Ryoma left behind the three members of the Akatsuki as well as the seven rogue ninja who had tried to rob him. From their conversation, he quickly discerned the truth — the image of Amegakure portrayed to the outside world was vastly different from its reality.
To outsiders, Amegakure seemed like a rising hidden village — disciplined, united, and steadily developing. But in truth, most civilians on the outskirts had been reduced to poverty. The only ones benefiting from the village's progress were the elite shinobi and the upper-class families living in the central district of the Land of Rain.
Over the past five years, since the wars had ended, the usual channels of promotion had stagnated. Without battles to earn merit, countless lower-ranked shinobi found themselves trapped at the bottom with no hope of advancement.
Meanwhile, the elite — those with established power and influence — consolidated their hold over Amegakure's core, blocking the rise of new clans or individuals who dared to challenge their authority.
The village had begun to rot from within.
Ryoma hadn't expected this when he arrived at the outskirts of Amegakure. The scene before him was bleak — people dying in slums, families huddled in shacks of rusted metal and soaked paper, the streets flooded not only with rain but despair.
Many who couldn't survive here became wanderers. The lucky few made it to other nations, sometimes even finding new homes as shinobi of foreign villages. The unlucky ones died on the road or were executed as outsiders before they could even explain themselves.
Yahiko clenched his fists. "This is why we have to change things," he said firmly. "At the very least, the slums shouldn't exist. The people of Amegakure deserve to eat!"
One of the Chūnin scoffed. "Eat? You think we can get food just by talking about it? If you want food — if you want change — you have to fight for it! You have to go to war!"
Ryoma smiled faintly. "War? Then you'd just be the first ones to die."
Yahiko nodded quickly. "The Fourth Hokage is right! War is merciless. It breaks families, leaves behind orphans. How many lives has it destroyed already? Even after all these years, do you still want Amegakure to become a battlefield again?"
The Chūnin glared at him. "You're too naïve, Yahiko. Without war, we'll always be at the bottom. If we fight, at least we can earn merit — maybe rise high enough to be noticed by Hanzo-sama!"
Ryoma couldn't help comparing Amegakure to Konoha. For all of Konoha's flaws, its structure at least allowed growth from the bottom. Amegakure, however, was choking under its own hierarchy. It was the difference between a developing village and a great one.
He looked at them calmly. "Haven't any of you ever thought about real change?"
Nagato's expression darkened, and he fell silent. Konan lowered her gaze.
Only Yahiko spoke again. "Of course we've thought about it. Amegakure can't go on like this."
"Yahiko," Konan warned softly, "don't say too much."
But Yahiko shook his head. "I'm not afraid, Konan. The Akatsuki exists to change things — peacefully. We want to unite all the lower- and mid-ranked ninja, to create a power strong enough to demand reform without bloodshed."
Ryoma looked at Yahiko with quiet admiration. The boy's ideals were noble — but far too idealistic. Change without force was a dream that even gods would struggle to achieve.
After gaining a clearer picture of Amegakure's internal state, Ryoma rose to his feet. "Alright, I understand. Who can take me to the central tower? I wish to meet Hanzo of the Salamander."
The moment he said this, everyone froze.
Yahiko hesitated. "Fourth Hokage-sama… what are you planning to do?"
Ryoma answered evenly, "I invited Hanzo to the Five Kage Summit several times. We even offered to open trade routes between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain — to promote free trade between our nations. But he refused. So, I've come personally to speak with him."
He paused, then added with a faint smile, "This isn't an official visit. I just happened to run into a few… interesting people along the way."
The group exchanged uncertain glances.
Nagato spoke up. "Fourth Hokage-sama, we're only from the outer slums. We aren't allowed near the central district. There are four heavily guarded gates — north, south, east, and west — each watched by elite shinobi. No one from outside is allowed in."
Yahiko bit his lip, then said cautiously, "If… if I help you get inside, will you do me a favor in return?"
Ryoma shook his head. "You misunderstand. You wouldn't be helping me — you'd be helping Amegakure. If I wished to enter, no one could stop me."
The quiet confidence in his tone silenced everyone.
Yahiko's eyes widened slightly. From what he had seen — and from Nagato's earlier reaction — he knew the man before him was far more powerful than he appeared.
He nodded. "Alright then, Fourth Hokage-sama. I'll take you there."
"Yahiko—"
Yahiko raised a hand to stop Nagato and Konan. "You two return first. I'll accompany him."
Konan hesitated but obeyed, glancing back once before leaving.
Ryoma gave a small nod. "Thank you."
They left together, disappearing into the rain-soaked streets.
The seven rogue ninja exchanged looks. After a moment of tense silence, one of them muttered, "If we report this to Hanzo-sama — that the Fourth Hokage infiltrated Amegakure — we could earn great merit!"
The others' eyes lit up immediately. "Yes! Hanzo-sama might even reward us with new techniques or weapons!"
But before they could move, white sheets of paper fluttered down around them.
"Huh?" one of them muttered, looking up.
High above, Konan hovered silently, her paper wings spread like those of an angel.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Screams echoed as explosions tore through the alley, reducing the slum house to rubble.
Konan descended, her expression calm but pained.
Nagato frowned. "Konan… was that really necessary?"
She nodded. "If I hadn't, they would've exposed Yahiko. For his sake — I had to."
Meanwhile, Yahiko led Ryoma through a series of rusted iron gates and narrow alleys until they emerged into the central district of Amegakure.
Towering steel structures surrounded them, piercing the rain-heavy clouds — the same industrial spires Ryoma had seen in reports. The endless drizzle painted the city in gray and silver, giving it an eerie, almost cybernetic beauty.
As they walked, a Jōnin of Amegakure appeared, blocking their path. "Who are you?" he demanded.
Yahiko quickly bowed. "Sir, this is my friend from Kumogakure. He's always been curious about Amegakure, so I brought him here for a look…"
Seeing the man's suspicious expression, Yahiko discreetly slipped a small pouch of money into his hand. "Please, accept this token of respect."
The Jōnin paused, then snorted. "You know the rules. Don't wander into restricted areas. Curiosity can kill a cat — and a shinobi even faster." He stepped aside. "Go on."
Once they were clear, Yahiko exhaled in relief. "That was all the money I had left," he said softly.
Ryoma gave him a faint, amused look. "Is that so?"
Another shadow clone suddenly stepped forward from behind Ryoma, holding a money pouch.
"This is your payment."
Yahiko froze for a moment before accepting it. The pouch felt familiar… Wait.
Could it be the same purse that Jonin had earlier?
When Yahiko opened it, his eyes nearly bulged out.
On top was the exact stack of money he had paid out—not just that, but there was also an Akatsuki recruitment leaflet inside.
There was no mistaking it.
Yahiko took a deep breath and walked toward the alley where the Konoha jonin lay collapsed. A chill hit him.
It's only been a few seconds…?
Only now did Yahiko truly understand why Nagato had looked so shaken.
This Fourth Hokage—he didn't seem much older than Yahiko himself—but his strength was terrifying.
"It's fine," Ryoma said calmly. "He only fainted. I didn't kill him. Let's go."
Yahiko blinked before jolting back to his senses. "Y-Yes! This way, Hokage-sama!"
He led Ryoma through the rain-worn alleys of Amegakure until they stopped across from a tall steel tower.
Yahiko pointed toward the upper levels.
"That statue on the top floor—that is Hanzo-sama's tower. I… I can only take you this far."
Ryoma nodded. "Alright."
Yahiko hesitated, looking back at him. "Then… Hokage-sama, please stay safe."
He turned to leave—but only took two steps before stopping.
"…Wait."
Ryoma paused, looking at him.
Yahiko clenched his jaw. "I'll go in with you. If something happens… I might be able to plead with Hanzo-sama to spare your life."
Ryoma raised an eyebrow. "You've met Hanzō of the Salamander before?"
"Yes," Yahiko replied. "Hanzo-sama is a generous leader. As long as one does not provoke him too far, he is willing to show mercy."
Ryoma smiled faintly.
"Is that so?"
Hanzo… generous?
No wonder Yahiko would one day die.
Yahiko did not understand human nature.
Hanzo may have once been a hero in his youth, but as time passed, suspicion had taken root.
Inside Hanzo's Tower
In the control chamber behind a screen, an elite shinobi reported:
"Hanzo-sama, someone approaches."
"Who?"
"One is Yahiko, leader of Akatsuki. The other… I cannot gauge his strength."
Hanzo frowned. "Send a team to intercept."
Before him, the screens displayed dozens of surveillance feeds—each camera worth over a million ryō. More than fifty surrounded the building.
The most advanced monitoring network in the entire shinobi world.
Hanzo tapped one feed, enlarging the image.
There, a five-man squad confronted Ryoma and Yahiko.
In the next second, massive wooden roots erupted from the ground—Tree World—binding the entire squad like dried husks.
Ryoma simply walked past them. Yahiko followed, trembling.
Hanzo's eyes widened—his breath tightened.
Wood Release.
He immediately knew who the visitor must be.
And yet… he came alone?
"…An impressive man indeed." Hanzo exhaled. "Let him in."
"Hanzo-sama—!"
"You cannot stop him," Hanzo said firmly. "Open the way."
The Meeting
The interior of the tower was steel and reinforced plating—nothing like the wood and stone of Konoha.
An elite shinobi approached. "This way, please. Hanzo-sama awaits."
Ryoma nodded casually. He had already sensed the surveillance the moment he arrived.
Whether he acknowledged it or not made no difference.
Yahiko's steps were stiff.
Hanzo invited them in.
That alone was astonishing.
At the top chamber, four elite guards knelt, then left on Hanzo's order.
Yahiko stood tense, palms sweating.
The screen slid aside.
Hanzo appeared—gas mask covering his face, his expression unreadable.
In his hands, the signature kusarigama: a long-chained scythe linked to a heavy axe.
"You are the Fourth Hokage?"
Hanzo's voice was calm, but wary.
He did not even glance at Yahiko.
Ryoma examined the man called a demigod.
The air carried a faint, colorless poison. Subtle—deadly. Designed so one would not notice until too late.
But Ryoma didn't react at all.
His Six Paths power had already reached fifteen percent—along with the fully synchronized Senju Hashirama cell fusion.
Poison was meaningless.
Ryoma's gaze remained calm, almost bored.
Hanzo felt a chill.
He had prepared poison traps, surveillance, elite squads, sealing crews—
Yet the man before him walked in as though none of it existed.
A monster stood in his tower.
"I came today to speak with you about the Five Kage Summit."
Hanzo studied Ryoma closely.
His poison had been released for some time already—colorless, odorless, lethal.
Yet Ryoma showed no reaction whatsoever.
Impossible.
No one was completely immune to his toxins.
Hanzo did not show his surprise.
He smiled instead.
"Fourth Hokage, you've seen Amegakure's environment. Our village is not suited for hosting such a meeting."
Ryoma replied lightly, almost casually:
"I think it's suitable. Amegakure lies at the crossroads of the three great shinobi villages. It's convenient for all parties."
Hanzo's brows tightened.
This young man spoke without the slightest courtesy.
"Our village," Hanzo said coldly, "does not welcome outsiders."
"Is that so?"
Ryoma lifted his gaze to meet Hanzo's directly.
"Is that the reason?"
Hanzo slowly rose to his feet, the chain on his kusarigama clinking softly.
"Yes," he said, voice turning cold. "And what of it? Fourth Hokage—leave. Now."
For some reason, Hanzo still hesitated to attack first.
The young man before him was too unsettling.
Danzo fell to this boy's hands. Not just him—the entire Shimura clan was dissolved and scattered. This Fourth Hokage is dangerous.
Ryoma exhaled quietly.
"That's a pity."
"Hanzo… I came to witness the strength of the man once called a Demigod. I doubt I'll be disappointed."
"Hmph."
Hanzo's grip tightened on his weapon.
"If you seek death, I will oblige you."
The killing intent filling the room sharpened like steel.
"Protect Hanzo-sama!!"
The four elite shinobi outside the chamber rushed in, blades drawn.
Hanzo lunged forward at the same time.
Yahiko reacted late—his legs suddenly weak.
"W–Wait! Please—!"
His vision blurred. His breathing trembled.
Poison—!
Before he collapsed, Ryoma's hand pushed him aside, sending him safely against a wall.
Yahiko gasped.
He understood instantly.
Ryoma saved him.
Ryoma now stood surrounded—Hanzo and four elite shinobi closing in.
Hanzo's hands formed seals.
"Summoning—Salamander!"
Bang!!
A colossal four-legged salamander erupted from the smoke, slamming down with immense weight—The floor buckled, collapsing into a massive crater.
Ryoma, Hanzo, and the four guards dropped into the pit below.
Yahiko clung to the edge, trembling as he looked down.
"H-Hanzo-sama personally summoned the salamander… Fourth Hokage is done for… Why couldn't they talk!?"
Below, Hanzo stood atop the salamander's head, looking down at Ryoma with killing intent.
His hands came together again.
"Secret Technique—Poisonous Fire Release: Toxic Inferno!"
The giant salamander exhaled a cloud of deadly toxins—Hanzo blended it with Fire Release—A dark red, venomous blaze burst forth, flooding the crater in a burning sea of poison fire, engulfing Ryoma completely.
"Naruto-sama!!"
Yahiko shouted—but then stopped.
From within the flames, thick wooden pillars burst upward, weaving into an enormous defensive barricade.
Wood Release: Tree World Wall.
The toxic flames licked the wood—
bubbling, rotting, corroding instantly.
Even Wood Release struggled against it.
Hanzo's eyes narrowed, but a sigh escaped him.
"As expected… The bearing of the First Hokage. To use Wood Release here so effortlessly."
He hesitated, then declared:
"If you leave now with Yahiko, I will pretend none of this happened."
Hanzo did not want to continue.
It was not mercy.
It was calculation.
This was how Hanzo survived to be called Demigod.
When he could kill, he killed without hesitation—clean and absolute.
When he could not kill—
He withdrew without shame.
It made him appear merciful to outsiders.
But in truth—
It was why Hanzo had risen to the top.
A ruthless pragmatist. A hero by necessity.
...
TN:
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