Chapter 377: The Akatsuki Organization

“Let’s take this mission in the Land of Rivers,” Muzuki said to the Registration Ninja, picking up the scroll.

In the Land of Rivers, there was a chance of encountering Cloud Ninja or Hidden Sand Ninja, and there were no Ninja on that battlefield so strong that Muzuki couldn’t handle them. Even if their luck was terrible and they ran into the strongest Ninja on the Land of Rivers battlefield, Muzuki could still lead Shisui and the others to retreat safely.

High safety while having the opportunity to train his disciples—this was Muzuki’s standard for choosing missions.

Of course, it was only an opportunity; after all, it was just a C-Rank Mission, and they weren’t expected to encounter any Ninja.

After completing the registration, Muzuki showed the mission scroll to his disciples.

“Destination: Land of Rivers. Let’s go!” Anko, who had never left Konoha, said excitedly.

Granted special permission by the Hokage to perform a C-Rank Mission, Anko had already planned how to show off to her good friends after completing the mission.

She would start by saying, “How did you know I just got back from a C-Rank Mission?” Then, when they asked why, she would tell them about the special privilege granted by the Third Hokage.

“Anko, even though you’re in a hurry, don’t rush yet, because we still need to take the Client with us,” Shizune reminded her.

Although she wasn’t on the same path as ordinary Ninja, Shizune was a normal Ninja after all, and she knew what she needed to know.

“Oh, right, there’s a Client,” Anko’s steps, which were already heading towards the Konoha gate, instantly stopped.

“Don’t be so careless during missions; you almost forgot the Client,” Muzuki tapped Anko’s head with his finger, then led the three of them to meet the Client.

The Client was an ordinary-looking but quite steady middle-aged man.

“I’ll leave the mission to you all,” the middle-aged Client said. Although Anko and Shisui looked very young, he didn’t underestimate them.

After all, Konoha, as one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, wouldn’t tarnish its own reputation.

Muzuki nodded, not wasting words, and asked directly, “Do you have anything else to do? We can depart at any time.”

“I’m all set; let’s go now,” the middle-aged Client nodded and replied.

Then, Muzuki quickly led Shisui and the others to the Land of Rivers.

To increase the chances of encountering opportunities to train his disciples, Muzuki traveled as fast as possible while in the Land of Fire, then immediately slowed down upon entering the Land of Rivers.

Muzuki explained to his disciples that the Land of Fire had good public order, so they could go faster, while the Land of Rivers was currently in a chaotic situation, so going slower would better protect the Client.

Hearing that even the travel speed had such considerations, Anko looked like she had learned something new.

Perhaps Shisui and the others were lucky, as there were no unexpected events along the way. Muzuki and his team soon arrived at Mount Iwaki, located in the northernmost part of the Land of Rivers.

“These Bandits are extremely vicious. According to rumors, they not only plunder here but even run to the Land of Rain to plunder,” the middle-aged Client warned before Muzuki and his team departed.

Trusting Konoha was one thing, but Shisui and Anko’s ages were indeed very misleading, so he gave an extra reminder.

“Land of Rain… Is it close to the Land of Rain here?” Shisui asked with a thoughtful expression.

Because Shisui hadn’t seen his uncle in a long time, he had talked with Uchiha Nobuhiro for a long time that day. Uchiha Nobuhiro had mentioned the Land of Rain a little when talking about his missions.

If he remembered correctly, the Land of Rain seemed a bit chaotic right now. First, Iwagakure Ninja appeared in the Land of Rain for unknown reasons. Sunagakure, worried about an Iwagakure invasion, also sent Ninja into the Land of Rain. Kumogakure, seeing its opponents send people into the Land of Rain, also dispatched Ninja.

Although the number of Ninja might not be very large, Ninja from the three great Shinobi Villages were gathered in the Land of Rain at this time.

To still be able to plunder in such a chaotic situation, Shisui felt that there might be rogue Ninja among the Bandits. Ordinary Bandits probably wouldn’t dare to run around recklessly under such circumstances.

“The other side of the mountain is it,” the middle-aged Client explained.

Soon, Muzuki bid farewell to the Client and followed the mission clues to search for the Bandits, while Shisui voiced his conjecture on the way.

“Very good analysis. It seems you’ve listened carefully to everything I’ve taught you,” Muzuki praised without reservation.

Although Muzuki felt there were still shortcomings, considering Shisui was only seven years old, it wasn’t a problem. It was already very impressive for a seven-year-old to think so much.

So, where was Shisui lacking? Shisui hadn’t considered the reaction of his own Village, Konoha.

As the only country in the Ninja World bordering three great nations simultaneously, the Amegakure was a rare strategic location. How could Konoha remain indifferent when so many Ninja from great Shinobi Villages entered such a place? Muzuki estimated that Danzo had already sent Root members into the Land of Rain.

“Shisui, Muzuki-sensei, what are you talking about? Are we going to fight Ninja enemies next?” Anko scratched her head and asked confusedly.

She didn’t understand Shisui’s analysis process but knew the outcome they would face.

“Hmm, everyone be careful,” Muzuki nodded slightly and said.

Hearing their conversation, Shizune was a little nervous; she had never truly fought Ninja before.

Under Muzuki’s leadership, they successfully found the Bandits’ hiding place. However, when Muzuki and his team arrived, there were only two ordinary Bandits inside.

The two ordinary Bandits clearly couldn’t cause such a big stir. Muzuki judged that the main force of the Bandits must have gone out to rob.

Next, Muzuki used his old trick, separating the two for interrogation, giving Shisui and the others a lesson on the prisoner’s dilemma.

After careful consideration of the underlying principles, Shisui had to admit that it was a very effective interrogation technique.

This method would only fail if both individuals could absolutely trust and would not betray each other, but two ordinary Bandits clearly couldn’t achieve that level.

Under Muzuki’s interrogation, the two Bandits blurted out everything they knew.

The facts were as Muzuki had thought: the main force of the Bandits had left a week ago, and the two ordinary Bandits were left to guard the hideout.

Furthermore, Shisui’s conjecture was also confirmed: the leader of this group of Bandits was simply a rogue Ninja from the Land of Rain.

“Hurry up, don’t try any tricks.”

Just then, Shisui, who had been searching the Bandit hideout, suddenly heard movement outside.

Shisui walked out to check and found several more people outside.

Whoosh!

The moment Shisui stepped out, a Shuriken shot towards him at high speed.

But how could Shisui come out unprepared? He dodged the incoming Ninja tool with a slight shift of his body, then pulled out a Kunai from his Ninja tool pouch.

He hadn’t immediately attacked because the newcomers didn’t look much like Bandits, but since they had attacked, they were enemies.

“Namiki, don’t attack. There’s no Bandit that small,” Yahiko said, shaking his head at Namiki Yukiyuki.

Namiki Yukiyuki looked at the Bandit leader, whose hands were bound, at the very front of the group.

“Kid, you’re underestimating me. A ten-year-old’s knife can still kill someone,” the Bandit leader grinned, hinting.

Although he didn’t know Shisui, it didn’t stop him from hoping Shisui would cause trouble for Yahiko and his group.

They were minding their own business robbing a Village when they were suddenly wiped out by meddling Ninja. The Bandit leader couldn’t express how much he hated Yahiko and his group.

“Leader Yahiko, this guy is quite skilled. He might even be a successor they specially trained.” With the Bandit leader’s hint, Namiki Yukiyuki felt that Shisui, appearing in a Bandit hideout, must not be simple.

At this moment, Shizune and Anko noticed the commotion and quickly rushed to Shisui’s side.

“So, they’re Konoha Ninja,” Yahiko said with a realization upon seeing Shizune’s forehead protector.

Shisui was an Intern Ninja and didn’t have a Konoha Ninja forehead protector. As soon as Shizune arrived, Shisui’s identity became clear: Konoha Ninja who had taken a mission.

Hearing the words “Konoha Ninja,” Nagato’s fingers, which had been following behind Yahiko, unconsciously twitched, then quickly calmed down.

“Who are you? Why are you here?” Shisui asked in a deep voice, gripping his Kunai.

Although the newcomers all appeared to be older Ninja than them, Shisui wasn’t flustered at all; they were out with Muzuki.

“My name is Yahiko, leader of the Akatsuki Organization from the Land of Rain. I apologize for what just happened; my companion thought you were Bandits, so he attacked,” Yahiko briefly introduced himself, then apologized and explained.

“We encountered a group of Bandits plundering villagers in a Village in the Land of Rain. After dealing with them, we were worried that any remaining forces might retaliate against the villagers, so we came here.”

“Leader of a Ninja Organization?” Shisui felt a bit strange.

Shisui knew that Ninja Organizations existed in the Ninja World, but Yahiko looked too young, appearing to be only thirteen or fourteen, not much older than them.

“You must have taken a mission related to these Bandits, right? We’ve saved you some effort, so please don’t mind what just happened,” Yahiko said with a chuckle.

Shisui remained silent, waiting for Muzuki’s decision.

Although Muzuki hadn’t appeared yet, he knew Muzuki had already arrived. After all, if Anko and Shisui could detect the movement, how could Muzuki not know?

As Shisui thought, Muzuki had indeed arrived, and he had detected Yahiko and the others’ arrival even earlier than Shisui because he had activated his Byakugan when searching for the Bandits.

【Name: Yahiko】

【Chakra: 7300】

【Potential: S-】

【Skills: Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient: 100/15000), Water Release: Wild Water Wave (Skilled), Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet (Skilled)…】

For Yahiko’s current age, this stat panel was that of a genius Ninja. Muzuki estimated that if Yahiko hadn’t died young, he probably could have trained himself to Kage-level.

【Name: Konan】

【Chakra: 8000】

【Potential: S】

【Skills: Paper Ninjutsu (Skilled: 2000/3000), Paper Shuriken (Skilled)…】

Konan’s potential was slightly higher than Yahiko’s, but at this stage, their strengths were comparable.

Muzuki finally looked at Nagato. He had a premonition that Nagato’s potential would probably surpass anyone he had ever seen. This was a Rinnegan combined with the Uzumaki Clan.

【Name: Nagato】

【Chakra: 605000】

【Potential: SS+ (Six Paths Bloodline + Rinnegan + Basic Talent)】

【Skills: Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient: 1000/15000), Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient: 750/15000), Yang Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient), Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient)…】

Muzuki could only describe Nagato’s stat panel as exaggerated. His potential even exceeded SS, reaching SS+. Aside from Yin Release Chakra, all other Chakra Nature Transformation were at the Proficient level. Although the proficiency wasn’t very high, this was six types of Nature Transformation at Proficient level, which was quite terrifying. At the same time, Nagato also had hundreds of Skilled-level Ninjutsu, indicating a rich Ninjutsu reserve.

Of course, what attracted Muzuki’s attention the most was the terrifying amount of Chakra Nagato possessed.

Muzuki was truly tempted. At Nagato’s current age, he still had a lot of room for growth. If he were to become his disciple and Muzuki received a return, the Chakra gained would be several times more than that of his other disciples combined.

Although Muzuki really wanted to, he knew this was not a simple matter and presented many difficulties.

First, becoming Nagato’s teacher itself was very difficult, because Nagato had undergone three years of Jiraiya’s tutelage and already had an excellent teacher in his heart. Moreover, Nagato was proficient in six Chakra natures and knew many Ninjutsu, so his need for a teacher in terms of strength wasn’t very great.

Another issue was that Nagato might not particularly like Konoha Ninja, as Nagato’s parents had died at the hands of Konoha Ninja.

If Muzuki wanted to be Nagato’s teacher, besides Nagato’s own issues, there were two other people worth noting: Black Zetsu and Uchiha Madara.

The Rinnegan on Nagato was transplanted by Uchiha Madara. Uchiha Madara, no matter how broad-minded, wouldn’t just give Nagato the Rinnegan and then ignore him; he must have been secretly monitoring him. Black Zetsu, of course, was even more so; he had schemed for over a thousand years for this Rinnegan. Black Zetsu valued this Rinnegan even more than Uchiha Madara, as the Rinnegan was a necessary condition for Kaguya’s revival.

“They indeed have no ill intent,” Muzuki said, flashing to Shisui’s side.

Becoming Nagato’s teacher required a complete and meticulous plan, and Muzuki wasn’t particularly in a hurry.

In the original story, Nagato’s descent into darkness was the result of multiple factors, and one of the instigators, Obito, was not even ten years old yet. He still had plenty of time.

“So fast!” Yahiko was a little surprised; he hadn’t noticed when Muzuki had arrived.

Although he was young, he had the strength to become the leader of a Ninja Organization; otherwise, how could he command respect?

After realizing Muzuki’s considerable strength, Yahiko was even less inclined to conflict with this Konoha Ninja team, as it would be troublesome for the Land of Rain.

With Muzuki’s intervention, the two sides quickly reached a consensus: it was a misunderstanding.

“Muzuki-sensei, how strong were those people just now?” Shisui asked, watching Yahiko and the others leave.

“Strong. There are two people you might not be able to defeat, and one person who might instantly kill you,” Muzuki replied after some thought.

PS: Nagato is not the same age as Minato. Nagato died at thirty-five, when Naruto was sixteen. Minato died at twenty-four, giving birth to Naruto. Minato was quite a bit older than Nagato.

Also, Jiraiya mentioned in the manga that Nagato had six Chakra natures and knew many Ninjutsu; I didn’t make that up.

It’s the end of the month; a small request for monthly votes.