After seeing Shimura Danzō off, Hanzo returned to his office with Tenyu.
He sat down at his desk, pulled out paper and brush, and began writing without a word.
Tenyu stood before the desk, hesitating.
Hanzo glanced up faintly.
"If you have something to say, say it."
Tenyu dropped to one knee.
"Hanzo-sama… are we truly going to move against the Akatsuki? Shimura Danzō cannot be trusted."
He had a favorable impression of Yahiko and the others. The thought of them being sacrificed did not sit well with him.
"I know," Hanzo replied calmly, continuing to write. "The one stirring trouble on the Rain front recently is most likely that Konoha elder."
"My clansmen were probably killed by him as well—framed and pinned on the Akatsuki."
Tenyu froze.
"If that's the case, then why agree to cooperate with him?"
Hanzo sealed the letter with wax before answering.
"Because he is a Konoha elder and Hokage advisor."
"Even if I exposed him on the spot, what would it change?"
"Even if he were clearly at fault, Konoha would never stand on our side."
"If we tear our faces off entirely, the one crushed will be us."
"So for now… we play along."
Tenyu clenched his fists.
In the end, it was because the Land of Rain was weak.
They had no luxury of righteous outrage.
"But must we sacrifice the Akatsuki?" Tenyu pressed, unwilling to give up. "Yahiko and the others are promising youths. They shouldn't end here."
"Of course not."
Hanzo finally set the brush down.
"I have no intention of sacrificing them."
He tapped the desk lightly.
A figure emerged from the shadows and knelt beside Tenyu.
"Kanzō," Hanzo said, tossing the sealed envelope to him, "take a team to the Akatsuki's base. Deliver this to their leader, Yahiko."
"He will know what to do next."
"You may go openly. But certain discussions must remain… discreet."
Kanzō commanded Amegakure's covert mobile forces—the equivalent of another village's ANBU commander. One of Hanzo's most trusted kin.
"Yes."
He vanished without hesitation.
Tenyu exhaled silently.
So Hanzo intended to protect them after all.
But relief quickly gave way to worry.
"Hanzo-sama… won't this offend Shimura Danzō?"
Hanzo let out a low scoff.
"We avoid tearing our faces with him because of his status."
"But do you think he dares tear his face with us?"
Tenyu blinked.
Hanzo continued,
"If I'm not mistaken, this operation is likely unauthorized—conducted behind Konoha's upper echelon."
"We're already giving Konoha face by cooperating on the surface."
"He still wants Rain shinobi as trophies? Delusional."
"And besides… we will have done exactly as requested."
"If the Akatsuki themselves sense danger and withdraw, what does that have to do with us?"
Understanding dawned on Tenyu.
This was a mission that could not withstand sunlight.
As long as no evidence surfaced, even if Danzō knew the truth, he could only grind his teeth.
After a pause, Hanzo asked,
"Do you know why Shimura Danzō is targeting the Akatsuki?"
Tenyu hesitated.
He had been so focused on their safety that he hadn't considered the motive.
"They're a new organization active within our borders," he said slowly. "From any angle, they have nothing to do with Konoha."
"Even if they grew powerful, the one troubled would be Amegakure."
"Why would Danzō go to such lengths?"
Hanzo's expression darkened.
"The reason is simple."
"Because they are the future of the Land of Rain."
Tenyu stiffened.
Hanzo spoke evenly.
"Danzō seeks to strangle Rain's chance at resurgence in its cradle."
This narrative—carefully planted—was part of Jin's long game.
If Hanzo could not ally with Jin directly, then Rain's power must gradually transition to Yahiko and the others.
And for that to happen, Tenyu and the inner circle needed to see them as successors.
Tenyu frowned.
"Hanzo-sama… I admit they're promising, but isn't that an exaggeration?"
"Not in the slightest."
Hanzo's voice grew solemn.
"Yesterday, I spoke with them at length."
"They revealed certain secrets."
"Secrets?"
Tenyu's confusion deepened.
Hanzo did not delay.
"Nagato… has inherited the power of the Sage of Six Paths."
Tenyu's pupils shrank violently.
"The… the Sage of Six Paths? Isn't that only legend?"
"So I once believed," Hanzo said quietly. "But now I am certain."
"The Sage truly existed."
"And Nagato is his successor."
"He was born extraordinary."
He paused.
"The hope of the Land of Rain… perhaps even of the world… may rest upon him."
Tenyu swallowed.
"This is… difficult to believe."
"You will understand in time."
Hanzo's gaze sharpened.
"I intend to cultivate them as my successors."
"To entrust Rain's future to them."
"Nagato is still young. He cannot yet fully wield that power."
"But one day…"
"They will lead Rain toward the light."
Tenyu fell silent.
If this was true—
If Nagato truly carried the legacy of the Sage—
Then the choice was clear.
A successor of the Sage of Six Paths.
By that fact alone—
He would be a leader beyond question.
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