A Transmigrator’s Story in the Hyuga’s Main Branch

164. Rain of Deceit: The Ambush Against Akatsuki (3)

Ashina Uzumaki and Mito Uzumaki were swept into a storm of confusion and bewilderment on the battlefield below.

They were confronted with the sight of a skinny, red-haired teenager—clearly a Uzumaki by his chakra signature—who possessed the mythical Rinnegan and controlled a massive chakra dragon.

The sight of the fearsome creature connected to him by chakra rods, unlike any typical shinobi summoning, left them stunned.

The intensity of the moment made them momentarily forget that they had been resurrected.

The extraordinary scene before them entirely captured their attention, and they even failed to register one another for a few seconds. 

Meanwhile, Danzo, seizing the urgency of the moment, declared to the resurrected Uzumaki, "I have no time to explain it to you two now, so I will assume perfect control!",

Without hesitation, he activated the perfect control mode of his Edo Tensei, simultaneously directing Adamantine Sealing Chains from both Ashina and Mito to ensnare Nagato.

Charging forward with fearless determination, Danzo coordinated his attack with the two legendary Uzumaki.

Nagato, meanwhile, increasingly cornered and desperate, found his situation deteriorating rapidly.

Despite his efforts, each time he absorbed a soul of one of the three, it was revived for some reason, nullifying his entire current strongest ability.

His enemies relentlessly reanimated, and he had to rely on his second mastered Rinegan's gravitational ability to keep them at bay from him and Konan.

At the same time, the giant chains began to encroach upon the Ten-Tails husk, gradually seizing control of the immense statue.

The once mighty summon shrank under their influence, its power waning as Danzo advanced.

Amidst this chaos, Nagato's desperation peaked. He was overwhelmed by a sense of futility and despair. He cursed the world and questioned the very nature of goodness.

"Why did everything have to turn out like this? Is there truly any good in this world? Why did we accept that foolish offer to meet, only to fall into this trap?", His thoughts spiraled into despair, echoing the profound betrayal and manipulation he had endured throughout the day.

Danzo pressed his advantage with strategic fervor, tightening the noose around Nagato with calculated precision and innate elation.

"As I said, boy, your Rinnegan is mine today! My techniques seem to be the perfect counter to your strongest soul-sucking ability, almost as if it were destiny. Meanwhile, your second gravitational ability will soon falter.",

"You are depleting your chakra at an alarming rate, and it shows. You're deteriorating at the moment. Meanwhile, I have an endless supply of chakra through my Edo Tensei summons. Give up, young Uzumaki! Surrender your eyes to me!",

Danzo's voice boomed over the battlefield as he simultaneously unleashed his signature wind jutsu, effectively corralling Nagato into a corner while Ashina and Mito secured control over the immense statue.

However, just as Danzo reveled in his apparent upper hand, a series of unexpected attacks swiftly brought him back to the harsh reality of battle.

Unbeknownst to him, due to his intense focus on Nagato, a flurry of partial Wood Release attacks sprung from the ground beneath him.

Tree roots surged upward while a massive black mass obscured his vision, and a swarm of white spores clouded the air around him.

These simultaneous attacks disoriented him, but it was the unfamiliar chakra signature near his Rinnegan target that alarmed him the most.

"Damn, who is that!? No, I can't allow myself to be separated from the Rinnegan for even a millisecond!", Danzo thought frantically.

Reacting swiftly, he utilized his own partial Wood Release to clear the invasive white spores. He then summoned his signature creature, Baku, to dispel the obstructive black mass.

To quickly close the distance and regain visual control, Danzo unleashed his Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere, propelling himself toward Nagato and the mysterious figure.

As he approached, Danzo found himself confronted not only by a visibly exhausted Nagato and a terrified Konan but also by two fully masked adult figures. One of them was whispering something to Nagato.

Upon hearing the whisper, Nagato's expression shifted dramatically; his eyes widened in realization or shock. After a brief, intense exchange of looks with Konan, Nagato deactivated the entire Gedo Statue, a move that Danzo had not anticipated.

"No, stop right there. Who are you?", Danzo demanded, his voice tinged with urgency and fear. The presence of these mysterious figures, coupled with their unsettling familiarity in chakra signature, sent a shiver down his spine.

It felt as if the control he thought he had over the situation was rapidly unraveling, and the Rinnegan, the prize he so desperately sought, was slipping through his fingers.

The air was thick with tension, and Danzo braced himself for whatever came next, aware that the battlefield's dynamics had shifted dramatically.

He then wasted no time in fortifying his position, swiftly commanding Ashina and Mito to construct their most formidable barrier using their now freed-up Adamantine Sealing Chains.

As the chains swiftly and effortlessly intertwined around them, forming a robust barrier around the perimeter, Danzo felt a temporary relief wash over him.

He then directed the legendary Uzumaki to perform the Twin Dragon Seal—a complex cooperative fuinjutsu where two Uzumaki work in concert to create a powerful sealing technique manifested as two intertwining dragons made of chakra.

This visually striking seal served as a defensive measure and a means of controlling the battlefield.

Next, Ashina was instructed to deploy his unique fuinjutsu technique, Gravity Well. This created a high-gravity zone within the confines of their barrier, severely restricting the movement of their opponents.

This tactic was designed to hinder any airborne attacks and make even the simplest actions, like lifting weapons, exceedingly difficult for their adversaries.

Although the sum of these techniques might not look overwhelming, they were, in combination, in the world, probably the strongest at keeping someone from leaving in Danzo's estimate.

They can also be continuously regenerated with his summons' endless chakra. It was impossible to escape from him now, Danzo thought.

'Edo Tensei versions of Ashina and Mito Uzumaki were probably around Peak Kage level and Late Kage level, respectively, so whoever this is, I shouldn't panic too much. After all, they did use some cheap diversions just now to position themselves instead of pure strength...', He analyzed. 

With his defenses set and the situation momentarily under control, Danzo turned his attention back to the mysterious figures, "I don't know your identity, but you are going to pay for trying to ruin my plans now!",

He declared, his voice seething with anger, as he was ready to summon another one of his summons, his final one, which is a bit weaker than the two overall but was great at offense, and that was what Danzo needed now. Those three were the maximum he could control with his current chakra. 

Just moments ago, he had been on the verge of seizing the Rinnegan and securing what he believed was his ticket to world domination.

The sudden appearance of these capable and enigmatic individuals, who seemed to possess abilities comparable to those granted by Hashirama Senju's cells, deeply frustrated him.

Danzo's mind raced as he considered the implications. It was baffling to him how any outsiders, particularly those not from Konoha, could have acquired Hashirama's cells, let alone mastered the sophisticated bioengineering techniques required to integrate them successfully—a level of scientific prowess he had thought only Orochimaru possessed.

However, aust as Danzo was about to fully reveal his third and final Edo Tensei, a deep, resonant voice interrupted him from across the battlefield.

The voice, carrying a mix of curiosity and mockery, commented on Danzo's heavily modified right arm first, "Although quite grotesque, your right arm full of stolen Sharingan eyes is certainly interesting. I wonder, does the Uchiha clan from Konoha know about this little collection of yours..?", The voice teased, adding a chuckle.

The enigmatic speaker continued, delving deeper into Danzo's secrets, "And Izanagi... For a non-Uchiha to know about it and perform it adeptly, how did you come by such knowledge? Don't tell me the Uchiha clan's information security has become so lax these days, haha...",

"Or perhaps you resorted to your Edo Tensei again, summoning the soul of a deceased Uchiha, tormenting it to extract this information? Using Izanagi for yourself and employing Edo Tensei's properties as a 'loop' to counter Rinnegan's soul-sucking ability earlier for your summons? Impressive... very impressive, Danzo Shimura."

The voice concluded with a poignant observation, "Pity you failed today because you are still a man and unaware of what true power is in this world. A frog at the bottom of a well can never become a swan.",

Though he never directly introduced himself, Obito's voice carried an undertone of impersonating Madara Uchiha. His words were carefully chosen to provoke Danzo and underscore his own superior understanding.

"Goodbye then, Danzo Shimura. To be completely honest, you are not worth any of my time...", Obito concluded, his voice dripping with disdain.

In the next instant, he activated his Kamui. With a deft movement, he enveloped himself, the dual Zetsu, Konan, and Nagato in its warping embrace.

As they began to fade from the battlefield, Obito gave Danzo a mocking wave, further underscoring his contempt and the futility of Danzo's efforts.

Danzo's shock quickly turned into seething rage as the group vanished into thin air. He stood transfixed for a moment, unable to comprehend the sheer audacity and ease with which Obito had escaped.

"How, how, how, how is there a jutsu in this world that allows for that kind of teleportation?!", He yelled, his voice echoing across the now mostly empty battlefield. It was as if they had disappeared from the face of the earth, eluding even his extensive sensing range, which spanned kilometers when fully concentrated.

Danzo's frustration boiled over as he processed the implications of what had just happened. The mocking wave, the dismissive words, and most of all, the loss of the Rinnegan—an artifact he viewed as his rightful claim to ultimate power—were unbearable.

"No! This cannot be the end! The Rinnegan... it was within my grasp!", He roared, clenching his fists in impotent fury.

The realization that he had been outmaneuvered, that his ambitions had been thwarted by a jutsu he could neither anticipate nor counter was a bitter pill to swallow.

Danzo paced back and forth, muttering curses and threats. The image of Obito's mocking farewell replayed in his mind, fueling his anger and his resolve to reclaim what he believed was stolen from him. His voice cracked with the intensity of his emotions, a stark testament to the depth of his obsession and his unwillingness to accept this significant defeat.

At that moment, Danzo's burning gaze fell upon Hanzo, who still stood at a distance, seemingly frozen by the recent events. His fury found a new target, and he unleashed it fully upon the leader of Amegakure.

"What are you looking at, coward? If you had initially helped before those two appeared, then maybe we wouldn't have lost the Rinnegan. What is even the use of your name and reputation when you turn into such a coward in old age? What is your use?!", Danzo bellowed across the field, his voice filled with scorn and rage.

The two Uzumaki, controlled by Danzo's Edo Tensei, flanked him menacingly, their presence emphasizing the threat in his words. Danzo's accusation hung heavily in the air, charging the atmosphere with tension.

Hanzo was immediately taken aback by Danzo's sudden and fierce outburst. His initial instinct was to draw his renowned weapon, kusarigama, and defend his honor against such blatant insults.

However, the reality of the situation quickly set in. Reflecting on the formidable power Danzo had just demonstrated—not only by wielding the legendary Uzumaki Patriarch, Ashina, known to be the strongest one in history and a contemporary of Hashirama and Madara but also Mito Uzumaki, an equally illustrious historical figure—Hanzo hesitated.

He stood there, his hand hovering near his weapon, considering the potential consequences of escalating the confrontation.

The presence of these legendary figures, now under Danzo's control, was a stark reminder of the power he was up against.

With a heavy heart, Hanzo swallowed his pride. Perhaps, he thought, he truly was getting old, for in that moment, he realized he valued his life and the stability of his village over the traditional concepts of glory and honor that had once defined his younger years.

Silently, Hanzo lowered his hand away from his weapon, choosing not to respond to Danzo's provocations.

This decision marked a significant moment for Hanzo, as he acknowledged both his own mortality, the shifting priorities that came with his advanced age, and the responsibilities he bore as the leader of Amegakure.

His expression hardened with this acceptance, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of resignation and newfound resolve.

Hanzo, though inwardly seething from the confrontation and Danzo's demeaning tone, managed to compose himself soon.

He responded with a measured, albeit submissive tone, "I will issue an order now to search for them all over the Land of Storms, Mr. Danzo. I will do my best!"

Danzo, with a wave of his hand, dismissed Hanzo's pledge nonchalantly, his voice cold and commanding,

"You better be! From now on, your village will contact me exclusively when you contact Konoha's side. You need to redeem yourself after today's failure..." Danzo dictated, emphasizing his control over the situation.

Hanzo, standing before Danzo, silently clenched his fists at his sides. The humiliation of being so overtly subordinated stung deeply, yet the harsh reality of their world—where power dictated terms and survival—forced him to capitulate. With a heavy heart, he acquiesced,

"Yes, Mr. Danzo, I understand.", His voice barely hid the mixture of resignation and simmering anger as he committed to the directive, recognizing the strategic necessity of aligning more closely with Danzo to safeguard his village's interests and his own position.

Meanwhile, Danzo didn't even have the energy left to reply to Hanzo anymore and just stood there motionless for a while.

As the battlefield quieted and the dust settled, Danzo stood amidst the remnants of his thwarted ambition.

His mind raced, trying to piece together the events that had unfolded so disastrously for him. 'How could this have happened? ' he wondered, his thoughts swirling with incredulity.

He pondered the appearance of the Rinnegan in the red-haired boy—an occurrence he had believed to be nothing more than legend.

'Why did it manifest in him? What does this mean for the world?', The questions gnawed at him, unsettling his usually composed demeanor.

His thoughts then turned to the mysterious masked man with the uncanny teleportation ability, rivaling even Minato's Flying Raijin.

'Who is he? How did he possess such a jutsu?', Danzo's mind churned with strategic calculations, already plotting how to track down these elusive figures in the future.

But it wasn't just the teleportation that troubled him, 'That masked man, did he also possess Mangekyo Sharingan, or I sensed it wrongly? How deep do these connections run then?',

The prospect of an unknown entity wielding both Sharingan and Rinnegan unnerved him deeply now.

Danzo's thoughts darkened further as he considered the implications, 'If the Anti-Hokage faction gains control of that Rinnegan on top of everything else... It could shift the balance of power irreversibly... Even our entire following plans might fail embarrassingly...,'

His vision for Konoha's future, carefully crafted through years of meticulous planning, now seemed under threat.

However, the puzzle of that awakened Sharingan also being from outside the Uchiha clan instead added another layer of complexity.

'How could such potent eyes manifest beyond their clan?' Danzo's heart was heavy with uncertainty, and his mood was soured by the myriad questions racing through his mind.

With a heavy sigh, Danzo turned away from the battlefield. His immediate priority was returning to Konoha to reassess his strategies and prepare for the inevitable repercussions of today's events.

As he departed, a deep sense of foreboding lingered. The encounter had shaken his confidence in the predictable order he had worked so hard to maintain.

Now, more than ever, the shadows of uncertainty loomed large over his path forward.