Chapter 242:
Inside the Hidden Leaf Village.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Deputy Director, Husky, who is also a secret Hydra operative embedded within S.H.I.E.L.D."
Tsunade spoke as she looked at Husky and Red Wolf. She didn't bother avoiding Red Wolf during this conversation, because she had already known Red Wolf's identity for some time.
"I didn't expect you to know about that," said Shunhi, glancing at Jiraiya with his dog head as he spoke.
"It wasn't me who told her," Jiraiya replied immediately.
Of course, Shunhi knew how Tsunade had found out—after all, his double-agent status had been intentionally leaked to Naruto by the Jar Merchant.
"The Jar Merchant should've only told Naruto," Shunhi muttered.
"I'm still the Fifth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf," Tsunade said sternly. "It's only natural that I have access to such information. Now, as Hydra's mole and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Deputy Director, what do you plan to do about the current situation?"
Shunhi shook his head and replied, "Unfortunately, in order to maintain my cover within S.H.I.E.L.D., I can't provide direct assistance. The only thing I can do is ensure the safety of the Leaf villagers who've been replaced."
"To save the Hidden Leaf," Jiraiya added, "we still have to rely on Naruto and Sasuke."
…
At the gate of the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Deputy Director, you're leaving already?" Clone Gray Wolf asked obsequiously.
"Yes. I just came to take a look," Husky nodded. "Don't let the organization down."
"Of course not, Deputy Director!" Clone Gray Wolf quickly stood at attention.
"Gray Wolf, what's our next move?" Jiraiya asked Clone Gray Wolf.
"The Deputy Director is starting to value me, honey. As long as we keep pushing forward, I, Gray Wolf the Great, will definitely earn a spot in S.H.I.E.L.D. Then we won't have to rely on others anymore!" Clone Gray Wolf said, looking emotionally at Jiraiya.
"But… Naruto and Sasuke are still out there…"
As he spoke, Jiraiya fixed his gaze on Clone Gray Wolf. What he truly wanted to know was what plans Clone Gray Wolf had for Naruto and Sasuke. Only by understanding that could they prepare accordingly—or even turn the tables.
"Don't worry, honey. Of course Naruto and Sasuke won't let us take over the Leaf so easily. I anticipated that. But no matter what they do, there's no way they can win in the end," Clone Gray Wolf said confidently.
"Why not?" Jiraiya asked, doing his best to hide the concern on his face.
"The reason is simple. When they face the liquid metal robots—especially the upgraded ones I created—they won't even know who their enemies really are," Clone Gray Wolf explained. "In this war, they'll need trusted allies, they'll need to depend on one another—but they won't be able to. Friends will become foes, enemies will act like friends. Honey, do you know what that means?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "What does it mean?"
"It means they'll no longer be able to trust anyone," Clone Gray Wolf continued. "Just imagine—you risk your life in battle to protect your loved ones, only to discover that you don't even know if they're real… I'm going to amplify that feeling."
Jiraiya instinctively focused—because Clone Gray Wolf was about to reveal the rest of his plan.
"I'll keep sending liquid metal robots into their ranks. Eventually, they'll be so plagued with suspicion that they won't trust a single person around them."
---
Land of Wind. Land of Earth. Land of Lightning.
The leaders of three villages convened through a remote call.
"Darui, what's so urgent that you had to wake us in the middle of the night?" Kurotsuchi asked, yawning. "Don't you know how bad staying up late is for your health?"
"Sorry, Kurotsuchi, but this is really urgent," Darui said, face grave.
"If it's that serious, why not call Naruto in too?" Gaara asked.
"Because this matter involves both the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Mist," Darui explained while sending the intel to Gaara and Kurotsuchi. "These are reports from the Mist and the Leaf."
As they reviewed the data, Gaara and Kurotsuchi's expressions gradually became more serious.
"So the ones who chased down the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi and the Sixth Mizukage Chōjūrō were members of the Kara Organization—specifically, Delta!" Kurotsuchi said, staring at the report. "That means the Hidden Mist was likely taken over by Ability Beasts!"
"And the Leaf as well," Darui said, looking at both of them. "If the Mist is just speculation, then the Leaf can basically be confirmed—it's already been completely taken over by S.H.I.E.L.D."
"What?!" Kurotsuchi's face was shocked. The strongest of the Five Great Villages, the Hidden Leaf, was actually the first to fall. She quickly looked further down the report and said, "Wait, the person in this photo looks really familiar…"
The proof that the Hidden Leaf had fallen under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s control included a photo—of Husky leaving the village.
"That's the Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Naruto mentioned him before when we were exchanging intelligence," Gaara said calmly. Then he turned to Darui. "So what's your plan?"
"Well," Darui said after a pause, "even if we don't know how S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Ability Beasts managed to control the Leaf and the Mist, we need to start preparing now. So let's form an alliance."
"I agree. Under the circumstances, an alliance makes sense," Kurotsuchi nodded.
"There's one more thing," Gaara added. "As we form the alliance, each village should also send a team to search for Naruto. I don't believe he's dead that easily. Besides, without Naruto, we can't stand up to S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Hmm…" Darui thought for a moment and nodded. "I can assign Killer Bee."
In fact, ever since Naruto's accident, Killer Bee had been getting restless. It was only thanks to the Fourth Raikage keeping an eye on him that he hadn't already rushed out on his own.
"Alright. I'll send Kankurō," Gaara said.
Kurotsuchi's face turned a little sour. Her village didn't have many capable ninjas left. After a long sigh, she finally said, "I'll send Akatsuchi."