Naruto: Troublesome Ninja Haruta

Chapter 107-108

"What a lunatic!"

Haruta crouched behind a wooden clone, cursing up a storm.

Nagato really was sick in the head. He'd unleashed that kind of move without a second thought. Did he have a death wish?

The Rinnegan might be powerful, sure—but for Nagato, it was also a death sentence. Every time he used it, it drained his life like poison.

Haruta remembered: Nagato had once been perfectly healthy. But after summoning the Gedo Statue, he started to look less human and more like a shriveled corpse.

And this was just one of the Rinnegan's many deadly abilities. Hell, they weren't even his eyes.

Using them so recklessly was just asking for death.

Only reason he hadn't dropped dead already was probably thanks to his bloodline. That red hair? Definitely some Uzumaki ancestry there.

Otherwise, he'd have been reduced to dust by now, not still walking around like some cursed mummy.

"This must've been a Super Shinra Tensei..."

Feeling the pressure outside, Haruta muttered to himself.

Unlike in anime, nobody in real life would yell out move names mid-battle. He'd only recognized it from the sheer force radiating from Pain.

He'd made the right call hiding behind a wooden clone.

"Still... not as insane as his future 'one-bag-of-rice-on-how-many-floors' moment, but this was bad enough."

The future Nagato might've been able to obliterate Konoha in an instant. This one couldn't manage that—yet. But flattening a forest? That, he could do just fine.

"Haruta!"

Yugao, Kakashi, and Yamato came running toward him. Yugao's face was filled with worry.

"You okay?!"

"Relax, I've got a pretty sturdy body."

Haruta grinned, but Yugao wasn't having it. She immediately knelt and began using medical ninjutsu on him without another word.

He sighed and flicked her forehead gently.

"How about you three? I saw the battle from a distance. Looked like you were up against Kakuzu and... Biwa Jūzō, right?"

Truth be told, Haruta hadn't been too worried. After all, one of those enemies was an undercover mole.

Which meant the only real opponent was Jūzō.

Sure, in this mist-filled battlefield, Jūzō's strength was amplified, and his Hidden Mist techniques gave even Kakashi trouble. But three-on-one? With a possible inside assist?

No way they'd lose.

"We're fine. Seems like they weren't very coordinated either—probably a new pairing," Kakashi replied, though his tone carried unease.

"But Suna's forces... I doubt they fared as well. That last battle pushed everything toward their direction.

And that guy—who was he? That power was... terrifying."

"Yeah, way too dangerous," Yamato agreed, nodding grimly.

Even though Haruta claimed he was fine, he'd never looked this beaten up before. Not to mention the forest around them—it had basically been wiped off the map.

This kind of destructive power... Yamato had never seen anything like it. Ever.

But as he glanced at Haruta again, he decided there was no point overthinking it.

After all, their side had monsters too.

"And Jiraiya-sensei... no idea what happened. He was fighting Orochimaru, but then vanished without a trace. I hope he's okay."

"Jiraiya, huh..."

Haruta raised an eyebrow.

Jiraiya vanishing just like that? Definitely not a good sign.

What's more, Haruta suddenly realized something—

Jiraiya hadn't taken the Flying Thunder God kunai he'd given him. That made things even trickier.

Add in the uncertainty around the Suna team...

Haruta reached out and grabbed Yugao's hand.

"W-What are you doing?!" Yugao blushed, frowning.

"Calm down. You guys need to leave—now. Find a safe place and wait for me there."

"You—"

Yugao looked worried, but Kakashi seemed to get it.

"You're going after Jiraiya-sama?"

Haruta nodded. "Not just him. I need to check on Suna, too."

Haruta nodded slowly, then sighed and spoke in a helpless tone.

"This kind of incident… Even if I'd rather not get involved, pretending nothing happened would only invite even greater trouble down the line.

Can't deny it—Pakura saw things clearly. If no one's left alive to tell the tale, their deaths will be pinned on us, no questions asked."

In the ninja world, a chaotic stage full of shadows and schemes, reality often danced absurdly on the edge of logic.

It wasn't always about the truth. Sometimes, what "is" simply depends on who's doing the talking, shaped by political compromises and layers of self-interest.

To put it plainly, many things were decided with a shrug: "It's you? Then it's you—even if it's not."

Just like Ōnoki of Iwagakure. The old man didn't know if Uchiha Obito could use Wood Release—he'd never seen it with his own eyes.

But considering the devastating aftermath of war with Konoha, the vultures of Kumogakure circling overhead, and the precarious balance across the Five Great Nations...

In the end, it didn't matter. Whether he was the real culprit or not, Obito Uchiha had to be the bastard who burned down the Tsuchikage's tower.

Haruta seriously started to wonder—was this Obito's karmic retribution catching up to him?

Either way, he needed to find a high-ranking Suna ninja—someone with real weight to their name.

Of course, if he couldn't find one, that was fine too. After all, Jiraiya was leading the mission.

"That's why Jiraiya can't afford to get hurt. If anything goes sideways, I still need him to take the blame."

Haruta muttered inwardly, as his sensory field rapidly expanded. In the next instant, his gaze sharpened—he'd locked onto a surprising target.

"Konan, let's move!"

...

At the same time, within a mountain cave in the distance, Nagato clutched his chest and coughed up blood. He turned weakly toward Konan.

This operation had brought nearly everyone out—aside from Sasori and that mysterious man claiming to be "Uchiha Madara."

Konan hadn't taken part in the battle directly this time—she was tasked with tending to Nagato's real body.

"What happened? Did you overuse Shinra Tensei?"

Seeing Nagato in such a state, Konan couldn't hide her concern. She wasn't clear on the battle details, but the shockwaves outside made it obvious: Nagato had been through hell this time.

"Yeah… I used it."

Nagato nodded, a faint gloom in his eyes.

"Our location's been exposed. That Haruta guy… he's no ordinary ninja."

With just a brief exchange, Haruta had peeled away his layers—sensing even the conflicting thoughts hidden in his heart.

What kind of monster was this guy?

Nagato found himself unwilling to confront Haruta again. Not because he feared him, but because he feared being understood. That his secrets, doubts, and burdens would be seen through completely.

And that wasn't all—Haruta's strength was on a whole other level.

He had effortlessly taken down Hanzo the Salamander, once hailed as a demi-god. That feat alone had shaken Nagato to the core.

Even the so-called demi-god had crumbled before him. And Haruta wielded the power of Yang Release on top of that. Nagato had once thought of himself as a god...

But now?

He'd been restricted during the battle, true—his other Paths hadn't accompanied him. And Tendo Pain had left some marks on Haruta, sure.

But excuses aside—he lost. Not just his advantage, but his secrets, his location, his cards—all laid bare.

"Our position's been compromised?"

Konan looked stunned. But she didn't question it—Nagato wouldn't joke about something like that. She knew full well how absurd Haruta was.

"Yeah, confirmed."

Nagato let her adjust his support system and sighed.

"That guy damaged Yahiko's body on purpose. Forced me to pour more chakra into the repairs. Then he tracked the chakra flow to locate me."

"This is a real headache."

Konan frowned. But it was what it was.

"What now? Are we still moving forward with the recruitment plan?"

"Of course we are!"

Nagato didn't hesitate.

Even if this mission had landed him a solid punch to the face, he had no intention of backing down.

"Haruta's too clever. I doubt he blindly trusts Danzo. He might be skeptical, even if it doesn't show.

We need to plant a seed in him. Someone like that… we can't afford to miss the chance."

He didn't mention how completely Haruta had seen through him. But in his heart, Nagato felt something strange.

Even Konan, who had been with him for years, couldn't read him like Haruta did—with just a single encounter.

Was it empathy? Intuition? Or some kind of twisted fate?

Regardless of whether it was for recruiting talent or for something more personal, Nagato had made his decision—he had to try.

Because from a certain perspective… Haruta understood him.

"You didn't talk to him during the fight?"

Konan raised an eyebrow at Nagato, but didn't press. It had been her idea to flip Haruta. Nagato taking it seriously was a good thing.

Still, it was odd—they fought that long, and not a word?

"…"

Nagato went quiet. After a pause, he muttered bitterly,

"That guy… didn't even give me a chance to speak."

—

After sending Kakashi and Yamato to escort Yuugao to safety—along with strict orders to use Flying Thunder God if anything went wrong—Haruta finally turned to act on his own.

As for Jiraiya… Haruta had no clue where the old perv had gone. He didn't show up on his sensory radar.

"Don't tell me one of his toads summoned him to Mount Myōboku?"

He couldn't help but complain. But honestly, he couldn't blame him.

Against someone like Nagato, who didn't know the meaning of "restraint," dodging was the smartest move—teamwork be damned.

Haruta shook his head. No point overthinking. As long as nobody died, everything was negotiable.

Besides, his luck wasn't half bad.

He didn't find Jiraiya—but he did find someone valuable.

"…Just a little troublesome though."

In a small cave, not too far from the battlefield, Haruta stared at the unconscious woman before him and let out a sigh.

It was Pakura.

Her condition wasn't good. Chakra severely depleted, body battered—clearly the aftermath of a brutal fight.

The worst injury? A gaping wound at her abdomen, still bleeding freely.

Without medical help, she wouldn't make it.

"Thankfully, she's still breathing. That's what matters."

After a quick check, Haruta confirmed the basics. And man, what rotten luck.

Years ago, she'd barely escaped a grim fate thanks to his intervention. Now she'd somehow gotten mixed up in this mess—dragged into Kirigakure's dark games, only to be used as a scapegoat.

Same as the other Suna ninja who had come with her.

"Lucky for you… we met again."

With that thought, Haruta calmly stripped her upper garments, exposing the wound.

He wasn't a medical-nin, but after living with Tsunade day in and day out, he'd picked up a few tricks.

More importantly, he could use Yang Release.

That alone made him a one-man trauma unit.

After cleaning the wound, applying chakra, and administering medicine, he bound the injury and slipped a soldier pill into her mouth.

Once it was done, Haruta let out a breath.

"She should wake up in a bit… What a mess this mission turned into."

As he recalled everything since coming ashore, his eyes flickered slightly.

Obito's retaliation was within expectations. In fact, Haruta had wanted to provoke something.

After all, his latest mission was simple: Investigate Kirigakure.

The bigger the mess, the more "freedom points" he'd earn.

Still, Obito framing him without warning? That was crossing a line.

Not that Haruta minded being two-faced. He freely admitted—he was the king of double standards.

It's like the golden rule of warfare: "I can do it to you—but don't you dare do it to me."

"I only wanted to expose you. Maybe poke a little fun at the Akatsuki… but now? I think it's time to go all in."

His mind raced, plans forming.

If Obito wanted to throw him under the bus, fine—Haruta would drag him and Danzo into the mud together.

"Then I'll need some real players in my corner…"

He quickly formed hand seals, and two Wood Clones emerged beside him.

He hadn't forgotten—the politics inside Kirigakure were anything but simple.

Obito had control of the current Mizukage, but across from him stood the true power behind the scenes:

Elder Genji, the shadow ruler of the Mist.

That old fox had trained none other than the future Fifth Mizukage—Terumi Mei. And besides her…

"That Hyuga-eyed shinobi—Ao—he's one of Genji's too."

With that many elites under his command, and authority to challenge even the Mizukage, Genji was no ordinary elder.

If Haruta wanted to stir things up, he'd have to deal with him—maybe even rely on him.

Whether it'd work or not… depended on how the game played out.

But one thing was certain: Obito would pay.

"Let's move out. And keep an eye out for any old friends."

The Wood Clones rolled their eyes at Haruta.

Being clones of the same lazy slacker, they obviously shared his brain cells. No need to state the obvious.

And frankly? They weren't thrilled about doing the dirty work either.

...

"Dammit… What the hell happened…"

Far from the battlefield, Jiraiya stumbled to his feet, wincing in pain.

The landscape around him had been devastated—a scene of pure destruction.

He was alive, but barely.

"Should've just stayed out of it…"

Things were winding down—his scuffle with Orochimaru had turned half-hearted.

But when he saw a figure fall from the sky, curiosity got the better of him.

Something told him the one fighting Haruta might be one of his three former disciples from the Land of Rain.

Orochimaru seemed ready to retreat, Kakashi had wrapped up on his end, and as for the Suna nin…

Jiraiya didn't have time to care.

But right as he dashed out, a massive repulsive force erupted—blasting him away in an instant.

If not for his reflexes and "Needle Jizō" technique, he would've been skewered like a kebab.

"Broken ribs… body's a mess… I won't die, but this is bad."

He groaned, inspecting his injuries.

Worse yet—he had no idea where Haruta and the others were now.

"If I'd known this would happen, I would've brought that damn kunai with me…"

Jiraiya sighed inwardly.

Last time during the Iwagakure operation, he'd been completely screwed over by Haruta.

This time, confident in his own strength and trying to avoid a repeat of being used as a teleportation beacon, he'd left Haruta's special kunai behind.

Now, that decision had come back to bite him.

Because without that kunai, Haruta would have a hell of a time trying to find him.

Still, he wasn't worried for the others. Right before he'd been blown away, he'd seen it—on Kakashi's side, a towering wooden giant had risen from the earth, shielding everyone from the worst of the blast.

"I need to treat my injuries first… I can't keep going like this."

He glanced around, wincing. Corpses of Kirigakure shinobi were strewn across the ground.

The carnage was chilling, even for someone like Jiraiya. And worse—he could feel it. Reinforcements were on the way.

"This place's compromised. I need to get out of here—fast."

Forcing himself to move despite the pain, he cast one last glance toward the distance, still plagued by the same question:

"Who the hell were you? Yahiko… or Nagato?"

...

"Damn it… damn it all!"

Standing in the middle of a ruined battlefield, Terumi Mei bit her lip, fists clenched as pain wracked her body.

The devastation was unimaginable. The overwhelming chakra, the inescapable attacks—it had all felt like a nightmare.

And now, they were certain: whoever intercepted them wasn't one of their own.

No ally would've done this to them.

"You alright, Mei?"

A familiar voice sounded as Ao stumbled over, followed by several other injured shinobi. Among them was Zabuza Momochi.

Mei narrowed her eyes. Zabuza wasn't aligned with Elder Genji's faction, nor was he part of the Mizukage's camp.

He was an outsider—a rogue with pride and strength, obeying orders but never swearing loyalty to any side.

Maybe, to him, there was no one in the entire village worthy of trust.

"I'm fine."

Mei stood up with a groan, her entire body aching. But the pain in her flesh was nothing compared to the pain in her heart as she looked around at the fallen.

"What about you? And Zabuza—how many made it through?"

"I'll live."

Ao checked himself over and forced a grin, pretending he wasn't as hurt as he looked. His eyes shifted to Zabuza.

The Demon of the Mist shook his head grimly.

"More than half of the reinforcements are down. The rest are barely combat-worthy. We were just the first wave—more will be coming."

"I see…"

Mei nodded, her chest tightening.

She didn't even want to imagine the full casualty count. For now, only one thing mattered.

"Ao, if you can still move, you're coming with me. I need your Byakugan. No matter what, we must find some clues."

"We won't let them die for nothing."

"This…"

Ao hesitated. He understood exactly what Mei was asking.

They'd move ahead of the main force, scout for intel, and if they found the enemy, they'd signal and hold them off.

Judging by their opponent's strength, it was essentially a suicide mission.

But after a moment, Ao gave a firm nod.

They were born from the Bloody Mist. Emotions may not run deep between comrades—but their loyalty to the village was absolute.

Facing such devastation, they couldn't turn their backs.

"I'll go too."

Just as Mei and Ao were preparing to move out, Zabuza spoke up.

His face was covered in dirt and dried blood, hidden behind blood-soaked bandages. His voice, low and hoarse, sounded like a demon crawling out of hell.

"My men—too many of them died to this. This won't end until someone pays."

After exchanging a few words, the three of them headed out without delay.

What none of them realized, however…

A figure had been watching them quietly from the shadows nearby.

—

"Yuugao and the others are far enough now… Things seem relatively stable."

Inside a dark cave, Haruta sat cross-legged, one hand pressed to the ground, monitoring the Flying Thunder God marker he'd left on Yuugao's team.

He waited patiently for his Wood Clones to return with intel.

The cave wasn't ideal, but it gave him some time to regroup and gave his allies a safe exit point. Plus, staying behind allowed him to respond to unexpected developments.

Still… the silence was starting to get unnerving.

"…Don't tell me Jiraiya's actually dead?"

Haruta's expression twisted.

Sure, the guy was irresponsible—and some of his choices after Minato's death had been questionable, to say the least.

He chuckled dryly, thinking of Orochimaru's venomous remark:

"Go cuddle your toads and keep dreaming, Jiraiya."

Honestly? Haruta agreed.

"Always hanging your hopes on some cursed 'Child of Prophecy' instead of trying to change the future yourself… Humans, man."

Still, despite all that, Haruta didn't dislike Jiraiya. He was a good man, if a flawed one.

No one's perfect, after all. Haruta least of all.

He believed in a saying:

"In this life, we meet two kinds of people—those who warm your time… and those who dazzle your years."

And maybe you only get one of the former. But the latter? Sometimes, you meet several.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, a soft groan broke his thoughts.

Haruta turned his head and saw her—Pakura—finally waking up.

She looked groggy and pale, her body limp, her expression twisted in pain.

But she was still a ninja. Her instincts kicked in immediately.

She forced herself upright and scanned her surroundings.

A dim cave.

And Haruta… sitting not far away.

"Saved by you… again?"

Her voice was low, slightly confused. Then she winced.

A sharp pain flared in her abdomen.

She lowered her head to inspect the wound—and froze.

Her clothes were tossed to the side.

Looking down, she saw bandages covering her—but her entire upper body was bare beneath them.

"You're awake?" Haruta approached casually. "Second time now. That's twice I've saved your life."

"You… did all this?"

Pakura forced herself not to panic. She glanced around—no one else.

It was just Haruta.

"You… saw everything?"

"Hey, you're a shinobi," Haruta replied, tilting his head with a strange expression.

He hadn't exactly been gentle. But the situation was urgent. Priorities had to be set.

Wasn't it more important that he'd saved her again?

After a moment's thought, he answered honestly.

"Yeah, I saw. Great body, by the way."

Pakura had always had the aura of a cool, commanding woman—and her figure matched it. Not Tsunade-level, but definitely above average.

Haruta wasn't shy. He believed in a simple principle: sincerity is the deadliest weapon.

"You bastard!"

Her face turned crimson.

She clenched her teeth, glaring at him like he'd done something unforgivable.

Haruta just shook his head.

"C'mon, is this really the time for that look? Why not ask yourself why you wore clothes like that in the first place?"

He spread his hands and added, "That outfit of yours? One tug and it's all gone. Not my fault, right?

You asked if I saw—I gave you an honest answer. And with how badly you were hurt, checking your body was necessary, no?

Besides… do you really want us to run into enemies while you're still bleeding out?"

Haruta's rapid-fire logic left Pakura speechless.

Everything he said made sense… but somehow it still made her want to punch him.

So this was her fault now?

Before she could respond, Haruta picked up her discarded clothes and draped them over her shoulders.

Then he said something that stunned her:

"We're both shinobi. And adults, too."

"Can't you be a bit more mature?"

"…?"

Pakura nearly choked. You look like you're barely out of the Academy!

Still, she didn't argue.

While dressing, she glanced at Haruta and spoke coldly.

"You saved me… because you wanted me to talk. To make sure your side doesn't get blamed, right?"

"Exactly."

Haruta sat down across from her, his tone frank.

"I'd love to say I helped out of goodwill between allies. But you know my situation. And you're not an idiot.

This whole incident is… complicated. You and we are facing the same threat.

So I'm hoping you'll stand with me—as a true ally."

"Cooperate?"

Pakura gave him a look.

Once she was fully dressed and had pinned her hair back up, she finally answered.

"You saved me twice. I won't deny that. As long as I'm not betraying my village… I'll help you."

"Didn't expect you to be the sentimental type," Haruta said with a chuckle, but he nodded.

"Relax. Village or not, you won't lose out. Might even gain something from this."

With you around? The benefits always end up in your pocket…

Pakura gave a small snort in her heart.

She'd seen enough to know—Haruta, who came representing that schemer Danzo, never left any advantage on the table.

He was strong. Sharp. Dangerous.

Why couldn't someone like him belong to Sunagakure? Why must he be our so-called ally instead?

"You keep staring at me—I'm getting self-conscious."

Haruta grinned.

"And snap out of it. We've got company."

Company?

Pakura's expression turned serious instantly.

Her body still ached, but that didn't mean she couldn't fight.

But it didn't take long for Pakura to notice that the Haruta beside her… looked entirely unconcerned.

Soon, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the cave. As the steps drew closer, her expression turned strange.

Because she realized—those Mist ninja who'd been fighting her earlier… had actually been captured by Haruta.

...

"Damn bastard!"

Terumi Mei was in a thoroughly foul mood.

She'd just set out with Ao and Zabuza to scout for intel—not even a few minutes after slipping away from the Mist's main forces—when they walked straight into the enemy's trap.

And worse, their opponent turned out to be one of the mysterious powerhouses who had battled from the skies earlier!

With that kind of strength, resistance was meaningless. Fighting or fleeing weren't even options—they couldn't even launch a signal flare before being bound by Wood Release.

What really destroyed their morale, though?

After being dragged back, they realized… they had been fighting nothing more than a clone.

"We couldn't even beat a clone? All three of us?"

They were elite Mist shinobi—even if wounded and exhausted, to be subdued so easily crushed their pride.

But now, they understood. They hadn't just run into any enemy… they'd run into a monster.

...

"No need to look like that. These are Wood Clones—they're not ordinary. Losing to them isn't shameful."

Haruta observed the trio and immediately read their thoughts. With a slight wave, he dispelled the two wooden clones behind them.

And honestly? His mood couldn't have been better.

He'd sent the clones out to "go find familiar faces," just in case there were some useful targets for negotiation… or leverage.

Worst case, he would've settled for finding Jiraiya.

But now? He got the jackpot—three high-value "guests."

Zabuza, a wildcard with rebellious tendencies.

Ao, possessor of the Byakugan—critical for exposing Obito.

Terumi Mei, the future Fifth Mizukage herself.

He'd already noticed Mei during the battle. Capturing her now? Hugely beneficial to his plans.

"A golden opportunity…"

But just as he was celebrating inwardly, the three prisoners noticed his Wood Clones vanish—and immediately moved to resist.

Too bad for them.

In the next instant, a forest of thorny vines erupted from the cave floor, entangling them all over again.

"Just a heads-up—I'm a cautious guy. I don't like surprises. So do forgive the extra restraint."

"…"

Mei's expression darkened. Ao and Zabuza both grimaced—they could feel their chakra being drained rapidly.

If this continued, they wouldn't even have the strength to think, let alone fight.

Meanwhile, Pakura felt a little better. These Mist bastards had suppressed her earlier—now it was her turn to watch them suffer.

But her satisfaction didn't last long. Her thoughts turned to her missing comrades—their fate still unknown.

...

"What exactly are you planning?! You think Kirigakure is some lawless playground?!"

Terumi Mei glared at Haruta, her voice sharp and furious.

But Haruta just shrugged.

"No need to exaggerate. And if you want to yell, go ahead. Maybe the louder you scream, the better my mood gets."

"As for attracting others? Feel free to try. If you want a proper conversation, though… maybe lower the volume."

Mei pressed her lips into a tight line and fell silent. It was Ao who finally spoke—his voice strained.

"If you truly wish to negotiate, then this treatment is unnecessary. And more importantly… who are you? What's your goal?"

"She's from Sunagakure—that's obvious. As for me? Konoha shinobi. Plain and simple."

Haruta didn't bother hiding it.

If they were going to talk, might as well be honest. If they couldn't come to an agreement, he could still use them as leverage.

Worst case? Trade them for Elder Genji's attention. Either way—a win.

"As for why I'm here? Let's just say we have our own mission. What I'm curious about is… why did your side attack us first?"

"You entered Mist territory without permission. As Mist ninja, shouldn't we have stopped you?"

Mei bit her lip. Something about Haruta's tone didn't feel right, but she pressed on.

"If someone enters the Land of Fire without permission, you wouldn't politely escort them back, would you?"

"True. But this time… we had clearance."

That was when Pakura stepped forward, sighing as she took out a scroll.

She gave Haruta a pointed glare, then turned toward Mei.

"We had prior approval from your village's Fourth Mizukage. We were on our way to formally discuss sensitive matters.

This scroll is our official permit. I'm sure you recognize it.

So I ask you—why did your side try to kill us?"

Her words struck like thunder.

Mei's expression changed instantly. Ao's face darkened, and even Zabuza—who'd mostly been sulking—felt a cold chill.

In that moment, they all realized it:

They'd been played.

Haruta watched their expressions with amusement, then nodded at Pakura approvingly.

"I've heard some interesting things about Kirigakure's politics. About how your Mizukage shares power with an Elder—someone called Genji.

I always wondered… how could anyone tolerate such a rival power structure?

But now I get it. Seems your upper echelons are just as rotten as everyone else's. The infighting… it's brutal."

"Shut up! Don't spout nonsense!"

Mei barked back, her expression livid. But Haruta had already made his point clear.

He hadn't said it outright, but the implication was obvious.

This entire mission… was part of an internal power struggle between the Mizukage and Elder Genji.

The Fourth Mizukage had never informed the elder faction about the allied delegation's visit.

The patrol that ambushed them? Likely sent to silence the Suna envoys—along with anyone else who might learn the truth.

If the operation succeeded, the elders would look like fools.

If it failed? The Mizukage could still spin it as a "Konoha betrayal," ruining the Konoha–Suna alliance in the process.

"A fine trap indeed," Pakura added coldly.

"Let's not pretend, Mei. If it had worked, they'd just blame our deaths on a shipwreck.

And if it failed? You get mass casualties and a diplomatic crisis. Either way, the elders lose.

Clever little scheme your side cooked up. Too bad it'll blow up in your face."

"Could you be any more blunt?" Haruta muttered, half-laughing as he pulled her back slightly.

Then he smirked toward Mei's team.

"Let's be honest. You three are Genji's people, aren't you?

You're on the losing side. Once he compromises with the Mizukage, you'll all be expendable. Pawns to be discarded."

It was a ruthless thing to say—but none of them could deny it.

Even if they still believed in Genshin's integrity… would anyone else?

Doubtful.

"Then what do you mean by 'negotiation'?"

Zabuza, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. His tone was cold and direct.

"If you've already made up your mind, why bother talking?

If you're from Konoha, then why are you working with a Suna shinobi?

Sure, your villages are allies—but everyone knows how shaky that alliance is.

Maybe this whole mission was never about Mist. Maybe the Mizukage just wanted to wipe you all out—and Suna got dragged into it by mistake."

"Oh?"

Haruta raised an eyebrow.

So this guy's sharper than I thought.

In the original story, Zabuza had been little more than the opening boss—a tragic rebel doomed to die for the sake of the protagonist squad's growth.

But looking at him now… yeah, Zabuza was the real deal.

An elite shaped by the Bloody Mist policy. A rebel who led a coup and escaped Mist alive.

You don't pull that off without serious skill—or serious brains.

"Even if that's true," Haruta said, "the one getting burned is Genji, not me."

He smirked.

"Which is why I suggest you all stay still. Let's be honest—I don't think you can actually hurt me."

"Ever heard of the Fourth Hokage? Yeah… everything he could do—I can do too.

And a few things he couldn't? I've got those covered as well."

That smug declaration hit like a hammer.

Terumi Mei's expression turned stiff. She glanced at Pakura—who gave no protest. If anything, she seemed to be confirming it.

Flying Thunder God. Wood Release. Mid-air mobility.

If that was all true… then they really had no chance.

"…Fine."

Mei took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

"If you truly want to talk, then tell us—what exactly do you want?"

Haruta nodded.

"Finally getting somewhere. Because there is something we need to talk about."

He looked around at the three of them and continued.

"I'm sure you've already realized—whoever I was fighting earlier… they're not from your village.

So don't you want to know who they really are? And why they're here?"

"You mean that flying guy…"

Ao's expression soured.

Zabuza didn't comment—he hadn't even seen the battle before getting knocked flat.

"That's right."

Haruta nodded again and sighed.

"This is related to a classified mission we were given upon arriving in Mist.

But before I go further, let me ask you something.

Don't you think there's something… off about your village?

A hidden village—so much blood, so much internal strife. The leadership treats shinobi like disposable tools.

And let's not even talk about the Bloodline Purges.

Sure, the Kaguya clan rebelled and died. But that rebellion? Wasn't it sparked by your own village's oppressive policies?

And Zabuza—you know more than anyone about the Yuki Clan, don't you?

Especially since there's that little kid always tagging along with you…"

"…"

Haruta's words left everyone in the cave visibly shaken.

Pakura looked at him in disbelief.

She knew about the destruction of the Kaguya clan—even though Kirigakure had tried to cover it up, rumors still slipped through the cracks.

But what no one had ever fully understood… was why the clan had rebelled. Why they had lost control. Why they had chosen a path that seemed doomed from the start.

And yet—Haruta seemed to know far more than he should.

She wasn't the only one staring. Terumi Mei and Ao turned their eyes to Zabuza, who looked like he'd just seen a ghost.

The Yuki clan—slaughtered as part of the Blood Mist's crackdown on bloodline limit users—was supposed to be extinct. So why did Zabuza have one of them by his side?

And judging by Zabuza's stunned expression… it wasn't a bluff.

"Shut the hell up!"

It took Zabuza a long moment to collect himself before he exploded, his voice echoing off the cave walls.

"What 'Yuki clan survivor'? That's bullshit! And the Kaguya clan—those lunatics brought it on themselves!"

"Oh? Then explain that little kid named Haku following you around?"

Haruta grinned mischievously.

The moment he said the name, Zabuza went dead silent, his face going pale.

And Haruta, sensing blood in the water, went in for the kill.

"And by the way… I completely agree with your assessment. The Kaguya clan were nuts. But you're not, are you?"

"…What are you trying to say?"

Zabuza's face had turned from pale to pitch-black with anger. A bead of sweat ran down his jaw.

Haruta leaned forward slightly, voice low and calm—but every word was a dagger.

"You've been dissatisfied with your Mizukage for a long time, haven't you?

You, a proud graduate of the Blood Mist era—the one who killed your entire class just to earn your headband.

Yet you have a subordinate who spreads words of dissent. One who criticizes the Mizukage's policies, laments the state of the village, and dreams of restoring peace to your homeland…"

Haruta gave a sly smile.

"But I wonder… if that's all there is to it. Or is it that you, deep down, have ambitions of your own?"

"Enough!"

Zabuza roared.

He couldn't take it anymore.

How the hell did this kid know all that?!

He couldn't help but suspect—how many spies had infiltrated his group?!

No… it wasn't just his people. Why did this guy know so much about Kirigakure's darkest secrets?

Wasn't Mist supposed to be sealed off from the outside? When had it turned into a sieve?

Even Terumi Mei and Ao were rattled.

Forget Zabuza's secrets for a second—the very fact that Haruta could say all this with a straight face proved one terrifying truth:

Konoha had completely infiltrated Kirigakure.

The intelligence web that Haruta was pulling from wasn't just accurate—it was surgical.

What had happened to their village?

Had they become that vulnerable?

Only Pakura seemed oddly calm. In fact, a faint smile tugged at her lips—as if she were… relieved?

Not because of schadenfreude. But because, for the first time, someone else's village was as compromised as hers.

"So I'm not alone… Suna's not the only one riddled with Konoha's spies…"

"Don't look so surprised."

Haruta chuckled, waving a hand like it was all trivial.

"Konoha's intel division is deeper than you could ever imagine."

Then his voice dropped just a bit, sharp and cold:

"And don't you dare underestimate Lord Danzo. If we want the information, we'll get it."

This was the part Haruta had been waiting for.

He hadn't needed to wait for Jiraiya to show up. He didn't want to borrow anyone else's authority.

No—what he wanted was this moment.

A declaration that Danzo's intelligence network could reach even the most sealed-off villages. That nothing was beyond their grasp.

Sure, not everything he said was true.

But did it matter?

These people weren't about to go knocking on Konoha's door to verify. And Jiraiya, who actually knew the real state of things? Wasn't here.

Haruta smiled.

The point wasn't about truth—it was about influence.

"What the hell do you want?"

Zabuza finally snapped, grinding his teeth. He was still reeling from everything he'd heard—but now, he just wanted to get past it.

Mei and Ao were clearly shaken, and he had no idea how much worse things would get.

"I said all this because I need you to understand—Konoha doesn't move without purpose."

Haruta's voice grew serious.

"If I hadn't said all this, you'd think I was just spouting nonsense."

Which is exactly what it sounds like, Zabuza thought bitterly, holding himself back from shouting again.

Mei and Ao remained silent—not because they had nothing to say, but because they didn't know where to begin.

"Pakura, you should know about Uchiha Obito, right?"

Haruta turned to her, still calm.

"If you can, help me explain. If I do it, they'll just assume I'm lying."

"…Mm."

Pakura nodded slowly.

"Uchiha Obito is currently Konoha's most wanted rogue ninja. His list of crimes is long—including but not limited to attacking the village, stealing Wood Release bloodline abilities, and destroying the Tsuchikage's tower during an assault on Iwagakure…"

"And one more thing," Haruta interjected, smiling.

"He also stole the Dragon Vein in Wind Country's Rōran."

"…What?"

Pakura froze.

What did he just say?

The Dragon Vein too?

"You didn't know?"

Haruta raised an eyebrow, confused.

"That's strange. According to reports, a massive chakra eruption occurred at the tower sealing the Dragon Vein—accompanied by a giant tree.

This happened while we were negotiating with your village. Didn't you investigate?"

Pakura didn't respond.

They had investigated.

At the time, all fingers had pointed to Haruta…

But thinking about it now, the timeline—and the clues—lined up better with Obito.

He had space-time techniques. He had Wood Release. And back then… Haruta hadn't yet shown Flying Thunder God mastery, had he?

Either way, from every angle—this was Obito's mess.

"Uchiha Obito…"

The name echoed in the cave.

Mei, Ao, and Zabuza all wore the same expression: a mix of confusion and disbelief.

Had their village really been so cut off from the world that they didn't even know about a man like this?

And more importantly—how the hell had Konoha gathered such detailed intel on him?

It felt… impossible.

These kinds of secrets weren't supposed to be floating around like common gossip.

"…Was it Iwagakure?"

Mei's voice cut through the silence.

It was sharp—focused.

"You mentioned the Tsuchikage's tower being burned. So the intel on Obito… it came from you? You passed it to Iwagakure?"

"Yes."

Haruta nodded. No need to lie.

Mei's face darkened.

"Then… your real mission in Kirigakure—is it to hunt him?"

"Exactly."

Haruta sighed. His voice grew heavier.

"And from all we've uncovered so far… it's likely that Obito is here in Mist.

Or at least, operating from within it."

"What?!"

The reaction was immediate.

"You're telling me," Mei said, incredulous, "that that man is hiding in our village?"

Haruta nodded gravely.

"And it gets worse."

He took a breath, then asked:

"Do you know the name Nohara Rin?"

"…Nohara Rin?"

Mei blinked.

Zabuza frowned.

Only Ao's expression changed—his brows furrowing, eyes narrowing.

"That woman… the one who was implanted with the Three-Tails?"

"Exactly."

Haruta pointed at him with satisfaction.

"Long ago, Kirigakure sealed the Three-Tails into Nohara Rin, hoping to use her as a suicide weapon against Konoha.

I don't know who proposed the plan, or how it was approved—but it happened.

And in the end, overwhelmed and confused, she chose to end her life—by Kakashi's hand.

The problem? Rin was the person Obito loved most in this world."

"So you're saying…"

Pakura slowly pieced it together.

"…Obito came to avenge her? To take revenge on Mist for killing Rin?"

"No."

Haruta shook his head solemnly.

"I'm saying—he already has.

Think about it.

Kirigakure is isolated. Hard to reach. Easy to hide in. Your intelligence network is practically blind.

You didn't even know who Obito was until just now—that's how safe he's been."

He scanned the room, making sure his words hit.

"And Obito is a vindictive bastard.

He's already stolen Wood Release from Konoha. He's already torn through Iwagakure.

And Mist—the village that played the biggest role in Rin's death…

You tell me—what do you think he's been doing here all this time?"

Silence.

Then Haruta delivered the final blow:

"And based on our latest intel… Obito is now working with the Akatsuki.

The guy I fought earlier?

He was one of them."

"…So?"

Ao spoke up at last, his voice low.

"Where do you think he is?"

Silence lingered in the air for a long moment before Terumi Mei finally lifted her head.

An ominous feeling twisted in her gut, but she didn't dare voice it.

"Where is he?" she asked.

"That," Haruta said, shaking his head with a faint smile, "depends on whether we can speak with your Elder."

He locked eyes with Mei and the others, then spoke in a calm but bone-chilling tone.

"Uchiha Obito possesses a Mangekyō Sharingan of superior power. He can manipulate others through genjutsu, even at long range. And the most devastating revenge against a village..."

Haruta paused.

"…is not a massacre. It's a policy."

"Only through twisted, oppressive policies can you silently ruin a generation, destroy a clan, shatter hope… even corrupt an entire system."

Just as I feared…

Terumi Mei's blood ran cold.

She wasn't alone. Ao and Zabuza froze, their bodies stiff as statues.

They had suspected it the moment Haruta began speaking, but now there was no doubt—

They weren't standing in a whirlpool.

They were standing at the edge of a hellish abyss.

"At first," Haruta continued, "I suspected Elder Genji. After all, not many would dare challenge a Kage, and Genshin does wield considerable power."

He turned toward Pakura, whose expression had also turned grim.

"But now… after connecting the dots—what Suna has been through, what we've seen in your village, the bloodlines purged, the chaos buried under 'order'…"

He narrowed his eyes at Mei.

"I realize now—this is worse than I thought. Far worse. Isn't that right… Terumi Mei?"

"Seems we really underestimated him…"

...

Meanwhile, in the Kamui dimension, Uchiha Obito observed the wreckage of the battlefield through his swirling eye.

He wasn't surprised. He knew none of those Mist shinobi stood a chance against Haruta.

That was why he had sent Nagato to strike nearby—to provoke chaos.

The devastation left behind? Exquisite.

Another heavy blow to Kirigakure.

Another gift-wrapped tragedy.

Even better—most of the casualties were Genji's people. Just as planned.

But the thing that annoyed him?

Haruta's power.

And the fact that the Akatsuki's people had gotten their asses handed to them.

"Haruta's grown again," Obito muttered. "And his power… it's strange."

"He has that Ashura Chakra signature," Black Zetsu said with narrowed eyes. "Reminds me of those previous reincarnations."

"Ashura's, huh…" Obito mused.

"Tail Beast synergy. Yang Release Chakra Mode. That fits the Ashura pattern," Black Zetsu continued, as if reminiscing.

"But something's off."

Obito frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"He was born while Madara was still alive," Zetsu said. "Ashura's reincarnation shouldn't appear until after Indra's awakens. That's always been the rule.

But this kid… He came early."

"So what? You think Ashura's soul got tired of being little brother and decided to go first this time?"

Black Zetsu didn't reply. His instincts told him something was deeply wrong. But he'd have to investigate more—quietly.

"In any case," Zetsu said, "everything's gone according to plan. Genji's faction took heavy losses."

"Shame I can't send in more White Zetsu," Obito muttered. "That damn brat's sensory range is too sharp."

"Better safe than sorry," Zetsu agreed. "We can't afford to feed him more soldiers."

Obito's gaze darkened.

He still hadn't forgiven Haruta for stealing one of his White Zetsu units.

"That parasite's worth too much. If he gets another one, his power might leap again."

"Still, Nagato was too careless," Zetsu said. "He only brought one body with him. Even with his Rinnegan, he underestimated the fight."

Obito scoffed.

"Then let it be a lesson. How are they now?"

"They're alive," Zetsu replied. "Injured, but retreating. Strong ones, those two."

"But vulnerable," Zetsu added darkly. "Nagato's body will need time to recover after using that much power. And we don't know Haruta's next move.

If he acts during this window… we might be at a disadvantage."

"Tch. Don't overestimate him."

Obito's voice was cold as steel.

"He's not Hashirama. And even if he's dangerous, we can still deal with him."

He stood, eyes narrowed beneath the swirling void of his mask.

"As for Nagato—leave him be for now. We won't reveal ourselves.

Let's continue using Kirigakure's resources. I want to toy with Haruta a little longer.

Let's see how clever he really is."

Obito's voice dropped low.

"I spent years assembling this damn Water Country theater. I refuse to believe he'll unravel it all.

He thinks he's clever—always piecing together clues. Let's see what he uncovers this time.

He likes making me the scapegoat?

Fine. Let's use that.

We'll use him to kill Genji."

Black Zetsu remained quiet for a long time.

He looked at Obito, opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Yes, Haruta wasn't Hashirama.

But Haruta… wasn't just Hashirama.

That boy had the makings of Ashura, too.

He was a blade, yes—but Obito might just be sharpening it with his own blood.

...

Back in the ruined forest, Mei, Ao, and Zabuza moved silently through the trees.

They moved cautiously, avoiding paths with any signs of patrols.

But none of them spoke—not because there was nothing to say, but because their thoughts were swimming with too much.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Ao broke the silence.

"…Mei. Do you think what that guy said was… true?"

Mei didn't answer right away. She glanced at Zabuza.

"I think," she said carefully, "you might be able to confirm it… can't you?"

Zabuza's jaw clenched.

He didn't want to answer.

He didn't want to be in this mess at all. Being used as a pawn in Haruta's truth bomb delivery? Worst day of his life.

His secrets were all but ripped open. Everything he'd hidden, suddenly on display.

"Don't bother running," Mei said firmly.

"You think you can escape?"

She signaled subtly to Ao, who flanked Zabuza.

"Now's not the time to resist. It's time to start thinking about what helps you the most.

So far, only the three of us know what Haruta said. Maybe Elder Genji will hear of it too.

But for now, no one's pointing fingers. You still have room to choose."

Mei didn't like this kind of pressure tactic.

But they couldn't afford to turn Zabuza into an enemy. Not now.

And he had information—vital information.

"…I'm not a traitor," Zabuza growled. "That kid thinks he knows everything? He doesn't."

He met Mei's gaze.

"But yeah. Some of it's true. I do want to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage's tyranny. But it's not for power.

It's for Kirigakure. For a better future."

"…We believe you."

Mei said it through clenched teeth.

So Haruta was right after all…

"And yeah," Zabuza muttered, "I do have a kid from the Yuki Clan."

"Haku. That's his name."

"I found him by accident, kept him close. A living piece of evidence of the Fourth's cruelty. I was going to use him to expose it.

Haruta's intel was accurate. Just twisted.

That bastard doesn't care about right or wrong—he only cares about outcomes."

Mei and Ao didn't reply.

Zabuza's words echoed in their minds. And one thing was now crystal clear:

Haruta's intel was terrifyingly precise.

Kirigakure had truly been infiltrated down to its core.

And worse… the true mastermind behind it all might be—

"…We'll report to Elder Genji."

Mei didn't dare say it out loud.

Because if Genji himself was the traitor…

No. He'd always opposed the Blood Mist. He couldn't be involved.

Even Haruta didn't believe it was Genji… right?

But in this moment, Mei felt something she hadn't felt in years.

Dread.

...

"...We're just letting them go?"

Back in the cave, Pakura glanced out at the forest, then turned toward Haruta, who looked completely at ease.

"You sure that's wise?"

"What else would you suggest?"

Haruta laughed softly, shaking his head.

"I get what you're thinking—leave a hostage, send one back as a messenger. Classic tactic."

"But the truth is, the most effective trump card… is sincerity."

"Letting them go shows confidence. Shows that we're not desperate. That we're in control."

Besides…

I already left a Flying Thunder God seal on all three of them.

Haruta's thoughts remained hidden behind his smile, but even he had to admit—

Maybe I'm becoming a bit of a hypocrite.

Still, caution above all.

That, he believed in.

"Confidence is good," Pakura muttered. "Sincerity too. But I hope this doesn't all just… evaporate into nothing."

Haruta gave her a wink.

"Then let's make sure it doesn't."

Pakura shook her head. She still couldn't quite agree with Haruta's approach.

"Actually, sending them all back isn't the worst idea. At least now they know what's really going on in Suna."

Haruta simply shrugged, flashing a faint grin.

"They'll help clean up the bodies later. As for the ones who survive... they probably won't be treated too badly. At least, they won't be killed."

Now that the truth behind Sunagakure was exposed, Elder Genji only had two options—either kill them all or leave some alive.

If he followed Uchiha Obito's script, there would be no choice—complete annihilation.

But now, Haruta had given Pakura a hand. Even if things looked grim, at least a few lives could still be spared.

"Hmph. So what, I'm supposed to thank you?"

Pakura's expression darkened the moment she heard the update on her fellow Sand shinobi.

Dragged into a dark storm for no apparent reason... it made her feel sick.

And the worst part? This wasn't her first time.

Once, it had been the village that betrayed her. This time, she'd been swept into chaos against her will.

The difference?

One was caused by her own people.

The other, by forces she never asked to cross paths with.

But both times... it was this same man who pulled her out of it.

"Why not?" Haruta chuckled. "A simple thank you won't kill you, y'know."

"Not worth my breath."

Pakura rolled her eyes. Even if she was already feeling grateful in her heart, her mouth refused to say it out loud.

"But seriously," she added after a moment, "is what you said true? That Uchiha Obito..."

"I don't know for sure. All of it's speculation. They'll have to confirm it themselves."

Haruta was completely certain about the truth. But it was something he could never admit—he had no evidence.

Not everyone had God's perspective like he did. They couldn't see the whole picture.

Some things, they had to discover on their own.

Haruta's job was just to give them a push in the right direction... and maybe leak an answer or two.

"Let's hope they respond quickly. And let's hope Nagato recovers soon."

Haruta was in a great mood. Even though this big spoiler drop didn't trigger a hidden mission…

His main quest hadn't moved an inch either.

But this time, he'd still gained something massive!

> [Detected: New ability acquired. Now logged in the system directory.]

[Yang Release: Chakra Mode – Current Level: LV1 (Max LV7)]

Haruta glanced at his system panel, and his lips curled into a smile at the sight of the new entry.

Like always, power as a ninja came through battle.

And this clash with Nagato had brought him gains that completely exceeded expectations.

He'd spent forever trying to master the Yang Release: Chakra Mode. Even when he managed to use it, the system refused to acknowledge it.

Apparently, from the system's perspective, he hadn't even reached the beginner threshold.

But now?

It had finally been logged.

How could he not be happy?

And the best part? The system's follow-up notification:

> [Yang Release and Cursed Seal both detected at LV7. Upgrading Chakra Mode does not require additional free points.]

The meaning was crystal clear.

Haruta's mastery of this Chakra Mode had fused Yang Release, the Cursed Seal, and the Dragon Vein into a complete whole.

The Dragon Vein chakra wasn't his and didn't count—but Yang Release and the Cursed Seal did. And both were maxed out at Level 7.

In this state, he didn't need to worry about resource consumption for those two. He could level up this new technique like any other ability—just dump points into it.

Sure, it might look like the system was burning his free points hard...

But Haruta knew how rare this technique was. It didn't exist in the original timeline. He had no blueprint, no guidance, and no one to copy.

"But now that it's part of the system," he murmured, "I can simulate it, find an optimized path, and even get the entire research and cultivation process laid out for me..."

Spending 28 free points for a completely new, eye-poppingly powerful technique that had never appeared in the original world?

Yeah. Haruta didn't feel like he lost anything.

"In fact, I might've profited. I mean... this is a Chakra Mode we're talking about!"

Just thinking about it made him even more fired up.

Farm Obito for points.

Farm the Akatsuki for points.

Farm Kirigakure for points.

If it could be farmed—he wasn't missing a single opportunity.

"Tch. There's not a single honest word that comes out of your mouth."

Pakura had no idea what Haruta was plotting. She just shook her head when she heard his reply.

"You sound way too confident for someone who 'doesn't know.' Clearly, you've got more intel than you're letting on. Is this how you treat your allies?"

"Hmm?"

Haruta raised a brow, casting her a strange look before responding with mock seriousness.

"I've always been honest with you. Didn't I tell you? Your figure is really something else."

"..."

Pakura's face instantly turned red, her fists clenching tight.

Did he have to be so damn honest about that?!

But before she could do anything, Haruta suddenly gave her a subtle shake of the head.

"Alright, enough. Don't make a scene. Jiraiya's coming. Watch your words, alright?

Play along with me—I promise I'll convince Lord Danzo to throw more benefits your way."

"?"

Pakura frowned, still confused about what was happening. But sure enough, she could already hear approaching footsteps.

A moment later, a battered and disheveled Jiraiya stumbled into the cave.

The moment he laid eyes on Haruta, he looked visibly relieved.

But before he could say a word, Haruta stepped forward.

"Captain Jiraiya, we might have a problem..."

"..."

Those words were enough to turn Jiraiya's emotional reunion into icy dread.

....

Currently this fic has upto 160 chapter.

If you wish to read 50+ ahead and support me:

[email protected]/NahinS77

Change @ to a