ALL NOVEL Chapter 128: Hypocrisy
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The decision to let the shinobi take action against the rebellious townspeople came as a shock to Namikaze Minato. When he received the report, it was evident that the violent suppression had only inflamed the people's anger further.
"The nobility is truly going too far!"
Kakashi, standing beside Minato as the ANBU delivered their report, could barely contain his frustration. As Minato's trusted disciple, Kakashi often assisted in delicate missions, and it was clear to anyone paying attention that Minato was grooming him for leadership.
"Excessive?" Minato repeated, observing Kakashi's clenched fists.
"The nobles are indeed excessive, but some rules cannot be broken. The prosperity of the Land of Fire depends not only on its shinobi but also on the stability provided by its nobility."
Despite his distaste for the situation, Minato knew his role as Hokage meant he was obligated to follow the Daimyō's directives. However, he couldn't condone turning Konoha's shinobi into tools for slaughtering innocent civilians.
Finally, Minato addressed the ANBU members. "Go out and investigate. Identify those causing deliberate harm or destruction—hold them accountable. As for those who have been misled, warn them in advance and give them time to escape."
Minato would not allow Konoha's shinobi to become accomplices in mass slaughter.
Watching his sensei wrestle with the situation, Kakashi felt a growing disdain for the nobility. For the first time, he viewed them as parasites feeding off the land's people.
"Sensei, let me handle this," Kakashi offered, determined to ensure the ANBU didn't escalate the situation unnecessarily. The townspeople's actions—spurred by distributed notes—suggested that someone was orchestrating the rebellion from behind the scenes.
The true threat wasn't the people it lay elsewhere.
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Meanwhile, Muzan had not left the region. He and Zabuza were stationed nearby, awaiting Konoha Shinobi's arrival. The Daimyō, despite his oppressive rule, would never tolerate anyone challenging his authority outright.
"These people are worse than insects. Why should I let them live?"
Kaede, Muzan's companion, sneered as she surveyed the city. Once a hopeful figure, Kaede now embodied the traits of a man-eating demon, her humanity consumed by Muzan's influence. Had Muzan not ordered her restraint, the streets would already run red with blood.
Muzan's voice was calm but carried an unmistakable menace. "Because despair must first crush their hopes. Let them believe the brave have fled, taking justice with them, leaving only the misled and the desperate to face the truth. These people think the Daimyō will act against the injustices they've suffered. Their hopes will only bring ruin."
He understood the aristocratic system's longevity and sought to use that despair to fan rebellion across the Land of Fire, forcing even the Land of Waves into action. However, Muzan knew he had to tread carefully when facing Konoha.
He had been preparing for this confrontation, gathering allies to further his goals. The Akatsuki and Danzo were powerful players, but Muzan's goals diverged from theirs. Danzo's ambition for Hokage left him manipulable, while the Akatsuki's plans aligned more with Muzan's larger objectives. Only Black Zetsu's involvement gave Muzan pause.
As they waited, Kaede's bloodlust simmered beneath the surface. Muzan silenced her with a glance, his authority absolute.
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Kakashi and his ANBU squad pushed forward. Along the way, disturbing reports came in.
"Kakashi-sama, we found numerous bones along the road," an ANBU operative reported. "The medical ninja confirmed the deaths occurred within the past two days. But there's something strange—the bones are stripped clean. No flesh remains."
The implications were unsettling. Even wild animals left some traces of their meals.
"Stay on guard," Kakashi ordered. "This mission isn't just about suppressing a rebellion."
Kakashi suspected the involvement of a formidable enemy but couldn't yet identify who or what. "We need to find the mastermind and stop them before more lives are lost."
As the team reached the village outskirts, they found an eerie silence. The once-thriving mansion now stood desolate, its halls empty save for bloodstains and piles of bones illuminated by the pale moonlight.
"It's worse than I imagined," Kakashi muttered. He ordered the ANBU to secure the area and gather any intelligence they could.
A group of townspeople approached cautiously, their leader—a burly man—stepping forward with a mix of fear and determination.
"Are you here to investigate the abductions and trafficking? Or are you here to kill us? We demand justice!"
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Kakashi faced the group of dark-skinned villagers gathered at the gates, their faces marked by years of hardship and oppression. Despite their desperation, he couldn't bring himself to tell them the unvarnished truth. He chose his words carefully.
"We're here to investigate. You should leave town as soon as possible," Kakashi said evenly. "There are… uninvited guests."
The villagers murmured among themselves, their hope mingled with frustration. The oppression of the Inada clan had stolen their loved ones, likely sold to faraway lands. Now, they were being told to abandon their home without justice?
"Why should we leave?"
"This is our home! We've suffered enough—how could we run now?"
"We need to find our family, wherever the Inada clan sold them!"
Their impassioned pleas filled the air, but Kakashi remained silent. Even the ANBU, usually detached and resolute, faltered in the face of such raw emotion.
Kakashi knew these people weren't his enemies, but his orders were clear: any sign of rebellion would result in their deaths.
He opened his mouth, but before he could respond, a chill ran through him. The air turned heavy, laden with an ominous presence. The ANBU tensed, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.
"Since Konoha won't tell you the truth," a deep voice echoed, "allow me."
From the shadows stepped Muzan, his face calm yet commanding. This time, he wasn't clad in his usual black robes, but Kakashi recognized him instantly.
"Muzan!"
The name alone sent shockwaves through the group. A man whose power rivaled the legendary Sannin, Muzan was a force to be reckoned with.
"I didn't expect you to be behind this!" Kakashi growled, instinctively reaching for his kunai. "Do you understand the consequences of your actions?"
Muzan's expression was unreadable as he locked eyes with Kakashi. His voice carried a chilling weight.
"Consequences?" he mused. "You mean for opposing the nobles who treat these people like cattle? Beating them, selling their loved ones? I'm not the villain here, Kakashi."
Muzan gestured to the villagers. "Look around. These people aren't your enemies. They are victims. And Konoha—your precious mission—isn't here to save them. It's here to silence them."
"Muzan!" Kakashi snapped, but his voice wavered. He couldn't deny the truth in Muzan's words.
The villagers turned to Kakashi, their eyes wide with realization.
"No wonder…" one muttered. "No wonder they told us to leave."
"They're here to kill us," another whispered, panic seeping into their voice.
The ANBU beside Kakashi stepped closer. "Kakashi-sama," he murmured urgently, "we need to retreat. If this escalates, we'll be overwhelmed."
Muzan stepped forward, his presence suffocating. "If anyone takes a step forward, I will protect you," he declared. His words, like a rallying cry, began to stir the villagers.
Kakashi's heart sank. The mission was spiraling out of control. Muzan had turned the oppressed into his allies.
But the danger was far from over. A strange rustling filled the air. The ground seemed to writhe as swarms of black insects emerged, flowing like rivers.
"Insects…" an ANBU agent muttered, their voice tight with fear.
The swarm surrounded them, forming an impenetrable barrier. Muzan's calm voice echoed above the chaos.
"These are not your enemies, Kakashi," Muzan said. "But you might not survive to understand that."
Lightning crackled in Kakashi's hand, the sound of chirping birds breaking through the tension.
"Lightning Style: Chidori!"
Blue sparks illuminated the night as Kakashi charged forward, his A-rank jutsu cutting through the darkness. The swarm of insects recoiled, but only momentarily.
Muzan watched, unmoved. He had achieved his goal: to expose the Fire Country's hypocrisy and to rally the oppressed under his protection.
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