Naruto and No More Killing: Ghost Lamp Full Moon
Next Morning
After the black market announced a bounty on the Uchiha clan, Orochimaru sought out an intelligence dealer, intending to purchase information on Uzumaki remnants. However, to his surprise, he encountered Sasori of the Red Sand, who was also acquiring intelligence.
Sensing a familiar chakra signature, Sasori turned, his cold, amber eyes narrowing at Orochimaru. His attempt to mislead Orochimaru failed, exposing his interest in the Sharingan and creating an awkward tension.
Orochimaru smirked and said, "Sasori, you're not here for information on Uzushiogakure, are you? The Sharingan holds little value for a puppeteer like yourself."
Sasori's face darkened, and he prepared to activate Hiruko's hidden mechanisms.
The tense standoff made the intelligence broker sweat profusely. In a desperate attempt to defuse the situation, he stammered, "L-Lord Shinobi, please, take the information for free. No need for conflict."
Had they been ordinary rogue ninjas, he would never have given away intelligence without payment. But one was Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, and the other, a former Suna prodigy feared even among the Akatsuki. The broker dreaded getting caught in their crossfire.
Orochimaru chuckled, tossing a pouch of ryo onto the table. "I abide by my own principles. Count it, if you dare."
Just as the broker reached for the money, Sasori's tail shot forward, piercing his heart.
"W-why kill me… I… I knew nothing…" the broker gasped before collapsing.
Unfazed, Sasori turned to Orochimaru. "Although I have no interest in working with you again, we have a mutual goal in Uzushiogakure. Let's go together."
Orochimaru accepted, his golden eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Tell me, Sasori, have you considered that this could be a trap? Why would Zetsu hand us information about a surviving Uchiha? Just because we're Akatsuki comrades?"
Sasori barely glanced at him. "Zetsu is always scheming. But even if there are traps, if Uchiha truly lingers in Uzushiogakure, can you resist the temptation of their eyes?"
Orochimaru's smile widened. Yesterday, he had little interest in Uchiha, but then he received a tip from Danzo: among those who fled to Uzushiogakure was Uchiha Shisui—the legendary wielder of the Kotoamatsukami, missing for a year. Akatsuki's code forbade harming allies, but a rogue Uchiha was fair game.
Hours later, as Orochimaru and Sasori departed, another visitor arrived at the black market: Jiraiya, still searching for Naruto.
Months of investigating black market whispers had yielded nothing, prompting him to expand his search beyond the Land of Fire. But the moment he arrived in this foreign town, he heard troubling news—the black market had been annihilated.
A wandering shinobi confirmed his suspicions. The culprit? None other than Orochimaru.
Jiraiya had set out to find Naruto, but now he was on the trail of his old teammate…
---
Zabuza and Hōzuki Mangetsu's Captivity
Zabuza Momochi and Hōzuki Mangetsu had been prisoners for half a month.
Only now did Naruto make time to see them. As he entered, both rogue Mist shinobi frowned, their instincts screaming at them—this man was hiding something.
To them, Naruto's ability to overpower them in an instant and command Uchiha Shisui meant he held a high rank in Konoha. Yet, such a powerful figure refused to reveal his face? Suspicious.
Sensing their skepticism, Naruto stepped forward and partially unsealed their chakra restraints.
Zabuza sneered. "If you're going to kill me, do it already. A proud Kirigakure swordsman doesn't kneel before Konoha."
Naruto chuckled. "If you truly wanted to die, you could've done so before I caught you. And who said we're from Konoha? This is Uzushiogakure."
Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "You're not Konoha shinobi?"
His doubt was evident. He glanced at Naruto and Shisui, unwilling to believe such a claim.
Mangetsu, however, frowned in thought. "Could the rumors be true? Did Uchiha really defect from Konoha?"
Zabuza scoffed. "Mangetsu, don't tell me you believe this nonsense."
Mangetsu shook his head. "I don't trust the enemy's words. But if Konoha had a sealing expert of this caliber, the Fourth Hokage wouldn't have died in the Nine-Tails attack, nor would they have struggled against Kumogakure."
Zabuza fell silent. Mangetsu's logic was sound. If these shinobi were from Konoha, they should have been transferred to Anbu custody by now—not held in Uzushiogakure. And he had never heard of Konoha producing a sealing master of this level.
But if they weren't Konoha shinobi, then the alternative was even more terrifying.
Someone in the ninja world had taken in the Uchiha clan, openly defying the strongest village.
After a long pause, Mangetsu fixed his gaze on Naruto. "If you're not from Konoha, why attack us? We had no quarrel with you. Was it because we went after the Fourth Mizukage?"
"If so, we can stay silent. We won't spread your secrets."
At these words, Naruto and Shisui exchanged glances. Mangetsu had misunderstood something fundamental.
Naruto's expression turned unreadable. "Silencing you is an option, too."
Mangetsu sighed. "If you truly wanted us dead, we wouldn't still be alive. You clearly have a purpose for us."
Naruto tapped his fingers on the table, smiling. "Before we discuss conditions, I want to know why you planned to assassinate Yagura Karatachi. That information is crucial."
Zabuza and Mangetsu exchanged wary looks. How had he uncovered their secret so easily?
Then they glanced at Shisui.
Of course.
Konoha's master of genjutsu could read minds and erase memories with ease. Their assassination attempt on Mizukage Yagura had never stood a chance of remaining hidden.
Still, why was this unknown faction so interested in their motives? Could they also have plans for Kirigakure?
They wanted to overthrow Yagura, but they still loved their village. Otherwise, they would have simply defected instead of risking their lives to change its leadership.
Who exactly were these people in Uzushiogakure?
And why did they care about the Bloody Mist?
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