"Danzo Shimura, did Konoha's Lightning Flash not come?"
Inside the same meeting room as before, Hanzō's first sentence carried undisguised displeasure.
He had never liked Danzo. In fact, he despised him.
Even now, Hanzō still remembered the mocking expression Danzo wore during their encounter in the Third Great Ninja War. If not for that arrogant attitude, he might never have broken his agreement with Konoha in the first place.
Compared to Danzo, Hanzō would rather meet Uchiha Hayashi.
Although Hayashi had defeated him, Hanzō accepted that loss completely. Their later interactions had also been far more pleasant.
Danzo looked at the masked leader of Amegakure and sneered inwardly. Hanzō still acted as if he stood above everyone else.
Yet the reality was different.
Hayashi's curse mark still remained on Hanzō's body. As far as Danzo was concerned, the man was still under Konoha's control.
Thinking about it only irritated him further.
Hanzō was known as the Demigod of the Shinobi World. Controlling someone of that level was an incredible advantage, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had actually agreed to remove the curse mark.
To Danzo, that decision was pure stupidity.
If he were Hokage, he could have used Hanzō to accomplish countless things for Konoha.
"Relax, Hanzō."
Danzo rested his chin against his clasped hands, speaking as though he were the true master of Amegakure.
"The curse mark Hayashi placed on you can be removed by the shinobi I brought with me. Whether he came personally or not makes little difference."
He glanced toward the shinobi standing behind him, deliberately showing confidence.
"Then stop wasting time and begin," Hanzō replied coldly.
"Heh."
Danzo gave a low chuckle.
"There's no need to rush. Before that, there are still a few conditions we need to discuss."
Hanzō's eyes narrowed behind the respirator mask.
As expected, dealing with Danzo never brought anything good.
"Other conditions... are these Konoha's demands, or simply your own idea?" Hanzō asked.
"I represent Konoha with full authority from the Hokage," Danzo answered without hesitation.
Whether that was true or not, only he himself knew.
"Full authority, hm... Fine. Speak. What does Konoha want?"
Even if he disliked it, Hanzō understood his position. His life was still tied to the curse mark.
Danzo slowly spoke.
"An organization called Akatsuki has been growing within the Land of Rain recently. I assume Your Excellency is familiar with them."
Hanzō nodded.
Not only was he familiar with them, he had personally met their leader before.
Back then, he believed Yahiko was far too naive politically and drove the group away without hesitation. However, after years of war, Akatsuki had gradually expanded and gained influence throughout the Land of Rain.
"What about them?" Hanzō asked. "Does Konoha intend to act against Akatsuki?"
"Yes."
Seeing the suspicion in Hanzō's eyes, Danzo calmly continued.
"Akatsuki's growth has become too rapid. If this continues, the leadership of the Land of Rain may eventually change hands."
"Konoha has no interest in seeing instability spread through this region. A stable Land of Rain benefits everyone, so we are willing to assist you in eliminating Akatsuki."
Hanzō's expression remained unreadable.
Since when had Danzo become so considerate?
"I heard Akatsuki's leader is one of Jiraiya's students," Hanzō said carefully. "I also heard they have connections with Konoha's Lightning Flash."
That was precisely why he had not acted sooner.
If Akatsuki truly had Konoha's backing, Hanzō would not dare touch them while carrying Hayashi's curse mark.
After all, before striking the dog, one had to consider its owner.
But Danzo merely shook his head.
"It is exactly because Akatsuki's leader is Jiraiya's student that they must be dealt with."
"As a shinobi of Konoha, Jiraiya taught village techniques to outsiders without authorization. That alone violates Konoha's regulations."
"If not for his contributions during the war, I would already have punished him in my position as an elder."
"Jiraiya himself cannot be touched openly, but the disciples he left outside the village are another matter."
Hanzō fell silent.
Danzo spoke with complete confidence, as though dealing with Jiraiya would be effortless.
Almost immediately, Hanzō connected the situation to Konoha's struggle over the Fourth Hokage position.
At present, the strongest candidates were the Sannin, Konoha's Lightning Flash, and Hatake Sakumo. All of them possessed immense prestige, military achievements, and overwhelming strength.
Among them, Jiraiya's accomplishments were considered the weakest, mainly because Kumogakure had never truly surrendered during the war.
Now Danzo suddenly wanted to eliminate Akatsuki, while specifically targeting Jiraiya's students.
To Hanzō, it looked less like a mission and more like political infighting within Konoha.
The Third Hokage had promised to step down after the war ended, yet nearly half a year had passed with no official successor announced.
In such a tense period, Danzo's actions naturally appeared suspicious.
Ironically, that made his explanation more believable.
Not once did Hanzō consider the possibility that Danzo's true target was the Rinnegan.
"Your Excellency Hanzō," Danzo continued, "this arrangement benefits both sides. So, do we have an agreement?"
Hanzō stared at him silently.
The current Akatsuki under Yahiko had shown no hostility toward Amegakure. Most of them even wore Amegakure forehead protectors proudly.
Still, a growing force remained a threat.
Hanzō had hesitated before because he feared Konoha and because of Jiraiya's involvement.
But now, if Konoha itself was divided internally, then this was the perfect opportunity to suppress Akatsuki while simultaneously warning every other faction inside the Land of Rain.
Finally, Hanzō spoke.
"I will agree, but my curse mark must be removed immediately."
Danzo smiled faintly.
"That can certainly be arranged. It is a pleasure doing business with you."
Naturally, Danzo intended to report this matter to Hiruzen Sarutobi later.
Of course, he would alter the details slightly and claim that Hanzō himself requested Konoha's assistance in destroying Akatsuki.
Whether Hiruzen approved or not did not matter much.
Danzo possessed Root, a force that answered only to him.
Operating behind the Hokage's back was something he had done countless times already, and he felt no guilt over it whatsoever.
Because in Danzo's mind, everything he did served one purpose.
Everything was for Konoha.
And something as valuable as the Rinnegan could only truly be safe in one place.
Inside Konoha, under his control.