Naruto : Cruel Rebirth

In the Land of Rice Fields, on the northern border of the Land of Fire, lies the origin of Otogakure. In recent years, with the decline of the Otogakure ninjas, the place has faded from the eyes of most ninja.

A small nation with little presence, it is perfect ground for the seeds of crime to take root.

Surrounded by wetlands and swamps, deep in the forest, lies a secret fortress with an entrance leading underground.

The walls are ancient, worn with age, showing signs of time. Serpentine candle holders are symmetrically placed on either side of the corridor, the candlelight only illuminating five steps at a time. Every thirty steps, another pair of candles is set, casting eerie shadows. 

The corridor is labyrinthine, full of traps and mechanisms. Anyone who enters carelessly rarely returns.

The maze leads to the deepest part of the underground fortress, where a large human experimentation chamber is located.

The experiment room is vast, though the dim lighting gives it a cramped feeling.

Transparent glass containers are set up around the room, with solutions soaking various experiments: humans, snakes, half-human, half-snake creatures, and other deformed beings. 

Rustle! Creak!

At one of the experiment tables, a man is hunched over, working.

His back is cloaked in a dark coat, with a hood covering his head. From beneath his robe, two white snakes extend, flicking their tongues toward the man.

"Hehehe, the outside world is getting lively..." A sinister laugh echoed, making the still air even more unsettling.

Well, it's not surprising. After spending so long in the darkness, talking to oneself is a reasonable pastime.

"That Naruto not only defeated your capable subordinates but also took the eyes that should have been yours." 

"Those eyes are crucial to your plans, right? That's why you're so cautious, afraid of losing everything."

"I know, you originally planned to spark conflict at the Five Kage summit, didn't you?"

"Instead of lurking in the shadows, you intended to use the power you've gathered to openly take the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails!"

"That's a very reasonable plan—efficient and direct!"

"I even prepared a 'surprise' for that moment." 

Shua! At this point, a quick glance from the vertical eye swept across the coffin in the corner!

"And with you changing your plans, I can no longer expose my 'trump card' too soon."

He withdrew his gaze and shook his head. "What a pity. I really wanted to see the ridiculous expression under your mask..."

"But now, it's no longer important. Speaking of which, this war has nothing to do with me. My only goal is to take 'Sasuke' back from your hands."

"Instead of cooperating with you, which involves so many twists and uncertainties, I've already found a better 'bait' for Sasuke. Yes, Sasuke will sooner or later go after Danzo for revenge..."

He lowered his head and looked at the experimental table in front of him. "But it seems, I may have gone a little too far..." 

On the table, Danzo had already turned into a true monster!

The face of the First Hokage covered his entire body! Each of the First Hokage's faces had Sharingan implanted where the eyes should be!

"Heh heh heh..." A dangerous laugh accompanied his words. "No longer just one arm, I have implanted Uchiha Shin's rejection-resistant cells all over Danzo's body to increase its tolerance to the First Hokage's cells!"

"Then, through negotiations with Shin, I obtained a hundred clones of Uchiha Shin. I used cloning technology to mass-produce 'Mangekyou Sharingan,' a total of two hundred eyes, and implanted all of them!" 

"Additionally, Danzo's new right eye... that's a surprise I reserved for you."

"Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh...! Hahahahahahaha!!"

The hood lifted, revealing Yakushi Kabuto's true face as he laughed maniacally. "Revenge to your heart's content, Sasuke!! I will make you taste an unprecedented 'defeat' through Danzo! When your resolve is trampled and you fall into confusion and hesitation, you will seek even greater power!! Naturally, just like three years ago when you joined Orochimaru-sama, you will come to my side!!"

"Then, as I have now become Orochimaru-sama, no, as I have surpassed Orochimaru-sama, I will personally create a being that surpasses the Uchiha legend! That's right, Sasuke, under my hands, you will eventually surpass that legend, surpass that Uchiha, Madara!!"

As the laughter gradually ceased, Yakushi Kabuto pressed his finger against the bridge of his nose, the lenses gleaming with white light. In silence, he revealed his true goal. 

"Then, I will prove my existence to the world..."

---

Each person's obsession and madness did not disturb the quiet village in the rain. 

Amegakure, the high tower.

After treatment, Konan's fever had subsided, and she fell into a stable sleep.

"Ha." Shizune adjusted her mood and walked out of the room.

Naruto smiled. "Thank you."

Shizune nodded lightly, her expression serious as she said, "Naruto, I need to talk to you..."

Naruto spoke first. "The reason I left the village is not something I can tell you." 

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shizune's expression darkened.

Naruto added, "I can only tell you that I won't do anything harmful to the village."

"Tsunade-sama has woken up. After learning about what's been happening in the village, she was almost at her wits' end! I don't understand why, just this time, you refused to discuss anything with us. You know, in the past, even if you were stubborn, Tsunade-sama would always stand by you!!"

Shizune spoke urgently, closely watching Naruto's reaction. Unfortunately, she didn't see the emotional response she was hoping for on his face.

In Naruto's eyes, there was only clarity and depth. He spoke steadily and calmly.

"That's not something that can be solved just by discussing it. Without absolute convincing evidence, even if I gain the trust of a few people, the road ahead will be filled with obstacles..." 

"Rather than having a group follow me and bear the pressure, it's better for me to act alone; it's more efficient." 

"This is the conclusion I reached after careful thought. Even if it's not the most correct approach, it's at least the most cost-effective one..." 

Naruto reached out and grabbed Shizune's shoulder. 

Whoosh! In a flash of light, he had already taken Shizune to the forest outside Konohagakure and handed Tonton to her. 

"..." Shizune looked confused, she really couldn't figure Naruto out. 

After a moment, she asked, "What happened to you? Can you tell me? I promise I won't tell anyone!" 

Naruto smiled slightly. "Shizune-san, go back..." 

"Sigh." Realizing that asking further would be pointless, Shizune sighed lightly, holding Tonton, and began walking towards the village in sight. 

Watching Shizune's back, Naruto said, "By the way, tell Grandma Tsunade something for me..." 

Click! Shizune stopped in her tracks. 

Naruto's eyes glinted with a cold light. "Tell her, no matter what happens, I won't let Danzo return to Konohagakure alive. She should be ready to take back the Hokage position!" 

"..." Shizune was speechless, and after a moment, she continued walking. 

After Shizune left, Naruto slowly turned his gaze to the side and extended his hand. 

—Bansho Tenin! 

"Ahhh...!!" White Zetsu, hiding in the shadows, screamed as Naruto pulled him into his hand. 

Naruto smiled lightly. "Hey, what a coincidence, you guys are everywhere, huh~!" 

White Zetsu growled in anger. "What are you doing flying around so late at night?!" 

Naruto replied, "You should be asking me that, but I have a faster way..." 

Crack!! 

Naruto squeezed the White Zetsu's head, his left eye spinning with the Rinnegan, glowing as it slowly closed. 

—Human Path! 

In just a few seconds... Naruto read all the plans of Akatsuki from White Zetsu's mind! 

"I see..." Naruto opened his eyes. "So this is Akatsuki's next move." 

Whoosh! He pulled his hand, and a ball of white light was pulled from White Zetsu's head. 

The consequence of having the Human Path read someone's mind was that they lost their soul! 

"Then I need to have a proper countermeasure..." 

Whoosh! Naruto's cloak fluttered as he disappeared into the early morning mist. 

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