In the Land of Birds, Hyūga Yūma reviewed the latest intelligence reports from the shinobi underworld.
"Kusagakure… no survivors?"
He looked toward Uzumaki Ashina.
"You killed everyone?"
Ashina shook his head.
"We eliminated roughly a hundred shinobi who engaged us. There was no reason to slaughter civilians."
Yūma himself had wiped out nearly two hundred ninja with Wind Release.
But not all of Kusagakure's forces would have been present.
"Someone cleaned up after us…"
"Kumogakure benefits the most," Ashina replied. "A total massacre increases the likelihood of war between Konoha and Iwa."
Another possibility lingered in Yūma's thoughts:
Obito Uchiha.
Few individuals had more to gain from destabilizing the great villages.
Iwa was mobilizing.
Kumo was shifting forces.
Konoha was vulnerable.
Ashina gazed toward the Land of Fire.
"The village founded by Hashirama Senju faces another storm."
"Konoha won't fall so easily," Yūma said quietly.
Not yet.
Rebuilding the Uzumaki
Among the rescued survivors were only a handful of Uzumaki.
Five adults. One child — Karin.
Years of exploitation had drained their vitality.
Even with treatment, most would not live long.
So Ashina made a harsh decision:
Secure heirs before extinction.
It was cruel.
But extinction was worse.
The Arrival
A revived Uzumaki approached urgently.
"A powerful chakra signature has appeared near the capital."
Yūma activated his Byakugan.
A man in a black cloak patterned with red clouds walked calmly.
Dense chakra. Ancient presence.
"Akatsuki…"
Moments later, Yūma stood before Kakuzu.
Kakuzu calmly pulled out a bounty ledger.
He flipped to a page.
"Hyūga Yūma. Fifty million ryō."
He closed the book.
"That's an expensive head."
The wind shifted.
The real negotiation — or battle — was about to begin.
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