Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 175: An Important Message from Black Zetsu

Outside the Akatsuki base, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki were still processing their conversation with Shigen. Both of them were surprised by his keen interest in Sasuke Uchiha.

"What should we do?"

Kisame gripped his Samehada sword and sighed helplessly.

"Itachi, if your little brother becomes the leader of the Akatsuki someday, that wouldn't be good for your future, would it?"

"..."

Itachi's eyes flickered with worry.

He had never expected that his brother would be valued so highly—especially by someone like Shigen.

To be honest...

Being the Akatsuki leader was a cursed position.

Sure, Itachi felt somewhat relieved that Shigen saw potential in Sasuke and believed he could awaken the Rinnegan in the future.

But...

Itachi would rather his brother live a peaceful life in Konoha, gain enough power to protect himself, and simply be an ordinary ninja.

Unfortunately...

Shigen had given them an order.

There was no way to refuse.

Even if they declined, someone else in the Akatsuki would take the mission. Who knew what methods they would use?

For all they knew...

They might break Sasuke's leg and drag him back.

"We need to inform Obito."

"Kisame, Obito has been waiting for our intel ever since he took Pain's Rinnegan. He's been planning to take control of the Akatsuki..."

"But now..."

Kisame looked at Itachi and smirked.

"It seems Lord Shigen isn't too keen on Obito taking over."

"He'd rather have your little brother grow up and take the reins instead."

"So why not... just kill Sasuke?"

"That way, you'll have one less problem in the future, and Obito can proceed with his plan."

"..."

Itachi's heart tensed, but he spoke calmly.

"I need to think about it."

No.

Sasuke was in serious danger!

If Obito learned that Shigen saw Sasuke as the future leader of the Akatsuki, he might try to kill him!

Obito and Shigen were already in conflict over the Akatsuki's leadership. Now, Shigen wanted to groom a twelve-year-old Sasuke?

Would Obito, in his unstable mind, tolerate that?

Even if there was only a chance...

If Itachi couldn't bring Sasuke to the Akatsuki to protect him, Obito might eliminate him just to crush Shigen's plan.

And in fact...

That was exactly what Obito was thinking.

The moment he received the news, his head ached.

Originally, Obito had hoped that Orochimaru's Edo Tensei summons of the past Hokages would deal with Shigen.

Instead, the Hokages had suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat.

Fine.

If that failed, Obito at least had the Rinnegan. He figured that having it would force Shigen and Black Zetsu to negotiate with him—compelling them to discuss the Moon's Eye Plan and the Akatsuki's future.

But Shigen wasn't playing along!

What the hell?

Was there a backup Rinnegan?!

Did that brat Sasuke actually have the potential to awaken one?!

"Wait a second..."

When Orochimaru heard Obito's concerns, even he was stunned.

"So let me get this straight... We betrayed Shigen, took the Rinnegan, and now you still want to negotiate with him?"

"..."

Obito shot Orochimaru a look.

What else?

The Moon's Eye Plan depended on the Rinnegan.

Now that he had one, why wouldn't Shigen come to the table?

"Should we deal with Sasuke?"

Obito studied the intel Kisame had provided, frowning.

He didn't want another Rinnegan appearing in the ninja world.

At least...

Not right now.

But there was a problem—Itachi.

Itachi needed Sasuke to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. If Sasuke died too soon, Itachi might turn against him.

Orochimaru, however, had another idea.

"You seem conflicted, Obito."

"If Itachi and Kisame are still working under you, why not just abduct Sasuke?"

Orochimaru was still bitter about his failed objectives during the Chunin Exams.

Now, upon hearing that Sasuke—who bore his Cursed Seal—had the potential to awaken the Rinnegan, he immediately proposed another plan.

If possible...

He would steal Sasuke's body and take the Rinnegan's power for himself!

Meanwhile...

Itachi received word from Obito that Orochimaru planned to abduct Sasuke.

That meant Sasuke now had yet another path ahead of him.

Between the two, Itachi still considered Shigen the greater threat.

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Orochimaru was more... human.

And he wasn't as strong.

Killing Orochimaru would be easy.

But Shigen...

That man had morals, but his power was overwhelming.

As Itachi pondered, he never once considered what Sasuke wanted.

Itachi always assumed he knew best for his brother—just as he had once believed that killing their parents and the entire Uchiha clan was the best way to protect Sasuke.

But...

Sasuke was his own person.

Right now, his only desire was to gain the power to kill Itachi—not to walk the path others laid out for him.

The problem was...

He didn't know how to get stronger.

Naruto, on the other hand, was improving rapidly.

And he had Jiraiya, someone even stronger than their sensei, Kakashi.

"Sorry, Sasuke, Sakura."

Naruto scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

"I'll be leaving Team 7 for a while to train under Jiraiya-sensei."

"That's great!"

Sakura instantly brightened.

If Naruto left, then she'd have Sasuke all to herself!

"I see."

Sasuke's brow furrowed—not because he would miss Naruto, but because he felt lost about his own future.

Naruto had a path forward.

What about him?

How would he ever surpass Itachi?

As Sasuke and Sakura watched Naruto leave, Sasuke felt completely directionless.

Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, had never considered training him.

Kakashi, too, was busy helping Tsunade stabilize Konoha and had no time for him or Sakura.

This...

Was the perfect time for someone to step in.

Orochimaru, hooded and hidden, watched Sasuke from the shadows, with Obito nearby.

Orochimaru had suffered no major losses in the Chunin Exams—only three pawns who bore his Cursed Seals.

Now, he was here in person to abduct Sasuke.

He knew better than anyone how dangerous it was for a young mind to be lost and seeking power.

And right now...

Sasuke was at his most vulnerable.

The perfect time to take him.

At the same time...

Itachi and Kisame arrived outside Konoha.

Even after reporting to Obito, they had to continue their mission for Shigen.

At the very least, they had to put on a show.

They had to answer to the true master of the Akatsuki.

"Obito and Orochimaru are here too..."

Kisame chuckled as he relayed Obito's orders.

"We'll cause a little chaos in Konoha, let Obito and Orochimaru take your brother, and then report back to Shigen."

"You think we can fool him?"

Itachi lowered his eyes.

"It's the only option..."

"And once we fail to bring back your brother..."

Kisame smirked.

"Obito will finally be able to force Shigen to negotiate on the Moon's Eye Plan."

"..."

Itachi fell silent.

Would Shigen really let this slide?

Shigen had always known that he and Kisame were Obito's spies.

As a double agent, Itachi fed Obito information while secretly warning Shigen about Obito and Orochimaru's plans for Sasuke.

Yet...

Shigen had made no move.

Was he really going to let Orochimaru take Sasuke?

Of course not.

Even though Shigen appeared calm and patient, he wasn't going to ignore Obito and Orochimaru's betrayal.

Especially when they dared to steal someone he had chosen.

He just needed time.

Time for Black and White Zetsu to locate another one of his subordinates.

Amegakure

At last, Black Zetsu brought news to Shigen.

Since the Chunin Exams, it had been relentlessly searching for the missing Rinnegan.

Now, they had found the thief.

And his secret.

"Shigen, you won't believe this..."

"Orochimaru's underling, Kabuto Yakushi—he's the one who stole Danzo's Rinnegan!"

"He hid it away and has been secretly gathering corpses of powerful ninjas."

"I even led him to Madara's body..."

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