Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan

Chapter 86

“We, the Akatsuki, are essentially a mercenary group…”

The man's face was expressionless, his voice low, carrying a solemnity and authority that contrasted with his vibrant orange hair.

He wore a scratched-out Amegakure forehead protector, with several black rods pierced through his nose and ears, presenting a striking image.

He was Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki.

Hearing this, Konan nodded lightly as expected. “Recently, Konoha’s ninjas have indeed been trying to contact us. Their offers are very generous, which explains why those mercenary ninjas dare to take on Iwagakure on Konoha's behalf. Konoha is willing to spend a lot.”

“Very well. I think we can adjust our plans accordingly. While Konoha and Iwagakure are at war, we can accumulate funds and proceed with our tailed beast capture plan simultaneously,” Pain said calmly.

The Akatsuki's current plans were still focused on raising operational funds, taking on commissions, and preparing for future actions.

However, the outbreak of the Fourth Great Ninja War brought new opportunities. The tailed beast capture plan, which was originally set for years later, could potentially start now.

The Five Great Nations, in a state of war, would find it difficult to resist targeted-tailed beast capture actions. Even though the Akatsuki might lack sufficient operational funds, the situation was too advantageous for Pain to miss.

“Waiting until the post-war peace period to conduct the tailed beast capture would be too late. Consider this a rehearsal,” Pain shook his head. “Besides, during wartime, the disappearance of a few jinchūriki would be hard to trace back to us.”

“Recently, Iwagakure deployed a jinchūriki named Roshi. Since they’re serving as mercenaries for Konoha, let’s start with him.” Pain made his decision.

Konan did not argue further. Hearing Pain mention “Roshi,” she pulled out a piece of paper from behind her and said:

“This person is very dangerous. He was just stationed on the battlefield in the Land of Rain and has already made many Konoha ninjas too afraid to show themselves. Konoha has placed a high bounty on him.”

Pain took the paper and looked at it. It was Konoha’s merit list, detailing how many merit points could be earned for various achievements.

For example, capturing an enemy position earned 2 merit points.

Capturing an Iwagakure ninja earned 5 merit points.

Killing an Iwagakure ninja earned 3 merit points.

The list also placed bounties on all mid-to-high-level Iwagakure ninjas, specifying the additional merit points earned for killing or capturing these individuals. The detailed and complex list was dizzying to read.

“The Konoha higher-ups really put some effort into this…” Konan commented on her initial impression of the list.

Undoubtedly, this was an incentive strategy to fully ignite Konoha ninjas’ combat desire. In practical terms, Jiraiya’s three thousand men had managed to hold off over five thousand Iwagakure ninjas, partly thanks to this incentive mechanism.

“Konoha’s bounty on Roshi is second only to that on Tsuchikage Onoki. It seems the Fire Daimyo is providing Konoha with significant financial support. Not just Roshi, but the prices on a series of high-ranking Iwagakure ninjas have also seen substantial increases in the black market.” Konan spoke as if commenting on stock prices.

No wonder those questionable mercenaries accepted Konoha’s offer. Konoha only needed a headcount, not the bodies. So besides the basic commission, they could kill an Iwagakure ninja, claim a merit point reward from Konoha, and finally sell the corpse on the black market or bounty station.

One job, three payouts. Who wouldn't go crazy?

“Very well, then that’s the plan. I will handle Roshi.”

“With the tailed beast capture plan brought forward, we can continue recruiting personnel.”

“Any news on Hyuga Neiki, the one who caused this war? I think he’s a valuable talent who might be worth bringing into our organization,” Pain pondered.

“Regarding Neiki… Madara and the newly recruited Uchiha Itachi might have different ideas,” Konan mentioned tactfully.

“Did Neiki offend them?” Pain was surprised.

“Madara was manipulated by Neiki, and Itachi almost died at Neiki’s hands…” Konan explained.

“Itachi is very strong.” Pain frowned.

“Yes, but Neiki is even stronger,” Konan advised, “He is too dangerous. Compared to him, Orochimaru is nothing. Moreover, he has deep conflicts with other members of our organization, especially Madara…”

“Isn’t that exactly what we need?” Pain asked Konan.

Pain was very wary of Madara. If Neiki joined the Akatsuki, he would naturally be on Pain’s side.

“Keep tracking him. I will personally persuade Madara if necessary. If it doesn’t work out, so be it.”

“Go and inform Konoha that we, the Akatsuki, are willing to accept the commission.”

Konan thought about it and agreed. With the Rinnegan here, no matter how dangerous Neiki and Madara were, they would have to bow their heads for now. At worst, they might defect like Orochimaru.

She left with the orders.

In the tower, only Pain remained. He stood up, quietly watching over Amegakure.

The sudden upheaval from Konoha surprised everyone in the Akatsuki. Although the subsequent war between Konoha and Iwagakure engulfed the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki, with its well-developed wings, not only avoided being caught up in the war but also reaped substantial benefits from the storm.

—Since Hanzo’s death, the Akatsuki, led by Pain, had become the strongest force in Amegakure. But that didn’t mean there were no opponents within Amegakure. In fact, Hanzo had cultivated numerous subordinates over decades, who might not be able to confront Pain directly but were not willing to give up.

These were not problems Pain could eliminate solely with force and a self-proclaimed divine stance.

Even in the original story, years after the Akatsuki had fully controlled Amegakure, remnants of Hanzo’s forces continued to try to destroy the Akatsuki and assassinate Pain.

The sudden outbreak of the Fourth Great Ninja War, however, changed everything.

In this turmoil, the helpless citizens of the Land of Rain were as easy to uproot as weeds against fully armed enemy ninjas.

They were hungry, terrified, and wept in the ruins.

Rain mixed with tears, and war plunged this sorrowful land into endless despair again.

In such dark times, the Akatsuki emerged, declaring Amegakure a no-fight zone for Iwagakure and Konoha.

Pain, as the Akatsuki’s leader, descended like a savior, providing food, peace, and hope, turning Amegakure entirely into his possession.

This war altered Amegakure’s landscape, allowing him to extend his influence like the ceaseless raindrops, reaching every corner of Amegakure. In Pain’s eyes, even the unreachable human hearts were now filled with devout faith and prayer towards him.

Those who harbored malice towards him could no longer hide in such a sea of devotion.

Similarly, this war also changed Pain’s own perspective.

He clutched his long-stopped heart.

Another reason he didn’t tell Konan about advancing the tailed beast capture plan was that he believed this country had already endured enough pain.

This wasn’t peacetime. Waiting further would only mean more innocent people dying unknowingly.

Using this war as a starting point to end the endless conflicts that had persisted for millennia was the immediate task.

Pain looked at the devout people below, murmuring like a god of sorrow:

“Mindless slaughter…”

“Endless hatred…”

“Incurable suffering…”

“This is… war…”

…

In Amegakure, many people looked up, bewildered.

Unnoticed, the rain that had never ceased in the Land of Rain suddenly stopped.

…

The rain stopped.

Sunlight broke through.

The weather on this island in the Land of Waves was always so unpredictable.

Hashirama looked at the numerous corpses below and the remaining Kirigakure ninjas trying to break through, shaking his head lightly.

“Mindless slaughter…”

“Endless hatred…”

“Incurable suffering…”

“This is… war…”

Before he could finish speaking.

A sudden figure appeared behind Hashirama, raising a kunai.

The attacker was covered in wounds, face contorted, eyes bloodshot, gripping the kunai with both hands as he brought it down, growling through his throat:

“Die!”

“You monster!!!”

Squelch!

Before Hashirama could react, a white tendril grew from the towering "screen" of plants beneath Hashirama, piercing the attacker’s abdomen and lifting him into the air.

Blood splattered from above.

The attacker coughed up blood, his pupils dilating, but his gaze remained on Hashirama below. He tried to throw the kunai at Hashirama.

Squelch!

Another white tendril sprouted, piercing his throat.

As if not satisfied, several more tendrils burst forth, turning the attacker's body into a bloody mess.

When the tendrils withdrew, the corpse fell at Hashirama’s feet.

Hashirama glanced at it, his masked eyes showing some pity:

“Sorry.”

He apologized.

Then Hashirama turned to the remaining Kirigakure ninjas.

A tall and dense cage formed by countless white tendrils had enveloped them, continually shrinking the space inside. Within the cage, numerous white plant creatures clawed and attacked the trapped ninjas. Some Kirigakure ninjas had already fallen, and the tendrils pierced their bodies, draining their blood and flesh like sucking water from a sponge.

Those still fighting inside the cage found that their wounded comrades had been reduced to mere dried corpses, while the white creatures became even stronger from the absorbed nutrients.

“Water Release: Water Blade Technique!”

Someone attempted to cut through the tendril cage, but the moment a gap was made, new white tendrils quickly grew to seal it, making escape impossible.

The fighters inside were exhausted from defending, while those outside struggled to offer assistance. Tendrils continually emerged from the ground, creating new cages and forcing the outsiders to constantly maneuver to avoid being trapped.

“Lava Release: Lava Monster Technique!”

Mei Terumi spewed molten lava from her mouth, incinerating numerous tendrils into ash. However, some tendrils, upon contact with the lava, seemed to absorb its energy and lashed out at the Kirigakure ninjas inside the cage. Screams and curses filled the air, but they managed to break through.

“Hurry, retreat! I’ll cover you!” Mei Terumi shouted, using her remaining chakra to fend off the pursuing tendrils.

Hashirama watched them calmly. The Kirigakure forces had suffered severe losses. Of the over two hundred Kirigakure ninjas that had been brought from their village, only a dozen were still capable of fighting after battles with Konoha, Neiki, and himself.

For Hashirama, this number was sufficient. His goal was already half achieved. He didn't need to annihilate all the Kirigakure ninjas; he only needed the survivors to spread fear of him, the Byakugan God Tree, and the Land of Waves.

As for the other half of his goal…

He looked at Mei Terumi, his eyes narrowing.

As Zabuza had mentioned, Mei Terumi was a valuable ally. She held significant influence in Kirigakure and had deep connections, far surpassing Zabuza. She would be crucial in Hashirama's plan to plant the “Tree of Peace” in the Land of Water. He needed to capture her!

“I didn’t say you could leave!” Hashirama said coldly.

“We surrender!” Mei Terumi panted heavily, choosing to concede without hesitation. But her actions didn’t stop; she continued urging the remaining Kirigakure ninjas to escape while blocking the tendrils' pursuit.

Mei Terumi clearly understood how formidable Hashirama was. Like an indestructible fortress, relying on abundant chakra, he was almost impossible to harm. She couldn’t injure him, but she couldn’t accept her subordinates being slaughtered either. This was the fundamental reason for Kirigakure's defeat.

“Is this how you surrender?” Hashirama shook his head.

With a thought, a white tendril extended to his feet. He stepped onto it and moved towards Mei Terumi. The surviving Kirigakure ninjas shouted curses and threw kunai and shuriken at him, but the tendrils intercepted all the attacks.

—When dealing with mid to lower-tier ninjas, the Byakugan God Tree exhibited overwhelming suppression. The numerous eyes on the tendrils seemed to possess some form of intelligence, targeting enemies' weak points and saving Hashirama a lot of effort.

With the Byakugan God Tree, he faced not dozens of Kirigakure ninjas but only the seven or eight Jonin that the God Tree couldn't completely handle.

In front of the Byakugan God Tree, numbers were irrelevant. No matter how many enemies there were, they couldn't outnumber the eyes on the God Tree.