzen. I also hope our cooperation can continue. So, please don't disappoint me." Danzo spoke, his words heavy with implication. Finishing, he stepped towards Amegakure.
"Naturally. If there are research subjects, I'm happy to serve you, Danzo-sama." Orochimaru wore a sincere smile.
However, once Danzo was gone, his eyes narrowed slightly. He let out a cold laugh, and his figure dissolved.
'Cooperation?' he thought. 'Heh. Danzo was just using me for mutual benefit. The minute I became inconvenient, that old dog wouldn't hesitate to betray me, silence me, or trade me away for his own gain.'
'To take it seriously would be to lose.'
Still, Orochimaru mused about finding an opportunity to spring a trap on Danzo. Why should Danzo be the only one who got to make threats?
--**--**
In Amegakure, after Takeshi arrived, he talked things over with Nagato and Konan, reaching a general consensus.
For example, they first needed to arrange a retreat route.
Hanzo couldn't fall just yet.
If he did, the balance of the Shinobi World would completely break. The Land of Wind and the Land of Earth would then have no reservations, ruthlessly annexing smaller villages and countries.
This didn't align with Nagato's expectations, nor with Takeshi's interests.
His Ninja Cat Fortress was in a neutral zone. If an annexation war were to fully break out across the Shinobi World, the fortress's situation would become dangerous too.
Takeshi told them about the situation in the Land of Snow, explaining it would be a good retreat route because it was remote. As long as Nagato and his group didn't appear threatening enough, no one would bother fighting their way into that remote corner.
Therefore, Nagato couldn't directly make a move.
With the general direction agreed upon by both sides, only the details remained.
For example, how to handle Danzo.
This meant waiting for Yahiko to return. Konan and Nagato weren't responsible for strategy, they were followers. Generally, Yahiko was the one who came up with and implemented these kinds of ideas.
During his free time, Takeshi entered Sage Mode and spread his perception to explore the surroundings.
He hadn't found any trace of Zetsu yet.
Zetsu was hard to detect, however, and he didn't expect to find him right away. Still, when planning the strategy, Zetsu needed to be taken into consideration.
'It was simple.'
'Absolutely couldn't act with Nagato. That bearer of misfortune.'
After Takeshi figured this out, he decided he'd adjust the battle plan when he discussed things with Yahiko later.
Yahiko returned much later. As Akatsuki's leader and brains, he had a pile of things to handle every day, so he couldn't afford to be as leisurely as Takeshi.
"You're here. The plan..."
"We can start anytime, meow. But I can't make a move right away. So, you'll need to lure Danzo and Hanzo away, and then I'll assassinate Danzo."
Takeshi briefly stated his idea.
"What about Hanzo then?"
Yahiko asked immediately after hearing this.
Luring Danzo away wasn't difficult, the problem was what to do about Hanzo.
As the 'Demigod,' his strength was terrifying. Even if he wasn't at his peak, Yahiko and his group couldn't hope to contend with him. Numbers were useless against Hanzo. Even the Three Sannin, strong as they were back then, had been defeated by Hanzo. They might have earned their title, but to a genuinely strong person, that wasn't much to boast about.
Yahiko didn't think he, Konan, and Nagato could rival the Three Sannin back then.
"You and Nagato will stall Hanzo. Don't even think about defeating him, just fight while retreating, meow. I'll move Danzo somewhere more distant. When the commotion starts, Hanzo will definitely have to make a choice." Takeshi explained.
After listening, a trace of worry flickered in Yahiko's eyes.
Danzo was, after all, the 'Darkness of the Shinobi World.' Even if he hadn't shown his hand in years, his strength likely wasn't insignificant. Was Takeshi really going to be okay?
"Meow~ Don't worry. I'm fine."
Takeshi waved a paw.
If he was going to kill Danzo, he'd only make a move when he was absolutely sure. Danzo currently didn't have the Sharingan, Izanagi, or Hashirama Cells. Without those three, Danzo was just a ninja slightly stronger than an elite Jonin. Without that absolute defense and rapid regeneration, the black cat was confident he could kill him quickly.
'A cat's explosive power was far, far more terrifying than a human's.'
"Be careful. It's okay to run if you have to. Worst case, we'll just gather strength and try again later." Yahiko already regarded Takeshi as a like-minded comrade.
Although Takeshi's goal was just killing Danzo, he'd arranged their retreat route and his ideas had helped them immensely. It was just a pity...
Going to the Land of Snow meant leaving their homeland.
He felt somewhat downhearted.
"Meow~ I won't."
Takeshi waved his paw and said no more. 'If I couldn't even take care of Danzo,' Takeshi thought, 'Then what's the point of being the first and only Neko Sage!?'
The next day.
In the morning, rustling sounds came from outside. Takeshi was woken up and went out to see the Akatsuki members had already gathered, with Yahiko assigning tasks.
The plan was what they had discussed yesterday.
The plan was mainly about retreating, with killing Danzo as a secondary objective. The conflict between Hanzo and them was primarily about power. As long as Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato led Akatsuki away from Amegakure, Hanzo wouldn't dare pursue them further.
As he watched from the side, Konan walked out from a nearby room.
She bowed deeply.
"Takeshi-kun, we're counting on you for this. Please, both you and Yahiko... be careful out there."
'...'
'Are you jinxing me? And I'm not an Akatsuki member! You're making it sound like I'm one of you guys.'
Takeshi grumbled in his heart.
He stared at Konan for a few moments. Then, he suddenly spoke. "Meow~ Are you worried about me?"
"Of course."
Konan didn't think much of it. The next second, she saw the mouse nimbly leap onto her shoulder. Her body trembled slightly, she couldn't help it.
"Don't worry, meow. I will live." The black mouse whispered softly.
As for whether he would return, that depended on the situation. He wasn't an Akatsuki member, if he did return, it wouldn't be here. However, what he did need to consider, though, was what if Kakashi and his group ran into the Akatsuki forces when they returned from the Land of Snow? That would be troublesome.
Takeshi pondered, but at that moment, Yahiko had already set off to meet Hanzo.
"Going now, meow."
He waved his paw, then quickly slipped into the woods, trailing Yahiko's group to the meeting place.
He didn't bring Konan because, in terms of strength, she was the weakest of the three. She wasn't useless, however. In covering their retreat, her usefulness was far greater than Yahiko's.
For this operation, they had a comprehensive plan.
'It all depends on whether Danzo takes the bait,' Takeshi thought, lying in wait in the woods.
Arriving at the meeting place, Nagato mingled among the crowd and quietly released his chakra.
Rain Tiger at Will Jutsu.
===============
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