That was how she came to Uzushio Village as part of the plan—entering Shigeo's dreams to lure him there for the assassination.
Had Shigeo not known the Hokage storyline, even a year of investigation might not have revealed the truth. But with the Rinnegan's Mind Dive Technique active for barely ten seconds, everything was laid bare before him.
The Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Shigeo grabbed Yakumo by the collar, activated Kamui, and vanished. In the instant he disappeared, Jiton (Magnet Release) burst outward into a magnetic storm, annihilating every ANBU at the scene.
When he reappeared, he was already inside Konoha.
Night. The streets were alive with laughter and movement. Children ran across the road, giggling and shouting.
But when Shigeo appeared, dragging the unconscious Yakumo behind him, everything stopped.
The air froze. The immense killing intent radiating from his body smothered the busy street into dead silence.
"It's the First Shadow of Nanmo! What's he doing here?" someone whispered.
Shigeo ignored them. Word spread fast; several shinobi arrived to block his path. One frowned and said, "Shigeo-dono, what's going on? As a guest of Konoha, whatever has happened, please remain calm and resolve it peacefully…"
They could all sense it—the fury radiating from him. If this escalated, blood would stain Konoha's streets.
"Lord Shadow, please stop!" another shouted. "This is Konoha! Tell us what happened! If it's our village's fault, we will not shirk responsibility. But don't provoke Konoha's peace this way."
Dragging an unconscious girl, eyes cold, steps unyielding—his presence made even veteran shinobi tremble.
Shigeo glared at them. "I am provoking you. What will you do about it?"
None answered. The circle of shinobi tightened, but no one dared strike first.
Shigeo continued walking, Yakumo's limp form in his grip, the crowd of ninja flanking him as he headed straight toward the Hokage Building.
At its gates, Hiruzen was already waiting. The surrounding area was packed with armed ninja forming a solid perimeter.
Shigeo infused Chakra into Yakumo's body, reviving her. Her eyes fluttered open, confusion filling her gaze as she saw the gathered forces around them.
"Third Hokage," Shigeo said coldly, "you sent this girl to kill me? Quite the despicable trick."
Gasps erupted around them. The Chūnin Exam was underway, and Shigeo—guest of the Hokage himself—was publicly accusing Hiruzen of attempted assassination. If true, it was a scandal that could cripple Konoha's reputation.
"What's he talking about?"
"Could someone really have tried to assassinate the Shadow of Nanmo?"
"Now that you mention it… he's been missing from the arena these past two days…"
The murmurs of citizens rippled through the night.
Hiruzen's face hardened. "Village Chief Shigeo, have you lost your senses? You were resting in the outer villa under the watch of both ANBU and guards from the five nations. There was no attack, no threat to your safety. Now you parade through our streets dragging a young girl and accuse me of ordering your death—don't you find that absurd?"
His tone was calm, but his eyes glowed with suppressed fury.
So even Yakumo failed? Useless girl.
Fortunately, few in Konoha even remembered her face.
Shigeo smirked. "You know this girl, don't you? Kurama Yakumo—heiress of the Kurama Clan. You dare claim you didn't order her to assassinate me in Uzushio Village?"
Whispers grew louder. The onlookers exchanged bewildered glances.
"Uzushio Village? Isn't that miles away? How did the Nanmo Shadow end up there?"
"He can use space–time ninjutsu. Maybe he teleported… but blaming Konoha seems extreme."
As always, Konoha's citizens took their own side.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed sharply. His expression darkened as he sensed the crowd turning. "Shigeo-dono," he said smoothly, "don't speak nonsense. This girl was kidnapped days ago—I was already investigating. And now she's in your hands? Tell me, was it you who abducted her?"
At that moment, four figures appeared from the Hokage's meeting chamber: the impostor masquerading as the Fourth Kazekage—Orochimaru in disguise—alongside the Fourth Raikage A, a senior elder of Kirigakure, and another from Iwagakure.
Coincidence—or timing too perfect to ignore. Hiruzen had just been in conference with them over the Chūnin Exam's next phase.
Moments earlier, the Raikage and the Iwa elder had mocked Shigeo's absence, accusing him of arrogance and disrespect for not attending.
Now, to their amusement, he appeared dragging a young woman through Konoha's main street, accusing the Hokage of hiring an assassin.
Such was the world of shinobi. Today you provoke me; tomorrow I send killers after you. Strength decides justice. Win, and you're right. Lose, and you accept it.
Shigeo's Nanmo Nation had existed barely half a year—yet it had already risen to the status of the sixth great shinobi village. His power, his leadership, his Rinnegan—all of it made him a force the others feared.
And now, seeing him clash publicly with Konoha, the other nations' leaders could not hide their satisfaction.
If Konoha and Nanmo fractured, it would benefit them all.
After all, Shigeo was once of Konoha's own bloodline. Rivalry between kin only made for better politics.
Shigeo took another step forward. "Third Hokage, enough excuses. Since everyone is here, let's make this simple. Summon Yamanaka Haiichi to read this girl's memories. Then we'll see how you explain yourself."
Even if he wanted vengeance, Nanmo's reputation had just been rebuilt—he would not stain it with rash violence.
Hiruzen's expression froze. His eyes flickered toward the Raikage, the elders, the crowd. This was Konoha's first joint Chūnin Exam in years; he could not afford humiliation.
Otherwise, he would never have ordered the assassination to take place in distant Uzushio Village. Yet what puzzled him most was this—how had Shigeo found Yakumo, uncovered her method, and learned that she was one of Konoha's own?
(End of Chapter)
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