ALL NOVEL Chapter 102: Situation
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At this moment, the sword strapped to the waist of the green-haired man, Aoi Rokushō, was none other than the famed Raijin no Ken (Sword of the Thunder God). Despite its intimidating name and reputation, the weapon was not particularly powerful. While it amplified the user's Lightning Release techniques as an exceptional chakra conductor, it fell far short of being considered a legendary artifact. Its true value lay more in its association with the Second Hokage than in its inherent capabilities.
Its fragility had been proven when it was shattered in the original series, a testament to both its limits and to Aoi's lack of skill. If the sword truly lived up to its legend, someone like Danzo would never have allowed it to slip from his grasp. Yet, for most, the name and reputation of the Raijin no Ken were enough to inspire fear.
For Aoi, however, it still offered a tangible boost to his strength, elevating him to a level that could threaten seasoned shinobi. This fact wasn't lost on Shisha, who cast a wary glance at him as they approached. His unease was evident in the way his eyes lingered on the weapon, betraying his caution despite his outward composure.
"Well, a misunderstanding, then? Good. Now, what about the preparations?" Aoi asked casually, though the undertone of his words carried a faint warning. "We Rain Ninja have taken considerable risks to accept your invitation, Shisha. You'd better ensure it was worth it. Otherwise…" He trailed off, his thinly veiled threat hanging in the air as a cruel smile curved his lips.
Shisha face tightened at his words, though her tone remained calm. "There's no need for concern, Aoi-san. Everything is under control. We only need to wait for the right moment."
"Oh? That smoothly, huh?" Aoi arched an eyebrow, mock intrigue coloring his expression. "Maybe you're more capable than I gave you credit for. Very well. But when this is over, I expect you to deliver on your promises."
"Of course," Shisha replied coolly, suppressing his irritation at his dismissive tone. "Once I'm in control of Takigakure, everything agreed upon will be yours."
Aoi nodded, satisfaction flickering across his face. "Good. Then I'll congratulate you in advance… Leader Shisha." His mocking tone emphasized the title, drawing an annoyed twitch from Shisha's lips.
Shisha allowed himself a small smile, though his words carried a sharp edge. "I'll take your congratulations when they're earned, Aoi-san."
With that, they turned their focus to reviewing the plan. After finalizing the timing, locations, and key objectives, Aoi and his Rain Ninja departed swiftly, leaving Shisha and his followers behind. The assault was not yet ready to begin—there were still preparations to be made, and the most critical piece of Shisha's strategy, luring the tiger from the mountain, was still in motion.
Although Takigakure lacked the status of one of the Five Great Nations, it boasted a sizable ninja force numbering in the thousands. Most were stationed at outposts or on missions outside the village, but at least a thousand remained within Takigakure's borders. A direct assault would be suicidal. Shisha's strategy relied on removing the forces loyal to Shibuki from the equation, leaving behind those who were either neutral or ambivalent toward his leadership.
For all of Shibuki's good intentions, he commanded little respect among his peers. Shisha had no illusions about that fact. If Shibuki had even half the prestige his father had enjoyed, his plans would have been impossible.
"I told you, Shibuki… you and the elders will regret underestimating me," Shisha muttered under his breath, his eyes cold as he watched Aoi and his entourage disappear into the distance.
A hesitant voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Lord-Shisha, are you sure this alliance with the Rain Ninja is wise?" The speaker was a Takigakure shinobi with a long, horse-like face, his unease evident in his tone. "I mean… they're outsiders. Aren't we taking a huge risk?"
His concern wasn't misplaced. While many of Shisha's followers shared his disdain for Shibuki's leadership, some were wary of aligning with Amegakure, known for its ruthlessness. To them, partnering with foreign powers bordered on treachery.
Shisha's gaze hardened as he regarded him. Despite their loyalty, some of his subordinates still clung to ideals he could no longer afford. Admitting doubt or second-guessing his decisions would only weaken his position.
"Listen carefully," he said, his tone sharp and commanding. "Everything I've done is for the future of Takigakure. Shibuki's incompetence has led this village to the brink of ruin. When this is over, the Rain Ninja will be nothing more than a tool discarded after its purpose is served."
His words were resolute, but deep down, Shisha knew he had crossed a line long ago. His alliance with Aoi was a gamble, and even he couldn't predict whether it would secure his victory—or lead to his destruction.
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The horse-faced man standing beside him blinked, startled by the bluntness of his leader's words. "I see, Lord Shisha!" he exclaimed, quickly nodding in approval. "Truly, your foresight is unmatched. Morals and trust have no place in a world of ninja. Even Sunagakure proved that when they betrayed Konoha during the Chūnin Exams."
Shisha's lips curled into a sly smile, though his eyes remained sharp. "Exactly. Only fools cling to alliances as though they're unbreakable. And you're right—Amegakure cannot be trusted. But there's no need to allocate more resources to keep them in check."
The subordinate hesitated, confusion flickering across his face. "But, my lord… should we not—?"
"There's no need," Shisha interrupted, his tone icy. "I have other plans in motion. Focus on the tasks I've already assigned you."
Though the man bowed obediently, his curiosity lingered. Shisha, however, paid him no mind. His gaze shifted to the southern horizon, where the final pieces of his grand strategy were falling into place.
'It's almost time,' he thought. His moment of triumph was near.
But one key player had yet to arrive: Menma.
Shisha didn't know Menma's true identity, believing him to be an envoy of the Fire Daimyō sent to destabilize Takigakure's internal power dynamics. Menma's actions had ignited the chaos Shisha needed, but Menma's goals remained enigmatic. For Shisha, Menma was a double-edged sword—both a boon and a threat.
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Three days later, Menma and his group approached the outskirts of Takigakure.
"Everyone knows the plan, right?" Menma said, his voice calm but authoritative as he addressed his companions. His sharp gaze swept over Tayuya, Suigetsu, and Karin. "We move only when the time is right. Our role here is to support Shisha's uprising—not to take center stage."
Tayuya crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Yeah, yeah, we get it. Don't mess up the grand scheme or whatever."
Suigetsu chuckled, hefting his massive sword onto his shoulder. "As long as I get to stretch my legs and maybe spill some blood, I'm good."
Menma's eyes narrowed, silencing the two with a single glance. "This isn't a game. Karin, you and Tayuya will remain on lookout. If anything changes, you signal us immediately."
Karin adjusted her glasses and nodded, her confidence evident. "Got it. I'll keep track of everything within a thirty-kilometer radius. No one's sneaking up on us."
Her sensory abilities had improved significantly, allowing her to detect chakra with precision. Menma trusted her vigilance, which gave him the freedom to act without fear of surprise.
"Good," Menma said, his tone softening slightly. "Let's move, Suigetsu."
Without another word, Menma and Suigetsu leaped into the trees, heading northeast toward Takigakure. Menma's mind raced with calculations, ensuring his plans hadn't been derailed by the delay in their arrival. Upon entering Takigakure's territory, he met with Orochimaru's informants to confirm the situation. To his relief, everything was proceeding as expected.
Menma cloaked himself in a transformation jutsu, taking on the appearance of the unassuming young man he had used in his initial dealings with Takigakure. His new guise was far from the image of the cunning manipulator he truly was.
As they traveled, Suigetsu cast a sidelong glance at Menma, his instincts prickling. Though he rarely questioned orders, something about Menma unnerved him. Menma's movements were too precise, his aura too controlled. Suigetsu had seen Orochimaru's schemes up close, but Menma felt like an entirely different kind of danger.
'This guy… he's not normal,' Suigetsu thought, gripping his sword tighter. 'He's hiding something.'
But Suigetsu knew better than to voice his suspicions. For now, he would follow Menma's lead and wait for the moment when the facade would crack.
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